bigsis2many
Jul. 21, 2008
new blog

I have a new address for my blog... it'll be www.homeschoolblogger.com/bigsis2many93/ from now on.

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Jul. 20, 2008
Lots of stuff...

Okay sorry about the original of this entry, I didn't realize how bad that text color would show up!

Ok so I had to take a little break from blogging this past week because of camp and stuff.

Camp went really well this week, we were so tired but overall it wasn't bad.

Well this week was pretty cool because over the course of the week 2 of my siblings got saved. One at vbs and one at camp. Pretty awesome!

So now I'm just chilling and getting ready for school to start next week... ugh... I don't even get a full week of down time since my mom wants to start "school prep" this week. Oh well, I guess that's life. I am happy to get back into a routine again.

So this past week I saw someone I haven't seen in a long time, and let's just say we were never good friends. Anyways I won't go into details but this person was so obviously trying to get to me and it just cracked me up how hard this person was trying. What I really started thinking about was how what this person said  would have really gotten to so many people. For me it was more annoying that this person was trying to be mean then that it actually hurt me. Most people don't seem to get it that I pretty much have leather skin. Some really weird random things get to me, and if somethings gets to me it REALLY bugs me, but for the most part stuff just bounces off me. I don't really know why, but I guess it's good. Sorry, kind of random, just something that was on my mind.

Something else that has been on my mind.. lately I've been thinking alot about brokeness. Like, just feeling yourself completely break down. For me I'm the kind of person that is obsessed with being strong. I never am, I'm usually the underdog, but I am always pushing to be a leader and I want to make it to the top. To me brokeness is weakness. Well last week I started a horse undersaddle for the second time. Now I almost always use that wording "started a horse undersaddle" when I refer to a horse being trained to ride. Most people just say breaking the horse. I have always hated that wording because so often that just means breaking the horse down, breaking their spirit, breaking down everything in them and just leaving them like that. This past week they used the term breaking for what we did, and those horses were broken to an extent, but once they were broken we were able to build them up again, only this time they were stronger, braver, smarter, and their overall temperment was happy and calm and more then anything they were so peaceful. Since brokeness has been on my mind so much recently it was such a beautiful picture of what brokeness really is. It's painful at the time, and it seems like all hope is lost, but once the horse is broken they can be rebuilt into something stronger then before. It's exactly what God does with us. So now I have a whole new mindset on brokeness... and I am feeling myself break but I just keep reminding myself to make myself broken and then God can rebuild me into something even better then I was to start with. Pretty cool, right?

Anyways, just something that was on my mind!


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Jul. 13, 2008
Blogging again

Ok so I decided to start blogging again. Took a break but I'm back at it now.

Well I just got home from miracle mountain ranch. It was INCREDIBLE! I had the best time! I went with my best friends Mary and Jessi and it was amazing. I got to start another horse undersaddle. His name was Ace and he was a bay QH gelding. He was like, 15.1ish. I never got a for sure answer on his age but he was 2 or 3. He was a right brain introvert/left brain extrovert. He was SO much fun!!!!! I loved him!!! He did really well and by the end of the week we walked, trotted, cantered, and gone on a trail ride. Pretty cool.

The spiritual side of the week was amazng as well. The theme of the week was pride and humility. I didn't think I had that big of an issue with pride until we looked into it deeper and WOW... I definitely am nowhere near being as humble as I need to be. I am pretty good about controlling my actions but in my heart I have a HUGE pride issue! What I hadn't thought about until last week was how so many actions we wouldn't think of as being prideful in reality come from a spirit of pride. It's interesting to think about.

I definitely want to be an apprentice at mmr when I graduate highschool. I love that place. It's just incredible... It's like home.

Anyways, advanced beginner camp tomorrow so I need sleep!


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May. 9, 2008
Soooo much stuff!!!

Wow. So my last entry was a LONG time ago!!

So. Let me see. Where to I start.....

The past couple weeks have been a blur.. just trying to get school finished, go see all the mafa end of the year performances, work, get the camps organized, teach riding lessons, babysit, and deal with the drama of life it's been crazy!!

Lizzy has been having some really bad stiffness issues... got a masuss.. no... no... I HATE that word... MASSAGIST... I don't care if it isn't a word that's what I'm calling her dang it! Anyway, got a MASSAGIST out here to give her a massage and she is tons better!! She still needs one or two more, but she's like a different horse physically and emotionally. Pretty awesome.

I decided tomorrow I am taking the day off life. I've been so stressed lately I think I'm almost making myself sick... it's weird...

There isn't THAT much to stress over, but I kind of have little panic attacks every now and then and it's starting to get kind of crazy.

Anyways, I really can't remember anything else to put on here... that's how my mind is working these days...

I guess I'll get out of here, but I WILL update more!!

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Apr. 26, 2008
Life... lol

Welp this past week has been kind of crazy but definitly a good week! Work, school, piano, horses, like usual... but we didn't some other stuff.

Wednesday had an ortho appointment (ICK!) and we went shopping and stuff, then when we got home right as we were getting ready to head out again for awanas Kathryn fell backwards off the swing and broke her arm. Just a green-stick break so she's not in really bad shape but she definitly hurts!

Then Thursday I babysat, went strawberry picking, and went to see a play a guy from my church was in. Pretty fun!

Believe it or not I cannot remember a single thing I did yesterday besides work.. wowsers...

Today I had master class and that was really cool. I got alot of really helpful insight! I played the Waltz by Chopin.

Now I'm home completely exausted in desperate need of sleep! lol

Tomorrow we've got church.. maybe I'll have a chance to mess with my horses after that... I have hardly touched them this week!


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Apr. 21, 2008
just another day in... paradise?

Yeah, I love that song, and.. well.. I just have to keep reminding myself that even on the bad days when it comes down to it my life really is pretty close to paradise.

I wouldn't say today was a BAD day.. but it wasn't one of those days where I come in going "Awwwww today was the bestest day" and rainbows and ponies and all that good stuff  

But like I said, it wasn't a BAD day.

So this morning we went shopping. I got some summer clothes, a toothbrush head, razor blades, all the necessities

Then we tried to get some lunch at Wal-Mart and eat it on the benches while we waited for my dad to come pick us up. Now normally I do the shopping w/just me and 2 siblings and get them lunch and life is good.. this time it was me, 4 siblings, and my mom... It was a DISASTER...

But, like pretty much everything, it worked fine in the end.

Then we got home, just chilled out. I did some tanning (hehe) while I read a couple new library books.

We went swimming even though it was WAAAY too cold.

Had dinner.

Dealt with a certain brother who was being a jerk and beating me up (like always he does this when my parents aren't around.. he only does the mild version when they are.. and they think THAT'S bad! If only they knew!) but he figured out I wasn't wanting to deal w/his crud pretty quickly on.

That was one of the thing during my day that really got to me... I know that it's not that EVERYTHING is Brian's fault when we fight... but he is always SOOO set on getting his way. Always HIS way. He can never meet in the middle with anything... it's always his way or the highway.

I try standing firm and not giving in to his stuff and he just pushes harder, I'm soft and let him do what he wants hoping he'll start liking me more or something, and he just takes advantage of it.. UGH it's so frustrating.. he.. well.. grr.. HE'S JUST LIKE MY DAD!!!!!

Anyway. That's my day.

I'm reading these awesome books right now. It's 2 different series by the same author. They are the True Colors series and the Diary of a Teenage Girl series by Melody Carlson. They are sooo great... they are Christian books that just deal with issues teenagers go through.. and it's all just fictional characters and stuff.. anyway they are AWESOME books. I am like, addicted to them! Good thing to be addicted to, imo.

Yeppers. So I guess I'd better head out..

Tallyho! :)


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Apr. 20, 2008
Stuff

Welp, another week is here and gone. Friday I went by Hobby Horse and work. That was all I really did. Saturday I had to go to Hobby Horse again (I got Lizzy's flymask a size to small and had to get a bigger one), then went to the library. Saturday night was the mafa performance (Pirates of Penzance!) and I got to go see that and see all my old friends, it was great!! I can't wait for Artios next year!!

Today had church and messed w/the horses, mowed the lawn, etc. Just normal Sunday stuff.

Man I'm so excited about this summer. 3 weeks of running horse camps, a week of camp at Miracle Mountain Ranch in PA, possibly Camp Marantha (I'm still trying to decide whether or not I'll go).. yeah it's gonna be great. Right now I'm trying to get fit, get a tan, and go summer clothes/swimsuit shopping so I will be set!!!! So far the getting fit thing is going.. er.. ok... lol I'm more fit then I was.. which is a start.. but is still incredibly unfit. The tan.. umm... I look like a ghost (except for my arms, they are fairly tan) my legs are white and anything though!! And summer clothes/swimsuit? Welp I'm going shopping tomorrow.

For April I'd say I'm doing pretty good! lol.

Just gotta finish school and I'm set!!!

I guess that's all for now. Happy Sunday!


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Apr. 17, 2008
Uhh... today is thursday.. right?

Today IS thursday.. isn't it?

Yeah, it's been that kind of week..

Got home from camping at lunchtime on Sunday. It all went pretty well I think.

Monday was getting everything ready for mom to leave on...

Tuesday! Mom and M left early Tuesday morning for M's laser surgery. S

On Tuesday I babysat (with Grandma..) and Wednesday some friends came over with their kids and they hung out with us.. it was a huge help and a ton of fun!

Today I was on my own babysitting until 5:30pm when my mom and M got home!

So now that mom is home life is pretty much back to normal... I'm glad I'm no longer the "mom"!!

That's pretty much all I have done this week... Since my mom has been gone I really haven't gone anywhere or done anything.

This Saturday I get to go to the Master's performance and see everyone again, I am SO excited. Like, ecstatic, lol.

Well, I guess that's it for now. Over and out!

-Carolyn


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Apr. 10, 2008
Terrifying Thursday? Terrific Thursday? Hmmm I'm not sure..

Well this past week has been crazy.

On Sunday I was reading a book and it was talking about idolizing things and putting them before God and I knew immediately I was meant to read that. I definitly put horses before God and that is NOT good. So I have been trying to back off the horses a bit and kind of re-prioritize my life.

Then there's just been some drama going on with just typical lame stuff. I really need to not get so frustrated when people keep secrets and stuff, because it's not that big of a deal but for some reason it drives me completely and totally insane when things are kept from me. I guess I feel like I am already so far removed from so many people that when they keep things from me it's just one more thing that sets me apart.

Just trying to keep in mind what goes on between me and other people IS NOT that big of an issue, I still have my family, my best friends, and God on my side... but it does hurt when I feel like I'm not trusted.

Besides that life is good. Going camping tomorrow. A little hesitant about that, but it shouldn't be a big deal. Those of you that know me well know what I'm talking about

I am SOO happy right now about my school though!! I will be done in 5 WEEKS!! At least with my main stuff. I am doing 8th grade Science, Grammer, Math, and Writing. I am doing a couple other highschool classes I don't HAVE to finish this year, so I can either drop those and do them next year, work on them until the end of this year, or work on them over the summer and get ahead. I will probably work on them over the summer and get ahead. Anyway, I will be done with Grammer, Science, and Writing in 5 weeks! I have to do Math over the summer because I had to do a ton of catch up work when Math-U-See changed the curriculum format, but if I just do a lesson everyday this summer I should be caught up in June or July and I will be completely on track next year.

I haven't been able to finish on time like this in FOREVER because I take sooo many days off.. so I am pretty happy!!

My mom and M are going to CA for M's laser surgery next Wednesday. Please keep them in your prayers.

So besides all the silly drama that I somehow manage to get caught up in, my life is pretty great right now.

I guess that's about it for today...

God Bless!!

-Carolyn


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Apr. 7, 2008
Monday Musings

Yep just when life seems to settle down you go tossing and turning all over again.

I am feeling very led to move horses back and not make them the top priority in my life anymore. They shouldn't have been there in the first place, but, well, they were.

I am cancelling my SC membership at the end of this week. I'm kind of bummed but it's what I need to do.

Today I got my mares coggins done, and Lizzy got palpated.. It's looking like she might have a baby!! YAY!! Don't know for sure yet, but it looks good!!

My BFF and I played with the horses some. Rode Liz around and played with Belle on the ground. It was alot of fun. And I had this huge feeling of relief since I could play with the horses without having them be what my world revoloves around. It just made everything seem so much sweeter and simpler.. Which doesn't make a whole lot of sense but I guess if I am obeying God through this it doesn't have to make sense.

I babysat today. Both kiddos were pretty well behaved. I have been getting frustrated with them at times but I think they are both starting to warm up to me and look up to me.. which is great.

That was my day in a nutshell... tomorrow should be pretty low key, I hope

Over and out!

 


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Apr. 3, 2008
Thursdayness...

Yep yep. It's Thursday. I don't believe I have posted since Friday.. *gasp*

Well I went to the tour stop. It was pretty much... amazing. Met lots of people there from the Savvy Club, it was great! I made a new blog specifically for horse stuff so you can check that out at- www.sillyfillynaturally.blogspot.com.

Well not alot going on. My life is getting to be very consistant which is nice. In a couple weeks I'm going to be looking to spice it up a bit but for now consistancy is good.

I have my local piano auditions Saturday.. I'm nervous still but feeling a bit more confident. Which is a good thing.

Sooo I'm trying to think of something funny that happened today. M always does something that cracks us up.. well N is starting to do that as well come to think of it. He always gets a HUGE grin whenever there is lots of chaos and craziness it seems. Brings everyone out of their bad attitudes. And M, well, her HUGE vocabulary and her love of using that vocabulary is just soooo cute. Today while I was on the phone she came running in and gave me the most animated message of how mom was getting out ice cream sandwhiches for desert and I HAD to come get mine RIGHT NOW... And I mean ANIMATED!!!

So I'd say life is pretty good!! :)


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Mar. 28, 2008
TOUR STOP!!

Tomorrow I am going to a Parelli Tour Stop in NC!! SOOO pumped about that. I am bringing something for Pat and Linda to read.. I really hope that like it! :)

I got some awesome pics of me and my girls today, I need to upload them and post them on here.

Not alot going on... well.. actually there's some stuff going on.. I don't have the energy to type it all up though so I guess I will head out.

Be back sunday evening! ;)

-Carolyn


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Mar. 25, 2008
Tuesdayness...

Yup yup. Well today taught a riding lesson, and rode Belle!

So I felt horrible when I realized how long it has been since I've ridden Belle, and considering she gets very rough around the edges after just a day or 2 without being ridden I was kinda nervous.

I played with her on the ground and got some of the naughtiness out before riding, lol. We played online instead of liberty. We need to forget about liberty for about a week. I am losing her mind at liberty and I need the safety net of the rope for a little while to get her more prepared.

So after playing online I put on her hackamore and hopped on. She wasn't too happy about me mounting at first but after lots of repitition she calmed down. When I did my final mount I used a mounting block. She didn't get mad that time. Which either means, 1. Her back was hurting when I mounted from the ground, or 2. She had finally gotten over herself and I just happened to be using the mounting block at that time. Knowing Belle it was probably #2... lol.

So when I first got on she wasn't being horrible, but wasn't being very nice. She was biting my feet like crazy and being extremely defiant. Nothing big though... I used my handy dandy savvy string and she happened to run into that little popper everytime she went to bite my foot.. she decided it wasn't so much fun biting my feet afterall.

I rode her up the fenceline at a trot, then came back at a walk and walked over to Lizzy. We hung out there for a minute then I asked her to leave. She made it VERY clear she was NOT going to be leaving Lizzy... mmhmm... Well I told that little filly as kindly as possible (I used my phases, cross my heart!) that she WAS leaving Lizzy. So we went through a little foot biting tantrum, then she got the funniest expression... she was like "umm.. umm.. this isn't working.. what can I do!" then the lighbulb turned on, and she popped up in the air. So we stood there for a minute. She only did a little bitty half rear... it didn't even scare ME , so you know it was extremely little! (the littlest things scare me). So... I just kept pushing her on and ignored it. She realized it was SOOO easy to do what I wanted instead of what she wanted!!! :P

So there we were, walking along, having the time of our lives. I didn't feel like I was training, I felt like I was riding, which was a great feeling. We weaved some trees, trotted ALOT, and stopped to see the cows. She only had 1 or 2 defiant moments and they were "moooommm.. nooo..." and I gave her phase one "don't do that belle" and she cut it out as soon as I did that.

Then we trotted all the way across the entire field to Lizzy, and stopped there for a minute. It was soo fun trotting her all the way across the field without her even THINKING about breaking gait!! Sounds little but it's a big threshold for me in being a good enough leader to ask her to do that, and for her in being a partner and being willing to do that!

Then we left Lizzy, circled the pasture again doing walk/trot transitions, and ended our ride at the roundpen.

It was so sweet, I took off her hackamore and she just buried her head in my chest and sighed. I think she likes me a whole lot better when I am willing to step up and be a leader and give her boundries. She is a bossy girl, but her life is so much easier when she just cuts the crap and is willing to give my ideas a try. And when she does that I'm willing to give her ideas a go as well ;)

So it was a great ride and the weather was perfect!

We got our couches in the mail today!! We are getting them assembled and they are almost done. They are pretty sweet.

I got my mp3 too. My old one died on me.. they had a refurb on sale so I got that and so far I love it! It hasn't even been 12hrs though.. so we'll see how it goes.

I taught a riding lesson this morning that went very, very well.

I think that is about all of today's highlights. I'm going ice skating tomorrow so I am sure I will be back with lots to report tomorrow evening!! :)

-Carolyn and Bella.. the best horse to ever walk the face of the earth...


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Mar. 24, 2008
...

Today I went with Jessie to try out a horse. Well she was the one trying out the horse, I just went along with her. She was a total sweetheart! I really hope Jessie gets her. She could use some work and is a bit rough around the edges but she is a quick learner with great bloodlines.

Today I heard the bestest song for the first time.. It's not a new song so I don't know how I hadn't heard it before. The chorus is...

I am Rosemary's granddaughter. The spitting image of my father. When the day is done my mama's still my biggest fan. Sometimes I am clueless and I'm clumsy, but I've got friends who love me. They know just where I stand. It's all a part of me, that's who I am.

It's the sweetest song and I have been listening to it all day. Kind of a confidence builder song.. I like it

We watched Enchanted tonight, man I love that movie!! The dragon scene gets me a little tense (you can all laugh now) but it's such a fun movie. Had to listen to Who I Am lots after watching that because True Love's Kiss... one of the songs from the movie, gets stuck in your head so bad!! lol!!

Anyway, that was my day. Oh yeah, I did school this morning too.. but that's boring so we won't go there.

OHH yeah I forgot!! I'm getting a cell phone!! Can I hear a "woot woot"???? Ohhh yes!!

Anyway, just rambling now.. so I will head out! Ciao!

---Carolyn 'n' Belle


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