Vacation is Over...

What a view. It's hard to believe how quickly the week went by. We were blessed with a wonderful week. It is great to just relax and enjoy all the beauty that God created. Blue skies with white fluffy clouds and a lake that just glissened. When you witness this is there any question who created this world of ours? This was our annual vacation with my mom and my sister's family. It was a bitter sweet vacation. My sister's husband Bob, passed away last summer and we really missed not having him with us. It was a difficult week for my sister and her children. So many memories of the summer's past. When we looked at the lake we couldn't help but remember the many years that Bob wouild be out in the water playing with the kids. Yes, it was a week of new memories and looking back on past memories and remembering those we love and knowing that they will be once again be with us sharing eternity. I was in luck! Not so lucky for my husband, Traverse City was having their annual garden walk while we were on vacation. This was right up my alley. I love gardens and have lots of new ideas. My husband was a good sport and took my mom and myself to see all the wonderful sights. I really think he enjoyed talking with all the garden club women in their flowery hats!

My sister Renee's kids and my boys love spending the week together. This year they went off on their own a few times. Boy has time flown. It seems like just yesterday that we could not let them go to the lake without their life jackets. Now all of them are driving! I must be getting old...

Our Good Friends....You will be missed....

We spent a wonderful farewell dinner with friends celebrating our friendship with Julie and Steve. Julie liked her apron and even was willing to model it! You will truly be missed my dear friend....

Many people Will walk in and out Of your life. But only a TRUE friend will Leave footprints On your heart.

Saying goodbye to a Dear Friend....

A good friend of mine in moving with her husband to Las Vegas. Her husband was the principal at the high school that my oldest son attends. We met them through church and school and I can't even remember how we become friends. Our husbands have coached the grade school's boys baseball team. Julie and I have been in bible study together and served on the church youth board together. Our two older boys have been friends since the second grade. Julie and Steve are both wonderful people and we have been truly blessed to have them in our lives. Her husband took a call to be the principal at a school in Las Vegas and soon they will be leaving. I wanted to make her something so that every time she was in her kitchen she would know that her friendship would be missed. I printed a poem on printable fabric and attached it to the pocket. She loves the color pink and she also loves vintage things. I thought this apron would be perfect. I added a pair of matching rubber gloves. What girl doesn't need matching accessories for the outfit!!!! I couldn't stop at an apron that she could only wear inside. She loves to work outside so I made a gardening apron that fit her personality. "Cute and Girly" Now she will also think of her friends while she's out smelling the scent of life's sweet roses.

Summer is my FAVORITE time of Year..

What do I love about summer? I love the warm weather and working outside. I love all the flowers and my pond. About four year ago, my husband put in a beautiful pond in our backyard. He did a wonderful job. It turned out better than I ever imagined it would. This week the lilies are blooming in the pond and the fish are always looking for something to eat. When you sit outside and look at all the nature and beauty it is amazing and you just know how great our God is!

The flowers are in full bloom and with the flowers come some unexpected visitors. We have really had a lot of rabbits this year. They don't even mind if you get close to them. This little guy just sat and posed for the camera. They are so cute...when they're not eating my flowers!

He's one year older...

Yesterday was Austin's 15th birthday. Where has the time gone by??? The years have passed by so quickly. I know everybody says that. He has his drivers permit and is growing up quickly. He still talks non stop and asks a million questions about anything and everything. That hasn't changed since he could talk. It will be exciting to see him grow up over the next few years. I know God has exciting plans for him....He just needs to stop talking so much and listen to what God has to say....