Faves that Shout Spring!

I'm writing this on Thursday late afternoon and posting it because I have no time tomorrow to do the Friday Fave Fives and link up before leaving for work.  And tonight I have my group of mom friends for small group here so won't get to write anything.....we tend to socialize a bit after group is over and then it makes for a late night!

For those of you who are new here:  this is a time to reflect back on our week and choose 5 things/people/places that were special or blessings from God.  I find this such a great way to remember to say "thank you!" to my Father in Heaven.....and it helps to look for those things that we sometimes take for granted but which are special treasures from the Lord. Our gracious hostess is Susanne from Living to Tell the Story...check out her blog and link up with us!  Or if you don't own a blog, but you visit here (I know several of you who do this.....some of you are personal friends of mine :) ), leave a comment stating one fave thing from your week!  I love reading what God does in each person's life.....

  My Five Faves

• HAPPY FACES!  My youngest, Claire, went on a shopping date with Daddy.....she was supposed to get a new bike last spring (a Xmas 2009 gift) and it never happened....so....he took her last Saturday and she chose a purple mountain bike.....I LOVED seeing her happy face when she took me to the garage to show me.......guess what we'll be doing this spring, summer, and autumn!!

Claire on her mountain bike
2 April 2011

• SPRING CLEANING!  We purged our home of accumulated junk!  We started out with the garage last Sunday.....here is what it looks like today (minus my car...I parked in the driveway as my oldest needs to take it tonite).  My husband did the bulk of the work.  I reorganized and Claire swept. We threw or gave away alot of stuff!  This weekend we tackle the shed and the oldest daughter will take her turn to help.I cleaned and reorganized the family room, adding some pretty silk crocuses to the coffee table.....and I did most of Claire's room. Next week I tackle the bedrooms (minus the closets...I already did those with the girls' help).  All I really have left, during spring break, are the cupboards and windows.  The basement will be tackled later next month by my husband.  And...if you are local...we are selling our camper, so let me know if you are looking for one!  

The T----Family Garage
(Dave's bike is in shed)

Family Room Coffee Table Arrangement
April 2011

• DECK SET-UP!  One of my fave things, (and if you have read this blog before you know this already!) is sitting outside on our deck reading or eating/drinking coffee or chatting with family/friends.  This is the part of the deck that is my fave:  the reading/chatting corner.  We get the morning sun and in the later spring and all through the summer, I like to have my breakfast and "quiet time" out here.  It is so peaceful.....and we use the deck for parties and get- togethers.  I love getting it all ready for the season.....in another month, I 'll add a plant to the ceramic pot you see on the wooden table and another type of plant/flower to the glass table.  I usually light candles at night and I have plans to have my small group out there once the evenings are warm enough! And since Claire didn't want her birthday party in December due to the busyness of the holidays, she agreed to wait another month for her party and the girls will use the deck and we'll have a fire in the firepit...always a fun party thing to do! 

The T--family deck all set for coffee and conversation!

• LILAC BUDS BURSTING ON THE BRANCHES!! My fave flowers are lilacs and tulips along with a myriad of wildflowers found in the Adirondack Mountains and meadows of New England...but..this time of year, my faves are the lilacs and tulips.....always so exciting to see them bloom come May.

buds on the lilac bush!
6 April 2011

• LETTERS FROM LOVED ONES!  This past week I received a letter on gorgeous stationary from Dave's 2nd cousin and his wife.  R is actually my father-in-law's younger cousin.  He lives in PA near Hershey.  He is married to MJ who is close to my age.  They are the only members of the T----family who are Christians (to our knowledge). We stayed with them when we toured that area of PA.  We have a special place in our hearts for them.....they are some of our very fave relatives and MJ does NOT do computers at home. She is on one all day at work and never emails, blogs, or does FB.  How refreshing is that??  She and I love to write letters back and forth and with her letter came the glorious news that they will be attending Courtney's grad party in July.  We cannot wait to see them again. We had enjoyed Labor Day weekend with them last autumn but it seems like so long ago! I love getting letters in the mail from loved ones just as much as I love writing them!

Those were just 5 things that blessed me this week....there are always so many other special moments during a week:  texts and calls from friends, great Scriptures that God points me to, times of prayer and meditation that calm my heart or mind, laughter and love with my husband and children, events at school, the progress of the special kindergartners I help teach at work, and the friendly waves of neighbors.....church services that totally bless me, worship times that minister and Christian friends who encourage and edify....and even my prayer time for a far away friend who no longer communicates with me is special....because as I seek the Lord regarding things she has shared, I find that there is a deep love in my heart....and the more I pray for people, the deeper that love becomes...and that is always a fave!!  

"Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep His promise."  Hebrews 10:23

how about you??  what are your faves this week??