ahhhh........spring..........

Don't you just love spring?! Little green things start popping out of the ground--in some cases they are red......it really doesn't matter the color. The renewal of life somehow gives us energy to do more and hope for the future. The sunshine fills us with warmth and again........the hope......... There is a promise of beautiful things yet to come. I have been worrying over my lilac bush. You know, the lilac "season" is just way too short! I would like it to be longer, or somehow have the bushes bloom three or four times a year. Wouldn't that be great??? So when the weather forecast showed temperatures in the 20s last week, I began to worry. All my big boys, (none of whom were around) told me I could throw a tarp over it! Right! I just hoped..........and probably said a few prayers in my heart. I couldn't quite bring myself to formally ask for a little bubble over my lilac bush. Thankfully, the temperature never got as low as all the forecasters said it would get.........and it appears to have happened again last night!

Here is my lilac bush yesterday..........you can't see the cold wind......gale force.......


here it is this morning........along with some other shots around our yard........





Thankfully........the bleeding hearts are tougher than they look! Ahhhhhh, spring..........with her capricious nature and all her whimsy..........you have to love her!!! Have a great day!!!

...my three daughters

I am honored to be the mother of three beautiful daughters.......and they happen to all have April birthdays! You might imagine that I've been thinking about them a lot this month........

Lisa was the first to brave the world created by six older brothers. One of those brothers even threatened "this house is not big enough for me and a girl!!!" Then when she was born, he rode his bicycle to the hospital a couple of times to see us. He would come talk to me for a bit, then go out in the hall to look at his little sister through the nursery window.......come back to me.....then back to look at her. I could tell he was pleased. Another brother rode his bicycle home from elementary school that day, saw the sign Grandma had put on the front of the house proclaiming, "It's a girl!", (these were the days before routine ultrasounds) turned around immediately and rode right back to the school and burst in on a faculty meeting to announce that he had a baby sister! Everyone was excited for us! And then we all proceeded to "spoil" her. Though there were a few tense moments--(after all, she is normal), I believe she turned out to be a lovely young woman......intelligent, poised, gentle, kind, adventurous, creative, loyal, a hard worker, with music in her voice and fingers.......I could go on, but I'm sure you get the idea. No. She is not perfect. But that's okay. She'll get there. As beautiful on the inside as the outside, I am so thankful she is my daughter! I love you, Lisa.

Two years later we were expecting Suzanne......of course, we didn't know it was Suzanne--no ultrasound, remember? She was due the week Roger and his dad had to go to Needles to make the nucs. The doctor would not start labor to ensure Roger could be here.......he went to Needles. Two days later at 6:00 a.m. I called Grandma Steve. She came over to take me to the hospital. Then she returned home to get the boys up and off to school. Marsha, a good friend and wonderful nurse sat with me throughout labor and was there to welcome Suzanne into the world. We love Marsha still! Grandma called the school to have them tell the boys--they were enduring excited anticipation! The principal watched one of her brothers "skip down the hall" after learning of her birth. Since Roger was not here, Anne brought her video camera to the hospital when Grandma brought the boys and Lisa. Suzanne is the only one with a video--and it's treasured. It didn't take long for us to learn about Suzanne........with her cute, little off-set dimples that showed up when she smiled (and grew out of way too quickly). She is fiercely loyal and compassionate when someone is hurt. She has been called "a sweetheart" by every teacher (church or school) and school worker (lunch ladies, custodians) who knows her. She is gentle and patient.....her patience is an example to all of us. She loves deeply--wanting her family to be near where she knows they are safe. She is such a blessing to our family and beautiful throughout. I love you, Suzanne.

Another two years (didn't we plan well??) and we were anticipating another "little" arrival. This time there were no doctors in our little town who would deliver babies! We had to go "up north". I had a group of doctors I had gone to previously with a couple of the boys, so we returned to them. This time a condition was discovered that required an ultrasound--my first one!! We debated about knowing whether this one would be a boy or girl....knowing won out and we were delighted! Then, one day in April when I went for a check-up, the doctor was afraid to let me go home for fear I would not make it to the hospital in time if I started labor at home. Thankfully, I had listened and obeyed so I had a packed bag with me. Michelle was born that afternoon. How thankful I am for her safe arrival!--to have been entrusted with another of Father's precious daughters--she too has grown into a lovely young woman--gaining confidence in herself, sharing her talents for cooking, color, decorating, flower arranging and music. She is gentle, loving and kind......beautiful clear through. I am blessed to call her "daughter". I love you, Michelle

...a beginning

Since deciding to do this I have been through a whole gamut of feelings and emotions..........at first, I thought I would have to be careful of the feeling of having to "catch up" and wanting to post about everything! And there have been so many things, just in the past couple of days that I thought "Oh!! I need to add this to my blog!" (don't know if they will all make it, but I've had a few really good days here) Then I went through the worry of sounding silly and not having the time I thought it might take to get it just right so I would avoid sounding silly! So........here I am..........and it's just going to have to be what it is..........thank you, Candi, for your kind words. I have thought of this as a way for me to focus more on the blessings and joys I do have rather than the challenges. I hope you will bear with me and that there is an outside chance that something I say may have a positive impact in your life.

Now........with that said........here I go...........

This spring we have had the fun of starting our own seeds. With Michael's know-how and Richard's money we have a pretty neat little "greenhouse" in the heat room of our warehouse. Richard has a good deal of know-how too.......but it's been a collaborative effort and FUN!!! Richard first started geraniums and impatiens at his apartment in Salt Lake City. When it was time to transplant them, he brought them home and prepared the enviroment at the warehouse. We also planted more seeds: zinnias, wave petunias, bacopa (I'm not sure about the spelling there), coleus and onions. We have since planted peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, broccoli and spinach.......and more
zinnias. (The zinnias are because I wanted them........I love zinnias!) We've had our successes and our minor failures and setbacks. But on the whole, it has been most enjoyable!!! I even have a couple of my patio pots planted!!!

the general set-up........Richard built the benches and sprinkling system

from back to front: impatiens, petunias, broccoli, spinach

the geraniums and lettuce that needs to be transplanted (to the left)

these are onions and peppers that I transplanted the other day

One other thing...........

I was able to take Suzanne outside day before yesterday. It was a beautiful, warm day. She sat outside with me while I did a little work in the flower bed. She loves being outside. I'm so thankful for this new chair. It reclines and has leg supports and is so easy to push. You can see that she is enjoying the spring sunshine and warmth.............

EEek!!!! I'm starting something new!!!

My cousin, Nancy, has inspired me! I have come to know her better over the past year because of her blog. And I'm thankful. So I thought I'd give it a shot.........I'm not making any promises, and my life is pretty crazy right now. But I'm learning that nearly everyone feels that their life is CRAZY!!! Let me just say that we'll see......... This will be an adventure. I'm excited to see where it goes........