Summing Up March

I absolutely cannot believe March is over. I looked at the calendar this morning after I got a reminder call for my hair appointment and it verified that today is in fact March 31st. What a fast month! We did get our fair share of fun out of it, though, starting with The Deuce's first Pinewood Derby! Now I'm not sure if the PWD is big in your parts but in ours, it is. Mostly because there's candy involved. {Forget the trophies. My chaps are motivated by SUGAR!} But it's also a big deal because the dads get to flex their muscles and break out the spray paint it provides what we think is a tempered environment to learn about sportsmanship, as there is ample opportunity to experience losing. Which is exactly what we have here...a big ol' fat helping of last place. Don't feel too bad for him though. Right after this, his name was randomly drawn as the winner of a King Size Crunch Bar. Aber's thoughts post candy, "Race? What race?!"

This month, A&B also got to go on a long promised ride in GG and Grandpa James' convertible. Since they were going around the block, we allowed them to ride without their carseats which might have been even more exciting than the fact that the top was down. While the picture is terrible, I love everything about it. It perfectly magnifies my big boys right now. I think the cowboy boots on Ben just might be my favorite part. To me, they summarize the life of a three year old boy. As for the look on his face, no, he's not throwing a fit or choking. He's on the verge of a sneeze attack because his momma made him look into the sun all for the sake of a lousy picture. Ever had that happen? Itstheworst.

The garden is also coming along nicely. The fence is up and is already worth it's weight in gold. Do I even need to try and explain to you how much all three boys want inside to romp and stomp and DIG?!

And even though we're still promised at least one more frost in the coming weeks,I just cannot resist those open doors in the garden section at Lowe's and all the lovely containers overflowing with bright blooms. I've started slow, planting only in the things that can come in with the threat of cold, but boy-o-boy does it make me happy to see flowers popping up around the yard...

"Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." Psalm 33:8-9

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Demo Detail-Backyard Style

Our small container garden is on it's way out...

...to make room for something bigger.

MUCH bigger.

And when it's all done, we're gonna have a party. 

And I know just who to invite!

Just a Few...

...of the things that made me smile this week. Hope they do the same for you! 

Imaginations and brother play fast at work!

Sly grins from the littlest.

Sheer delight from a growing garden.

The lone boy who finished all of his dinner. And who gladly enjoyed his reward long after the table was cleared and supper was cleaned up.

Rest while the children nap.

Strips and squares of fabric ready for sewing.

Spring lit sky and buds on bare branches.

Sew Very Happy

This past weekend, Jeremy rallied the troops while my sis, sis-in-law, and I headed out on a quilting retreat in hope of completing a quilt for the ALS Association. 

A weekend away, all the snacks we could eat, time with my sisters, and non-stop sewing=bliss! 

This was our stash. In.Our.Room. Like I said plenty of snacks...

Courtney learning the delicate lesson of, "As ye sew, sew shall ye rip!"

 Don't worry though, we found a great frustration fixer: Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. I think I was guilty of sewing a few crooked seams just for the excuse to indulge a couple more times :)

 Two days and approximately 964 peanut butter cups later, our finished quilts!

And here is our whole group who collectively made 30 quilts to donate in honor of our late sister, Karen!

One Thousand Gifts

21-40 of my 1000 gifts...
The older teaching the younger {Titus 2}
Sunday lunch at Dion's
Emailing a friend 
The anticipation of an upcoming vacation
Take out on a tired night
Vacuum lines
Handmade mugs filled with hot tea
Sand inside even the littlest's shoes
Friendships, new and old, that are woven deep
Spring coming through an open window
A Suburban filled with carseats and the reflection of my niece in the rear view mirror
Louie and Ella while reading a book on couch
The hum of a washer and dryer within the walls of my home
Time away with my sis
Towels folded straight 
New books
Sewing
A glass of wine after children are tucked in tight 
A hug and I miss you
Tiny green sprouts pushing up through dirt

Wordless Wednesday: Boredom Buster