My First Birthday without you

 Today is my birthday, and I can’t shake the feeling of emptiness without you here. Each year, I looked forward to getting my first Happy Birthday text from you just after midnigt, then before I went to sleep, you always asked all about my day, but your absence is a constant reminder of how much I miss you. 

You were always there to share in the joy, to make me laugh, and to remind me of what really matters. I miss our late-night talks, your infectious laughter, and the way you made every moment feel special. I have dreaded this birthday because of you not being here and thinking you wont be here for any more.  

As I reflect on the memories we created, I’m filled with both gratitude and sadness. I cherish every moment we shared, but the ache of missing you makes it hard to fully embrace the day. You were my confidante and my cheerleader, and I wish I could feel your support and love today.

On this birthday, I’ll carry you with me in my heart. I’ll honor your memory by celebrating life as you would want me to—filled with joy, laughter, and love. I miss you deeply, and I hope you’re watching over me, celebrating alongside me in spirit. 

TWO MONTHS

 60 days

1440 hours

86400 minutes

Today marks two months since you left us, and not a moment passes without the ache of your absence. My dear sister, you were more than just family; you were my confidant, my partner in mischief, and my unwavering support. The world feels dimmer without your radiant smile and infectious laughter.

I think back to all our cherished moments—those late-night talks filled with dreams and secrets, the silly inside jokes that only we understood, and the countless times you lifted me up when I was down. You had a way of making the ordinary feel extraordinary, and your kindness touched everyone you met. Your compassion was a light in this world, and I see traces of it in everyone you inspired.

Each day without you is a reminder of the love we shared. I carry your spirit with me, and in those quiet moments, I can almost hear your voice urging me to keep going, to find joy even in the pain. I am learning to navigate life without you, holding onto the lessons you taught me about resilience and love.

Though you are in heaven, I know you’re watching over us, guiding us with your gentle spirit. I promise to honor you by living my life fully, embracing the beauty of each day, just as you did. I’ll share your stories, laugh at our memories, and keep your legacy alive in my heart.

Thank you for being the incredible sister you were. I miss you more than words can express, but I find comfort in knowing that our bond can never be broken. Until we meet again, I will love you always.

Life in Christ Bible MIN

I have wanted a study bible for so long, so when I was offered this one for a review, I was so excited.  I had it sitting on my table in the living room and even my husband wanted it.  It is a great study bible.

God has a purpose for your life in this moment. You have a part to play in what He is doing in the world. But knowing why you are here starts with knowing who God says you are. #LifeInChristBibleMIN invites you to embrace your identity and purpose as you:

• Discover why you matter-not because of anything you do, but because you are made in the image of God.

• Explore how the gospel of Jesus Christ makes you a new person.

• Learn how who God says you are changes how you think, speak, work, and move through the world.

Embrace your purpose as you discover why you matter, how the Gospel makes you a new person, and learn how that changes the way you think, speak, work, and move through the world.

• Order your copy of The Life in Christ Bible today

Video
Alternative Landing Page: LINK

Disclosure:
Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing and © 2024 Momentum. CONFIDENTIAL for providing a sample of the prod-uct for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.

Gardening Is Art, Too: How the Rainbow Brings Color To Your Backyard

 Gardening is more than simply planting plants, it is an art that allows you to bring an explosion of colors right into your own backyard. See yourself walking into your garden and being welcomed by a living rainbow, an harmonious mixture of flowers that recreate nature's most vibrant show. With enough creativity and knowledge about gardening techniques, an ordinary plot of land can become an explosion of color with ease. Let's look at how to design one so as to capture its brilliance for maximum effect in terms of design principles and bring an explosion of colors right into our outdoor spaces.

Photo by Harry Grout on Unsplash

Crafting the Canvas: Choosing Your Plants

Your rainbow garden starts by carefully selecting plants to fill its spectrum of hues. Consider perennials and annuals that cover red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet shades. Poppies and tulips can bring vibrant red hues while marigolds, daylilies and calendula add bright touches of orange and yellow. Hostas and ferns give lush green hues. Delphiniums bring vibrant blue tones to the scene. Violets add finishing touches of brilliance that completes its palette. Each plant brings something special as each adds its own brilliance, providing an array of vibrant color combinations.

Adding Calibrachoa Cabaret to Your Garden Design

This vibrant perennial is sure to add vibrancy and shine in your rainbow garden design. Owing to their many trumpet-shaped blooms, these plants boast an extensive palette of hues that can easily integrate with the color scheme of any garden. Calibrachoa Cabaret provides vibrant hues that range from deep magentas and vibrant pinks, through vibrant yellows to more subdued tones, that help complete your spectrum. "Midnight Kiss" Calibrachoa Cabaret flowers feature dramatic deep red-purple blooms that bring depth to any garden's color scheme. Not only are these beauties beautiful to look at, their low maintenance needs make them great additions for hanging baskets or containers. Calibrachoa Cabaret can add a dynamic layer to any garden design, creating a striking display of colors with elegant movement and beauty. Consider including this plant to increase aesthetic appeal while further creating the overall color story you envision for your outdoor space.

Implementing Color Theory into Your Garden Design

In addition to choosing plants with appropriate colors, it's also important to pay attention to how these hues are distributed within your garden design. Applying basic color theory principles can help create an aesthetically pleasing layout. Here are some tips for applying this theory:

• Start with a focal point: Select one color as the star of your garden, and add complementary hues around it to round out its effect.

• Use a color wheel: To effectively combine colors, the color wheel can be an invaluable resource. Use analogous (those near each other on the wheel) or complementary colors (opposite each other on the wheel) combinations for a harmonious effect.

• Explore different textures: Don't restrict yourself to flowers alone. Consider including plants with varied textures like grasses and succulents to add depth and interest to your design.

• Consider your garden's atmosphere: Different colors can evoke different emotions, so think carefully about what overall atmosphere you want your garden to convey. Warm colors such as reds and oranges may evoke lively energy while cooler tones like blues and purples may promote relaxation and serenity.

• Be adventurous: One of the greatest benefits of gardening is that it's always changing and evolving, so don't be shy about experimenting with various color combinations and seeing which works best in your space. You might be amazed at how certain hues complement one another in unexpected ways.

Designing with Dimension: Layering and Layout

Achieving a rainbow effect in your garden takes more than just splashes of color, it requires thoughtful layering and layout. Think of your garden as a three-dimensional canvas, taller plants such as sunflowers and hollyhocks provide the backdrop while mid-height species like coneflowers and zinnias make good midground plants, while pansies and violets fit nicely in the foreground. Careful placement ensures blooms stand out at their best, creating an arch effect similar to an arching of rainbow.

Outfitting with Accents: Hardscaping in Harmony

A rainbow garden isn't solely about its plant life, hardscape plays an important supporting role. From pathways paved with vibrant stones, colorful garden art, or painted fences, hardscaping serves to reflect and amplify its vibrant living colors while adding structural interest and visual anchors throughout. Think seating arrangements that beckon visitors into its colorful splendor as well as hardscaping's visual anchors throughout.

Photo by Man Chung on Unsplash

Conclusion

Constructing a rainbow garden is more than aesthetic, it's a celebration of nature's endless creative spirit. By carefully selecting plants, designing layers, adding accents and planning for year-round color, you can craft an entrancing space that dazzles in every dimension. So go ahead and add some rainbow magic into your backyard, and let nature's rainbow colors fill your days. A garden filled with vibrant colors is more than a visual treat, it soothes both mind and soul.