Around the House

the grass is always greener

When we moved into our rental property in December we knew there was one area that could REALLY use some work – our backyard.

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Ha! Too bad that above picture is not our backyard.  I wish! {keep scrolling for pics of our garden of eden}

No, when we peaked into our backyard it was lacking grass altogether but was {unfortunately} abundant in weeds, bushes that were feeling the effects of winter, and alot of dead leaves. 

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The space itself isn’t that large which we like since this is our first go around at yard maintenance.

With permission from our landlords, this past Friday we spent a few hours clearing the yard out.  Gary removed the three large bushes and I tried to break up the ground and get rid of some of the weeds. After about four hours of work, we were finished of “phase 1”.   IMG_8960

Even though its just dirt right now, it’s nice to have a clean slate! Saying goodbye to those bushes and hello to those blue skies doesn’t hurt either.

For now, we plan on planting grass and maybe a small vegetable garden. We’re also trying to remember that whatever we do in the yard we have to maintain since lawn maintenance is our responsibility.

Any tips for first time lawn-ies?

About Our Savior

deep, deep love

It’s hard to grasp the love that God has for each of us.  I know my understanding – if you can even call it that – pales in comparison to what its really like.

On Saturday, I heard a song talking about this love and it came in an unexpected place.

As I watched the funeral of Sean Gauley, a dear brother of a friend I worked with a few summers ago, they played the song “Oh The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus”.

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me
Underneath me, all around me
Is the current of Your love
Leading onward, leading homeward
To Your glorious rest above

Oh the deep, deep love
All I need and trust
Is the deep, deep love of Jesus

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Spread His praise from shore to shore
How He came to pay our ransom
Through the saving cross He bore
How He watches o’er His loved ones
Those He died to make His own
How for them He’s interceding
Pleading now before the throne

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Far surpassing all the rest
It’s an ocean full of blessing
In the midst of every test
Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Mighty Savior, precious Friend
You will bring us home to glory
Where Your love will never end

In the midst of every test, this family has reason to sing – because of the deep love of the Jesus they know.

I knew these words were something I needed to think about when we stood to sing the same song at church yesterday.

Oh the deep, deep love…

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. 
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!
Psalm 57: 9-11

If you’re reading this, I hope that you’ve accepted this love Jesus offers to all.

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To watch a recording of the beautiful, Christ-honoring funeral of Sean Gauley, click here.

High Five for Friday

high five for friday

Here we are again – FRIDAY! I think by doing these Friday updates, the week seems to go by even faster.

Or maybe that’s just me getting older 😉 But let’s not talk about that… Here we go!

1. Last weekend we made a trip to Jos. A. Banks to pick out a suit for G! A few weeks before he finished his time in the Marines, he learned about a promotion through the Gary Sinise Foundation called Uniform of Success.  He looks pretty good in his new gray suit!

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2. Tomorrow I finish my second week on the Couch to 5K plan!

3. With Ruthie’s visit last weekend, we made some of these cookies. Gold sprinkles only make them that much better. Recipe coming soon!

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4. EAS! EAS! EAS!

5. A little blog housekeeping went on this week, yay for more organization!

Hope your weekend is filled with smiles and gold sprinkles!