April Showers Bring May Flowers

I am so happy to say that for my first year trying it, I have successfully not killed any of the plants that my father and sister-in-law helped me plant last year! In fact, there are many flowers that have already bloomed and my flower bed looks beautiful. I have to thank my dad and Carrie for all the help last year with it and I can't wait to try some more. Enjoy these few pictures of the flowers already bloomed:

A beautiful iris....

All my leopard's bane....

My entire flower bed...

I love the spring time!

Sentimental

At the end of May 1999, my husband and I moved into our house (in it's current location). When we first found the property, it was perfect. There was a beautiful "little" pine tree in the back yard that was the only thing we made sure the contractor did not upset. Since that time, we have enjoyed this tree and how much it brings to the back yard. The only thing that I really didn't like about the tree was the fact that it was hard to mow around. But, it was perfect....and ours.

A few years ago, as with many Michigan winters, we got a really heavy, wet snow fall. While the snow was beautiful as it hung on the trees, it had bent our little pine tree over and we were afraid we would lose it. However, the tree bounced back after the snow thawed, although it gave the tree a permanent "S" shaped trunk. Since that year, we have watched as the winters have been hard on the tree, but it was pretty much always able to bounce back pretty nicely.

Unfortunately, however, the tree didn't make it this winter. During a particularly heavy snow fall, we lost two rather large branches from the tree which left too many big holes. After a fairly tough decision, we decided we better just cut it down. It was a tough decision, and one that I regretted briefly as the tree fell tonight. I actually started to cry even...

Now, some of you are reading this and wondering why I am so attached to a tree. Well, here is my reason: We fought for that tree so that it would be a part of what our lives and would symbolize our growth together. Although already a fairly mature tree, the fact that it would grow with us and our family was an important thing to me. Remember in elementary school you were always given a pine tree on Earth Day or something? It was much the same thing for us when we found this property.

So, I leave you with a picture of the tree before (from a couple of years ago)...


...and after....

Emma Kristine Cooper

Ben and I have a new niece in our family. Ben's niece, Kristine, had a baby girl on Friday, April 11th. She was 6 pounds, 3 oz, 19 1/2 inches long in great health. I realize that this post is a little bit late, but I finally got a few pictures to share, so enjoy.

My sister-in-law, Jaynie, holding her new granddaughter!

Emma Kristine Cooper

Who Am I

Lately my husband and I have become very interested in listening to Christian pop music. XM radio has a station that we have both made as one of our favorites. Casting Crowns is a group that has some incredible songs. Check out this video for some choreography for one of their most popular songs...

Surprise!

Ok, so I got home from work today with the understanding that I already had so much on my plate for tonight that there was no way I would write anything in my blog. However, I had a surprise waiting for me when I got home, and just felt that I had to share:

The above was waiting for me on my doorstep! While I have kind of been expecting it, I didn't know if I would get it in the mail or if I would get it at my graduation ceremony in June. The most exciting (and I have to brag a little here) is what is included on this diploma:


I don't usually like to toot my own horn, but I am very proud of this accomplishment (even if it wasn't done in the traditional sense). It may seem a little weird at times to write about myself like this, so I have to just say, again, that I am very grateful for everyone that has supported me in this endeavor. Without all of you, I would not have the above pictures to be able to share!!!

And, a little special note to my husband: You are the one who pushed me back into getting my degree, and I am eternally grateful for that. Together, you have helped me to work through many issues that have come up in my classes. Without you, especially, helping me to stay focused on this through thick and thin, I would not have made it to this point. You mean the world to me. I love you more than I can even express!

With all of that said, it is official! I now have a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Management and a minor in Finance.

Ten Drops

I'm reading a book right now about positive thinking, and what it can do in your life. The book, called Beyond Positive Thinking by Drs. Arnold and Barry Fox, is not just about positive thinking, but is about how there has to be action that corresponds to this thinking. It gives a story in the book about a woman who spent much of her childhood going from foster family to foster family, and being abused, abandoned, etc. Finally, at the age of 12, she was placed with this family who treated her like one of their own children.

The first night at dinner, this young girl was amazed as she watched "her dad" remove "ten plagues" from a water glass, in the form of drops. These "plagues", or tears, were things like anger, fear, self-pity, doubt, etc. After these drops were removed from the glass, the glass was refilled with "smiles". He would say:

"A drop of love,
A drop of warmth,
A drop of friendship,
A drop of song,
A drop of laughter,
A drop of learning,
A drop of growing,
A drop of sharing,
A drop of helping,
A drop of forgiving.
Ten drops make an ocean of joy"

After these drops were added, the glass was passed around the table for everyone to take a sip. Today, that young woman is a mother herself and is teaching her children the same lessons she learned from this family.

For some reason, this chapter of the book was one that I clicked with. As I sit and think about the bad things - such as fear, anger, self-pity, etc. - I realize that these thoughts will get me nowhere. On the other hand, as I think about what I can do today to learn, grow, help, forgive, I feel better about myself, my situation and the world in general.

Therefore I ask the question: Why focus on the bad stuff, when there is so much to be eternally grateful for in life? What are you grateful for?

Unexciting

Well, I started this blog with the idea that I would post every day, so I have to be a little more disciplined with that.

The week has been pretty busy, but for the most part unexciting. We have spent the weekend getting our church presentation together and paying bills. Sound exciting? The weather is starting to take a turn towards the good, and the grass is even starting to turn green. I'm even getting the itch to start spending some time outside.

I have nothing special to share necessarily. I ask for prayers for my friend Barb, who lost her grandmother last night. At the same time, I ask from prayers for my niece, who had a baby on Friday. It is weird sometimes how life works - as one begins another one ends. Kind of puts things in perspective. I'm thinking of all those who are grieving as well as those who are rejoicing.

I wish everyone a great week!