Sweet Gifts

Aren't these peonies beautiful?  Last week a dear friend delivered them to me straight from her garden. So fragrant too!  This is the second time she's delivered flowers to my front door.  The last time was two gorgeous arrangements of lilacs and hydrangeas.  

Yesterday was another surprise visit from her with a coffee treat and these goodies from her herb garden.  Yummy chives, mint, cilantro and dill.  

She is such a sweet friend and a breath of fresh air.  How many times do people pick flowers, arrange them, load up their kids and drive them over just for the pleasure of bringing a smile to a friend's face? Not too often these days.  I asked her why she goes to all the trouble and she said there are many things she enjoys (like coffee and flowers) and it's a lot more fun with someone to share them with. She's just that kind of girl and I am blessed beyond measure to know her!

Pomp and Circumstance

It's that time of year again...graduations, graduation parties, cake...or in my instance cake pops.  Lots of cake pops.  My youngest sister graduated from high school last week. She had asked me, after trying some a few months back, if I would please make cake pops (cake on a stick) for her graduation party. My baby sister, graduating, all grown up.  Of course I said yes.  I love her.  She asked nicely. And I do like to show off sometimes.

The week before graduation I spent every night after the kids were in bed, baking and decorating 300 cake pops.

I did have a little help.  Georgia was on sprinkle duty.  She did a great job sorting the colors.

They turned out nicely - a little too nicely!  People thought they were decorations and weren't taking them. We had to put up a little sign so people would know they were edible.

And here's the graduate.  Isn't she beautiful?  It makes me feel a little old that she has just finished high school.  I still remember very clearly the day she was born.  I was a freshman in high school.  She started kindergarten in 2001.  Now don't you feel old?  She and three other students graduated with a 4.0.  (Someone has to be the smartest, though, right?  She had the highest ACT score.)  She is taking a gap year to do work with Youth With A Mission.  I'm a proud big sister!

Mod Podge

My first experience with Mod Podge wasn't really an experience at all.  It was a homemade gift. Coasters.  I LOVE them.  I use them every day.  I thought, that doesn't look too hard....

My second experience with Mod Podge was a real experience.  I made a decorative pumpkin at MOPS last fall with all these cute strips of fabric.  It lasted about 15 minutes and for some it was no big deal, but for me it was a small feat.  I had actually used Mod Podge.  I felt so crafty.

My third experience was brought on by too much time on Pinterest.  I love Pinterest, but one downfall is that it makes me feel invincible.  I see a project and think, I can do that, no problem! 

I decided to put my uber-excitement to the test.  Here's what happened.

I took a small children's table that belonged to my hubby and his brothers when they were kids, probably circa 1982.  (Notice the little foxes with their little blue ribbons?)  While the table was in great condition and still perfectly functional, I thought it needed a little face lift.  And by face lift I mean extreme makeover.

Here's the before shot:

This is one of the best parts - I used a sander.  Ah, my first power tool usage ever.  And my 237th latte.

Quick coat of primer.

Application of color #1.

Application of color #2.

Ready or not...

Tada!!!  Children's table is now ready for use.  You can see the tea parties have already begun. Though there are some minor imperfections, I'm pretty impressed with myself for my first real project.  The table and chairs are also the colors of my dining room, so when guests with kiddos come over for dinner, the table fits right in.  I'm certain those details will not escape the attention of any toddlers dining in my home from here on out. :)

Bring on the Veggies

These pictures were taken at the end of February this year.  We were itching so badly for spring to come, so Daddy decided it was time to get ready for the warmer weather.  We started planting peppers, tomatoes, squash, carrots, oregano, basil, parsley, some pansies, and a host of other things I just can't think of right now.

Planting a garden is a great tool for teaching some spiritual truths.  Daddy didn't waste any time and while we planted he told this parable.

Under the grow-lights the little seeds went and this was what we had after about 2 months.  Only a few things didn't make it.

The hardest part was waiting for a day that was nice enough to get outside and plant.  Finally one landed on a day we had off and we got everything in the ground. You can see we even made the princess help.

Here we are up to date with a few trellises and cages up.  The greens are coming up nicely!  It's so wonderful to be outdoors daily again.  Our garden is so fun for our family.  Even the neighbor kids love to come and "help" Pastor Andy do the weeding.

Garden Pretties

Tryin' to get the front yard in shape.  Here are just a few additions to last year's gardening projects.  More to come as the season continues...

Mother's Day

What a wonderful day.  What a truly wonderful day!

Andy spoiled me over the weekend, taking care of all meals including grilled brats, corn on the cob, watermelon and later steaks, asparagus and a yummy dessert.

Today after church I was whisked away to a beautiful brunch with 3 surprisingly well-behaved children.  We spent the afternoon taking naps and the evening with family worship, popcorn and a movie.  Not to mention a gift of a new book by my favorite author.

But there are so many more things to ponder on this day.  I love being a mom.  I don't always love the daily details - spilled cereal, an extra load of laundry, runny noses and Lord knows I've had my fair share of poop disasters.  But I love that in the midst of that I'm caring for someone other than myself.  I'm looking out for the needs of those God has entrusted to me.  I'm watching my children grow physically and spiritually.  It's gratifying and purposeful and God shows it to me every day.  I hope to never miss what he wants to teach me from these three precious people.

This day also makes me think about my own mom, who faced her own joys and trials as a mother.  As an adult I'm able to reflect now with more understanding about why she did the things she did.  I'm also able to give her grace, knowing that someday I'll need it from my own children.  I can learn from her mistakes, but also I can see the things she did right; the things that were good for our family.  I can truly appreciate the sacrifices she made for us.  I am blessed to call her Mom.

Book I Am Currently Reading

Fearless:  The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown  by Eric Blehm

Post-Easter Comments

A beautiful day, steaks on the grill , a glass of wine...and a peculiar question: 

But Mom, why are you drinking Jesus' blood for dinner?

#10

Ten years.

Ten years.

TEN YEARS!

Andy and I recently celebrated our 10th anniversary on April 24th.  It's such a proud anniversary.  A milestone.  We both deserve medals. But seriously...how has that much time gone by?

We had a great day - spent the day at a Chicago Cubs game eating Chicago dogs and big pretzels. (And then a few extra days roaming the city thanks to Nana and Papa!)  

Best part?  Talking and laughing and reminiscing....and knowing that we are still best friends who truly enjoy being with one another. Wouldn't change anything about our life together.  Happy 10, babe.

Library Day

Friday is library day for us.  Just a quick walk down the alley and we're there.  Time enough for story hour and pick out a few books and videos.  Today I was so excited at what Georgia picked out. The grown-up version happens to be one of my favorites.

It's actually a counting book and is super cute.  1 English village, 2 rich gentlemen, 3 houses, 4 marriage proposals, and on it goes.

I was also gifted with these beauties by Lola who exclaimed all in one breath: "theflowersarebootifulmomilovethemjesusmadethemtheysmelllikestrawberries!" 

I will wait till she is much older to tell her: theyareweedsdaddytriestokillthemtheysmellabsolutelynothinglikestrawberries.

Amos Boy

So.  The last time I posted about this little fella, he was not even a month old.  As you can tell, he's changed quite a bit since then.  Here are some Amos updates:

*He smiles a lot and answers just about every question you ask him with, "Yeah."
*He has 12 teeth.
*He loves cookies - this MUST be genetic.
*He doesn't walk yet, but flies through the house with his push toy.
*He doesn't mind being mothered by Georgia.
*He can sing: Itsy Bitsy Spider, Jesus Loves Me, Tractor Tractor, ABCs, Joy to the World and Frozen's Let It Go.
*His favorite pastime is his bath.
*He does mind having his toys stolen by Lola.
*He weighs 23 pounds and is 31 inches long.
*I'm pretty sure he's in love with Maggie, the 16 month old baby girl next door.

Here I Go Again

Holy bajoley.

It's been awhile since I've done this.  I'm kind of afraid to even type this - the pressure, oh the pressure to keep this up again! A.N.O.T.H.E.R.C.O.M.M.I.T.M.E.N.T.

But I've been inspired by another friend who says she fell off the blogging bandwagon and is getting back on. You go, girl.  I'm gonna try and go with ya.