The Most Precious Jewels

Merry Tree

 

Since the season of spring has arrived, we’ve been enjoying the beautiful blooms in our back yard. One that has bloomed more than normal this year is our orange tree Merry brought to me a few years ago. She knew how much I admired the one in  her backyard and of course, being the beautiful lady she was, surprised me by delivering my very own tree. I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was one of those days the girls were on my last nerve, I was pretty sure I was mastering the right way to do everything wrong in my mommy world... she unexpectedly shows up in my driveway with this tree in the back of her trunk. She told me she found a good deal and just had to buy one for me. Her cheerfulness was so contagious that day I couldn’t help but remember feeling God’s love through her. Even now I smile thinking about that day and His awesome Grace through her. I was so blessed to have her in my life.

Anyway, since we’ve had this orange tree we haven’t had any fruit until this last November. It continues to bring sunshine and memories every time I’m in my backyard.

The other day, I had the backdoor open and Colson’s balloon accidentally blew out the door. If you knew how much this little boy LOVES “baloooooons” it would have been a nightmare to lose. We would've never heard the end of it. As the balloon started to fly away the only thing that saved it from going over the fence was our Merry tree. I smiled as I knew Merry had something to do with that (always saving someone’s day). I miss her so much it hurts. Even though she is gone, she is alive in my heart. I hear her speaking to me all the time and throughout my days. She planted so many seeds in my life and blooming even today. For this I’m so very thankful. I will forever be a better mom because of her.

Only love remains...

Jesus

 

YES indeed!

I have a new Blog!

I am extremely excited to announce my new blog my cousin and I have been working hard putting together.  It's finally ready to view!!!  So, if your tired of spending your hard earned money on grocery shopping and your tired of wondering how those money saving people save all that money? Well, look no further!! We have a blog that shares all of those secrets and MORE!!! Come check us out and follow us!  I would LOVE to hear your thoughts!  http://twofrugalgals.com/

A letter to my hubby

We were just a couple of kids madly in love at sixteen years old. We didn’t know much back then but we knew one thing for certain; we wanted to share our lives together.  We didn’t know what the future would hold, but we were excited and confident that whatever it was, we would do it together.  And we have!  But it hasn’t always been easy.  When I look back at our wedding day I think about how full of hope and love and excitement we were. I think of how we envisioned our lives and there was nothing hard about it!  We were so naive, we had no idea.

What I love most about you is how grounded you are.  You have always been my rock and so patient, gentle and kind to me.  Even when I’m least deserving.  I truly adore your devotion to your family and the love you pour into making our kiddos and I feel special. 

 
As I look back over the last 9 years I smile over the joys we’ve experienced and tears well up as I think of the hard times.  But it’s been a beautiful life.  I like to think that the joys we’ve experienced are made that much sweeter by the difficulties we’ve faced. We’ve been through so much together—we’ve lived in separate cities a part from each other (and a few break-ups along the way), bought and sold homes, lived in a new place not knowing a single soul, we’ve had the joy of bringing three beautiful children into this world, and countless other ups and downs.  I’d like to say that these last nine years we always did it perfectly, but that wouldn’t be true.  But we have always approached each situation together, as a team.  And when feelings have been hurt we have apologized and made things right instead of holding a grudge.  And I’m thankful we have kept our sense of humor through it all.

 Today, on our 9^th anniversary I realize we are once again completely unaware of what the next nine years may hold.  But as we continue to walk down the road I know that we will be together and you will be right there holding my hand as we walk though the valleys and reach beautiful mountain tops.  And I couldn’t imagine my life any other way. 

Happy Anniversary

Motherhood

This was too funny for me to not post... Right now I feel this way pretty much everyday of my life. 

 

True Love

 

I find comfort in knowing God never stops loving me.  Most of what the world calls “love” is conditional.  The funny way about this perspective is you get to be on the receiving end only if or because you are a certain way or if you do certain things.  I’ve realized as soon as I stop doing those things I see how quickly the “love” disappears.  Except when it comes to my relationship with God…His love is unconditional, permanent, and sure.  Just like sunlight it shines on me no matter what I do or don’t do.  I can’t cause it to burn more brightly.  And there’s absolutely no way I can possibly turn it off.  It is the great constant in my life – the one thing I can’t escape.  For this reason I know His love will never fail me. 

Paul Harvey If I were the Devil

This speech was broadcast by legendary ABC Radio commentator Paul Harvey on April 3, 1965:

If I were the Devil . . . I mean, if I were the Prince of Darkness, I would of course, want to engulf the whole earth in darkness. I would have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population, but I would not be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree, so I should set about however necessary to take over the United States. I would begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: “Do as you please.” “Do as you please.” To the young, I would whisper, “The Bible is a myth.” I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what is bad is good, and what is good is “square”. In the ears of the young marrieds, I would whisper that work is debasing, that cocktail parties are good for you. I would caution them not to be extreme in religion, in patriotism, in moral conduct. And the old, I would teach to pray. I would teach them to say after me: “Our Father, which art in Washington” . . .

If I were the devil, I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull an uninteresting. I’d threaten T.V. with dirtier movies and vice versa. And then, if I were the devil, I’d get organized. I’d infiltrate unions and urge more loafing and less work, because idle hands usually work for me. I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. And I’d tranquilize the rest with pills. If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine yound intellects but neglect to discipline emotions . . . let those run wild. I would designate an athiest to front for me before the highest courts in the land and I would get preachers to say “she’s right.” With flattery and promises of power, I could get the courts to rule what I construe as against God and in favor of pornography, and thus, I would evict God from the courthouse, and then from the school house, and then from the houses of Congress and then, in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and I would deify science because that way men would become smart enough to create super weapons but not wise enough to control them.

If I were Satan, I’d make the symbol of Easter an egg, and the symbol of Christmas, a bottle. If I were the devil, I would take from those who have and I would give to those who wanted, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And then, my police state would force everybody back to work. Then, I could separate families, putting children in uniform, women in coal mines, and objectors in slave camps. In other words, if I were Satan, I’d just keep on doing what he’s doing.

Paul Harvey, Good Day.

Daddy Daughter Dance 2013

 

Despite my lack of preparations for this years Daddy Daughter dance, and a few BIG errors on my part, Russell and Kinely had a great time.  I'm thankful Kinely wasn't the only first grader at the kindergarden time period.  She ended up meeting up with her friend who happened to be wearing the same outfit!  What are the odds?  Hopefully next year I will have my act together...

The Bachelor 2013

The Bachelor 2013 premier was last night. Instead of watching it alone, a friend of mine hosted a party at her house. We had a great time and as you can see from the pictures, we enjoyed some fun snacks to bring on the new season. Hopefully this stud muffin will eliminate some of the air-heads and choose his perfect mate! Who is your favorite?