Green thumbs and some splinters

This weekend was home-improvement weekend. I bought seeds a few weeks ago to plant some perennials and a few other flowers. Since it's still a bit cold outside at night, I started some indoor planters for my seeds. So, a big bag of potting soil, a bunch of random containers and some $1.50 packets of seeds and some "encouraging" from the planter (I talk to my plants every day and Matt makes fun of me). I'll post pictures from time to time of (any) growth.






After I finished planting, and Matt and I "tilled the land" to make some flower beds around the house, we discussed removing the railing off from around our deck (only 2 feet off the ground.) We have high hopes of "renovating" the deck for the summertime. A privacy wall, to block off our neighbors yard, a grape arbor over the deck to hang lights on perhaps, and some built-in seating for friends to join us. Here is a video of Matt tearing down the railing. It took about 5 minutes.

Friday with Haylie

This morning I babysat for my niece, Haylie. She was feeling a little under the weather so she wasn't her usual perky self. But, it made for some fun snuggle time with Aunt "Kiki." She even fell asleep on my lap while we were watching Dora the Explorer. When "gammy" came at noon to pick her up, she couldn't even keep her head up while I was putting on her shoes.

Haylie Ann's toes (paint courtesy of great Grandma Kilbane)

A good friday...

For whatever reason, I just remembered that today is Good Friday. I've spent a lot of my day working here, in my home office. From time to time, Matt pokes his head in and wants me to keep him company. I can tell he's bored. Just a short time later I can hear him yelling at the current tournament basketball game. It's that time of the afternoon that the sun finally reaches my desktop. It's so vibrant and warm...

Then I heard it from the other room...

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great high priest whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to dispair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.

Because of sin my Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
to look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there, the Risen Lamb
By perfect, spotless righteousness
The great unchangable, "I AM"
The King of glory and of grace.

One in Himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Praise the One, Risen Son of God

I have the ability to work, live and breathe ONLY because of the cross.

Tender Tennessee

This past weekend I got the opportunity to drive down to Cookeville, TN to visit a good friend from college, Kara, and her 4 month old son, Hayden. I stopped in Roanoke, VA to pick up one of my dearest friends, Melissa, on the way. Melissa and I had a great time just talking and talking and talking in the car. It was the fastest 6 hours (from Roanoke to Cookeville) in my life. I miss being able to talk to her whenever I want.

We spent the whole day Saturday and part of the day Sunday with Kara and Hayden. He is adorable! I took so many pictures of just his cute face!





Melissa's favorite thing to do was to attempt to soothe a cranky Hayden with a beautiful rendition of Amy Grant's "Tender Tennessee Christmas". I caught it on video right before we left. Hayden chose to ignore her :)

girls night

Friday night, while Matt was still driving back from NC, I went over to Amy and Carol's house for a little girls night. We ate yummy soup and played a game called "Fluxx". Don't play this game if you have games that have a lot of stupid rules.

Amy and Carol's co-worker, Richelle, brought her little girl Lila over too and we thoroughly enjoyed lovin on her!

Yellow

I don't know why this was so intriguing to me...I woke up not feeling so hot. And, when you're feeling under the weather, you only want to eat what sounds good. Well I found it very strange that the things I had at the house that I was craving were all...yellow. Or yellowish. Cousins of yellow.Noodle soup, some baby dills and Mountain Dew (a staple in my diet).

Wii

Last night, our church held a church-wide "Wii night" at various members' houses. It was the first time I played Wii and I've often heard it said that it can be quite the work out. Oh boy, were they right! I participated in several very intense boxing matches and broke a sweat quite early....and I'm feelin it today! All those jabs and uppercuts shows me what an awesome workout boxing can be!

Lisa and Emily boxing it up

Emily illustrating that when you get knocked out (down) you have
to shake the controllers over and over to get your strength back up.
Funniest part.

Our friend's Matt and Pete playing

Shower gifts

I made these baskets as my gifts for Ashleigh and Kelly. They had 3 sets of 4 handmade baby cards to use for thank-you notes or announcements. I included newborn socks and a book for the babies.

Baby Showers....plural

I got home saturday night from a long day of baby showers for Matt's cousins. We threw one at 11am and the other at 3. In between in it was a whirlwind of changing all the green decorations to pink decorations and swapping dirty dishes for clean ones. It was all so very fun and the mommies-to-be had a great time and got a lot of good stuff!

Green Shower

Ashleigh with her new clothes

Pink Shower!

The mommies-to-be!

Shawna, Ashleigh, Lindsey and Kelly

Lins and I

Braden hugging baby