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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

March 24, 2012

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 57!

Inspiration Friday Graphic1
Before we can start to party hearty, it’s time to announce the winner of last week’s giveaway for this
Vintage Mini French Tabletop Café Chalkboard
!
Vintage MINI Tabletop French Cafe Chalkboard, French Cafe Sign
from

And the winner is:
 Julianne!


Congratulations to you and please email us so that we can put you in contact with
 Daune from Cottage in the Oaks!
 
 
 And, speaking of Giveaways, don’t forget that there is still plenty of time to enter to win a
$50 credit to Cutting Edge Stencils!
DSC_0051-001 
Just click here for details or scroll down to the previous post.

Now, before we get to this week’s party we just wanted to let you know about
another party going on right now!

Our wonderful friend Richella from Imparting Grace has started a brand new linky party and we would love to have you pay her a visit, link up any post related to “making your home a place of grace” and let her know that gals at the Fence sent ya. You can party there with her (and us!) every Thursday!

Photobucket

 
  picketfence_20010_thumb[18]
  Are you ready to see the incredible highlights from last week’s party?
Let’s get to it!
INSPIRED ROOMS

We said it on Facebook last week but we’ll say it again here. It take A LOT for these two sisters to be rendered speechless. But that is exactly what happened when we saw what Angelina of Ruby Jean did with her exquisite Sewing Room! There aren’t enough adjectives we could use to do this space justice, so we urge you to head over to check this stunning studio out for yourself!
 
  And speaking of beautiful spaces, have you ever paid a visit to Thistlewood Farm? Not only is her home absolutely gorgeous as is evidenced in this beautiful Remodeled Library, but Karianne herself is just such a wonderfully encouraging and funny lady!
Our lovely friend Kristine from Lakeshore Cottage Living, shared her positively darling Girl’s Bedroom which just seems to glow with sunny colors and fabrics. Check out that incredible stencil on the wall too! We think Kristine did an amazing job on this room but it doesn’t surprise us at all since the rest of her home is a perfect reflection of her sweet, warm spirit.
 
MAKEOVERS
We think these re-purposed table leaves from Cloches and Lavender are absolutely beautiful! What a fantastically clever way to create unique artwork and it will be a conversation starter for sure!
 
In order to fully appreciate this gorgeous “After” you really must visit Start at Home to see the “Before”. 
There are so many incredible details to take in and we know you will end up spending tons of time over there and enjoying it as much as we do!
 
 
CRAFTS AND CREATIONS

Bonnie and Trish of Uncommon Designs shared this darling Burlap Bunny Garland which hopped its way right into our hearts. We love its sweet pink nose and little cotton tail and we’re pretty sure this one’s name is Peter!

  The talented and creative Jessica Lynette of Making the Home a Haven showed us how to make these adorable DIY Hobby Horses. Her blog is filled with wonderful ideas for kids and families and we know you will find a lot of inspiration there when you pay her a visit!
  DSC0088picture 512x340 How to Make a Hobby Horse
Amy of  While Wearing Heels showed us how to create this charming Easter Bunny Basket inspired by Pottery Barn. We could think of several little “bunnies” we know who would love to carry this while hunting for eggs!

 
Joanne of Our Double-Wide in the Sky blew us away with this Peeps Sunburst Mirror! Seriously, how fun is that? We have never seen anything like it and we think these are going to be popping…or should we say…”peep”ing up all over blogland now!

 
RECIPES

Heidi of Lightly Crunchy shared this quick and easy Coconut Oil Granola and threw in a dash of humor about “going granola” for good measure!

 
We’re positive that this Apple Crostata from Treat & Trick would last all of 2 seconds in our homes!
And not just because we would be sneaking around nibbling on it every time we walked by.
We share with our families…honest we do!

 

INSPIRING STORIES

  Every week Heather’s “in-real-life” friend Nedra, a.k.a. the Adventure Mom, shares her wonderful tales of the many ways in which she is challenging herself, and those around her, to be bring more adventure to their lives. From fencing to being in a flash mob this gal is doing it all!
Last week she shared with us her latest adventure which truly proves the old saying that “laughter is the best medicine”. We know you will love coming along on her adventures as much as we do!
 
 
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!
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,
And…one last thing we want to share with you…Are you following us on

Pinterest
We sure hope so! BUT…We have a SPECIAL REQUEST of you, if you visit INSPIRATION FRIDAY and like to PIN the great projects you see here!


We are asking you to PRETTY PLEASE (with sugar on top) visit the ACTUAL PROJECT and PIN from there! PLEASE take that extra step to PIN from ORIGINAL SOURCES…it will make Pinterest a better place for all bloggers!  Now, if you like what you see here At The Picket Fence that WE create, then by all means pin away from here…we won’t mind! 😉


THANK YOU !!
When you are done linking up head over and party with the other Friday Party Friends:

stuffandnonsense
vif187
Redoux



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  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! (MANDATORY to be featured At The Picket Fence) 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 feel good knowing others are visiting people as well! Thank you..it truly means a lot to us!
Email Updates
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Pinterest


This Inspiration Friday Party is Sponsored By:




Where you can find gorgeous pillow covers like these and many more!

Decorative Pillow Cover - Accent Pillow - Throw Pillow - Kravet Home Decor Designer Fabric - SAME Both Sides - Blue/Winter White - Ikat

73 Comments Filed Under: Giveaways, Inspiration Friday

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cherished Bliss says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:08 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting! Love all your features this week!! : )

    Reply
  2. It's All Connected says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:16 PM

    That sewing room left me speechless, too. Thanks for hosting! ~ Maureen

    Reply
  3. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:44 PM

    Cool features. Thanks for having the party.

    Reply
  4. Jessica Kielman says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    Thanks so much for having me! The bedroom with all of the yellow is beyond perfect…great features!

    Jessica @ Mom 4 Real

    Reply
  5. reFresh reStyle says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:48 PM

    Thanks for hosting! those features are awesome!
    Debbie

    Reply
  6. Our Pinteresting Family says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:49 PM

    Thanks for hosting. I love the features! 🙂 Megan

    Reply
  7. Kerry Rossow says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    Thanks for hosting, y’all! I linked up another hawt vlog!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  8. Lindsay says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:51 PM

    Lovely party! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  9. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:55 PM

    Great features in fact we featured some of the same things. I will have to check out the apple crostada. We love to order that at Carrabas. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  10. Debra @ Common Ground says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:58 PM

    Hi Gals, love those stenciled table leaves, just linked up, thanks so much for hosting, xo

    Reply
  11. Ruby Jean says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:01 PM

    Thank you so much for the very sweet feature and generous words. Such a blessing, Truly. Have a lovely week and thank you for hosting. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:02 PM

    These are all great features! Thanks so much for hosting each week! Glad to link up!

    Reply
  13. Ange says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:04 PM

    Great features, as always! 🙂 You girls sure know how to party!

    Reply
  14. Trish - Mom On Timeout says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  15. Savvy Seasons says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:17 PM

    Thanks a bunch for hosting! xo ~Liz

    Reply
  16. Anita says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    Wow, I wish my girls’ room looked like Kristine’s. Thanks for hosting ladies!!

    Reply
  17. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:21 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting ladies…love that darling little burlap bunny!

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  18. Becca says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Hello dear friends! What a lovely party! The features were so beautiful! Just gorgeous! Even the party sponsor has gorgeous products!!

    xo Becca

    Reply
  19. NanaDiana says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:41 PM

    Congratulations to Julianne! You are doing a great job hosting- xo Diana

    Reply
  20. Anna says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:41 PM

    Thanks for another great party girls! 🙂

    Anna
    http://www.askannamoseley.com

    Reply
  21. Becca says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:12 PM

    I sound like a broken record when I say what fabulous features you guys highlighted !! And, thanks so much for hosting … I’m off to par-tay !! xo

    Reply
  22. Dawnn says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:23 PM

    Thanks for hosting!! Love your blog! I’m your newest follower!!

    Dawnn @anewdawnn.blogspot.com

    Reply
  23. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:28 PM

    Late again. I’m all linked up though…your features are incredible. The links here at your party are top of the line. I could literally move in to Thistlewood Farm and hang out for the rest of my life. Stunning. Thanks for hosting…hope you both have a fabulous weekend!

    Reply
  24. Rani @ La Maison Jolie says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:43 PM

    Thanks for hosting!!! some great and inspiring ideas here!!! off to read some!!! Thanks again!
    Rani

    Reply
  25. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:53 PM

    Thanks LOTS for hosting!!! LOVING your features!! XO, Aimee Lane

    Reply
  26. Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:53 PM

    oh..we are tickled to have been featured with these other amazing projects! Our sweet little burlap bunny is happy too!! Thanks for hosting !! 🙂

    Reply
  27. Betsy@ coastal-colors says

    March 22, 2012 at 11:48 PM

    Your features are lovely! I always enjoy your link party! Thank you for hosting! It’s always fun to see such wonderful ideas!

    Reply
  28. Sue says

    March 22, 2012 at 11:50 PM

    Another fun party, girls! Glad I can link up my project. Off to a furniture show but plan to visit as many links as I can on the trip up and back. aahh… technology! LOL
    ~ Sue

    Reply
  29. Debbie says

    March 22, 2012 at 11:51 PM

    I was speechless as well about Angelina’s sewing room. It is the loveliest thing I’ve seen in a long time.

    Your other shout outs look great too. I love to come here on Thursday night and see your features. I have so little time these days for anything, it seems. It’s nice to get a pointer to a blog or two.

    Reply
  30. suzyq says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:03 AM

    Thanks for the party!!! Your newest follower!
    Hugs
    Suzan

    Reply
  31. Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:16 AM

    Hi Ladies,
    Recuperating from gallbladder surgery – and what am I doing? You guest it – linking up to your party! What a great giveaway – I love chalkboards!
    Kelly

    Reply
  32. Jenny@daysofchalkandchocolate says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:23 AM

    Gorgeous features!! And it is an awesome party..thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  33. Pamela says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:32 AM

    The features this week are beyond amazing! LOVE that sewing room! Thanx for hosting!

    Reply
  34. Heidi says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:50 AM

    Thankyou for the feature! I’m glad you liked my recipe. I’m linking up again this week, but this time with a crafty post. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  35. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:53 AM

    Love the features! Thanks so much for hosting! Happy weekend!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  36. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:53 AM

    Wow, what great inspiration this week. The sewing room is crazy beautiful. Thanks for hosting. Hugs, Sherry

    Reply
  37. Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    March 23, 2012 at 1:46 AM

    Went out on a date with hubby tonight and came home to you girls featuring my girls’ room…icing on the cake! Thank you SO MUCH!!! You girls are toooooo good to me. I too love Thistlewood Farm…some amazing decorating going on over there.

    Hugs to you both!

    Kristine

    Reply
  38. FABBY'S LIVING says

    March 23, 2012 at 2:06 AM

    Great party! Thanks for hosting and wish you a terrific weekend.
    FABBY

    Reply
  39. thistlewoodfarm says

    March 23, 2012 at 2:38 AM

    You are both rock stars. Thank you so much for the incredible feature! You know that I am the president of both of your fan clubs and I can’t wait until Haven.

    BTW…..that kitchen from Start At Home ah…ma…zing!

    blessings,
    karianne

    KY rocks the house 🙂

    Reply
  40. Delilah Love says

    March 23, 2012 at 2:45 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting! I hope you have a wonderful Friday!

    Reply
  41. Peggy~PJH Designs says

    March 23, 2012 at 2:45 AM

    Love the features this week especially that wonderful sewing room & the blue little girls room both are just gorgeous. Thanks so much for hosting this wonderful party.

    Reply
  42. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:33 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting girls!

    Reply
  43. Jana says

    March 23, 2012 at 3:53 AM

    Love the features again. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  44. Good Time Charlie says

    March 23, 2012 at 3:58 AM

    Better late than never! Just getting back from a fun CeCe Caldwell workshop! I am off to check out some of your amazing features. Happy weekend! -K

    Reply
  45. Audra @ Once a Mom Always a Cook says

    March 23, 2012 at 4:09 AM

    Thank you ladies for hosting this lovely party! Have a wonderful weekend 🙂

    Reply
  46. SavannahGranny says

    March 23, 2012 at 4:24 AM

    Sweet Ladies, Thank you so much for hosting each week. Have a great weekend. Ginger

    Reply
  47. Meegan says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:51 PM

    Simply put: Love your blog, features and your party! Thanks for hosting!
    Make it a great day!
    Meegan@whatmeeganmakes

    Reply
  48. ImSoVintage says

    March 23, 2012 at 10:53 AM

    Looks like a fun party. Thanks so much for hosting.
    Laura

    Reply
  49. Stuff and Nonsense says

    March 23, 2012 at 11:56 AM

    as usual
    i adore all the features

    but that sewing room?

    to
    die
    for

    thanks for hosting ladies!

    alison

    Reply
  50. How to Nest for Less says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:11 PM

    Wow, you guys always have the best features!! Can’t wait to go visit all these beautiful ladies this morning 🙂 Thanks for hosting again!!

    Reply
  51. Anita @ Cedar Hill Ranch says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    I’m with you; that sewing room is amazing!! Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  52. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:31 PM

    Unbelievable features, thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  53. Tina says

    March 23, 2012 at 1:03 PM

    Great features.The sewing room is beautiful, I don’t think I would ever get any work done.

    Thank you for hosting

    Reply
  54. Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says

    March 23, 2012 at 1:05 PM

    After seeing all of the amazing features, I feel like I’ve been sitting around doing nothing!

    Reply
  55. Sarah @ Just The Bee's Knees says

    March 23, 2012 at 1:28 PM

    I now follow you via linky followers! (and sorry for linking up to the same post twice….something screwy was going on when I was linking up, and it wouldnt let me delete it.)
    Thanks for hosting!

    Sarah

    Reply
  56. Richella says

    March 23, 2012 at 1:42 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting! I’m learning that hosting a linky party is a lot of work, so I have even greater appreciation for you!

    I linked up a bit of inspiration–hope it makes you smile. 🙂

    Reply
  57. Cynthia says

    March 23, 2012 at 2:04 PM

    Thank you for featuring me. I am so excited. I worked hard to come up with that idea. Thanks again.

    Reply
  58. Calypso In The Country says

    March 23, 2012 at 2:18 PM

    I am so excited to go check out some of the blogs you featured! Thanks for hosting and have a great weekend!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  59. Laurel Stephens says

    March 23, 2012 at 2:31 PM

    Thank you for hosting this great party!

    Reply
  60. Whitney @ The Rooster And The Hen says

    March 23, 2012 at 3:23 PM

    Those are some amazing features – that sewing room is divine! I’ve got to get in gear and start my next project so I can link up next time! Thanks for hosting and providing a venue for so much inspiration!

    Reply
  61. Joy@aVintageGreen says

    March 23, 2012 at 3:42 PM

    Thanks for hosting, lovely features.
    Joy

    Reply
  62. Brandon says

    March 23, 2012 at 3:48 PM

    I’m sorry, Linky tools did something funky and it linked mine twice.

    Reply
  63. Vanessa says

    March 23, 2012 at 4:52 PM

    Hi, Vanessa and Heather

    I really appreciate you ladies hosting this awesome party. Thanks so much and have a great weekend. By the way, something is wrong with linky tools, it gave me an error message that it didn’t post my thumbnail. So, I refresh and came back to your web site and there was two thumbnails posted. I’m not sure how that happen, but something is up with Linky Tool. Thanks again.

    Vanessa

    Reply
  64. Val says

    March 23, 2012 at 6:57 PM

    The cottage girls bedroom is so adorable and that table is swoon worthy!! Great features, ladies.

    Reply
  65. Amy - while wearing heels says

    March 23, 2012 at 1:30 PM

    My heart about stopped when I saw you featured my bunny basket. I can’t thank you enough!

    amy @ whilewearingheels.blogspot.com

    Reply
  66. Treat and Trick says

    March 24, 2012 at 11:25 AM

    Thanks so much for featuring my Apple Crostata! Seems your linky isn’t working. Happy hosting!

    Reply
  67. Joanne says

    March 24, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    What a pleasant, sweet, and WONDERFUL suprise….

    Thanks SO much Heather and Vanessa for featuring my Peeps Sunburst Mirror!
    And thanks for your time and effort for hosting these parties and for your time and energy in presenting features. It is SO appreciated!

    -Joanne
    Double-Wide in the Sky

    Reply
  68. lindaharre says

    March 24, 2012 at 10:13 PM

    Sorry about the triple posting on link
    party!!! It kept saying that there was an error and try again…..which I did…LOL!

    Reply
  69. Jen says

    March 24, 2012 at 11:36 PM

    Thanks for hosting, hope you are having a great weekend!

    Reply
  70. Natural Mothers Network says

    March 25, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    Hi- thanks for hosting this great linky. This week I posted SURPRISING BENEFITS ABOUT BEING LEFT HANDED, EASY IRISH SODA BREAD and HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN TOOTHPASTE.
    I am looking for wonderful creative bloggers to come share their posts at Seasonal Celebration Sunday over at Natural Mothers Network. And, I really hope that some of you will put Seasonal Celebration on your list linky parties to visit and link to, every Sunday/Monday! Here’s the link: https://naturalmothersnetwork.com
    Warmly,
    Rebecca x

    Reply
  71. Katie Sue says

    March 25, 2012 at 10:33 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting. Such wonderful features!
    Katie
    Let’s Add Sprinkles

    Reply

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“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
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
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