The Good, the pure, and the lovely

Look at this beauty!  This dinner plate hibiscus plant has a distinctly tropical feel.  Now, look how big it is.  It is as big as my sister-in-law's hand!

Well friends, today marks a very special blog day.  This is my 100th post.  I am having so much fun documenting our lives with this little blog.  I am finding that it is giving me an outlet for creativity that I crave.  There is something about writing down words and taking pictures that just fuels me. Thank you so much for looking into our lives and sharing with us.  It is such a joy to have a reminder right here of how blessed we are.  I have appreciated every sweet comment that has encouraged me along the way.  Thank you so much for reading.  Since it is my habit to focus on a Bible verse on Wednesday, I am reflecting today on the verse that gave me the inspiration for this blog.   Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever t...

One of the greatest gifts a home cook can receive is the lovely gift of clean dishes.  Yesterday, after dinner, I went outside with the big boys to weed the front flower bed.  I came in thinking that the dishes ought to be next on my list.  I was dreading the thought, but low and behold, when I rounded the corner I saw the most beautiful sight a home cook can see.  My sweet hubby was standing there washing the dishes!  So, instead of spending the next thirty minutes in the kitchen, I got to play with the baby.  Thank you sweetie for that fantastic gift.

Sunday afternoon . . . yes, I know that it's Monday, but yesterday was Sunday, and it is the sweetness of Sunday afternoon that prepares me to face Monday.   Back to Sunday afternoon . . . Sunday afternoon we walk back in the house from church.  The whirl of getting out of bed early, rushing through breakfast and preparing for church is behind us.  We carry with us the peace from attending our Sunday School and church service.  We begin the reassuring pattern that guides many Sunday afternoons. We settle down to a quickly prepared lunch (it's already past lunchtime) consisting of peanut butter and jelly, leftovers, or the occasional special treat of deli-turkey & cheese sandwiches (yes, deli-meat is an occasional treat in this house).  Then, the kids play on the floor or lounge on the couch.  The baby plays and walks from Mommy to Daddy to be reassured that he is no longer in the nursery.  I (migh...

Standing In The Need Of Prayer It's me, it's me, it's me oh Lord, Standin' in the need of prayer. It's me, it's me, it's me oh Lord, Standin' in the need of prayer. Not my mother (not my father), But it's me oh Lord, Standin' in the need of prayer. Not my brother (not my sister), But it's me oh Lord, Standin' in the need of prayer. ~Author Unknown

Brother in the Middle is learning to swim this summer, thanks to his Aunt.  He got to jump off the diving board without floaties for the first time this week.  Then, two days later, he swam the whole length of the pool.  Good job, Brother!

These are a few more of my Savvy Sister-in-Law's lovely blooms.

The boys and I went blueberry picking on Saturday. They had a great time searching for berries to fill their buckets.  Mmmm . . . . blueberries. Big Brother serches for berries. Brother in the Middle does his part, too. Don't want to miss any. I wonder, are there more berries in the bucket or the tummy?

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." ~ 1 John 4:4 (KJV)

I am waiting . . . not so patiently.  The spring produce is exhausted.  The lettuce has a few tiny new leaves that can be picked, but then they are done.  The snow peas had one last gift for us Saturday, then I pulled up the plants.  They need to be pulled to give the squash more light, since they are no longer producing in this heat.  I am waiting for the summer produce to finally ripen.  It is there, growing, and I am highly anticipating the coming of the summer veggies.  These pictures are from last week, so they are a little bigger now. I confess, I've never grown cabbage before.  Big Brother wanted to grow this.  When do you pick it?  Any tips would be helpful. The little grape tomatoes are turning red now.  Any day, they will be ready to  pick.  I can't wait! I used some of this amazing Basil in tomato sauce last week.  The extra leaves are sitting in a cup on the kitchen counter, giving off it's s...

The kiddos had such fun at the "Un-Birthday Bash" that I had to save a special post to share the kids' pictures!  These are some of my favorite shots.  They enjoyed making decorations, playing octopus tag, popping shaving cream filled balloons, pinning the decoration on the cake, a water balloon toss, water balloon fights,  a silly string fight, two pinatas, swimming, pizza and cake that finished the day!  What a fantastic party!  There is shaving cream inside that balloon. The object is to pop it. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again! Success, and oh what a mess! (Brotherly love can take many forms.)   Sit on it, and you'll pop it!   Come on Big Brother, you can "pin the decoration on the cake"! Little Man found his newest best friend. Line up for a water balloon toss!   "Upside-Down Baby Cake" Silly String War! Oh, what a mess. Even more mess. Can I have one, too? "I'll get you, my pretty!...

Alive, alive, alive forevermore. My Jesus is alive, alive forevermore. Alive, alive, alive forevermore. My Jesus is alive. Sing hallelujah, sing hallelujah. My Jesus is alive forevermore. Sing hallelujah, sing hallelujah. My Jesus is alive. ~by Unlisted

My Pink Coneflowers I had no idea that Mexican Hyssop would grow to such heights as mine has. My Marigolds got a late start, but they're catching up.

Yesterday was a big day.  We celebrated 22 childrens' un-birthdays.  My savvy sister-in-law organized a huge party, and we had a blast.  The preparations took her a lot of time, and we appreciate all the work.  - What's a party without balloons? Who doesn't love a good gift exchange? The kids started the day by decorating their goody bags. Un-birthday or birthday, there must be cake. Even the lamp joined in with a "costume"! Silly string fun was highly anticipated. The pool looked so inviting in the hot sun. How long does it take to fill a cooler of water balloons?

What goes together like peaches and cream, strawberries and chocolate or kings and queens?  Why of course, it must be Jesus, children and weed pulling!  You might say that it is not an obvious combination.  I will explain my logic, and maybe you'll see the beauty of the combination too. The Bible tells us that we should always teach our children about God's word.  Deuteronomy 11:19 tells us, "You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."   That one verse covers the entirety of my day, from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed.  So, in my understanding, that means that I should weave teaching my children godly principles throughout my entire day.  This would include the time that we spend doing daily chores, like weeding. Now, I happen to be big on including my children in the daily chores. They help me with mo...

" Mine " My husband is so fine; I'm oh, so glad he's mine. Just on a whim, I stopped to drop This little line for him. My husband is divine, And, oh, I'm glad he's mine. My hubby and with our youngest (over a year ago).

Sometimes   when     you're       quite         blue, And   don't     know       what          to do, Loved   ones      that         are           true, Will   help     you       to         review, And   see     things       all         anew. They   are     only a       small         few, With   such     love       so         true. That's   why     I'm...

Oh my, what a challenge.  I'd say it's a challenge for my children, but in truth, it's an even bigger challenge for me.  " Do all things without complaining and disputing . . . " ~Philippians 2:14

Laughter.  I'm not talking about a little giggle or a nervous twitter.  I'm talking about that deep down, reach for your hanky to wipe your eyes, belly hurts from laughing too long kind of laugh laugh.  That kind of laugh is like a medicine that can boost you like nothing bottled ever could.  Laughter is the best medicine.  When you laugh, really laugh, it spills out joy and happiness from your insides.  The effect is contagious.  It spreads and infects those around you, so share a laugh today.  When was the last time you really laughed?  

Because  they stood up to fight, and they sacrificed for right. Because of the choices they made, with honor their lives laid. Because they still do, Stand up for me and you. ~Photo courtesy of Wikipedia http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Fourth_of_July_fireworks_behind_the_Washington_Monument%2C_1986.jpg

Summer is officially here and with it come lazy, hazy days. Spring flowers have faded and the summer charm is on. My mom's "little boy".  Bee Balm with a view.  I love the look of Ivy growing up a tree. This one looks over my parents' expansive lawn.