A Rain Garden for All Seasons

Last Summer, we had our road repaved - Yeah for improvements! And as part of that project, the city asked if any houses in the neighborhood would be willing to install a rain garden. I was interested and called to find out more... which turned into us signing up to do one (unbeknownst to us)... which turned into a year long process - so it goes when working with the city. Sure we could have said no (since you might remember we were in the midst of a large kitchen remodel!), but it seemed to be a less expensive way to install a good looking garden in our front yard, since the city was providing the curb-cut, excavating, pavers, wood-chips, planting arrangements, and the means to helping us get reimbursed for up to half of our plants and work. Sounded pretty good... all we needed to add was patience!

Not knowing we would be selling our home in a year, we went ahead with our little project and had a big hole in the ground all winter. Finally this past June we connected with someone from the city to work up a plan of what to plant. We then bought the plants and finally were able to finish our garden.

~My fantastic helpers~

We've had compliments from the city and from many of our neighbors, who I'm sure were wondering what the hole was going to turn into. In fact many of the conversations started by them asking when the city was going to come back out and fill in this big hole they had dug! They were concerned with the eyesore, but not anymore!

It was a long, drawn-out... but fun process! It was interesting learning more about rain gardens and the plants that thrive in them. Plus, it fancied up the front lawn in a space we barely used anyway!

Golden Niner

Today marks NINE years of being married to my love!
EIGHT (*) job promotions which have helped mold and grow us, both as individuals and as a couple. It has also blessed us so that we were/are able to bless others.
SEVEN places we've moved into and lived for a time, from apartments to friends homes (what a gift those friends are) to our own houses.
SIX months of careful reflection on how God would use us in the coming years, prompting us to put our house up on the market in May, sell in August, and move in October...
FIVE years (so far) in Minneapolis where we began the "family" adventure and reignited our love for most everything outdoors.
FOUR years in Chicagoland, where we deepened our love of good tea, built strong relationships with good friends, and attended a church that keeps impacting our lives today.
A THREE-year old who is as sweet and helpful as can be; and who just started preschool! I can't believe how grown up she's getting.
A TWO-year old who never quits and who loves to give smiles; seriously he brightens my day everyday with one of his big grins! (I guess those painful months 4-9 when he literally cut every tooth one right after the other are now paying it forward)
ONE rescued black-lab whose gentle spirit we are grateful for daily and who has a love for all things soft and comfy.

ZERO days I would trade away. For as crazy or surprising as life can be, there is no one I would rather be standing next to, working together through life's curveballs. He can still surprise me, he dotes on his kids, he's a strong leader, he provides for our family, and best of all, he is who he is and that is just what I need!

I love you Jon! You are amazing and I am blessed to call you my husband!
Happy Anniversary!



*Original "Eight", but once discussed with Jon it was a little misleading since it was for as long as we've known each other not just in the nine years of marriage... EIGHT cars we've said goodbye to over the course of our years together; many adventures those cars took us on, building lasting memories.