the whole bloomin' yard

When I bought the house in 2006, there was some decent landscaping in the front yard (to give some curb appeal no doubt), but nothing in the back. So last summer I spent some time digging out grass for a couple of beds near the house. I figured that not only would it make the back yard look more inviting, but it would cut down on a bit of the lawn-mowing that I would need to do (especially around a tree and swing). It was a lot of work, and since I really didn't have the money to buy any plants for the beds, they laid empty.

Sarah, when she saw these beds, laughed at me because I had dug out empty beds. But she has a landscaping fetish, and as soon as the weather began getting warm she started buying plants. Sarah soon realized the inadvertent gift of empty beds that I had given her. All she had to do was dig out the holes, throw some plant soil in them, and plop the foliage in the ground.

The transformation has been amazing. Though the backyard feels somewhat secluded because of the privacy fence and all the trees, her plantings have really made it an oasis from the world. Check out some of the pictures of what she has done! They really don't do justice to what it looks like in person, especially since the old playground equipment went away this weekend as well! I think we'll have to have a little get-together to show off her work!

Wedding Bells Are Ringing...

No, Sarah and I didn't elope! But today is my mom's wedding day. Just over a year after meeting Rick, they are tying the knot. Growing up in a loving, two-parent household, I had heard of kids seeing their parents getting remarried, but I never thought it would happen to me. Even today, just under eight hours away from walking her down the aisle, it still seems surreal. In just under eight hours she will become Barbara Parker. In just under eight hours I'll officially gain two new sisters (gee mom, you couldn't find someone with at least ONE son?!??!), a sister-in-law, and a future brother-in-law (if he gets around to popping the question)!

But how much will things really change? I doubt it will change much. Today is really much more of a formality, as the two of them have been acting like a married couple for at least nine months, and I feel like I know Liz and Sarah for a much longer time. The big changes this weekend are meeting the rest of Rick's family, including actually meeting Sarah, Pat, Chad, and Rick's parents, who because of distance have not been able to visit until now.

So this year is quickly becoming a year of new beginnings for my family. A new beginning for my mom and Rick, who have found each other and are dedicated to spending the rest of their lives together. My sister is expecting her first child this November. And just before the new year rings in, Sarah and I will be tying the knot. May God watch over all of it and bless us all!