Saturday, July 5, 2025

America's 249th Birthday

 


I hope you and your family had a great and safe Independence Day.  I can't express just how grateful I am to be an American and having the privilege of raising my kids in this nation.  It's not perfect but I can't think of another place I'd rather be.  

Our 4th of July was mostly relaxing, at least for me.  I had painted my dad's deck the day before, which left me with severe back and leg pain.  I was reminded that I'm too old to be doing the twisting and bending I was doing but I am happy the job is done.  

The day started by watching our boy run in a 5 mile race.  He finished at 32 minutes, better than he had expected.  
It was worth getting up early to watch him do what he loves.  Then we stopped by our church on the way home for some coffee.  Our pastor's daughter runs a coffee stand in the parking lot and it's so good.  I recommend the vanilla iced coffee.  

We went home and didn't leave for the rest of the day.  I plopped myself on the couch with a heating pad and my wonderful husband cooked dinner.  Brianna made patriotic chocolate chip cookies.  

In the evening we watched the Capitol Firework show on television while neighbors were setting off their own.  As much as I can get annoyed by people who think it's OK to set off fireworks so close to other homes I was reminding myself of how wonderful it is we get to celebrate such freedom.  So, go ahead and light those fireworks.  We have so much to be grateful for, especially this year (in my opinion).  

I felt bad not doing more for my children.   As neighbors were having parties we were at home just the four of us.  I'm truly content that way but my kids desire more.  They deserve more.  But there was no better friend to me yesterday than that heating pad.  

And this snuggly girl beside me.  

Happy 249 birthday, America! 

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

From June to July

 The month of June flashed by like a bolt of lightning.  Speaking of lighting, we had a pretty bad storm last night.  The weather for June has been very rainy and also extremely hot.  It's impossible to step outside without suffocating.  I love summer but this is a bit much, even for me.  The start of summer vacation has been pretty relaxing.  For a homebody like me it's been wonderful but for my energetic kids they really don't enjoy boredom, even if it's just ONE day with nothing to do.  As a kid I remember always having to entertain myself.  These kids have a rough time figuring out how to keep occupied on their own.  Times have changed.  

As I type, I hear thunder begin again.  My goodness.  I think it's time to start building that ark again.  

Before we get into the hustle and bustle of what July will bring I wanted to do a recap of some of the things we did get a chance to do in June.  On the first day of June and the official start of summer vacation my daughter had her violin recital.  For four years she had been taking violin lessons online from a teacher who used to live in our town but moved to Virginia.  It seemed Bri lost her desire to continue so this was her last "concert" and time spent with Miss. Elizabeth.    


Then she had her dance recital.  She made a decision to take the next year off of dance and focus on more school related things since she'll be starting high school.  I'm not sure if she'll ever make her way back to dance but I know her and I will both miss it.  


For Father's Day Rob and Matthew were asked to speak at the church service.  Rob shared about his journey with having arthritis since childhood and how he has kept his faith in God through it.  Matthew spoke about what it's been like growing up in a Christian home and how his father has help him learn how to keep his faith through challenges and temptation.  They both really impressed me.  


And Matthew ran in a 5K for Alzheimer's in Lancaster County and won 1st place.  His first 1st place win.  We are so proud.  He said this one was for his grandmother.  

And with summer comes hiking for our county's Get Outdoors program.  They set up 30 different hikes where we have to read through the directions and find our way to a wooden pole that has a plaque where they can rub onto paper.  We strive to do this every year but have sadly only had accomplished all 30 once.  We had a late start to it this year but we are aiming to get it all done.  



Last Sunday was our church's patriotic service, which ends with an awesome firework show at night.  I look forward to this every year.  This picture doesn't do justice but I'm going to say it's the best firework show I've ever been to.  They do a really great job.  

One experience I do not have pictures of is my kids one week trip at church camp.  They really loved it and it gave them an opportunity to make new friends and keep themselves busy.  This homebody mother enjoyed the peace and quiet, although I did miss them tremendously.  They hope to do it again next year.  

And here we are on the first day of July.  I'll be doing more hiking with the kids and hopefully can squeeze in a last minute vacation before it's time to focus on back to school stuff.  The kids have already been joining the cross country team with morning practices and will soon have two weeks of band camp.  We also have a professional baseball game and a concert on the schedule.  The month will end with Matthew's senior pictures.  Let's just hope this month moves a little slower.  

Friday, June 27, 2025

Answered Prayer

 "Lord, every morning you hear my voice.  Every morning I tell you what I need, and I wait for your answer," -- Psalm 5:3


    This verse was in my Jesus First For Women devotional and it made me think of a specific time I had prayed for something, and even though it took quite a few frustrating years, it was answered in a way I'm so thankful for.  


I believe whatever we deal with becomes part of our testimony.  I've been witnessing how my son's struggles are turning him into a young man God is going to use for good.  As he's entering his senior year of high school and just months away from turning 18 he's been focused on what college to attend and what major to study as he envisions what his future as a man is going to look like.  It's a very challenging, confusing and overwhelming time for anyone of his age and with these decisions he's been focusing on building a relationship with God and allowing Him to lead the way.  Since coming home from church camp, I've seen such a difference in his attitude and his ambition.  Every night he studies the Bible, pushes us out the door when it's time to go to church and has even been excited to attend the extra church services and Wednesday night Bible study/youth group they have.  Last Wednesday night he joined the pastor and some other members of the church to do some door knocking, inviting people to attend this Sunday's patriotic service.  He's spent several months searching for the perfect college to attend while getting a degree in forensics where he can also run cross country but in just the last few weeks I can see a call he's receiving to serve in ministry.  I'm excited to see where he goes with this.  

For Matthew, things haven't been so easy.  Since being a very small boy he was always very shy and had an issue with his speech, not being able to properly say anything with the letter C, S or TH.  After receiving speech therapy and wearing braces it seems to still be a struggle.  Then, at the start of middle school, where we were coming out of the Covid lock-down, he began getting terrible headaches and motor tics.  Every day when I'd pick him up from school he would tell me how hard it was for him to get through the day.  We made the choice to allow him to do school from a quiet, peaceful home while attending a neurologist and trying to figure out what was going on.  The testing showed nothing, every medicine tried ended up failing and my poor boy was suffering.  I can admit, I was getting frustrated through it all and did not always properly handle myself at times.  My baby was suffering and I was not okay with that.  In those days I prayed hard.  I even yelled and screamed at God, asking how he could allow such a thing to happen to such a precious, innocent child.  When he entered high school we wanted him to go back to in person so he could have some normalcy, hoping that the migraines would have settled by then.  Both 9th and 10th grade was difficult for him and most days it was a struggle to get him out of bed.  Both years he made it through the first half of the year but by the second half we allowed him to work from home through their cyber school.  Their cyber school is awful and it only made things more stressful for him.  My angry shouts to God continued and so did endless tears.  I believed it would have been better for him to just be at home learning in the quiet of the house but there were pressure from others to keep him in school, where he needed to learn how to navigate through the noise.  I felt bad, it was awful, but I kept encouraging him the best I could.  I also kept praying, even when my prayers to God were filled with those shouts of anger.  He understood.  Then came 11th grade and my son found an interest in running as he joined the cross country team.  He also told me he wanted to join the marching band, which was confusing to me because being in the band meant dealing with noise.  But something very strange and wonderful happened suddenly.  His migraines went away.  He went to school every day and completed the year, being one of the best on his cross country and track team.  His grades went up and he even began coming out of that shy shell he was living in for so long.  I still have yet to understand why he went through that kind of pain but now I can see how he's been delivered from it and I am so thankful.  I'm also understanding why the push to keep him in school was happening.  God is using all of this to make Matthew into the man he is to become.  

I am grateful for answered prayers, even if it comes in a way I wouldn't have preferred.  God knows better.  


Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Brooke's Not So Fun Adventure

After getting harnessed and put in the car it was time for a fun morning adventure with human Mom.  

Or so she thought.  Where did we end up going?
The vet!

Brooke usually likes her yearly visit with Dr. Rick but today seemed a little different.   She was as energetic as usual but she also gave the nurse a run for her money when she refused to settle for the blood work and vaccines.  It took a muzzle, a doctor, 2 nurses and me to hold her down.  Then she left a little present on the floor while waiting to check out (yes, I did clean it up).  

Ah, Siberian Huskies are quite the breed.  My husband always wanted one.  I, being used to smaller dogs, wanted to experience having a large dog at least once.  I'm not sure the husky was the right pick for us, especially when it comes to neighborhood walks and outings or when visitors come over.  At home with just us she's fine.  In fact, she can be pretty chill most of the day.  I'm just still not completely convinced we selected the correct breed for us.  But she is ours and I love her despite all the chaos.  

Vet check up for the year: COMPLETE