Backyard Pergola

We placed 4 poles in the ground last summer and planted some vines around them with the intent to build a pergola at some point. I (Marty) finally got around to it. Too bad I picked the hottest Saturday yet this year; it was miserable. I kept the design pretty simple due to constrained resources (tools and $$), but I'm happy with how it turned out. The next stage of this project is to build a wood deck underneath, but that may not happen for quite some time. I really enjoy working in the yard and have so many ideas, but am limited to low cost projects.

My little ballet class

This was our last day of class this year. Sadly we were missing one student that day. Aren't they so cute? I miss them already.

Garden updates

This is our garden in April. It grew fast when the weather got hot and humid. We fought a fire ant infestation in the garden, but now just keeping it wet and weed free is most of the work.

This is our garden in May. Growing fast! We ate our first squash and cucumbers yesterday. I think our neighbors will get sick of them as fast as we will. But I did it! We have a fairly successful garden.

Thanks to a friend from church we have these beautiful flowering plants.

Trip to Sea World!

Thanks to our friends for the invite and coupon for Sea World! We had a great time. Here are some shots of our fun day.

I've been tagged

Seven random facts about me:

1. I dream of eating ice all of the time when I am pregnant. I obviously start with this because it is what just happens to be on my mind right now and, well, always. Supposedly that means I am anemic or something. I wish I could have shaved ice as my first choice, sonic ice as my second and third is the ice made at home (which is usually what I get).

2. I don’t like shopping. I get so frustrated searching for things I want at a price I want. If I do find something I want it is usually too expensive in my opinion. I, for some reason, think that I should be able to purchase an item at 20% the cost. Call it thrifty or crazy, but it has driven me to dislike shopping experiences.

3. I used to be a stage performer. This was my life, my work, my everything. I love partner dancing to big band music. I did summer theater and college “broadway style” shows. It is weird not performing any more.

4. I have a new thing for vines. I care about vines. I don’t know why. I find a lot of joy in helping them climb up a trellis or a post. I think we have bought too many for our yard, but I love them. My latest one is a Passion Vine. Ooo, pretty.

5. I love to play with my kids. They are so funny and creative. They are my best friends. They are forgiving, loving, crazy, silly, wild, sweet, and Christ like.

6. I got a nose bleed while getting married. I guess I was holding my breath trying to listen to every word and take it all in. I should have just breathed. I’ll never forget my sweet husband’s face when it happened nor the kind patience of everyone waiting for me while I was in the bathroom for a good 15 minutes. That is a long time for people when at a wedding ceremony.

7. I feel happy when I have a house of order. I am always working towards that goal whether you can tell or not.

Ballet Pictures 2008

Click on the title to see the pictures. Then click on the link that says "View Category Slideshow"! Don't look if you don't want to see a pregnant lady leap - kind of scary! You can purchase prints if you click on the picture desired. Enjoy!

April Happenings

I have enjoyed this April. We have done so many things. The weather is beautiful and plants are growing - good times. Here are a few pictures to show what we've been up to.

Marty had a no present birthday. Sorry honey. We did each give him a personalized gift though. I read a poem, Jack signed "I love" and then said Dada, and Celie sang "I am a Child of God". Yea, for the big 2-7!

This is Marty enjoying his trampoline. He is such a kid sometimes.

Jack loves the water hose. We are outside multiple times a day and I go through 2 to 3 outfits a day because he soaks them every time. I am glad he likes to play with the water though. He cries if I try to take it away. Such a boy!

Here are our little seedlings that we grew in our bedroom for a few weeks. We brought them outside to get more sun and air movement. I missed watering them one day and more than half of them died. We still had more than enough to plant in our garden. Tomatoes and peppers are going to be my harvesting issue in the days to come.

Here is our official garden. As you can see we have the compost bins in the back, and planted we have carrots, onions, lettuce, cucumber, squash, and watermellon! We shall see what comes of it. I truly enjoy weeding and watering, but you could find me yelling at this evil weed that has thorns that is growing from the other side of the fence. It will never die. Anyway, I am harvesting the lettuce already and it is exciting to eat even though it has no special taste. I can't believe I finally have a garden!

This is my "Passion Vine". Isn't it pretty. I love vines.

Simple Joys

So we have had a messy office for a long time, well as long as we've been married. It isn't organized nicely yet, but we did get some cheap bookshelves. It is weird how happy bookshelves can make me feel. I never knew I cared for them so. Also, we got a large filing cabinet which also brings me joy every time I walk into the room! Our small one is overflowing and broken. I kind of laugh at myself when I see myself get so happy about a silly thing. I wonder if anyone else has the same silly confession as I? And no, the picture is not of our office. Wishful thinking for Marty at least.