Picture of the Week...........

Love these 2 water babies! They LOVE the water! First time swimming for this summer and certainly not the last!

A Happy Day........

We took Erika to court today to see if the judge would let her go home or if she still needed to spend some more time with us. Of course Layne and I didn't want her to go because we had grown to love her and she was a part of our family. But she was granted a trial home placement. Erika was thrilled and so we all the rest of us. It was a day of mixed emotions. Sad because the young lady we had grown to love and accept as part of our family was going to be leaving us. Happy because she had achieved her goals, worked hard, and made a positive change in her life!

We decided to go out and celebrate with a great Mexican dinner and even dessert. Ice Cream!! Erika wanted to stay with us a few extra days so she could say her goodbyes to all her new friends. It was a tearful goodbye but we know she will keep her head up and keep doing what she needs to do to succeed in life.

We are going to miss Erika. She has such a positive effect on people. Her smile and her laugh are so infectious! She is a smart, talented, and beautiful young women. It was a true joy and privilege to have her come into our home.

Duck Pond and a Surprise Find...........

So we needed to get out of the house and just explore a little bit. We went to a favorite spot, the duck pond. It took a little walk around the pond and feed the ducks along the way. While walking along the path we all decided to take a trail that went back into the wooded area. We had never been back there and just wanted to see what we could find. We found a stream and in the distance you could hear rushing water. We kept on down the trail and found a huge waterfall. My sister says it's usually dried up, and I've never heard rushing water like that when I have been. So it was a way cool surprise! The kids loved it. They wanted to see how many things they could get to float down the stream but it was pretty rocky and things got stuck. We probably could have stayed all day but we had to keep moving! It was a pretty cool adventure! And then as we kept along the path we saw more ducks and then they came swimming by. A mama duck and all her babies. 12 of them actually. I've never seen a mama duck with so many. The kids kept trying to get them to come over to them but of course they wouldn't. It was a pretty fun day at the duck pond!

Flowers.......

So I am taking after my grandma Spafford and my own mom, at least I'm trying to. They both love(d) flowers and gardening. Maybe that's where I get it from, at least I'd like to think so!

I bought these Holly Hocks last year. I bought 4 plants and only 2 survived. But the 2 that made it are just huge and gorgeous. I think they quadrupled in size compared to what they were last year. They smell amazing and look great. They add a lot to our bare backyard. But its a process to be able to get everything I want and plant it all. So I just get a little each season/year and add to it. I did go and buy 2 more holly hock plants and hopefully they survive for next season. I also have a lone plant that grew all on its own, hopefully they will keep multiplying.

My father-in-law asked if I liked to plant flowers or if they were bought just to make the yard look nice. I said both! I do love to have myself surrounding by things I have planted and grown. I like to have my yard look nice as well. It adds life and character to a house so it looks more like a home!

 I loved my grandma's yard. She always had the pink tea rose bushes, and every time I smell them I think of her. She always had fresh cut flowers in her house. Lilacs and tulips were the other flowers I always remember her having in the house! I also love my mom and dad's yard. My mom has multiple flower beds that she has to keep up with. And she is always my go-to on what will look good, or will grow the best etc. She knows a lot!

I guess I'm just excited to see the fruits of my labors. Planting, watering and cultivating something of my very own. I hope to continue learning about and growing my very own flower gardens, in hopes that my own family will appreciate their beauty!

Picture of the Week..........

I came out of work and was amazed at how beautiful the sunset was!! It was a gorgeous end to my day! Absolutely beautiful!