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.