Lights in my Life

We have such a wonderul deck, and we want to use it a lot. It is great to eat or sit outside, watch the trees or deer or bunnies or girls. In addition to getting a table and chairs, an umbrella, and me making some patio couches (a work in progress... I have one made, one cut out, wood for two more, out of a total of six of the modular seats planned), we wanted some better ambiance lighting. There is a light near the sliding door, but it leaves more in shadow than illuminated. Also, since there are stairs, I wanted those lit better.

At first we tried rope light from Lowes. It was clunky, thick, hung down, and left gaps where we had to connect ropes together. We took them back. We definitely wanted LED lights (less expensive to operate, don't burn out as quickly). And then we found flexible LED lights. 

They are perfect! We aren't sure that the sticky adhesive will last, so we might be getting more brackets to hold up the lights, but I LOVE how it looks! And it lights up the stairs too. 

Travis also found little lanterns that are solar powered that we hung as well. These give almost no illumination, but they are fun. 

The light sensors are a little different between the two different lights. The flexible lighting comes on first, but we have it on a timer so it shuts off after 2 hours (or can adjust it for as long as dusk-dawn). The solar lantern lights stay on longer as they just run off the solar-charged battery. I don't know how long they stay on (yet!)

Oh, and Travis planted some of the pots we decorated for FHE with flowers he bought for center pieces for the Mother's Day dessert we had during the third hour of church today; all the sisters were relieved of their responsibilities and gathered to enjoy desserts provided by the men in our ward. Such a wonderful time to just enjoy sisterhood and womanhood and motherhood! (sans kids :) ).

A beautiful weekend, and my Mother's Day was the perfect strawberry on top of the best ice cream sundae. Breakfast in bed (whole wheat toast, eggs with salsa), sweet cards, a painted trinket box, foot soak salts, paper flowers in a paper vase, and this amazing sign the four girls made last night (They all slept in the same room together so they could work on it.)

I will have to post some of the individual letters as they have little messages and pictures on each page. I think this was my favorite gift!

Travis did a million little things- deck lights, flowers, the break at church, helping with dinner, painting with the girls, playing card games, and so many other things that he does let me know how much he loves and appreciates me.

I am also thankful for the Mothers in my life. 

My own mom who was and still is an incredible role model. She never doubted I could do or be anything, and she always worked hard to provide me with many opportunities. She also instilled a love of learning, exploring and traveling (I got sand in my shoes!), and working to have fun. She continues to help me know I am doing good, being good, and getting better, and that there are no limits for me in my righteous desires. 

I am thankful for my Mother-in-law. She is a great example to me, she raised wonderul children, and she is someone I admire, trust. I value her careful advice, and know she is a fountain of knowledge (upon which I draw frequently).

I am thankful for my grandmothers who raised amazing daughters, who nurtured wonderful grandchildren. Who laughed, and taught, and loved us.

I am thankful for my aunts- who have been second moms for me, always there- and especially at major cross-roads in my life. 

To my friends, those who are mothers, those who had to wait years (decade(s)?) to have children. For their examples of love, patience, discipline, seeking God's help in raising His children, and for showing me how to listen, follow the promptings of the spirit, and how to be a little better mother each day.

And I am thankful for my sisters-in-law who are also amazing examples, and are there for my daughters as my aunts were there for me.

And to the other women who are second mothers to my daughters- those of you who are neighbors, ward members, teachers, friends, family. Thank you for being there and helping my girls see strong, beautiful women, and reinforcing the same thing they hear from me so much they tune me out, but with you it is as an epiphany! I admire and appreciate you, too.

A blessed Mother's Day to all you wonderful Daughters of God, you mothers who nurture and sacrifice and love... Be it your children, mine, or others. I love you. I see you and value you. And I thank you, you who are lights in my life.

Burst of Blooms (Finally!)

We were waiting and waiting for spring. The end of March brought a foot of snow over an ice storm, April was cold and blustery. Finally, in May we got our garden raised bed fixed up, our bulbs from our wonderful neighbors, the Hall's, bloomed, and I couldn't stand not having color, so implanted the hanging baskets... And we were so happy!

Our backyard showing where we plopped the raised bed.

We planted lettuce and spinach plants , and put in some spinach seeds.

I will have to include a picture of our garden now, cuz it looks so different! But we were really happy with these little plants, and we loved fixing salads with greens we grew!

One day in May, despite the clouds, it was 80°! The girls got on their new suits and played in the water (sprinkler).

See those beautiful hyacinths? Daffodils? Those are from the Hall's!

As I was planting the hanging baskets and looking at the beautiful bulb flowers that had finally emerged, I thought continually of the Halls who always had such a beautiful yard, and who planted beautiful flowers in a planter box on their front porch. 

The neighborhood girls all got their suits on and they ran around, laughing, screeching, playing, and having a great time. We were ready for summer! 

So, although we are sad to no longer have the Hall's across the street, we are grateful and glad we have such great friends in our new neighborhood.

(That's Nica with her head in the sprinkler!)