Spring is here!

Since Shane had a few days off this week, we decided to get our spring planting done! We spent most of Monday (while Austin was at preschool), & nap time on Tues-Wed getting everything finished! First we pulled out some grasses in our front flower beds that had just gotten out of control! We both has really sore backs the next day from that....

Shane was responsible for picking out flowers for the flower beds in front (to fill in where we'd removed the grasses), and I took on the potted plants on the porch & baskets in the back. Here are the results:

Getting ready to start with the plants purchased on Monday


Hanging plant in back- loved the colors! We bought this one already done.


Planter basket in back- designed this one ourselves & I'm really happy with how it turned out!


New plants on the back fence along with the bird feeder (which the cats LOVE)


Front porch plants to left of door- lily, lobelia, & petunia (had to replace the middle pot- still needs to be weathered to match)


Hosta to the right of the front door & next to bench


Geraniums at front of porch entryway


Herbs on the back porch- two kinds of basil, chives, oregano, & rosemary! Love cooking with fresh herbs.


Front flower bed (before mulching)


Front of the house- ignore the topiaries at the entry- they need to be trimmed after they finish blooming!

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Front porch (to left of front door)- lily, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">lobelia</span>, & petunia

We just finished mulching the front yard, so we are official finished! I never knew I could be so sore from planting flowers...

Quick trip to Victoria

This past Monday we received word that Shane's Grandpa Lumpkins passed away. He's been quite sick since around Christmas, and we knew this was coming soon... but it was still terribly difficult to say goodbye to such a wonderful man. This was Shane's first grandparent to lose as well.

So on Tuesday we packed up and headed to Victoria for the funeral & to visit Shane's parents for a few days. We had planned on going to visit them next week, so Shane just moved his vacation time around and we stayed a few extra days. We were supposed to stay through the weekend, but Austin did not sleep well while we were there. We've never had problems with him going to sleep in the crib at Gran & Papa Gary's... but this time was quite different. Not only would he cry anytime we put him in the crib, but he was terrified (to the extent of shaking.) We have decided he was afraid we were going to leave him- probably due to my recent trip to CT. Needless to say, none of us got more than 5-6 hrs of sleep each night because a queen bed in entirely too small for 2 adults and a rowdy toddler (plus the fact that none of us are used to it because Austin NEVER sleeps with us at home.) After our 3rd sleepless night & days of no naps, we decided it was time to head home & get back into our normal routine. So we headed home on Friday afternoon. Now that we're home, I'm looking forward to the next 5 days (Shane has off most of next week)- getting lots done around the house & taking Austin to the zoo on Wednesday.

Family pic before heading to the funeral (Shane had his tie loose & shirt unbuttoned because it was REALLY hot that day.)


Papa Gary, Austin, & Gran


Another interesting thing about the trip- Austin was terrified of the roosters at Gran & Papa Gary's house (which has never been the case before.) Hopefully this stage goes by very quickly.....

Swinging with Daddy (in his pjs)


Putting on his shoes


Going for a walk with Papa Gary


Wild flowers at the farm


Fun on our walk

Preschool pics

Austin's preschool did pictures earlier this month, so I thought I'd post them!

Class picture- I'm not surprised at Austin's less-than-thrilled expression, but am shocked that they got every child at least looking at the camera (one little girl was absent that day). Austin loves preschool now (especially Miss Tammy & Miss Misty!)


Individual pic- yes, that is a little smirk :)

Living Passionately

A guy that I grew up going to church with in St. Louis, Andy, posted a video on facebook that really inspired me. He made the video for a series they were doing at church. If you are facebook friends with me, please go watch it on my wall- it will be a blessing to your day. If you are not on facebook- you need to be!

So the overall concept is that we need to live life passionately. He talks about how his dad always said "everyday is a holiday, and every night is a Friday night"- isn't that true? I seem to get so overwhelmed with my day to day living that I forget to look at the big picture. We never know when our time will come to an end, & I don't want to live with the "someday syndrome". Another thing that touched me was his comment that living passionately isn't about living reckless, but with God awareness & intentionality of the time God has given you.

In the video Andy & his wife go skydiving & the music in the background is one of my favorite songs by Nickelback, "If Today Was Your Last Day"- the lyrics:

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?
What if, what if, if today was your last day?

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?


Feeling inspired by it all, I got my list of "50 things to do before I die". Here is a sampling of my list- I won't share everything because it's somewhat personal.

*Take a hot air balloon ride
*Learn to ballroom dance
*Be debt free
*Kiss in the rain
*Start my own business
*Go skydiving
*Swim with dolphins
*Ride a gondola in Venice
*Fast for an important cause
*Sleep overnight on the beach
*Conquer a fear
*Volunteer & become a mentor for someone
*Visit all 50 states & 7 continents
*Fly in a helicopter
*Have a vegetable garden
*Learn a foreign language
*Don't be afraid of dying
*Drive State Route 1 down the California coast in a convertible

I realized that I've only completed 11 things on my list of 50.....time to go live like today is someday!!

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter this year! The festivities began on Saturday night with Easter service at church. We tried to get a few pictures before we left the house, but like all of our attempted photo shoots- unsuccessful. I don't think it's just his age, but the fact that he is such a busy body & will not look at the camera (much less smile.) So if we get a good shot it's pure luck or because we have bribed him with something. After church we went to dinner with friends at La Hacienda Ranch.. our favorite place for Mexican food!!

Gratuitous fake smile


Mommy showing Austin the flowers






Taking a break from running on the driveway


Our Easter morning started off with Austin letting us sleep in until 9am- whoo hoo! We ate a quick pancake breakfast before heading to the Grapevine Botanical Gardens! Again, the pictures were not an easy task, and there were lots of bribes with Easter candy hidden in eggs. I think we ended up with some good shots though (okay, there are a lot- sorry!)

Botanical Gardens


Playing in the fountain


Hunting for easter eggs


Looking for candy (AKA- bribes)


Happy with his findings


Big boy- 2 years old


Watching the fish




Running (did this 85% of the time- which explains why I'm so tired)


Whoo hoo- more candy!




Beautiful gardens


Walking with Daddy


Getting tired of the camera


He's not sure what he's supposed to be doing....


Watching kids


An empty egg... what??





Loved the tulips




Grab an egg & run


One of my favorites


On the way home~


We headed home and ate a yummy lunch of roast, potatoes, carrots, onions, green beans, & rolls! I will admit it was one of the best roasts I've ever made- I'm convinced it's due to my new crock pot (got it from my parents for Christmas!) Austin went down for a nap while Shane & I got a few things done around the house! After nap time, Austin got to check out his Easter baskets. He had one from the Easter bunny & one from Papa Jim & Gigi! (we were in a rush this morning, hence the afternoon unveiling of the baskets.)

Basket from the easter bunny


And from Papa Jim & Gigi


Checking out the marshmallow bunny


Not sure about the grass...


Getting serious about the candy~ (funny bunny ears, huh?)


Playing with stickers from Gigi


I also made these cute easter rice krispie treats for Austin because he doesn't like cupcakes these days- I thought they turned out adorable (and were super easy to make.)


Happy Easter blog friends!!!

Big red bow

I wear this bow to keep my hair back when I'm washing my face- and Austin thinks it's the funniest thing ever (yes, he's probably right.) Anyway, recently he likes for me to put it on him... his daddy doesn't like it so much though. Funny pictures nonetheless~


I especially love it with his shirt that day