Hail To The Redskins ... I mean Commanders

 

There's just something so relaxing about a glowing Christmas tree in the dark evening.   I love it.  We have an artificial pre-lit tree where we can change to either colored or white lights.  Last year I was all about the white but this year the colors are making me happy.  

In other news, yesterday we drove 2.5 hours to watch a Washington Redskins Commanders game.  My husband has loved the team since he was a little boy and now the kids love them too.  I'm not much for football but my son asked me to go along.  Aside from the cold weather and rain it was fun.  

We got to see them unveil Sean Taylor's memorial statue to honor the 15th year of his death.  I remember the day so well as it was when I was preparing to take our little newborn home from the hospital.  We already knew he had been shot just a few days before but as the doctor was removing the staples from my belly the news on the television talked about how he had passed away.  Then later, my husband walked into the room and I hit him with the news.  The look of shock on his face was sad.  It was a bittersweet day as we were welcoming our new life into our home and then learning that the Taylor family was mourning their loss.  The day has significance to us, so I'm glad we were there yesterday, in the presence of Washington fans and Sean's family.  It was special.  As for the statue itself, it was a disappointment.  It's just his uniform on a rack.  No face.  Come on, Washington, you could have done better.  

Did I mention it was cold and rainy?  It was my first in person NFL experience.  I was pretty impressed by how sweet and friendly all the fans were.  Where I live, I'm surrounded by Eagles fans and let's just say they aren't very nice when it comes to football.  So, I've become turned off by any Philadelphia sport.  But I have respect for the fans of Washington.  Even when the team is bad, and that's quite often, they sure are devoted.  

I don't think the girl enjoyed being there so much but she did it for her brother, as it was a continued celebration of his birthday.  Oh, and we won!

Thanksgiving Birthday

 My readers and friends, I hope you had a Thanksgiving filled with blessings, surrounded by loved ones and full bellies.  

I didn't get any photos of our Thanksgiving festivities but I spent my time in the kitchen preparing the meal.  My parents didn't make it because my dad's been sick so it was my sister-in-law and mother-in-law.  I'll spare my feelings on that one but it was an okay day.  Not only was it Thanksgiving for us but my son turned 15.

He said he didn't care about the theme for this year's cake so this was what my talented and oh-so funny husband came up with.  It gave Matthew quite a chuckle.  

To think my oldest is 15 years old is so mind blowing.  These years are going by too fast.  He's been suffering chronic migraines and doesn't enjoy high school.   I know he'd rather stay a little boy but life is all about moving forward.   He hasn't quite hit 5 feet tall yet.  I make small kids and that's okay.  This boy is smarter than I've ever been, is always doing what is right instead of following the crowd, has made great strides in baseball and is very close to becoming an Eagle Scout.   He also got his first job working at a ski resort this winter.  I didn't want him to worry about working but he insisted, and I probably shouldn't stand in the way of his good work ethic.  I'm proud of this boy and very thankful.   Would love if he eased up on that teenage attitude and was nicer to his sister all the time but I guess that's all a part of growing.  

Now that we have gobbled up our Thanksgiving meal, with plenty of leftovers in the fridge, it's time to get started on Christmas decorating. 

I'm feeling the Christmas spirit already and that has been something so needed lately.  The joy, the excitement, the blessing.  I'm ready ... let's go!

The Day Before Thanksgiving

 

What's better than slipping into bed when the sheets have been freshly washed?  I feel like I wake up feeling much more refreshed the morning after.  It's also fun when it's brand new.  We were so desperately in need of a new comforter so last night we went to At Hone and picked up a new set.  I'm really loving it.  I can't wait to give it a try tonight. 

Then tomorrow we wake up to Thanksgiving.   What that's going to look like is up in the air since my son is getting over the flu and my dad is still sick.  I've thought of postponing until the weekend but tomorrow is not just Thanksgiving it's my son's birthday.   

It seems as though so many are sick right now.  A lot of kids have been missing at school.   I overheard a teacher suggest maybe it's time to get the masks back on.  I'm wondering if the reason we are seeing such an increase in illnesses is because for the last two years students were forced to keep the masks on, weakening the immune system.   Now they are back to breathing in those germs.  I'm no scientist so don't flip out on MY view but it's what makes sense to me.  I only hope we never revert back to mandatory masking because my kids were miserable.  

I'm spending our first day of Fall break cleaning the house.  Maybe I'll make a pumpkin roll, my husband loves those.  Since tomorrow is my son's birthday I wanted to separate the Thanksgiving and birthday celebrations.   Eat the turkey for the holiday and then have cake for the birthday.   When my husband said his sister was bringing dessert I wasn't happy.  I mean, who brings dessert to a birthday party?  

Holidays with family has often been frustrating.   Spending time with the people who have harshly judged you over the years is not the most pleasant experience.   It makes the day frustrating but now that I have children the celebrating is all for them.  So, I'll keep myself busy in the kitchen, hide my eye rolls at their rude remarks and just focus on my kids' happy faces.  That's what it means to be an adult, right?

Olay, back to cleaning!

Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving filled with blessings, good food and loved ones.  I am THANKFUL for you!

Sickies

 Last weekend Bri was fighting a fever and sickness.  She missed school on Monday and Tuesday.

Our faithful pug stayed at her side the entire time.  He's always there to comfort in a time of need.  Plus, he loves a good nap.

Then on Friday Matt came home from school feeling very lethargic and not good at all.  I checked his temperature and sure enough he had a fever.  He's been down all weekend.  Since he has a fever today he's going to have to miss school tomorrow.

My father is also sick with the same symptoms but everything he tested for at the doctor came back negative.

'Tis the season, right?  

Making A Difference, Somehow

 Greetings friends!  

It's been quite cold here in Pennsylvania and some parts have already seen snow.  We are also back to Standard Time which means shorter days.  It's quite frustrating when it's pitch black outside and my mind tells me it's time for to get ready for bed but it's only 5pm.  And here in Pennsylvania I'm quite disappointed in the results of the election.   You know, I try really hard to keep the peace and keep myself from speaking anything controversial.   I want to provide a place of encouragement and escape from all of this turmoil but then I realize being silent doesn't help anything.   We are a world that is so broken.  Evil is now considered good and good is evil.  If you don't agree with someone you are labeled some type of name.  We aren't allowed to have our own views especially if they are Conservative ones.  Actress Candace Cameron Bure is getting backlash after saying she wants to keep traditional family values in her new television network.  She's being attacked by Jojo Siwa, who came out of the closet a few years ago.  I mean, if you aren't happy with it change the channel.  No one is being forced to watch it.  I just don't understand it.  

Then noticing the things going on in our school district and across the country in other districts.  Schools are no longer just an educational institute where reading, writing and math is taught.  There are certain things being pushed on these students.  I'm so happy our son keeps an open dialogue with us, telling us the things that go on at the high school.  My husband is strongly considering running for school board and has been closely talking to one of the current members.  He refuses to stay silent anymore.  I know it's good for him to get involved, not just for our own kids but for all kids in the district.  I'm just, however, frustrated with sending my kids to public school.  My dream would be to just homeschool them.  So many families are doing that now and it's working for them.  My husband won't budge on the idea because these kids need the socialization.  They do get it elsewhere with dance, scouts and baseball.  There's other ways they can get it.  And school just isn't what it was when we attended, not even close.  

Lately, I've been thinking of packing my family and moving somewhere off the grid.  Our own land, with our own livestock, working from home and teaching my kids from home.  Does that sound wonderful?  Maybe not practical but with how everything is lately it sounds so great.  I'm just stuck on figuring out what I could do from home and how it would all work.  Oh, to dream!

It hasn't all been bad, though.  My mood has been pretty upbeat lately, in fact.  I've been reminding myself that no matter what happens in this world that God is in control.  He has it all figured out.  Regardless of who we have as governor or president He is the King of Kings.  I've had so many prayers lately that I feel are going unanswered but I know it will all be in His time.  Before I step inside the firehall where we vote I say, "Your Will not mine, Lord."  Nothing has been harder than watching as my son continues to suffer with chronic migraines and it feels those prayers have been ignored but I know God is suffering right along with him.  He cares and He's handling it, even if we might not see His process.  

Well, those are my thoughts!  I've been feeling something nudge at me to no longer stay silent.  I want to help somehow but then wonder how a nobody from south central Pennsylvania could really make a difference.  God placed me on this earth for a purpose and I fear I'm wasting the days away not fulfilling His plan for me.  I'm lost in my own thoughts.   

Let's Have Some Fun

 I've been dealing with high anxiety and a life of chaos lately but I'm not going to dwell on it nor write about it here.  Instead, I'm going to share funny pictures I saw on Instagram yesterday.   

If kids' drawings were the real thing.  I don't know who to properly give credit to but it sure made me chuckle.  

Hello November

 Goodbye October.  It was a tough month of headaches and head colds but we made it.  Halloween has come and gone but the large amount of candy will be here for awhile.  The nights of trick-or-treating for my two are getting closer to being a thing of the past since they are getting older.  For now they still enjoy it.  Dressed as a clown and Belle we took them around the neighborhood through the warm, rainy evening.   

Now we are in November.  I know many are getting ready for Christmas but I'm one who would rather eat the turkey first.  Thanksgiving is still autumn.  Leaves, apple cider, pumpkins, pilgrims and Indians.  Santa shows up at the end of the Thanksgiving parade for a reason.  So, as much as I love all things Christmas I'm going to wait until the end of the month as I traditionally do.

This month is also a big election.   This year we in PA vote for a new governor.   I'm so tired of all the political attack ads.  I'm also sick of the direction this state and our country are going but I'll spare my rant there.  All I can do is hope and pray for God's will to be done.  

Today was the first day of the second marking period for my kids.  They are slowly adjusting to their first year in middle and high school.   I'm struggling to adjust to having a middle and high schooler.  The preteen and teen stages come with a lot of challenges but I am grateful it's not as bad as it could be.  Still, I'm needing patience.  

Hoping for a smooth November.