June 26th

I've had so much fun out here in Ohio. This week has been interesting. First off, I know that I'm always complainging about how early I wake up but it is early and I'm usually woken by two boys who are trying to be quiet but aren't. Anyway, I don't see them often so I try not to let it bother me too much.
Also, I tried tofu and I was not a fan. My 9 year old brother, Orvy, got a vegetarian cookbook and they had a recipe for tofu nuggets. I dipped them in mustard which kind of helped the taste. I guess I like meat too much but I'm glad that I tried it.
On Friday my stepmom, Joan, had a jewelry party (which is kind of like a tubberware party). It was a lot of fun. The ladies that showed up were hilarious and there was some really nice jewelry. Now they have put it in my head that I could be a premiere jewelry representative. I don't know if I would be good because I'm still scared when I have to talk infront of a group of people. What do you think? Could I sell jewelry?
On Saturday we were able to do the thing that I wanted to do. We went to Amish Country! It's actually three small towns called Kidron, Berlin, and I can't remember the other one but all three together make up Amish Country. It is so beautiful there. I love all the shops where everything is made by the Amish. We walked around and went to an antique mall. Oh yea! I saw some toys in that mall that I remember playing with when I was little and now they're antiques! That made me feel old. We also went to the cheese factory which I remember from when I was younger (its probably been 12-14 years since I last visited Amish Country). Anyway, being at the factory opened up memory lane. When my older sister, Maygen, and I were younger and we would go to the factory there would be samples after a quick tour. You were suppose to only try one but we would always run around grabbing different samples. We would go out and come back in (there was an entrance and exit door at opposite ends of the room) and pretend that we were entering the room for the first time after having taken the tour. Sadly, on Saturday it was so busy that there was a huge line; we couldn't try the samples or even buy any cheese and we love cheese. We were able to go to the bakery across the street and we were able to try samples of all the different breads (I think they were made by the Amish also). By this point it was way past lunch and we were starving. We finally found a place to eat called Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen and it was so nice. I didn't get a souvenir but I did take a few pictures which will eventually get on facebook.
Sunday (today) we went to church like normal. Sadly, after church my grandma had to go straight to Homersville which means we couldn't have lunch at her house. We usually eat there because she makes the best homemade food ever! I love my grandma and her house. She has pictures of her kids, all her grandkids, and now her great-grandkids. She loves showing us all off. I also love just being at her farm. It's a dead zone so I turn my cell phone off and I feel so relieved. I'm really sad that next Sunday is my last Sunday out here. Well, today we went to this restaurant called The Mill located in the Behuelers' grocery store. It was a really nice place. Then we went for a bike ride. We've had rainy days for so long that we wanted to enjoy the wonderful day. And I didn't get sunburnt. YAY!
Random things to mention. My dad looked at a truck that was for sale (the one that I kept ppointing out to him whenever we drove by) but it was more than he could spend. Also, I've been driving my dad's truck more and I'm getting much better. Lastly, I'm losing my mind cause I wore the same outfit two Sundays in a row. Now I know that I fit into this family. One last observation: I'm a lot like my dad. We both are laid-back, easy going people. Also, neither one of us get angry easily. I like that I'm like my dad. That's all for now.

June 20

I'm so tired! I love my brothers but they wake me up too early. Other than that my week has been great! I drove my dad's truck for the first time ever and I nearly ran over my little brother's bike (he wasn't on it though). I was really happy that he let me drive it because he had a rule that no kids could drive the truck. Thankfully he gave me a second try and I got to drive to church and back. At one point I was all over the road but it was a country road so there were no lines to keep me in order. On Sunday I got to see my cousin whom I haven't seen in about 3-4 years. He's grown up so much! All my cousins have grown and one of them is getting married! I can't believe how much I've missed out on.
The other day I was thinking about how different my life would be if my parents never got a divorce. How differnt would high school have been? Would I have been a different person? Would I still be into reading like I am? Would I have still gone to college? I don't really see a reason for thinking about this stuff but that doesn't stop me from thinking it. I do know that I wouldn't have the friends that I have.
Well, that's all I can really think to write about. Sorry this blog is short but I don't have much to say.

June 16th

Sorry this is late but my week has been busy! I rode the greyhound from Colorado Springs to Phx and then two days later I took a plane to Ohio. I'm not used to all of this traveling. I safely made it to Ohio and love being here. My youngest brother was shy when he first saw me but now he won't stop hugging and kissing me and sitting on my lap. That first day here was so busy; I got in at midnight, had to wake up at 7 for church, went to a bridal shower and a graduation party and then got home and my brothers wanted to play games outside. I was out by the time my head hit the pillow. I did get to see my grandma and some aunts, uncles, and cousins. I love seeing them and can't believe how big some of my cousins have gotten. I'm not going to say too much about this week, I'll save that for my next blog. Oh yea! While I was in Phx, I was telling my cousin about how I'm going to visit my dad and he decided that he wanted to visit my dad also. He didn't really understand that I had to go on the plane and he couldn't come without his mom. He's so cute! He always calls me his friend. My mom bought me a Phil Wickham CD while I was in Colorado Springs. I think he's my favorite Christian singer. I played the CD for my two brothers but they didn't really pay attention. Oh well! They are young. Well, I really can't think of anything else to write about for now. also, I didn't finish my game Gauntlet and I was really upset about it. However, the next time I'm in CO I will finish it.

June 3

So I didn't really do anything fun this past week and I have nothing to write about on here. I leave for Phx and then on to Ohio this week and I'm a little nervous. I haven't been on a plane for 3 years! Please pray for me. I'm almost done with my video game Gauntlet and I will finish it before I leave on Wednesday.
I can't wait to see my family in Ohio. I miss them all so much! I can't wait to see my grandma and be on her farm. To smell the great outdoors and see all the green hills. To go outside and lie in the green grass and only have to worry about mosquitoes. I can't wait to see my family and hear all about their lives. To be able to do simple things like just take a walk in the shade of the trees. To wave at people as they drive by me and not be looked at weird for it. I can't wait to see my two younger brothers and hear about how school is going for them. And especially, I can't wait to see my dad. He may not have been there everyday of my life but he does try to make up for it. He loves me despite all my mess ups (and there have been a few) and he never gets as angry as I think he will be. He looks like a big bear but he's really a teddy bear. He's the man I can go to when I'm having a bad day. He's the guy who understands me and doesn't push me to be anyone else. He's the man who is proud of me even if he doesn't always say it. He's the guy who wants to teach me everything despite how old I am. He's my dad and he loves me. And I can't wait to see him on Saturday.