Some February Things

 

The groundhog was not kidding when he predicted six more weeks of winter.  Last Thursday we woke up to an icy ground, which called for another virtual day.  Snow is in the forecast beginning tomorrow and probably lasting until Thursday.   

I got all the grocery shopping and Valentine gift buying done today in anticipation of this pending storm.  I have household projects in mind ready to start in case I become stuck inside but those things can and should get done regardless.  

I've also been in a baking mood and my kids loved these chocolate chip brownie bars.  When I don't feel like baking from scratch I rely on my good friend Betty Crocker to help get things done.  I feel no shame.  

And my sweet husband surprised me with flowers reminding me that we don't have to wait until Valentines Day to celebrate our love for each other.   

I can't believe we have started the second week in February already.   January felt so long but this month is moving along and I cannot wait for warmer days.  This seasonal depression is no joke and I'm doing what I can to fight it.  

Last night we ended the weekend watching the Superbowl, although we did not care for either team or the halftime show, it's nice when we can relax together as a family.   Now that the football season is over, a sport I really don't care for as much as my husband and son do, I'm ready for baseball.  Baseball is my sport, if I have to pick one.  Maybe because the weather is so much better between April and October.   I'm so ready!

As Life Goes On

 On Saturday afternoon I took my daughter to a funeral of a beautiful twenty year old young lady who danced at the same studio.  It was requested that guests wear florals, something Amelia loved.  We sat among a crowded church in our floral dresses watching what  was the most precious and Holy Spirit filled funeral service I have ever attended.  This one was a first for Bri.  A few pastors and her family shared heartfelt memories in their eulogies, we sang a few songs and a group of girls from the studio even danced.  It was a remarkable celebration of life; a life gone far too soon.  

In December the studio put on a production called Messiah, which was about the life of Jesus starting with creation and ending with Jesus ascending into Heaven.  Amelia played the Holy Spirit and we all, unaware at the time of what was to come, saw a glimpse of her in Heaven.  She is there now.  I only knew her because of that production and Bri knew her from being a substitute teacher in her class before.  Being that this is her first year, Bri still hasn't had a chance to get to know many people yet.  However, the church was filled with people who knew Amelia, either from the time she was small or, like us, most recently.  One thing I learned is just how much this young woman had accomplished in just twenty years, which also included spending a few years living in Hawaii with her twin sister, Sophia.  Sophia was also in the accident, but managed to survive with a broken femur.  

It's really sad to think of how one moment could change so much.  I imagine the three sisters, as they were driving home that Friday evening from a dance rehearsal, singing along to their favorite music as they laughed and talked about what the day had brought them.  I'm sure they even talked about the plans they had for the next day.  Then within a split second, with no time to react, a car coming from the other lane swerves into their lane causing the driver to swerve so she doesn't hit that other car but instead slams into a tree.  They still have yet to find who that other driver was and we aren't sure if they realize how their inability to follow proper driving procedures cost the life of one young, sweet woman.  

This accident can give us all a reminder that the next day is not promised to us.  It doesn't matter how old we are or how healthy we are.  Our time can even come when we least expect it, when we are not prepared for it.  

{picture of Amelia taken and created by Lovefusion Photography.  I do not own the rights}

I did not know Amelia personally and I never had a chance to talk to her or hear that contagious laugh her loved ones kept talking about.  All that I know are the things that were said about her.  A kind, loving, always happy but quiet girl who lived her life loving and serving God.  She even made sure when she danced she did it for Him.  It was remarkable seeing how many people she touched with her kindness and how much light she gave to those around her.  I'll never understand how God could take a person like her from this world so soon while her loved ones live out the rest of their days grieving such a loss.  A life like Amelia's is a life God calls us all to be.  As my life continues to go on, and until I'm called home, I will do my best to live for and serve God the best that I can.  Because I, too, want to hear those words, "Well done good and faithful servant."  

Last Week of January

Tell me about it!  Why does the first month of the year always seem to be the slowest?  I've never enjoyed January, to be honest, and this is usually the height of when my depression hits ... but I'm doing okay with it ... well, pushing through.  I have to use a lot of mental strength just to get out of bed in the morning and before my feet hit the floor I'm already thinking about how I can't wait to crawl back under the covers that night.  Throughout the day I feel like I'm just going through the motions as I get everything done.  But I'll get through it, I always do.  At least this week has brought us some sunshine and a little bit of warmth.  After dealing with single digit temperatures last week, which started with mornings of being below 0, it's been pleasant now being back in the 40's.  

The year is off to a slow start and that may be my favorite thing about January.  After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season I can now relax a little as we wander back into a regular routine.  My daughter was back to her dance schedule for one week until the studio decided to take a week off to mourn the loss of one of the dancer's.  She passed away in a tragic car accident on January 17th.  Her sisters, also dancers, were also in the car and survived with minor injuries.  Brianna knew them from dance and Amelia, the girl who passed away, filled in as a teacher.  She also played the Holy Spirit in last month's production of Messiah.  The show was breathtaking and Amelia was beautiful in it.  This week the studio opened up so the schedule is back to normal.  

Today school had an early dismissal so my kids are home.  The boy I drive to school has been sick so far this week.  It's been nice not having to rush out the door either early in the morning or in the afternoon.  I do love this job and the money is needed but it's nice to get more and more of a break, too.  I do hope he's feeling better and said my prayers for him.  It seems there's a lot of people fighting the flu right now.  Matthew had his routine doctor appointment today and all seems well.  The doctor seemed impressed with how well he's doing.  I'm proud, too.  He shared the news yesterday that he made honor roll.  After a rough few years with migraines and trying to push through life while dealing with migraines, he seems to really be improving and trying so hard.  As for Brianna, of course I'm proud of her too, but she's been giving us quite a struggle.  I'm not sure I can blame it on the fact that she's a 13 year old teenager because she's always been one who has given us a run for our money.  I know that God will use her and her circumstances for a purpose.  We just have to help her along.  

I'll close with a picture my husband took last week of a snow covered Lake Codorus.  He past by on his way to a doctor appointment.  This lake holds a lot of special memories for us.  

What Happened to Global Warming?

 Seriously!  The entire world is freezing right now.  Even Florida received some unanticipated snow.  Where I live snow and frigid temperatures are expected this time of year but over the last several years the air has felt a bit warmer than normal.  But it seems we are now back to the old days when no one talked about global warming as the bitter wind smacked you in the face.  

This morning my husband, already up and dressed, texted me this wake up picture of our thermostat.  Yikes!  -12?  I put the phone down, pulled the blanket up and rolled over for a few more minutes.  The school called a two hour delay today, same as yesterday.  The roads are icy and the air feels miserable.  

I'm not a fan of this; however, I'm glad to live in a state that provides all four seasons.  In a few months the warmth of the sun will shine again and what we are currently going through will help me appreciate it just a bit more.  

Luckily, not everyone is complaining.  Exibit A:  

It Was A Good Morning

 The last few days were midterms and today high school had off before starting a new marking period next week.  Elementary and middle schools still had to go in and so I had an idea of taking my boy out to breakfast at a very popular diner in my area.  It was a nice treat.  Not only did he pass his tests but he's been working hard this school year and I thought taking him out for a special treat was needed.  Also, we don't get a lot of mother/son time so this was also a good reason to spend some one on one time together.  I enjoyed our conversation, which mostly consisted of politics and faith.  He's a smart young man with a good head on his shoulders.  He's made mistakes, what kid hasn't, but he learns from them and tries hard to do what is right.  I'm so proud of him!  

Oh, and the food was delicious!  He ordered chocolate chip pancakes, which ended up being huge and hard for him to finish.  I had scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast.  We left with full bellies and I definitely had a full heart.  

The Simpler Days

 Oh, how I wish I could go right back to this very moment ... 

When I had to push through the physical exhaustion from having been up throughout the night with a crying, hungry baby while helping the toddler learn all the things needed before entering the school years.  I didn't realize it then but now as I look back I consider them the simpler days.  Because both of them were completely innocent and unaware of just how evil and cruel this world is.  They only felt the comfort and love that was given to them within the four walls of our home. 

Before they knew of the sin around them and in them.  Before being faced with pressure and temptation and then unacceptence from peers when they don't follow along.  Before their hearts were broken from the bullies and wrongly influenced by friends.  Before the stress of keeping up with their grades and making sure they were taking care of all their responsibilities. 

When they looked at me with a smile believing I was the best person in the whole entire universe.  When in sweet, small voices they would tell me they love me while squeezing me tightly.  

The teenage years, although there are good things in this current stage there's also challenges I'm not sure I'm equipped for.  It's been quite a rough few days and all I can think about is the days gone by.  

The simpler days. 

Friday Is Here

 

Good morning from a frigid and snowy Pennsylvania!  

Winter is not my friend and as much as I can feel that seasonal depression setting in I'm trying my hardest to fight it.  Here we are in day 10 of the new year and it's been a slow transition back to reality after a very restful Christmas break.  The decorations are stored back in its boxes and waiting to go up to the attic and I'm slowly putting the house back together.  The kids are back to school but my son's schedule has been different this week and next because of testing.  Since 11th grade doesn't have to take the state testing 9th and 10th grade does he does not have to go in until 10:45.  It's nice having a few extra hours of quality time with him in the morning.  

I was also proud of this moment on Wednesday evening when we got to watch him perform in the high school's jazz and concert band concert.  The last time we watched him on stage with his trumpet was in sixth grade.  In seventh grade, during all of that Covid commotion, he was told to put a hole in his mask so he could play and the end of the trumpet needed a special mask too.  We all found that to be ridiculous so he dropped out of band and then he developed migraines and spent the rest of middle school in cyber.  Now he's back to in person, still getting occasional headaches, but insists on pushing through them.  The noise of band doesn't seem to bother him.  It was great seeing him back to this.  I took videos and snapped pictures while trying desperately to hold back tears.  

And this cutie went back to dance classes yesterday after a long break.  

Now that the house is quiet - hubby at work, kids at school, dog sleeping soundly on the couch - I guess it's a good time to continue on some housework.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  

My prayers are with those in southern California right now.  I can't imagine how scary it feels to be in the midst of that devastation.  The homes that hold precious possessions and memories, the pets who weren't able to escape and the people who have been trapped - my heart has been heavy over this.  There's nothing else I can say.  

First Post of 2025

Happy New Year, friends!  

Let's catch up!

We rang in New Years in the comfort of our own home watching the Times Square ball drop from our television screen.  Then we went to bed after midnight and woke up later than we usually do and hung out at home before eating dinner at The Cracker Barrel all thanks to a gift card Rob received from someone at work.  This is what happens when I try to take a picture of two teenagers.  

Then it was back to school on Thursday and Friday followed by a relaxing weekend.  Now it's Monday, the start of the first full week of the year.  School is closed today and kids had to do their work from home.  Rob has also been doing his work from home.  Why?

Snow!

Today it snowed and it's still coming down.  We might not see the end until later this evening.  The kids finished up their school work and went outside to play in it for a bit.  

It would seem natural that a Siberian Husky would be excited about the snow but ours looks at it with confusion and refuses to spend too much time outside.  Most huskies will run for miles in the snow pulling a sled behind them.  But my husky would rather ...

Yes, all snuggled on the couch.  

I made the family a pancake and bacon breakfast this morning and stuck a pork roast in the crock pot for dinner.  I also made this delicious coffee cake for them to devour.  It's so delicious.  

The start of 2025 has been a slow paced one and I'm okay with that.  I've also been fighting what I think may be an ear infection but I'm too lazy to call the doctor to have it checked out.  It doesn't hurt, just feels clogged.  

As I consider a new year to be a chance to reset, I haven't really felt a desire to make any changes.  As mentioned in my last post, my word for the year is CONTENTMENT but it so quickly became quite a challenge.  We'll see if I can succeed as the year goes on.  

In 2024 I managed to write 70 posts on here.  Let's see what I can do in 2025.  I'm thinking of changing this blog up a bit with what I share and hopefully can do so more consistently.  

I hope 2025 is a year you, my reader friends, receive many wonderful blessings!