Peaceful Pictures that make me smile...Welcome Spring...



I think Spring is my favorite time of year. Our grass began turning green within the last week. I love seeing everything come back to life, even after such a mild winter. Just a little over a year ago, we planted the first little trees and shrubs...creating a yard around our home. It was this time last year that I discovered a hobby...gardening. I'm so thankful all these little plants are alive one year later. So, I thought I'd share to celebrate.

And this is why Chloe lives outside :) I wish I had her on video. Her usual ritual (year-round): dash into the water, leap out, sprint to the nearest pile of horse manure, ROLL...ROLL..ROLL...dash to the barn to find a horse hoof clipping (her favorite chew toy...she completely ignores the Kong we bought for her :)

The little concrete bunny just makes me smile.

I don't remember the title of the country song...it played when I was a child...something like "She's gone country..." I don't know the rest of the words (good or bad...lol) but as revealed in this shot...I've gone country...with a clothes line and all. Here's the crazy thing. I find hanging clothes to be relaxing. I guess I love it because I'm outside in the sunshine with only the sounds of birds, bees, the trees blowing in the wind. And I like to watch the laundry blow in the wind.

I AM CRAZY ABOUT BLUEBERRIES!!!!! And you can see them in the early stage of development. I can't wait for the sweet summer berries!

The other think Chloe lives for...begs for...even when she's wet and smelly...is a tummy rub. Could she look sweeter in this picture?

 

It's the little things in life that make me smile...like tiny purple flowers in our driveway.

Nathan was taught that it is a good idea to plant the vegetable garden on Good Friday. Oh the symbolism involved with that teaching. This year we plan to plant the same as last year: tomatoes, squash, and peppers. Nathan plowed a bigger spot and we may add sweet potatoes, onions, and corn. We'll see. Now I want to learn to can. 

Waking Up Again...

I've started using our new camera during the past few weeks. I do think this is my favorite time of year...when the flowers start to bloom and the trees come back to life. Here are some pictures around our place. I'm trying to learn how to enlarge the pictures for the blog...any advice on how to do that is welcome.

Rain...Rain...Chance of Severe Storms?...The Perfect Day for Another Yard Sale

Thank you to all who have been praying through the month of March for the Thompson family. For anyone who just happened to wonder upon this blog and don't know us, I am pregnant with our first child, Joshua Randal and we are saving for an adoption which we pray to begin this time next year! I am so amazed at how family and friends have helped us prepare to be parents...throughout my current pregnancy and as we save for an adoption. I shared at the end of February some of the fundraising events we had coming up in March. We had another yard sale last weekend for our adoption fund (March 3rd). This time my parents, my Aunt Elizabeth, and Mrs. Becky were the heroes. I can't wait to tell our children some day just how loved and prayed over they are.

On Thursday I traveled to Tallassee with a car load (picture a car packed to its maximum capacity). I talked to my mom before I left and we shared with each other how God was preparing us for the weekend. I find it to be no coincidence that every time we've planned a yard sale so far the weather forecast has been far less than ideal. We came to the conclusion that God is wanting to teach us once again to rely on Him.

Here's some of my journal March 1st:

Father, I'm going to quiet myself--with Your help. I need this time to learn from You.--learn Your perspective. You know all things. We've planned this yard sale--but You know what You want to happen. Perspective on the Yard Sale:

• You aren't anxious about it. You don't need a yard sale. You could speak the word and the money could automatically be in our account.
• You may want us to hold onto things for the sale in Auburn-maybe.
• You care about my attitude and heart regarding this sale.
• You may want to amaze us and bring people even with rain.

Please fill me with Your Spirit and teach me from Your Word.

Friday was a day of happy memories. My mom and I went to Opelika and she took me shopping (well technically...she and I shopped for Joshua) We had an awesome time getting to see my dear friend/sister Lindsey R, shopping at Kids Clothes Connection, and eating Chick-fil-a (because you can never eat there enough).

I don't have to tell you that Friday night was terribly bad weather. I went to Walmart to buy tarps to cover items. As I was checking out the lady at the register said, "I know what you're doing...you're getting ready for this storm." My reply: "Actually, I'm getting ready for a yard sale :) " If only I had a picture of her face. Story of my life...I always have to be the odd ball (lol).

Another highlight of our Friday was having my Aunt Elizabeth come to help. We stayed up late arranging items and eating Dairy Queen Blizzards. Just making more memories...Here are some pictures of all the stuff we had for this sale....during a storm.

Here is the stuff that wouldn't fit in the garage. We moved stuff out as the space became available.

That journal entry from above...Option Number Four: that was it. He amazed us. We had rain most of the day and people shopped anyway. Thankfully, my parents have a garage and everything was inside of it.

Before I share any further, I know that many of our Tallassee friends saw that we were having a yard sale and came. Thank you so very much. We haven't really officially advertised the yard sales as for adoption but I know many of you know what it was for. Thank you...every little penny counts.

The yard sale was even more prosperous than the last one. And to top off what I already considered an awesome day...someone came at the end around 4:30 and bought EVERYTHING that was left! My sweet parents did not have to sit in the midst of stuff for another two weeks waiting for the Auburn sale (we'll have much to carry to Auburn as well ;)

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! If you feel led, please pray for next Saturday's yard sale. In the future I have lots of updates on Joshua's nursery, the farm, and our latest (and perhaps my favorite) fundraiser for the adoption...Art for Adoption.

((  Also, for family and friends who want to see the baby bump, I'm considering a maternity picture...considering. I think I can post one especially for you Lauren. I love you and miss you so badly.  ))