Spring is Here!

[caption id="attachment_1869" align="alignleft" width="236"] 24x30 Oil on gallery wrapped canvas[/caption]

I'm so glad you stopped by! Spring has made a spectacular entrance into Alabama! Can you even stand it?! The blue sky, the warm sun, the perfect breeze, and breathtaking colors everywhere! I want to be outside all day! I even called my children in college yesterday and told them to get outside! And I love that it changes everyday! Always something new to see! Flowers are constantly blooming, and new green grass is peeking through the ground everyday. I adore watching all the birds on parade in their amazing coats of color. Even the ones whose colors are not as bold make up for it in sweet songs. Have you even noticed the sights and sounds of Spring? Yes, I know, pollen has painted everything bright yellow, and allergy sufferers are suffering! But have you really seen the beauty outside your front door? It is absolutely, positively fascinating! A week ago my grass was brown, the sky was gray and it was so quiet. It was like a black and white photograph. Then overnight color burst out everywhere and there was literally music in the air. Everywhere! Gorgeous!

Yesterday I was at my child's tennis match. I was so thankful to be outside! I think everybody else was too. There was a soccer match and a softball game going on at the same time as the tennis. People were everywhere. There seemed to be more talking and laughing. Games were over and people were hanging around a little longer to visit with friends. It's so much fun to be outside in the spring.

It was nearing 6:00pm as I sat watching tennis, and I hadn't given dinner for my family the first thought. I was completely lost in the warmth and beauty of the afternoon. How could anybody deny that there is a God? No human, no "explosion" can create the stunning views of this world. Are you not seriously amazed at every intricate detail in creation? We witness miracles everyday! Just the mere fact that the sun comes up every morning is a miracle! It is awesome! God is sovereign over all things! He is awesome! "IN the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1 And it was good! God is great! Today when you are rushing around doing your day, promise me you will stop for just even a minute and notice the handiwork of God Almighty! Stand in awe! He is something! Enjoy Him today, and His gift to you in creation!

Enter His gates with thanksgiving! love love love Ruthie

Mother of the Bride

 I am so glad you stopped by! I could hardly wait to tell you my baby is getting married! She's been engaged exactly a week, and what a week it has been! Sweet wishes from friends have made our news extra special! It has touched my heart how excited everyone is for our baby! Truly, it has blown us away!

I can hardly believe I am the mother of the bride. I thought the mother of the bride was older. I feel like I just got married, and now my BABY is about to walk down the isle. It's really here. We feel so incredibly blessed to be growing our family and gaining such a precious Godly man. It's a sweet thing for our family!

Last weekend we had our family and his family over to celebrate the engagement and hear all about the "behind the scenes" details of the proposal. Her fiance had asked Eddie  for his permission to marry our baby three weeks prior, so we had time to plan a special night for when they returned home. I would start out talking about decorations and food and inevitably end up in "happy tears" unable to speak recalling treasured memories of our little girl. Eddie was sweet and patient as I gathered myself long enough to finish planning the night. Eddie was awesome. He never shed a tear. In fact, he was so excited about the night and I think he was more surprised at my emotional state.  He had precious thoughts and ideas that he wanted to add and share. He made planning the night really fun and easy for me! I could hardly wait!

The night finally arrived. It was fabulous. Every detail had fallen perfectly into place. All the family was there eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newly engaged couple. The minute they walked in the door, there were kisses and hugs and cheers all around! Her fiance had kept this night a surprise for her, and it was wonderful! She was the "belle of the ball" and completely surprised and in heaven! It could not have been more fun! After everybody had gotten a chance to squeeze the couple, we gathered around the dining room table for dessert. This was Eddie's cue to officially congratulate our sweet girl and her fiance and welcome him into our family.  We all kind of stood there making small talk, waiting. I glanced over at Eddie and he too is standing there, waiting. Only, he wasn't talking to anyone. He was standing there with his hands in his pockets looking around the room with this fixed smile on his face like he was having an "out of body experience." Normally, this is that moment when the host speaks up and welcomes everyone and gives directions for the food or whatever. We are all still standing and waiting, and the small talk is getting smaller. I caught eyes with Eddie and gave him a look that said "Come on baby you're up!" He just stood there, smiling and staring. Okay, now it was really awkward. I couldn't stand it any longer and I sweetly touched Eddie's shoulder and asked him if he would like to welcome everyone. I knew he did, we had planned the moment weeks in advance, but my question seemed to surprise him completely. He mumbled something that sounded like "yes" and moved closer to the table. I, on the other hand, am creating a "plan B" and frantically rehearsing a short speech in my head. Then I looked at Eddie and realized he wasn't surprised by the question at all. Instead, he was taking in all in for the first time. His sweet smile warmed the whole room and his eyes were fixed on our sweet girl. His eyes filled up with tears. He was unable to speak at that point, but his sweet heart communicated perfectly. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. Our sweet baby is getting married and we couldn't be more excited! What a night!

As the mother of the bride, there is much to be done. I know. I'm looking forward to this new adventure. I'm learning from friends, and I'm asking a million questions. But at the end of the day, my desire is to pray up every day that God would be glorified and honored in every decision, conversation and detail! God is good. Thank you for traveling this new path with me. I love the company!  love love love Ruthie