My "babies"

Fourth of July Tomatoes  

Sweet 100 Tomatoes  

Strawberries

Here are some pictures of my new obsession!  The strawberry plant IS actually there, in the right hand corner.  I know it's kind of lame to be so excited about some tiny little sprouts, but I NEED something to nurture and take care of!  Two more tomato plants have sprouts coming up and I have planted some herbs today (sweet basil, curled parsley, thyme, chives, and cilantro).  I'm so excited!! :)

Productive-ness-a-licious

Today was a wonderfully productive day! But the best part was that it was productive and not stressful in the least! I woke up at 7:15-ish and went outside to the balcony to catch up on some of my Bible reading (I was on February 5th...ooops!). Then in the next 5 hours, I planted tomatoes and strawberries; made potato salad; cooked and cut a tri-tip; cleaned the kitchen, dining room and living room; read more Bible; swept and vacuumed the balcony, and finished off another few little things. WHAT A GREAT DAY!!!

To celebrate life in general, and beautiful faux-spring weather in particular, we walked over to Coldstone and got a Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip Gotta Have It!! We subbed the choc chips for Oreos and it was deeeelish! Then when we got home, I finished my dad's birthday present (a notebook full of geocaches).

What a splendiferous day!

Guess what time it is?

It's Friday night, 9:58, and it's time to get started on a new project...oh that's right, I FINISHED my blanket!!!!!!! Life is gooooooood :-D

I'm writing it down

There has been research done that says people who write their goals down are much more likely to accomplish those goals.

SO, this is the week that I will finish this dang stamped cross-stitch blanket that I started in April-ish of 2007. I bought it to make for Avery, so I want to finish it and put it in a box with a scrapbook for her. Of course, it won't have any pictures of her, but we'll put in pictures of the flowers that were sent, receipt for pregnancy test, journal entries that I wrote, etc. So that's one of the many projects I hope to start once this blanket is done!

Alright, back to cross-stitching :-D

My little "secret"

I have only shared this blog with, hmm, maybe 2 people?! It is really nice, because I have been using it more as a journal, and to look back at what I've done because I have such a terrible memory! I don't have to worry about offending, boring, watching my words, etc. It is just for me, and I love it!

On my mind...

Here are some random things that I've been kind of mulling over...

1. I always thought that people who want to take care of the Earth were weird, new age-y people who didn't really have a good reason to believe what they do. But recently, I have been really convicted of how I treat this beautiful planet. Even if we don't necessarily go as far as "environmental extremists," we have a responsibility.

"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'" Genesis 1:26, New International Version

"God spoke: 'Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature, so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.'" Genesis 1:26, The Message

...Doesn't that say that we need to be taking care of the Earth simply because it's one of the things we were CREATED to do?! It should just be in our nature to do so. But maybe I'm way off. Any thoughts?

2. I have been wondering what I am supposed to DO with my life. Right now I am babysitting. I am 26 years old, have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology (and spent a ridiculous amount of money to get that!), and I am babysitting for about $5.50 an hour (2 kids). I also occasionally babysit my very sweet little cousin. I keep praying that God would show me something that I am good at, something that I can do that is "meaningful." Today it hit me when I was driving home...maybe that IS what I am good at. Maybe I'm babysitting and taking care of people's children because that is what I am good at, and it is meaningful. It is huge for people to know that when they can't be with their kids, there is someone who loves them to pieces and will do everything in their power to keep them safe and happy. I am so glad that I can be that person for some people. I absolutely ADORE all of the kids in my life. Darwin, Alex, Isaac, Emery, Dakota, Ethan, Ainsley, and Audrey, just to name a few, have been such big blessings in my life. Thank you Lord that I am good at loving them and being one of their biggest fans.

3. I am still SO needing to create something, but SO at a loss of where to start. Very frustrating. I actually am almost to the point of being stressed out by the fact that I have all of this "creative energy" inside of me, but no way to get it out! So, I am "stuck" with making scarves! Luckily, Michaels had a FABULOUS sale on yarn and I got a few really cool skeins that were normally $6.99 or $8.99 for $2 a piece!!! Woo hoo!!

4. I love my husband. God has blessed me beyond anything I could have ever imagined.

That's all for now :)

WOO HOO!!!

I'm outta here for a bit...COLORADO, HERE WE COME!!!!!!!

So excited. :-D