(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

 "Revenge Of The Nerds"

Always Remember

There is an old story that has been passed around for many years about Dogwoods and the crucifixion of Jesus. Many people enjoy sharing it especially around Easter when these beautiful tress are in full bloom. As I was looking through my pictures I took last week I came across some of Tiffany's Dogwood she has in her front yard. I can't help but to share them and this old legend with you as well :)

The story goes that when Jesus was awaiting crucifixion and when the crosses were being made the trees begged God to spare them, but the Dogwood begged not for it's life but for the life of Jesus. Despite it's cries, the Roman soldiers picked the Dogwood. The Dogwood pleaded with God to use another wood but God did not intervene.  The Dogwood would now contribute to the crucifixion of Jesus and the Dogwood knew that for all eternity that's what it would be known for.

 In that time Dogwoods were tall straight trees that provided sturdy timber for homes and vessels, safety for the animals, bowls for food, and utensils to cook with. But because God could feel the distress of the tree He told the Dogwood that the burden it was carrying would be carried only once, and from that time on it would be a knarly small tree with poor timber size so no Dogwood could be used as a cross again. God told the Dogwood that instead it would now be responsible for eternity to help people remember that Jesus died for our sins.

The Dogwood would only bloom for a very short time before and after the date of the crucifixion. The flower would have just 4 petals, two short and two long, representing the cross. It would also be marked with a hole and stained pink to remind us of the blood that was shed for us, and the center of the flower would be a raised circle to represent the crown of thorns. To this day, the only purpose the Dogwood trees have served is to help us to never forget the love that God has for us and the ultimate sacrifice He gave.

You Might Be A Redneck

If you have blow up jumpys the size of your front yard for a playground

 And your idea of a "crafting station" happens to be your front porch

 Yup, we are those people

It's A Brother-Sister Kinda Thing

I think every girl at some point in her life has that one friend who is a boy that she feels especially close too, can always count on, and play with for hours on end with out having to worry about your girly attitudes conflicting because he's...well...boy. Mine growing up was Jordan. Unfortunately I did move to Georgia at a young age so we did lose touch, but I have very few childhood memories that don't involve him. And no matter how many times both of our parents made the comment that it would be sooo sweet if we were to grow up and get married, our relationship was always more of that of a sibling.

Wednesday I packed up both of my munchkins and headed over to watch the Pope kiddos. While I sat there and watched Josie and Luke play I couldn't help but get that same feel from them. They have been friends pretty much since day one, and no matter how many times they fight, disagree, or just plain out don't get along, they are always just as close if not closer in the end. And its days like those that I know they will be forever friends

Where Do You Go From Here?

Growing up I always considered myself lucky to not have lost anyone close to me. I didn't know what it felt like to have to say goodbye to a loved one, grieve over something lost, or console others who were going through the same situation. Of course I knew that I would have to face those things one day but for the time being I counted my blessings and thought of my life as an exception.

That was until I had to wait anxiously in an ultra sound room while a doctor tried to find my baby's heartbeat that was no longer there, the summer of 2008 when I had to stand by and watch my mother's heart break into pieces over the loss of her father, and the evening last June when I received a phone call that sent my world spinning out of control and brought me to my knees on a sidewalk in the middle of the city. It wasn't until those moments that I knew the feeling of my breath escaping me, or the sudden emptiness that replaces the spot that that person once filled.

Since those experiences I have realized that I am not an exception. My family is not an exception. And although it has helped me to hang on to every moment with them I can't deny that constant thought of what's going to happen next? What bugs me even more is the fact that it comes up the most when things seem to be going right. Because we all know we can't have everything and when we finally do find some kind of balance in life tragedy can't be too far behind.

To say that I hated feeling this way would be an understatement. I realize death is a part of life so why couldn't I except it instead of constantly worrying about a future that I have no control over. I use to think I was crazy for thinking this way until a certain sister-wive assured me that I was not the only one. I don't know how Amber and I got on the topic during our late night chat but we did. And just about the time I was sure she was going to refer me to a looney doctor she confessed she felt the same way too. Which got me thinking. Is this feeling just a part of losing someone or do some people actually move on with their lives with out a care in the world? I would like to say that my wounds are still fresh and that in time they will heal, but can I make that promise to myself? Will things ever really go back to the way they were before?

Call Off The Search Parties!

I am alive and well. A little tired from having both of the kids at home all week but I guess that's something I'm going to have to get use to since we will be starting our homeschooling journey in a mere four months. Luke was on spring break this week and since I don't get to spend as much time with him as I would like I made sure that our week was jammed pack with lots of fun stuff. I am pretty sure that one blog post won't hold all the pictures that this crazy momma took this week so we will just start with our picnic at the park we had Monday. Which by the way happens to be on my Eight For Eight so we can go ahead and put a pretty little check by that one :)

The real reason we like play dates at the park.

 

 

You Know You Wanna

Order your very own Mattie Fran Design necklace!!!

Summer is right around the corner and what better way to fancy up those tanks and t's than with something custom made just for you!!!

PLUS!!!

I have a  Sweet summer deal going on right now so head on over and check it out!

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