callynhonse: fall fun.

it's officially fall & i'm lovin' every second.

the temperature has finally dropped below 95 degrees, the trees are changing colors, & october festivities are surrounding me. Some days I'm extremely ready to graduate and move on to the next phase of life & other days I love being the college student I am, because I know I am exactly where the Lord wants me.

Fall is a season that makes my soul ache to be a college graduate, a wife, and a mom. I want my Sunday's to consist of going to church, eating lunch with my family, & spending the entire afternoon together - exploring all the fall festivities possible. Unfortunately as a college student, my 'fall fun' normally doesn't consist of painting pumpkins, being outside in the yard, baking pumpkin seeds, playing in the freshly fallen leaves, or decorating the house with the season's corresponding colors. But this afternoon, was one of those afternoons that sent joy rushing through my veins. It made me feel like a little girl again, free & careless, not concerned about anything, but simply enjoying the moment for what it's worth.

In a previous blog, I wrote about the absolutely wonderful family I work for. They have become my second family and I cherish every single second in their presence. There's something about spending time with them that warms my soul and nourishes my spirit. All semester long, the girls [Mayson & Braxton], have been elated about carving pumpkins, riding horses, and spending time together outside of "school". So today was the day, today was the day my soul was refreshed.

Toni, Ali, and I purchased 5 pumpkins, all the carving tools, & arrived to their house around 4'oclock prepared for an unforgettable afternoon. The girls saddled up 5 of their horses and so graciously taught the 3 of us how to get on the horse, steer the horse, & most importantly, how to slow it down. We spent lots of time on the horses screaming, laughing, & praying we would survive! :) It was definitely a feeling of victory & triumph for us to successfully get off the horses without any mishaps.

Ali & bluejeans. They were quite the pair. Bluejeans truly was rambunctious, quick, & a perfect match for ali. Ali was destined to be a cowgirl, she was a complete natural. I think i was more nervous for ali the whole time than I was for myself!

try 1: fail.

try 2: success! she'd never been more thankful for a step-stool.

Toni & Janie. They made me smile. Janie is Braxton's barrel racing horse, but if she's not near a barrel - she doesn't move too quick.

check out braxy's cute pink saddle.

tone is already lovin' it!

kappa's love horseback riding :)

Braxton & Emmie. Emmie was kind of a brat, but Brax truly has a way with horses and got her under control every time. This previous summer she was in Wyoming with her horses - dedicated hours & hours to practicing and taking care of them. I've seen lots of videos of Braxton riding, but seeing her in her element made me me so happy & proud. She was fierce. She is such a hard-worker & knows how to get stuff done. I can only hope my children are as helpful & sweet spirited as her.

i am obsessed with her broken in boots.

emmie is gorgeous. check out those white lashes.

this is brax completely content & in her element. lovin' life.

Mayson & Sugar. Sugar just had the baby boy this spring so as Mayson would ride the momma around, the baby would follow us. The relationship between a mom & baby horse is priceless.

Mays tied this water canteen on with a festive holiday ribbon! ha.

we're almost all saddled up!!

Callyn & Pokey. this is also one of Braxy's horses that was accompanied with a brand new saddle! Brax had only used it once - way to make me feel like a queen! :) pokey was so good to me. only surprised me once - took off in a dead sprint down a baby hill! whoo!

After riding the horses, Brax & I had to get serious. Unfortunately, we had to do her math homework while the other girls were in the front yard carving pumpkins. Of course we took frequent breaks to go out there & check on their progress. They were quite the little pumpkin carving experts.