What Will You Do?

What will you do with your one wild & precious life?

I know that I have not blogged for years. I am going to try again, if nothing else for myself. Perhaps the words I write for myself are also meant for someone else, it is my hope that the words written here will touch a heart somewhere out there. Because God knows, he knows what we need to read and when. Therefore, I will go forth with love & conquer all fear of putting my words out for the world to see. 

That being said, what will you do with your one wild and precious life? What are you doing to fulfill your dreams and grow as a person? For awhile I was just floating, not knowing what I wanted or what I didn't want. Just being, but not living. I let the darkness pull me under and I spent most of the winter alone, hiding in my bed. I would come home from work and just lay in the darkness until night and then I would sleep or lay awake with troubled thoughts. As if somehow, I could get away from my life if I just hid out and didn't face it head on. Winter is my worst season, it brings out the darkness in my soul and turns me into someone I don't want to be. Yeah, those were long months. I had no direction, no ambition, just dreaded routine and a black hole that my life was draining down. 

Spring came. Because it always does, it never fails. The sun comes back out and life begins grow from the musty earth. Likewise, I climbed my way out of that ugly black hole. About this time I began to contemplate: what am I doing? Why am I wasting this one life that I have? Last fall I started working at a school as a Special Ed Para. I grew to love the students I worked with, I began to realize that we all have a calling and I had found mine. Still I let fear hold me back. The idea of going back to school crossed my mind a few times, but I dismissed it almost immediately. My co-workers would make passing comments about how I should become a certified teacher, but I would shrug them off because I doubted my self worth. One day in the spring a co-worker sent a link about the teaching program at the local college and it was a sign from above. It was now or never. I wasn't getting any younger and I knew I had found my passion. I had to face my fears. 

Therefore, I took a leap of faith and applied for school. With overwhelming support from my family and friends I did what it took to get into college again. This summer I completed my first semester, putting me on my way to a degree so I can have my own classroom. When you find your gift, you have to move forward so you can use it. Even if it means going into the unknown and conquering all self doubt.

Sometimes the days start turning gray and I see that blackness closing in. Yet once again I turn my face to the sun & think of all the people who believe in me. I know then, that I must move forward without fear. "Be strong and of a good courage. Be not afraid. For the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest." That verse is my anthem, a daily reminder for me to go forth and have courage to live my one wild & precious life.

That is my story, that is how I came to be where I am right now. Finding my way, slowly, becoming the woman I want to be. So dear friend, What are you doing with your one wild and precious life? 

I Grew Up Here

           I grew up here, down a gravel road, where fields surround our house and open skies are not hidden by trees. In a square white house with scraggly grass and wood piled up for the winter. Worn wood floors and creaky stairs from years of use are solid under my feet. Each time I step through the door, my heart sighs, because I know I am home.

There is a shell of a barn on its last limbs of life, beside a well climbed windmill where you can see miles around from the top. There’s a lone barbed wire fence holding some cows and usually a calf. A plethora of vehicles are parked out front, some working and some ready for the bone yard. The dining room is filled by a large wooden table, the nicks and scratches are scars from years of use. Many times this table has been surrounded by people filling their stomachs and being blessed by the company they share it with. We have a little golden arm chair that was my great grandmother’s, it is the perfect size for me. This house has a history, and you can almost hear the voices of the past coming through its walls.

This is where I grew up, in a house of rough and tumble boys, and later one tiny little girl to be my only sister. This is where I learned to forgive and to love, where I learned the teachings of Christianity. Upstairs before bed every night we would gather in one room and say our prayers. I learned to not only be a sister, but to be a friend to my siblings. I was taught to leave the doors unlocked and be waiting with an open heart to any that might stop by. Our house is a comforting place, one where any can come and rest their feet even for just a moment.

I grew up here. In a place that God has blessed, down this gravel road is where I will always return when I need a place to call home.

"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 2 Corinthians 5:1  

Little Things

We had went to Karina's for tea on Saturday and I was one of the servers, so I snapped a few pictures. Here are a couple just random ones, her house has all sorts of cute little things in it!

 This cake server is just adorable!

 Tiny little cups :)

Dried Red Peppers!

Have a wonderful week!

-Brooke

Who Am I?

I haven't blogged in so long, I don't know if anyone even looks anymore, but maybe I will get back into it. For my senior English class we are doing a senior memoir project where we write a series of memories and thoughts in the form of chapters. I will probably be sharing those, this is one of them. 

 Who am I?

I am a dreamer.

A sister, daughter and friend.

I am a lover of those around me,

A giver of hope to those who need kind words,

A listener to the hurting,

and a giver of advice to those who need direction in life.

I am a caretaker and a worker.

I laugh.

Music is in my soul.

I am addicted to Mountain Dew

I enjoy the sweetness and caffeine rush of iced coffee.

I wear cowboy boots, a country girl.

Simple is what I am.

A believer in Christ who died for me.

I believe beauty is more than skin deep, I look for the good in people.

Sometimes I am quick to complain, so I remind myself to look up daily.

I’m a thinker and often over analyze things.

I am the middle child.

I grew up rough and tumble with the boys, I’m not scared of a fight.

I worry.

Many days I am simply a mess.

I have traveling in my blood.

South Dakota is my home, and my heart always wants to come home,

Open fields and endless skies call my name.

I am a lover of words and a reader of books.

My only goal in life is to be content with where I am.

I’m the girl who falls easily and cares deeply.

I find beauty in the little things of life.

I am an imperfect being in an imperfect world.

Every day I learn more about myself:

I am a work in progress.

This is me...

I bet you had given up all hope of me ever updating my blog again..well surprise surprise i actually havent forgotten about it..just have a lot going on!! and i do have a little story in my head,but its waiting to come out so i guess if i ever get it written you all can read it :)
i'm done with school, just been working and such...i guess i dont have to much to say..
Just going through life...one day at a time.

Portfolio

Here's a little sneak peek of my latest project :) A portfolio for class! I'm not sure i like all my pages but for the most part they are turning out, so here's a little glimpse i'll share more later :)

There's been alot going on lately... work & school & other stuff...so sometime i'll have time to come on here & write for you all :)

later,brooke

Hope.

The sun was shining today :) It finally feels like spring, i looked today and seen the green buds on the trees & green grass. Spring brings me hope. By the end of winter, i'm getting depressed because all there is is snow and cloudy days. When spring comes around it means summer is around the corner, means school is done, the grass is green, the flowers are peeking up from the ground-Its just so cheerful. It puts a song in my heart, a spring in my step and smile on my face :)
Not sure whats up with this picture its supposed to be sideways but i havent a clue how to change such things on here!!

Tree buds :)

Later, brooke

Long overdue...

I feel like i owe my readers a long overdue word post. Seems like back in the xanga days i actually gave posts with words, but i haven't really on here... I hope that i have something that makes you think or wonder, i feel like i have so many thought and emotions in my head right now...
For once in my life i feel like i am where i belong, even though i still have questions and doubts about things, my heart is full. I feel loved, i feel like i can give love freely and be myself, i am working one job and starting another and i feel like i am putting myself out there and doing something with my life. I dont want to be the girl who never does anything and never works a job. I work at the daycare...and just the couple of times i have been there i feel such a longing for my own family. Someday that is what i want, i love kids...and hopefully someday i can have my own & be a great mother & feel blessed with all that i have. On May 3rd i start training at Jagers in Hayti- the little grocery store. I will do a variety of things there-cashier, stocking shelves, working in the back which is making salads & sandwiches, pulling buns and the like. I'm hoping i will like it, because i can get good hours there and everything like that. This summer i'm hoping to "broaden my horizons" and put myself out there...I'm actually the type of person who generally keeps to myself if i'm not forced to put myself out there, so maybe this working business will help me with that & im looking forward to it :) and for the sake of my sanity, i need this...
Once again i am puzzling over what i should do with the rest of my life. Now i am not stressing over it too much, but i am thinking. Maybe something in childcare? The thought has crossed my mind...
In photography class interesting discussions sometime get started between us girls & they can get pretty heated. The latest is "Why would you guys want to get married and have 7+ children, and live the rest of your life caring for your kids like the rest of your church does?" You can probably imagine what goes on from there..or actually maybe you cant. Either way it sure makes me start thinking what perspective other people see when they look at us. You know if it was my choice i could move to who knows where & start totally new & do whatever i wanted. But no it is my dream to find a christian husband and have children & be a mom... i am NOT forced to do this and if i wanted i could do anything in the world. and no i dont want to get married right out of high school, i'd love to move away and be a nanny or something. Maybe thats what God has planned & maybe not either way. In spite of what people think, and in spite of the fact that we are taught to get married & bear children..its because its what I WANT.. This person we were talking with just couldn't understand why we would actually want to give up a full closet of clothes & doing whatever we wanted to care for our kids... I just think there is a bigger picture...its not always about ME or I. Its about the ones we love, the ones around us, the ones who make us who we are. And if i had kids, i would give anything to care for them, because to me holding a baby is one of the biggest blessings. It brings me peace and a hope for tomorrow.

I guess thats my soapbox for today :) I mean today im young & i enjoy my freedoms, but someday yes i want a family to call my own :)
later,brook

Life is crazy right now! I'll have to tell a little about it later :) later,brooke

Picture post :)

Decided to do a picture post for ya'll! :) Blair on our field trip :)

Butterflies

A random nail on the roof

annd a random branch but its sweet cuz you can see the tractor :)

Later,brooke

Spring has sprung.

So warm out today, feels like spring! Pretty much all the snow has melted! :) Its a good deal!

Maybe words later.

-Brooke

Butterfly fly away..

I didn't know i could be claustrophobic, but today i discovered i evidently could. We took a photography field trip to Sioux Falls, went to the butterfly house and then falls park. At the butterfly house you go into this semi-large room with all these tropical foliage, a tiny pond and hundreds of butterflies. and i mean A TON of butterflies, flying free wherever they want. Annd you have to be nice to them since they come from far away places like Africa & such, so that equals if one lands on you then dont try get it off because you can't harm them. SO they just fly all over & scare the wits out of you when they fly by your face... I was literally getting claustrophobic with all these things flying by. It was just a scary thing... and my conclusion was- some cool pictures & a interesting experience..but i am NOT voluntarily going back!! Not very many things make me creeped out, but that did. I'm not even sure why because it's not like butterflies can harm you, must have been so many in one little place... Ate at Taco Johns & went to Falls Park. Twas pretty neat with all the water... got some sweet pics. Interestin bus conversation on the way home..haha... I like life :) Some of the Falls

Butterflies!

Later, brooke

a little from me.

Here are a couple pictures anyhow :) My mom & Connie are in New Hampshire with Tell, so we're kinda bachin it at home.. miss the little munchkin!! Flower

At Kaylynn's birthday :) Abby, Meghan, Kara, Martha, Klara, Me, Kaylynn, Sari & Giz

More flowers & a story board :)

Later, brooke

I was born this wayy..

I think that if you didn't know better you'd think we live in the wetlands not the praire or something. SO much flooding & rain, and its rather disgusting. All the piles of snow we've had are melting. blahh. Okay i'm done complaining about the weather, because really we can't change it!
So pretty much there isnt much school left, thannnkk goodnesss! I'm about burnt out! Annd really thats about all i have for you! i'll have to take some pics of the water when im out & about :)

Later, brooke

Blessed.

I feel blessed. Because right now i know where i belong & it's a beautiful feeling. To know you are loved.
Its so muddy i had to wear mud boots when i went outside, it was worth it cuz i got some cool stuff to work with!
Made some sweet sillohette cow pics :)

Some barbed wire down by the creek. Don't ever under estimate the power of slush snow. haha bout got sunk!

Next week we are going on a photography field trip to Sufu :D YAY! im looking forward to that!
Later,brooke

This is ME..

So i'm pretty sure you all "know" me, but maybe you really dont know everything about me, i'm not sure what all to tell you but i'm just going to give you some facts about me & perhaps some random thoughts mixed in it all :)

• My name is Brooke Louise Somero
• I turned 16 on February 10th
• I have 4 other siblings-Tell, Tucker, Garrett & my one and only sister Connie
• My mother is currently staying home with my sister & my dad drives truck.
• I'm a sophmore in high school with no idea whatsoever what i'd like to do after the fact!!
• I am jobless-sort of-i babysit quite a bit, but am currently in a not so ambitious job search!
• Most weekdays i chill at home, what a life. hehe. but everyso often like last night i went to town with shawnae & her sisters & a coupe other girls. Spices life up a bit!
• On the weekends is partayy time ;)
• I suppose you should like to know about my friends! Well there is Krista Rhoades who happens to be one my best friends in the whole wide world & she pry knows more about me than anyone, we have one of those friendships that is so deep, we'll pry be friends when we are in the nursing home ;) Then there are my other friends from church that live out here-there's the whole young kids group, but i'm not as close to most of them, but i know a lot of people & have all sorts of random friends i talk to {other out of staters too).Kara & Kaylynn are my forever friends, we've been friends since we were little & obsessed with pollypockets. haha. Then my bro Tell & i chill quite a bit :) And then last but not least are "the girls" my crazy & absolutely AMAZING friends. They don't belong to the same church as i do, but our churches aren't that much different & we get along just fine. On the weekends you can usually find me in town with all or some of these girls...so many many memories!!
• Photography & writing are my creative outlets. When i have something on my mind i can just write the world away. And photography its something i enjoy..immensly! I'm getting more knowledge in photoshop, so it's pretty fun to make things & i enjoy it!
• I grew up with the boys as my connie wasnt born until July of 2010 {so yes im about 15 1/2 years older than her). So i take life pretty laid back for the most part-at least thats what people tell me.
• My ambition is to be yearbook editor my senior year
• I'm approx 5ft 31/2in. my little brother who is 12 is like 5' 10''...i got the short genes & i like it :)
• I'm yearning for spring, because spring has a feeling of hope-of things new & green, of life. and thats what i need right now.
• Both of my parents are from the east coast. I have much family there & friends too.
• I wear my cowboy boots about every day, except to church, they are part of me, part of who i am.
• I don't care what people think about me & just try to be myself.

SO thats me..Brooke Louise. Anything i didnt cover? something you always wanted to know? Be honest, be free.. ask away! :) Just leave a comment!

Later, brooke

You spin my head right round

Felt ambitious & made cookies :)
almond strips

White choip & craisin

The perfect snowflake :)

My little hippie girl :)

Later,brooke

My Wish...

My wish for you...
So i havent written for ages and ages, i guess i don't really know what you all want to hear about. My Connie is growing up, i've been going to school, hanging out with my friends, learning about PSE....Pretty much sums up my life :) Not much stress going on at the moment, thankfully!

Later, Brooke

More PSE

More PSE projects :)

later,brooke

Brushes

Photography class we are working on Photoshop Elements. Learned about Brushes today, looking forward to editing a bit more with it :D

Results of today's labor :)

later,brooke