My new Project-Eastside Garden

Here is a before picture of the eastside of my house. I have been waiting for 2 years to work on this side. The area is very long and narrow, about 5 feet wide and 20 feet deep, on the edge of a 12 foot retaining rock wall. Finally, I have the gutters in place and am ready to tackle the project. It will be bursting into color soon and I will post a beautiful picture of the progress. I love the anticipation of what will become of this barren piece of land. When I think of the garden, I think of what is possible when working with a blank slate. The possibilities are unlimited, just like in life. Awesome! Spring is just around the corner, I can be inspired by the beauty God puts before us, right at our fingertips if we just reach out. Wow, I am feeling deep right now. My spirits are lifted by sunshine and warmth.

Rainforest Pyramid at Moody Gardens

We went to visit Ben this weekend and visited the Moody Gardens Rainforest. It was awesome. It really makes me want to go to the real rainforest one day. I am definately adding that to my to do list.

Ben is doing great, he has a lot of ambition! I am so proud of him.

My new favorite song

Chasing cars by Snow Patrol

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world

I don't quite know how to say how I feel
Those three words are said too much
They're not enough
If I lay here
If I just lay here

Would you lie with me
And just forget the world
Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads
I need your grace to remind me to find my own

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life

All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes
They're all I can see

I don't know where
Confused about how
as well I just know that these things
Will never change for us at all

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just forget the world

Happy Birthday to my Baby Girl

Happy Birthday to BayBay!!
You are a joy to have around.
There is never a dull moment!
Thanks for lighting up the world!
I remember how lucky and blessed I am every time I am with you.
A mom could not ask for any more!

Baylee's Sweet 16 party

Last night Baylee had her sweet 16 party (even though she officially has to wait till the 22nd to be 16). Anyways, she and 7 of her friends went to the Magic Time Machine. Joe Dirt was their waiter and Willy Wonka made a surprise appearance. We also got to see Napoleon Dynamite and Superman. They all had a great time and then came to the house for a sleepover. Girls have such drama!! I so remember being 16. That is scary too! Hahaha!!
I cannot believe my baby girl is going to be 16 this week and driving! UGH! Scary for me.

The long road ahead...upbeat or squashed?

The long road ahead will surely be as beautiful

as this but I just have to find my way there at the moment.

It's a BLUE DAY!!! I find it hard to remain upbeat in life when I am feel like I am being squashed!!! UGH!! I have also found sometimes you may think you want something and are ready to receive it but then you get it and you find yourself totally unprepared. Today I am distraught and confused and mostly just plain hurt. I don't want to feel this way but I can't get out of this terrible funk that I am in. Just last week I was doing awesome. I will find a way out.

Sunshine and 70

Baylee and Roby in the goofy mode!

I was made for this kind of weather. Monday the gutter guys arrived and put up the guttering on the east side of the house. Now I can finally make a side yard by the rock wall. Yesterday I put out about half the top soil and thru out some poppy seeds. It is late for that but I thought I would try anyway and see what happens. I love to experiment in the garden.

Mom and I have been working nonstop at the candle store lately getting some much needed remodeling in. It is looking great. I really need to fill my time up because I find myself drifting to thoughts of April, Kylee and Luke. If I keep busy it makes time pass and I am sure they will be calling soon.

Baylee got a car. She gets her license in 2 weeks. It is a cute little starter car and she is fixing it up. I am so scared to have her on the road without me. I do think that letting the kids drive has been the hardest part about having kids so far. Ugh!!! Danger lurks on those streets. A lot of her friends are choosing the wrong direction (popularity and partying) so she has been left standing a lot lately. I just hope she continues to choose the high road and not give in to the peer pressure of drinking and stuff. Teenagers have it tough, with lots of important life choices to make, one mistake and it could change their whole life, addictions are hard to beat.