~Our Time Away~

Hi, everyone!
I hope you all
have had a good week.

We've spent this week
visiting with our families
and having a nice relaxing time.

We also managed to fit in
some thrift stores,
but I'll show you that later. :)

We're back home now,
so I've been
unpacking,
doing laundry,
going through the mail...
you know, all that fun stuff
you have to catch up on
after being away.

I think the cats missed us.
They've been all under our feet
purring since we got back.
They're so funny. :)

~♥~
While we were at my parents' house,
Katie and I took some pictures to share with you.




~♥~
This is their front yard
with the dogwoods in full bloom.
They are beautiful!




~♥~
I just love this little 'tree'
on their front porch.
Mom decorates it
for the seasons and holidays.
I especially like the little black bears. :)

We have to be careful because
REAL black bears like to roam
around there too!

~♥~

This is their back yard.
Dad made this walkway last year,
and he did a wonderful job!!
The tulips were blooming
while we were there too...
so pretty!




~♥~
My dad also built this shelter out in their woods.
These two pictures are from last summer.
I didn't think to take any pictures
while we were out there this time.

~♥~
There's a fire pit out there too,
and this week we enjoyed
some good hotdogs and s'mores. Mmmm.
It's so relaxing to watch the fire
and listen to it crackle,
and hear the wind rustle through the trees...
one of life's simple pleasures for sure! :)

~♥~
Mom and Dad
are still living in the same house
where I grew up...
so many good memories.
I'm glad they're still there
and we have a nice place to visit
when we need a little break
from our busy life.

~♥~

We were so fortunate to have missed any tornadoes.
We were under a tornado warning during our visit,
but thankfully we were not hit.
Sadly, one of my cousins in Tennessee had two friends
who were killed in one of the tornadoes.
I feel so sad for all those who have lost loved ones
in these awful storms. They definitely need our prayers.

Thanks for stopping by.♥

Take care,
Melanie

Happy Easter!

I'm so glad Jesus is alive and well!

Just want to let you know
I will be taking a blog break this week.
I hope you are all doing well. :)

Have a wonderful Easter.

Take care,
Melanie

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today...April 18, 2011

Outside my window...a beautiful spring day! It's sunny and in the 70s.

I am hearing...Katie humming. :)

I am thinking...it's hard to believe this Sunday is Easter. Time just seems to fly by so fast.

I am remembering...the nice time we had at church yesterday. We had a potluck dinner after the service. Everything was decorated so pretty and the food was delicious. We're going to have to buy some more tables and chairs, but that's a good problem! We've had quite a few new families start coming to our church recently.

After the dinner, we had an Easter egg hunt for the children. I always enjoy watching them hunt for eggs...they have so much fun! :)

I am thankful... that we did not have any tornadoes in our area this past weekend. We were under a tornado watch, but nothing ever came our way. We did get a lot of rain, though.

I am also thankful Katie was safe and had a great time at her youth convention this past weekend. :)

From the kitchen...beef and cheese quesadillas and corn.

Around the house...cleaning the house and the garage. What a job! I have a lot to take to Goodwill and a lot to throw away.

A Scripture thought...Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

~Matthew 11:28-30

One of my favorite things...Easter. This is such a special time of year.

A few plans for the rest of the week...a ladies' meeting tonight at church, work until 3 o'clock tomorrow and Wednesday, half a day Thursday, then we will be out of school for Easter break until May 2nd! :) I have been so busy lately, I'm looking forward to a break.

We have invited one of our new church families to our house for supper on Friday night.

A picture I'm sharing this week...

The flowering cherry tree in our front yard. I think it is so beautiful!

Please visit Peggy to read more daybooks!

Have a great week. Thanks for stopping by. :)

Take care,

~Melanie

Pray for Jordan

I have a sweet blogging friend,
Marcia (some of you may know her already),
whose nephew, Jordan,
was severely injured in Afghanistan recently.
Click here to read her initial story about him.
Right now, he is in Bethesda, Maryland.
If you would like to send him a card,
click here to get his address.



Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
I know they would appreciate it.

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
-Galatians 6:2

I hope you all will have a great week.

Take care,
Melanie