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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

January 22, 2012

Welcome to Inspiration Friday #48!

Inspiration Friday Graphic1
This Inspiration Friday is brought to you today by the most


FABULOUS SPONSORS ONLINE!!
No really, we LOVE our sponsors here At The Picket Fence and consider them our friends. They are so talented in fact, that they deserve to have their products highlighted every once and awhile, so that our readers can see just how amazing they are.
Angelina from Shop Ruby Jean is so very talented and her apron’s are truly couture! Aprons like this!

Visit Shop Ruby Jean to see more of these gorgeous aprons as well as other items created by Angelina!
We love these Vintage Mini Tabletop French Café Chalkboards offered by Cottage In The Oaks! They would be so darling on  a buffet or kitchen island.  Perfect for a Menu board or sharing a favorite scripture or quote!

Vintage MINI Tabletop French Cafe Chalkboard, French Cafe Sign
Cottage in the Oaks has a wide variety of vintage and handmade treasures!

20NorthOra is full of beautiful custom designed items like this Sunkist Roasted Pistachio Sack Pillow!

Sunkist Roasted Pistachios  Sack Pillow
20NorthOra has many different designs, styles and patterns to choose from! Truly something for everyone!
We just love these silverware handle pendants from JuNxtaposition! Each are great old silverware altered to create a wearable piece of art and hand stamped!

JuNxtaposition has many styles to choose from as well as other great items like their typewriter key and bubble jewelry!
Ambivalent Relics is the home of gorgeous Vintage Repurposed and Steampunk Jewelry! Items like this Steampunk Owl Pocket Watch Pendant Necklace

Steampunk Owl Pocket Watch  Pendant Necklace
There is something for any jewelry lover (and aren’t we all?!) at Ambivalent Relics!
Vintage style Skeleton Keys are all the rage..but why buy a reproduction when you can get the real deal from The Old Block House! We love the selection and great price of these vintage beauties!

Skeleton Keys Randomn Key Chosen
The Old Block House has a wide assortment of vintage, farmhouse salvage and shabby chic items!
Curly Willow Collections carries beautiful digital paper sets, one of a kind card sets and custom art like this fun and cheery set of prints!

Motivational Art, Inspirational Art, Motivational Print, Inspirational Quotes, Motivational Quote, Inspirational Sayings, Wall Art
Curly Willow Collections produces high quality items in the most popular home décor color palates! Head over to see other lovely products!
Sutton Place Designs is the perfect place to find gorgeous home linens and one of a kind pillows.

Visit on Sutton Place Designs to find the latest trends in pillows!
Redbird Cottage Art is the home of one of a kind original watercolor art, and we LOVE this one titled: Beyond the Fence!

Beyond the Fence Watercolor Painting 4 x 6 Original Art
Inspired by nature, you can find not only prints but gift card sets and one of a kind greeting cards at Redbird Cottage Art!
Unexpected Elegance carries many unique items like this  v i n t a g e Ceramic 2 Quart Pitcher with Blue Lettering

v i n t a g e Ceramic 2 Quart Pitcher with Blue Lettering
Unexpected Elegance specializes in vintage or antique items and creates one of a kind pieces from the “unexpected!” Check back every week for the “discounted item of the week!”
Vintage Lancaster carries so many unique items, it’s hard to choose one to showcase. But, this red Cocktail Shaker, perfect for a romantic Valentine’s Day evening at home, caught our eye!

Cheers Cocktail Shaker Mixer
Visit Vintage Lancaster for fabulous and unusual vintage items!
We also have several fabulous BLOGS as sponsors of At The Picket Fence!
Blogs like Chatty Chics

Chatty Chics
Where you can find great home décor projects, recipes, shopping resources and is the home of a new linky party: Wild Wednesdays!
Kelli from More Bang for your Bucks wants to invite you to join her for a new series Old {and new} Wive’s Tales!

Kelli is looking for guest posts from Christian women at all phases of marriage to encourage and teach my readers.  We are honored to be guest posting for Kelli in the near future,  if you are interested in submitting a guest post for consideration, contact Kelli through More Bang for your Bucks!
And last, but certainly not least, we want to welcome our newest sponsor Budget Friendly Decorating.
Budget Friendly Decorating has launched a new design consultation service and is currently offering a GIVEAWAY of free consulting!

Thank you for supporting our sponsors and At The Picket Fence by paying them a visit! THEY help us continue to provide YOU with great content and inspiration here At The Picket Fence!


If you are interested in advertising with At The Picket Fence, we have great rates and strive to offer first rate support to our sponsors! You can find out more information on our Advertise With Us page!

Now onto our fabulous features from last week!

picketfence_20010_thumb[18]_thumb[2]
We think these slip covered stools from The Creative Imperative are so wonderfully chic and feminine.
And we cracked up over the names they were given! We are suckers for Little House on the Prairie references and this one was spot on!

Kim from La Belle Epoque Home created some absolutely lovely Feed Sack Message Boards which were inspired by some she saw in a catalog. She showed a plethora of ways to use them and we think they are so beautiful we wouldn’t want to actually put any messages on them! Who would want to cover that pretty fabric up with “don’t forget to buy milk”?!

IMG_5309
Start at Home shared a gorgeous Bathroom Renovation and we just love that vanity! Wait until you see the “Before” from this one. You won’t believe the transformation!
Our friend Michell of Girl In Air is working on a kitchen remodel in their new home! She’s been making over their kitchen cabinets with amazing results! Michell shares how they added crown molding to the existing cabinets with great results! Visit Girl In Air to see the before and after!

024
Our Friday Party partner in crime Alison from Stuff and Nonsense, shared a lovely post on Writing in the Margins. It is beautifully written…and challenges us to ask ourselves about the “road map” we’re leaving for our children.

Ashley from It’s Rustic Living created this beautiful Scripture Chair! The color is just lovely, the scripture beautiful and this chair is even for sale! Visit Ashley to see the transformation.

  
Late Young Family showed us how to make this fabulous rope swirl headband!  She includes a full tutorial so you can make one as well…or maybe we can just get her to make one for us! Winking smile 
 
 
 
Thank you to all of our features this week as well as to all of you who share your amazing ideas, projects and inspiration with us each and every week! 
If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the featured at button code located in on our Buttons Page found under our header! 
 
 
Are you following At The Picket Fence on Facebook? Don’t forget we feature many of your links during the week on our Facebook Page! If you’ve been featured there, grab a button as well! Thank you to everyone who shared so many fabulous posts with us last week! We appreciate you!

 
KEEP THOSE VALENTINE’S DAY PROJECTS COMING! WE WILL BE DOING A HIGHLIGHT POST OF OUR FAVORITE INSPIRATION FRIDAY VALENTINE PROJECTS AND POSTS!

Now it’s time to share with us what has inspired you this week!
Thank you so much for joining us for Inspiration Friday at the Fence,
When you are done linking up head over and party with the other Friday Party Friends:



stuffandnonsense
vif187



Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s the rules!
  • Friend At The Picket Fence in some capacity
  • Link Up any post you’ve written that has Inspired You and will Inspire Others-it can be a home improvement project, craft, recipe, story, devotional…if it inspires link it up!
  • Be sure to link back to your original post (MANDATORY) and not just your url (main blog address)
  • Please post our button (code on our Buttons Page found at top of blog) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! Tutorial on how to link up a button: Blogging 101
  • Visit another guest. Please try and visit at least the link directly above and below you! We try to visit as many posts as we can but as Inspiration Friday grows sometimes we miss some and for that we apologize. It makes us feed good knowing others are visiting people as well! Thank you..it truly means a lot to us!

 
Have you notice that you can now REPLY to comments left on Blogger Blogs? Be sure to check “receive emails to replies” so you can see if we have replied to your comment!

68 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday, Sponsors

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Previous Post: « Dollar Tree Valentine’s Day Ring of Roses Wreath
Next Post: Valentine’s Day Garland and Vignette »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Calypso In The Country says

    January 19, 2012 at 8:57 PM

    Beautiful photos once again! Thanks for hosting!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  2. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    January 19, 2012 at 8:59 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting girls and have a super weekend!

    Reply
  3. Ruby Jean says

    January 19, 2012 at 9:03 PM

    Hi ladies… Thank you do much for the mention… I just linked up the Fabulous 50s and I am trying to figure out how to add the link on my WP with my iPhone 😉 off to email you;)

    Reply
  4. Diane says

    January 19, 2012 at 9:12 PM

    Sweet features. Thanks for hosting. Diane

    Reply
  5. Trish - Mom On Timeout says

    January 19, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    Just linked up! Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  6. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    January 19, 2012 at 9:33 PM

    Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  7. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    January 19, 2012 at 9:34 PM

    Thanks for hosting and a special thank you for the feature. You two are wonderful. I got a Red Bird original watercolor for my mom for Christmas. It was actually a little red bird in the snow. She loved it. Love that shop. Hope you both have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Fox Hollow Cottage says

      January 19, 2012 at 9:49 PM

      So many wonderful sponsors and lots of pretties 😉
      Thanks for hosting girls. Have a great day!!

      Reply
  8. Shelia says

    January 19, 2012 at 10:01 PM

    Great wonderfulness, ladies! Thanks always for hosting.
    Be a couple of sweeties,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  9. Michell @ Girl In Air says

    January 19, 2012 at 10:07 PM

    WHAT?!?! Here I am causally reading this post checking everyone out and BAM! There I am! Thank you ladies so much! I really appreciated it:-)

    Reply
  10. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    January 19, 2012 at 10:16 PM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies!

    Reply
  11. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    January 19, 2012 at 10:26 PM

    Fabulous features and thanks for hosting, girls.

    Reply
  12. Honey at 2805 says

    January 19, 2012 at 10:41 PM

    Great features! Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful weekend, ladies!

    Reply
  13. Eclectically Vintage says

    January 19, 2012 at 10:54 PM

    Love the grain sack memo board! Linking my super cute “Love Is” Valentine Wreath. Someone told me it would make anyone smile – I hope it works for you!
    Kelly

    Reply
  14. ReFresh ReStyle says

    January 19, 2012 at 11:00 PM

    Thanks for the party, I see lots of stuff that I love!
    Debbie

    Reply
  15. Dayle says

    January 19, 2012 at 11:05 PM

    Great party! Always a pleasure visiting here.

    Reply
  16. Miriam says

    January 19, 2012 at 11:14 PM

    Oh I love your parties. So much fun stuff. Thanks for hosting! 🙂

    Reply
  17. NanaDiana says

    January 19, 2012 at 11:16 PM

    Some great sponsors here…and I visited some of your featured bloggers. Love the Nellie 1&2 stools. She did a great job on them. Bathroom makeover is great, too. For some reason…almost ALL of the links tonight are showing up with the big red X on them…and no picture. HATE THAT! Hope you have a great weekend- xo Diana

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      January 20, 2012 at 3:33 AM

      I’m sorry the links are wonky for you Diana, I’m seeing them okay right now but if it keeps acting up let us know and we’ll try and get to figure out what’s wrong. Thanks for stopping by!

      Heather

      Reply
  18. andrea says

    January 19, 2012 at 11:21 PM

    Thank you for hosting and have a blessed weekend, andrea@townandprairie

    Reply
  19. Gail says

    January 19, 2012 at 11:26 PM

    Awesome features this week! Thanks for hosting and hope the both of you have a wonderful weekend, Gail

    Reply
  20. Lynn says

    January 19, 2012 at 11:34 PM

    Your features are inspiring, as always. Can’t wait to visit around tonight and see more fun projects and posts. Thanks for hosting, girls. I enjoy your party!
    Lynn
    http://www.cottageandcreek.com

    Reply
  21. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    January 19, 2012 at 11:44 PM

    Fabulous features! Thanks for hosting! Happy weekend!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  22. Angela@postcardsfromtheridge says

    January 19, 2012 at 11:49 PM

    Thanks for hosting the party. First time linking up. So many great ideas, Can’t wait to try some out!

    Reply
  23. Debra @ Common Ground says

    January 20, 2012 at 12:09 AM

    Oh my gosh, love that bath vanity!! just linked up, xoxo

    Reply
  24. Pamela says

    January 20, 2012 at 12:14 AM

    Thanx for hosting ladies!

    Reply
  25. Laurel@chippingwithcharm says

    January 20, 2012 at 12:15 AM

    Hi ladies…thanks for hosting! All linked up 🙂 Laurel

    Reply
  26. Full Circle Creations says

    January 20, 2012 at 12:40 AM

    Great features. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  27. Kerry Rossow says

    January 20, 2012 at 1:32 AM

    I luuuuurve the bathroom vanity makeover! Thank you for the FB shout out and thank you for hosting!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  28. The Summer Porch says

    January 20, 2012 at 1:37 AM

    Just linked up, great features!
    Hugs Rosemary…

    Reply
  29. Kim says

    January 20, 2012 at 1:39 AM

    Thanks Vanessa & Heather for featuring me today! I love reading your blog and you gals are such an inspiration! Hugs, Kim

    Reply
  30. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    January 20, 2012 at 1:48 AM

    Thanks ladies for hosting.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  31. Cyndi ✪ Blue Star says

    January 20, 2012 at 2:59 AM

    I’ve linked up! Thanks for hosting the party!

    Reply
  32. FABBY'S LIVING says

    January 20, 2012 at 3:14 AM

    Thanks for hosting this terrific party! Nice features today. Have a great weekend.
    FABBY

    Reply
  33. Something Nice and Pretty says

    January 20, 2012 at 3:22 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting, I’ve linked up too!

    Rondell♥

    Reply
  34. Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing says

    January 20, 2012 at 3:24 AM

    Thanks for hosting gals. I am still confused on the reply thing, mine did not seem to be working properly. Love the features. Have a great weekend.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      January 20, 2012 at 3:32 AM

      I’m testing it out on your comment Debbie! lol I think it’s working okay, but with Blogger who knows…;) Thanks for linking up! Love your project.

      Heather

      Reply
  35. Joy@aVintageGreen says

    January 20, 2012 at 3:44 AM

    Hi, thanks for hosting. Loved the turquoise side chair. I am following and have put a link on my blog so I don’t miss any of your posts.

    Reply
  36. Nann from At Nann's Table says

    January 20, 2012 at 4:33 AM

    Vanessa and Heather…..I have tried on two different posts (A Tour of Karens Cozy Cottage and French CoqAuVin) to link up tonight and for some reason they don’t come up on your linky party. Have I done something wrong? I tried a 2nd time with the French Coq Au Vin and it still didn’t come up. I don’t know what to do. I LOVE to participate with you gals. Have I offended someone or something? Thanks for your help.

    Nann

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      January 20, 2012 at 4:42 AM

      Hi Nann! I think the party was just acting up for you, must have gotten a little wild and crazy. 😉 I can see your post. I’ve emailed you but wanted to reply here as well. And no worries, you could NEVER offend us!

      Heather

      Reply
  37. Amanda says

    January 19, 2012 at 8:44 PM

    I’m in LOVE with that Scripture chair you featured!

    Thanks for hosting us!
    Amanda

    Reply
  38. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    January 19, 2012 at 9:15 PM

    Hi girls!!! Great features this week- all linked up~ thanks for hosting! 🙂

    Reply
  39. Crafty Mischief says

    January 20, 2012 at 7:58 AM

    Great features! Thank you for hosting and have a wonderful weekend! 🙂

    Reply
  40. Stuff and Nonsense says

    January 20, 2012 at 1:13 PM

    aren’t you both
    just the sweetest things
    for featuring my bible post?

    love ya girls!

    alison

    Reply
  41. cottageintheoaks.com says

    January 20, 2012 at 1:16 PM

    Love them all! 🙂

    Reply
  42. Judy says

    January 20, 2012 at 1:23 PM

    Those are some awesome features. That bathroom makeover is gorgeous. I am in love with that vanity as well. Thanks for hosting. Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  43. CAS says

    January 20, 2012 at 2:30 PM

    Thanks for hosting, you two! Ya’ll are awesome!
    CAS

    Reply
  44. Kathy says

    January 20, 2012 at 2:50 PM

    Fantastic features – so many great participants to look through this rainy weekend! Thanks for hosting!
    God Bless,
    Kathy

    Reply
  45. Gabby says

    January 20, 2012 at 2:57 PM

    Thank you so much for the feature! I would love to make some more headbands 😉 Have a wonderful day and weekend!!! And, as always, thanks for hosting!

    Gabby
    The…Late, Young Family

    Reply
  46. Sue says

    January 20, 2012 at 5:59 PM

    This is always a great party. There is so much to look at.

    Blessings,
    Sue

    Reply
  47. Julie says

    January 20, 2012 at 6:21 PM

    Thanks for hosting!!

    Reply
  48. Mary says

    January 20, 2012 at 6:41 PM

    Lots of great inspiration~

    Reply
  49. Val says

    January 20, 2012 at 7:50 PM

    Very inspiring goods!!! Happy Friday, dolls.

    Reply
  50. Mimi says

    January 20, 2012 at 8:04 PM

    I’m so sorry. I had trouble linking up today and ended up linking up 4x. Please accept my apologies. I love the slip covered stools. They are amazingly elegant.

    Reply
  51. Good Time Charlie says

    January 20, 2012 at 10:02 PM

    I love those little necklaces, people are so clever! My favorite are those adorable little skirts for bar stools. Wow, those are so cute. Thanks for hosting, have a lovely weekend. -K

    Reply
  52. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says

    January 21, 2012 at 1:16 AM

    Love that scripture chair! Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  53. Oil Paintings Reproductions says

    January 21, 2012 at 5:44 AM

    Wow it is a nice blog Your features are inspiring, as always.

    Reply
  54. ileana-carmen says

    January 21, 2012 at 3:43 PM

    Thank you for hosting us.

    Reply
  55. classic • casual • home says

    January 22, 2012 at 7:03 AM

    So many beautiful and creative finds…I love coming here. Always fun!

    Reply
  56. jvzoo wso says

    March 8, 2013 at 6:29 AM

    When I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added-
    checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails
    with the same comment. There has to be an easy method you can remove
    me from that service? Thanks!

    Reply
  57. Emmanuel says

    March 17, 2014 at 5:53 PM

    Hi there! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds
    me of my old room mate! He always kept chatting about this.
    I will forward this write-up to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read.
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  58. unique purple wall art and decor says

    July 8, 2014 at 10:53 PM

    An alternative to four blocks is to have printed wall art
    panels. Some beach decor life rafts can completely change the look and feel of a room.
    There are several ways on how you can effectively hang your pieces
    of wall decor in such a way that they will not appear cluttered or chaotic.

    Reply

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We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
We’re going to be giving our laundry room a make We’re going to be giving our laundry room a makeover soon. It’s LONG overdue! In fact, the folks from the counter company were just here taking measurements. While we have made some simple, inexpensive updates over the years, it still has many of the original elements from when the house was built in 1992.

Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

We have many years left to remodel our home but only so much time left to make memories with our children.

And, while I’m always happy to look around my home and see rooms that are updated and more reflecting of our style, it doesn’t compare to the joy I feel when I look around my home and see the people I love the most who have been shaped by the many adventures we’ve experienced together.
Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and h Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and hail and snow) we are finally getting some sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’ll be honest, it’s really affected my spirits having one gloomy day after the next. So this is a much needed reprieve. Our cherry trees are showing off outside my kitchen window and we plan to get outside and make the most of these days while we have them.

What’s the weather like where you are?
“The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and “The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and boast, the pangs of life will sting for a while longer, but don’t worry; the forces of evil are breathing their last. Not to worry…HE’S RISEN!” (Charles R. Swindoll).

Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him. (Isaiah 53)
I try to always remember to put a water bottle in I try to always remember to put a water bottle in my car before I go to pick up my daughter from school. She didn't ask me to do this, but a few months ago I began to notice that she was often thirsty when she would get in the car. Her water bottle filled up at the beginning of the day was empty by the time school got out and she would ask if she could have some water from my hydroflask. So I make sure to have one waiting for her. It's just a simple thing, really. But, I want her to know that I'm paying attention, that I see her.

Isn't it amazing how small gestures can make us feel less invisible? Knowing that someone is thinking of us and takes the time to meet a need that we might not have even realized we had? These little acts can have big impacts. What is something that someone has done for you recently that made you feel valued and seen?

What have you done for someone else to remind them that you are paying attention to their needs?

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
#palmsunday
When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the pa When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the payoff of your investment in your children, it is truly one of the greatest gifts. We had that experience twice this week with our 18 year old son and were overwhelmed by this opportunity we had to watch as he handled two very different situations (one personal and one professional) with grace, maturity, integrity and courage. Those of you mamas of little ones, don't ever minimize the job you are doing in raising this next generation. 

Every story read at bedtime
Every correction made to strengthen character
Every outdoor exploration
Every nose wiped
Every bandaid applied
Every time you say no when the world says yes
Every night of helping with homework
Every difficult conversation
Every prayer uttered

The final pieces of the puzzle of his childhood are falling into place and the picture revealed is one that is more wonderful than we could have imagined. And we know that it is only by God's grace on us as we sought His wisdom and guidance that we have come to this point. We have been FAR from perfect parents, but one of my most sincere prayers for the past 18 years was that the Lord would stand in the gaps that were surely to be revealed by our imperfections. And He has answered those prayers again and again. He's taken my humble petitions and most sincere intentions and knocked our socks off with the young man we are so privileged to call our son. And we can’t wait to watch as his future unfolds!
Happy Saturday!! I haven’t posted all week (exce Happy Saturday!! I haven’t posted all week (except for in stories) because I was soaking up the sunshine and time with my family in San Antonio for spring break. One of our favorite activities was a bike tour of the missions and I found myself obsessed with all of the beautiful architecture, especially the doors. What is it about doors that is so fascinating? Is it knowing that these were so lovingly hand carved? Is it thinking about how many people have crossed through them? Whatever it is, I couldn’t get enough of them and had to stop and admire each one. 

I hope you are having a wonderful kickoff to spring too dear friends! 🌸
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