18th Birthday/An Unconventional Thanksgiving

 The week started by celebrating a very special boy's 18th birthday.  I cannot believe how quickly these years have gone and now my boy is officially an adult.  When he gives us attitude, which happens more often than it should, I remind him how I can now kick him out the door ... but I wouldn't.  I couldn't.  He's certainly not ready.  I'm not ready.  I remember going to prayer and asking God to allow me the blessing to be a mother, promising Him that I will raise my children to know Him.  Very quickly those two lines appeared on the test and everything from that point on changed.  I hold tightly to all the memories, feel a lot of regret over the mistakes I have made as a mom, and cherish the current moments.  Matthew, you are a gift and I am so grateful for you.  

On Tuesday we went to a dinner in Hershey to celebrate all of the recent Eagle Scouts in the area.  It was a nice event with delicious food and recognition.  

And of course, it wouldn't make sense to have an event in Hershey without the best chocolate scattered as the centerpiece of each table.  

A thought had come to mind recently about an idea to do something together as a family instead of having our traditional Thanksgiving dinner at home.  We usually host with my parents and in-laws in attendance.  I gave Rob and the kids the choice and they all agreed in wanting to do something outside of the home.  My kids don't even like turkey and all of the sides (they are weirdos, I know) and after some issues of last and previous Thanksgivings I wanted a break from family drama.   Eye rolls from the mother-in-law and sister-in-law, insults from my father ... yeah, I'll admit to having to deal with those things.  As much as I enjoy the food, I felt it was a good idea to just get away.  Why not?  Do we really need to do things the traditional way all the time?  I think not.  

The day began with the kids running in the nearby Turkey Trot.  My son medaled; second best time in his age group.  Our original plan of the day was not going to work out so we headed into Philadelphia, which is a few hour drive from us.  None of us have ever walked around this city and we wanted to check it out.  It was amazing to see how many people were still walking around, even though many stores were closed for the holidays.  Sadly, there were a lot of homeless, either sleeping on the sidewalks or begging for money.  

We saw tall buildings.  

The Liberty Bell

The famous LOVE statue.  It's much smaller than I thought it was.  

The Christmas tree is now set up.  We did not stay long enough to see it lit up, though.  

And ate dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.  Cheeseburgers took the place of the turkey.  

We promised the kids we would take them back on a warmer day when all of the stores and museums are open.  Philadelphia is mostly what I thought it would be and I would have no problem going back. 

Maybe that's not your idea of a good Thanksgiving but for us it was enjoyable.  Don't ever be afraid to step away from what everyone considers the norm.   

It Was a Hectic Tuesday Night

My husband had asked if I could go with our son to the next scout meeting because he was going to receive an award from the firehouse and they would also be serving dinner as well.  My husband, who was the one who was always involved in scouting, had a board meeting and could not attend.  I agreed to go, of course, I would have anyway.  Since my son already earned his Eagle Scout achievement and will turn 18 next week this would be the last meeting he could attend.  I was excited for it.  My husband assumed it began at 7, which was always when these meetings started.  I sat on the couch watching my son play his video game while chatting with my husband who was getting ready to leave for the board meeting.  One of the scout leaders had sent a reminder email earlier that day and I had only glanced at it but for some reason I decided to check it again.  Dinner started at 6.  I looked at the clock and it was 5:35.  I shouted that we had to be there at 6 and told my son to get ready immediately.  He rushed around, making a scene while trying to find his scout shirt, and then found it hanging in it's appropriate spot in the closet just minutes later.  We rushed out the door and made it on time.  My son and the other recent Eagle Scout were given their awards, prayer was said and instructions on getting dinner was given.  At that time I received a text from my daughter that she was finished with play rehearsal so I had to sneak away to get her from the high school and bring her back to the firehall, in time for her to get a bite to eat as well.  Whew!  That was a lot of rushing and running around.  

That's just an example of what my life is like sometimes.  A lot of rushing around and trying to be at two places at once and not being able to get my dates and times correct.  As exhausting as it is I'm embracing these moments.  With having a senior and freshman I'm realizing just how quickly time is going by and it won't be like this forever.  

On This Veterans Day

As the bitter coldness of the outside strikes with wind causing the leaves to fall from the trees, I'm inside nestled under a blanket with a hot cup of coffee while writing up this post.  I woke up a bit later than usual, started a cup of coffee and then spent a little time with my husband before he headed to work.  I watch as my poor husband stresses about our finances, which often consumes his mind.  I'm blessed to have a man who works so hard and I pray God releases all of that tension from him.  As for me, I'm off work today and that's all thanks to the veterans of the United States.  The school I drive for has off but my kids' district does not so my daughter left for school and my son is starting his online college classes and will head to high school later this afternoon.  

My son is now a licensed driver.  An extra worry for this mother.  Yesterday he drove himself to school and work for the first time and I've never felt a level of anxiety quite this high before.  The dog and I watched from the window as he pulled away and my eyes began to fill with tears.  Just as it did when I watched him ride off on the school bus for the very first time in kindergarten.  This, of course, feels much more different.  

Mothers of older children, how did you do it?  How did you let them go?  I know, I know, it's just part of parenthood.  We raise our children to become independent and self-sufficient but when that time comes, wow, it's difficult.  He'll be 18 in a few weeks and months away from graduating high school.  He's been looking at a few colleges; one is two hours away and that's the one he's most interested in.  No matter how old he gets I will always picture that little boy with a content smile and innocent mind who constantly said "I love you, Mommy" with little arms wrapped around me.  

Now he's apparently too much of a man for that.  

Okay, now that I've gotten myself emotional.  Moving on.  

The plan for today is to stay at home and take advantage of my extra time to clean as much as I can.  Maybe do a little baking too.  So many parts of my home get neglected and it's taking a toll on me.  I'll have dinner ready by the time my husband gets home and then he's off to do his duty as director of the school board.  My son and I will be joining for part of the meeting as they are giving recognition to the runners who qualified for districts.  I'll be out of there quickly after and before they do the public comment period because some of those speakers are ... well, let's say it's better if I not share a room with them.  They can get very mean towards the school board.  I'm a bit overprotective.

I guess that's it for today.  Enjoy your Tuesday and if you are or your spouse is a veteran I just want to give a huge THANK YOU for your service!  This is my grandpa, who would have turned 102 in October but died at the age of 80.  He fought in both Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge during World War 2.  Both of his parents came to the USA from Poland and he was proud of that Polish heritage.  Once he finished his time in the army he became an aircraft mechanic and raised 6 kids (my dad being the second oldest) with my grandmother.  I miss you, Grandpa!  

Shorter Days of November Are Here

Hello ... and welcome to my first post of November.  It's hard to believe the year 2025 is coming to a close and Christmas is around the corner.  Daylight Savings has ended and as much as I enjoyed that extra hour of sleep last Sunday I really struggle with the pitch black darkness at 5pm.  By 8pm I feel absolutely done with the day and all I can think about is crawling into bed.  

Halloween came and went.  My daughter dressed up as a cow and went trick-or-treating with a group of friends.  This is the first year I did not join her and I was actually okay with that.  I do miss when they were little and everything was new and exciting for them.  The teenage years are filled with other newer experiences and an independence they are ready for.  My son and his girl friend (not sure if they are official but I'd like to say they are) had dinner with us and then watched a few scary movies together.  I opted to stay in my bedroom while watching a non-Halloween television show.  I grew up being forced by family to watch scary movies and now as an adult they aren't appealing to me at all.  

Now that marching band and cross-country has ended we are adjusting to a new routine.  My son got a job at a shoe store, his favorite place to buy running shoes.  My daughter joined the swim team; which took us all by surprise, and she is also acting in the fall play.  Yesterday was election day and in my town the results were in my favor but I'm questioning the decisions made in other areas of this country (I'll keep all that to myself).  Regardless, I will always stand by knowing that God is the One in control and He is who I lean on.  

My kids have an early dismissal today and my son has work this evening.  I've been spending the dark evenings relaxing at home.  What more could a homebody like me enjoy?  If only humans had the ability to hibernate, I would definitely be asleep in shelter until spring.