Chicken Swap

The kids went to a chicken swap yesterday. Here are just a few of the new "pets" they came home with. Yikes!

When Your Ship Comes In . . . .

Annika had a "club house", and it went from a shed for hubby's tools, to a chicken coop. Her new playhouse arrived the other night.

Summer Plantings

With the temperature in the 90's, I am really glad I took the chance to get a jump start on some of my deck planters. Looks and feels like summer out there now!

FORTY!

It's just a number, right?

You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair. ~Douglas MacArthur

There is always a lot to be thankful for, if you take the time to look. For example, I'm sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt. ~Author Unknown

Modest Swimwear

I found this site that sells modest swimwear, and I fell in love with so many of the suits! I think I will be putting in an order right away. There is always a desire to find modest swimwear, but especially for someone MY AGE! lol ~ They have many styles of bottoms to go with their tankinis, and even skirts. I just put a few styles that I really liked on here.
It is a company started by three sisters, who wanted modest, fun swimwear for their daughters and themselves.

Wonderful Friday

Had a special day today. Went to Pickity Place for lunch with some very sweet ladies. It was delicious and we had lots of great conversation and laughs! And it was a beautiful, sunny day. Spent the afternoon with the kids, and the evening out to dinner with hubby.













This evening, Mummu called and asked me to come down to her house. I got there and found her in the dining room. She had made me a fresh Nisu for my birthday. She said it's early, but she has to do it when she feels good:) She is 91 and still makes amazing food!
She also gave me some slides that she searched for, with my seventh birthday, and my seventh Easter, as well as one of my riding my bike when I was little. She said it's definitely something no one else would give me. And she is right! Special memories!
She also gave me some beautiful Irises from her garden. So sweet. Love you lots, Mummu!

Little Girls and Bunny Rabbits

Today Annika went outside, and I found her sitting on the lawn with her bunny. She spent most of the afternoon out there, and before bed told me she was sad because it was supposed to rain tomorrow, and she wouldn't be able to take her bunny out on the grass. Cute:)

Home Project ~ # 3

Here's the latest clue for our home project. Any new guesses?

Beach Feet

Song for a Sunday

I Will Lift My Eyes ~ Bebo Norman

God, my God, I cry out:
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near; calm my fear
... And take my doubt

Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

[Chorus]
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, let mercy sing
Her melody over me
And God, right here all I bring
Is all of me

Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

[Chorus]
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

[Bridge]
'Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
The Lover I need to save me
'Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God
So hold me now

[Chorus]
I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, I cry out:
Your beloved needs You now...

Prom Pictures

I was asked to take prom pictures for a neighbor. I like some of the fun shots!

~ Our Little Girl ~

Guard Your Heart

Guarding your heart is very important work! Everything flows from it! Your words and your desires flow from your heart.
"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." Luke 6:45
To guard your heart, it must first belong to Him. Who does your heart belong to? Money, possessions, vices, people, sports? Your heart must belong to Him!
"My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways."Proverbs 23:26

The things in your heart can easily become the controlling factors in your daily life. I read this quote today "As with any bank, what you put on deposit in your heart will eventually be drawn out and spent in your daily living." I think that is a really neat analogy.

If you haven't given Him your heart, you haven't given him a thing. He wants our hearts! "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10). The enemy would prefer if we didn't give our hearts over. He despises our hearts, because it is with our hearts that we believe! That is where it all begins and grows.

You must flood your heart with God's word daily.
Being with other believers and surrounding yourself with those who will encourage you and hold you accountable is another important aspect of guarding your heart. In 1 Corinthians, we read that "Bad company corrupts good behaviour."
Controlling what you see and what you hear is another way to guard your heart. What you put into your minds will go into your heart as well. Remember the words of the children's song "Be careful little eyes what you see, Be careful little ears what you hear, Be careful little hands what you do, Be careful little feet where you go, Be careful little mouth what you say ~ For the Father up above is looking down in Love!"
Be prayerful, and in the Word. "Create in me a clean heart, Oh, God, and renew a right spirit within me." This should be a daily prayer for us.
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Weed or Wonder?

What we see as a weed and a nuisance, our kids see for the beauty that it has, and the fun you can have with them! This was cheerfully brought to me while I worked in my kitchen yesterday. Often the simple things are the sweetest gifts.

Special Thanks

The perfect creative baking package! Wonderful choices, Ariel! Can't wait to try my new treats ~ thank you!