Turkeys, Trilliums, and Tulips

It was a great spring day, so we got out and enjoyed it. We tried to go to the woods, but didn't get far. Things are much different here in Kootenai county, compared to Bonner county. We can't just run to the mountains when we want to because they are a little further away, so we decided to buy a permit to access a paper companies land which is over by us, but once we got to the area, we found out it's all closed to vehicles (except motorcycles and ATV's) until June, so we were a little bummed because we really wanted to go to the mountains today. Oh well! We still had a good time. We saw two tom turkeys and Thane tried to call them in, just for the fun of it because they were on private property, but they ran the other way. There was a hen turkey on the other side of the road, and she actually came towards us when Thane was calling. We did see some beautiful trilliums along the road, along with lots of skunk cabbage in bloom. The trilliums are beautiful! It was nice to just get out for a bit, even if we didn't get far up the mountain roads. We drove along Twin Lakes and up above Rathdrum where we took in a view of the valley below. It sure is changing! It's not all big fields like it used to be, but is now sprinkled with housing developments across the prairie.

Once we got home, I decided to enjoy my tulips some. I planted 100 tulip bulbs last Fall, but only have a few that are blooming, and others that will be later on, but they are beautiful! What a wonderful day!!

The earth laughs in flowers. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Brenda!!

On Sunday, my dearest friend celebrates her birthday, so I just want to wish her a wonderful day, full of love, which I know it will be as she will have her family all home to celebrate with her.
Thank you for listening, your advice, your prayers, the precious time we get together, sharing in both laughter and tears, good times and not so good times. Thank you for being my accountability partner, which is not an easy job!! I appreciate you so much and I am so blessed to have you as a friend.

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

A friend is one who strengthens you with prayers, blesses you with love and encourages you with hope.

The next time a sunset steals your breath away,

Or the beauty of God's creation leaves you speechless,

stay that way. Don't say anything, and listen

as God whispers in your ear

Do you like it? I did this just for you.

Take a good look at God's wonders-they will take your breath away. Psalm 66:5 The Message

This is Your Life

I am only one; but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do. ~Helen Keller

How many times do we think that our efforts are insignificant? How many times do we think someone else will do it, or if I don't do it, no one will notice. But, if we don't step up and do what we are called to do and ignore that voice within us, then we are missing out on the blessings we will receive from not doing, serving where were are called. God gives us each only so many days on this earth to serve Him, to live a life worthy of what He put us on this earth to accomplish. We need to use each moment wisely and not waste our lives. Each of us touches the world we are in and our corner of the world is affected by the choices we make, whether you decide to jump in and get your feet wet, or stand on the side lines observing as others participate in life. We all have 24 hours in each day. If we use them to serve God and love others, our lives will be complete and we will have true contentment when the day is done. If we think someone else will do the task before us, it will never get done.

Yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead Yesterday is a promise that you’ve broken Don’t close your eyes, don’t close your eyes This is your life and today is all you’ve got now Yeah, and today is all you’ll ever have Don’t close your eyes Don’t close your eyes This is your life, are you who you want to be This is your life, are you who you want to be This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be When the world was younger and you had everything to lose Yesterday is a kid in the corner Yesterday is dead and over This is your life, are you who you want to be This is your life, are you who you want to be This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be When the world was younger and you had everything to lose This is your life are you who you want to be This is your life are you who you want to be-Lyrics from Switchfoot's song This Is Your Life

If your life isn't everything you want it to be, you dreamed it would be? What are you waiting for? Don't wait any longer. If there's something you want to accomplish, start now and don't waste another day. Your corner of the world is waiting to see you shine!

1 Peter 4:10 Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.

Ephesians 6:7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

Thankful

Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do...but how much love we put in that action. Mother Teresa

I am fortunate to have been raised in a home where my parents loved each other, and still do. They have been married for almost 42 years and have shown us how to live a legacy of love. They have put their love into action. They have worked together in life as husband and wife, as parents, grandparents, business partners, spiritual partners, friends, and they are an inspiration to me. We spent the weekend with them and it was a great time, even with the plumbing mishaps! Dad and Thane tackled plumbing the newly remodeled bedroom/bathroom. They finally won, but it took awhile. It built a memory, dad! My parents have shown us how to love and how to get through the good times and the bad times together. They have shown us how to put God first and make him the center of our lives. They instilled in us the value of hard work, honesty, and integrity. They showed us that if you say you are going to do something, follow through and be a person of your word. They have taught us how to laugh and love, and get through life no matter what it hands us. I appreciate that they haven't just told us, but they have taught us through example by the life they have lived. Thanks mom and dad, we love you!

Saturday Smile

Just wanted to share our Easter family picture. We did take a couple nice ones, but this is a more typical family picture for us.

Enjoy the day. Find joy wherever you go and whatever you do.

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 The Message

The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. -Victor Hugo

Time Together

I love spending time with my husband. It seems life gets too busy sometimes and we forget to take time for us, but we have been working on it. Our latest addiction has helped us to spend intentional time together-geocaching! We went in search of two caches on Wednesday night. We had a great time and arrived at one cache, overlooking Post Falls, just as the sun was beginning to set. We stayed for about twenty minutes looking at all the beautiful wild flowers, rock formations, trees, and watching one of the most gorgeous sunsets I have ever seen. The sky was saturated in golds, oranges, pinks, purples, reds, and blues. It was amazing. God really blessed our night. As we left, it appeared the sunset was almost over, so we packed up our camera and backpack and headed back into town. Much to our surprise, about a mile down the windy road the sunset became even more brilliant and the colors more vibrant. Fortunately, we were driving west and then north, so we could enjoy it all the way home. What a wonderful night!

Romans 1:20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

I Did It

After thinking about this for some time, I decided to take the plunge and give it a try. I look forward to joining the blogging world and seeing where it takes me.