I Won!

Remember the giveaway I told you about on Becky's site? Would you believe I actually won???? I am in the process of selecting my jewelry, and I'll post pictures when it arrives.

Well, spring break is nearly over, and I haven't accomplished any of the things on my list! We have been very lazy this week, except for a shopping trip on Wednesday. (Found some cute, cute stuff, by the way!) Luke has been going through a transition. He fought me tooth and nail on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday about his naps. After talking to some people and doing a little Babycenter research, I decided that maybe it's time to cut back to one nap a day instead of two. (Sniff, sniff!) I tried it yesterday and sure enough, I think it's time. I kept him up all morning, and right after lunch, he sacked out without any fuss at all. He's not really a baby anymore! We'll see what today brings....

Happy Friday and enjoy the weekend! Finally some sunshine around here!

What I've Been "Up" To...and a Giveaway!

This is kind of a corny title, but it's all I could think of to introduce this post. Let me begin by saying that I don't like to spend a lot of money....I "want" to, but when it comes down to it, I'm tight! Tracy has been talking about getting new mattresses for months. The set we have now came as a promotion when we bought our furniture, 10 years ago, so you know that they were not the best quality to start with, and after 10 years.....well, Tracy hasn't been sleeping well, and he's been convinced it's the mattresses. So we finally broke down and bought some this past weekend. They are wonderful, but they are also HUGE! Our previous mattresses weren't the nice thick comfy pillowtop like these, so it's been quite a change in the way my bedroom looks. Now I have a dilemma....my comforter won't fit! So, I'm calling for suggestions. I have no idea how I want to re-do this room. Here's a photo and I'd like your input for the redecorating project! As you can see, I'm very traditional in my tastes, and I would like to be able to use the same lamps I have now. I am willing to change out pictures, flower arrangements, etc., but the major stuff has to stay! Please help! I don't care who you are or if I know you or not, if you're reading, please offer some suggestions!

I snapped this sweet picture of Matthew reading a book to Luke this morning. I'm glad they love each other so much! Just hope it lasts!

Also, head over to my blog friend Becky's site before April 1. She's doing a great jewelry giveaway! Tell her I sent you!

TGISB (Thank Goodness It's Spring Break!)

Whoo hoo! Spring break is finally here! It's 9:30 and I'm still in my pajamas....a much needed relaxation! (Is that too much information?) We don't have any vacation plans for this week, just hanging out here at home. Today I'm taking Luke to the doctor to get his 15 month shots, that he missed at his checkup because he was sick. Then I have a haircut appointment and then the dreaded trip to Wal-Mart for groceries. The cupboards are bare!

I do have a couple of projects planned for this week. 1) Put out some Easter decorations. 2) Wash the front porch. 3) Re-pot ferns for the front porch. 4) Finish touch up painting in the bathroom I repainted last summer (terrible, I know!) Finally, I'm hoping the weather will cooperate enough for Tracy to plant our garden, and for us to put out new pinestraw on Saturday. Other than that, I'm just relaxing and enjoying spring with these sweet boys.

Hope you have a great week and are all dried out from this weekend's terrible weather!

Cuteness!

Not much "interesting" stuff going on here this week, just the normal routine. We had Easter pics made today with live bunnies, so I'm anxiously awaiting the results next week. Other than that, we're just trying to make it through this last week before Spring Break. I can't wait!

This isn't the greatest picture (you can see that the focus was not on Luke), but thought it was too cute not to post. He looks so much older to me in this pic! :-(

Hope you have a blessed week!

Hang in There

**Warning! Serious stuff ahead!**

Is it just me, or could somebody else use a little encouragement these days? Considering my own life the last couple of months, as well as what I've heard/read from some other moms, life has been tough lately. Thankfully, no major crises, but just the little everyday struggles seem to be piling up. The best I can figure is that Satan is working overtime, trying to throw us Christian mamas off track. Seriously, folks.....I'm probably doing the best I ever have in this walk with Jesus; all my life I've heard that the closer you are to the Lord, the more the devil will be after you, and I am finding out first hand that it is true!

So, this past Sunday it was my father-in-law's turn to bring the special music at church, and he asked me if I would play for him. He sang this song, which he's sung dozens of times before, but it just really touched me, and from looks on everyone else's faces, it touched them too. Maybe it's something that will give you a little encouragement too. If times are tough, know that I'll be praying for all of us mamas, trying to be the best Christians and role models we can be.

Here it is: (by the great Ira Stanphill...writer of the classic "Mansion Over the Hilltop"...remember, I'm an old-fashioned girl)

He Washed My Eyes with Tears

He washed my eyes with tears that I might see,

The broken heart I had was good for me;

He tore it all apart and looked inside,

He found it full of fear and foolish pride.

He swept away the things that made me blind,

And then I saw the clouds were silver lined;

And now I understand 'twas best for me,

He washed my eyes with tears that I might see.

He washed my eyes with tears that I might see,

The glory of Himself revealed to me;

I did not know that He had wounded hands,

I saw the blood he spilt upon the sands.

I saw the marks of shame and wept and cried,

He was my subsitute, for me He died;

And now I'm glad He came so tenderly,

And washed my eyes with tears that I might see.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Today we worked outside on our little landscaping project. Photos of that to come later. For now......

For some reason, Luke likes to get in/on this trailer and play.

Matthew rode his bike today, and Luke really seemed interested in having something to ride too. So we dug out Matthew's old Gator. Brother tried to teach him how to ride.

Hmm, I wonder if I can do this by myself?

Works for me!

A Season of Change

How's this for a change? This time last week, it was freezing here....literally....highs in the 30s and snow flurries in many places nearby. Today it's a warm, sunny 77 degrees. But more than that, it actually feels like spring! The thought among the old-timers around here is that we won't have any more extremely cold weather after the first full moon in March, which happens to be this Wednesday. With that knowledge, I have the beginnings of spring fever! And of course, I have a list of landscaping projects I want to tackle. Thankfully, Tracy is right there with me on those things. We're not much on painting, laying tile, etc., but we both enjoy yard work!


Yesterday, I made a quick run to the yard sale of the decade at Darby's house. From the size of the crowd, my guess it that it was a huge success! After getting to know her online for the past several months, it was a treat to get to meet her in person!


After that, the yard work began. These.....

are going in here......

This is a large bed we made about 6 years ago, with an Autumn Blaze red maple and two Overcup oak trees. To add some color year round, we've worked up a combination of smaller shrubs to plant in the middle of the bed. Unfortunately, we didn't finish that project yesterday, but since the time changed today, hopefully we'll be able to work on it one afternoon this week. I'll show the finished project soon!

Are any of you "into" landscaping?

Have a great week!