It's A New Year!

     We've just about got the first month of the new year under our belts. We're already back to school after a two week break in December, and enjoying the routine. As a sophomore in high school, my plate is pretty full with about six subjects (Algebra 2, Apologia Biology, Systematic Theology, Writing, an easy Diagramming course, and History/Literature). I'm still taking piano lessons each week and I actually played for the first time at my church this past week! I was pretty nervous, but having squeezed in some practice before, it ended up going pretty smoothly.

     As for my volunteer job at a barn in Huntington Beach, I'm still having a blast. I work twice a week and have a lesson once a week-if the ground isn't too saturated from all this rain we've been having (both a blessing and a hassle!). It's been pretty muddy the past few weeks, but hey, what can you expect when you work where I work? Right now, my super cool western instructor is teaching me how to barrel race-something I've always wanted to try. It's fast, and it's difficult at first, but it is so much fun. The best word I can think of to describe it would be 'exhilarating'. I love being there.

     This year also began with my mom and I participating in a 30 day food challenge. According to the rules of the game, we are not allowed to have any kind of sugar for the allotted period of time. That means no gluten, no dairy, no legumes, etc. We can have any kind of meat, veggies, and all types of fruit, though. Certain nuts like almond and pistachios are also compliant. With only 8 days left, I've found that the hardest thing hasn't been letting go of sugar, but more of having a longer prep time for each meal. Even though it's been difficult at times, I'm glad I did it. I probably won't continue to the degree we've been doing, but my hope is that some of the habits I've built over the challenge time have will stick with me and keep me eating healthy.

     God grew me a lot this past year, and I'm praying He'll use this coming one to grow me even more. He's filled my life with blessings and I will never be able to thank Him enough. He is a good God and He's always with us. No matter what!

Our Little Rylie

      This lovely lady is the newest addition to our family. Over a month ago, we found Rylie on our driveway (she practically fell into our laps-the only way we would have been able to have a dog, my mom would say). She was super friendly and cuddled right up to us from the very start. There was absolutely no way we couldn't have fallen in love with her, so, of course, we did.
     After reluctantly putting up 'Found' signs (we couldn't just keep her knowing there could be someone out there who owned her and loved her as much as we were beginning to) but hearing from no one, and after checking for a nonexistent identification chip, we decided to keep her.
     Rylie is pretty good with strangers, but doesn't really know what to think of other dogs. She loves to leap in your lap and give you kisses right on the mouth! She enjoys pouncing on her little white ball, her favorite toy. She is learning to walk on the leash and will sniff everything!

     We think she's just about the perfect dog for us and we love her to death! Wouldn't you with that face??

*Sigh.* Cute just doesn't cover it.

This is what she does when she wants you to rub her belly, waving her paws up and down. =)

So adorable!!

*Thunk!*

      When my sister and I went to spend some time with a couple from our church at their house, the husband brought out his throwing knives to show us. If he had known what would come soon after he did that . . . I wonder if he would still have shown us them.

      So what did happen? Well, I pretty much got hooked on the hobby of knife-throwing. I loved the idea of being able to do such a dangerous thing! After a lot of research, and having come into a little money from my birthday last month, I soon ordered my first pair. The time from that Monday to the next Monday was one of the longest years of my life. But finally, at 8pm, exactly when they were supposed to come, the deadly objects appeared. Thrilled, I ripped the box open to check them out.

      Made out of stainless steel and about 8 inches long, they were beautiful (if only they didn't have the spiders though . . . I hate spiders!). But, since it was kinda dark outside, I unfortunately couldn't immediately try them out. It was actually Thursday afternoon before I really had time to go outside, set up a cardboard target, and try them out. I failed on the first fifteen or so throws before I finally got one to stick. . . .then I missed the next 20 or so. =) But the difficulty did not deter me at all! No, indeed. When I tried again a few days later, I managed to stick 6 plus knives! I was so stoked.

      And then David came out, asking if he could try, and he was able to stick his first knife! What?! Oh, well. I suppose I shouldn't be disappointed. I'll have plenty of time this summer to brush up on my throwing. Then, maybe the next time David wants to try, the events that occur will be a little different . . . =)
      I definitely plan to continue throwing knives, so you keep your ears open, you might hear something in the next few months (hopefully only good things, though . . . I'm trying not to kill myself =P). You never know. I could become famous!

What A Busy Life I Lead

     So, a lot has been going on in my life lately (one of the reasons I haven't been able to blog as much as I would have liked).

     In January, Annie, my mom, and I flew Emily up to Atlanta, Georgia for a 5 week missions training program (she's back by now). While there, we had a blast visiting the World of Coca Cola and taking a hike up Kennesaw Mountain.

     Later that month, I cut my hair pretty short. It once was below my arm pit, and now it above my shoulders! I like it, but I think I'm going to just let it grow out and not keep it short. =)

     In February, I started a job at a stable in Orange County called All About Horses. I work every Tuesday and Thursday, mucking out stalls, walking the horses, and making mashes (horse 'snacks') in exchange for riding lessons. I have been enjoying it so, so much!

      In March, I turned 15! Finally! And, no, I don't feel any older . . . I never really have, come to think of it. =)

     Since last December until about two weeks ago, I was participating in the preparation for a show called Speechless. This amazing show, presented by the youth at Grace Church of Orange, was two hours of pantomimes (silent skits put to music) that portrayed the gospel in a very cool way. After having practices almost every Saturday, I was so ready for the real thing (and also ready to have my weekends back). After so many late nights, on April 8, the performance finally came. For my first real show, I think it went pretty well. Thankfully, God took away my nervousness and I just had a blast!
     I so enjoyed all the time I spent with the youth at Grace, and wish it didn't have to end. Everyone was so friendly and fun to be around. I'm really going to miss seeing them almost every week. =) If I ever had the chance to do it again next year, there is no way I would say no!

So, yes, I've been pretty busy. But would I trade any of it? Probably not.

Happy New Year!

This season (December, that is) was filled  for us with a church bonfire, a trip to Operation Christmas Child with our home school group, lots of ballet rehearsals and performances for me, a piano recital, baking with our grandma, a Coast Christmas party, a youth Christmas party, partying at our aunt's for Christmas Eve, ripping wrapping paper for Christmas, and pretty much just sleeping for New Year's Eve.=) But though it was pretty busy, we sure had a lot of fun (except for the piano recital . . . yeah, not so much fun that night . . . :P ).

Here are some pictures from this past year:

Operation Christmas Child (sorry it's a little blurry)

My wonderful ballet teacher and I after performing The Gift!

Before our piano recital. Cue the dread!

We made some wonderful cranberry bread with Grandma.

During our Coast Christmas party, we had someone come and teach us line dancing. It was so much fun!

Post white elephant exchange during our youth Christmas party.

Christmas Eve at Aunt Gail's.

(I would have put a picture of Christmas day, but I'm not sure some of us would have liked to be seen in their pajamas. =P )
 
 And now we're looking forward to all the adventures 2016 will be bring our way. For we Miles just love adventure!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone!! 

A Summer's End

So, summer is finally over (not that I was waiting for it to end . . .). It wasn't a terribly busy summer, which was nice. Annie and I spent a couple hours each week volunteering at our local library for their Summer Reading Program, our bedrooms and our parents' bathroom got painted,

we spent a few of our days chillin' in our aunt's pool, sometimes inviting friends to go with us,

The girl in this photo with Jonathan is our 9-year-old neighbor Dylann.

 and we did a ton of reading.

And now we've started school. Our first week is behind us and we are heading into our second. Since it's just the beginning, the work isn't terribly hard. I expect it'll get more difficult as we near the end of the year, especially since I'm now in high school (I can't believe I'm actually a freshman! Where has the time gone?), but I'm really appreciating the slower days. This year I've dropped some of my subjects from last year and gained some new ones. I'm now going through Systematic Theology (I'm kinda interested to see all that I'll learn, and it'll be nice because if I have any questions about it, I have my very own pastor to ask them to.), doing some Literature, and Physical Science. So, it'll be interesting. Of course, though, every new year is interesting. Why? Because it's an adventure. And don't we Miles' just love adventures!

It's VBS Time!!

    This past week has been pretty busy for me. Which is probably why I'm sick. But, boy, was it fun!

    The main thing that conquered our time was called VBS. From 9am-12pm, Annie, Jonathan, and I had a blast at the Grace Church of Orange. Every year, they go all out with enthusiasm and creativity. Everyone is super friendly which makes it really easy to interact with them and even make new friends. Annie and I volunteered with the Preschoolers with a friend of mine while Jonathan hung out with the fifth graders in his class.

Me with my friend from ballet, Abbi Goodyear, and Annie.

Little Ryan wanted me to draw dinosaurs on the back of his coloring page. =)

During worship time, the sanctuary was packed with kids and was very loud, but so fun! Sam was more interested in playing with Annie's hair, than singing, I guess. =)

In Missions, we learned about a missionary and life in Africa.

Water day . . . .

. . . . . can be very hectic with young kids . . . .

 . . . . but also very fun!

Overseeing the making of "Wisdom crowns".

Making elephant heads out of socks and felt in craft time.

Annie and I with Noel and Sam.

Abbi and I with the same cute little girls.

Silas was enlisting my help in drawing chalk dinosaurs. =)

Ryan, Jordan, Titus (or Sammy - they were brothers and I could never tell them apart!), and Thaddeus . . . . so cute!

Silly faces!!

    This was Annie's first time volunteering (she's been in a class the past years) and both of ours first time working with the preschoolers. I loved it! Five minutes after walking in the door, you had sixteen more little friends! They excepted you just like that without any hesitation at all! They were sitting in your lap, playing with your hair, engaging you in pool noodle fights, and calling you "teacher" in their high voices! In the time before VBS, everyone kept telling us that we'd be super tired afterwards, and we were. So much so that we both got sick! We still managed to enjoy the time, though. It was kind of hard not to with tons of toddlers hanging all over you! I never knew they could be so tiring!!
    Last week is definitely one of the many things I look forward to every year! We all have tons of fun each day and enjoy hanging out with all our friends. And even though VBS just ended, Annie, Jonathan, and I are already looking forward to when it comes around next year!

 Thank you Grace Church of Orange!!