April Showers to May Flowers. Finally.

I had plans to post this a long time ago. But then it rained. And rained. And rained. Then I went on a trip... And finally I am back home and I think the rain (and snow) has stopped! The best part of Spring? Flowers. Everything is in bloom. So today I have invited all my sponsors to tell me their favorite flowers are now! My favorites are tulips and sunflowers... but really just any flowers are beautiful and I love getting them (hint, hint to Skinny...)

Stay Gold, Autumn

My favorite flowers are peonies!  That is what my wedding bouquet was made of :) 

Caravan Sonnet

It is almost impossible for me to pick just one flower! I truly love any and all flowers! 

Some of my favorites would be peonies, Gerber daisies, sunflowers, 

wildflowers, roses, and calla lilies.

Reupena Household

My favorite May flowers are pink and purple calla lilies.

AB Petite

My favorite May flowers are def all the fun tulips popping up everywhere. 

They just put a huge smile on my face.

Coffee-N-Ink

I have always been in love with tulips - just recently, though, 

dahlias have been catching my eye. 

But, you know what? Between you and me? {smile} 

I love any flowers really - especially "just because" flowers!

Oh, Just Living the Dream

Okay, I cannot explain to you how much I love flowers. 

My personal favorite are daisies. But just recently I went to San Diego and

 took pictures of all the beautiful flowers. The sun was shining, and sky was 

blue and the flowers were all blooming!

Chevron and Lace

Tulips have always been a favorite because they're beautiful and 

so much like humans, rising and sleeping with the sun, like we do. 

Although since I became a mother last May, 

my Chelsea has become my favorite May flower.

Life with Amberly and Joe

My favorite May flowers would have to be daffodils and tulips 

because when they bloom, I know that summer is 

coming and the cold is finally over!

A Muse in Purple

My favorite May flowers would have to be peonies. 

I desperately wanted them in my wedding but alas, I got married in 

November and they were out of season. So pretty! 

Fashion Love and Lauren

I'm most excited to get rid of all this boring 

white snow and to have a colorful world again. Spring, 

I welcome you with open arms and minor fist pumping. 

Oh Sweet Goodness 

Now that April Showers are slowing down 

I love the daises and roses that are everywhere.

 I just can't get enough of them!

So there you have it! Tulips, daisies, calla lilies, sunflowers, and peonies to name a few. All of us are looking forward to warmer weather and flowers coming up on every street corner... or hoping to see them in (once again... hint, hint to my sweet husband) our kitchen! What are your favorite spring flowers? What do you love to see growing?

Love,

Deidre

Feel Beautiful.

I wasn't going to post today. But then I saw this and needed to share.

via

We all have those things that are important to us and make us feel happy and beautiful. For some it is being a mother. For other it is volunteering. For some it is work. And for some it is just wearing makeup and getting your hair done. Besides being a wife and having my husband help me feel beautiful daily, dance really does make me feel better. From the inside out. And I feel young, free, and alive. Dancing is something that will always be important to me. What keeps you young and free? What makes you feel beautiful? 

Love,

Deidre

Tears. And Tears. And Tears.

There was that one time I cried during a work training... not once. But twice. Why am I so emotional? I usually don't cry this much. At first I thought maybe it was "hormones", but then I realized that was two weeks ago. Hormones? Nope. Then I got to thinking. It is probably the fact that I only slept for 4 hours the night before.

First we watched this video. Which I am pretty sure everyone in the world has seen. Okay. Maybe not the world. But everyone that reads blogs maybe? Well. It gets me. Every single time. Tears and tears. So powerful. If you haven't seen it. Watch it now.

   

Isn't it a great reminder to look past the looks? There is so much more to a person than their outward appearance. And Susan Boyle and her voice is a great reminder of that. Alright. This next one... let me just say, I am glad the room was dark. Tears and tears. 

Please tell me you cried too so I don't feel like a crazy!? Well. Even if you didn't. These videos were too good not to share. Loved them both. Inspirational and touching. What inspirational videos do you love?

Love,

Deidre

Dear Sandy Hook,

Since Friday morning I have been trying to think of how to put my thoughts and feelings into words... but at the end of it all the same thing came to me. I am speechless. My thoughts, my tears, my love, and my prayers go to all those that were affected by the events of that morning. I have no doubt that arms were opened wide at Heaven's gates for all of the Connecticut natives. Young and old, boy and girl, all welcomed to be with their Heavenly family. At this special time of year I ask that we all keep these families and friends in our prayers and in our thoughts. That they might have peace, comfort, and love. And that we use moments like these to come together as a nation, all feeling the same heartache and looking for a brighter tomorrow. I want to share this special poem with you, every time I read it tears fill my eyes. I hope you can feel the same love and peace as I do when you finish.

 

 

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
When 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
But Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
Those children all flew into the arms of their King
And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
One small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
Then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"May this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"Come now my children, let me show you around."
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

Dear USGA,

Thank you for sharing this video with the world. This movie is, put simply, beautiful. I admire these students for putting themselves out there and being vulnerable. There is so much more to life than judging people by how they act, what they believe, or what they look like. A person is a person, no matter what. And Heavenly Father loves the person you are.

I am proud to be a BYU Graduate.

Love,
Deidre