Random Title (Because I Can't Think of Anything Better) {May/June Recap}

Hi people!

I missed May's recap, 'cause over the change in months we were out of internet for two weeks after a hailstorm knocked it out.
So, instead of doing a recap really late, I decided to combine May and June into one.
So, without further ado:

Happenings:

May
-My bro's graduation. (Goodness, time goes by quickly!)

-I got Pinterest.  I'm having lots of fun with it!! :D

-I began rewriting the first story I ever wrote (besides fan fiction), Tucker's Revenge.  And cringing the whole way.  I started the first draft about 3 years ago.

-Spent 2 hours planting trees with Kordell and my sister, who was yodeling almost constantly.
Kordell: is she like this all the time?
Me: *thinks about how much she talks* yup.

-I had a chat with a blogging friend one night:
K: Y'know… What happens when you get scared half to death twice?
L: you die.
K: There you go.  Stop scaring me with all your heartbreak.  It'll kill me.
L: I can see the headlines now: GIRL KILLED BY FRIENDS' TRAUMATIZING STORIES
K: YES And then it'll have a pic of me lying peacefully in my casket lined with y'all's books.
L: I feel like I need to make a design of a newspaper that has that as the headline and send it to J and F XD And be like, "Uh, K read too many of our stories..."

-My sis became slightly obsessed with stopping along the side of the road to pick wildflowers.

-My bro found this Christmas Eve program from 1980 in the attic at church. 

-Just when I thought our spring rains were pretty much over, we got a couple more storms (one of them being the hailstorm).

June

-Mom, Kordell, my sis & I went to a Moriah Peters/Chris August concert. It was AMAZING.

Moriah Peters

Chris August

After the concerts, the singers were kind enough to stick around and talk to people.  I had them sign my shirt. :)

-Some of us went to a symphony concert.  I'd never been to a symphony before, but I loved it! :D

One of the songs they did was the theme song for The Magnificent Seven; it sounded exactly like in the movie!

-The guys stacked square bales

-We had VBS, Passport to Peru as the theme.  Exhausting, but super fun. :D

As we were getting ready for VBS one morning, my sister turned to me and randomly said, "Kaitlyn, you're like a chocolate chip muffin, and I'm like a donut.  I'm just a little sweeter than you."

Love you too, Sis. XD

-For Father's Day, we took a trip to the Cosmosphere!!

-I spent a day with Kordell, baling and hauling bales. (You can read a post about that here)

-My dad got an iPhone after only having a flip phone.  It was quite hilarious to watch him have a hayday with his gif keyboard.  When going out to cut wheat, he said, "I'm just gonna sit in the truck all day and send gifs to people." No, he wasn't serious. XD

-Wheat harvest, one of the highlights of the year.

-Mom made bagel sandwiches for the first time, and y'all, they're AMAZING.

-On the way home from a musical, we stopped by Um's. (Yes, Um's.  That's what the sign said.)

-My sis and I about died laughing while doing the 'not my arms' challenge while clearing the table.

-We also laughed our heads off playing the game 'Speak Out'.  Don't know the game?  Look up videos on YouTube and you'll understand. B-)

Books:

Since I'm combining the recap, these are books that I've read both in May and June.

Finished:

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson: 1 star

-------------

The Touch of Polly Tucker by Bertha Moore: 3 stars

Autumn's Grace by Sara Meisinger: 4 stars

Andi Saddles Up by Susan K. Marlow: 5 stars

Andi Under the Big Top by Susan K. Marlow: 5 stars

My Brother Sam is Dead by James & Christopher Collier: 2.5 stars

Austin of the Air Force by Dan Senseney: 4 stars

Dirt Track Summer by William Campbell Gault: 4.5 stars

The Man in Bearskin by J. Keuning: 3.5 stars

The Doctor's Return by Ken Anderson: 3.5 stars

Marty by Nancy Wiley: 3.5 stars

My Father's World by Michael Phillips & Judith Pella: 5 stars

Daughter of Grace by Michael Phillips & Judith Pella: 4 stars

On the Trail of the Truth by Michael Phillips & Judith Pella: 5 stars

A Place in the Sun by Michael Phillips & Judith Pella: 3.5 stars

The Clue in the Diary by Carolyn Keene: 3 stars

Sea to Shining Sea by Michael Phillips: 4.5 stars

 Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione by Chuck Black: 5 stars
Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court by Chuck Black: 5 stars
Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart by Chuck Black: 5 stars
Lady Carliss and the Waters of Moorue by Chuck Black: 5 stars
Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor by Chuck Black: 5 stars
Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest by Chuck Black: 4.5 stars
Jason's Gold by Will Hobbs: 3.5 stars
Down the Yukon by Will Hobbs: 3 stars

Snippets: 

Faith had another Imagine This challenge, so this snippet is from my entry.  To read the rest, go here.

The day had finally come: Jonas was leaving.  My heart ached as we drove to the airport.  It seemed so natural, the three of us together.  As if it would go on like this forever.  I glanced into the backseat where I could just see our daughter’s head over the back of her carseat.  She was such a contented, happy baby.  She looked just like her father, with her bright blue eyes and brown hair.  

When I faced forward again, my eyes misted over, and I blinked rapidly to keep my tears at bay.  It was certainly a good thing that Jonas was the one driving; I probably would’ve had us in a ditch by now.

“Miss me already?” He took his eyes off the road for a moment to smile softly at me.  

I pressed my lips tightly together.  He knew the answer, and to speak would only make me cry.  My father, being a salesman, often traveled, leaving my mom, three siblings, and I at home.  Each time we took him to the airport, Mom would hold his hand, caress it, and say, “I miss you already.”

I sometimes wondered what she meant.  How could you miss someone when they were right there with you?  And now… I sniffed.  I knew exactly how my mother felt.

But Jonas wasn’t going to be gone for just a few days like my father was.  He was going to be gone for months.  And only God knew if I’d ever get to see him again.

We pulled into the airport.  It was a mess of people rushing around, cars coming and going, planes taking off and landing. Jonas is leaving, I thought, and the world goes on.  They don’t care what he’s doing.  God, why does he have to leave?  He’s just one of the many soldiers that will be forgotten to all but those who love him.  He’s going to fight for all these people, yet they won’t give him so much as a second glance.  I don’t know if I can give him up; make me strong, Lord.

Pun:

I realized that I never put a pun in April's recap! So you get three this time. ;)

I thought the ball was coming closer; then it hit me.

Breaking news: board snaps in half

I don't think anyone in heaven has hair—there's no parting there.

Music:

In honor of Memorial Day...

And, in honor of the start of Summer:

Well, that's all folks!

~Kaitlyn

Dandelion Dust: Character Interview

Hi people!

On Friday, My good friend Faith Potts is releasing her first-ever book, Dandelion Dust!

About the Book:

Like a speck of dandelion dust riding the tides of a prairie wind, life is fleeting. Though I never realized just how fragile it was until that day . . .

Charity always had a dream. It was simple, really. Find a guy, fall in love, and get married.
The day she met Ryder, Charity knew he was the man God had chosen for her. But she never expected their relationship to be tested and tried through the fires of a freak accident. Suddenly, her world is thrown into chaos, and the bleak, white walls and sterile smells of a city hospital fill every spare minute. And then there comes the dreaded news. It was likely Ryder would never make it out of the hospital bed.
As her carefully laid plans for the future come crashing down around her and the sun seems to set on her dreams, can Charity still find hope in the dark of night?

Like a dandelion, life is beautiful. But treasure every moment. . . for one day, the flower will be gone.

Add on Goodreads

Interview:

This time, I'm doing something a little different: I'm gonna do a character interview with Drew, Ryder's older brother. So let's get started!

How was your relationship with your family impacted by the accident?

Ryder's accident drew us all closer together. We were pretty tight-knit before, but in a time that tried each of us in diverse ways, my relationships with my siblings and parents (and Charity) became deeper and stronger. More resilient, if you will. 

What's your opinion of Charity, and what is one thing about her that makes you think she belongs with Ryder?

Honestly, I didn't know what to think of Charity at first. When we met, I thought of her as just another girl Hannah was friends with. Pretty soon, I realized she was a strong, godly young lady, not the giggly, teenage girl I was expecting. 

Where Ryder's cracking jokes, Charity's bringing him back to earth. Where she has fears, he builds her up. They are the perfect couple for the ways they complement each other. 

What is, in your opinion, the most important aspect of being a big brother, and how has that changed since Ryder's accident?

To me, the most important aspect of being a big brother and (in my case) the oldest sibling is to be a role model. Even as young children, Hannah and Ryder have looked up to me. Next to Mom and Dad, I should be setting a good, godly example for them to follow. I don't think I was a lame big brother before the accident, but I'd never really given it much thought. Now I'm more aware of the effect I'm having on others' lives. 

If there was one thing or event in your life that you could go back and change, what would it be?

Never agreed to go in half with Ryder when he wanted to buy that ATV? Haha, okay, that probably wasn't what you wanted to hear. :P 

On a more serious note, I would go back to years before the accident and make sure everyone in my life knows what they mean to me. I always just figured my little brother knew how special he was, but until I feared I wouldn't get to make sure of that, I didn't give it much thought. 

And lastly, what has God taught you through your experience in Dandelion Dust?

To not take those you love for granted. Just because you ate breakfast at the same table as someone, doesn't mean they'll be there for supper. As I said above, let them know what they mean to you. Second chances are gifts that aren't promised. 

Thank you for having me, Miss Krispense! 

Thank you, Drew!  All excellent answers.  No wonder all the girls like you. B-)

About the Author:

Faith Potts is a teenage writer, living with her family and beloved yellow labs in the southeastern US. When she's not writing stories, consuming large amounts of coffee, reading books, or creating pottery, she can be found laughing harder than is healthy, daydreaming, and – of course – blowing dandelions.

Writing blog: Stories by Firefly

Faith blog: Chosen Vessels

Social media: Goodreads // Pinterest // Instagram

Also, Faith is giving away two copies of Dandelion Dust! Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Blog Tour Schedule:

Wednesday, June 28th

Olivia @ Living for the Other Side // Book Spotlight   

Soleil @ ReviewsbySoleil // Book Spotlight & Review

Liv @ Liv K. Fisher // Book Spotlight & Author Interview

Mikayla @ Ordinary Girl Extraordinary Father // Book Review

Kaitlyn @ Twin Thoughts // Character Interview

Thursday, June 29th

Rebekah @ RebekahAshleigh // Book Spotlight

Angela @ The Peculiar Messenger// Author Interview

Raechel @ Gods Peculiar Treasure Rae // Book Spotlight & Author Interview

Lydia @ Lydia Therese // Book Review

Rebekah @ Rebekah's Remarks  // Book Spotlight & Author Interview

Faith @ The Writer's Song // Book Review & Author Interview

Friday, June 30th (Release Day!)

Rebekah @ RebekahAshleigh// Book Review

Anika Joy @ This Journey Called Life  // Book Spotlight & Review

Laura @ Books and Chapters // Book Review

Olivia @ Living for the Other Side // Book Review

Jesseca @ Whimsical Writings for His Glory // Book Spotlight, Review, & Author Interview

Bethany @ A Great God and Good Cocoa // Book Spotlight & Review

Micaiah @ Adventures Beyond the Horizon // Author Interview

A Hayday

Hi people!

I should've gotten this post up earlier (I mean, I took these pics weeks ago. Plus, I've got my wheat harvest post to do.), but oh well.
I got to hang out with Kordell for a day.

You might be wondering from the title exactly what we were doing?

Well...

We had a hayday.  Literally.
First we went to get bales.

On our way out to get the hayracks, Chowboy hopped on the hitch to get a ride to the trench so he wouldn't have to walk.  On the way, he took a selfie. XD

Loading the hay racks

Kordell is quite interesting to ride with.  For instance, he was imitating the pig that cried 'wee!' all the way home on the Geico commercial… which made him cough but he didn't care.

On our way home to unload

He would also imitate Jimmy & Jerry gourd from VeggieTales.

Empty, we hop on the road...

…To get more bales!

Once we finished hauling bales, we went home and switched tractors to go bale.

There's something about driving down the road in a vehicle larger than others that gives you a sense of power. B-)

Oiling the chains

And off we go!

Singing along to Sawyer Brown…
He also sang parodies of Old McDonald that he made up on the spot.

'Feeding' the baler

The baler got plugged,  so he got in there and dug it out.  And while he was doing that...

I was lazy and sat on the rear tire and read. ;)

I tried to yodel, but he said, "you sound like a caribou." He was right. XD

It was an interesting day, to say the least. ;P (Especially when we were all done with the field.  Going around in random circles to pick up stray hay is not for the faint at stomach! XP)
But thanks for letting me ride, Bro! I did have fun. ;)
~Kaitlyn

Dear Daddy...

Dear Daddy,

How can I put this into words?

Mama became 'Mom' or 'Mother' or 'Ma' or whatever I wanted to call her in less than 15 years.  You've always been Daddy, and I think you always will be.

You're the kind of guy that most people think is grumpy all the time, just 'cause of the way you look.

I know different.

Of course, you've still got that glare of purest steel that scared the living daylights out of me when I had done something wrong, and I'll never forget that muffled snap of the fingers we'd get as a warning when we were acting up in church.
But you've also got that laugh, and smile, and that smirk you get on your face and sparkle in your eyes when I know you're just teasing me.
You're the one that wouldn't allow me to wear skirts too short, shirts too low, or jeans too tight.  You're the one that taught me how to ride a horse, and how to ride a bike.You're the one that always says, "Kaitlyn, when a guy comes calling, I'm looking forward to telling him no."
You've never been afraid to play with us kids; you'd play with our toy farm equipment with us, you'd wrestle with us, give us 'horsey' rides.
You're gentle.  I remember that when Mom would brush my hair, I would be screaming because of the pain.  When you brushed my hair, somehow it didn't hurt as bad.
When I would have nightmares, I would run to your bed, and you would let me sleep with you for the rest of the night.  Even if it squished you and Mom.

Some people would call you strict.

I would call you... well, strict.  But in a good way.

Remember your favorite verse?  You certainly lived by it. XD  But you disciplined us in such a way that we knew exactly why we had gotten the punishment we had gotten, and that we had brought it upon ourselves.

You've always been super patient, and y'know, I don't remember you ever yelling at us.  You never lost your temper, even when us kids were being brats, and when we would 'help' you stack square bales, although we were just being in the way.
You taught me to drive tractor and move bales, and never lost patience when I made crooked rows or turned a bale on end, going at a snail's pace the whole time. ;)

You are the one person in the family that has ALWAYS shared my love for old western TV shows.  Sure, everyone else likes them, but when we're looking for a movie to watch, you almost always take my side. ;)
One night, I had really been looking forward to watching a western.  But everyone (including you) were already in bed.  So when I came to tell you goodnight, you offered to get up and watch one with me.
I declined, but… I went to my bed and just started crying.  Not because I was missing a western, but because my daddy loved me enough to actually be willing to miss some sleep for me.  That meant more to me than you'll ever know.
You've always loved us, and make sure that we know that.
You took up being the spiritual leader of the family, and helped lead me to Christ.  You pray with us, read Bible to/with us; you're the role model that every child needs, and then some.
Daddy, you'll always be my first love.
I love you.
~Kaitlyn

From Google Images