A Brand New Day

This past weekend I loaded up all my things after work, picked up a friend, and headed for the hills.....literally.  It was windy as we exited North Dakota but that was to be expected.  As we sped across the flat lands we ran into a cop heading the other way.  With my luck the cop flipped through the ditch, tailed us, then pulled me over.  This young cop walked up and kindly asked me if I knew what I had done. "Why, yes sir, I was speeding."  Being the nice cop he was, he had mercy on me and gave me a warning.  I have my mother's luck.  We arrived in Helena, MT. at about 10:30 MT time.  The next morning my sister and I went on a good, chilly, and beautiful ride on our horses.
                                                                  ~My baby girl~
                                     

Good Friday was then spent going to Church, hiking with Daddy and my sister Katherine.  It was so fulfilling to be out on the mountains that were my home and where my heart belongs. The birds were flitting in and out of the trees reminding us that new life was on its way with the Resurrection and with the entry of Spring.  

~Give me elevation~

~Someone must have wanted to sleep while hunt~

Being home taught me many things this time.  Creating my life on my own is possible because I am not on my own.  The people that love you will always be by your side.

During my quick trip to MT my Uncle and Aunt were in town.  It was great fun to visit with them and see their little kiddos grow up and be running around.  Little Pierce during one dinner, eating a drumstick, turned to my Dad saying, "I found a bone.  Uncle Shannon, look I found a bone!" Ah how little kids but especially little boys just crack me up. It was good to be teased and challenged by Uncle Alex.  He reminded me that really nothing in life comes easy and that my dreams are worth chasing.  The second thing  that I took away from my trip was that even when it gets hard it is only trying to challenge one's self to forge ahead and become the "Best version of yourself"            (Mathew Kelley)  

So for the next four and a half weeks of my sophomore year here is to Blue Skies Ahead!

~A girl chasing her dreams

Spring Break!

         Spring Break 2016 was one of the best breaks I have ever been on.  We started it off with packing five girls into my little subaru.  We took off from Bismarck around two o' clock in the afternoon.  We were all hyped to be on break and start on adventures.  Saturday and Sunday were days of seeing family, friends from college, basketball games, and enjoying no school.  Monday was spent at one of the cattle ranches.  Molly G, Katherine and I were in all our element.  It was refreshing and exhilarating to be riding around on four wheelers in the fields, feeding cows, fixing fences, watching cows give birth, and doing any work that Mr. Bignell had for us.  Finishing the day being absolutely covered in mud, hay and the smell of the ranch filled my heart.
                                                   ~How I love these little cows~
                                I wanna marry a cowboy!

~As sisters we dream; as friends we take action~

Someone teach me to rope!

The life of my girls....waiting for our ride on the highway 

The rest of the week was filled with seeing various people, enjoying the Montana air, and going on many adventures.  Early Sunday morning we picked up bagels, coffee and snacks then hit the road.  Listening to Jason Evert and talking about how we can enrich our lives to become the best version of ourselves and learn how to become a Godly woman topped off the week.  As we were singing at the top of our lungs (grant it some of us do not have a voice) my car jerked us back into reality as it swerved over the road.  We quickly pulled to the side and jumped out to check my tires.  As I was checking my engine Molly G pointed out that there was one lug nut left on my back tire.  Three and a half hours later we were back on the road after being towed into Columbus, having new lug nuts put on my tire, and trying to enjoy our delay by eating McDonalds and watching a show. The mechanics were interesting fellows to say the least as they stereotyped us a lot, making one comment, "This must be the most fun you have had with your clothes on!" We proved to them that we are tough girls by handling this very well on our own.   

All in all it was one of the best trips I have ever taken and I look forward to many adventures with these ladies!