A Good Friday "creed" for you....

Third Day and Brandon Heath recorded Rich Mullins' "Creed"  ~ ahhh, just awesome and perfect for Easter weekend.  Blessings!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3i-_VWxOAc

Flooding here in the 'Ville.....

Kitty kitty......

 

Searched high and low.....where did this cute kitty go?

WHEW!  

We found her just in time!

 Funny, Edward, real funny!  ;}

Summer Sunflower House

 It's time to think of summer planting.  This odd shaped garden doesn't look like much right now but  with a couple packets of sunflowers it will be an oasis.  A sunflower "house" is the perfect respite from the summer heat and the perfect place to perch little ones for lunch in the shade.  Our summer sunflower houses have taken several forms as you will see below.
We began with a very basic version that only requires two packets of sunflower seeds of various heights, a sunny spot, and water.  The kids love to pitch in and can really be involved from the start.  The first decision is what shape your house will take, we chose a horse shoe, but a rectangle or square will work just as well.  Don't forget to leave a grassy opening for your door.  It's easy to dig the proper depth trenches along your shape and then have your kiddos drop the seeds spacing them according to the directions.  If they need help measuring the spacing, cut a length of cardboard the proper length so they can use it as a guide.

Sunflowers grow pretty fast and with a bit of tending they will quickly show kids reward for their labor.

 

Soon enough they will be perching under the broad leaves. Blankets, babies, bears will join the party and all will enjoy.  Maybe a mom or two as well ;)

The perfect place for a shady summer nap =)

 

 For the past six summers we have had various versions of a sunflower "house" in our back yard.  Our latest version has included a more sophisticated entrance.  We arched chicken wire over the opening with PVC pipe. This allowed us to plant sugar snap peas making an edible canopy.  We even planted cherry tomatoes in front of the arch so the tender fruits can be plucked and enjoyed at whim.

This year we plan to do all of the above but also add morning glory amongst the sunflower seeds.  The floral vine should grow up with the sunflower stems and when the stems get to a reasonable height we will string twine back and forth at the top across the semi circle between the yellow blooms......rumor has it that the morning glory vine will grow across the twine making an amazing floral ceiling.  I'm looking forward to pulling out the sun hats, gardening supplies and purchasing seeds......oh yeah, can't wait for those fresh faced toothy smiles too! 

What's your Guilty Pleasure?

C'mon, we all have one....or two!  They are the things that make life just a little bit sweeter but for some reason we feel guilty about partaking.  They're not bad, just a bit indulgent for one reason or another..... Is it an afternoon snooze?  A slushie at the grocery?  The perfect pair of heels? How about reality TV?  Do you sing ABBA songs in the shower?  Play hookie? Why do we feel guilty about these simple little occasional indulgences?  I'm lovin' my latest and shhhhh, I didn't even feel too guilty buying it!   I'll share mine....won't you please share yours?  I'd love to hear what makes you say, Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

http://usa.loccitane.com/FO/almond-supple-skin-oil-100ml.htm
 It costs WAY too much at $32.00 for just 3.4 fl.oz but smells AMAZING and my skin is SOOOOO soft after using it.  I love the scent so much I will steel a smell of my arm during the day ;0  It's Enriched with almond proteins and oil and essential oils of peppermint, palmarosa and Immortelle, works to protect the skin's support tissue and fight against loss of elasticity. Who couldn't use a bit of that?  So, after I clip coupons, shop the bargain racks, and condense my trips to save on the gas station bill, I will not feel sooooo guilty about my little "guilty pleasure".  We all need to experience a bit of grace and goodness in this wild busy world.  And, in return, I may be a bit more patient and "supple" with my friends and family.  Ahhhhhhhh, a benefit for all.  ;-)  Bon bon's anyone?

Adoption Alert!

US Adoptions are happening more often and faster than you might believe.  Many avoid domestic adoption due to the false belief that they will have an extremely long wait, I want to bust that myth.   Not only am I an Adoption Assessor who has the privilege of watching families formed through adoption on a regular basis, I am an adoptive mother too.  It took a whole whoppin' 7 weeks for my placement.  YES, that is mighty quick...quicker than most...  BUT I see adoptions happen so often that I have decided to post an "Adoption Alert!" every time I hold one of these newly placed blessings.  So, to catch up on 2011, I have already held ELEVEN-11, yes ELEVEN freshly born and placed newborn infants, just in my regular circle of daily work this year.  Can't show the baby I'm holding in this photo, but can you see the joy in my eyes?  I am so thrilled to hold these little blessings and to see the joy in the Adoptive Families' eyes.  It happens friends, have hope.   Ck out this info  posted on adoptivefamilies.com site, "Despite myths to the contrary, domestic newborn adoption remains alive and well in the United States. Current estimates of the annual number of infants adopted domestically (excluding foster and relative adoption) range from 25,000 to 30,000—more than all international adoptions combined. Moreover, the process can go much more swiftly that you might imagine. In a 2007 Adoptive Families survey, the majority of respondents were matched with a birthmother in less than 12 months, and 15% got "the call" to travel after the baby had already been born, without a prematch."

Have hope!  I truly believe that God has a divine plan to bring each child to their intended parents, no matter by birth or adoption.  Step out in faith!  Oh, and just in case you think I am favoring domestic adoption, really I'm not.  I also work with international placements as well.  Hmmmm, I think I will post each time I hold one of those freshly placed blessings as well ;).

Art Show in the 'Ville

Our local Coffee House is hosting an Art Show featuring our youngest community members.  

I love it!  No requirements to enter, just have to be able to hang your work.  

by KitKat age 11 ~ Acrylic

Of course,  Sprite and KitKat wanted to enter a few....ok MANY....but they narrowed it down to  entering only a few pieces (pictured here).  I will mosey up to enjoy a cup of joe and take a few pics once they display all the artist's works. Stop back and I'll post the photos of the local talent and we can see the newest generation's take on expressing themselves.  For now, here's a sneak peek.  Enjoy!

By Sprite age 9 ~ acrylic and finger paint
(this is a painting of GK and me...our heads are labled with our initials ;)
Did  you ever do that to your paintings at age 9?  I did!)

by KitKat age 11 ~ pastels

by Sprite age 9 ~ pastels

by KitKat age 11 ~ pastels

Measure...

Intense love does not measure, it just gives.  

~Mother Theresa

Growing a tree and a friendship.

Our family did not grow traditionally, we are blessed to have one of our daughters through the gift of adoption.  We have a pretty open relationship with both of her birthparents and often exchange letters and gifts through the mail.  It's been a newer exchange with her birthfather and our friendship is growing strong. He is a neat guy and truly loves our sweet girl.  His most recent gift is very reflective of this friendship.....a Genuine Tree Seed Germination Kit....for a Giant Sequoia!  AKA:  Sierra Redwood or Big Tree.......climbing to heights of more than 300 ft.!  They have trunks up to 36ft in diameter! YET their seeds are among the tiniest in the tree world. (sound familiar?) 

They are a hardy species and can grow in a surprisingly wide range of climates.  The can says, "100% guaranteed, Just add Water and Sunshine".  As our friendship with our adoptive extended family grows, I pray that our sweet girl will grow strong in her relationship with her birth family as well.  That we all will grow tall and wide with love and care for one another.  Sometimes it's hard to share her and I want to hold her tightly in my hand....but then how will the water and sunshine come in?  How would she ever reach her full growth potential?  Figure out where you have heard this seed story before?  How about that mustard seed?  I have faith that the Master Gardener, who grew our family and brought this sweet girl into our yard, will shine on us and water us sufficiently......100% guarantee of growth and hopefully, many birds will perch in our branches.  

"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches"  Matt. 13:31-32

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you"  Matthew 17:20

Happy St. Paddy's!

My Pop's 100% Irish Eyes are bluer than blue and can smile even when his mouth doesn't ;)