Evening stroll through the park

After dinner with a friend and dessert at Krispy Kreme we migrated to the park for a (chilly) night time stroll and conversation. P.S. We learned that a plain hot doughnut right before it's covered in glaze is amazingly yummy. I encourage you to try it sometime soon.   

Bee Pollen & A Sweet Life

This morning I took a nutrition class via youtube - learning the benefits of bee pollen. We started taking these little colorful balls of pollen on Saturday - starting out with 2 pellets and doubling that amount with each dose. As of this morning, we're up to 64 pellets, with a tablespoon being the goal. We are hoping that this will be a remedy for Tony's seasonal allergies. And at the same time we're getting all the extra benefits of minerals, amino acids, protein, sustained energy, endurance, stress relief, enhanced immunity, etc. Very interesting study!! While researching, I came across a video of a lady that is living with cancer. This served as a great reminder of how sweet LIFE truly is. In it she said... 

"How do you live your life with the knowledge of cancer [death]?"
"We're all gonna die .. but how many of us truly live?"

"Life is too sweet to be bitter."

Shortly after watching this, I wrote the following in my journal: Everyone is dying... how are you going to live your life? Oh, may I not take my life for granted - my health, my family, my amazing husband. Oh what precious treasures - great gifts from God! May I live my life to the fullest - having lots of fun, rejoicing in the goodness of God all the time - the ever present goodness of God. May I not let circumstances steal my joy, for my joy should ultimately rest in Jesus. These circumstances of life: traffic jams, lack of sleep, family drama, never-ending laundry, sickness, prosperity, health, anxiety, ________ fill in the blank. They're not god. So when those things are challenged - put into my life - may I not respond as if my "god" is dying. For King Jesus is very much ALIVE! He knows all and works everything for good. For His glory. His ways are always good. ... We are to stand firm in the Lord. May I rejoice always and be gratefully prayerful about everything.

Matthew Henry said "All our joy must terminate in God; and our thoughts of God must be delightful thoughts... Observe, It is our duty and privilege to rejoice in God, and to rejoice in him always; at all times, in all conditions; even when we suffer for him, or are afflicted by him. We must not think the worse of him or of his ways for the hardships we meet with in his service. There is enough in God to furnish us with matter of joy in the worst circumstance on earth... Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say Rejoice. Joy in God is a duty of great consequence in the Christian life; and Christians need to be again and again called to it. If good men have not a continual feast, it is their own fault."

Our weekend

Twenty-eight years ago, my beloved husband was born. Oh how I thank God for that day and all the days after. That he was watched over throughout the years and given a heart that treasures Jesus. I love Tony beyond words and he is truly my bestest friend! Happy birthday, Tony!!!

Saturday morning, we woke up bright and early and joined my parents for a treasure hunt at several yard sales. One thing I found was the book "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" for $2 and I've nearly read half of it already. I'm very much enjoying the markings of the previous owner and am adding some of my own. I got some good deals and had lots of fun! My parents treated us to a yummy breakfast at IHOP. Then we made our way to the plant sale (where all plants were on sale for $1). We were greatly disappointed that most of the plants were already sold and we walked out of there empty handed. :( We just know to arrive super early next year.

Later that afternoon we went to Tony's parents house for his birthday celebration. We enjoyed yummy food fresh off the grill and catching up with family. Then came time for dessert. His mom makes the coolest cakes!! That is a bobble-head fisherman - the red hair and hat reminded her of Tony. :) The neices and nephews sang him happy birthday and then he blew out his two candles. 28 were available, but Tony didn't think it was necessary.

Sunday we came directly home after church, ate lunch, and accomplished some things around the house. Then we read this article together and decided to run at the Cliffs for nearly an hour. The weather was lovely and everything was so green! That evening we went to my parents house to eat leftover birthday cake and play Six Cubes. Nice family time.

My little garden is growing nicely. This past week I planted herbs, tomatoes, eggplants, jalapenos, little peppers, cucumbers, more lettuce, pretty flowers, and aloe vera. God is watering it right now with rain. :) 

Almost half way

It is so weird to think that it's already the middle of April. It happened so fast! And I have Big news!! Today marks 86 months + 1 day of Tony & Shayna!! I have an amazing husband and I am so grateful to God for him! We have so much fun together! This past Saturday we had a special date night ~ we dressed up real nice and ventured to Raleigh to eat at P.F. Changs for the first time. We waited nearly two hours, but it was no big deal. The restaurant is actually connected to Crab Tree Mall, so we were able to walk around the mall for an hour, and then we played this fun strategy game together on my iPod. :) The food was great and we had a wonderful time sitting across from one another talking about lots of different things. Fun memories!!

Yesterday was pretty average - Tony went to work. I did a lot of yard work and caught up on some house cleaning. Then last night we invited James & Tinna over and we had homemade pizza and garlic knots! Yay for spur of the moment hospitality.

As everyone knows, last week was Easter! Which means lots of family time. After church we joined Tony's family for a egg hunt and fresh of the grill hamburgers, hotdogs, and lots of yummy sides. Oh, and desserts. We hid nearly 300 eggs for the kiddos to find. That evening we went to my families house for roasted chicken and veggies among other sides and a made.by.Mom lemon pie. Brittany recently got a new camera, which has been designated as the "family-picture-taking-camera!" So we had lots of fun with the feature that takes 10 shots in a row. I'm glad we can all be silly together.

Matthew also turned 24 years old on Easter ..... crazy! Seriously, I can't believe how quickly we seem to grow-up. We celebrated on Easter-Eve (yes, I just made that up) with a cook-out and upsidedown pineapple cake! I'm so glad that God saw fit to give me siblings!!! This past week I had to get the tires rotated on the car. During my three hour wait period (I know!) I talked with a sweet older lady named June. She was an only child and was never able to have children. She seemed lonely...  Causes me to think of all the times where I've taken my family for granted.

Gardening season is well under way. My lettuce and snap peas are growing lovely!! Within a week, I'll be planting a lot more veggies and herbs. Yay!

Remembering - Good Friday