All things grow with love (I hope)

I have been wanting a garden for a few years. We did some container gardening with a little success, but I wanted a real garden. So last week I started talking to D. and doing some research. Then we stopped by our friends' house and he started talking about his garden. Well, I think it got D. going. On Sunday I had to help with a 5k race here in town. D. said he would till a plot for a garden while I was gone. This is what he used to plow our garden.

No handplowing here! This thing is huge. He uses it on his job sites. It's still in our backyard. Isn't that hilarious? I had a small plot in mind, maybe 8'x8'. Just a small garden to start. When I came home, this is what I saw - in our backyard!

I about fell over! It's huge! But, I was so excited because D. was into this project, so off to Lowe's we went to buy seeds. We came home and planted corn, tomatoes, broccoli, okra, chives, turnips, carrots, yellow squash, cantaloupes, watermelons, green beans, and of course, sunflowers. (I had to grow some of those if we were going to have a garden!) We still need to stake it off. That's going to happen later this week.

I have also been doing my containers for the summer. I love when everything gets growing and it's so lush and colorful. We always have hummingbirds that visit my flowers when it gets warm and I love to watch them. One already visited the other morning and I just sat and watched it zip around. I did my front bed with impatiens and red caladiums because it doesn't get much sun there at all. This is my usual combo for that bed and it is gorgeous when the impatiens spread out.

Then I did my hanging baskets a little different this year. I have been looking at different color combos and plant combos so I got a little braver with my picks. I used white new guinea impatiens, some burgundy spiky thing (I'm sure that's their scientific name), burgundy sweet potato vine and variegated vinca. I think they are going to be really neat when it all gets growing.

And then I did begonias and more spiky things.

I also found these beautiful geraniums called Martha Washington geraniums. They have beautiful multi-colored blooms, and the leaves are kind of jagged. Spiky, almost. I have a big pot of them on our back patio.

I have several more things to plant in our front yard, but that will be tomorrow or Thursday. I've also been wanting a few chickens for fresh eggs, but so far D. hasn't built a coop. Keep saying your prayers though. He isn't buying into the chicken coop yet. This is the kind of coop I think would be so fun! We'll keep thinking about it. I'll keep you posted when things start sprouting in the garden!

Scrap stuff

I promised a few new things a while ago. Here are my creations I did for my stint as the April guest designer for Vintage Plum. If you haven't checked them out yet, you should. They are a great new kit and a really fun site.

We're in the middle of a great weekend. I'll update you more later!

Crocs and creations!

Yesterday we spent part of our day in Commerce with Jill and Jameson in Commerce. We had such a good time - We were at Chick-Fil-A for almost 2 hours! We promised them we'd go home by bedtime, so we left, but it was a fun afternoon.

I had to get both of the kiddos some new shoes, so we got Aubrey new church shoes and also found out that Mallory was finally measuring a 4! This might not seem like a big deal, but most children wear a 4 somewhere around age 1. She has the tiniest feet. I got her some new Keds for the summer, but I had to get her some Crocs (I have wanted to forever, but she's been too small for them!). Aubrey pretty much lives in his, especially in the summer. So we went to Davis Bros. and they had the most precious little pink Crocs you've ever seen! They just happened to match the outfit she had on perfectly, so she got to wear them home. Our fashion maven is just beginning!

Aubrey and I got to enjoy the beautiful weather we are having by spending the rest of our afternoon outside. We got out the sidewalk chalk and went to town. Aubrey amazes me with his drawings. He has really blossomed in this area this year. He loves to draw pictures, and now you can really tell what they are! Unfortunately it rained last night after dinner, so our pictures aren't there anymore, but they were for a little while and I got pics.

On the Aubrey front, he has been keeping us in stitches with his imagination. This boy has got one for sure. Yesterday as we were going into Commerce, I said, "Aubrey, look at that big pillar of smoke!" (He loves to look at big fires and figure out what is happening) He said, "That must be where the meteor crashed. That looks just like meteor smoke." I just about cracked up. Then on the way home he was telling me about a sound he hears when he makes the turn in our driveway on his four wheeler. He said he was pretty sure we have a Yeti living in our backyard. I told him they only lived in the cold weather areas and noone really knows if they exist, and he told me that it had moved. He said the sound could be a Yeti or the "wind whistling over the mountain" (we live on a hill), but he's "pretty sure" that it's a Yeti. That boy is so silly, but just as serious as he could be! Anyway, he keeps us entertained.

I will post some layouts tomorrow I promise. The kid stories are just more fun right now!

Recent happenings

Warning! Picture Heavy post!

I am late with these pics because I left my camera at the Higgins' house on Sunday. So, proceed with caution! Lots of preciousness ahead!

We went to Goats on the Roof last week over Spring Break. It's a local store that has goats on the roofs of the buildings. There are feeding stations where you can work the contraptions that feed the goats. They also have chickens and bunnies. We went with cousins Hayden and Haley and Golly (Grandma Sally). The kids loved it!

Aubrey had to work hard to get the can down the ramp! You have to pedal the bike to get the can of food up to the goats.

Mallory loved the animals. She couldn't get enough of them!
Here is another way you can feed the goats. You pull the pulley across to the other building.
That night Hayden spent the night so we had a fun day of Easter crafting and cooking!

Dyeing eggs with Hayden!

We also cut out and decorated Easter eggs. Mallory didn't get much decorating done because her icing kept disappearing!

Easter was a beautiful day and a special time of worship at church. Our Easter cross is one of my favorite traditions at church. We all bring flowers to decorate the church Easter morning. It's beautiful!

We went to the Georgia Tech spring game on Saturday. We met Amy, Keith, Hayden and Haley there. It was a beautiful day and it was so fun just being outside watching the Jackets. We are looking forward to football season for sure now!

Lots going on lately! I've even gotten some scrapping in, so I'll post pics of those things in a couple of days. We're loving spring and looking forward to possibly seeing the Lanes and sweet baby Les this weekend!

He Lives!

He Lives! He Lives!
Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way!
He lives! He lives!
Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart!

I can't think about Easter without singing this song. I hope Jesus lives within your heart today too. We had a wonderful Easter morning at church. I'll post pics of our fun day tomorrow!
Happy Easter!

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

Here is one of my favorite hymns that is so perfect for today - Good Friday. I don't ever want to take for granted what our God did to save me. It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!


How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulder
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts no power no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Sweet Baby Les

Sweet baby Les is home and doing so well. Leah and Chris (and all of us) have been so blessed by all of your prayers. He is eating well with a special bottle and having great diapers. He is doing all of the things you would want for any newborn. Jay got to go to the hospital and see him and just wanted to hold him and kiss him. He is going to be a wonderful big brother. So, here are a few pictures I took in the hospital on Monday when he was just about an hour old! I'll post more when Leah sends them. Love to you all!

Happy Birthday, Les!

Yesterday was such a special day for our family. Not only was it my mom and dad's 35th wedding anniversary, but it was the birth day of our newest family member, Lester "Les" Wilson Lane. (Lester is my dad's real name, so Les is his namesake - very special for my dad)

It was an emotional time for everyone. Last Wednesday, Leah went in for a final check-up before her induction on Monday and had one last ultrasound. The ultrasound showed that Les had a cleft lip/palate. Leah and Chris were shocked, but responded with such grace and faith that it inspired the rest of us. They knew that God has a reason for everything and this was part of His plan for little Les.

My parents and I caravaned down to Columbus yesterday morning. I was so worried that Les would be born before I could get there. But, he didn't, and we were able to spend some time with Leah and Chris before she was ready to deliver. Leah was pretty even in the delivery room. She had her hair and make-up done just like usual. I loved watching the monitors and telling Les to come out and meet us.

At about 4pm, the nurse said Leah was ready and Les' heartrate had dropped. They got everything ready and Leah only had to push for about 5 minutes. We were amazed that the dr. said Les is truly a miracle baby because the cord was in a complete knot. This is why his heartrate dropped so low when he was ready to deliver, and the dr. said he really shouldn't be alive. All babies are miracles, but Les is an extra-special little guy. He is probably going to need several surgeries, so keep the Lane family in your prayers. He is so precious. He has the cutest little apples for cheeks and the most precious little pointy chin like his daddy. He has peach fuzz hair and bright little eyes. I only got to hold him for a little while because I had to share him and then I had to come home. I am so thankful I got to be there for his birth though. God is so faithful and His sovereignty is hard to grasp sometimes. I believe His hand is on Les and He has something special for that little guy. Of course, He does for all of us if we only let Him. I haven't asked Leah if I can post pics of him yet, but when I do I'll get them on here. I can't wait to get down there to see him and the Lane's again! Thank you for all of the prayers for the Leah, Chris and baby Les yesterday. I know they could feel them. I'll keep you all posted!

Woo Hoo!

Check this out! ME! You won't believe it! I am so excited and have wanted to tell everyone, but I couldn't until now! Woo Hoo!

Mysterious ways

The Lord works in mysterious ways for sure! As I'm sure most of you who know me know, I constantly struggle with the weight/food issue that so many of us do. Well, this morning I was going to splurge and have a donut. I had promised Aubrey some for breakfast this morning because he was wonderful at the grocery store. (yes, I know that's bribery, but sometimes it's what gets us through the day) Anyway, this morning I got my donut out, sat it on the counter and went to make my bed while my coffee brewed. When I came back, it had disappeared. It seems that our dog Callie had jumped up and taken it off the counter. I just had to laugh as the Lord was obviously telling me to have my Fiber One banana nut muffin instead of a donut. So I did, but I got a good chuckle out of it. I thought you would get a kick out of it too.

Keep my sister Leah in your prayers - looks like I'm going to be an aunt again any day! I'm so excited to meet baby Les, I can hardly stand it.

Here are a couple of layouts I did for the Vintage Plum kit. I am loving being a part of their community. I'll have more to share in a week or so.