nature walk 2

I grew up going on nature walks all the time with my mom, so part of me feels like it isn't really spring unless we are watching the changes in nature closely. I once even considered becoming a park ranger because I loved it so much (that was when I wanted to be a recluse and live in the Smoky Mountains too.) Now I get to be the guide for my kids. We were at my parents today and went on a walk. They have the same wildflowers I posted before, so I won't duplicate, but they had some not found at my place. It was a beautiful sunny spring day, a little cool, and the kids did good job of being quiet so as not to scare the wildlife.

Canada Violet

Mustard

Blue Phlox

The Spring 

The Trail

Mossy roots 

Carpet Bugleweed "Ajuga"

Large White Trillium

Wild Geranium

Virginia Creeper

Rattlesnake Fern

Elauna and Frederick

nature walk

Toadshade Trillium

Downy Yellow Violet

Spring Beauty

White Phlox 

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Mayapple

Common Blue Violet

Golden Ragwort

Elauna and Frederick

Confederate Violet 

Dandelion

My Handsome Frederick

last man standing

Yesterday was a special day in our family as our daughter Claire was dedicated to the Lord. Our family was there too, which meant so much to us. I am so blessed to have a God-fearing husband who desires to raise his children to honor God. He was able to speak before Claire was dedicated, and I was very proud of what he shared.

“Over the course of the last couple months my wife and I were able to see a movie that really touched our hearts. We watched it as a family and then we had the opportunity last night to share the movie [at The Gathering Place]; the movie is “Courageous.”  At the end of the movie it mainly speaks to the men of God and asks them to be dedicated to live a life worthy  of the Gospel, to honor God in everything you do; that is our mission. In my upbringing, dedication wasn’t talked about. It was just something that was supposed to happen. I want Claire to know who God is, before there is a chance that Satan knows who she is. I want all my children to know God before that happens. We have dedicated Frederick and Elauna; now it is our desire to dedicate Claire to the Lord. But that just doesn’t mean dedicating our children to the Lord, it means dedicating our entire family life to God, to make sure that Claire has a clear understanding of what God wants for her life. So my intention is simply to let God know that we will honor Him no matter what, even if we are the last people standing."