The Homebody Life

I love being at home.  That's the truth.  I love comfort and peace.  I love making myself comfortable on the couch under a blanket with my dog napping next to me while I spend time getting to know God a little better.  

I love spending my time cleaning and reorganizing the home, even though it feels I never have enough time to get it all done and there's always some kind of mess in every room.  It's frustrating when I feel I have no help from the others as I pick up things my kids left in places they don't belong (like a jacket on the floor instead of hanging on the coat rack, shoes on the floor instead of the shoe rack, empty snack boxes left in the pantry, etc.).  It's a house filled with junk we don't need with rooms not big enough to store all of our possessions but, still, even through all that stresses me out about it, I still love being at home.  

And it gave me a chuckle when our dog decided to jump up and greet me while I'm cleaning the kitchen window.  

After a long day of the kids being in school or their after school activities I love the moments when they are home with me.  Wanting to get a jump start on some Christmas activities they each purchased a small gingerbread house to make.  Neither could get the houses to stay put so they gave up and bit into it unstructured.  

It's been a busy week of doctor appointments and after school activities and as much as I enjoy it all nothing beats the coziness of being at home.  I'm looking forward to tonight, snuggled up with everyone while we watch the much anticipated boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.  I don't really care so much for boxing but it's a good excuse to be at home, isn't it?  

Are We Sure It's November?

 What do I mean by the title?  Well, it's November 6th and the weather here in Pennsylvania will be in the upper 70's.  Oh, I'm not complaining.  I love the warmth.  Even the breed whose ancestry comes from below freezing Siberian temperatures seems to be enjoying the sunshine.  She refuses to come inside.  

I hope all of my reader friends are doing well.  I am feeling quite tired after not going to bed until after midnight as we watched and waited for those election results.  Eventually, I gave up and went to bed but kept waking up throughout the night.  Lately, I've been having trouble sleeping and I don't know why.  I know as everyone woke up this morning they had feelings of either relief or disappointment.  Whatever it may be for you, just remember that God has the power and control yesterday, today and forever.  I spent yesterday fully emersed in Scripture reading and prayer.  Today I have so much to get done around the house and would like to get the dirty school van all cleaned up but all I could think about is taking a good nap.  There are no plans for tonight.  No running around and no having to be anywhere.  I'm hoping as a family we can just gather together and rest.  We could all use it.  

It's also the last week I'll have one of my three kids in the school van with us since he's been given the green light to go back to his home school.  He's the kid that brings either the phone or tablet to entertain the others so I'm not sure what the other two will do without him but it will be okay.  As a van driver, the route and the students I have always keep changing.  I'm wondering if/when I should head back to a full-time job but for now I'm blessed by this one.  

And I guess that's it for this update.  May you be filled with happiness and peace on this beautiful Wednesday!  It's a half-day for my kiddos.    

Having Peace On Election Day

 Tomorrow is Election Day!

I keep going back and forth with trying to figure out if I should use my blog to share my insights on what I believe is better for this country but just as Billie Jo so accurately stated on her blog today, we already hear enough of it around us.  I aim to find peace in the midst of all the chaos.  

Tomorrow I will go in person to cast my ballot and continue to pray that the decision will be in God's will.  I prayed so hard this morning as tears poured out of my eyes.  I just want to see our country moving forward in a way God intended, the way our forefathers intended.  I want my children to grow up feeling safe and continue having the honor I've had of being part of such a great nation.  It's a privilege being an American.  I won't take that for granted.  

But if things don't go as I hope it will what could I do?  Probably nothing.  So, either way, I'm going to continue striving to make my home a place of peace and love.  To go about my day knowing that only God has total control of the future and rest assure knowing He will make a way when there seems to not be any hope.  

We are currently living in a moment that will one day be considered history.  Let's make it amazing!

November Is ...

 This morning I flipped the calendar to a new month.  November how did you get here so quickly?  In this month we celebrate birthdays (my dog's 2nd and my son's 17th), eat turkey, and let's be sure to mention a very important election in 4 days.  No matter who is elected, I'm preparing myself for the complaining and protesting from the opposing side.  I'm reminding myself to focus on faith, remembering that God is in control and He has a plan.  November will be a month when I open up my Bible more and pray intentionally and consistently.  

November is also Alzheimer's Awareness month.  I began working at a nursing home my senior year of high school.  That was my first experience of witnessing what Alzheimer's looks like first hand.  I remember walking the hallway of the second floor delivering a cart filled with food for the nurses to give to the residents.  Each wing had a locked door so none of the residents could escape if they left their rooms.  The doors had a small glass window.  I very clearly remember looking over at one of the door's and on the other side was an old woman's face staring in my direction with blankness in her eyes.  That image has been etched in my mind since.  Now here I am, watching as my own mother is battling this cruel disease.  Years before the diagnoses she had a stroke that took away her ability to walk, speak clearly and be on her own.  My father, having been newly retired at the time, was already struggling as a caregiver to her.  Then we noticed she was repeating herself and becoming very forgetful.  When I heard the doctor diagnosed her with the ugly A word I knew it was time to prepare my heart for witnessing the woman who brought me into the world slowly lose herself.  It has been hard.  It has been even harder for my father.  

There is no cure for Alzheimer's and I do not have much hope that we will see one anytime soon, especially with the financial greed from Big Pharma (yeah, I said it).  I do believe that the choices we make in our lifestyle can have a huge impact in avoiding many diseases (yeah, I said that too).  The chemicals in high processed foods have a huge impact on our health and so does lack of exercising.  I'm most certainty not a health nut and am guilty of eating what I shouldn't more often than I should.  So, do not take this as a lecture.  But I do want to take this month to spend more time researching and understanding the disease better than I have before.  I want to take this month to find ways of creating a healthier lifestyle for me and my family.  There are plenty of websites and resources available in helping and I'm ready to dive into as many as I can.  My mother's health decline started with diabetes many, many years ago and I always make sure to get tested every year.  

No one deserves having to live with this disease.  Not you.  Not me.  Not our families.  Certainly not the kind, loving, amazing woman who has been my mother.  

Apples and Pumpkins

 

What is my favorite fall activity to do with my family?  Pumpkin and apple picking!  With having such a busy schedule it took us until the end of October to make this happen but we got it done.  With more apples than we know what to do with and a pumpkin for each of us, with the exception of Bri - who insisted on getting two.  

How do you get the apples at the top of the tree?  These two had the brilliant idea to shake it.  A few fell so it kind of worked.  

But the apples that are low enough for us to reach are so much better.  

Then it was time to find the perfect pumpkins.  

Success!

And when I saw this beautiful yellow pumpkin sitting all by herself I knew she had to go home with me.  

Aside from some of the usual spouts of arguing between us and the kids it was a pretty good Sunday, starting with a great church service beforehand.  

Sew What?

 

I was sitting in the waiting room at my daughter's dance studio when one of the other mothers asked if I'd like to help sew feathers on the demon costumes they'll need for the December show.  

At first I was thinking - Sew?  Me?  I can sew but it never looks well.  Now I have to sew for what needs to look professional for a professional dance performance.  

Then I asked out loud - Wait, did you say demon costumes?  I thought this was a Christian studio?  

But it did make sense.  The show they are doing is called Messiah and it is about the life of Jesus.  The show will have everyone from Mary mother of Jesus, Joseph, Mary Magdalene, the 12 Disciples, Jesus, angels and yes ... demons.  From what I've been told this is a beautiful show.  

I'm not quite sure I did the best job but it was nice to be able to talk with two others mothers and find out more about this studio.  It's a different feeling from the last studio she danced at and as the new people it can feel a little overwhelming.  But it was nice to talk to a mother who has been here for many years who assured me that we will become more understanding and comfortable to everything.  For Brianna, she's been slowly adjusting and the both of us have questioned if this was really the place she should be.  

In my experience, there are many times when I feel God is calling me to do something and then I'm suddenly questioning if it was really God at all leading me into that situation.  I'm also indecisive and have trouble figuring out which way I want to go and what I want to do.  Bri had been at the last studio since she was 4 and we really pictured her there until graduation.  She had her friends and was well adjusted to the point it felt like home but she also had to deal with several bullies and the expense was becoming too much.  When we were told about this other studio, which centered around Christ and was a bit more affordable it seemed like it would be a good choice.  We prayed about it and I let her decide.  She said she wanted to go but since then it's been question after question if it was the right decision.  How could we feel it's wrong when it's a company that has a love for Jesus and shares the faith with others?  I feel guilty about it but I'm slowly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  

I'm told the week of showtime and the actual showtime will make her and I both feel a lot better about being there.  So, we'll see.  For now, I guess I'm a seamstress!  I kept telling them after they see my work they'll probably end up firing me.  They laughed and said, "Oh no, we won't.  It's okay!"

Yeah, we'll see if those feathers come apart and fall off while the girls dance on stage.  

Have You Looked At the Sky Lately?

Has anyone noticed how beautiful the moon has been this week?

This photo certainly doesn't do justice but my daughter took it on our way to youth group on Wednesday evening.  It's a Super Moon called Hunter's Moon.  On the way back from dropping her off at the church I was able to catch a glimpse of the comet that was expected to appear while still daylight.  This morning I was able to see the International Space Station that passed by while I was in the school van.  Unfortunately, I did not snap a picture of the comet or the ISS but it was pretty amazing to be able to see both.  Also, unfortunately, I was not outside when our area was able to see the Aurora Borealis last week but some of my friends were able to get some great snap shots of it.  This morning the moon, so full and large, stayed in place at 8:00 AM even though the sun was shining brightly on the other side of the sky.  

One of my favorite things I enjoyed learning as a child was astronomy.  My father bought me a telescope and several books on the planets and stars.  When I was little I would lay outside and look up at all the twinkling stars covering the night sky.  Even now I'm still fascinated with just how beautiful and detailed God's creation is.  I'm in awe of His perfection.  

What Autumn Brings

We anticipate the arrival of autumn and then the cold air sweeps through and it becomes a debate if it's too soon to turn on the heat in the house.  The sky gets darker earlier and it confuses my mind into thinking it's time for bed when it's only 6:00pm.  The chill reaches my bones and makes me want to nestle under a blanket where there is warmth to be found.  I'm not a cold weather person; however, I appreciate the beauty that's to be found in the Pennsylvania autumn season with its changing colored leaves.  

And with fall comes the much need for a hot cup of coffee to start the morning. 

And a craving for a hot bowl of soup in the evening.

As I was warming up the school van this morning the radio announced that by this weekend temperatures will reach back up to the 70s.  Halleluiah!  I'll take it.  One thing we have yet to do as a family so far this October is a traditional pumpkin and apple picking.  I'm hoping we can squeeze that into our schedule.  

How are you enjoying these cooler Autumn days?  

Hello Sunshine

 With the many days of constant rain I was preparing to look up Noah's blueprints on how to build an ark when suddenly this beautiful yellow ball of brightness appeared in the sky.  One of my students I drive to school looked out the window and spoke the exact words I had been thinking, "Look there's the sun.  I haven't seen that in awhile."  

Thank you Lord for all the rain that came after a summer drought here in Pennsylvania but I am most grateful for the sunshine that has now appeared reminding us of Your goodness.  

With the sunshine and dried grass came the sounds of many lawnmowers in the neighborhood.  I had to put the wheels up as high as it would go but I did get the job done in the front yard.  Tomorrow I'll navigate the back.  When my husband and I bought our house about twenty years ago I told him I wanted to be the one to mow the lawn.  With his arthritis I decided to help him out.  Plus, it gives me a reason to keep my body moving while getting some Vitamin D.  I've always loved being outdoors.  

Now let's pull some weeds.  Anyone have any ideas on how to permanently keep these prickly things from growing?  

Last Day of September

 Greetings on this rainy last day of September.  It has rained for about a week and as much as I want to complain about it I can't help but realize I'm much luckier than what those in the southeast are dealing with right now.  My heart breaks for everyone that had been in the path of the hurricane; the lives lost, the homes and businesses destroyed, and all it's going to take to rebuild and heal.  

Where did September go?  This month has been busy, busy, busy rushing from one place to another.  It really feels like most of my time is spent in a vehicle, whether it's my work van or my own personal car but it's okay.  As I say over and over again, it's only a season that will not last.  

Even when it's busy I make sure to take moments in the day to snuggle with the puppy.  Notice a fall decoration?  Yes, we are now officially in autumn and I'm glad.  You also can tell by the blanket who my husband and son support in football.  I know, I know, they had to change their name but my husband refuses to call them anything but the Redskins.  They were and always will be that.  

On Friday evening my husband and daughter went to the away football game to see our team win and our son perform with the band at the halftime show.  I always regret missing those moments but I needed the rest.  There will be several home games left and I will be at each one of those.  Saturday morning our boy was up early and at the school to take the bus to Carlisle where he ran in another cross country invitational.  

Then a few hours later he was back at the school to get on the bus again to head to another town for band where they joined five other schools for a Band Show.  I dropped my daughter off at a friend's for a sleepover and was able to relax with Rob until it was time to head to the show.  We are just so grateful for our son's hard work so far this year.  

I wish I could be more consistent in my blogging but I know not many read it anyway.  It's nice to have a place to jot down my thoughts but sometimes I wonder if it's even worth it anymore.  It's always been a nice outlet but I also have to focus on housework and life.  

And I did manage to sew the ribbons on my daughter's pointe shoes.  She had difficulty on her first class but it's an adjustment for every dancer.  

On Sunday we went to church and then spent the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying a day of doing nothing.  It was wonderful!  This cutie enjoyed the quality time as well.  

This morning after my van run I went grocery shopping and now I'm home to finish up on laundry and whatever else I can get done before it's time to get back in my van to bring the three boys home.  Then it's home to make dinner and head to the dance studio.  I also have to remember to wish my sister a happy birthday!  

Busy Season

As I sat in the waiting room of the dentist office this morning I was speaking to the receptionist, who is also the dentist's wife, about the busyness that comes along with motherhood.  Her children are grown and out of the home and our conversation reminded me that the chaos of my current schedule will someday be a thing of the past.  Someday the house will be empty of kids and clutter and I won't have to run from one direction to another.  I consider myself blessed beyond measure to have all that I have.  It's not perfect and I find myself struggling more often than not but each season of life is precious and passes quickly by.  If you're a new mom, finding yourself struggling through the long, sleepless nights with fussy babies just know it will pass.  If you have a stubborn toddler throwing tantrums it will pass.  If you are in the midst of raising school aged children trying to get them to focus on better grades and cleaner rooms (I'm here now) it will pass.  Every season, the good and bad, will not last.  So, hang in there, Mama!  You got this!  

And here's a few pictures from my current season of life.  Cross country meets, marching band performances, sneaking a peak as my daughter and the rest of the ballet class learn how to sew the ribbon on their pointe shoes, and enjoying family time with shopping and ice cream.  It's been busy ... but it's been good!  

And Here We Go ...

 With back to school time and the changing of weather comes the inevitable sicknesses.  I was hoping and praying we would see relief this year but I guess that request was not granted.  My son was home from school on Monday with a sore throat and headache.  He's feeling better except for some congestion.  Today it's the daughter's turn to be home sick with a sore throat.  I'd rather they stay home when they are sick to rest and prevent it from spreading to others in school.  However, other kids obviously do not care and come to school to share with others.  It's frustrating.  One of the boys in my van has been constantly hacking, snorting and all sorts of sick noises while not understanding the importance of keeping himself at a safe space from the others.  Once I arrived home from the morning run I sprayed disinfectant inside the vehicle.    

I have my Eden's Garden Fighting Five essential oils permeating the air hoping it brings a little relief to this house.  It's a blend of lemon, cinnamon, rosemary, clove, and two types of eucalyptus.   I have no scientific proof that essential oils legitimately work but I love the scents and have a small collection.  Eden's Garden has become my favorite place to buy them.  Cheap prices and free shipping.  You can also earn rewards as you buy.  

And if this isn't a bad time to get sick, it is my daughter's first week of the dance year.  She's slowly adjusting to the new atmosphere and getting to know the other dancers.  The classes are more intense than she's used to but I know she'll get the hang of it.  My son, although sick, ran in another cross country meet yesterday.  He's been doing amazing.  Last weekend he joined a 5k Sasquatch Run that my husband's job was hosting and got 2nd place out of 212 runners.  I'm so happy that he has found something that he is thriving in and also making more friends.  

And on a more somber note, I feel the need to post on what today is.  As the years go on I'm wondering if people are drifting away from wanting to recall the events of the day.  It was listed as the 8th top story on Yahoo.com today when I feel it should be first (yes, even first to last night's debate).  September 11, 2001.  When almost 3,000 people lost their lives from a terrorist attack.  One was a man I will always remember, my sister's friend Ralph Licciardi who I only got the chance to meet a few times - once at my sister's wedding rehearsal dinner, the next day at the wedding (his wife was a bridesmaid) and another time at her house.  He was a pretty cool, down to earth guy who married his high school sweetheart and had two kids together.  I believe it was his second day on the job, which turned out to be his last day on earth.  Maybe others are slowly forgetting what the anniversary of this day means but I will never forget.  I will also not forget that in that moment seeing our country come together united in fear, solidarity, and strength. We seemed to have lost that quickly after ... I'll leave it at that.  

Take a moment today to think about your blessings while holding close to your loved ones.  God bless you, my wonderful friends and readers.  Thanks for sharing a moment of your time with me today!  I am grateful for you.  

September's Arrival

When September arrives we are reminded of the changes that are ahead.  The changing colors of the leaves, the changing schedule from a new school year, and the change in temperature.  The mornings start off with the crisp coolness and by afternoon the air becomes warmer.  This month sends me into nostalgia as I remember my own days of back to school time.  I did not like going to school so that memory is one that keeps me from enjoying the transition into fall.  Now as a mother, I'm finding myself in full stress mode when it comes to helping my own children navigate school.  So far it's been an easy start and I'm thankful for that but there's eight more months to go.  I enjoy fall but I've always been a summer girl.  Well, I guess I can be thankful in knowing that summer is not officially over, according to the calendar, for another eighteen days.  

Another student was added to my school van so I've been out the door earlier than usual.  The sun is rising as I'm driving, making the view in front of me beautiful.  I wish I could take a picture of the sun beginning to move it's way up the mountain filled horizon as the vibrant colors paint a peaceful picture in the sky but I'm not allowed to be on my phone while driving, obviously for good reason.  So I just enjoy the moment of capturing God's gorgeous design with my own eyes.  After I drop the three boys off at their school seven miles away I come home to a quiet, empty house.  Rob is at work and the kids are in school.  I turn on a podcast or music and begin to clean the house.  The clutter in this house builds up fast and does not seem to go away regardless of how much I get through.  Messes are a big cause of anxiety and that explains why I'm always stressed but I'm also learning to take it for what it is.  We have a lot of stuff and not a big space to put it.  Also, when I do put things into place no one seems to know how to put it all back where it goes.  Other moms please help me!  Repeating myself constantly and sounding like a broken record is not working.  I've already gotten rid of so much and I've threatened to go through with a garbage bag again.  As I'm dealing with the feelings of stress at home my husband has been feeling stressed from work.  Pray for us!  Still, life is good and we are thankfully working through it.  

My husband's friend's wife gave us a butterfly bush and it's been filling with little butterflies, which is hard to see in this photo.  I need to get my better camera out.  

We invited my parents over for a Labor Day barbecue.  We don't see my parents often but I try to squeeze time in with them as much as I can.  They live twenty-seven miles away and with busy schedules it's hard to see them and I feel bad because my father could use the company.  Taking care of my mother puts a toll on him, especially with lack of sleep added to it.  My siblings are over two hundred miles away so the time they get with them is few and far between.  I'm all they have here in Pennsylvania and it's a tough one for me.  

My daughter was excited to come home from our town's carnival with a goldfish she won.  I was in a bit of a shock since we were not prepared.  Luckily we had a small fish bowl stuffed in the garage so we washed it and filled it with water.  The next day she went with her dad for pebbles and goldfish food.  Unfortunately, little Goldie did not make it and received a very quick funeral down the toilet.  She was upset but also understanding.  We were not properly prepared on taking on a goldfish in the moment but made a promise to buy her some new fish soon.  Rest in peace, Goldie.  

And here is my little princess this morning, with her hair curled wearing a new shirt from Old Navy.  She was reluctant on letting me snap a picture but I could not resist.  Later this evening I will be watching my son in his first cross-country meet.  I'm grateful for a good start of the school year. 

So Much To Do ...

It's 9 o'clock in the morning and I've already managed to get some things done and before I continue on with a day of housecleaning and running this one here and that one there I thought I'd take a moment to pause.  While my husband and kids are working their butts off in work and school I feel guilty when I sit mine down to blog.  There is so much to get done around the house from laundry, to sweeping and dusting, to grocery shopping and meal planning, yard work, reorganizing, decluttering and so much more and yet here I am just soaking in a few moments of peace.  I miss my family when they are gone but I also enjoy the quietness.  I spend an hour in the morning driving students to school and then I'm back at it for another hour in the afternoon.  Even with this part-time job it still feels like I'm a full-time housewife.  It still counts, right?  While I'm alone I will either put on some music, or listen to my Bible app or a podcast/YouTube video while getting the cleaning done.  But taking these moments to write either on the blog or something on Word feels therapeutic.  Writing has always been my escape.  

My kids seem to be off to a good start with school.  At least, they aren't doing any complaining.  Matthew has been staying after for cross country practice and last Friday was the first time he got to perform with the marching band during the season opening football game.  It felt like a full circle moment as I remembered my time with the high school marching band in the 1990s, although I was in the colorguard.  He plays trumpet.  

We were supposed to meet my niece and her family who were camping in Gettysburg last weekend but they were all sick.  So, we spent the evening in Gettysburg anyway.  We did not visit the battlefield this time but we did enjoy a little shopping and dinner at a buffet.  It was disheartening to find out General Pickett Buffet had closed down, we enjoyed many meals there over the years.  We did find another one a few miles down the road that we did not even know existed.  It was located on the bottom floor of a hotel that looks like a barn.  

I don't have many pictures taken from the weekend.  I'm trying to just soak in the moments by being in the moment but sometimes I need to remind myself that it's great to have those pictures to document for memory sake.  Any time I take a picture my kids will ask, "Are you going to put that on Instagram?" Last night when I asked my husband for the picture of the restaurant he asked, "Is this for the blog?"  Ha ha!  Okay, yes then!  

Now it's time to get my butt into gear as I try to figure out how to get it all done.  Being a housewife and mother is filled with chaos but, nevertheless, I'm grateful for it all.  I'm thankful for this life.  

Back To The Grind

 My alarm went off at 5:40 am.  I spent a few moments still laying in bed praying to God and asking Him to help my children get through their first day of school and the rest of the year.  I went across the hallway to wake up my eighth grader and then stepped into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee for both me and my hubby.  My eleventh grader, who doesn't have to leave until a half hour after his sister, wanted me to wait until 6:30 to wake him up.  I could hear the nervousness in his tone and see it in his expression.  The bus came to pick up middle school and then high school.  I don't have to start my school van run until Thursday, since the kids I pick up are going to a different school in another town.  I intend on taking these two days to focus on the home.  But for now, I'll enjoy the quiet with a cup of coffee and this blog.  

It's hard to grasp the idea that my children are growing so quickly.  I'll be thinking about them all day hoping that everything is going well.  

The weeks ahead are going to be very busy in the evenings with back to school nights, cross country practices/meets, band rehearsals, Friday night football games, and dance starts for the girl in September.  Speaking of dance, on Sunday we picked up her first pair of pointe shoes.  I almost cried when the woman at the store said "Congratulations, you just got your first pair of pointe shoes," as Brianna smiled from ear to ear.  

It brings such a shock to all of us with how quickly summer went by.  Gone are the days of sleeping in and moving at a slower pace.  The weather is cooling giving us a taste of the upcoming autumn season and we are already anticipating when summer vacation arrives again.  The calendar is filled with many activities, which began to give feelings of stress and anxiety, but I was reminded in my daily devotional reading that God is in control.  Now that my children's days will be in a set schedule it's time to get my own routine going.  Housework, meal prepping, exercising, daily devotions, work, and of course, time for this blog.  

Good luck to all the kiddos heading back to school.  

Brooke is loving the one on one attention this morning.

The Last Week And Turning 13

 We are winding down on the last week of summer vacation and I look back and wonder if we did enough.  We did not complete all 30 hikes for the summer club and my son, who is very frustrated in me over that, reminded me of that yesterday.  I feel bad.  But vacation starts with this feeling that we have so much time and then suddenly it ends.  My father was hoping to take him fishing and that did not happen either.  We went on one vacation to the beach and the kids had a little time with friends but I had not seen any of mine in a long time.  I did, in fact, enjoy the slower paced mornings where I can read my Bible and sip a cup of coffee in quiet while the kids were still sleeping.  By next Tuesday we will all be awake early and rushing to make it out the door on time.  I read a few blogs from homemaking, homeschooling moms and I just envy that slower paced lifestyle but that's not us right now.  Well, some days are but not all.  My kids love to be active and it's definitely what they are.  

Added to the chaos of the last week was my daughter's thirteenth birthday.  My youngest!  I can't believe how quickly time passes.  I once heard someone say that when you have kids the days are long but the years are short and that is so true.  I think of that newborn baby with lungs filled with fluid struggling to breathe on her first day of life.  Then how loud and demanding she was as a toddler.  Oh, that little one sure gave me a run for my money.  She's still a whiner because she is very sensitive.  She also has a sweet, compassionate heart who cares so much for others.  I know she will do great things with her life.  Brianna, I'm so proud of you!  Here's to the teenage years!  Ahh!  Teenager?  I'm struggling with that.  

Every year we give our kids a choice if they want to have a party or go somewhere special for the day.  This year she wanted a party with friends.  We made a decision to have it at a roller skating rink and she celebrated with about a dozen friends.  The night before she made cupcakes for the party.  Half chocolate, half yellow.  This girl loves to bake.  Brooke loves to watch hoping a crumb will fall to the floor.  

Even with the expense, it was nice to have a party somewhere I did not have to worry about entertaining or cleaning.  Her and her friends seemed to have a blast, even though some of them (including my kids) were not avid skaters.  My parents came along to watch.  

On the day of her actual birthday we spent most of  it at home relaxing and enjoying each other's company.  While I was at a quick morning meeting for work Rob took the kids to get donuts for breakfast.  Then we hung out until her hair cut appointment.  

After my son finished his cross country practice we grabbed Subway for dinner (birthday girl request) and had a picnic at a nearby lake.  We were joined by a very friendly duck who insisted we share our subs with her (or him?).  

Then we were back home for cake and presents.  My talented husband is always making cakes for the kids' birthdays and this year she requested an ice cream cake.  Not bad for his first time making an ice cream cake.  

I now have two teenagers in the home.  No more babies.  No more small children.  Two teenagers becoming more independent, unique in their own ways, and opinionated.  I struggle with missing their younger stages but I do enjoy what it is now.