This is the day that the Lord has made. 

 Let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

It seems so easy to rejoice in the spring.  Even with all the flooding and rain we are having, there are exciting signs of spring, new life, new birth everywhere around us this time of year. 

Things are awakening after having been comfortably sleeping under a blanket of snow for several months.  They are springing to life everywhere.  As we were driving yesterday, AtTheCross said, "Mom, look how green everything is now!"  We both were so warmed and excited by the sight of new growth and the green.  It is with those feelings that rejoicing just seems to flow so easily. 

We even felt it very necessary to have a few flower blooms present in the garden to remind us of new life, spring and Jesus' resurrection.  So, AtTheCross planted me a few purple pansies to get growing season going a bit. 

I got the porch furniture all set for the many, many upcoming days we will spend outside on the front porch.  We love to be outside (almost as much as we love snow) and around here, spring is the time to do it, before it gets too hot.  Now, the porch is all ready.  I enjoyed it today as the boys rode bikes and played basketball. 

Now, we need to head out back and get that all ready.  We will be cleaning the furniture for the back patio, getting flower pots ready for planting and putting out candles and things this week.  We are also going to begin planting our garden.  This week, lettuce, spinach, broccoli and cauliflower will all go in the ground.  How exciting!  Spring has arrived in the midwest and we are all very happy to see it here, once again.  God is good!