Friday, April 27, 2012

Friday Smiles

I have been having a really hard time lately with life in general.
Being a good mom, a good wife, a good friend.

I could be really easy to let depression take over, to give up, to stop caring.
However, I am not going to do that.

James 1:12 charges me to press on.
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

So, every week, I am going to post things that made me smile, that made me think, or just encouraged me to keep going.
 

Anyone who knows me knows I love lighthouses. As soon as I found this picture, I knew I had to have it. 
No matter what, I'm gonna Shine.


The kids are learning to ice skate every Thursday. James looks like an old man with a walker. It is too funny!


The boys had an award ceremony this week in Boy Scouts. I think Josh looks so handsome in his uniform.


This is my current table centerpiece. I went looking for any flowers to brighten up the house, thinking I wouldn't find any. It is the desert after all. Imagine my surprise when I found all of these. 
When you look for beauty, you will find it. Even in the most unlikely places.


What makes you happy this week?

Share with me, I need the encouragement.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

You Capture

I had a good time with You Capture this week. The theme is Sunshine.
There are so many ways to capture sunshine.

Here are my interpretations.


Sunflare on my baby. I think I will frame this picture.




Silhouettes at the Great Salt Lake. This is an archive shot, I think it's appropriate.



These are my wind chimes and bird feeder's shadows from this morning's sunrise. I love the warmth of it.


Photobucket

Sunday, April 22, 2012

SHS

It;s time to join Ashley for Scavenger Hunt Sunday.





 
 
Ashley lost her grandmother this week, so I want to send out my best wishes to her and her entire family. If you get the chance this week, say a prayer for them. 
 
 
Here are my interpretations of the challenge this week.
 
 
Yellow
 

  I had these yellow daisies in mind for Yellow this week, then when I was making dinner yesterday, I loved how the Colby Jack cheese looked, so I am using both. :)
 


Something that made me smile
 
 My youngest son brought home a seed to grow this week. He promptly flanked it with soldiers to make sure no one touched it. I smile every time I see it.
 

Ancient or Antique
 
 My husband and I found this lamp at an antique store last summer and he insisted on getting it. He loves the 30's style of it. 
 

Splash
 
 Here is my oldest boy splashing around in Rocky Mountain national Park. Look at all that greenery. 
 

In the sun
 
 Our dog loves being in the sun. Pretty much anytime that is where we will find her. She however, does not like having her picture taken. It took me several tries to get this one.



Saturday, April 21, 2012

Things that make me happy

This week has been kinda rough for me with the kids, the army, just life in general.
And since my hubby is going to be in the field for the next six weeks, it looks like I'm in in for the long haul.

So, I decided to work on being happy.
These things made me happy this week.



I made PW's iced coffee this week.
I may or may not have had a huge dollop of whipped cream on top.
And I may or may not have had 4 of them this week.



 James planted seeds at school and brought it home.
After he put it in the sun to grow, he flanked it with Army men to guard it.



I bought a new floor mat for my kitchen and I adore it.
The color, the texture, the way it makes me want to stand on it and wash dishes everyday.
Well, maybe not, but I still love it.



One of my favorite thrift store finds of all time.
This globe is all shimmery and pretty and perfect.




And I finally broke down and got a Scentsy warmer. I found this one at another thrift store for next to nothing in comparison to how much they cost originally. 
I got four scents to go with it. These two are my favorite right now.
Weathered Leather smells like baseball to me, so it is currently the one burning in my house.


What's making you happy this week?



Monday, April 16, 2012

Field Trip

I started homeschooling my oldest a few months ago because of some issues with his school.

I was a little afraid of it, wondering how he was going to handle the changes, but he seems to be doing well, both with the schoolwork and with his attitude.
And we are getting a lot of stuff done.

I guess he just needed some one on one time with mom.
And I am good with that.


Last week, we joined another home school mom and her kiddos for a field trip to the Archeology Museum in El Paso.
Before heading into the museum, we decided to have a picnic lunch and walk the trails.

Springtime in the desert really isn't all bad.

I always say I bloom where God plants me, but it's awfully hard to bloom in the desert.
I think I'm going to have to revise that statement after seeing all the cacti and flowers blooming.

The poppies were everywhere. I loved seeing the pop of color over the brown desert.

Look at those wicked sharp needles. Isn't it cool how God makes something so beautiful out of something so harsh?

This was my absolute favorite. It looks like feathers growing out of the cactus. So cool!




After playing around in the teepee and wikiup, we headed into the museum.







I love that a lot of the stuff was hands on. I think the kids learn better when they can interact with the lessons. The kids had a good time. And they learned a lot.
So did I.


Now, excuse me while I go and plan more field trips.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

SHS

I am going to be honest with you. This week was so busy I didn't take a lot of pictures during the week.
All the photos from the Scavenger Hunt this week were taking in about 5 minutes.

I think I did pretty well with stuff around the house.


Simple

 I think my Dianthus flowers are simply gorgeous.


Grain

 Brown rice is a staple around my house. It's has a bad rap, but I think it's awesome.


Transportation

 This is my son's current favorite hot wheels. Don't you wish they would make real cars this cool?


Stitch

 I did this cross stitch a couple of years ago, but it is still my favorite. The colors are fantastic.


Bubbles

 I had a hard time getting a good bubble picture until I was ready to start dinner. Then it was right there in front of me. Score!


Join me for Scavenger Hunt Sunday.





Next week's pictures:

  1. Yellow
  2. Something that makes or made you smile
  3. Ancient or Antique
  4. Splash
  5. In the Sun

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

You Capture Easter/Pastels

I adore Spring. The warmth, the newness, the flowers, the greenery. Well, not around these parts so much. But I hear about it in other, more verdant places.
Someday...

But for now, I will just enjoy where God has placed us. And look for the goodness in the desert.

Some of that goodness is in the form of our church. We found it pretty quickly after we arrived here in El Paso and I am so very thankful for it.
I always say it's the people that make a church special and this one is no exception. Don't get me wrong, I love the messages and being able to serve others. But, I absolutely adore the friendships we have made in our wonderful little church.


We celebrated Easter Sunday with an awesome message, a delicious potluck dinner, and an amusing egg hunt.
It is funny to see the kids hunting eggs on gravel and a playground because we don't have any grass or real tress to hide the eggs properly.


But the kids had fun, nonetheless.




After church, we searched for a place to go and let the kids hang out and hunt eggs again.
We found one of the only green spots in the town I think.





The boys were so thrilled with the soft grass, they wanted to play in it all day.
Or at least take a nap.



I can't say I blame them.
When you find grass around here, it's best to take advantage of it.





And since I am linking up with You Capture this week for Easter/Pastel here are a couple of Pastel shots, too.




Come over and join us next week at You Capture.





Photobucket

The theme will be Chocolate.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Scavenger Hunt Sunday



I really wanted to do something different with this weeks pictures in the scavenger hunt.
I hope you like them.

New

 I had a hard time with this one until my husband brought this little guy over while the kiddos were hunting eggs. He looks brand new to me.


Life

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."


Fragrant

 This is my current favorite perfume. Pretty soon, I am going to have to get another one.


Pink

 My daughter's Easter basket. She says she is not too old to hunt eggs. Who am I to argue. I say let them be little as long as they can. Kids grow up too quickly these days anyway.


Obvious

 Isn't it obvious how incredibly blessed I am?




Come on over to Ashley's site and join in the fun next week.





The assignment next week:

  1. Simple
  2. Grain
  3. Transportation
  4. Stitch
  5. Bubble(s)