Thursday, February 24, 2011

Happy National FFA Week!




I believe in the future of Agriculture...

Other saying "I Do" this past June, those words might be some of the most exciting and impactful words that I have ever recited. I was so excited to join the FFA my freshman year of high school and immediately immersed myself into the organization. I wanted to do everything!

My advisor, Mr. Ashcraft called me an overachiever because I wanted to be involved in anything and everything. It wasn't because I wanted to win as much as I could, I loved the organization and wanted to take in as much as possible. I had success in the organization over my years involved, but never was there a prouder moment than when I was elected to serve the great state of Kentucky as the Kentucky FFA State Secretary.

That year was one of the greatest times of my life. I was lucky enough to serve with 10 other amazing individuals who I am very blessed to call teammates and friends. It was a great year traveling to conferences, facilitating workshops, meeting FFA members; many who have went on became great friends.



We also made time to have fun!


With this week being National FFA Week, I have reflected on my time in the FFA. The memories of my friends and experiences, speaking to groups of students, driving many miles across the state, and advocating for Agriculture and FFA. I consider myself so incredibly blessed to have been involved and be an Lifetime Alumni of the National FFA. It truly was some of these best times of my life, and I hope others have the opportunity to find out about the organization.

I saved all of my FFA t-shirts from my State Officer Year to make a t-shirt blanket. After many years of them laying around, I finally found a place to make it for me, and in celebration of FFA week... it arrived! What a year way to remember the memories of my state officer year.

So, put on your blue and gold this week and celebrate the millions of FFA members across the United States who are striving for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success!

Monday, February 14, 2011

My Valentine

I don't want to be one of those mushy, gushy kind of girls, but with today being Valentine's Day I wanted to bring attention to the one who warms my heart.



We met at the Tennessee Beef Agribition in 2006. We became facebook friends after that, and always said we were going to try to hang out. Time passed and no hanging out happened. It just never worked out. The North American came around in 2008 and he texted me to ask what time the Simmental sale started, but I never saw him at the sale. He'll tell you I walked right past him and didn't say hello. I say it was sale time, you have to work to get my attention. Not soon after the NAILE, we started chatting and since then we've never looked back.

Love is a very funny thing. For some reason, I think I always knew that it was him. Even when I crazingly drove 3 hours to Tennessee for our first date on New Years, I felt like I was driving to someone I already loved. I've never questioned how I felt about him, and I think (hope) he'd say the same thing about me. :) He puts up with a lot of crap and craziness, but we wouldn't have it any other way.

So, here's to you my special Valentine. May the rest be just as great as the first three. Thank you for always loving me and making my life complete. xoxo

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Reading on the Road

I'm going to Jackson....

This weekend was the Dixie National Simmental Sale in Jackson, Mississippi. The car ride is quite long and I must have something to occupy my time.

For my recent birthday, Drew got me an Amazon Kindle. I love to read, but honestly, the cost of purchasing books can get quite expensive. Also, what I love about a Kindle is that after you read a book you don't have to worry about storing that book, its on your little electronic device. Plus - I haven't had to charge it once!

With a recommendation from fellow blogger, Crystal.Cattle my first Kindle read was Kelly Cutrone's, "If you have to cry, go outside." I finished it about half way through our trip south, but was on pins and needles to begin reading Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman's new book.



If you don't know who Ree Drummond is, she is a city girl turned rancher's wife who began sharing her experiences on the ranch in Oklahoma via blogging. She is now wildly successful with her blog and her cookbook. Her new book will be no exception. Let's just say I started reading it and could not put it down. I read all the time. Even when we got to Jackson, I stayed in the car to continue reading until I was done.

There love story is beautiful, fun, and humorous. All the things a new love and first year of marriage should be. I highly recommend reading it. It is funny when she begins referencing working cattle on the ranch and taking their temperature.

Currently, my Kindle is resting. If anyone has any good suggestions for my new reading material I will gladly take them.