Remembering...

Have a wonderful, safe Memorial Day weekend...

We Are Thankful For Our Hands

I have arguably the best calling in the whole church. I get to teach the Sunbeams (3-year-olds). They are so darling and I love how I get to teach the very basics of the gospel...it helps me to remember the many blessings I have been given. Take for example: last week we were thankful for our hands. Something we rarely think about...but try picking a penny off the ground with no thumbs!! And because it was so close to Mother's Day (on Mother's Day Sunday, the guys took our classes) I took painted handprints on muslin of all my Sunbeams, added their names and age with Doodlebug rub-ons, framed them in a simple, inexpensive black frames and added a homespun ribbon and this poem:

Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small,
And always leave my fingerprints
on furniture and walls.

But everyday I grow a bit
And soon I'll be so tall,
That all those little fingerprints
Will be hard to recall.

So here's a special handprint
So that you can say,
This is how my fingers looked
When I placed them here today.

I am thankful for my hands...and my Sunbeams!!

The Lilac City

They call Spokane "The Lilac City" for good reason. They are everywhere. And beginning to bloom.



This lovely tree in actually in our backyard. We moved in too late to enjoy them last year, so we are absolutely enthralled this year with the color and scent of lilacs. Our tree is special...it had both white and purple flowers in bloom.


A cute boy with flowers? Be still my heart.

Patriotic Toes

I finally have my trusty SLR back today after its second two week stint in camera rehab since January. And I must admit that it is a pleasure to take photos again!!

And what better to take a photo of than the fun project that Anna and I did this afternoon! We bought a couple of pairs of white flip-flops (Old Navy has 'em for $1 off and on all summer) and then tied a bunch of red, white and blue ribbons all over the thong part of the sandal. Anna did one of hers all by herself and was so proud! We can't wait to wear them (with pride) on the 4th of July. And to the air show. And on Memorial Day...

I think these would be a darling idea for visiting teaching gifts for July...

Off to run, fold laundry and watch Castle...have a good evening!!

Can A Black Thumb Turn Green?

Anybody who knows me knows my not-so-stellar track record with plants/flowers/vegetables. Tony is the gardener in our family and is always extremely successful. But I've vowed to do better this year. Tony did some work on the lawn this past weekend and made a rock border for our trees and plants in the front of the house. He also made a cute little planter right by the front steps. Where everyone who came to my door could see that it was empty. And mock me for my black thumb. So I spent a morning earlier this week planting pansies and alyssum (hopefully forgiving varieties) and they are doing great so far. So far.

But the greater success story is my little spice caddy. Okay, I admit that I only decided to plant spices because I loved this little caddy and I thought it would be cuter than cute to have it full of spice plants. And it certainly is cute. And after 3 weeks, all spices are still alive and thriving.

I can hear your applause through my computer. I'll keep you updated.

Happy Mother's Day!

I have the best job in the world...being a mother to these three little(ish) miracles.

To Mom and to Joan...thank you for the examples that you are to me.

May Flower Visiting Teaching Gifts

If April showers bring May flowers, I thought that a flower might just be the perfect gift idea for our ladies this month. I used this tutorial (by the friend of a friend) and made up four burlap flower pins...three for our ladies and an extra just for me!

This is the quote I used:

"Of all the wonderful things in the wonderful universe of God, nothing seems more surprising than the planting of a seed in the blank earth and the result thereof."

--Julie Moir Messervy

Here's to Spring!!

Teacher Appreciation Week

I've been seeing all the darling gift ideas out there (like here, here and here) for Teacher Appreciation Week. In the end, it all came down to quick and convenient for me this year (Macintosh Apple Yankee Candle and homemade tag), but I was happy with the way they turned out. We're so lucky that the kids have such wonderful teachers this year...it was fun to let them know how much we appreciate them and the work they do!

I'll be back tomorrow with May's visiting teaching gift...and boy, are they CUTE!!

Happy 14th to US!

It was so nice that Tony made it home in time for us to celebrate our 14th anniversary together. Last night we celebrated with an awesome dinner at a fabulous restaurant by the Spokane Falls, under a full rainbow, and just before dessert, the guy whips out a little.black.box.


It's absolutely gorgeous...just a bit too small. We'll be getting it sized this week and then I'm never going to take it off. Ever.

No you can't try it on. And no, I won't trade husbands with you either.

I love you, Tony. Here's to many, many more.