Just a Quick Hello, Friends!

 The cold, snowy days did not last but I had to share a picture of my girl and boy statue snuggling each other in the depths of the snow.  I thought it was funny.  

The warm weather arrived along with a lot of rain.  The snow has now melted away into a memory.  The ground has been muddy, which has been frustrating for us with a dog that loves digging.  Oh, Brooke, what are we going to do with you?

Here we are on Sunday, watching the last playoff games crossing our fingers that the Ravens and Lions are the ones who make it to the Superbowl, but it's not looking good so far.  Oh well.  Is it really that important?  Not for me.  Is it really important that Taylor Swift is shown every time the Chiefs score?  My son keeps complaining about it.  This morning's church sermon was one I needed to hear, but I can say that most Sundays.  Then we treated ourselves to Wendy's for lunch.  We are all relaxing before beginning another week of work and school.  The last week in January.  Where does time go?  

Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead!  

Round 3

 

This January hasn't failed at making a certain Siberian Husky very happy, that's for sure.

Snow Dog Happy

 We got more snow Monday night into Tuesday afternoon.  It ended up being about 3 inches but it was more than enough to make this snow dog happy in her element.  It's amazing to see just how a Siberian Husky who was born and raised in Pennsylvania can just automatically fall right into what her breed was created for.  The excitement on her face as she just zoomed fast around the back yard like she would be in a sled pulling race.  It's so much fun to watch.  

And the kids are always excited to wake up finding out there is no school.  Snow day yesterday and a two hour delay today.  I was only outside long enough to snap some pictures of the play time and then headed to the front yard to shovel and clean off the vehicles.  I'm not the biggest fan of this fluffy white stuff but I'll deal with it.  I mean, I have no other choice.  

My bedroom was hot this morning when I woke up.  Snuggled under the blanket I thought of how grateful I am to have a home that provides heat and comfort when the outside elements are freezing.  I thanked God for this blessing.  Then I thought about the homeless and those who do have homes but no working heat.  I prayed for them.  

More snow expected Friday.  

Lifting My Hands to His

 "I. the LORD your God, hold your right hand and say to you, "Do not fear, I will help you,"

 -- Isaiah 41:13

                                                                         image credit: wallpaperset.com

This verse was in my morning devotional for the day and definitely served as a reminder I needed to hear.  In my attempt to surrender more to God I find some things are harder to let go of.  The demands of being a homemaker, wife and mother seem more than I can handle at times.  I'm sure every wife and mother can attest to that.  That's not to say I'm not enjoying my life, and I truly do feel blessed, but that never stops those difficult moments from happening. I won't share the specifics on the current events that are taking place but it sure has me feeling defeated.  Then I come across that verse and am reminded that I am not alone in any of it.  After reading the verse and the writings from the author that followed, I reached up my right hand, closed my eyes and asked God to take my hand and guide me as I continue walking through these things.  The clarity I received after that prayer was so humbling and filled me with peace.  Then as I took some of my free time to browse Instagram this verse appeared randomly:

"I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will find and feel my presence even in your time of pressure and trouble.  I will be your glorious hero and give you a feast." -- Psalm 91:15

Wow!  For anyone who is doubting God I can't say it enough just how much you are missing out.  He definitely has provided me with the comfort in knowing that even though my current circumstances feel so difficult these things will come to pass.  These battles I'm facing are only temporary and He has my hand through it all.  So, if you are struggling with anything right now I encourage you to surrender it to God and allow Him to grab your hand and guide you through the fire.  

I've also been feeling a call to write and share more as I journey into the year while surrendering all of my struggles to God.  So, be expecting more formal posts such as this.  I hope they bring encouragement to you.  

First Snow of 2024

 As I'm sitting in the orthodontist waiting room while my daughter is getting her braces I might as well update on the weekend snow we were graced with over the weekend.  I'm doing this on my cell phone instead of the usual laptop.

As predicted the snow began falling promptly at 10:00am on Saturday.   My son was spending the weekend at a friend's house so it was just the three of us and a very excited Siberian Husky. 

We don't see a lot of snow here in Pennsylvania anymore, at least not in these south-central parts.  For a dog who was bred for these elements, Brooke was in her glory.  She ran around and caught snowballs thrown by her human sister.

Even though it snowed all day the accumulation was only enough to cover the ground, nothing more.  That didn't stop the 12 year old from building a snowman.  

I remember the days of it snowing so much it covered the cars and we spent days home from school.   My kids are so eager for that experience but nature has other plans these days.  

And now that the appointment is over ...

Our girl beginning her journey to straighter teeth.  

That January Feeling

Is it me, or does January feel like the worst month out of the entire year?  Admittedly, it's my least favorite.  The Christmas decorations go away and we are left with just a memory of the holiday season that went by so quickly.  The frigid air has me wanting to do nothing more than stay inside wrapped under a blanket while drinking a hot cup of coffee or tea.  These bone-chilling temperatures are too much for this girl, I can tell you that.  Snow is expected for Pennsylvania this weekend, and although it might not amount to much in my southern part of the state, it still gives me reason to make plans to stay inside.  

As much as I loathe this month I've learned to accept it as a time when I can get so many things accomplished.  Soon spring will be here and I'll be busy spending evenings on the sidelines at the baseball field and Saturdays running my daughter to dance rehearsals in preparation for the June show.  The grass will need mowed and weeds will consistently have to be pulled.  Those warmer days will be coming back, so, in the meantime I might as well find joy in the mundaneness of winter.  

A few examples of what I plan to do:

✸ Declutter, reorganize, deep clean the house

✸ Work on my writing, which has been an ongoing project for a few years

✸ Read more books

✸ Keep my brain moving while doing jigsaw puzzles 

✸ Exercise and learn more ways of keeping myself and my family healthier

✸ Quality time with those I love

I'm teaching myself to enjoy this season and keeping busy will only make the brighter days feel like they've shown up faster.  When the weather is too cold for me to want to be outside there is so much to be done from the inside.  Besides, I am a homebody, after all.  

I'm surrendering my seasonal depression!  

2024 - Surrender

I'm so bad at new years resolutions, like most people.  So I stopped trying.  I do, however, like giving myself a word to focus on for the year.  Last year it was peace.  Peace in the midst of chaos.  In life I'm surrounded by all sorts of chaos; in my own home and in the world.  I wanted to be able to focus on keeping myself at peace through it all.  I think I did a fairly good job at it, for the most part.  It wasn't easy but I spent time finding Bible verses and keeping myself in prayer over how I could find peace in every situation thrown at me.  In my life I'm experiencing so many trials, battles, and emotions I tell no one about.  In my home we are really struggling with a lot of things.  I am really struggling to cope with any of it.  I'm always struggling with my own temper as I try to teach my kids how to control theirs.  I feel like it's a daily challenge just to keep this house clean.  I get so frustrated when my overly-affectionate husband is constantly wanting to touch me and then he gets frustrated when I pull away instead of reciprocate.   Now that the holidays are over and winter is in full swing I can feel my seasonal depression setting in.

So, this morning as I gave myself some quiet time in my bedroom with my Bible and an attempt to restart a few of my old devotionals a word specifically came to mind.  

I've been trying so hard to figure it all out but I know I can't do this all alone.  I need to surrender it all to God.  All of the things I'm experiencing I pass it all to Him.  I trust in His plan.  I'm allowing Him to guide my steps.  I'm waiting on all things to be accomplished in His timing.  

I will be working at my health - both physically and mentally.  I will be spending more time devoted in the Word and increasing my prayer time.  I will spend less time scrolling through my phone but will spend more time on my laptop writing that piece that has been taking me forever to accomplish.  Whatever I do, it will be done with God in mind and with Him in the center.  Any problems I give to Him.  All the joy I'll give to Him.  I surrender all!  

Do you have a yearly word?  Or a resolution?  How good are you with sticking with them?

Happy New Year, friends!  Maybe last year did not go well for you.  I pray your 2024 brings an abundance of peace, joy and blessings!