Received this handmade wonder in the mail today. =)

Isn't that amazing! My girl Melissa has quite the talented hands. Brought cheer (and a bit of wonder) to my Friday. Have a lovely weekend friends.

If I was to book any trip this Spring, there would be, hands down, no contest where'd I go. Did you know this year is the 100th anniversary of when Japan gave the US 3,000 cherry blossom trees? The event has turned into a big ado and they are already well into week two of the five week spectacular. I would love to walk under the cascading trees. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

I have never been to Washington D.C. but when I do go it'll be in the spring so I can see these amazing blossoms. I would also visit Abe, Michele (I hear she greets guests from time to time), and George's monument, view the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, put my hand on The Wall, and (as an ode to the blossoms) book the Hanakasumi Cherry Blossom Treatment at the Mandarin Oriental Spa. =)

"It is good to give praises to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening." Psalm 92: 1,2

Baby Update - Just about halfway here! Unbelievable. Permanent teeth buds are developing this week along with an outer layer of skin. Crazy isn't it? Thank you Lord for this little guy that is already a blessing to me and so many.

It was a remarkably unexpected weekend. Snapshots from some of it.

Sometimes all you need is a willing $20.

Met this precious one, just a few days old. I'm so lucky.

"In hindsight, it was totally worth it." - me. Yup, I said it.

A rainy Sunday afternoon.

And a reminder of the promise for tomorrow.

My Aunty Lori noted that I was one blessed girl. I totally am. Praises to Jesus for all good things!

Around these parts it's a bit gloomy today. But all week I've been excited for the coming peony. It's my favorite flower and only blooms for a short time during spring. Just the thought of them brings a smile to my face.

 

My mom called and declared she's coming to visit. =) I can't wait! Someone to play with, have a few good conversations, someone to walk with, read with, shop (of course), and eat all kinds of good things. So thankful.

All in a Day

I ventured out beyond my normal walk route and was delightfully assaulted with the fresh scent of citrus. The orange trees on a farm nearby were in full bloom. I stopped and breathed deeply. The smell was wonderful. 

 I was so tempted to just pick one off the tree, or take one from the ground, but didn't. 

Instead, I mustered up the courage to go in close to take a picture and feel the oranges. 

When I was little we lived in a house owned by the church. It was directly behind the church and next to an alley so it wasn't the most ideal place to live. We had bars on all the windows and during our time there had a few break-in's to the garage (One time I lost my beloved pink bike.).

But I didn't know any better when we were young and loved that house. There were two bedrooms + a tiny little space that barely managed a twin bed. That space was my bedroom and I would love opening my window during the summer to smell the fruit.

My run in with the orange trees took me back to those wonderful days.

Yesterday my friend Dawn lost her grandma. She was 95 year old! But of course it always hurts to lose someone you love, no matter the age. Fittingly our couples devotional last night talked about dealing with grief in marriage. It's a little scary thinking the two of us will experience a lot of grief together. But this is what the book said, "A Christian family will suffer as much grief as any other family. Loss will hurt them just as deeply. The difference is, a Christian's grief is always tempered by hope. The loved one is still gone, but we have the hope of meeting again in heaven and experiencing permanent joy."

While we walked.

Monday