Friday, April 27, 2012

Our Accidental Butterfly Garden

Last year, we planted a few butterfly plants in our raised bed in the back yard. 
 Among those we planted was a milkweed bush. 
 Towards the end of summer the seed pods burst open. 
We had fun blowing the seeds all around the yard and watching the wind carry them everywhere.
 I knew that they wouldn't sprout in the yard because Josh mowed regularly (haha.) 
 In our back yard, there is a small section that sits between the fence and the house, and apparently, doesn't get mowed.
Imagine our surprise when we happened to glance around the corner and found this.


The milkweed seeds had gotten trapped in this corner and 
this year sprouted into a bountiful butterfly garden!
I guess I should be glad my hubby wasn't mowing back here?

Its been fun every morning coming out to hunt for caterpillars.  
There are tons of Monarch caterpillars munching leaves everywhere. 
We get to see them eat, grow, build their chrysalises, and then hatch and test out their new wings! 

Its been quite the educational experience for Madi.  Homeschooling at its finest! :)

The very hungry caterpillar.


Searching for a good chrysalis making spot.

When they make a "j" and start getting darker, you know they are making their chrysalis.

Chrysalis almost ready to hatch!

It's empty!

I couldn't catch a picture of the new butterfly.  It was very skittish and as soon as it saw me flew clumsily away.  

Isn't this cool though? 

If you'd like to come visit, just let me know! :) 

much love,
bc

Monday, April 23, 2012

Redeemed {Review and Giveaway} ((closed))







Congratulations to 
MANDY 
You have won the Redeemed Wallet! 
(winner chosen by RaffleCopter with random.org)






Redeem.  To pay off, buy back, recover.  

All of those, and more, describe what Jesus did for us.  He paid the price for our sin.  He LOVED us so much that we were worth dying for.  He redeemed us from our sin.  He paid the price for our eternity.  

We are beautifulvaluable, loved, treasured.

I am so thankful to be reminded of how important I am to my Savior.  

I was contacted by Dayspring to do a review of their new Redeemed Makeup Bag and Wallet.  
They are awesome! Not only are the patterns beautiful, they are embroidered with scripture.  
The makeup bag has inscribed "truly beautiful Ecc. 3:11" and the walled has "truly treasured Rom. 8 28".  

They are both made from glossed canvas and oil cloth. 
Take a look. 


The makeup bag is roomy and can be used as a clutch also.  Or, if you are a mom, a nice little take along wipe and diaper case.  :)  



The wallet has a snap enclosure and an adorable chevron pattern across the front.  It has just enough room for some, important cards, and if you are lucky enough to have some, cash and change! :)


Don't you want one? You'd like the chance to win the Redeemed wallet? 
Well, enter here! (winner must cover shipping costs)

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

I love Lakeland.

As a teenager, which is pretty normal, I couldn't wait to get out of this city! I thought there was never anything fun to do and I was always soooo bored. 

But now, as an adult, wife, and mother, I love Lakeland! It is such a great mix between a big city and a small town.  And while yes, the ever increasing traffic is giving my patience a run for the money, there are so many things I love about it.  I have lived in other states so I know what else is out there, and nothing has felt like home quite like here.    

I LOVE that almost anywhere I go, I run into someone who I know.  
I LOVE that we have events like First Friday, Pics on the Promenade, and a great Christmas Parade where the attraction is more the fellowship beforehand than the actual parade.
I LOVE that I have a group of friends who we have grown up together and now are having babies together.
I LOVE that my husband is a pastor at the church where we have attending almost our entire lives and now, where my children are growing and learning.
I LOVE that I live in central Florida and the beach is an hour in either direction.  
I LOVE that the weather is beautiful, and while this summer promises to be scorching hot, we don't have to shovel several feet of snow.  Ever.

Most of all, I LOVE that I am growing my family surrounded by a great community.  A "village", if you will, full of church family, MOPS family, friends of all ages, and an ever changing flow of people God puts in our path to serve every day.


I don't know why I felt the need to write about this, but if you are a part of my Lakeland family, or anyone we have had the privilege of crossing paths with, know that we love you and are so glad to have you as a part of our life.  

thankful,
bc