The Liebster Award || T A G #2

 I did this tag, back in February. But now I have been tagged again. This time by Bri @ Forget Not His Benefits.

Thanks, girl! <3

R U L E S 

Thank the person who nominated you 

Answer the 11 questions they gave you

Name 11 facts about you 

Nominate 11 bloggers to do this tag, and let them know

Give them 11 questions to answer 

B R I 'S   Q U E S T I O N S: 

Who is one person you look up to? 

I'm gonna have to say my Grandpa W. I just love that man so much. I'm always happier when I know he's around. <3 

What is the hardest part about blogging for you? 

Probably finding things to post that people will enjoy, and I'll have fun putting together. Sometimes I wonder why I even blog. I work hard on a post and I feel real proud of it, then it will only get like three comments. And then I throw together a post that I don't even care about and it gets tons of comments! I don't understand this? 

Can you "introduce" us to your family? 

Sure! 

First, there's my dad. He's the best dad ever and I love him so much. He's always there when I need a hug or a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes he just knows I need a hug even without me telling him. I love how he can read me. 
He's not very tall, but then again none of us are. He's been called "The Gray Train" because of his silver hair. I think he's adorable. 

And then there's my mom. She's amazing. I love how we can get talking and for hours when we are supposed to be cleaning the house or something. And the next thing we know it's late and we're still running around trying to get everything done. 
She's always there when I need advice - always reminding me to pray about all things. 

Felicity. My big sister who recently got married and moved three-thousand miles away from me. It's been hard. Sometimes I just block her from my mind so I don't have to think about her not being here. Other times I'm trying hard not to cry for missing her so much. She's a lot like my mom. Always has good advice.
Josiah. The bro-in-law. He's family now, so I'll introduce him too. I've always wanted a big brother. And then he came along. It wasn't long till it was like he's always been there. He's an awesome big brother.

LaKaysha. It's odd how close I am to this girl. I literally tell her everything. We've been sharing a room since before I could remember. Sometimes I want to scream because it seems I can't get away from her. *laughs* We're always together. Always. Except for when we're at work. Though we have worked together... Anyway. She's not even two years older, and she was my playmate as a child. It's always been "LaKaysha and Daminika". We're a package deal. *laughs*

Chancy. I may have Josiah now, and cousins who I have "adopted" as my brothers, but Chancy will always be my favorite brother. My "baby" brother who is way taller than me. Who grabs my ankles until I start to panic. Who "makes" me watch action movies until I dream of a good old-fashioned Disney movie. Who begs to drive every time we go anywhere, even though we're not taking his pickup. We climbed trees together, we laugh together. We tell secrets. (yes I tell secrets to my brother) He's who I yell for when there's a spider or a mouse. The passenger door isn't opening? Call for Chancy.

Liberty. Last but not least. Now the only person left in the family who isn't of driving age yet. My baby sister for ever and always.

We're an odd family. Very affectionate. Always hugging, always sitting on each other. But that's who we are, and I would die if we weren't that way. <3

What is one blog post you've written that you hope none of your readers miss? 

Hmmm... 
Probably this post :  Life as I've Lived It || Eighteen Years of Being Me. The post that I had to re-live my entire life to write. It took me a long time, and pictures helped me remember it all. When I finally finished it, I just posted it without checking for typos. So... just warning you *winks* 

How old were you when you started blogging, and how did you pick your blog title? 

I was fifteen. And as for my title? 
"I call my blog   Walking in the Sonshine. Dancing in the Rain
'Cause if we walk in the sunshine of Jesus Christ, we can learn to dance in the rain. 
And I do love to dance in the rain." 
from my about page

What is one skill or talent you have that others might not know you have? 

uhhhhh. I take super fast showers? *laughs* 

What is your favorite Bible verse(s)? 

I honestly don't have one. How do people have a favorite Bible verse? 
I'll just say this one: 

"[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." 
John 3:16-17 KJV 

If what you say in answer to this question was the only thing you left when you died, what would you say? 

Dance in the rain. Cry if you have to. They're both so refreshing.

When you have free time, what is the first thing you want to do? 

Probably make a yummy coffee, then sit down with a good book or my diary. 

What is your favorite fictional story (or the top few for those of you like me ;)!)?

I'm not gonna lie to y'all. It's "The Daybreakers" by Louis L'Amour *winks*
But I also love "The Sea Before Us" by Sarah Sundin.
The Season's of The Heart series by Janette Oke
"Love Me Tender" by Janice Hanna

What is one of the quotes that inspire you? 

"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet that will be the beginning." ~Louis L'Amour 

F A C T S   A B O U T   M E:

1. I have a thing for Walt Disney and Louis L'Amour <3 <3 

2. I love driving alone with my music up loud and windows down

3. I'm obsessed with blue skies 

4. I grew up on four-wheelers and now I rarely get on one. I miss it 

5. I've recently started listening to Celtic Thunder again. Did you people know they sing "I'm a Believer" on their new album!?!? And it's. so. beautiful. (thirteen year old me is still in there somewhere - Celtic Thunder singing The Monkees' song!? *dies*)

6. I love bass singers <3 (Josh Turner, Damian McGinty...)

7. I love ice cream just a little too much *winks* 

8. I hate my voice (which is why I'll probably never post a video on here)

9. The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday besides Christmas and Easter *laughs*

10. I am currently reading Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne 

11. thinking of facts about myself is actually really really hard

I   N O M I N A T E: 

- Natasha @ Simple Things 

- Felicity @ A Grand Adventure

- Grace @ Totally Graced 

- Katie @ The Kitkat Studio 

- Sarah @ The Introverted Extrovert 

- LaKaysha @ Calico and Lace

- Liberty @ The Elegant Cowgirl

- Kylie @ Kylie's Simple Life

- Damara @ Through My Eyes

- Julia @ The Barefoot Gal

- Ellie @ A Bounce in Your Step

M Y   Q U E S T I O N S:

1. What are five "little" things that always make you happy?

2. The first book that made you cry? 

3. What song describes you? 

4. If you were to play in a movie, who would you want to be your co-star?

5. As a child, which Disney prince made you wish you were his princess?

6. One funny thing that happened to you so far this month?

7. Favorite Disney soundtrack?

8. What movie have you been wanting to watch?

9. Who is your favorite author? 

10. What time do you usually go to bed? Get up?

11. Do you like sweet pickles?

Have fun y'all! 

Beautiful Words || November

L I N E S    T O    A    S E A S O N 

by Louis L'Amour

How quietly the year has passed away 

Into that nothingness from whence it came, 

And now the slowly drifting days are gray

Like powered ashes near a dying flame;

The maple trees bewail their fallen crown

And autumn trails away like at dawn ---

The grass has faded to a dusty brown, 

And I am lonely for a summer gone. 

Each sunset tinted leaf is like a day 

Blown from the tree of unrelenting years, 

Leaves fall, and flowers die, lives float away, 

And we are bitter now, with unshed tears. 

A dying sun is setting through the gray --- 

How quietly the year has passed away! 

I find this beautifully sad. Louis L'Amour has a way of doing that. I can't even begin to explain how beautiful this is <3

Beautiful Words // March

Was this to be the end? Here in this high, rocky country above the desert? Had all my dreams and plans come only to this? To die here, alone, killed by my enemies? Had all the sacrifice of my father and mother brought me only to this? 

Yet I fled not in fear but to find a better place from which to fight. The odds were against me - how great I did not know.  Many times before, I had run with my friends, the desert Indians. My breath came evenly and strong; the rifle was heavy, but I would need it. 

A mile, another mile. Thicker, taller, rougher rocks, great crags jutting out, trails that dipped between them. Topping out on a ridge among some rocks, I glanced back and saw them coming, single file, issuing from a narrow place. I counted six, and more followed behind. 

"You want a chase," I said aloud, "I will lead you one." 

~Louis L'Amour, The Lonesome God's

Doesn't that make you wonder what is happening? Who is he running from, and why?  Can't you just feel the rocks under your feet as you run alongside Johannes? Feel the weight of the heavy rifle?
Don't let the title scare you. You have to read this book! 
Starting when he's six makes it a really long book, but his whole life is a great big adventure, and as he grows older you want to know what will happen next. And, I've said it before, but Louis L'Amour's writing is so beautiful!

I realized it was about time for my "Beautiful Words" post  and I couldn't think of what to put. Then I was remembered this quote that I had sent LaKaysha was I first read it.

So I used it. I hope you enjoyed it, even though I've used quotes by Louis L'Amour before. *winks*

So. here we are in the middle of March. Wow, the days are going fast!
As LaKaysha said in her post , we may have a part time job cleaning. LaKaysha has been sick so I went and cleaned without her. And it was hard, scary, overwhelming, and stressful. But I did it, and made some money. Like LaKaysha, I'm not overly excited about this job.
But it's not for sure yet, so we'll have to see how it goes.

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of March! *grins*

Did you enjoy the quote?
Want to read the book now?

Beautiful Words // January

LET IT SNOW 

by Louis L'amour 

Snow in the sky, 

    Earth turning white -- 

A tree like a ghost

    In the gathering night;

Low clouds above,

    White world below -- 

Barn roofs and houses

    Covered in snow.

Deep in his burrow 

    The 'possum is huddled,

Far in the bushes

    Snowbirds are cuddled,

The creek in the morning

   Coldly will gleam, 

But I've got a fire, 

    A book and a dream. 

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Each month I will be picking a quote, poem, or Bible verse that I think is beautiful, and sharing it with y'all. 

I wanted to wait till around the 20th to post this since I just did a post two days ago- but this went so wonderfully with today, that I just had to do it! 

Another snow storm has struck our home and we had to postpone the gathering that was planned for tonight (shucks!), I was sitting by the fire, reading (a Louis L'Amour book *winks*) and drinking coffee while the world becomes freshly white - the poem just went perfectly with the moment! So I snapped a couple pictures for this post, and decided to just do it! Maybe next month I won't do it so early in the month. *winks* 

 Even though this isn't part of my monthly "Beautiful Words" posts, I want to share a quote that I've found beautiful so far in the book I'm reading. 

"Do you know that Western land? Do you know the far plains and the high, snow-crested ridges? Do you know the beaver streams, the water laughing in the bright sun? Do you know the sound of the wind in the pines? The cloud shadows on the desert's face? Have you stood on the high ridges and looked fifty miles across the country, country known only to Indians, antelope, and buffalo?

    "Have you crawled out of your bedroll in the chill of a spring morning with the crisp air fresh in your lungs and the sound of running water in your ears? Have you started a fire and made coffee, and broiled your venison over an open fire? Have you smelled ironwood burning, or cedar?"

 ~Louis L'Amour, To Tame a Land 

(that was a pretty long quote, but it was so beautiful I had to share *winks*) 

And now -- back to my book!