Your Promised Land

What is your promised land? What has God promised you that has not come to pass yet?

For the last year I feel God has been preparing Nat and I to enter into a promise that he has given us. Many people know that we both have a huge heart for missions and we believe God will call us to serve in Africa one day again. However, I believe he has given us another calling. I don't know how it will coincide with missions, but somehow it will. We believe God has called us into the ministry of setting people free. Free from hurts and past pain that keep people from realizing their full potential. And as we all know running any kind of ministry costs money, sooo we have ventured into a "business plan" that we believe will do just that! But that's not to say we have not had a few frustrating moments that had us questioning was God truly going to come through for us. This morning I had one such moment in the car on the way to church. And as I lie in bed tonight dreams and visions are flooding my mind of all the things God wants to do in our lives. After an hour of not being able to fall asleep I roll over and open up my Joseph Prince bible study and read this!

Day 54 

Your ‘Work’ Is To Enter His Rest 

Hebrews 4:10–11 
10… he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. 11Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest... 

A baby learns to sit first before he starts to stand and walk. The Christian life also begins with sitting. God “raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. (Ephesians 2:6) How well we walk after that depends on how well we sit and rest in the finished work of Christ. 

The promised land was a land of rest where God promised His people “large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant”. (Deuteronomy 6:10–11) 

But for 40 years, God’s people wandered in the wilderness because they refused to believe that God had given them a land where everything had been prepared — the work was finished. They could not believe that God had given them a land full of good things to enjoy, a land that just flowed with His abundant supply. 

Today, there are believers who still cannot believe that the work of Jesus is truly complete and finished. They are trying to complete a completed work, finish a finished work and defeat a defeated devil. 

There are believers today who are always working and trying to produce their healing, success and victory. God wants us to stop trying and start trusting in His love for us. He wants us to stop working and struggling, and start resting and believing in His grace toward us. 

The only “work” left for us to do today is to enter His rest. We are to labor every day to enter His rest. We are to rest inwardly and believe that the work is done because it is a finished work, and trust in God’s undeserved favor toward us. We are to rest in Jesus our true ark, who will carry us through tempestuous waters. 

So today, “if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts… be diligent to enter that rest”. (Hebrews 4:7, 11) Let’s enter His rest. Let’s enjoy sitting together with Christ in the heavenly places, then we will run and not be weary! (Isaiah 40:31) 


Are you trying to get out of debt? Are you believing for a better marriage? Are you trying to earn Gods love by doing good works? Are you trying to prove you are worthy enough to be loved? Are you working hard to earn that promotion? Are you trying to be a leader others can look up to? Are YOU trying to accomplish your dreams? Or are you RESTING in God and believing HIS promises? Because HE WILL COME THROUGH! Because. He. Loves. YOU. 

Africa

I absolutely love this photo my friend shared on Facebook. Instantly my heart wormed as the memories of Africa flooded my mind. This photo reminded me of the simple life.

Before getting married I spent 6 months in Mozambique, Africa but it only took a few days to become my home. I may not have been born there but no doubt, Africa is in my blood. It's where I belong.



And this photo embodies everything I love about Africa. It speaks of the simple life where getting your photo taken is a rare and monumental moment. This man requested for his photo to be taken by my friend who, I am assuming, was a stranger before this encounter. It's likely he had never had the opportunity to stare into the lens of a camera before this moment and I'm sure he never expected to obtain a copy of it but non the less he desired the experience. Hard to comprehend, living in a world where EVERY exciting moment (and some not so exciting moments) is snap-shot within minutes, uploaded, and shared for ALL our friends and family to see. And it's likely he won't be sharing his latest fashion trend on a blog but he is no doubt content with how he looks and even feels blessed to own such I nice threads.

I miss the long dusty roads that were created for vehicles but revile more footprints than tire tracks. I marvel at how a people who's biggest concern in life is to feed their family so they can live another day, can possess more joy and happiness than the man you see driving a Bentley. I miss how everyone greets each other as they pass one another regardless if they are strangers or friends. I miss the curious stares of one who's never seen a white person, the children wanting to touch your hair and arms, and the endless smiles. Oh the smiles.

But mostly I miss the lack of competition in the poor community. No trying to keep up with the Joneses,  or getting noticed for being unique, or having some rare-desired-by-all talent. No scouring Facebook to see who's life is more interesting than yours, or root through the Internet for idea's to make your life more interesting. Just simply being happy with what you have and working hard towards a healthy future. 

I miss you Africa. 

When life with three babies gets hard, sometimes you just have to cry

It's no secret that having kids is hard work, exhausting, exhilarating, trying, and yet the most rewarding thing. Most moms will tell you so but not in great detail. Most moms won't tell you about their most difficult moments everrr. But this mom will.

Most Mondays I wake up with a determination to stay ahead of the monster. The monster I like to call Mr Mess. That whirlwind of dirty dishes, over flowing laundry hampers, half clothed kids, and dinners that are slapped together between a bun. Usually I feel like Mr Mess is as close as my shadow, ready to snatch me up and swallow me hole. And even if I manage to stay only one step ahead the entire week I feel like I have conquered the world. I feel exhausted but extremely pleased with myself. I feel like I could shout from the rooftops with joy and laughter. However, on those weeks that things don't go as planned, like I cram one two many things into my week, or something unpredictable happens like a child gets sick, then suddenly I am swallowed whole and I find myself surrounded by disorganization and chaos. Usually when this happens I just pick myself up, dust myself off and try again next week. I mean, after all, the most important thing is my kids are happy, healthy and loved. And I really do believe I am the luckiest woman to have three beautiful children and a hard working husband. We have a roof over our heads... a small roof, but a roof none the less. We have our dreams we are working towards and wonderful friends to share life with. So on the grand scheme of things a messy, disorganized house is really not all that important. simple right? .....

Except sometimes its not that simple. Sometimes it's just really hard. When you have been potty training for a year and a half and you wish just one of the million things you have tried would just work already. Or when you know your big break is about to come but two months seems to drag on forever. Or when the organizing just never seems to end. When in 20 years you know your house will be so quite and you will miss your children but right now you just want 5 minutes of silence. Sometimes you can't just dust yourself off. Sometimes you just have to cry. And you cry to the only person who can hear your sobs at 11:43 at night. You ask Him to please change it all and make it easier but deep down you know He is using it to make you strong. Sometimes you just have to tell Him every last feeling you have because you are so tired of holding it all in. And after your pillow has soaked up all your sorrows and He has dried that last tear from your cheek you drift off to sleep and wake up ready to do it all again. Why? Because of love. Because He loves you and only has good things for you. Because you love your children and they are worth the fight. Because you and your husband love each other and you need each other to make this work. Because HE IS LOVE and He is enough to carry you through.

Getting past your insecurities

I was just shopping with a dear friend of mine who is getting married soon. We had some amazing talks about marriage, fashion and the "tough stuff" in life we all have to deal with. One of the many things we talked about was being insecure and how it can change how we act and even how we dress. She told me about these awesome light blue combat boots she fell in love with but didn't buy because she worried she would never actually get the courage to wear them for fear that they were too "out there" and they would get tossed next to the many other items purchased but hardly worn. I just realized that I had done that very thing in another store. Plus I can't count the number of times I have talked myself out of buying something because of this stupid thing called insecurity. I had JUST seen a shirt I looooved and the minute I held it up to see how it fit me I instantly starting doubting. Could I pull this off? Is it too young looking for me? Is it too out there? How silly! Yet I'm sure so many of you have done it too. It was then that I had a revelation. I told my friend that she needed to go find those boots (or something else she liked but feared she couldn't pull off). Buy them. And force herself to wear it as a declaration that she was no longer going to be controlled or changed by her insecurities.

And if your wondering if I went back to buy that shirt, I didn't. But not because I was too scared to, but because my hubby and I are on a spending freeze (We do this now and again if we really want to save quickly or just as a way to keep ourselves in check. I think it's healthy to not always get what you want right away). But I did find a photo to share with you! And you better believe when our spending freeze is over I will be going to get it!! And by then I am hoping it will be on sale as my little reward for delaying gratification!!

So what insecurities do you struggle with? I challenge you to step out in a tangible way and tell that insecurity where it can go!! 

As a side note: I had my husband proof read this post before I publish it because I don't always pick up on my spelling mistakes. He sent me a text with a few corrections and this FYI at the end....

"Go buy that shirt now! It is hammer nice and fits your personality bang on!!!" 

Haha! I absolutely love him!

Finding the real me

I have been on this incredible journey and I am really loving this stage in my life. I just had my last and final baby 9 months ago. My hubby and I decided we wanted three kids and we wanted them close in age so they could be at similar stages as they grow up. Aside from one miscarriage we got just what we asked for and, although some days are hard, I don't regret it for one second. I have known too many people that have lost or never had their dream of the perfect family and I feel one way to pay my respects is to not take for granted what I have been given.

Part of the fun I am having these days is finding my own style of clothing. I know it sounds strange for a 30-some year old to still be finding herself but there is a reason. Growing up I was a bit more of a tom-boy. The style when I was in high school was baggy pants and baggy shirts... in other words, there was NO style! By the time I was 20 I got into the hair biz and I was pretty much thrown into the fashion industry without a paddle. For some reason I was good at hair fashion but no good at the rest. I actually asked my coworker what a stiletto was....... ya, it was that bad! And even though I spent 10 years working at a very prestige salon in downtown Calgary I still didn't really find a style that was.... well, me. Part of that was due to the fact that I didn't really explore with different styles as much as I wanted to. I was dating a guy who was not real supportive and to avoid ridicule I played it safe with my wardrobe. Not to say that it was all his fault. It was partly my own for not standing my ground and loving myself enough to wear what made ME feel beautiful.

So, fast forward a few years and now I am married to the most wonderful man who loves me no matter what size I am or what I have on. However, now my excuse for a lack of style is the fact that I have been pregnant three times since our wedding 5 years ago. I have been all sizes in all seasons and that can get a bit costly so I wasn't real choosy.

But now!!!! I am all done. I have been exercising to loose those extra pounds. And it feels so good knowing I am going to stay this way. And that what ever I buy is going to still fit me in 9 months from now! So I am on a hunt. A hunt to find my true style. I plan to take risks and wear something crazy as long as I feel great in it!

My first buy from my favorite store Guess. Their clothing is like rocker meets chic which I LOVE.

This is not just a mission to revamp my wardrobe but it also signifies the revamping I have been doing in my mental and spiritually life over the past 5 years. I have been shedding off a lot of my insecurities and learning to love myself and except that I am 100% loved by my Creator!!

So the moral of this post is be bold. Be beautiful. And love who God made you to be because he dose not make mistakes.



My beautiful kids!

The perfect (tissue paper) pompoms.

I was recently making tissue pompoms, as I have done numerous times in the past for various occasions, and I was once again stumped with the same problem I always seem to have. Although these pompoms look GREAT when on display or hanging from the ceiling, I continue to struggle with this big gaping hole on one side of the pompom. I have added more tissue, pulled, fluffed and scrunched but nothing could satisfy my perfectionist eye.

As I stared at this slight annoyance I suddenly came up with a solution..... and to my delight, it was a success!! And now I am going to share with you :) hope you like!!

Step #1 Take 8 - 12 sheets of tissue and pile them evenly

Step #2 Starting at one end fold the pile of tissue together in an accordion fashion.
(To do this start with a 3/4 inch fold away from you. Keep your fingers on the fold and flip the pile onto the other side. Then fold towards you. Repeat until you are at the end).

Step #3 Secure the middle of your folded tissue with a twist tie. Then cut the ends so they are rounded. This will give a nice finished look.

Step #4 Gently separate each tissue sheet from the others. (Hint: It helps to pull at the tissue closer to the middle. For some reason the tissue is stronger there and is less likely to rip.)

(Another hint: separate the tissue as close to the middle as you can. This will help our pompom to be full looking!)

If you have 10 sheets then separate 5 sheets on both sides of the twist tie. Then flip over and separate the remaining 5 on the bottom half.

 Ok, now this is where my tutorial differs from so many others out there. Repeat steps #1 through #4 so that you have two identical half made pompoms. Lay them out (like shown above) and then join the two flat sides (shown you below).

I added this other photo to show you what it should NOT look like.

Step #5 Secure your two halves with wire. (You can use string or anything else but I prefer wire because it is so easy to handle)

Plus with wire you can make a loop for holding onto or hanging up your pompom

Just look at the difference!!!! I love it!

A lesson in true beauty

We all know the saying "Beauty is only skin deep", or my husbands personal favorite, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". He told me this often during my I'm-so-fat-and-pregnant days. I usually rolled my eyes at him and told him to stop being cheesy but I'm beginning to think this is a rather good motto to live by.

Just last weekend we were invited to our dear friends Stephanie and Darren's wedding. Oh you know how it goes, you get all dolled up and you feel good and confidant and ready to have a good time with friends. As I took one last glance in the mirror I noticed the small red mark on my face that was a result of a mole my dermatologist removed a few days prior. Normally I would use some consealer to cover up my imperfections but in this case I would rather not put make up on this small crater in my face for fear that it might get infected. I reminded myself that at least I have my health and it could be a lot worse.

Just yesterday I got a call from the dermatologist. Turns out the spot on my cheek had strange cells in it. They are calling it Atypical Intraepidermal Melanocytic Proliferation. To explain better, if you think of melanoma as being on one end of a spectrum and a normal mole as being on the other end of that same spectrum, this mole I had removed would be placed somewhere in between. It has some unusual or atypical features within the melanocytes, which are the cells from which melanoma develops. So rather to be safe than sorry they are sending me to a specialist to have a bigger area of skin removed. This will then be tested and if the lab result say there are no more of these "strange cells" then I am in the clear. If there are, then I really don't know what the next step will be.

So, when I go in for this second procedure I will come out with stitches and swelling that will last for a week. I don't think make up is going to do the trick.

Every Thursday I enjoy a fun Zumba class instructed by my good friend Kelsey Mast. (Stick with me here, this does tie together.) At the end of class she offers some small pieces of paper with encouragement's and verses on them (kind of like fortune cookies) and you pick them randomly from a little basket. As I was cleaning off my dresser I came across the last note I got. It reads "There's no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let others be inspired by how you deal with your imperfections" .... WOW! I don't think its coincidence that I came across this today or that I saved it. I think God is trying to teach me something ~ that beauty IS skin deep and that I can be confidant because of who He made me to be on the inside and not what I look like on the out side. I am writing this now in hopes that in a week or two I will be inspired even though my face may look.... ummm..... different :)

Roasted Red Pepper Dip

Nat and I were just recently invited to our friends house and were requested to bring an appetizer. I decided it was high time to make something homemade. Since I have three children ages 3 and under and the most motivated, hard working, dreamer of a husband who always has us on some new adventure, I have not always had the time or the energy to make anything fancy. So for the last few years I have often bought my "dinner contribution" at the local grocery store. I wanna cry just thinking about it. I absolutely LOVE cooking and baking. So I thought I would share my accomplishment with you as well as this supper yummy dip recipe. I got this out of a Chatelaine magazine 6 years ago when I worked at Antioni's Hair Salon and I have been making it ever since. It is one of my favorites!

First you will need a roasted red pepper. I have always roasted my peppers in the oven but I once saw Rachel Ray roast a pepper on a gas stove and thought it would be fun to try. Well guess what??? I have a gas stove. Now I am excited!

Here are a few photos to help. Just crank your stove on high and place pepper over top.

Keep turning the pepper with tongs to blacken all sides of the pepper. The pepper will sizzle and spit a little but don't worry. It won't burn up. This process does take some time. Check on it often but you don't have to hover over it like I did. This is a great time to prepare the rest of this dip.

This was so much fun!!! As long as I have a gas stove THIS is how I am going to roast my peppers. The kitchen fills with a yummy aroma and the crackling sound makes me smile. Mmmmm it felt so good to be cooking like this again.

Once your pepper is all black put it in a brown paper bag and close it. This will steam the peppers and aid in removing the skins. You can also place the peppers in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, or seal in a zip-top freezer bag, or put into a saucepan with the lid on. Let them sit for 15 min then remove the charcoaled skin with you fingers.

Ok here is the actual recipe

Prep time 15 min (took me more like 2 1/2 hours but that's because I had three children who needed food, faces washed, boo-boos kissed, arguments settled, and messes cleaned up...... see why I don't do this often.)

Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

1 roasted red pepper
1 jalapeño
2 1/2 cups (625mL) grated Gouda
1 cup regular sour cream
1/2 cup crumbled feta
2 tbsp coarsely chopped fresh coriander (I often just use dry coriander and it is still dynamite! )

Thickly slice pepper and jalapeño and put in food processor. Then add Gouda, sour cream and feta. Whirl until pepper is as fine as you like. ( I have never had a food processor big enough for all these ingredients so I just put in the peppers and mix the rest in a bowl with a fork.)

Serve right away or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. For best flavor bring to room temp before serving. Goes great with tortilla chips, sliced toasted baguettes, crackers, or flat bread for dipping.

For an alternative make this a hot baked dip by replacing the sour cream with one block of cream cheese (250g). Follow the method above, scrap into a dish pretty enough for serving and bake, uncovered, at 400F until heated through and top starts to brown (about10 to 15 min). Sprinkle with coriander just before serving.

Normally I buy fresh jalapeño but this time I used caned jalapeño just because I had them on hand. I don't recommend it. It's not that it taste bad, it just doesn't have the bite that a fresh pepper has. Jalapeño's with the seeds removed is the perfect mild bit for me but for those who like spice keep the seeds in.


Here is a look at the finished product. (The baked version.)

And here is the cold version. I just tried this for the first time. It's was good and got a lot of good reviews but I think the hot fondue version is a bigger hit.

Need help? But hate to ask?

I have been wanting to write this blog for a while now but with my busy life and a recent trip to Canada, time just did not permit. About four weeks ago my son Kaden had a terrible cough and heavy breathing. What I thought would be a quick drop-in at the doctors turned into an ambulance ride to the ER. It just so happened that my husband was on a deep sea fishing trip with his co-workers. The poor young lady I had watching my kids had to drop her plans and stay with them longer, plus learn how to feed a newborn (with my instructions over the phone). All I can say is thank God I had two feedings saved up in our freezer. While trying to balance phone calls with the babysitter and my husband I also had to hold my feisty lil boy while Doctors and paramedics gave him nebulizer treatments.   

Since my phone connection was not so great in the hospital my husband tried to organize some help for me. Well, finally by around 3 in the afternoon I was able to go home and my wonderful sister-in-law got me back to my car.

After getting all the kids tucked into bed that evening, I settled in for a night of worry and constant checking on my sons breathing. Around 5:00am I was up with my newborn who decided it was a good time to have projectile vomit. After getting Dax cleaned up and sound asleep I crawled into bed and suddenly, without warning, burst into tears. My uncontrollable sobs woke my sleeping husband and he held me while I proceeded to vent. I felt so alone. I missed my family and I didn't know how to deal with it all. I really believe God placed us here in P.A so I didn't want to run from this place just because it was hard. I prayed and asked God what I needed to do. His answer was not what I was expecting. "Start asking for help". As I thought about this I realized there are two reasons we don't like to ask others for help. First, we are too proud. We want people to think we can do it on our own. Second, and probably most common, we don't want to bother anyone with our troubles. 

I shared this with my husband and he said it was time for me to be vulnerable and share my feelings with my friends and family who live here. I proceeded to spend the day calling my friends and family and realized that they want to help and me being vulnerable with them opened the door for them to feel safe being vulnerable with me. It was very therapeutic. 

Often when we are taught a lesson in life, God gives us an opportunity to test this new lesson. Latter in the week my friend Rachel brought us a meal and as she was getting ready to leave she asked if there was anything she could do for me. I was about to revert to my usual self and say, "no, that's fine. But thank you anyway!" when I remembered my lesson. So I swallowed hard and said, "well, the only thing that is bothering me, that I have not had time to get to yet, is my floors". She instantly grabbed my broom and told me how sweeping is her favorite chore to do. While she swept I loaded my dishwasher and we continued to chat about life and kids. I felt so good after she left because my house was tidy again and I believe she felt good helping me. How often do we miss out on this opportunity to be blessed and to bless others?

Doing anything I can to entertain my lil man who just wanted to go home :(

And then there were three!

Well this would be my third day alone with my three babies and I must say it is going fairly well. Busy to say the least but that is to be expected. I think what is helping me keep my sanity is a phrase I continue to tell myself all day long. " The kids come first." If I don't get to the dishes or the laundry today then, well, that's just the way it has to be. And if I can't call my friends or get on Facebook, oh well. My kids come first. And what comes second?....  a little time out for me! When all the kids are tucked away for their afternoon naps I sit and relax for a few. 

Having three so close in age is not easy. Not in the least. BUT, I love my journey and I would not trade it for anything.

Many people have been asking how Alexia and Kaden are handling their new baby brother. I am pleased to say Dax has been greatly received by his older siblings. Alexia calls him her "baby" and both kids are perpetually concerned with Dax needing his soother. Oh, and they want to kiss and hug him ALL the time.

Our first two weeks with baby Dax we had the privilege of having not one but TWO grandma's visiting us. Nat's mom was here for the first week and my mom for the second. My mom brought some of my old Dr Seuss books and Alexia loved them to death. Literally, she made grandma and I read over and over until we simply didn't have it in us any more. 

Dax getting smothered.

Yes another book, and yes, it is the SAME one.

I don't think grandma got to go anywhere or do anything without a little shadow to follow her. 

I am so grateful to have a mother-in-law and mom who will come help me after my babies are born! Thank you both so very very much!!

Family Camping (In honor of Lewis Parkhouse a.k.a Dad!)

This past weekend we went camping with some friends and family. Camping is one of my favorite weekend transitions, however being 8 months pregnant with two young kids, I did ask myself a few times "Am I crazy?" Yes it was a little crazy but you have to realize that I do come by it honestly. Growing up I had my fair share of wild camping experiences.

Every year our camping season would start on May Long Weekend and we would go as often as we could through out the summer. One year we went camping every weekend for five months minus 5 weekends. I can't even imagine the preparation for all that camping. Mom must have done the laundry and put it right back into the suitcase.

(For all my US friends, Canada's holiday Monday in May is held on May 24th, or the Monday before May 24th if May 24th is not a Monday. The holiday is called "Victoria Day" in memory of the late Queen Victoria, our longest reigning Monarch.)

One year we got the van stuck in the water while trying to dock the boat. Since my tent got wet in the process I got to sleep in the front seat while my parents slept in the back. But for the rest of these camping trips I slept in a tent by myself. I was 6. And did I mention I had to put the tent up myself? My mother wanted to protest on my behalf but my Stepfather insisted that I was fine.

I used to love to fish with my Stepdad. Even though he MADE me worm my own hooks and if I wanted to eat our catch of the day I also had to help gut the fish. I litterally lived the lesson of "The Little Red Hen". I'd like to just take a moment to thank my Stepfather, Lewis for teaching me to be tough and take care of myself. I don't know that I could have gone through as much as I have if it wasn't for all that you taught me.

As die-hard-campers we would even camp in the snow. It often snowed on the may long weekend and every tough Canadian camper was out there in the cold. My parents once were featured on the news because they were out camping after a heavy snow fall. So heavy the camp grounds had to plow the snow to let the campers in. The media thought no one would be camping, but many were, however my parents were the only ones cooking out side on the campfire.

My favorite part of camping is breakfast on the fire.... MMMM!

I wish I had a photo to share of my kids a few weeks ago when we were camping with Nat's family. It was raining out and they were bundled in their jackets running around in the mud. And they were loving every minute of it. So, it looks as though the family tradition will live on through my active little children!

Happy Birthday 'lil Lady

I can hardly believe my little baby is three years old today! I am excited yet sad all rolled up together. I am excited to watch her grow and learn new things everyday along with the fact that she is becoming more independent with each passing day. From putting on her own shoes to crawling in and out of the tub on her own. And oh the grown up things she says, "you simmer down" (said to her dad for moving her out of his way), "oh dear, I'm sorry sweetie" (said to me when something goes wrong.
And yet a feel sad that she will never again be this tinny baby cradled in my arms. Wow, the years really do go so fast. I pray I will always remember to take the time to enjoy each stage, the good and the bad!

We took some cupcakes to share with the Sunday school class.

My dainty little 3yr old

And a little family Birthday Celebration at Friendly's!

My little garden & my little lady

Some dear friends, Jarred & Kendra started a huge garden mostly from seeds and since they had an abundance, they generously offered us a few of their seedlings. This is quite exciting for me as I did want to start a small garden this year but struggled to find the time to do any research. You see I have never planted or worked with a garden before so I had'nt the slightest clue when or how to begin. But now I can start my little garden off with a Banana Pepper, Bell Pepper and a Tomato plant.

My mothers day weekend was spent at Lowes with the family picking out flowers and pots for the gardens. When we got home my wonderful husband and darling little girl helped me plant everything.

Alexia just had to have these little flowers. She was so proud when we let her take them to the check out, bring them home and plant them herself!

This is it. My garden. Just the way I like it. I don't want to take on too much at one time for fear that I will botch the entire endeavor. (In the past most plants in my possession have had a very short existence.) I did have some herbs that I stared a few weeks ago but as you can see they are not doing the greatest. Somebody neglected to water them..... ahem. The rosemary plant held up and my cilantro was beginning to wilt but after much watering I see new leaves sprouting tall and proud. Sadly my dill plant has been laying on its bed of soil for a week now; I am pretty sure it's gone for good.

And this is the flower garden. There are a few new ones and two from last year but not everything I planted last year has come up again.... yet, we will see!