CN- Visit- Jefferson City, Tennessee

It was surreal to be back at CNC, well now its CNU with our oldest daughter Breanna. Many know our story but here is quick background. Billy and I went to Carson Newman with Breanna when she was about 9months old. Billy and I were enrolled full time at CN. Breanna ran around this campus and rode her barbie jeep all around and waved to all the students. Billy and I planned our classes around parenting a small child and Breanna didn't lack for attention as she was known on campus and participated in college life at an early age.

 Breanna is now starting the process of making decisions on "What's next?" after High School, so it was a great start with a  tour our old stomping grounds from a different vantage point. I must say, we were very proud Alumni as we listened and learned the impact CN students are making in the community and around the world during and after the college years.

For Breanna, we will continue to visit a few more schools and she will be taking the SAT's in March. 

Most importantly we are praying she will seek the Lord's direction and stand firm with the confidence of where He is leading her."For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 

I am thankful that there is rest and reassurance in this passage in Jeremiah. As this culture inundates High School kids with the endless questions of "what do you want to be?" "Where are you going to go?", "When, Where, How, What and Why" I know that she has the Holy Spirit to guide her and He has created her uniquely with gifts and talents. No matter "When, Where, How, What" she does after High School her purpose still remains the same as a follower of Christ. Matthew 28:19

The Historical Swann Hall, just beautiful

Burnett Residence Hall, we used to visit our good friend Mindy here quite often when Breanna was younger.

The sky was beautiful, here is a picture of the football field. 



We caught up with some sweet friends! Total bonus for the trip. Good times talking about all our fun times we had at CN.

Fun times hanging out and catching up. It's great to see some of them chasing after kids now. 

So how do you cap off a great weekend of seeing friends, visiting our Alma Mater and spending time with family?

Welp, just a little accident. The van didn't stand a chance with Billy's dad's brick mailbox. Oh boy, there's never a good time for a deductible payment. 

It was a a great trip and we are looking forward to more college visits to come.

PaSRBA Convention- Madelyn's first Rabbit Show

Madelyn, experienced the PaSRBAConvention in Lebanon, PA. a few weeks ago. This was her first time showing her rabbit, Almond. 

 

 

 

Madelyn entered into 3 contest for Friday Night at the show. Breed ID, Judging and Showmanship. Here she s studying in the car on the way to the show. 

 

Showmanship, here she is examining her rabbit and explaining what she is checking.

Judging, this was her favorite contest. She examined several bunnies that looked identical and made decisions on what order the bunny would be placed by compairing it to the standard bunny in that class of rabbits. 

 

Saturday morning....very early we made our way back to Lebanon for the convention. Here Madelyn is waiting to put Almond on the table to be judged.  

Second Place!!!!!   

She was so stinkin excited!  Her first show with her first rabbit and she placed.  It was a great morning and a great first experience for her.

 

 

 

So what do you do after you show your bunny???....

 

You go meet other breeders,

the problem is that you will most likely come home with another bunny!!!

 

Meet Madelyn's new addition "Joy"

"Joy" came "pre-loaded". So we will have some little ones in, oh, about 28-30 days.

Do you remember her first bunnies name? Almond

so she has two bunnies

"Almond, Joy"

funny girl.

 

 

 

Madelyn has been working hard on her hobby of raising rabbits.  She has come up with a name for her future rabbitry and she and her dad even created a logo together.

She is a young entrepreneur and is looking forward to raising Polish rabbits to sell and compete in future shows.  She is currently working on putting together a website to show off her bunnies.

 

Its fun to see her passion and interest in this area.  She is a hard worker and has learned so much on her own over the past few months.  Her 4-H leader Lori Jo as well as her daughter have been wonderful to encourage Madelyn and answer any questions she has... and she has a lot!

 

Personally, I have enjoyed meeting new parents and getting to know the wonderful people in her 4-H group as well as new friends that we met through the show in Lebanon.

 

 

 

English Riding

Madelyn has come a long way from her very first lesson. She has ridden 2 different ponies and one full size horse so far.

 

 Maddy enjoys jumping, trotting, posting, posting trot,sitting trot, cantering....well all of it. (terrible quality picture with my phone but wanted to include an action picture)

 

Ready to GO!

 

 

 

 

So, we try to keep warm during her lessons. The barn has this nice little office that has a window to watch the lessons and this great heater. This week when it was 17 degrees I was very appreciative of this little thing.

Special Day for our boy

 Lunch with my boy for his Birthday. The cakepops were a HIT! The kids were so excited and it made it extra special for Logan to see his classmates excited for his birtday. Logan unashamedly hugged and tucked his arm around my back while we ate lunch together. I love how tender and affectionate he is.

 

 

I couldn't pull my phone out fast enough as the kids spontaneously sang Happy Birthday.

 

Okay, not my typical cake baking for birthdays but I go with the request they give me and this year Logan wanted a cake with Reese Cups  and chocolate all over the top so that's what he got. In between the layers of cake is a layer of Reese's cups and homemade peanut butter frosting, covered with dark chocolate ganache on the top. Ohh my word how many calories can you put in one cake!!!!

 

 Whoo hooo! RGIII Jersey!
 

 AND the magic kit that he has wanted for a while. We have been entertained for the past few days as he is learning to work some of the illusions.
 

 

This is a face of "I am special" He was so appreciative as he thanked us several times for the gifts and making the cake just the way he wanted it. God has big plans for this boy that is growing into a young man. He is 100% boy and the most tender, compassionate, protective boy I know.

 

We love you

 LoMo, Ltrain, Lo, Carolina