Visiting Steel City

 It's been 33 years since coming to Pennsylvania and I had never been to Pittsburgh.   I once mentioned to my husband that I would love to see the city and he made it happen.   

We arrived on Wednesday and stayed at a hotel that sat in between the Steelers and Pirates stadiums.  The first stop on the itinerary was watching a Pirates game.  We all love baseball.  

It's probably not a surprise that the Pirates lost.

Then we checked into the hotel and toured some of the city.  It's a beautiful city.  I haven't explored many but this is my favorite one.  We walked over yellow bridges, ate some food and admired tall glass buildings and the water.   

On Thursday we went to a museum and saw many historical things and, of course, Mr. Rogers himself.  

It wouldn't be a legit trip to Pittsburgh without visiting the man who shaped my childhood.  

Then we went to the Pittsburgh Zoo.  Many of the animals were sleeping and some looked completely bored.  I feel bad for them but as I heard one of the zoo keepers say, they get free food and free healthcare and don't have to worry about predators.   

Then it was back to the hotel for swimming and pizza.  My son was excited to see many people running around the park so he joined in a few times.  It was scary allowing him to go off on his own to do that but I have to remind myself he's 18 and moving more towards independence.   

My husband was really excited to ride the Duquesne Incline and as much as the thought gave me anxiety I sucked it up the best I could and we went on the last day.  

He spent a lot of money on this trip and I knew it was the least I could do but I was really struggling.   The 1 mile walk from the hotel to the incline in the heat reminded me that I can no longer handle the heat.  I also struggle with anxiety and if in a situation where I have no control or escape freaks me out.   Needless to say, I did suffer some panic attacks along the way.  But we made it.  We went on the incline, saw some beautiful views of Pittsburgh, and made our way back down.   

And honestly, we can't seem to get through a trip without arguing.  I started the trip feeling positive and hopeful that it would be a drama free vacation but it didn't happen.   I don't know why we can't get along and it's frustrating.   I'll spare the details of what happened as there is no sense of complaining. I want to remember the good moments.  Despite that, I'm glad we took the trip.  I'm hoping we can go back in winter to see a Penguins hockey game.  I've never really paid attention to hockey but one year while my husband was watching the Stanley Cup the Penguins won and I thought to myself, well Penguins are cute that's a team I'll cheer for.  

Pittsburgh, you stole my heart!  Thankful for the trip.

In other news, while we were there, the email came in from The University of Valley Forge that they had made the decision to suspend academic operations at the end of summer.  We had been waiting on this decision since the news of their financial struggle was told to us.  We prayed and fasted, hoping for a miracle but one was not granted to them.  Matthew seems to be in good spirits and is ready to attend the other school he was accepted into.  The cross country team is excited he's joining them and I'm excited that the school is closer to us.  He is strong in faith and understands that his ways aren't always God's way and he's willing to go wherever the Lord leads.  I'm so proud of him for that.  We do feel sad about the closing of UVF, especially since Matthew felt called to go there.  We may never understand why things turned out like this but we all know that God is faithful.  

It was a good trip but this homebody is glad to be home.  

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.