vlog//girl behind the blog.

Yes.

I'm jumping on the band wagon.

I've been watching all of your vlogs and have decided to join in on the fun.

Here it is, my first TGBTB (The Girl Behind the Blog ;).

Oh, and look who decided to join me right after I had finished videoing....

                                                                    

timing.

                               
                                                                            //Source via Pinterest//

the country life.

I wake up and throw on my work-out pants and tank top.

I add a light jacket just for good measure.

I'm ready.

I eat my breakfast of blueberry yogurt and homemade granola, while catching up on all my emails.

I log in to my school website and see what my assignments are for the day.

This particular day is wet--we were blessed with showers the night before.

Blessings abound.

Turning up my music and setting the pace, I make my way to the neighborhood.

Hitting the concrete I settle into a run--pacing myself for the 2 miles.

En route to the neighborhood, I notice it.

Just barely poking up out of the rain-covered leaves.

New life.

Blessings abound.

Finishing the 2 miles, I'm ready for the sights that welcome me back to what is called home--

my life...

Sorrel horse hair left behind after a tail swooshing.

It hangs limp--just moving with the wind.

Remnants of the rain that poured down on the gravel driveway.

Not even yet soaked into the earth.

Turning the corner, I see them.

The two boys.

The sorrel is 19. 

The other, it's a mystery (no registered papers). We think the grey is 10.

They see me and prick forward their fuzzy ears.

One whinnies. The other just stares.

They have two totally different personalities.

Blessings abound.

I go over and say hello to the boys before heading inside for a wet, cold drink of water.

The day goes on.

School assignments are completed.

A blog post is written.

Errands are run and a Redbox is rented.

Snoozes are taken.

Dinner is prepared.

A game of phase 10 is played.

And then it's time.

One of my favorite times of the day.

Feeding time.

(sister feeds in the morning and i feed at night)

I head outside.

The two are impatiently waiting at the white vinyl fence.

I lift the latch and head out the gate.

I hear a knicker.

Climbing the ladder, the sea of hay envelops.

I find the machete and cut open the strands that hold the scrumptious hay together.

I  hear the horses beneath me--waiting for the hay to fall in front of their stall doors.

Blessings abound.

I fill their water buckets and lock them in for the night.

I leave.

The sound of the munching of content, healthy horses is such a good thing.

Blessings abound.

It's been a good day.
Oh, how I love my life.

out of breath.

It's 7:30 a.m. on this wet Saturday morning.

We arrive at the location and it's electric.

The hustle and bustle of the volunteers is evident and appreciated.

Runners are everywhere getting their game faces on.

We're ready.

We find a spot in the Hunter Hills building hallway and wait. It's cold outside but the rain has stopped.

Stretching and snapping a last picture before heading outside, Mom, Me, and my Sister head to the starting line.

Blessings abound.

I'm out of breath.

Well, actually that is an understatement.

I was gasping for air.

This race was a challenge.

Hills....and guess what? Once you thought you were past one hill there was....*dun dun dun*...another gimongous mountain to climb.

I passed the 1 mile mark...2 miles...."okay, I can do this."

Then the 3 mile mark. I grabbed a cup of water from the water station and took a quick swig and doused myself with the rest--while running around the bend.

I switched to a fast walk for a few feet then I was at it again....jogging.


Just as I thought I couldn't run any farther, I saw it.

The finish line.

I have never been so excited to see a finish line in my life.

As I approach the line, I hear the announcer say my name into the microphone. Seeing my number, and reading my name off the list, she was cheering me on.

Then, I saw my family. Daddy. Mom. And my sister.

Mom and sister had finished a few minutes before and were cheering me on the last couple of feet.

I made it.

Staring up at my time, I crossed the finish line.

Blessings abounded.

We completed it.

The third 5k was checked off the list.

This run was to benefit. To benefit Chick-fil-A's Winshape Foundation.

Hence, lots of free Chick-fil-A chicken biscuits and even a visit with the cow.


The Sweet Frog frogs were there too. The sis and I were super happy.

I would believe that we're two of the biggest Sweet Frog yogurt fans.

Blessings totally abounded.

After downing our water and checking our times, it was time for some fun.

Need I say more?...





And yes, we all three slid down the massive slide.

Blessings abounded.

Stats for my info:

Time: 00:35:21

Finished-

Overall: 109th out of 197

Female: 47th out of 117

Age Division: 20-24

Place: 4th out of the 9 in my age group

a word.

At the beginning of the year, many of you had the amazing idea of choosing a word.

A word for your everyday life.

A word that you would put into practice for this year.

I also chose a word.

Mine: 

Contentment.

For me, contentment has such a huge effect on my life.

Ever since I can remember, being content has been a challenge for me.

Whether it was waiting for a much anticipated package to arrive in the mail, or impatiently waiting on an answer from mom and dad about us being able to go the the Mexican restaurant with friends, the challenge was still there.

As I have grown older, my need for contentment has grown. 

Not to mention, the items and issues in life have gotten more serious.

Instead of waiting on a baby doll to be delivered by the UPS man, or fretting over what to order off the menu at El Torito, the issues in life have become more complicated...

waiting for that mid-term grade to be posted--wondering if you got that A you wanted so badly.

asking yourself: "Should I buy this car now? Or should I wait a few more months until I have the cash?"

Other issues may be:

guy problems.

single problems.

family problems.

marriage problems.

and the list goes on and on.

Have you ever caught yourself wishing that you were a little girl/boy again?

Kids only think that naptime is a major problem.

I would love it if naptime was the only major issue in my life.

To tell you a secret, contentment was a major issue in my life last year.

I mean, what girl/guy doesn't want that special someone?

What girl/guy doesn't want to be successful in their academic career?

What girl/guy doesn't have that urge to buy that SUV right then and there?

via

But, I learned something.

Something I have been raised knowing, but has really hit me in the face these last couple of months.

God is BIG.

And He knows exactly what you need and exactly when you need it.

Isn't that such an awesome thought?

(totally.)

I'm counting my blessings every day and realizing that being content in Him is the greatest blessing of all.

Surprise.

But, if you're looking to find contentment in your worldly possessions, you are in for a deep disappointment.

Friends will hurt you.

Cars will break down.

And believe it or not, you may just get a C instead of an A 

(be thankful! it's a passing grade. ;)

But guess what??

God is always there.

He never leaves or forsakes. (Deut. 31:6)

He calls us His children.

and He will never hurt us.

So.

I guess what I'm trying to say is:

Be content in Him and He will fulfill all those needs and desires that you yearn for...

in His perfect timing.

Who knows, I may even go and enjoy a naptime. :)