The Road Goes On...

 "I want to think again of dangerous and noble things. I want to be light and frolicsome. I want to be improbable, beautiful, and afraid of nothing, as though I had wings." 

This post is to my dear readers...those faithful readers who have been with me since May 17th 2008. 

Looking back, I was so excited to start this blog. I was a little girl who loved to write, who loved to take pictures, and who loved the fact that other people she hadn't met could see what was happening in her life, could see her photos, and could see her writings. I wish I could say that I'm still that little girl, and I wish this blog could continue throughout my life, recording everything that will happen. But fact is...I'm not that little girl anymore and it's almost impossible for this blog to continue in the same way it used to. In four years, allot can happen...and we can change into a whole new person that we have no idea who we were before. To put it simply, we grow up. 

This evening I've been looking back...I've been scanning through my old posts and I'm finding myself either laughing at this little girl's spelling and grammatical errors, her cheesy captions, or even her silly photos. You can imagine how many memories and how many stories can be packed into one single post...so even with the laughs, tears did come. Tears came because I started to realize how much I had grown up...and how much *everyone* around me has grown up and changed. Reading those old posts was almost like a time machine...it took me back to my life as a girl...my life from 2008 to 2010. As I read...I remembered. I remembered the first photo shoot I was ever a part of, I remembered a good friend leaving for the Marines, I remembered the time we went to the Tremont Turkey Festival with friends and who could forget our fun 4th of July celebration? Then our church, how it hosted the first picnic of many and how we ended 2009 off with it's second Reformation Day. Then 2010 brought 12th night, Michigan, and my trip to Florida. 


Most of these weren't life changing events, but each memory that was made, holds a place in my heart. 

It's been a journey, and although I do believe the journey of Life in the Country has come to a close, my journey hasn't. But now it's time to move on...time to smile at the past, and laugh at the future. 

Before signing off, I want to thank each of you for being a faithful reader of this blog. My hope is that it has been a blessing to you as much as it has been a joy for me. Thank you for experiencing those years recorded with me.


In His Love,
 ~Sierra Elizabeth

Who else is getting ecstatic about these summer days? I know I am! This past winter went a little too slow for me, so I'm hoping to take advantage of these beautiful, "in the 90" degree weather. Hey, as long as our AC is working, I'm good. :) 

Yesterday evening we were invited to take advantage of the hot June day and go swimming at the Repke's pond. Needless to say, we accepted and had a splendid time. The pond was at least 10 feet deep, perfect for riding on the zip line and diving off the dock-yes, there may have been a few fish and frogs swimming with us, but you wouldn't let that stop you, right?? 

As always, thanks for checkin' everything out here and for your feedback. Be blessed, and enjoy!

The  Repke's beautiful pond.  

Amelia and I striking some cheerleader poses! ;)

Lenna introduces....the zip line. 

Josiah showin' us how its done. Word. 

Steven skiing across :D

These girls are a perfect example of how incredibly blessed I am. :)

Lenna and I doin' it double-twice the fun! :D

Happy girls :)

This is watermelon season-sweet, juicy, and just the right snack after swimming. :)

Ben hates getting his picture taken. He actually tried convincing me of his "religion against cameras"-I snapped this shot anyway. Hense, his glare. :P

While waiting for the hot-dogs to be finished, these people decided to have fun with the watermelon rinds.  

Josiah again showin' us again how its done. Word. 

Hannah had a blast on this-she hesitated for about 5 seconds, but after she took the first jump, she was hooked!

Anniah R. is such a cuite and always full of energy and smiles...

Dad- "He looks like a caterpillar...with muscles."  

Amelia had never gone double before, so I dragged her (literally) into doing it with me. Good times! :D

Saturday afternoon was the 5th Annual Rifle Match held by the Evans family. It started with a couple families way back when and its gotten to quite the handful of people! I'm definitely not a marksman (or woman :P) but getting out there to shoot and LEARN how to shoot is tons of fun for everyone.  Dad and I were the only ones able to make it out this year and though neither one of us made it to the top, we had a blast! I mean, c'mon, we're shooting...whats not to love??


Congratulations to Colton E., Jacob E., and Sam E. for making the top three! :)

Got bullets?

Everyone crowds around the table to get registered and get their targets!

Let the shooting begin!

Ashly and Jesi :D

The 4  score keepers doin' a great job! Their word was law that day-don't mess with 'em!

Jacob and Garrett shoot sitting down-wouldn't wanna get in their way!

This little guy made me laugh- apparently even BOYS need a parasol. ;)

Me and my prone position. Yes, my legs are up. :)

I've been infatuated by water shots, and although this one isn't perfect, I'm likin' the effect and colors! 

Colton got first 1st place this year. Here he is receiving his Rugger 10/22...

...and giving it to his brother, Jacob, who got 2nd place. Great job, guys!

Group picture of the gang-congratulations, winners!!

On May 10th we surprised Josiah by having a small party out at our house. The weather was beautiful, the BBQ was delicious, and the games of volley ball were superb. The day started off by having our grandparents over for lunch then Lenna and I were off to get dinner prepared. 

Josiah has been such a blessing to me this past year-and I continue to see his faith grow each day. God only gave me one brother, but I'm so glad He gave me him. :)

Hannah's home-made sign for Josiah-isn't it cute??

Lenna and I enjoying the sun out on the deck. No sunscreen for these girls-we actually WANTED to burn. Cause when we burn, we tan. Yes.

Josiah's single balloon-drawn on by Hannah :)

Hannah and Josiah-look at that smile!

Josiah and our grandparents-aren't they cute??

Chipotle Peppers. These are good to spice anything up-and believe me, its SPICY.

Lenna, Grace, and I get a self portrait while waiting for Josiah to come out.

And here he is! Let's take a closer look....

...there we go :) Surprise!

Jesi R. serves it up! Volley Ball makes you do the most funny faces.

And poses, apparently. ;) Go Josiah!

Elita drew this out on the driveway-can anyone guess what it's from??

I told everyone that if the camera is pointed at you-do a random or funny face. Here's Stevens. :P

Love these people :)

Hannah reminds me so much of how I was when her age-at 7, we loooved sports!...and smiling :D

Josiah-"Where is my dog? Me-"Who cares about your dog lets play!" Lenna-"Let us have peace."

Volley Ball players!

The guys messin' around on the tire swing-and yes, this picture is meant to be blurry. It adds to the affect.

The fabulous people who came to help celebrate Josiah's 20th year :D 

HA! You thought I was gone for good, didn't ya?? But, such is not the case! I'm very much alive and we have all survived the Winter blues-I guess thats why I haven't been posting much as of late-but, I hope that as Spring and Summer come and go, I'll get a little more "into it". :) 

So, here was our Saturday. Planting season is here again and this year we've decided to do a smaller garden since last years was TOO big for this family to handle. We did what? 22 tomato plants last year? For one family-it was pretty was crazy, and we had tomatos on the counters for MONTHS afterwards. Finally, we made a bunch of salsa. Yay for freezers! :) Between mowing, planting, weeding, cleaning out the garage, cleaning out gutters and drinking delicious lemonade, we kept ourselves quite busy. *nods*

I'll stop rambling and let you get to the photos now-adios! 

Blue skies, red barn, and a garden freshly planted. 

Dad borrowed our neighbors Cabota for spreading the manure.
Yep. Fresh.

Sweet Bell Peppers-I think we got greens, orange, and red out there. We like to be colorful :)

Hot Peppers! We'll be needing those for some spicy salsa. :)
Mmmmm....

Hey, look! Organic! Mom's pretty stoked about this. 

Josiah doing some last minute touches-has to be perrfect. 

These boys were havin' a blast on their dirt bike-you can't tell though, can you? ;)

To some, these are pretty. But for us...

...they call for the John Deere. Lenna was quite happy to be matching it. 

Hannah strikes a pose as she passes by. She's a cutie! 

Me and my sis. :)

Its Elita!!   

Lenna and I totally defying the rules of "one person only" on the tractor.
We had way too much fun with this.

Two of my bestest friends :) 

This jar was filled with fresh, homemade lemonade-by the end of the day, it was this.
Shows for a good day of work. :)