Last year during the summer, I decided that our house needed some changes. So I painted the walls in almost every room, even put down new carpet in some rooms.

This summer, I decided that we needed to spruce up the outside. When Grandma was alive, she had flowers everywhere in the yard. I wasn't usually able to help with any kind of gardening because of my allergies. When I was able to help, Grandma always told me that I had a brown thumb and she didn't want me to help. haha She had such a green thumb that it was ridiculous. I'll try to find some pictures of her flower garden to post sometime.

Anyway, this year I redid Grandma's flower garden. Here are pictures from when it was all first planted.

The hanging basket was SO pretty I couldn't resist it! I also spruced up the front porch with some new furniture! Well, I picked it out & Mom paid for it.

These flowers are in a "separator". It was originally used to separate cream from the milk after the cows were milked here on at our family's farm. My mom has many fond memories of those days!

These pansies are in Grandma's iron kettle.  She used this for making apple butter and stew, rendering lard and boiling water for laundry. Yep, my family's country alright. My mom can even remember Grandma using this kettle in her childhood.

This is Grandma's clematis around the wagon wheel. And yes, I just found out the wagon was actually used by my grandparents. I didn't realize they lived that long ago, but apparently they really did use a horse and wagon.

Yep, it's official. You can call us "Little White House on the Prairie".

Beautiful Spring Day!!

Wow! Have you been outside at all today? I pray that wherever you are, it was just as gorgeous as it was at my house! I never used to really love or appreciate springtime. I have allergies, so the onset of spring usually means onset of allergies. Fortunately, they haven't acted up yet!

As I was driving to town today, I realized that I hadn't really experienced spring for a while. In 2006, I was living in China -- no real season changes there. Last year, 2007, Mom was fighting for her life - chemo, surgery, etc. So I am more than ready for spring time this year!!

Plus, I am praising God for allowing people to have wisdom and intelligence to make medicines! Over a week ago, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. They're thinking I've most likely had it for at least 10 years, I've just had the bad symptoms for a year. Anyway, they put me on this new drug, Lyrica. (If you watch any TV, you've probably seen the ad.) It's taken a little while for my brain to not be woozy and we're still trying to get the right dosage. But, let me tell you something! I was more active in 12 hours today than I have been for probably the last 3 months altogether. I cleaned the house, like spring cleaning type. I went for a walk/jog....I know, me jogging haha I baked cupcakes for church dinner on Sunday....I had to make the cake mix from scratch because I had apparently used the last box for Chelle's birthday. I went to town to do a little shopping, stopped by and took Mom flowers at work. I know these sound like things most people do everyday, but I honestly haven't felt well enough to be that active for a long time!

While I was walking today, I kept looking toward the sky, knowing I was ravishing Jesus' heart by glancing at Him. But I also realized how much He ravishes my heart in the little things as well as the big. Everything was green, beautiful, fresh. And I felt pretty good. Oh, how I love my Jesus...and I know He loved me first!!