It'll Never Be the Same!

Recently, a friend asked me if I had gotten my house back in order after having Amber's party. My immediate answer was "It'll never be the same again." After I said that, I realized it probably wasn't interpreted the way I intended. So, let me explain.

Now, when I look around the house, I see 75 + of our closest friends and family that came that day. I see the little kids looking through the fence at the chickens. I hear one of the little girls begging me to take her to look for eggs. I see the friends I hadn't seen in several years. I see the folks that traveled for hours to be with us that day. I see them relaxing on our sofa and telling us what's happened since the last time we met. I see all the canopies and tables in the yard. I see my sister carrying her big bowl of the best pasta salad I've ever had. I see the teens coming to hang out with Amber and share the bon-fire that night. I see the friends that stayed until 11:30 p.m., 12:30 a.m.....until the next Thursday! lol I see our parents and am thankful they could share the day with us. I feel the love and laughter of the day. And for that very reason, my home will never be the same again. And neither will I.

Home Sweet Home

The house is completely painted!

Come and sit for awhile!

Strawberries!

Rhubarb!

Pansies!

Yay, Graduate!

Out the back door...pots of azaelas.

Frank's shed painted barn red!

Cows in the field!

Grape vines coming to life!

Happy chickens!

Big Roo!

The lily flower bed!

Calla lily!

Asiatic lily!

Columbine!

A Life Well Spent by James West Cope

A Lesson from the Little Hen

Yesterday, we lost one of our beloved hens. We got our chicks almost a year ago. They came in a tiny box and were the cutest things. We fed them and provided for them. As they grew, we gave them larger spaces to roam. Then one day, they were big enough to live in the hen house and have their own piece of the yard. We put fence up and added netting to the top to keep them in and predators out. The little hen had plenty of space within her boundaries. The boundaries were for her own good. Yet, she constantly went beyond the fence. We would put her back and she would venture out again. We have no idea how she kept getting out. But she did. Then yesterday a stray dog got her. Why couldn't she understand that the perimeters we set for her were for her own good? We provided everything she needed. She didn't need to venture out.

The kids laughed, but I used this as a life lesson for them. To remind them that the boundaries Frank and I set for them are for their own good, for their own protection. And if they venture out, something bad could happen.

But later, I started thinking that it's the same with God. He has set boundaries and guidelines for all of us. The bible is full of them. He has told us we'd be blessed, that He would provide all our needs. But don't we always want more? Just like Adam and Eve. Maybe because of Adam and Eve we're like that. I'm making a conscious effort to stay within my boundaries. Because just like that dog yesterday, Satan is roaming the earth seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).

He Did it for Me (and for you)

Every time I hear the Easter story I think maybe this time it'll be different. Maybe this time the disciples won't betray Him. Maybe this time the soldiers won't mock Him. Maybe this time, the crowd will call out His name instead of Barrabas and Pilate will release Him. Maybe this time He won't be beaten and scourged. Maybe this time He won't die. But every time it is the same. When I was thinking about this today, I wondered WHY???. Why would He do that? Why would He go through all of that. Then His still, small voice whispered "I did that for you." But again I asked WHY??? Why would you do that for me??? The answer was "Because I love you. I knew you before you were formed in the womb. You are mine". How overwhelming. How humbling. Then He reminded me that He may have died but He didn't stay dead. He is ALIVE!

Signs of Spring in WV

1) Ground hog road kill

2) Robins

3) Calves

4) Ramps

5) Vicki gets sick


Spring is here....

Senior Pictures

Which is your favorite???