Glad that is over!

I always look forward to the photo contest for the challenge and for a theme to watch for for the month, but after I've submitted an entry, it is very nice to just sit back and be glad it is DONE! Do you know what I mean? It is the same way with any project, I suppose.

So let me update you on what has been happening this month other than my DAFFODILS (not gladiolus like the package said!!) finally bloomed after 6 years! Every year they only get the leaves, but I have never ever seen even one blossom from them. I'm starting to be convinced that they like the attention I've been giving them, so they are showing off for me. Remember this pic?



That was my "gladiolus" that I spoke of in this post.

This is them after two months of taking pictures of them:



I wasn't sure if it was a Daffodil or not, because the center was full of lots of little petals like a mum, but my Aunt Melva told me that it is a *Double* Daffodil, and sure enough, after looking it up, that is what it was (Thanks, Mev! :)


I'm telling you, plants know! So this year I'm going to do lots of photo shoots in my garden! If I can get those tomatoes and green beans to show off, I will be a happy woman! ;)


I've kissed and snuggled baby Aiden. I've kissed and snuggled my kids. I've taken my mom to the ER. Yeah, she fell and thought she broke her hip. She still isn't feeling better 10 days later. I should have done more laundry, but we did wash the walls in the living room, dining room, and kitchen during spring break.

All of my guinea pigs died over the winter. Elmo was the last to go about a week ago. They were about 4 years old, born on my birthday and becoming my babies when their mommy died of a prolapsed uterus on the day they were born. I fed them formula and raised them into upstanding guinea pigs, never biting anyone. I am thinking of getting some more from my friend.

We have started "reading scriptures" more regularly. Only instead of reading the actual scriptures, I've been telling Old Testament Bible Stories to my kids. We are going to talk about Ester tonight.

I love those stories! I think the fiery furnace story is my favorite this go-round. I love that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego had the faith to stick to their principles (not worshiping King Nebuchadnezzar's golden idol, but only praying to God) even when their lives were at stake. King Nebuchadnezzar was going to give them one more chance to worship his idol, and if they didn't he'd have them thrown into the furnace that was hot enough to kill a man just by opening the door. This is what they said, (Daniel 3:16-18 New International Version)

"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

The "but if not" is the clincher for me. It is easy to serve God when you think that all will be well, but in this story, even if God didn't save them from the furnace they knew that they would be safe with Him in heaven. I have much to learn from their example.

Since the snow is gone (It snowed 5 inches on Easter!!), we have gotten outside more. Yesterday was such a warm day that we went for a walk and played outside a lot of the day. We just can't seem to get enough of the warmth!! Here is a pic from when we took our walk.



And these I took when we got home:

This one is a little purple flower in the grass (is it a Violet??):



And this was a close up of lilac leaves:



I've also been worrying, but I can't talk about why right now. I'll tell you when I can, but just keep us in your prayers, will you?

I think that is about it for last week and the week before. I hope all is going well with you. If you are on my sidebar, I'm following your blogs regularly, though I should comment more often and not lurk as much as I do. If your blog is *not* on my sidebar, it is because 1) you don't have a blog or 2) you don't comment and let me know you're there. Speak up! :)