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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
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  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

June 3, 2012

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 67!

Inspiration Friday Graphic1
Whew! I feel a little lost here this week at Inspiration Friday. We’ve been wrapped up in a whirlwind of graduation activities and family coming and going over the last few weeks! A big thank you to Vanessa, the best sister on the planet, for holding down the fort around here and hosting Inspiration Friday the last few weeks all on her own…betcha didn’t even realize I hadn’t been around…she’s just that good! 😉

We were so proud this week to graduate our son from high school! I say “we” because I have homeschooled him for 10 years so I truly did “graduate” him…and I couldn’t be prouder of the man he has become.

He has already started a college course for the summer and is busy working and saving to buy his first car in a few weeks.  We love you Michael Robert…you are our joy…and a young man after God’s own heart!

I’m glad to be back in the swing of blogging and hanging out with all of you lovely, talented people…and speaking of talented here’s our features from last week! Y’all just make it so hard to choose!

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INSPIRED ROOMS

Kelly from Eclectically Vintage just so perfectly captured the title of her blog when she took us on a tour of her Family Room and Breakfast Nook. It is eclectic…vintage…and beautiful!
Betsy blew us away with her Cottage Country Living Room! She shares so many details, each one perfectly cottage!

MAKEOVERS

The talented Angela from Unexpected Elegance turned an old wooden ironing board into a fantastic sofa table! This gal has so many great ideas and we really hope you will pay her a visit!
A Vintage Fairy shared her Succulents Planter…do you know what it used to be? An $7 plastic umbrella stand!

We’ve been following with Linda from It All Started with Paint as she’s been making over her front porch.  We love the red, black and white!

terracotta_pots_geraniums


CRAFTS and CREATIONS


Have you seen this yet? Carmel from Our Fifth House knocked another one out of the park when she created this incredible Union Jack Pegboard Headboard for her son’s room. We’re pretty sure she is in the running for coolest mom of the year!

Shari from Turnstyle Vogue made these fun Pottery Barn knock off glow jars! Perfect for summer evening. These would be so fun to make with the kiddos!

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Viv from The V Spot always comes up with the cutest and most clever DIY gift ideas and projects.  She didn’t disappoint with this clever wedding or anniversary gift idea!

 How to make a unique, personalized wedding or anniversary gift for less than 20 bucks!

RECIPES and PARTIES

Crepes…good. Cake…good. Vanilla Crepe Cake? Yes please! Doesn’t this look and sound incredible?
We are so glad that Leslie from Goodbye House, Hello Home shared this amazing recipe with us!

Strawberries with Toffee Sauce from Tracey at The Kitchen is My Playground 

and for summer we are introducing a new category…

OUTDOOR LIVING

We’d love to have some of these Brick Herb Markers from Pam of Simple Details are the Difference hanging out in our garden!

We love this old work bench turned potting bench from Heather of Tallgrass Design. It has so many cute details.

 

We adore Lorrie at Finding Secret Treasure’s Aqua Garden! You have got to visit her to see all of the amazing details…we could spend all day there!

 

INSPIRING STORIES


Kristen from Ella Claire shared this two part post on a vintage inspired wedding. So many inspiring details and ideas!

Our friend Kelly of Live, Laugh, Rowe shared a beautiful post on infertility, prayer, hope…and how we must learn to live in God’s perfect timing, even if He says, “Not Quite Yet..”



We were so inspired by Sylvia from Sylvia’s Simple Life’s post “Paddle Your Own Canoe.”  Take a moment to read it and see her exquisite photos…we know you will be inspired too!

We also featured some fabulous Patriotic Posts last week in honor of Memorial Day! Be sure to check them out!

If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the featured at button code located 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!
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! Please pin from the ORIGINAL SOURCE and not our blog…unless it’s one of our own creations, then by all means pin away from here…we won’t mind! 😉
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,
When you are done linking up head over and party with the other Friday Party Friends:


vif187Fridays Unfolded
Photobucket
Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s some instructions for Inspiration Friday
  • 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
And while it’s not a requirement, we’d sure love ya to be following along with us in some capacity! Below are some great options!

Email Updates
Facebook Page
Pinterest


This Inspiration Friday Party is Sponsored By:


Fence


where you’ll find amazing, unique jewelry and gift ideas! 

67 Comments Filed Under: Good Ideas, Inspiration Friday

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Previous Post: « Turning 40 in style…my surprise birthday party!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:11 PM

    Yes, Vanessa did a fine job. Did not know you were missing. What fabulous features and congrats on the graduation. Always makes a parent proud when that day comes.

    Reply
  2. Laura from Top This Top That says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:14 PM

    Congrats on your son’s graduation and your accomplishment as well. Well done!!!

    Reply
  3. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    Beautiful features, ladies! Such a busy time of year for you. Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  4. ~ rooms FOR rent ~ says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:20 PM

    Congratulations!!! Such an exciting time for you guys! Thanks for hosting.. and sharing those gorgeous rooms 🙂 ~Bre

    Reply
  5. SwedishCorner-DownUnder...Pernilla says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:22 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Lovely features 🙂 Congrats on your son’s graduation! Beautiful family photos 🙂
    Greetings from Australia♥
    ~Pernilla

    Reply
  6. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:23 PM

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

    Reply
  7. CAS says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:27 PM

    Wow, birthdays & graduations, you have been very busy , Heather. And yes, Vanessa “rocked” this little ‘ol blog party pretty well in your absence, but welcome back. Looks like a wonderful party & some great features. Thanks for hosting.
    CAS

    Reply
  8. Becca says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:27 PM

    Congratulations on your son’s graduation, Heather! And, thank you so much for hosting … glad I could play this week!

    Reply
  9. suzyq says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:37 PM

    Congratulations! I am so impressed with home schoolers – could never do that!!!
    Many many thanks for hosting
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    Reply
  10. Kelly Rowe says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:39 PM

    Congrats!! Thanks for the feature on my infertility post — and for being such wonderful hostesses 🙂 Love you, ladies!!

    Reply
  11. Vicki Shead says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:40 PM

    Beautiful picks, as always! Congrats to the whole family on your son’ graduation! It’s so fun to watch them become adults!!

    Reply
  12. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:49 PM

    Heather, bet you can’t believe you’re the mom of a high school graduate! lol Welcome back.

    Great features. I will most definitely be stopping by a few. Have a great weekend ladies. And as always, thanks for hosting!!

    ~ Catie

    Reply
  13. Eclectically Vintage says

    May 31, 2012 at 9:08 PM

    Doing my dorky moonwalk – thanks for featuring my family room girls!

    To be in the same company as Betsey Speert – how cool is that!

    And love it all started with paint’s porch and that flag headboard and those solar lights … love it all!
    Kelly

    Reply
  14. Good Time Charlie says

    May 31, 2012 at 9:33 PM

    Huge congratulations to your entire family Heather!!! That is something for all of you to be very proud of. Happy Weekend celebrating!

    Reply
  15. Anne Lorys - Fiona and Twig says

    May 31, 2012 at 9:41 PM

    Sounds like a very busy and blessed week in your life! Congrats all around!

    Big hugs,
    Anne

    Reply
  16. Mary Ellen says

    May 31, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    Congratulations to you son on his graduation and you too! I homeschooled my boys till they were in 8th grade then we sent them to a Christian school as I felt to inept for math and science they needed. Wish I had taken the plunge and schooled them all the way through now.

    Thank you for the party! Linking up my cute cupcakes I made for a friend’s son’s rehearsal dinner.

    bee blessed
    mary

    Reply
  17. Kerry Rossow says

    May 31, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    Congrats to your family! What a proud time!
    Thank you for hosting!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  18. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    May 31, 2012 at 9:57 PM

    Congrats on your son’s graduation! What a special moment! Love the features! Thanks for hosting!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  19. NanaDiana says

    May 31, 2012 at 9:59 PM

    Heather, Congratulations. You are a beautiful family and you don’t look much older than a kid yourself. God bless your son as he moves past this milestone in life. Great features here and I will go visit a few of them. Love to you-xo Diana

    Reply
  20. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    May 31, 2012 at 10:01 PM

    Congrat’s to the grad! Happy 40th as well, loved looking at all the pictures. This weeks features are awesome, nothing to link up but so much for me to look at 🙂
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  21. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says

    May 31, 2012 at 10:05 PM

    Happy 40th and Congrats to the Grad!!! Wow! This is an exciting time for your family…thanks for sharing the excitement with us! XO, Aimee

    Reply
  22. Vivienne @ the V Spot says

    May 31, 2012 at 10:08 PM

    AW!!! Congrats to you and to your graduate! So how does that work for home-schoolers? It looks like you guys get together and have a formal ceremony…? How cool is that!? 🙂
    Thanks for hosting the party and triple thank you for featuring my spoon artwork alongside those great features!

    Reply
  23. reFresh reStyle says

    May 31, 2012 at 10:09 PM

    Congratulations on the graduation! You have a beautiful family 🙂 Thanks for hosting, hope y’all are having a great week!

    Reply
  24. Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says

    May 31, 2012 at 10:11 PM

    Heather- Congrats on your son’s graduation. What a special time! Thanks to both of you for hosting and hope you have a great weekend!

    Reply
  25. Amanda says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:12 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting! Congrats on your son’s graduation! You just don’t look old enough to have a graduate! Great photos of the proud parents and handsome boy!
    Best Wishes and Blessings,
    Amanda

    Reply
  26. Laurel@chippingwithcharm says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:19 PM

    Hi ladies…congratulations to you and your son Heather!! Thanks for hosting 🙂 Laurel

    Reply
  27. Betsy Speert says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:23 PM

    Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    You featured ME!!!!!
    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  28. Debra @ Common Ground says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:32 PM

    Congrats Heather on your milestone!! just linked up, hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

    Reply
  29. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:37 PM

    Heather, I want to commend you for being dedicated enough to homeschool your son. Congratulation on his graduation! I linked up a salad dressing that is so awesome. Off to visit some of your features and linkers.

    Reply
  30. Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:43 PM

    Oh, thank you so much for featuring my Strawberries with Toffee Sauce! Congratulations on your son’s graduation, Heather. Such a wonderful milestone in your lives!
    Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground

    Reply
  31. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:21 AM

    Heather, congratulations to your family! What an exciting time! Thanks so much for hosting this great party each week!

    Reply
  32. Anne says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:24 AM

    Thanks for the party! and congrats to your son!!

    xox

    Reply
  33. Heather says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:43 AM

    Wow! Thanks for featuring my potting bench! I was so surprised to scroll through the beautiful features and then…hey, that’s me!!

    Reply
  34. Little Bit says

    June 1, 2012 at 1:27 AM

    Thank you girls for hosting! congrats to you and your son too! Little Bit

    Reply
  35. Lyuba @ Will Cook For Smiles says

    June 1, 2012 at 1:59 AM

    Thanks for the party, lovely ladies!

    Reply
  36. Anonymous says

    June 1, 2012 at 2:22 AM

    We sure do love that handsome graduate and his parents and sister.

    Proud grandparents,

    Poppa and Nonna

    Reply
    • Linda @ it all started with paint says

      June 1, 2012 at 3:26 AM

      🙂

      (and I’m tearing up again …)

      Reply
  37. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    June 1, 2012 at 2:45 AM

    Thanks for the feature – cool mom – I wish! 😉 Honored to be included with so many awesome projects! Congrats on your boy’s graduation! What a special moment!

    Reply
  38. Debbiedoo's says

    June 1, 2012 at 2:52 AM

    Awesome features! Congrats to your son! What an exciting day indeed. Have a wonderful weekend.

    Reply
  39. Jenny@daysofchalkandchocolate says

    June 1, 2012 at 3:15 AM

    Congratulations to you and your son! He’s off for even bigger things! How exciting! Thanks for hosting again!

    Reply
  40. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    June 1, 2012 at 3:25 AM

    I usually try to bring out the funny but Heather you made me cry with those pictures of you and your two handsome men! Graduation! College! Your baby leaving the nest …

    This annoying menopause has turned my entire life into a Hallmark commercial … because now I’m crying over life moments of my virtual friends …

    And then you feature me. And in the feature you say you’ve been following my progress. And then the waterfalls fall again …

    Thank you so so much. I’m honored. I’m humbled. And now I need to go stand in front of the freezer with the door open …

    🙂

    Linda

    Reply
  41. Kristin @ Simply Klassic Home says

    June 1, 2012 at 3:58 AM

    Thanks for sharing your proud moment with us. I’ve loved seeing all your wonderful celebration photos lately!!

    Amazing features and I’m off to check out all the inspiration!

    Reply
  42. Sylvia says

    June 1, 2012 at 4:17 AM

    Dearest sisters! I am genuinely surprised to see my post featured today-you haven’t wrote a comment to indicate that you read it:)But I am happy, humbled and honored! I am also touched by this wonderful happy family on the picture and this handsome,smart young man! And you, Heather, have every right to be proud. May Michael soar forward…
    Thank you for having me again and I hope your readers enjoy my Provence-inspired table.

    Reply
  43. { Kristen } says

    June 1, 2012 at 4:41 AM

    Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you for featuring me!! How exciting!

    Reply
  44. Jen Lossing says

    June 1, 2012 at 4:41 AM

    Thank you so much for hosting. Congratulations on your son’s graduation!

    Reply
  45. sweet european dreams says

    June 1, 2012 at 5:21 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting! Congratulations on your graduate! -diane

    Reply
  46. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} says

    June 1, 2012 at 5:33 AM

    thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  47. Lynn Richards says

    June 1, 2012 at 5:44 AM

    Holy, Moly, it’s been waaay too long since I have linked up to the fun party!! Thanks, as always, for being such gracious hostesses!
    Heather, there is nothing quite like your child graduating from high school. Such emotions and excitement. Congratulations!!!
    Now, I’m off to spend some fun time gazing at the links…oh, and definitely getting the recipe for the strawberries and toffee sauce..
    xo
    lynn

    Reply
  48. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:51 PM

    Congratulations to your son – and you!! Thanks for hosting girls!

    Reply
  49. Liz - Imageremix says

    June 1, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    Congratulations to your son and to you for raising him up and teaching him well. What a great time of celebration! Thank you so much for sharing so many wonderful inspirations with us and for hosting the party even with all you have going on. It’s much appreciated.
    Liz

    Reply
  50. Calypso In The Country says

    June 1, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    Congrats on the graduation! Have and wonderful weekend and thanks for hosting!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  51. Debbie says

    June 1, 2012 at 11:49 AM

    Congratulations to the graduate and the teacher. Well done! I had also missed your surprise party post. That looked so fun and wonderful. BTW, you have the most awesome taste in clothes. I loved both outfits you were wearing, especially that color you wore for his graduation.

    Great features. I confess that sometimes when I read your features I wonder why in the world I’m ever blogging. Such talented people out there. Really!

    Reply
  52. Our Pinteresting Family says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:02 PM

    Congratulations to you and your son!! Thanks so much for hosting! Enjoy your weekend.

    Reply
  53. Angela says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:19 PM

    Thank you guys SO much for the feature!! And CONGRATS to Heather’s son and Heather for molding what appears to be a fine young man! They truly grow up way too fast. I’m experiencing that right now with my two.
    Hugs,
    Angela

    Reply
  54. Laurel Stephens says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    Congratulations to both you and your son on his high school graduation! Welcome back from your whirlwind couple of weeks, and thanks to you and your sister for hosting your wonderful parties every week. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many terrific features in one place before, and I’m off now to investigate them and do a LOT of pinning.

    Reply
  55. Laura @ cookiecrumbsandsawdust.blogspot says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:32 PM

    Congrats on your son’s graduation! That’s an accomplishment.

    Thanks for hosting!

    I appreciate it,
    Laura

    Reply
  56. Catherine {Stone and Rose} says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:50 PM

    Congratulations to you and your boy! Thank you for hosting and I hope you have a great weekend.

    Reply
  57. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    June 1, 2012 at 1:04 PM

    Congrats to your son… thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  58. Heather says

    June 1, 2012 at 1:15 PM

    Thanks for taking the time to host your linky party again this week – its always fun to link up! Happy 40th Bday, Heather!!! Have a great weekend 🙂 Heather

    Reply
  59. Joy@aVintageGreen says

    June 1, 2012 at 7:26 PM

    Wow – Huge Party. Great features. Thanks for hosting. Congratulations to Son and Family on Graduation.

    Reply
  60. Kristin@ A Vintage Fairy says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:47 PM

    Thanks for the feature. Honored to be featured with all those other talents!

    Reply
  61. twelve-O-eight says

    June 1, 2012 at 9:43 PM

    Vanessa & Heather,

    Heather, I was so encouraged to read of your son graduating from homeschooling. I have a few years ahead of me but wanted to say congrats on your dedication!

    Thank you to you both for hosting such a beautiful party each with with such amazing talent. And the hard work that goes into this. You are a blessing 🙂

    Tanya

    Reply
  62. Andrea says

    June 1, 2012 at 11:07 PM

    You are SO cute, and congrats on the GRAD!! You DO NOT look old enough to have a graduate by the way.
    YOU ARE WELCOME! LOL!!!
    XOXO

    Reply
  63. Chase the Star says

    June 2, 2012 at 5:35 AM

    Congrats to your son! Great job mom!!!! Thanks for hosting!
    XO, Barbara
    https://chase-thestar.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  64. Rob Hunt says

    June 2, 2012 at 7:04 PM

    Congratulations to your family. A milestone. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  65. Meegan says

    June 2, 2012 at 3:52 PM

    What a GREAT week for you Heather!! Congratulations! What a wonderful milestone in your family. I know you are very proud 🙂
    Even though we didn’t know you were gone-we did miss you! Great Job Vanessa!!So glad to have you back Heather.
    Thanks for hosting ans letting me share what I love to do.
    Meegan@whatmeeganmakes

    Reply
  66. malia says

    June 3, 2012 at 11:39 PM

    Congrats! That’s fabulous (-:

    What a great party. LOVE your features esp Eclectically Vintage and the Union Jack headboard…I think the queen needs one for her diamond jubilee! xo

    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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