In a Field of Sunflowers

 

Sunflowers are a favorite for both my daughter and I so when I saw they were in full bloom at a nearby orchard I knew we had to go.  My son went along too so I treated him to ice cream after for being such a good sport.  We also picked blueberries and blackberries while we were there.  I tried to come up with something fun we can do to get out of the house today.

Brianna has been feeling really down in the last few days.  Girl drama.  Friend problems.  It seems to always be the case for her.  Who said raising girls was easier than raising boys?  She found out a friend lied to her about something and it wasn't the first time this has happened.  Now she's questioning if the friendship, one that has been with her since the early days of elementary school, is worth continuing.  It hurts.  It always does.  To see the pain in her eyes and her inability to even fake a smile just breaks my mother heart to pieces.  I wish I could heal this for her but all I could do is try very hard to make a day that was special for her.  Friends will come and friends will go but mama is here to stay.  

For Brianna, she's always been emotional.  She struggles with depression and finds comfort in friendship but lately she feels as though her friend group doesn't want to include her anymore and that's tough to deal with.  She's also bullied by the popular girls and that doesn't make anything easier.  This girl marches to the beat of her own drum, doesn't care to fit in, will wear whatever is comfortable instead of what's popular and isn't afraid to wear her faith on her sleeves.  Teenage girls don't like that, I guess.  They'd rather worry about their reputation than being kind.  I know my daughter isn't perfect but she does have a heart that breaks easily.  

Seriously, boys are easier, but I do love my girl.  I pray that the right people come along for her and she will grow to understand her worth.  I try to help as much as I can but often find myself at a loss for what to do.  She sees a therapist and I'm not sure if that is helping but it gives her some kind of outlet.  One thing I know, that these struggles will one day turn into her testimony.  

A Lemon Hodgepodge

Go follow Joyce and add your answers here.  

 1. Do your goals and dreams energize or exhaust you? Elaborate. 

I was always a dreamer.  As a child I would dance and sing to music on my record player (yes, I'm that old) and imagine myself on stage performing in front of a large crowd.  Of course, that never came true.  I always dreamed of being somebody that I never became.  One dream that has been very realistic, was becoming a writer, and even though I have been writing something for a long time that dream of becoming a published author has yet to be a reality but I'm determined.  Dreaming is exhausting.  Having goals just turns into disappointments, so I've learned to just be content with what I have.  My only goal now is to live a life that honors and serves the Lord so I can one day hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

2. July 23rd is national lemon day. Are you a fan of this flavor? What's a favorite dish or beverage you enjoy that calls for lemons? 

I love lemonade or lemon tea.  I prefer putting lemon in my water rather than just drinking plain water.  Too much lemon is not good, in my opinion.  

3. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade"...is this something you're pretty good at managing? Have you had to do this recently? If so tell us about it. 

Making something good out of something bad is a challenge but I'm working on it.

4. Something you love that is lemon yellow in color? 

5. How would you describe your attention to detail? 

Oh, I notice details very much but I don't always care to fix it.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Next week we should get more details on the future of my son's college.  Will they be able to stay open for one more semester?  Will they be able to stay open for good?  Will have have their accreditations taken away immediately?  He's all ready and set to start his freshman year at this particular school and he's been so excited for it but now the future of what's to come is uncertain and it's frustrating for all of us.  I feel so bad.  Being in the waiting is difficult and I continue to pray to God to relieve the college of this mess and allow them a chance to continue.  

World Cup and Waffles

 Congratulations to Spain for winning the World Cup.  We are not a soccer family but my son wanted to catch some of the games.  As you can see here, during one of the USA games he's proudly wearing our flag around his body.  Because, why not?  Sadly, they did not make it to the finals but that's okay.  I have never paid attention to a soccer game in my life except for the tournament my nephew played in nearby a few years ago.  I don't understand the rules.  But it was fun to see how the world came together.  No politics.  No hate.  Well, I think there was a little politics trying to sneak into the final game but did anyone notice?  

He also displayed two of his new USA soccer players POP figures as you can slightly see on the shelf on top of the television.  They can go back in my son's room now.  

The end of July is slowly creeping in and summer vacation is one month away from being over.  How does it go by so quickly?  At first, it feels like we have so much time to spare and then all of a sudden we are counting the days to back to school.  I'm ready for my paycheck again but I'm not ready to see my son off to college and I'm not ready for my daughter to become a sophomore.  Today is her first day of band camp.  I remember band camp from my days of colorguard.  I know she'll make the best of it.

Today was off to a rough start but everything worked out.  After my husband left for work and I dropped Bri off to band camp I came home and made some waffles for my son.  He prefers waffles but I'm more of a pancake person.  Which would you rather have?

Then I began housework and some time outside listening to the Bible app.  The daily reading reminds me of what day of the year we're on.  Day 201.  It won't be long before we'll be celebrating Christmas.  My goodness, time slow down!  

Well, that's all I have to share.  Tomorrow I'll have fun things planned for me and Matthew and it will be a week of enjoying more of the lazy days of summer.  I am thankful that, for me, life is mostly peaceful.

Harpers Ferry, WV and Wild Fires

 Happy Friday!  We made it through another week.  I was supposed to be with my parents right now while my father has spinal stenosis surgery but it was rescheduled because he had to start taking an antibiotic for another issue.  As much as I feel bad for him having to wait, I'm actually glad to have this time at home.  There are massive wild fires in Canada right now and the smoke has reached down to Pennsylvania, causing us to be in Code Purple (VERY UNHEALTHY).  We can see and smell the smoke.  Apparently, breathing in this smoke is equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes in a day.  So, I'm glad my parents don't have to be outside in this while taking Dad to the hospital.  I'm also thankful I can sit inside with my kids.  It's terrible but my heart breaks for those in Canada and other areas where fires are extreme right now.  So many have lost their homes, their lives, their animals.  Everything.  So, I won't complain about having to be trapped inside the safety of my house.  Praying for relief for those truly affected.  I can't imagine.  

Yesterday, we took a trip to West Virginia to explore the tiny, historic town of Harper's Ferry.  It was the first visit for all of us.  Though it's a place of important history from the civil war with beautiful scenery it was a very, very hot day.  Not a good day for hiking and exploring, especially for this 47 year old who felt like she was going to pass out.  If it was 10 or 20 years ago I would have been fine, but I've quickly come to realize that hiking on a 90+ degree day is unbearable.  I can't do it anymore.  

Our first plan of the day was to hike the Maryland Heights trail, which was supposed to be quite a climb but offered a breathtaking view of both the Shenandoah and Potomac River and also give us an opportunity to be in three states at once.  However, that did not work out.  I begged my husband to make sure he knew exactly where the trail was before we started and instead we continued to walk straight on the long Appalachian trail for 2 miles before he realized we were on the wrong path.  Then we turned and went 2 miles back.  Was I upset about this?  Yes!  Did I complain and yell at my husband for not knowing what he was doing?  Yes!  I was sweaty and hot and very frustrated.  This seems to happen at every trip we take.  I feel bad about being frustrated but it is what it is.  This was not my idea of a fun time.  Instead of trying to figure out how to get to the right trail we just walked around the town.  

Despite being on the wrong path, it did make for some nice scenic photos, though.

My husband told the kids he would take them back without me so they could do the proper hike.  I'd be okay with it if it was a cooler day.  For a girl who always loved summer, I'm really struggling to enjoy it this year.