vibrant & beautiful

I love it when this tree is in full bloom. 

Its color is amazing to look at.

One sunny morning, this is what I saw and I was in amazed.

Recently, Battle Creek experienced a tornado and our city was hit pretty hard, although nothing like in Joplin or Springfield.

This tree was hit and a couple of others. It was pulled halfway out of the ground and my husband is trying to save it. He pulled it back with his truck and  put stakes down to hold it in place. I've noticed it is on a slight angle again. 

We'll keep working with it. 

Our power was out for 5 days... yes 5. It wasn't easy, but with the help of friends, we did it! 

Lamentations 3:22-23

New International Version (NIV)

 22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness.

I'm so thankful for God's wonderful mercy. Have a great Sunday!

'Thursday Thirteen'

What’s the Thursday 13?
The Thursday 13 is a weekly meme with a simple theme: each Thursday you blog a list of 13 things. What kind of things? Any kind! Just come up with a list theme and run with it. One week you may list “13 things on my mind” and maybe the next week you’d list “my top 13 favorite movies”.  Back in early 2007, Janet came up with the idea of going through the alphabet;  “13 Things I Love that begin with the letter A”, etc.  That gives you 26 weeks of ideas! Each new 13 will be posted at approximately 8PM EST every Wednesday evening.

Visit here to join this meme.

My list : 13 Things I am looking forward to this summer:

1. Our friends from England coming to visit for 2 weeks at the end of July. Phil, Jane, Amy, and Megan will be flying over on July 29th. We are taking a few day trips in Michigan and  will be relaxing by the pool just taking it easy. After that we'll be heading out west to Yellowstone followed by the Grand Canyon. (Not looking forward to all the driving!) On the way, our family plans on seeing Mount Rushmore and the Little House on the Prairie museum among other places. I can't wait to see the Savage family!! 

2. Pool Dayz: Every Tuesday I open my pool to friends from 10 - 3. Last year we had perfect weather just about every week soaking in the sun, swimming, eating together, and just connecting. 

3. Paint projects. Yes, I said paint projects. I love finding things at garage sales and Goodwill and fixing them up. 

4. Going to garage sales.

5. Having some of my family from New Jersey come for a weekend visit in just 2 weeks. I can't wait. A few of our cousins from Indiana will be coming up to join us.

6. Taking it easy and not doing school.

7. Enjoying barbecues as a family. My husband grills some mean food.  

8. Reading on the front porch and having quiet time with the Lord on my back deck.

9. Going to South Haven for beach days.

10. Spending time with my girlfriends.

11. Cooking and baking with the kids. 

12. Playing volleyball out front.

13. Going for walks after dinner with my groom.

How 'bout you? What are you looking forward to this summer?

new kid on the block

Charlie is our new addition!

We went to Indiana to my nephew Will's open house and came home with a puppy.

My brother-in-law, Tim, sure knows how to get rid of a litter of 8 puppies! It's as though the open house was for them because everyone couldn't keep their paws off of those pups. There was always someone holding them and people kept crowding around their pen. 

My cousin, Jill, who is married to Tim, and Tim's my husband's brother, (Go figure that one out)*, had been praying that our family would take one. 

He is just as cute as can be, but he sure has a ton of energy first thing in the morning. 

If you have any puppy training tips, I'd love to hear them. 

In the meantime, have a wonderful day. 

*A couple of cousins are married to brothers. :-)