Getting Ready

Here we are in the tenth day of December.  Are you ready for Christmas?  Mentally, I'm somewhat there.  Physically, no.  There is still so many more gifts to purchase and the inside decorating is still not complete.  Little by little, I'm getting there.  

The tree is finished.  I invested little effort in getting it done so it's nothing fancy but it's filled with ornaments that are special to us.  Oh, hi Brooke!  Thanks for getting in the way.  

With a few ornaments from our own childhood, some that have been gifted to us, several we've purchased since our first Christmas together, many that the kids either picked out or created themselves our tree is nothing but memories of our lives together.  It may not look glamourous to you but it's very special to me.  

Rob always has the responsibility of decorating the outside and I love the simplicity of it.  

A few of our neighbors go above and beyond with giant blow ups, lighted trees and more.  It looks as though they've spent thousands of dollars.  Going that extreme isn't for me but it's beautiful to see as we pass by.  I'll have to try to take pictures sometime.  

I always tell myself that for next Christmas I want to get all the gift buying done ahead of time and just like every year it doesn't get done.  I will be scurrying to get everything purchased but I refuse to stress about it.  

Washington vs. Tennessee

Maryland born Rob has loved the Washington Redskins since he was a little boy and the kids followed along on being fans.  I'm still on the fence but it's fun watching their joy, especially when the team actually wins.  

Every year as part of Matthew's birthday celebration Rob buys tickets to a Washington Redskins Commanders game.  For Sunday's game the Boy Scouts were invited to hold the flag during the National Anthem so Rob signed Matthew up and Brianna was able to join in as a guest.  I could have too but decided to be the picture taker instead.  We headed to Maryland early for rehearsals.  

Then we had a chance to walk around, grab some lunch and unexpectedly had a chance to meet former wide receiver Santana Moss.  

An hour before game time I took my seat in the stands while Rob and the kids met up with the other flag holders near the field.  They watched the band walk by getting ready for the pregame celebration.  

Proudly carrying the flag.  

They are at the top corner above the stars.  This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity and I was happy for them.  

And an incredible 42-19 win over the Tennessee Titans made it even better.  

It was a great way to end the first week of turning 17 for Matthew.  

Here in Pennsylvania the kids have off from school today for the first day of hunting season.  I have a refrigerator filled with left over Thanksgiving food that I have to figure out what to do with, a living room crammed with boxes of Christmas decorations I have yet to put on display, and a lot of grocery shopping to do.  Happy December, everyone!  

Seventeen At Valley Forge

 Well, I guess we have entered the holiday season.  What starts things off in our house is our son's birthday.  Yesterday he turned seventeen.  SEVENTEEN!  He keeps reminding me that in just one year he'll be a legal adult and I struggle with accepting the fact that time moves so fast.  He's my oldest.  The one who made me a mother, which is something I always dreamed about.  I'm sure I keep screwing it up but I am so, so proud of the young man he's becoming.  

And since he has such a big interest in politics and history it was no surprise that he requested a trip to Valley Forge for his birthday.  Valley Forge was where George Washington and the Continental Army set up encampment from December 1777 to June 1778 during the Revolutionary War.   My husband and I had both visited Valley Forge back in our teenage years but it was a first for our children and they seemed to enjoy it.  

We took a lot of pictures during our exploration.  Oh, look, it's me!

General George Washington's headquarters.

Our trip to Valley Forge was on Saturday and since we were close we decided to walk around King of Prussia mall where we circled around and got lost.  It's a big mall.  The biggest I've been to with several stores I could never afford.  Then we ate at The Shake Shack before heading home.  

Sunday was the official birthday.  After church we hung out at home, ate the chicken wings Rob prepared and ate birthday cake.  I really wanted a nice picture of Matthew by the cake but he insisted on being silly.  Typical teenager!  

These seventeen years have been quite a journey and we've had our ups and downs but I would not want it any other way.  I miss the little baby who cried every time I put him down, the toddler who gave me constant hugs and kisses and the little boy who always smiled contently at everything.  The teen years have been difficult, I'm not going to lie, but despite all those obstacles he works hard and has goals set for the future.  He's funny and loving.  He gives so many reasons to be proud!  

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!