Happy Birthday to the Sweetest, Wonderfullest, Most Beautiful Person Ever!

October 28th marks that 14th birthday of my sister Julia Lynn. 

I know that not many of you know Julia personally.  If you did, though, I have no doubt you would love her.  I know I'm not the easiest person to be around, let alone 24/7.  But Julia puts up with me and sticks with me through thick and thin.

Julia is the quirkiest person.  In a good way, of course.  If you've read any of her posts (and I hope you will, if you haven't.  They are great!) you will have noticed that she has a unique writing style.  She portrays that uniqueness even when not writing.  Her facial and vocal expressions are so expressive and perfect.  She actually can make our brother mad, because he is upset at her but she will start making goofy faces at him and make him laugh; even when he doesn't want to!  She giggles and laughs and smiles at everything.

The thing about Julia that is most evident, though, is her love for her Savior and LORD.  He is her everything, and it is noticeable.  She is always turned to Him, and her every thought and deed reflects her heart in that way.  I will sometimes get upset and yell or pitch a fit at her, sometimes for things that aren't even really her fault, and she will take it and apologize in the humblest of spirits.  Then I realize that I'm the one who needs to apologize.

 She is my best friend.  I've spent almost every moment of my life with her.  I will often say that if you averaged out our lives together, we would probably at any given time be 10 feet or less apart from one another.  Being home schooled and sharing a room guarantee being close while at home.  Even big things like camp, of all-day-youth events, or even trips to friends houses, she's there.  Of course, we've been apart some days, but I don't think I've ever gone a whole 24 hours without her.   And I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Sure, she can get semi-annyoing at times, like when I'm trying to focus on something and she comes up and gets right in my face.  Or when, while trying to fall asleep, she goes on and on and on about her horses.  (What her blog posts are is basically how she talks.  All the time.)  But I love her.  I love her to the end of the world and back again.  She always has my back.  She is always there for me when I need her.  I've told her my biggest secrets, and giggled with her about the tiniest things.  I've put dish soap bubbles in her hair and she's hidden my makeup.  We wear each others clothes and often times she'll steal entire outfits of mine.  But it's worth it.  And I love her more everyday.

In only a couple hours (I'm writing this late at night) it will be Julia's birthday.  Happy birthday, Julia.  You are beautiful, sweet, loving, caring, kind, compassionate, funny, goofy, annoying, and the most wonderful person I know.  I couldn't imagine life without and I hope I never will have too.

Happy 14th Birthday Julia.  I love you so, so much. <3

~Jessica

ps.  If you read this and your not Julia, please leave a comment below and tell her happy birthday.  Also, even though I cannot get her follower gadget to work, if you go to your blogger dashboard, above the list of blogs your following is a button where you can add a URL and automatically follow from there.  So if you wish to follow, please do.  She only has 2 followers. =) <3

Precious... Comin' Back At Ya, Girl!

Grettings All!
      Precious is the name of one of my two horses. She is mother to my other horse, and since the only other animal in the pasture is a pony sized donkey, (I love him oodles!) Preci is like totally the leader of the herd. Queen Commander. Head Poncho. Whatever. She RULES. (At least she used to...) the tides..are about to change..

BACK STORY: We bought Precious after my first pony died. She was a tall, spunky, Appaloosa who hadn't been ridden for a few years, but the thing that was really exciting was that she was pregnant! Now about her lack of being ridden: I actually rode her after we were pretty sure we wanted to buy her, and she side stepped a bit, but then after the man there put some weight on the saddle, she just kinda quit side stopping and let me get on. After we got her home we tacked her up several times and rode her around a small pen. Mom lead my brother around, my sister never rode I think, but she let me ride by myself! I even trot a bit, poor Precious.
    After this I started going to riding lessons and learned that my form was terrible. I was constantly in her mouth with the bit, and bumped and thumped along on her back. To add another thing to it all, of course she was pregnant too. When Preci threw me she didn't want to be forgotten, or left, but honestly, that's kind of what happened.
   Carmel was born and he drew me back to the field like never before, but not to his mama. Carmel grew and grew, and finally I'm going to start working with Preci too. It's time! It has been too long. So I'm going to work with my spunk and hard headed, but love hungry horse, who wants my love again. I've got a feeling it's going to be worth it.
                                
      I probably owe this mostly to a horse show we went to recently. Want something to convince you to strive to get ahold of a possibility in your grasp? Yeah, go to a place where about 100 girls are doing what your neglecting. You come back with a little more perseverance to set aside those excuses and just give it a shot! Something is telling me it'll be worth it someday.

       So Lord willing I'm going to try to get back on, and train toward it! You know there are lots of people out there who want a horse but have none, so I'm not going to neglect this anymore! And I really do love my spotted horsie.


       In Christ,
                           Julia n Precious