Dam Hiking and Chickens

 We made it to Wednesday and it's day three of camp for my kids.  I hope they are having fun!  We'll be going to church tonight for Bible study so hopefully I can get an update from the pastor.  

I have been cleaning and reorganizing and I also had to take a 6 hour driving training course for work, and I broke that into two days.  It's kept me from doing more of what I wanted to around the house but I wanted to get it done while the kids aren't here.  At the end I had to take an exam and I got 100 percent.  

Today I took a break and visited my husband for lunch.  Just down the street from his work is this man made dam.  

It took a little bit of a hike to get there.  

We were joined by a dragonfly.  

I've been watching my friend's chickens while they are away at the beach.  I always wanted chickens and now I know what it is like.  They are messy but easy to care for.  They are also quite inquisitive.  

And they leave plenty of eggs.  She said I can keep what they hatch.  This isn't even all of them.  

Back when egg prices were high they decided to get chickens.  I truly wish we could have them but not on my property.  It's not allowed.  Maybe if ever we do get another house we can get one not in a neighborhood.  

Tomorrow Rob is taking off work and Friday I will be going over to my parents house and the kids will be home by that evening.  I can't wait to hear all about their experience at camp.  

A Week Without Kids

 Good afternoon and Happy Monday.  Before I talk about what's going on today I'll give a recap on what was a fun weekend.

On Friday night our church had a drive-in movie night featuring The Forge.  It's a movie we had already seen but the intent of the night was to help the teens raise money for their camp.  Camp was $300 per teen.  They had a car wash that took the cost down to $150 for each teen and this was to hopefully help with the rest.  While our teens worked Rob and I sat in the back of his Ford Escape.

There were a lot of technical difficulties and the movie ended up having to be displayed on this television screen.  They started the movie before the sun went down so it was hard to see but once the sun went down it was fine.  Like I said, Rob and I already saw this movie so it was no big deal to us.  We were there for the teens.

Then when we left we caught this gorgeous sunset from the back of the church.  God's design is so breathtaking.  

On Saturday Bri and I went to see the recital for the dance company she had moved to last year.  This year she decided not to go back.  Giving up dance was a tough decision for her and I could tell how heartbroken and regretful she was while watching.  It could have been her on that stage.  It felt weird having her in the audience with me.  But she's thriving with cross-country and marching band.  She can't do it all and that's what's frustrating.  

Also, my friend and her family took a trip this week to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and she asked if I could take care of their chickens.  I have no experience with chickens but she showed me everything and it seemed simple enough.  I've been going there in the morning, afternoon and at night.  So far so good. 

And this morning I dropped the kids off to the church for camp.  I'm not sure if they arrived yet but I am praying it will be an uplifting week for them and that their hearts and minds are open to hearing God's word.  I also pray that friendships will be built.  Last year at camp really changed Matthew.  He decided from there to dedicate his life to serving the Lord and it's been amazing to see how strong his faith is growing.  I have been wishing and praying my daughter gets that experience this year.  They will be back Friday evening.  I miss them already but am taking this time to get the house clean and organized.  It's easier without distraction.  My husband and I will have the evenings together and it will be nice to be able to focus solely on our marriage without the distraction of being parents.  

An exciting thing, is the other day I received an unexpected Facebook message from a cousin I had not talked to in years.  In fact, she was a baby the last time I saw her and now she's grown with three children of her own.  My uncle left his marriage and gave up the responsibility of fatherhood as well.  None of us were happy about that.  At the time she was a baby and her older sister was a very small child.  I was at the hospital with my grandma when her sister was born.  I feel so bad for what happened.  She wanted to reach out to members of his side of the family and start a relationship with us, which I am thrilled with.  For years none of us knew where my uncle was living and he died a few years ago.  He was my godfather and my dad's youngest sibling.  They didn't have a relationship either.  I did forgive him and pray his daughters and my father can do the same.  

Time to get back to the cleaning.  I have goals for this week to get through a lot of what I don't get to usually.  But don't worry, there will be time for relaxation and fun too.  Have a great week!  

Gardening and Life With a Husky

 Good afternoon, friends and HAPPY FRIDAY!  

This is the first Friday of my summer break and I am enjoying the slower paced mornings.  Today my husband took off work to get some college loans started but right now he took our son to his foot doctor appointment.  My daughter is hanging out in her bedroom.  I remember the days of being a teenagers and keeping myself trapped in my bedroom for some peace.  Tonight the church is doing a drive in movie to collect the rest of the money needed for teen camp next week.  My kids will be working it and on their way to camp on Monday.  They enjoyed it last year.  

Here is just a random picture of my little indoor herb garden.  It's growing successfully but in desperate need of being transferred to bigger pots  Basil, oregano and mint.  I've never been much of a green thumb but doing good with these.  

Brooke had an annual checkup at the vet on Wednesday.  Before the appointment I took her on a walk in the park to get her energy out and it worked.  She had to be muzzled while getting 3 vaccines and a tick removed from her back.  She was a trooper, though.  

And yesterday was her Gotcha Day!  3 years ago we rescued her from the kennel.  I had an immediate regret, wondering if a husky was the right fit for us but over time I realized she's exactly what we needed.  She's bigger than I'm used to but she's gentle and an absolute sweetheart.  The one thing about huskies is they can be pretty stubborn and only do things on their terms.  

I was also excited to see some progress in my garden.  I'm not sure if you can spot some of the grape tomatoes.  They have not turned red yet but I'm excited for what's to come.  It's a small garden with only grape tomatoes, beef steak tomatoes, orange bell peppers and red lunch box peppers.  

It's been so hot here in Pennsylvania, reaching up to the 90s in the last few days with some scattered thunderstorms.  I love summertime but this has been a bit much.  

Enjoy the weekend ahead.  Stay cool!  

Monday, Monday

 I spy with my little eyes ...

Life in the garden.  

Can you spot the pepper?  There are tomatoes appearing too.  I was a little late to get it all planted this year so it's surprising to see.   

This morning I gassed up the school van and did the morning run.  Tomorrow is the last day for this school so the van will need washed and vacuumed before its return to the garage.  Then my summer officially begins.  After work I went to the store to get some things and bought some donuts and juice for the kids.  They woke up to the surprise.   

Saturday I watched my mom while dad went to an emergency dentist appointment.   She wasn't having a good day and that's typical for Alzheimer's.   Her neurologist put in a referral for a home care group to start coming in to help but they are backed up for several months so I'm praying they can soon help.  My dad can use the help and I, the only family in Pennsylvania, can only do so much.  

Well,  that's the update on this warm Monday morning.   Laundry is calling.