It reminded me of the day Michelle, my cousin, told me my mommy died after picking me up from Babcia's house. It got me thinking how hard it must have been for her to tell me that I lost another parent (I lost my father five years earlier when I was 3 turning 4) and I think of the kids I work with who are 4 and 5.

If I were to tell them their dad died than 5 years later their mom died, I would think they are in for a rough life with rebellion and most likely depression. Who wouldn't think that after what a child went through with experiencing death so young? But I didn't have to go through that thanks to God and His grace. He made my aunt brave enough to endure raising a potential problem child. I have so many values that she instilled in me. If it wasn't for God putting it in her heart to raise me, I can only imagine how much of a mess I would be in right now. 

God has a perfect plan and is sovereign overall. Do I wish I had my parents raising me? Of course! Who wouldn't however I now understand The Lord knew what he was doing. I may not have a complete understanding but I know going through that has helped shape me into the woman I am. It is helping shape me to be the mother I will one day be, God-willing.

I can joyfully give God all the glory for me not being bitter and depressed. It is because of Him that I have joy and I want to extend that grace to others for His glory.

Can you look back on a dark time in your life and now see God's hand in it all? Doesn't it give you great comfort that he is in control and we are not?

Yes, 3 WEEKS.

...those flowers were finally on their last end so I was in desperate need of fresh flowers to make my house feel fresh and clean.

And yes, flowers do that. If you don't understand why, that's okay. My husband doesn't either but it does.

Anywho, as I was searching for the next bunch that would fill my house for the next few weeks (hopefully), I saw them. 

Tulips.

I'm more of a rose, hydrangea or lily type of gal but I've been straying. I have seen pictures of tulips in other people's houses and they look gorgeous. I thought I would give it a try.

It looked nice buuutt I wasn't in love with it. However, I left it like that for two days in hope it would grow on me.

It didn't.

The tulips got all droopy and I don't know what that's about because I wasn't digging it. 

So, I took the leaves off and trimmed them shorter. I thought a mason jar works with everything.

It didn't.

Maybe, a vase with a thinner neck so they don't droop.

Btw, my house looks clean in this angle but if I'm honest, this is what the other side looks like

Yeeeaaah, a tornado of a coat closet renovation that went wrong is in our midst. Just keeping it real.

Back to the thin neck vase, I still wasn't filling it. 

As I was looking around my house at all the vases I had on hand, I saw her. The crystal vase my grandmother gave me. I would simply place the thin neck vase inside of the crystal vase and see what happens.

It was like magic.

Love.

I thought I would have to give up on the tulips all together but now I know. 

Also, I am finally completely in love with my entry way vignette. 

Do you use fresh flowers in your home? Do you have flower arrangement problems like me when trying to place them somewhere?

I'm sharing this post with Remodelacholic.