The Dancing Queen

From dance competitions, to helping hauling manure and of course the rebel child of the family, would have to be my younger sister Brielle. There is truly never a dull moment, or quiet moment with Brielle! Brielle and I are polar opposites in many ways…which is a probable cause of why we always end up fighting in the barn around chore time.

Brielle, is a one of a kind and an amazing and very talented dancer. Brielle competes in many different dance competitions throughout Iowa during the spring in hopes to get a gold or diamond placing. 

Not only has Brielle placed either gold or diamond at every competition she has competed in this spring she has also won various awards for judges choice, high point overall soloist and stage presence (which I’m about 99% sure she gets from me!)     :)

The last competition we were at, there was a HUGE amount of talent. As I watched others danced I prepared myself for the worst.  Brielle killed her solo. Her turns, perfect. Brielle ended up placing a diamond!

As judges choice awards were called out the first judge announced her awards, the second judge announced her picks, and then came the third judge. The last award announced by the third judge was the powerful and passionate award. 

The just said, “I can just only imagine the amount of pixie sticks this girl downs before preforming!” Which if you have met Brielle, that would perfectly describe her personality on her, well “good days.”

After the judges choice awards were read it was time to announce the overall soloist high point awards for the day. The judges pick ten soloist out of around 65-75 different soloists of all ages to compete for the overall high point awards.

As each girl who received tenth through fourth place was called up to the front of the stage they announced third place overall, a sapphire award. The announcer called out, “American Girl!” 

I could hardly contain my excitement! I threw my hands up screamed and yelled, then of course contained my excitement just long enough to take a picture of her receiving her award.

Brielle is one talented dancer, and as much as we tend to bicker back and forth I enjoy every chance I get to watch her shine on the dance stage. This July Brielle will attend Nationals in Minneapolis to compete with dancers all over the Midwest. Unfortunately Dad and I will be at our swine jackpot finale and won't be able to make the trip, but as always we hope she's rocks that stage! 

So, Brielle I hope you dance, and I hope you never stop doing what you love.

Love,

Your big sister Ash

 Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song. Let them praise His name in the dance.

Psalm 149

Growing Up In The Heart Of Agriculture

When asked time after time what I wanted to be when I grew up, it always seemed to be a different answer.  When debating what I wanted to do with my life I had many different ideas.  Would I be an orthopedics doctor, a veterinarian, or even follow in my mom’s path and become an elementary teacher?

I grew up on a farm south of Garner, Iowa with my parents Todd and Tracy and younger sister Brielle. Looking back, it seems that there was never a dull moment between my sister and I with softball games, piano lessons, and taking tractor rides with Dad.

Growing up I was always Dad’s farm girl, even on the days when loading pigs or helping run the pump tractor for our manure operation was not my ideal agenda for the day!  I learned quickly that being born on a farm meant helping out no matter what time in the morning dad came to wake you up. 

As I went through high school, I began to think more seriously about what I wanted to pursue after graduation. I became very involved in 4-H and FFA, and participated in many FFA contests of Agriculture Sales, and mock job interviews that helped develop my communications skills. During high school I became very interested in the agronomy side of our farm operation and decided that after graduating from Garner-Hayfield/Ventura I wanted to pursue Agriculture at Iowa State University.

This coming fall I will be a sophomore studying Agronomy and International Agricultural Relations at Iowa State University. Throughout my freshmen year I have developed interest in seed sales, and hope to pursue that career after graduating college.

I believe that working in agriculture is different than working in any other career. Unlike other careers, we depend heavily on Mother Nature, to not only look at agriculture as a business standpoint, but also as a lifestyle. 

Having a passion for agriculture is not just developed in a days’ time. It is deep rooted in every young agriculturalist, because we know that we are the future generation of agriculture. To have strong emotion and love or to be passionate about something is what I have developed in the field of agriculture, and I look forward to building my future career.

Life on the farm never leaves me wishing I grew up anywhere else. 

The crazy memories of ridding four wheelers around, doing chores with Brielle, watching the hustle and bustle of fall and spring, or even taking that one moment at the end of the day to watch the sun set over the fields during the fall.

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

John 1:3

The Beginning

I'm Ashley and well as you might have guessed, this is my blog! 

I grew up on a farm in northern Iowa with my parents Todd and Tracy and younger sister Brielle. 

It's extremely rare for my family to get a picture with all four of us in front of the camera! As a family we stay busy showing pigs, and now as a Cyclone the whole family enjoys tailgating and heading to Ames for the games! 

Why The Journey you ask? 

1.) This crazy thing we call life is the journey 

2.) Each new day is a different journey worth finding joy in

3.) The journey through my final years of school as a Sophomore at Iowa State 

4.) Being raised by faith, each new day is a journey in our faith whether the day ends in smiles or tears my God is always leading my journey. 

I started this blog after starting a communications internship, and realized how important it is to tell our individual story. I enjoy taking many pictures, beyond what the 'typical" college kid usually does, I am no where close to being a professional writer, and I make no promises on having perfect spelling or grammar, but I do promise to keep things interesting! 

So...follow me throughout my journey, throughout the sharp turns, and the straight paths in-between!

"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)