Friends for Life

It was such a breath of fresh air spending a few hours with a childhood friend and classmate. Seemed like we had just picked up where we left off those many years ago.  I was so grateful that she was able to carve out some time to spend together.  Her family that she had really come to see   was so accepting of me tagging along on a few  adventures.
It just seems that those bonds we make with our childhood friends last through the test of time.

Ice Skating

Memories flood my mind as I watch my children skate.  My dad took my siblings and I ice skating when we were youngsters.  It was not only good excersize, but gave us fresh air, and a bonding experience. I remember tightly holding his hand as I learned to balance on the blades..  It was more difficult for me than the others,  the muscles on my right side affected by a brain injury. He was patient, and though I was never a graceful skater, I was able to go on my own eventually. 
My  children received roller blades as gifts.about as soon as they could balance on a bike without training wheels. They seemed to catch on quickly, so when the opportunity came to go ice skating with Grandpa, he was pleasantly surprised that they didn't need his help!
Last night, as a lift off to their spring break, they went ice skating at a local ice rink.  They were able to convince some friends to go along.  I opted to stay home and get the extra hour of sleep that we lost due to daylight savings time kicking in. This morning they are sleeping in... to celebrate some more. :)

Spring Flowers

Ahhh....Spring has sprung, the grass has 'riz, I found the place where the flower iz. 

I have been having fun capturing the beauty with my camera.

Tree Removal

It was decided that it was time for the tree that fell due to high winds...to be cut apart  to remove it from our yard. 

 

  

Even the dog "helped"

                             
Unfortunately, it was night, and someone got caught in cross fire of tree branches being thrown out of the way. It was scary, but grateful as it did not hurt his eye like we first thought.

 PTL   for nurses in the family!

Weeds!

The weeds are taking over our yard this spring, so have some weeding to do.  As we as a family  tackle this project of uprooting them before they overtake the yard, I am reminded of the condition of our hearts.  What needs to be rooted out from our lives before it crowds out Jesus...

 

There are pretty yellow blossoms, but also thorns that develop. Deceptive little plants.

"Take heed that know one deceives you."

Mark 13:5

A Birthday Month to Remember

The whole month of my birthday this year I received a special note from my Chief every day.  It would either be on small notepad paper of various designs or size, or sometimes just a little card like the one shown here with something written on the back. I now have a display of his thoughts on a particular  wall where mostly I can see them.  I pause in thanksgiving for his love and devotion to me.  Truly, I am blessed.

Miracles Still Happen

High winds were great for quickly drying our clothes faster than in the dryer, but...didn't expect our only shade tree in the back yard to end up like this...

 

This was the oldest tree in our yard.  We will  miss the shade it provided.

Looking at the roots we realized that they had been rotting for some time.  The object lesson I learned was that we can let our foundation or roots rot, but know body knows, know body sees.  When storms come...stress, or other problems arise, if our roots are not deep and standing firm with  God... if we are not studying our Bibles, and maintaining a relationship with God, then we can crash, just like this tree.  We will buckle under pressure.

We are so grateful for protection!  There were no power lines affected, it did not fall towards the house, it did not damage our table and benches, or damage a fence.

It was truly...a miracle