This is our new deck. We made it out of 13' siding pallets that we got from a lumber yard. We put three of them together and reinforced some of the wobbly boards to make it a little more sturdy. We finished this a couple of weekends ago, but tonight was our first time having dinner on it.

Some of our friends are kinda shy, so I will just post the pics of us :). My hubby also got our hammocks out of the garage and Petey decided that he wanted to joinme on it. Of course once he was up there he wasn't so sure about it - lol.

One of the tree branches that my hubby cut off the tree last weekend, we have turned into seating - it wraps around the outside of the deck.

We still have a lot if work to do around it, but I am so excited to have most if the heavy lifting mostly done.

The Bear Paws - those are my favorite! When my hubby and I got married (almost 12 years ago) we honeymooned in Big Bear, California. We bought our first set of Iron Bear Paws and every year since we have tried to buy a set. Although after we pulled them all out of the garage we realized we are a few years (sets) behind. This is only part of them. The rest will go throughout the yard as a paths.

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Joshua 10:25 Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight."

Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 20:4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."

Deuteronomy 4:31 For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.

Genesis 28:15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Deuteronomy 31:6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."

My hubby gives me all of his old, worn out cargo pants. So I took 2 of the pockets and made a purse with them. I also got to use some strapping and a buckle that were from the Marines during World War II (see the little anchor) love how this purse turned out!

Since making this purse this week, I have decided to use it primarily as a Brass Collecting Bag. For those that don't shoot, I'll explain. When going to the range it is considerate to collect your brass (also the brass can be reloaded), so instead of getting my pockets dirty, I wear my bag and put the empty casings (brass) in there. I can also carry extra magazines in it, so I don't have to cram them into my pockets either.

I used it today when I went shooting and one of my friends loved it so much he now wants one!! Of course he wants one a "little less girly" than mine. Yay! Good thing I have a whole bunch of old cargo pants to work with!

Well, I better get to work!!

"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears The Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates."

Proverbs 31:10-31 NKJV

I am so thankful for NAPS!! Today I had the rare opportunity to lay out on our enclosed porch, in the sun, with my kitties, and take a long nap. This is one of my favorite places to be during the Spring! So to enjoy this luxury in the middle of winter is so awesome! Thank you Lord for the sunshine!

I have so much to be thankful for today! Last night I had an awesome and fun night out with the girls from church. Got to laugh and joke around, and talk about "girl stuff" :). Then today, what I thought was going to be really stressfull, ended up being one full of accomplishments. I got the project I needed to finish done, printed, and handed in on time. I stepped in on a "project" of disgusting and foul smelling proportions (we'll just leave it at that - lol). I felt good that I was able to stomach it and help my friend out. When I would normally have wussed out :). Then I got a LOT of cleaning and organizing done at work. Hoping the improvements that we made will help our creative processes excel and flourish. Then I got to come home and cook dinner for my hubby, which I always love to do. Eating dinner with him is such a blessing. I love our time where we can relax and enjoy each others company. Now to get ready for bed. Praying tomorrow is a good day and full of blessings (good or bad).

Thank you Lord for your provisions, your hand in my life, for holding me up when I can barely function, for wiping away my tears, for comforting me in my sorrows, and for helping me break out of my shell. I pray that I will listen to you more and less of the world. I pray for my husband, that you would provide his every need and help him to be content with where you have him. I pray that you will show him joy, love, and peace. That you will fill his heart with what he needs to get through the day. That you would draw him and I closer to you and each other. I thank you so much for him. He truly blesses my life and fills it with love. In Your Precious Name, Amen.

A little over 6 months since my last Thankful post. I feel so bad for not keeping up with this journey and I pray that I am able to continue on where I left off. After Becky died, depression hit me like a ton of bricks. I haven't felt pain like that ever before in my life. On the days where I was able to stay in denial, I was "fine" on the outside but crying on the inside. Then there were days where I just couldn't even function. Through all this my hubby, my rock, has been there for me. Holding me in his arms, letting me cry until I had no more tears, and praying with me when I was just too anxious to sleep. During Christmas we went to her headstone and decorated it (mainly because she LOVED decorating for Christmas). The next night my hubby took me out to her headstone to show me that he had placed a string of LED lights that run in batteries around her headstone. It looked so beautiful! She would have loved it! Then I found out that he has been going out there to change out the batteries after each storm. This has been so healing for me. I couldn't believe he was doing this for me and for her. I am praying that the pain gets easier. I miss her so much!

The top one is mine and the bottom one is the one we were taught from. I like to change mine up a bit - color outside the box! :)

Since Becky passed away, we have been wanting to do something in memory of her. So, since she loved to sew, we decided to make a friendship quilt. We gathered her friends and we made a plan. Each of us makes our own unique 8.5" square. We could use her fabric or some of our own. Some suggested that there be a color combo. I suggested that each of our squares be unique to our personalities. I won :) I am so excited! The girls have been doing a great job at getting them done, and I am the first to see them, since they drop them off at my house when they are finished.

Yesterday, Becky's Mom, Sister and I worked on ours together. We laughed, we cried, we told stories, and we crafted! Here is my square and the reasons why I chose what I did.

P.S. Once I get all the squares, I will pot pics of all of them so you can see them and then I will post the finished quilt once it gets sewn together :)