It's The Last Friday Of September

 We've made it to Friday!  It's drizzling outside but the air is warm and I hear that the 80's are coming back in the forecast.  September is coming to an end and we will welcome October in a few days.  I guess summer still wants to hang on and I'm okay with that.  

I'm sitting here typing this up while watching an episode of The Gilmore Girls on Netflix.  Even though I've seen this show over and over it never gets old for me.  The sounds from the washing machine can be heard from the basement and I'm sipping the last of my pumpkin spice coffee.  The pup is taking a little nap but I'm sure it won't be long before she's up and full of energy.  We seem to have good days and bad days with her.  Everyone keeps telling me she'll be calmer and better in a few years.  I wonder if I can make it that long.  This was her yesterday after a day of outdoor playtime.  

She's the cutest when she's sleeping.  

I'm awaiting a phone call from the middle school regarding an issue my daughter has been having with other students.  It always seems to be something with this girl and it's exhausting.  But we will take it day by day as it all comes.  This has been a rough week.  While I wait for the call I'm just doing some housework.  

What is on the weekend agenda?  The guys will be off to scout camp and my siblings are planning a visit from New York.  Even if they don't make it I'd like to visit my parents.  We don't get to see them as much as I'd like.  My mother's health is declining.  I hope my brother and sisters can make it because that will make both of them happy.  

In the news of baseball I'm bummed my Yankees didn't make it to the playoffs but congratulations to you Orioles fans.  I can't wait to watch the World Series, whoever will be playing.  I love ⚾⚾⚾!

Wishing you a great weekend!  

Goodbye Summer Hello Fall

 

POOF!  Goodbye to the laid back hot days and hello to the cooler busy days.  Life has already become chaotic for us.  With school, after school activities and rushing from one thing to another.  I don't entirely mind it and my kids are happier this way, especially my son.  

We ended summer under the Friday night lights as my daughter joined the middle school band with the high school band on the football field for Band Night.  My son spent the first half in the student section until he met up with another friend at halftime.  If you're curious about the picture it was neon construction night. My son wasn't participating correctly.  The rest of his baseball team knew the assignment.  It felt like the entire town was sitting on the bleachers but being at a football game is not my thing.  I was happy for the school and their win.  

The fall season started with a weekend of rain thanks to Tropical Storm Ophelia.  My son's Saturday baseball game was cancelled and we just hung out at home.   Of course, it was time for me to take out our fall decor.  I don't have much but here are a few things.  And yes, Saturday morning called for a cup of pumpkin spice coffee.  

A pic stolen from my daughter's Snapchat.  She's too cute.  

And for all you fall lovers from this summer lover:  

These dreary cooler days makes me want to just wrap myself under a blanket and forget about all of my responsibilities.  I find myself becoming more tired than usual and unmotivated.  But I'm going to push myself and make it a good season.  Autumn teaches us that change can be beautiful.  

One Of Those Days

 We are inching closer to autumn as the days and nights are becoming much cooler and the leaves are beginning to change colors.  Fall is a season with beautiful scenic views, pumpkin spice craziness, my birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, my son's birthday, and it ends with the preparation of Christmas.  I love so many things about this season but I really dread the season that comes after.  I'll explain more of that once winter is officially here.  

  This morning started a little rough.  I woke up to the alarm at 5:40am.  I made my way across the hall to wake up my daughter for school.  Then I let the dog outside.  It was still dark out but I could see her running towards the back of the yard and I heard a screaming sound.  I went outside to find the dumb dog running around with a rabbit in her mouth, by then it was dead.  I chased her around trying to get her to drop it and come into the house with me.  I know it's natural for a dog, especially a husky, but it's very upsetting for me.  My husband's comment to my reaction had then upset me more.  I feel like I don't get much support in my feelings.  I love dogs and I was so excited to welcome a new one in my home but I just can't get connected with this girl.  I try but it's difficult.  I used to say I wanted a big dog because I've always had small ones but now I realize I'm a small dog girl all the way.  She's too much for me but at this point there's no going back.  Bringing her back to the SPCA will only leave the rest of this household with broken hearts.  I just wish my husband could be more sensitive to the feelings I express.  It's always something.  My marriage is being tested, my children are testing me a lot lately, this dog is driving me crazy, I can't seem to get this house clean, my mom's progression into Alzheimer's is increasingly getting worse.  It feels so suffocating at times.  

I'm just glad to have found a job that I enjoy and leaves me with time in between to get things done.  Today I vacuumed inside and under the couches, cleaned different areas of the house, started the unending loads of wash, vacuumed my car and the van, and mowed the front yard.  The back will get done another day.  Now I'm sitting here hoping to get some writing done.  This evening my son will be playing a rescheduled baseball game.  Dinner is in the crockpot, which is my favorite thing to do when it's going to be a busy evening.  So like any day, this one has its ups and downs.  

It's just been one of those days!  Maybe I should just leave this post with a cute little fall inspired meme.  

In An Evil World ...

 

A terrible tragedy struck my neighborhood this week.  Without going into details, our streets were closed as the SWAT team surrounded a home hostage situation that ended in a murder-suicide.  For the entire day the schools were on lock-down and everyone was told to stay in their homes for safety purposes.  As you can imagine, the unknown details at the time left us feeling scared and worried.  It's unfortunate for how it ended and I wonder how someone could do something to himself and especially to someone else.  What was going on in his mind?  I know nothing of it but I do know this was a man who desperately was feeling angry and lost.  This man needed Jesus.  

Lately, I've been thinking about all of the things going on in today's world.  Not just in the world but in our own country.  Well, now even in my own backyard.  People are suffering.  People are struggling.  People are lost.  People are hurting.  Mental illness is at a rise.  I was listening to Sadie Robertson's podcast the other day where her guest, who happens to be my favorite singer, Lauren Daigle talked about how one of the reasons why mental illness is on the rise is because our society makes us feel as though we have to rush through everything and have it all immediately figured out.  I believe mental illness, along with all other problems in the world stem from many, many issues but first and foremost it's because we live in a world without God being in front and center.  

Can you imagine living in a world where everyone followed the commandments of God and all the rules set in the Bible?  To love one another, including our enemies.  To not murder, lie, cheat, or steal.  To stay committed and faithful to the one we marry, and to save ourselves for that marriage.  To live each day serving, helping, lifting, encouraging and loving.  Maybe then we could have perfect peace.  Instead, people are questioning why the issues of this world are getting much more worse than they've ever been.  Maybe it's because people have become accepting and tolerant towards evil, and  evil certainly has a way of disguising itself as something good.  People feel a sense of entitlement and if something doesn't go their way they take it out on others.  There are many homes without fathers and other homes with parents who don't put in much effort to discipline and set structure.  The acceptance of abortion has taught us that life has no value and then wonder why there are so many murders around us.  Are you understanding where I'm going with this?  Our parents' generation did not go through any of the things we see in schools today.  It's so abundantly clear to me why things have changed.  If only others could see it too.  

Last night I laid in bed thinking of the events of the day but I was also thinking about other issues surrounding our world.  This morning as I took a moment for myself and browsed Pinterest I came across that picture shared above with the verse that reads, "Never let evil get the best of you; instead, overpower evil with the good" and I wondered how I could do my part in making sure my mind stays clear of all the negativity.  First, I think it's best to do what it states in this picture that I found on Facebook.

It's important to stay vigilant and informed of what's going on but sometimes hearing too much is just not good.  My father will sit and watch Fox News all day and then writes an editorial in the local newspaper stating his opinion.  He gets himself fired up to a point where you can see his blood pressure rising and it's all he wants to talk about.  

Evil is going to be around because sin exists.  All I can do is work on myself and be a source of encouragement and peace to those around me.  I also have to raise my kids with the faith and tools they need to be successful as they grow and go through adulthood.  

More importantly, I'm putting my trust solely on God.  He never promised we wouldn't see trouble in this world.  In fact, He warned us we would.  But He also promises that He would deliver us from it.  In His time and in His way.  I have to drown out the noise around me and trust that He is in control.  Even if the world is on fire around me and all seems hopeless I'm reminded that there is an eternal life in Heaven and that is where I will find that perfect peace.  

I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to share some of my deep thoughts with you today.  

Twenty-Two Years Ago Today

Twenty-two years have gone by and we are still reminded of that tragic day that struck our country out of nowhere.  It is important to remember and to teach our children and someday their children.  

I remember exactly where I was in that moment of learning we were being attacked.  I could still recall how it felt when my chest dropped to my stomach and my mind was caught in a state of confusion and fear.  What I also remember is how quickly all Americans came together that day and in the days following.  It didn't matter if they were Republicans or Democrats.  It didn't matter if they were Christians or atheists.  It did not matter the age or race.  Everyone came together feeling the same fear.  First responders in other parts of the country jumped into their emergency vehicles and rushed to New York.  As I watched the wreckage of that morning through my television screen I also watched how everyone came together as one.  It showed me that even through our differences we can still come together when things get devastatingly bad.  

I also like to say a special prayer for my sister's friend Jennifer who lost her husband Ralph in one of the towers.  He leaves behind two sons.  I met him at my sister's rehearsal dinner and then spent some time with him at her wedding, and a few visits to their house after.  

We Barely Made It To Friday

 

It's officially football season!  Look at these two cuties from last night watching the first game.  Yes, the dog watches the television.  If there's another dog or animal on the screen she goes crazy.  It's funny to watch.  It's hard to see in this picture but my son's pajama pants has all the football teams logos on them.  

Happy Friday, everyone!  This has been quite an unjoyful week.  Both of my kids have been sick.  My daughter is finally back to school today.  My son is still down.  I took them to the doctor yesterday and they both received negative test results for strep.  It might just be viral and will have to work itself out, with the help of over the counter medicine.  

My son seemed so excited during the first week of school and things seemed up but now he's talking like he did last year.  He doesn't like school but who ever did?  I didn't.  My husband keeps telling me not to worry about it but I can't help but worry and fear of what these next weeks are going to be like.  Sure, he's sick now and can't help it but when he's feeling better I know it's going to be a challenge.  He already complains that some of his classrooms are loud and that's what brings on headaches.  I don't know why teachers can't discipline anymore.  I remember if we talked in class we were in trouble.  Now discipline lacks so much in school ... and more so at many homes.  It's ridiculous.  

Today at work I gained two more students in my van.  A first grade boy who is the most adorable thing I've ever seen.  He reminds me of the boy from the show Webster, only smaller.  I'm enjoying the job so far.  

Well, there's so much around the house I need to catch up on.  My time has been spent tending to sick children.  Now it's just my son and he's been staying in bed for most of the days.  His first fall baseball game is Sunday so we are keeping fingers crossed and praying to our Savior that he is good to go.  There's also rain in the forecast so we'll see.  

Have a great weekend, friends!  

It's Sickness Time

 

No, the dog isn't sick but it's a really cute picture of Brooke snuggling up with her dad last night.  These mid-90° temperatures are not joyful for a husky.  

I wasn't exactly pleased with her the other day when she ran through the yard with a baby bird in her mouth.  I buried the poor little guy under a bush.  Then yesterday she comes to me and drops a rabbit foot by my feet.  I searched and had not seen any other parts of the poor animal.   As upsetting as it is I guess that's nature.  

Well, we made it to the second week of school and both kids are home sick.  My daughter started feeling sick last Friday night and spent the 4-day weekend at home feeling miserable.  All the Labor Day plans had to be canceled or changed.  Yesterday my son came home from school saying he had a headache and complained about the loud classrooms.  I thought here we go again.  I've been bracing myself for this.  He went right into his room and slept the evening away, even refusing dinner.  When I went to check on him he was sweaty and told me he thinks he has a fever.  Sure enough, 101.6.  The fever is gone but his throat still hurts.  My daughter was complaining of a headache this morning so it's day 2 of no school.   One of the several things I dislike about government controlled schools is they only allow 10  out of 180 school days of parental excused absences.  I really don't feel like running my kids to the doctor every time they are sick when I know how to treat them at home, all for a note.  

I just wish parents were capable of leaving their kids home when they are sick.  My son said a kid in his class kept coughing on him.  It's ridiculous! 

I'm sure I gave homeschool moms a reason to be thankful to homeschool.  

September Is Here

 Hello September!  Here's a random picture taken from my backyard.  As I sit on the patio sipping what's left of my coffee.  The same cup I've been trying to finish since 7:30 this morning.   

Its a beautiful 63° right now and a preview of autumn is in the air.  There are still 21 more days of summer left and I will savor it until the very end.  That means my fall decorations stay in the attic until the calendar tells me the new season has arrived.  But I will enjoy the cooler temperature as the cicadas sing loudly from the row of pine trees.   

I have been really bad at tending to the weeds in my little garden and it looks like everything is getting ready to die away but there are more tomatoes and peppers than I'll know what to do with and I'm grateful for that.  Next year the goal is to expand and add more vegetables.  

The month starts with a 4-day weekend so the kids are home.  Right now they are playing video games but later they want to go shopping to look for Crocs.  I remember when Crocs first came out they were considered ugly and people would get picked on for wearing them.  Now they are popular among kids of all ages.  Some of the styles of today I question.   Like, boys getting perms and teens wearing pajama pants to school.  That was all unheard of in my school days.  But I'm sure my parents questioned the styles of the 1990's too.  Well, as I think back I now wonder on some things but I also see a lot that is being brought back too.  Nowadays it seems to be a mix of old and new and that's pretty neat.  

Yesterday a local orchard had my name listed for free ice cream so after work I took the kids.  They reminded me that we have ice cream at home but I said, "Yeah but this has my name on it."  I had to pay for theirs.  

The orchard also has outdoor games that the kids played with for a bit.  

Then I dropped the girl off at our town's carnival so she could meet her dad, who was already there campaigning for the upcoming election for school board.  My son and I didn't stay as I had to be at his school for parent night but I did get some pictures sent to me.  

The weekend ahead will be busy.  It's always busy for us but we all enjoy it that way.  

Have a great Labor Day weekend friends!   I'm grateful for those of you who always stop in.