Spring Into Action

 The first moment of spring arrives tonight at 11:06pm.  It's terribly cold outside and we woke up to a little bit of snow falling.  Last week's 70 degrees was just a teaser, I guess.  Tonight we will be sitting in the bitterness while watching Matthew's first home game of the season.  

And with springtime comes a very busy time.  Only a few months left of school, my daughter will be having extra rehearsal time for her June show and my son's baseball season is in full swing (pun intended).  I admire those who live a more relaxed life but that is not us.  Maybe someday.  I wanted my kids to be active as they grew up but then I wonder if we've put too much on them.  I certainly don't want lazy kids but maybe they are too active for what it really should be.  Today my husband will go from work, to the game, to the school board meeting, without a break in between.  It's a lot but someday I know we'll be empty nesters sitting in a quiet, empty home and reflecting back on those busier days and feeling pretty thankful we made our way through them.  

On Saturday I took Bri to a local farm that allows people to come visit the baby animals, for a small fee.  She loves pigs so when I heard there were going to be 5-day old piglets I couldn't resist.  She got to hold pigs, goats, puppies and a tiny guinea pig.  There were also chicks and ducks and a calf.  The place became way too crowded and the poor animals seemed stressed and overwhelmed.  I could not help but feel so sad for them.  All for public entertainment and profit for the farm.  

I will say, this first picture is my absolute favorite.  This piglet fell asleep in her arms.  They all seemed at ease with her.  

Also, as I hoped I could wait an entire year for another mammogram they called and said they saw something and wanted me to come back for another one.  Since it was my first time and they had nothing to compare it to they just wanted to take precaution, and this is common for many.  So, yesterday I was back again to check out the right breast for a mammogram and an ultrasound.  They think they saw a small cyst but are not worried.  Just want me back in 6 months to see if there's any change.  That wasn't fun but I'm glad it's over for now.  

Signs of Spring

 4 days to go!  

 

Yesterday was Pi Day.  If you are a math geek like my husband you'll understand what that means but if you're more like me then you use the day as an excuse to eat pie.  Pizza pie and pudding pie!  

Here is my pudding pie recipe.  It was enjoyed by all.  This time I did not add the cool whip to the top and left that on the side for everyone to scoop on their slice if wanted.  My son doesn't like whipped cream.  I also add chocolate chips.  I did one chocolate and one banana cream.  

4-Ingredient Whipped Pudding Pie

INGREDIENTS

1 box instant pudding (any flavor)

2 cups milk

1 graham cracker pie crust

1 8-ounce tub of whipped topping

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Whisk the pudding with the milk, according to the directions on the package.

2.  Pour half of the pudding mix into the prepared pie crust.

3.  Fold half of the whipped topping into the remaining pudding mix.  Pour that mixture over the top of the pudding mix in the crust.

4.  Refrigerate for at least one hour

5.  Top with the remaining whipped topping and serve.

6.  Refrigerate leftovers.  

It's very simple to make and tastes delicious.  Enjoy!  

 

On This Windy Monday

 This is my current view this morning.

Don't let this adorableness fool you.  She had a lot of puppy energy this morning.  She can be a lot of work but she's also too cute when bundled up in dreamland.  I do realize this poor girl could use a partner so bringing another dog into the home may be a future plan.  Just not another husky.  

My daughter has been in bed all morning continuing to fight her sickness.  She said she feels the same as Friday.  The doctor said she should start getting better today.  I guess not.  My son is in his room working on school work.  Later in the day I will drop him off at the school for his piano class and then he's joining the other baseball players on the bus for a scrimmage game out of town.  I was looking forward to going but with a sick girl at home, who will be missing dance classes, I'm not sure that will happen.  

Tomorrow is another board meeting for my husband and I'm expecting a full house of angry parents and students ready to fight them on the removal of the band ... which isn't even happening.  It seems to be one rumor after another and most of the community is falling for it.  His position on the board has only just begun and it's already exhausting.  I deactivated Facebook because of all the noise and I have no desire, at this point, to get back on.  Instagram is where I'm at.  No drama there.  I've also been spending time in the Bible, praying, and keeping my focus on God.  Yesterday, since my girl is sick, we watched church from home.  I'm also spending a lot of time typing away on my laptop.  How many years have I been working on my manuscript?  A few days ago I came up with another idea and I've been typing away to see how far this one will get me.  I have an idea for many stories and it's a bit different from where I first intended to go with it.  It's been frustrating but I can feel it all coming together with the understanding of why it's taking so long.  I'm listening to God's cues on this and His timing seems to be very different than mine.  

It's a very windy day here in south-central Pennsylvania but the sun is shining and the air should be warming up by the middle of this week.  Yes, Spring, I still see you trying to make an appearance.  I'll be here waiting for you!  

Oh, I treated the kids to Starbucks yesterday.  We had a gift card good enough for one drink so I had to pay for the other.  I rarely buy Starbucks because it's too overpriced for what it should be.  Of course, I had to ask for a pup cup.  

This girl is spoiled rotten!

Glad That's Over

 Greetings, friends!

Here we are, ending another week.  This week has been good with a few challenges thrown in.  On Wednesday I had an appointment with this machine right here.

Women over 40 you know what that is.  This was a first for me.  My doctor said I could wait until age 45 to start getting mammograms so it was time.  It wasn't as painful as I had expected but very uncomfortable.  Yes, I'm glad that's over.  Until next year.

My daughter is home sick AGAIN.  I took her to the doctor thinking it was strep but it's just a virus going around, causing the same symptoms as strep throat would.  Ugh!  This year has been crazy for her getting sick a lot.  

And the good news of the week is my son made the high school baseball team again.  I knew he would but he was nervous.  Tryouts were Monday and Tuesday and he received word on Wednesday.  I can't believe we have reached that time of the year and I'm excited for it.  The sun has been shining, the air is warm ... hey spring, I see you!  

I'm looking forward to a cozy, stay at home kind of weekend!  

Family Meme Night

 Good Monday March morning, friends!  I hope the weekend treated you well.

My kids spent Friday night into Saturday evening with my parents giving my husband and I a chance to have some time together.  My dad always enjoys time with the kids as it gives him something to do while having to take care of my mother.  On my way to picking them up on Saturday I stopped at a thrift store by his house.  Then on the way home the kids wanted to check out the new Five Below by their house to spend the money their grandpa gave them.  If anything, my dad has always been generous.  

My son bought a new game we all played that night.  It's called Family Meme Night and was a lot of fun.  

It's nice to have a break from responsibility but it does feel a lot better when the kids are back home.  These two are growing up fast, starting to spend more time in their rooms and less with us, so these moments are precious.   

I also love this moment I captured.

On Sunday we headed to church and joined the congregation for lunch after then Rob took the kids to see the high school musical.  Matt sat with a friend.   A girl friend who has a crush on him, might I add.  I stayed home and took care of some housework.

And now here we are ready for a full week ahead.  An orthodontist appointment for Bri today where she'll be getting the bottom braces and baseball tryouts after school for Matt.  

Wishing you all a great week. 

And this is how you decorate when St. Patrick's Day and Easter fall in the same month.

From February To March

 February ended with an extra day.  Leap day!  I considered it an extra day to focus on my blessings.  

And this morning i flipped the calendar to a new month.  Hello March.  The calendar is filled with doctor appointments, baseball tryouts and regular after school activities.  We are 19 days away from the first official day of spring and the slow-speed winter will come to an end as life's activities pick up.  I have yet to accomplish all I had hoped to do this winter, as it always seems to be the case.  

Lately, I've been focusing so much of my time reading the Word, making sure we get to church every Sunday and learning how I can spend every moment of my life glorifying God.  The world around me is so chaotic and scary, I just want to have peace through it all.  As I enter a new month I want to focus on continuingly growing my faith as I count my blessings.  I also heard something on one of the podcasts I listen to and I thought it would be fun to implement it into my blog.  At the beginning of a new month I want to add both a peak and pit from the month before.  I'll start here.  

A pit for February was when finding out all of the rumors being spread about the school board.  That really brought on a lot of unnecessary chaos in the community and a worry in my heart for my family.

The peak was last weekend getting to step away and spend some fun time away with family.  

I wish you a March filled with joy and happiness!