And Monday Comes Again

 After all the chaos my poor husband was dealing with towards the end of the week we made it a goal to have an active and fun weekend.  On Friday we needed to run an errand in the city and while we were there decided to check out a retro arcade.  It was a lot of fun and the games such as Donkey Kong and Space Invaders definitely took me back to the innocence of childhood.   I also loved the display of pinball machines.  I spent a lot of time playing the Jaws themed one.  

Then it was dinner at Chick-fil-A.  Daughter's choice.  

On Saturday after Rob ran some errands and I did some housework and vacuumed my school van we headed to a place that has batting cages for Matt and an area to run, jump and climb for Bri.

Sunday's church service was exactly what both my husband and I needed to hear and came from 1 Corinthians 10:13.  It reminded us that God puts us in a position He can trust us to handle and He will not allow us to go through it without a way out.  It's amazing how God uses a pastor's message to be what we need, as if it's written just for us.  This has happened several times but yesterday it was everything we needed.  Rob and I both went to the altar at the end of the service and knelt down and prayed together.  After spending so much time in fear of what having a husband on the school board will bring I surrendered it to God.  Surrender.  My word for the year.  God has called and equipped my husband for what he is doing.  God has allowed me to understand that this is not my battle.  I just need to show support from the sidelines.  It won't be easy for me.  It most definitely will be the biggest challenge for him.  But with God all things are possible.  Lord, give him strength!  

And now we are at Monday.  It was a difficult start.  My daughter woke up in tired tears.  She told me it was her anxiety but I think it might have been lack of sleep.  My reaction was not the best, something else I need to surrender.  Life is filled with difficulties and at moments I feel as though I can't go on but then I'm reminded that my strength can also be found in the Lord.  He is who I lean on.  

What would I do if it weren't for my faith?

I hope the week ahead brings peace and joy for you!  

Mass Chaos In The Community

 

That title sounds fitting for for a horror movie, don't you think?

We were sitting at our daughter's middle school band/chorus concert when, coincidentally, a ton of emails came rushing in to my husband from concerned students and parents about the potential removal of the district's music program.  This hysteria came after someone took a comment from a board member the wrong way and began rumoring that the board was going to cut music from the school after the retirement of the band director.  Wow!  My son was the first to see a ton of comments coming from kids in his school on Snapchat.  Since this board has started it seems to be one rumor after another.  

I was reluctant to support my husband's decision to join the school board but it was something he felt called to do.  I'm proud of him and believe he is there to do good but it's also hard to focus through all the noise.  What scares me most of all is the potential safety risks it will put on my children.  My daughter has already come home upset by what others have said to her just because she's the daughter of a board member.  I'm sitting here grinding my teeth wondering if she's okay today.  If someone had said anything to her.  I'm also pondering if it would be better to put them both in cyber come next school year, as to remove them from this nonsense.  

I believe God has a plan through it all and I'm putting my faith and trust in Him.  It's still just very difficult.  Mostly because I have children involved.  For a long time I've been questioning if sending my kids to public school is even the right thing to do anymore.  So much has changed.  Removing them means they miss out on so much, including being involved in band and chorus, which my daughter loves.  I'm just not sure if the risk is worth any of it.  My son has been unhappy with this district and, well, who should I listen to?  

I needed to use my platform to vent today.  Thank you for listening!  Only time will tell what happens.  

My Valentines

 

Yesterday was Valentines Day and I was happy to celebrate.   I'm not as festive as I was when the kids were little, like making every food item into heart shapes, but I did my best.  

Everyone got their gifts.

My hubby brought home these pretty flowers.  

And made us a delicious shrimp alfredo with Caesar salad for dinner.  Not pictured.   I'm bad at documenting everything.   He also made a dessert, which was both fruity and chocolaty.  Again, no pic.

The pup even got some new toys and treats.  

It was a pretty special day!

Monday Morning Chat

 It was a weekend that past by quickly!  On Saturday the kids and I visited my parents' house to see my sister Denise and brother-in-law Stan who were visiting from Long Island.  They don't come often and when they do they only stay one night and leave very early in the morning.  My dad refers to it as a "drive by."  I don't have any pictures from the visit but it was a nice time of catching up on life and a lot of laughter.  

Before the trip Brianna wanted to do some Valentine shopping at the Dollar Tree.  We were swimming in balloons, as you can see.  

On the way home from my parents' she started getting sniffly and before bed began complaining of a sore throat.  On Sunday she was sick with a sore throat and fever.  Today she's home from school and we have a doctor appointment later.  Apparently strep throat is going around.  She's already had it this year.  This girl can't seem to catch a break.  The night ended watching the Super Bowl, although I went to bed as soon as overtime started.  Football doesn't seem to be about football anymore and it's really annoying.  I am all for baseball ... which is going to start SOON!  

So far today I've been doing my best to catch up on housework and will continue until it's time to pick up my girls from their school.  I wish you all an amazing week!  

Monday Morning Chat

 Hello February!   The sun was blindingly bright this morning as I was driving my school van run, making the inside of the vehicle warm.  With six weeks left of winter spring sure is trying to push its way through early.  I'm not complaining!  

It's almost time for the holiday that celebrates love and I'll always use any excuse to spoil my family.  My husband bought these sweet decorations.  Aren't they cute?

This morning I forgot to take the cell phone out of my back pocket and it went into the toilet.  Eww.  So, as that's drying I'm getting as much housework done as possible.  I have a new student to take to a different elementary school; that's two kids for one elementary and one kid to another, so my drive runs a little longer now.  I continue to love the job and appreciate the time I have at home in between.  It gives me a chance to get a lot done.  Aside from housework I'm using this time to get myself into a consistent routine with studying the Bible.  I also need to get back into a regular workout routine because, between you and me, my jeans are getting a little tighter.  I'm not okay with that.  It's not so much a vanity issue but trying to care about my health.  It's such a hard habit to get into, especially with motivation that's lacking.  I was happy that my recent bloodwork showed no diabetes but with my family history that's something I could easily get and it's all about managing weight and diet.  Ugh!  Why is it so difficult?

At the end of January my son went back to cyber school but only for his core classes.  I bring him in later in the day for his electives.  With his migraine issue and having a tough time focusing through the distractions of other students this was the best option for us.  Maybe it's not right, but it's what we are doing.  We tried, and tried again, but it's no use of making him continue to suffer.  He seems happier and academically doing much better.  He was always an intelligent kid who cares about learning and getting good grades but being in person was making all of that difficult for him.  My daughter has had issues of constantly being sick.  Last week she missed two days and that seems to be the case every month.  I don't know what is going on but tomorrow's well visit at the doctor should hopefully help to give answers.  She said she likes school and has many friends so I have trouble believing that she doesn't want to be there, as others have wondered.  Also, remember when I wrote about her best friend saying she did not want to be her friend anymore back in October?  They made up.  Her friend apologized and said she was wrong and felt bad for how she treated her.  The girls talked and things now seem back to normal.  It had been a rough few months for Bri but now she's happy again.  I was not okay with what her friend did but I do believe in forgiveness, and I recognize that apologizing and admitting wrong-doing takes a lot of courage.  She enjoyed a sleepover at her house on Saturday.  These middle school years are mentally exhausting!  

And with that, I don't have much else to update.  So much to do, so little time!  Have a great week everyone!  A big thank you to those who take the time to read about my silly little life.  You are appreciated!

Groundhog Day

 Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring as he didn't see his shadow.  

I believe a certain Siberian Husky is not thrilled with this groundhog's prognosis, as you can tell.

After a sleepless night I think I'll curl up with her for a bit.  

Happy Friday!