Hello

Hello Everyone! It's been almost two weeks since I've blogged. I have blogging ideas but never seem to get around to blogging. Just look at our little Avery and how much he has grown! He is almost four months old and we think he is trying to cut a tooth already. Lots of slobber, hand chewing, and irritability. (at least his mom and dad see the irritability... all I see is CUTE) I heard him laugh out loud at his daddy Wednesday night for the first time. He is quick with a smile, but the laugh was something extra precious! I've been busy in the yard, mowing, working in our vegetable garden, and transplanting sunflowers. I planted sunflowers from seeds in three different areas this year. The only ones that sprouted were in the edge of our garden, so I thinned those out and moved a few around the yard. I put three at the edge of my yard, just between our house and the neighbor's house. I hope to surprise them with their own sunflower display. They have two little grandsons that I think will enjoy the surprise. I moved a few along our fence where we already have bird feeders. I think the birds will appreciate them and I know I will enjoy seeing them from the porch. I think everyone is super busy right now, as I've seen several of my favorite bloggers taking blogging breaks. And I notice that people aren't posting as regularly as usual. I miss everybody, but completely understand we are all so busy. Even though I don't always comment, I try to read your blogs everyday! I hope everyone is having a great spring (almost summer)! :o)

Solitude...contentment

Reflecting today... it's has been a little over a year since I gave up my full time management job to work part time. At times I wasn't sure if I had made the right decision, but I am at a happy place right now, and know that this change was the best thing for me. I have wasted a lot of my free days, but am starting to get a grip on things and am trying to spend my time more wisely. One of the best things is my alone time with God. He still speaks! I love listening for His still small voice. I love talking to Him. I think God has shown me so much in just the past few months and it is wonderful to have the time to listen. Working full time kept me so stressed, that even my "off work" time was spent thinking about work. Not anymore... not as much anyway. My days are now consumed with happy thoughts, pleasant activites, meaningful reading, and much prayer. I am so thankful that God provides and that He has allowed me to slow down.... to feel His presence... and rest in Him. God is so good.

Hornets Nest

How many of us are "lucky" enough to say we've had one of these hanging from the eaves of our house? When we were selling our home in western NC, we had a friend who was mowing our grass and looking after the home while we were away. I remember he called one time to tell us of a huge hornet's nest that had been built under our front porch bench. I never got a chance to see that one. However, at our current home, I noticed this baseball size protrusion by my front door last week. This was within a day or two of seeing a 4-5 foot black snake on my front steps!!!! I had to wait for hubby to come home to take this down, so I enjoyed watching the hornets at work for about a week. Hubby took a water hose and sprayed it down... I would have never had the nerve to do that! If you click on the pic. you will see a close up of this miracle of nature. I just wish they hadn't chosen to build it on my house. :o(

Fresh Flowers

I picked a few peonies and a purple iris to put on my kitchen table last week. Before that, I had displayed some daffodils from my front yard. I am so thankful to the lady we bought the house from, for allowing me to have fresh flowers inside my house. She and her husband worked very hard to plant all the pretty flowers that I now enjoy yearly. It feels like such a luxury, but anyone can have them, with a little planning and a little bit of a green thumb. I planted a few zinnia seeds this year and am praying they will grow! I hope to have colorful fresh zinnias on the table by the end of summer. Such a simple luxury... take time to enjoy the simple things... they are the best!

My Weekend

These beautiful daughters of mine attended the ladies banquet with me at our church on Saturday. We had a lovely time and, of course, the highlight for me was having Avery along. Isn't he growing so fast???

My girls came over again on Sunday and I had the pleasure of holding my little Avery for a long time during the afternoon. My children and their families bring so much joy to our lives. I am so thankful that God gave them to us!