Gardening

For the first time ever, I'm trying my hand at gardening.  I don't think my hand has a green thumb, though, so we'll see how this turns out.  I'm attempting a container garden, which includes thyme, basil, cherry tomatoes, and marigolds.  This afternoon I planted the three herbs.  I still have to purchase the marigold plant because last time I went to the nursery they still weren't stocking them due to the cold temperatures.  I got the inspiration for this particular assortment of plants from HGTV magazine, which I have a subscription to thanks to my wonderful sister-in-law, Maggie.

Hopefully my little garden will bloom and thrive.  I'll keep you updated on its progress...and with pictures, if there's anything to see.

The only plants I have ever had, unfortunately, I killed.  I usually kill them with too much love and nourishment by overwatering them.  As in friendships, plants too need a little room to grow.  But they do also need the care and attention to make sure their needs are met.  I know I'm far from the first one to analogize gardening to relationships, but I was struck by this concept as I was talking to my little plants outside.  They do need me, but they also just need time to grow on their own.  I will strive to remember that as I (hopefully) watch my garden grow, but I will also try to remember that as I watch my friends, family, and all of those around me grow.  They need me, but they also need space to bloom.  

"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."  Proverbs 27:17

And the award goes to...

Me!  For worst blogger ever.

It seems like so much and so little has gone on since I last wrote.  Drew and I are now settled in Newport, Rhode Island and loving our little apartment.  Well, except for all the noise that accompanies living in the middle apartment of a three story converted house.  We've already been fortunate enough to have three groups of visitors - Lindsay, Mikko & Kirsi, and Roush.  I think I've got the visitor itinerary down now, so we'd love to have more visitors anytime!

Me & Lindsay exploring Brown University in Providence, RI

Mikko & Kirsi on the world famous Cliff Walk in Newport, RI 

Fenway Park: we went to our first Red Sox game with Matt!

The winter was long, extremely long.  Even as I write this in the middle of May, the temperature is only 55 degrees outside.  I sure wish it would warm up a bit.  But I do have to say that springtime is beautiful, even if the weather isn't perfect.  Since this was my first true winter, it is also my first true spring.  I conceptually understood the whole spring thing - flowers bloom, things get green, new life, you know.  However, I never really got it until now; it is phenomenal!  It felt like overnight gorgeous flowers just sprung up, trees that I had only ever seen bare had leaves and flowers, and the colors are just so pretty.  I can't get enough of them.  This spring thing is really amazing.  Each time I drive around I'm in awe anew of the beauty that God created all around us.  It's been a real treat!

The biggest news in our family is that my brother and sister-in-law are expecting a perfect little girl in October!  We are all thrilled.  I know that they will be amazing parents and cannot wait to see the love and affection that they pour on their daughter.  And I can't wait to meet her!  I'm going to be an aunt!!!!

The cute gender reveal - I always love a scratcher

The second biggest news in our family is that my brother just graduated from Duke Law School!  (Wait a minute, it seems like Jake is getting more than his fair share of publicity here.)  We are so, so, so proud of Jake and all of his accomplishments.  He is quite the brainiac!  We were lucky because the whole family was able to make it out to North Carolina for his graduation and the ensuing celebration.  It was the perfect time to be together because it was the three year anniversary of our mom's passing and Mother's Day all while we were there with each other.  There was no place else I would have rather been.  It was also nice because we got to celebrate Angela, the mom-to-be, and her wonderful mother, Amy, who was also there for the graduation, with a fantastic Mother's Day homemade brunch.  We had a superb time together.  There was some sightseeing, lots of celebrating, lots of eating, lots and lots of game playing, and just some really good times with each other.  I am so blessed!  I love my family! 

Law School Family BBQ at Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Way to go, Jake!  Congratulations! 

Hermanos