It’s Okay To Get Dirty

From making mudslides out by the barn, mudding with the four wheelers, and our swimming pool as kids being a water tank for cattle, I grew up not worrying about germs or being "icky". Now I know that getting my hands a little dirty to get the job done never killed anyone and, actually, is a good skill to have.

If You Know The Consequences, It’s Your Choice

Now, this is one lesson I think set my parents apart. My mom was big on that once I was able to make the decision myself she would let me know the consequences whether they were from herself or how else I could get in trouble. Then, it was up to me.

She was good at judging when I was able to decide like the adult I was becoming and when she had to put her foot down. This allowed me to not feel overwhelmed with freedom of choices when I came to college as well as not make me feel necessary to sneak around behind my parents back.

Chores First

I remember cleaning the kitchen and other parts of the house with my sisters during the summer and then my mom asking, "What do you want?". We figured out quickly that for us to be able to go to town to the pool or to do anything we had to do chores first. It's important for kids to know that cleaning doesn't happen by fairies. It amazed me how many college freshmen have never had to run a washer before! It's not that hard.

Responsibility For Something Besides Yourself

Now for me, I had the responsibility to get myself to all my extracurriculars, do homework, as well as the chores of animals. I had a lot of help from my parents but down to it I know that I was responsible for feeding, watering, milking (I had dairy goats in high school), preparing for shows in the summer, breeding schedule of the does, and pretty much every aspect of my goats.

I started helping with animals from a young age when I helped with the dogs and chickens, but once I was in 8^th grade I started raising dairy goats and the responsibility showed me that there's so much more to responsibility than just me and my wants.

 Never Let Someone Tell You You’re Not Enough

From beauty to strength my parents believed in each of us kids. They gave us everything they could so that our lives could be what we wanted to make them. They supported each of us four kids in our very different lives and encouraged us all to never give up.

I use to brush my mom off when she told me I could be anything I wanted, but now the support from my mom is one of the biggest reasons I've accomplished what I have.

Live, Love, and Laugh

I give a lot of the credit for my big heart to the amazing amount of love I was blessed with starting with my dad, my mom, and my siblings. It's something instilled in me that you never hang up, leave the house, or say goodnight without telling people you care about that you love them.

Not every family is like this but I sure am glad mine is. Love is something that doesn't' have to be restricted or silenced. Life is so much more when you love and laugh like no one is watching.