The Man Who Loves Hot Dogs

Everyone, meet that man who loves hot dogs. His name is Bruce, but I like to call him dad. Call him what you wish. He drives a bring yellow Harley Davidson with red flames on it. Now, theres no need to be jealous.

He's also know as the Sugar Daddy. This is his lucky shirt. He has worn this shirt to every pig show since I was 9. It might have ran out of luck 6 years ago, but he still wears it. He's the most supportive dad anyone could ask for. I don't know where i would be without him.

Now back to the hot dogs. I have never met anyone who likes hot dogs as much as this man right here. Once upon a time, we went grocery shopping at Wal-Mart, hot dogs were on sale for 50 cents a package. He bought them all, therefore all we ate all summer long was hot dogs. True story.

Now, originally this was supposed to be a Father's Day blog post, buuuut I didn't get it done before we left for Scotland, which will be the next post. But this man has given me a life worth living and him and my mom are incredible role models in my life and have no idea where I would be without them.

Words cannot express how much I love him, and how much I appreciate everything he has done for me. "The spitting image of my father, and when the day is done my momma's still my biggest fan."

I love you,

The Dirt Road Daughter

Live with Pride, Serve with Passion

This time last year I was getting ready to close a chapter in the book of my life: high school. All I had left was to walk that 75 yards of the football field to get the diploma and I was free. Or so I thought. I still had one piece of unfinished business to tend to...New Mexico State FFA Convention. This event would mark my last activity I would ever participate in as a Goddard FFA Member, District V President, and State Vice President.

Being a state officer was something that I can never do it justice with words. The amazing members I met from all across our great  county, the memories my teammates and I had on road trips, camps, conferences and anything else is something that I will cherish forever. The infinite potential the National FFA Organization offers is non like any other high school organization. 

These are the people I lived with, each a treasure in my life. They are more than teammates, they are more than friends, they are my family. They are the people I live for. Although after State Convention we went our separate ways, the bond I have with these individuals is like non other. Each one of them hold a special place in my heart, and I know that each one of them is going to great places in this crazy, hectic, thing we call life. 

Now, I hate Taylor Swift (no offense), but no body could describe the feeling of becoming elected like she did. "I still remember this moment, In the back of my mind, The time we stood with our shaking hands, The crowds in stands went wild, We were the kings and the queens, And they read off our names, The night you danced like you knew our lives, Would never be the same"

The opportunities I was given to meet the people who make the National FFA Organization what it is was exhilarating. We learned from each other, taught each other, and inspired each other to do more, be more, and try more. I will never forge the memories that were made with these inspiring individuals. From exploring Bryce Canyon to dancing the night away in the parking lot.

The members is what makes the National FFA Organization what it is today. When I walked into a classroom to give a chapter visit, I couldn't help but to smile. Their passion for a great organization inspired me to do the best I can, because these members deserve the best. I will never forget the great times we had whether it was the games we played with our names or with the 12 nails.

So New Mexico FFA, thank you, for the opportunity of a life time. Thank you for chance to get to serve you as your 2010-2011 New Mexico State FFA District V President/ State Vice President. Always remember: Ripples Collide.


Great Memories,
The Dirt Road Daughter

What's the good of news if you haven't a sister to share it?

Everyone meet my sister...Bailey.

There is a high possibility that she will be mad about me for writing a blog about her, so it's a good thing I'm in the other room right now.

Lets talk about Bailey. She is younger than me by 25 months, she is taller than me by two inches, and she has more motivation to work out than me. We are often asked if we are twins, umm no.

She sometimes likes to smell herself, but at least she doesn't want to stink. She actually is the opposite of stink. I've never met anyone who puts as much perfume on before leaving the house than her or take so many showers after going to the barn, for literally 2.5 seconds. But whatever floats her boat.

She sometimes likes to play dress up. She likes to pretend she is a dragon and goes around "rawring" at things; such as the dog. Actually, I'm kidding she's never rawred at anything to know knowledge. But she does have a sense of humor, a weird one, but she has one none the less.

We do have a lot of things in common though, like we both like high pony tails, big bows, and bad driving. We also have our differences, she likes to go to the gym, I'd rather eat my life away than go to the gym, she like salad, I'm not a rabbit, she plays volleyball, I watch her play volleyball.

However, Bailey and I get along really well while I'm at school and she's in NM. I'm not sure why she hates it so bad when I come home, I mean I bake her cookies, and cupcakes, and brownies, but thats her loss. We can be the best friends...sometimes. But no matter what, I love her.

Sister love,

The Dirt Road Daughter 

While at West Texas A&M...

They say college is where you go to become the person you are meant to be. While I do believe that, I also believe college is where you go to be the person you are. Thursday was the end of my freshman year in college. While it had its ups and down, I enjoyed every minute of it.

While some people might think I had the "ideal" first year experience, I believe that everyones first year experience is unique to them. I know that my first year experience was all in God's greater plan. I wouldn't change one thing about my freshman year and look forward to the years to come. 

While at West Texas A&M...

I became apart of something bigger than myself--Chi Omega. 

I found a role model.

I met my best friend.

I learned to deal with suite mates.

I worked to Make-A-Wish come true.

I spent time with this little precious.

But most of all, I became Whitley Donn Gammill.

Blessings,

The Dirt Road Daughter 

Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is

It seems like everything now days are a competition. Everyone is fighting to get that trophy, the plaque, that money, or whatever else it may be. But winning isn't everything (I just went there). However; the passion, the drive, and the motivation to want to win is.

This past week my Chi Omega sisters and I participated in University Sing with the men of Alpha Tau Omega. Let me enlighten you about what University Sing is. Often called "Sing" for short, this is when sororities and fraternities pair up with each other and put together a Broadway like musical production, then perform in front of the student body.

Our production was called "A Night On the Town". Below is the video of our final performance. 

For me, learning these dances was a HUGE challenge. I mean, for a girl who has always wanted to be a cheerleader, Sing changed my mind, real fast. However, for the past 4 weeks I worked my tail off learning these dances, getting the choreography right, and making it look effortless. In that span of time, I made so many great memories, met new people, shared multiple laughs, and overall enjoyed myself.

Every Chi Omega and ATO worked so hard to make our performance look good. Our drive to win first place was beyond anything I have ever experienced before. The multiple hours and long nights that were taken to perfect our performance was proof of our dedication to each other, and or drive to reach that final goal; that first place trophy. 

After our performance it was awards time. As everyone waited anxiously for that announcement between first and third place, our hard work just wasn't enough. We heard those words fall. 

Right in that moment I realized that I didn't need a trophy, all I needed was the great memories, laughs, and good friends I was left with. No trophy could replace those things. Trophy's fade, but those memories I made with my sisters and the men of ATO is something that will never be replaced. 

So here’s to my Chi Omega Sisters, the ATO men, and all of our fans who made the audience so loud we couldn't here our music...thank you. Thank you for the great laugh, the sisterhood, the memories, the cheers, the screams, and the support. You all hold a very specie place in my heart that a trophy cannot.

Remember winning isn't everything,

The Dirt Road Daughter

Riding off into the sunset

Two years ago, although it seems like more than that, the young, up and coming cowboys that I grew up with rode off into the sunset. 

As Mike and Jesse set off for the pro rodeo in Cave Creek, Arizona, they had no idea what awaited them.

It was Mike's first pro rodeo saddle bronc win, and Jesse's first taste of what life would be like as a pro rodeo cowboy, both living out their dreams.

They planned on leaving Arizona early Sunday morning so they could make it back to school on Monday...but they never returned. 

The day is one that stands out in my mind like a sore thumb. The memories never fade. The questions never seize. The fact that the boys were never going to walk through the front doors of Goddard High School ever again, was a feeling that can't be explained.

The amount of people that showed up at their house's the day the news hit astonished me. These boys touched so many lives. The memorial for the boys was one Roswell had never seen.

Close to a two thousand people showed up to show their respect. The stories that were told, the memories that were made, was all proof that these boys were great, inspirational individuals, whom people looked up too.

I remember Jesse's voice singing “I was sitting on the chutes talking to my mom. She teared up and I asked what was wrong. She said, ‘It’s about your friend and you’ll never see him again.’ I hit my knees and I began to cry, and asked the Lord, ‘Why, oh why, did he have to go, did he have to die?’ He didn’t get the chance to live his life,” over the loud speaker, and listening to the sobs of everyone in the room.

Mike and Jesse are heroes. But they are home now, in the sky, watching over everyone.

There's no doubt about it that I miss those boys every single day, but I know the good die and young, and the boys were definitely good ones.

Prayers for the family,

Dirt Road Daughter 

Mondays

Monday...
Defined as: "The day of the week before Tuesday and following Sunday"


Mondays are the busiest day of the week for me.


Wake up at 6:30 A.M
Math at 8:00 A.M (EVERYDAY!!!!)
Speech at 9:00 A.M
Ag Comm at 10:30 A.M (this is where I get to draw picture...alot of them)
Lunch till 12 P.M
Nap till 2 P.M
Basic Video Production at 2:30 P.M 
(I loathe this class. I'm not a cactus of anything, but I know and prick when I see one and Ryan Hazelwood is one. Just saying) 
Work at 4:15 P.M (I babysit. Its fun)
                <<<<<-------somewhere between here and there is dinner
Get off work at 6:30 P.M
                <<<<<-------somewhere between here and there ^ is dinner
Meeting at 6:45 P.M (Hoot Hoot I love Chi Omega)
Meeting end at 8:30-9ish
Homework starting at 9 P.M
Bedtime is when everything has been accomplished.


But today!
Today is an abnormal Monday...TWO of my FOUR classes have been canceled. I have so much time on my hands I don't even know what to do. With it being Monday I don't have any homework (yet. Ryan Hazelwood will probably change that real quick.).

I do have a horticulture project that is due on the 24th but that's like a week and a half away, plus what kind of college student would I be if I didn't wait till the last minute to do it? 


I digress...Back to MONDAY!


While I am having a good Monday (I probably just jinxed it) I hope everyone else has a good on too! Don't forget...MONDAY is the day of the week before Tuesday and following Sunday!


Have a blessed Monday,
The Dirt Road Daughter

Don't cry over ruined cupcakes...

11:45 this morning this was the goal:

By 4:40 this afternoon this was the outcome:

Yep I know, I nailed it....

As you can see these cupcakes didn't turn out (obviously). After multiple hours working on them, I was to a point where I was almost in tears over...over cupcakes! Something that wasn't worth my tears, but had seemed to get the best of me. After snapping back into reality that these were just CUPCAKES, and they do not need to control my emotions. I realized there are way more things I should be worried about instead of these dumb cupcakes. And they are not that good for you anyways.

So next time you let the little things get to you, re think what you are letting control your emotions. Because let me tell ya, cupcakes DO NOT deserve your tears. 

I am going to enjoy these awful looking, but oh so yummy cupcakes.

The Dirt Road Daughter

Dirt Road Lessons

Life in the country is anything but boring.

By growing up in the country I have learned multiple things. Of those the most important is...(drumroll please)


1.) Hard work = happy life. End of story. 
The harder you work, the most satisfying it is when that hard work pays off. I remember spending my summers, need i remind you that 112 degree weather, walking pigs, working sheep, and training cattle. But when you get that purple banner at the show, you know the time you put in payed off. I would never, ever, ever trade that time in for anything.


2.) How to go from dirt to diamonds in less than 30 minutes. This really pays off when you wake up late for classes...just FYI
     The weekends are always spent out at the barn. Usually from sun up to sun down. That means you have a long period of time to get dirty. Which is not that hard anyways. But that also means, if you ever wanted to go out, you had to bust your bum to get things done. Usually that means there not much time to get cleaned up. I have mastered the art of getting completely dressed and ready in 30 minutes or less.


3.) If you have time to boss your sister around, you have time to do it yourself....its usually easier too.
     The fights me and my sister get into usually have something to do with one bossing the other around..usually. By the time you give her an order, argue about her doing it, and her finally doing, is much more time than if you were just to do it yourself. Soo, save time and just do it yourself.

4.) You can work more muscles by clipping pigs, unloading feed, and working animals, than any amount of time you spend at the gym. 
     Clipping pigs is more than just 'clipping pigs'. Whitley: Catches Pig, Snares Pig, Clips Pig, Unsnares pig, Pick up pig, Unleash pig into its pen. Its pretty much a one person show (a;though my sister thinks she helps). But these pigs weigh anywhere from 20-40 pounds. So 40 pounds times 15 pigs..well you do the math.

5.) Family is most important...always.
    My family has ALWAYS been there. From my 4-H days, my FFA days, my sports, shows, fairs, conventions, conferences..ect. I can do anything with them right by my side. END OF STORY. 


I couldn't imagine my life any different!


Stay Precious,

The Dirt Road Daughter

I Am Agriculture Proud

As I am filling out a leadership application one of the requirements is to write a one page essay. I'm supposed to  "Identify a current leader in any field or endeavor that you admire. Explain why you hold them up as a role model." Well thats much harder than you think. As I go through the list of people in my head, one seemed to remain constant. The man that shaped me into the leader I am today, my agriculture education teacher, Mr. Jones.

This man; ohhh the times we've had! From his ridiculously cheesy jokes, to his positive attitude, to his competitive spirit, I look up to this man and his family more than anything in the world. But why you may ask? 

This man has been there to push me to do better, he has been by my side when I'm so nervous I cannot even see straight. I know he's just a phone call away if I ever need anything. He has taught me to be there leader I am, which has shaped me into the person I am today. 

I will never forget those countless hours I have spent in the ag shop, practicing, reciting, decorating, and whatever else there is to do. But those are the hours in my life I will never regret spending there. Those are the hours that have created my work ethic, morals, values, positive attitude, competitiveness, and above all else; me.

Without this man, I can guarantee I would not be the person I am today. I wish I could repay him for the time he spent to make me into the person I am today, but I know there's not way. So I will say a simple "thank you" for making me Agriculture Proud.

 

Faith in God Changes Everything.

Never Ending Questions.

As children we are full of questions. Questions about anything and everything.  Look at the picture of the following letters wrote to God by children, (I apologize if its too small to read). 

Lessons Learned

Throughout my life, I have seen God work some pretty impressive miracles. In turn I have stopped asking questions. God's got this. You have got to trust in him. If your still asking questions, maybe you should pick up a Bible and start reading. For when you put Jesus first, Other second, and Yourself last, you will be filled with JOY! Try Jesus, its never too late, you can run from him, but you can't hide from him. 

Faith in God, changes EVERYTHING.

Common People Serving an Uncommon God

This is My Bible

In high school, I vividly remember doing one thing constantly every monday night at my Teen Community Bible Study group. We would raise our Bibles and say the bible cheer. 


'This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I have what it says I have. 
I can do what is says I can do.
Today, I will be thought the word of God.
I bodly confess my mind is alert.
And I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER.
In Jesus Name!"


After four years of repeatedly chanting this, it sorta sticks in your head. As I went on to college, I never forgot about the Bible Cheer. As a matter of fact, I wrote out the cheer, printed off, and taped to my bathroom mirror. Every morning when I'm getting ready I read the cheer to myself. It sets the stage for the rest of my day.


Like my Bible Cheer that is taped to my mirror, God is always there. Always. If you start your day with God, then your setting the stage for the rest of your day to be a wondrous adventure which God has planned for you. We serve a mighty God through each action, word, and thought. Are you living your life to serve God, or are you living your life for yourself? 


Dying for us was the MOST He could do. Living for Him is the Least that we can do.

To Be Womanly Always; To Be Discouraged Never

Chi Omega
This past week I got the privilege to become an active member of the Chi Omega Fraternity. When I first came to college, i definitely would not have guessed I would pledge a sorority. Becoming Chi Omega has been an awesome experience. From the wonderful friends I have made, to the morals and values our fraternity posses, I am in love. Chi Omega is the nation's largest women's organization. I am proud to say i am a member of such a great thing. Chi Omega lives by its symphony. This symphony is what each and every young women strives to be. The Chi Omega Symphony is what I strive to be.


The Chi Omega Symphony
To live constantly above snobbery of word or deed; to place scholarship before social obligations and character before appearances; to be in the best sense, democratic rather than “exclusive”, and lovable rather than “popular”; to work earnestly, to speak kindly, to act sincerely, to choose thoughtfully that course which occasion and conscience demand; to be womanly always; to be discouraged never; in a word, to be loyal under any and all circumstances to my Fraternity and her highest teachings and to have her welfare ever at heart that she may be a symphony of high purpose and helpfulness in which there is no discordant note.


Ethel Switzer Howard Xi 1904 


What do you stand for?

Life at best is anybody's guess

Life at best is a struggle

"Even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years." As many freshman FFA Creed speakers know how many simple questions can come from that one line. As E.M Tiffany had a vision of the future, he knew what struggles American Agriculture had endured and would it would have endured that was going to make it a stronger industry. We are often told "what doesn't kill you only make you stronger." I live by this quote I know the struggles I face and the mountains I climb make me a better person, physically and mentally. Everyone has their own battles and struggles they face, which in turn makes them the person they are. Challenges make life interesting however overcoming them make it meaningful. So next time you think something is to hard, remember there are other people fighting worse battles than you. God's got you, if you have him. To live is to struggle, and to struggle is to grow. 

Life at best can be trouble
Trouble such a simple word with such large meaning. The trouble with life is that there is always an excuse. An excuse to be better, do better, act better, live better. The trouble with life is that often times when things go right the first time, people don't appreciate how difficult it was. Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and when it comes, hold you head high, look it squarely in the eye and say, "I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me." Through life  trouble brings experience, and experience brings wisdom. 


Store up on love, Stay humble

Faith, Hope, and Love but the greatest is love. -1Corinthians 13:13. Love is what keeps us going. If we have love we have everything. Did you know the word 'love' is mentioned in the bible 314 times. Thats not counting the multiple variations of the word. If something is mentions that many times, its has to be important! Love can keep an individual going through the tough times. Love from our family and friends. Store up on love and you'll have enough to go around.

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. -1Peter 5:5. Staying humble is easier said than done, we all know that. However when people stay humble they are often more approachable and easier to relate too. Happiness keeps you sweet, sorrows keep you human, life keeps you humble, success keeps you glowing, but only God keeps you going. Being humble and thankful go along way in this world.

It's all a guess baby life at best

Here goes nothing.

She always holds her head up high.

With the New Year comes new challenges.  I have challenged myself to be a successful "blogger".  This is the start to that challenge. I promise to always stay positive and hold my head up high. I promise to never complain, dwell, or whine about anything without making an encouraging argument. I promise that nothing I say or do here is falsified to make people read. This is simply the wisdom I have gained, the lessons I have learned, and that inspiration I have found by living at the ‘end of the dirt road’.

She loves the company of her family.

My family is what keeps me going. Through tough times and good I believe there is nothing better than the company of my family. I am the oldest daughter and big sister. My father is a veterinarian who has always be my role model and inspiration. My mother is a cancer fighting supermom, which manages to do anything and everything at the drop of a hat. My sister is often mistaken as my twin sister. We are more than likely not your ordinary family. We have never had family dinners, family game night, or a cleaning lady. Instead we go to stock shows together, and make cleaning the house a family effort.

She has faith in God's greater plan.

The Holy Word is what keeps me going. God is my savior and I live to serve him. Through good times and bad he has been by my side. I know that I will never get anything accomplished without him by my side. He is my saving grace.