Clematis and Poppies

I feel so blessed that the previous owners of our home LOVED gardening! They did all the hard work of making it beautiful. Now I hope I can keep it that way!

Irises Abound

I never knew irises came in so many colors and smell so good!

Birthday Giveaway

Check out this birthday giveaway! This girl makes some of the cutest stuff! And she's generous too! This is a giveaway you don't want to miss!

Consider the Lilies

This weekend I've been in a funk. I've been off of work for nearly 2 weeks and Monday is the day I return. It always gets me. I should be ready for it. Armed for battle.

When I have vacation time I get a glimpse of what it would be like to be a full time stay-at-home mom. I revel in it! I feel more relaxed around the kids. I enjoy keeping our home. I try new recipes. I usually feel highly motivated. Everything about it feels right. I think that's why I struggle so much with the looming work week. I worry that I'll never be able to stay home full time- to fulfill that deep longing.

Praise God I only have to work part time for my benefits, but I'm not the kind of woman who wants to have it all. If it weren't for the insurance I would've quit 4 years ago when Lucas joined our family. We tried to get private insurance a while back, but because of a couple bad years of health issues our family we were denied by EVERYBODY!

So, there I was moping in my room with tears in my eyes. I had been punishing my husband with my attitude when my eyes fell upon a bouquet of peonies I had placed on our dresser. I have always loved peonies. They are one of my favorite flowers. They have a wonderful scent. They possess a delicate, old fashioned beauty. To me it is a graceful flower full of the handiwork of God. I stepped closer to get a detailed view, to breathe in their fragrance when these words came to mind, "See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin...". Ah, Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus' exhortation to never allow worry to have a place in our lives.

I wish I could say my attitude changed immediately. My stubborn, sinful heart continued to cling to the "what if's". Then I went to church. Our pastor has been doing a series on the Fatherhood of God. Guess what passage he spoke on. You got it! Thank goodness for God's continual gentle proddings. Here are a few things our pastor shared:

• Anxiety is an assault on the Fatherhood of God.
• Worry is rejection of:

1. God's care for you.
2. God's better wisdom for you
3. God's provision for you.

• Strategies for defeating worry:

1. Get your focus back onto Jesus Christ.
2. See worry for the sin it is.
3. Align your priorities with his Kingdom and God will provide what you need to get it done.

I believe God will provide us with a private insurance policy when the timing is right. We have enough health history that it would be foolish for us to go without, but God knows that too! I don't know why it hasn't worked out so far, but my goal now is to focus on Him and how He wonderfully provides for us at just the right time.

Mama's Helpers

The faucet in the back of our house is out of commission for the summer, so the kids and I are bringing buckets of water from the front yard to the back yard. I hope we get a lot of rain this summer!
I love this little dress. So light and airy... and a great bargain at Target on a clearance rack last summer.

Baby Quilt

This the quilt I made for my friend's shower. It measures almost 2 1/2 feet square, so it's perfect for a travel quilt or a wallhanging.

Here is the fabric she chose for the bed skirt and bumper pad. I love the rich colors!

Happy Fourth Birthday to You!

There you are! Always looking to make others laugh- so silly! You are sweet and compassionate and you find joy in the little things in life. You are helpful and encouraging!

Lucas, you've grown leaps and bounds this past year! What a joy it has been to see your speech and personality really flourish. It is a delight to spend time talking with you. You make us laugh everyday. Your hugs and kisses are a treasure.

You captured our hearts 4 years ago, and being your mom had been the greatest blessing. You have helped me mature spiritually and emotionally. You have stretched and honed the weak and sinful places in my life. I am so, so blessed that God chose to place you in our family.

I love you more than words could say! Happy Birthday, Bud!