Hello Heatwave

 Happy July!  We are starting it with a triple digit heatwave here in south-central Pennsylvania.   How about where you live?  I'll be staying in the air conditioning fighting what I hope is the end of what has been a terrible cold.  

I forgot to share the strawberry moon from the end of June.  Did you see it?  My hubby captured it with our new Cannon camera.  I love anything that involves space.  

Yesterday, at the start of the heatwave we took a trip to Baltimore.   The Orioles were playing my husband's team, the Chicago White Sox.  It was miserably hot and there were moments I thought about passing out but we survived.  

The Orioles won, though.  

Then we headed to the Towson Mall to walk around.  None of us bought anything except for Auntie Annes, which we've established is a requirement for any and all trips to the mall.  Yummy pretzels and lemonade. 

I'm not sure where my kids get their quirky weirdness from.  

In the Macy's is a small section of Toys R Us.  That store was a huge part of my childhood and my childrens.  It was sad when they closed but also a relief because it caused my dad to stop spoiling them with more toys than we had room for.

And that was our first adventure for July.  The next few days we'll be keeping cool indoors.  Hoping the rain holds off for the weekend of celebration for America's 250th.  

I would also like to ask for prayers for my new friend Tiara.  She's a homeless girl in Baltimore who asked if we could buy her lunch.  She said she had nothing to eat in 4 days.  It's not for me to judge or question her sincerity, especially on a day that was so hot.  She's been in my heart and prayers since.  

Moments From June

 My son ran into the house to tell me there was a toad in the backyard that our dog was trying to catch.  so I moved this little guy to the front flower bed where he went on to live a life safe from the husky (or it's a she, I can't tell).  

My kids enjoyed a week of teen camp with the other teens from our church.  They grew closer to those teens while making friends from different churches.  They heard sermons, sang songs, ate food that my daughter said was gross, played games and went swimming.  Some kids were saved.  I screenshot this picture from a video my church posted.  It was supposed to be something silly Bri was doing with friends.  She took her hair straightener and interviewed some of the teens and asked them what their favorite part about camp was.  These are my two.  I'm glad they had that experience and I'm glad, as much as I missed them, to have a week of quietness in the home.  

Rob wanted to get rid of a bunch of old paperwork so we decided to have a fire one night.  It was a pretty impressive fire until an unexpected rainfall came down.  

While the kids were away at camp I was chicken sitting for a friend while they were at the beach.  For the first few days I could not find any eggs until discovering the little nesting box tucked away in the corner.  I forgot she mentioned about that.  So, I had plenty of eggs to take home.  

And that's about it.  Seriously.  The month of June has been relaxing, peaceful and boring as my kids would say.  My daughter started cross-country practice so that's been taking up a few hours/three times a week.  They went to a friend's graduation party.  My husband has been working.  I've been hanging out at home.  The month ended with my daughter getting sick, then my husband, then me, and now Matthew.  Ugh!  It's been a terrible cold.  

Tomorrow starts July and the calendar is filling up.  My kids like doing things and I feel bad when we don't make that happen.  By the end of next month I should have several, more entertaining, pictures to share.  

Goodbye June!  

Breaking Generational Curses

 

I look at these two little ones with a heart that pangs with feelings of missing them just like this.  When they were sweet and innocent, unaware that the big world around them was filled with heartbreaks and challenges.  Before they experienced bullies who took away their joy and before worrying about knowing all the information to pass the next test.  When imagination ran wild while playing with either dolls and trucks.  When our days were spent borrowing books from the library and playing at the park.  When the hugs and "I love you, Mommy" were constant.  

The lady behind the camera was someone who promised she'd be the kind of mother who brought unconditional love and peace in her home instead of the chaos she grew up in.  She wanted nothing more than to create an environment in the home where they experienced kindness and felt comfort.  She did okay with it but also made plenty of mistakes and finds herself currently consumed with thoughts of all those mistakes with wishes of being able to go back and have another try.  

Unfortunately, I can't go back.  God did not design life to be that way.  I hope one day these two can look back on their lives and know that their mother tried, really, really tried.  And I hope they succeed at doing so much better than I ever could in their own lives and with their children.  

Lazy Days of Summer

 

Look at this girl all snuggled up.  That pretty much sums up what the month of June has been for me.  Slow, quiet, lazy and relaxed.

In the mornings after Rob leaves for work and while the kids are still sleeping I take a cup of coffee on the back deck with my Bible and spend some time reading, praying and reflecting.  One of the benefits of my job is having the summer off and I just love how it gives me a chance to go at a slower pace.  

We do have a lot of fun things scheduled for the rest of the summer but for June it's been full of rest.  My kids get bored but I enjoy the days that aren't so full.  Today Rob and my son headed to his college for a new student orientation day.  My daughter and I are at home relaxing and she wants to do some crafts with me later and she may get a chance to visit her friend for swimming.  The day will be good.  There is cleaning to be done, as usual, and it will be done slowly but surely.  

I hope you are all enjoying the lazy, hazy days of summer, too.  Even if you aren't a summer person like I am, I do hope you find peace within these days.  God bless!  

Father's Day Recap

 

Good Monday morning!

Another week is upon us.  The last full one of June.  Summer has been off to a relaxing start.  The kids are back from camp and had a great time but are still catching up on the sleep that had been lost.  I'm starting Monday on the deck with a cup of coffee and the sounds of birds around me.  I'm going to catch up on my daily Bible app because I'm a few days behind and then it's a day of typical chores.  

I hope the men in your lives had a great Father's Day.  Our day was busy but I did make a breakfast casserole in the crockpot and chili in the crockpot for dinner.  We had church, then took a trip to see my dad for a few hours, then to evening service.   The evening was spent at home eating and opening gifts.  My husband deserves more than I can give him and I'm blessed to have him as the dad to my children.   

Happy Father's Day, Rob!  Thanks for working hard and stressing yourself out so your family can have a home and all that's in it.  Thank you for showing our children what a man of God looks like.  I love you! 

On Saturday night we enjoyed a fire with some smores until an unexpected rainfall came down.  It was a great weekend.  Busy but great.  

Dam Hiking and Chickens

 We made it to Wednesday and it's day three of camp for my kids.  I hope they are having fun!  We'll be going to church tonight for Bible study so hopefully I can get an update from the pastor.  

I have been cleaning and reorganizing and I also had to take a 6 hour driving training course for work, and I broke that into two days.  It's kept me from doing more of what I wanted to around the house but I wanted to get it done while the kids aren't here.  At the end I had to take an exam and I got 100 percent.  

Today I took a break and visited my husband for lunch.  Just down the street from his work is this man made dam.  

It took a little bit of a hike to get there.  

We were joined by a dragonfly.  

I've been watching my friend's chickens while they are away at the beach.  I always wanted chickens and now I know what it is like.  They are messy but easy to care for.  They are also quite inquisitive.  

And they leave plenty of eggs.  She said I can keep what they hatch.  This isn't even all of them.  

Back when egg prices were high they decided to get chickens.  I truly wish we could have them but not on my property.  It's not allowed.  Maybe if ever we do get another house we can get one not in a neighborhood.  

Tomorrow Rob is taking off work and Friday I will be going over to my parents house and the kids will be home by that evening.  I can't wait to hear all about their experience at camp.  

A Week Without Kids

 Good afternoon and Happy Monday.  Before I talk about what's going on today I'll give a recap on what was a fun weekend.

On Friday night our church had a drive-in movie night featuring The Forge.  It's a movie we had already seen but the intent of the night was to help the teens raise money for their camp.  Camp was $300 per teen.  They had a car wash that took the cost down to $150 for each teen and this was to hopefully help with the rest.  While our teens worked Rob and I sat in the back of his Ford Escape.

There were a lot of technical difficulties and the movie ended up having to be displayed on this television screen.  They started the movie before the sun went down so it was hard to see but once the sun went down it was fine.  Like I said, Rob and I already saw this movie so it was no big deal to us.  We were there for the teens.

Then when we left we caught this gorgeous sunset from the back of the church.  God's design is so breathtaking.  

On Saturday Bri and I went to see the recital for the dance company she had moved to last year.  This year she decided not to go back.  Giving up dance was a tough decision for her and I could tell how heartbroken and regretful she was while watching.  It could have been her on that stage.  It felt weird having her in the audience with me.  But she's thriving with cross-country and marching band.  She can't do it all and that's what's frustrating.  

Also, my friend and her family took a trip this week to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and she asked if I could take care of their chickens.  I have no experience with chickens but she showed me everything and it seemed simple enough.  I've been going there in the morning, afternoon and at night.  So far so good. 

And this morning I dropped the kids off to the church for camp.  I'm not sure if they arrived yet but I am praying it will be an uplifting week for them and that their hearts and minds are open to hearing God's word.  I also pray that friendships will be built.  Last year at camp really changed Matthew.  He decided from there to dedicate his life to serving the Lord and it's been amazing to see how strong his faith is growing.  I have been wishing and praying my daughter gets that experience this year.  They will be back Friday evening.  I miss them already but am taking this time to get the house clean and organized.  It's easier without distraction.  My husband and I will have the evenings together and it will be nice to be able to focus solely on our marriage without the distraction of being parents.  

An exciting thing, is the other day I received an unexpected Facebook message from a cousin I had not talked to in years.  In fact, she was a baby the last time I saw her and now she's grown with three children of her own.  My uncle left his marriage and gave up the responsibility of fatherhood as well.  None of us were happy about that.  At the time she was a baby and her older sister was a very small child.  I was at the hospital with my grandma when her sister was born.  I feel so bad for what happened.  She wanted to reach out to members of his side of the family and start a relationship with us, which I am thrilled with.  For years none of us knew where my uncle was living and he died a few years ago.  He was my godfather and my dad's youngest sibling.  They didn't have a relationship either.  I did forgive him and pray his daughters and my father can do the same.  

Time to get back to the cleaning.  I have goals for this week to get through a lot of what I don't get to usually.  But don't worry, there will be time for relaxation and fun too.  Have a great week!  

Gardening and Life With a Husky

 Good afternoon, friends and HAPPY FRIDAY!  

This is the first Friday of my summer break and I am enjoying the slower paced mornings.  Today my husband took off work to get some college loans started but right now he took our son to his foot doctor appointment.  My daughter is hanging out in her bedroom.  I remember the days of being a teenagers and keeping myself trapped in my bedroom for some peace.  Tonight the church is doing a drive in movie to collect the rest of the money needed for teen camp next week.  My kids will be working it and on their way to camp on Monday.  They enjoyed it last year.  

Here is just a random picture of my little indoor herb garden.  It's growing successfully but in desperate need of being transferred to bigger pots  Basil, oregano and mint.  I've never been much of a green thumb but doing good with these.  

Brooke had an annual checkup at the vet on Wednesday.  Before the appointment I took her on a walk in the park to get her energy out and it worked.  She had to be muzzled while getting 3 vaccines and a tick removed from her back.  She was a trooper, though.  

And yesterday was her Gotcha Day!  3 years ago we rescued her from the kennel.  I had an immediate regret, wondering if a husky was the right fit for us but over time I realized she's exactly what we needed.  She's bigger than I'm used to but she's gentle and an absolute sweetheart.  The one thing about huskies is they can be pretty stubborn and only do things on their terms.  

I was also excited to see some progress in my garden.  I'm not sure if you can spot some of the grape tomatoes.  They have not turned red yet but I'm excited for what's to come.  It's a small garden with only grape tomatoes, beef steak tomatoes, orange bell peppers and red lunch box peppers.  

It's been so hot here in Pennsylvania, reaching up to the 90s in the last few days with some scattered thunderstorms.  I love summertime but this has been a bit much.  

Enjoy the weekend ahead.  Stay cool!  

Monday, Monday

 I spy with my little eyes ...

Life in the garden.  

Can you spot the pepper?  There are tomatoes appearing too.  I was a little late to get it all planted this year so it's surprising to see.   

This morning I gassed up the school van and did the morning run.  Tomorrow is the last day for this school so the van will need washed and vacuumed before its return to the garage.  Then my summer officially begins.  After work I went to the store to get some things and bought some donuts and juice for the kids.  They woke up to the surprise.   

Saturday I watched my mom while dad went to an emergency dentist appointment.   She wasn't having a good day and that's typical for Alzheimer's.   Her neurologist put in a referral for a home care group to start coming in to help but they are backed up for several months so I'm praying they can soon help.  My dad can use the help and I, the only family in Pennsylvania, can only do so much.  

Well,  that's the update on this warm Monday morning.   Laundry is calling.  

Starting Summer with Horses

 We made it to Friday from a week that felt like it was taking forever.  Did you feel that too?  My kids are on summer vacation but the school I drive for still has until next Tuesday.  So, we really haven't done anything fun yet but yesterday since the school had an early dismissal I took the kids to their dad's work to have lunch.

His job is tough but the scenery is beautiful.  The building sits on the owner's property and farm.  There are horses everywhere.  We ate lunch next to this friendly guy.  

Then took a walk around a small part of the property.  It's peaceful and looks like a dream.  As I think about how lucky the owners are to have such an amazing business on this beautiful land it did take them a lot of hard work to get all of this.  The work part I could live without (ha ha) but to be able to live on this much beautiful acreage has to feel like quite a blessing.  

 

My daughter had received an offer for something that feels like an answered prayer and a wonderful opportunity but we decided to allow her to make the decision and it's a difficult one for her.  So many pros and cons will come along with whatever decision she makes.  If you could please pray for her on this decision we would appreciate that.  

The weekend is among us and I've been waiting for it.  Saturday morning my father needs me to watch my mom and Sunday is for church.  Today will reach 90 degrees so I'm grateful to have finished the mowing for the week.  I cannot wait to get summer vacation kicked into full gear.  

One Chapter Closes

 He did it!  Matthew graduated!  These 13 years felt long but as I sat on the field watching as he crossed the stage for his diploma it felt as if it all went by in a blink.  He didn't like school and he and I questioned if public school was the right choice but I did see how God's provision carried him through.  He had some struggles here and there but still graduated Cum Laude.  He said, "Imagine if I actually tried."  

The morning was warm but very windy.  Many were losing their caps. Since Rob is on the school board he was able to hand him the diploma.   At the end we were able to get a lot of pictures.  

He wanted to recreate the picture.  When Matthew was in kindergarten he brought home this tiny pine tree.  We planted it in the front yard and it's grown right along with him.  Actually, it's gotten a lot bigger and still growing.  

Even though he is now a young adult ready to set sail on a new chapter of life I will still remember that little 5 year old waiting outside for the school bus to take him for the first day of school.  Oh, I felt so much pain that day wondering if he was okay and anticipating the moment when he got home.  Now I feel a new level of pain as I prepare to send him two hours away to college.  He's a man now.  An official adult.  He made it through childhood and learned a lot along the way and now a new adventure begins.  He's ready for it - but as for me - I will always hold tight to the memory of this little boy.  

Memorial Day and Other May Moments

 Hello again ... it seems as if it's been awhile.  I've been keeping busy.  This morning I spent time outside pulling weeds and mowing grass.  It rained here for days and we are finally dry and sunny.  I thought it's time for a break to give an update.  

Yesterday was Memorial Day and my kids both participated in a Memorial Day 5k.  My son carried our flag to the finish line and got second place.  To our surprise my daughter earned a medal for her age group.  She was so excited to get her first medal ever.  

I've always been proud to be an American and have raised my children to believe the same.  I'm so thankful they still understand and believe the importance of knowing the privilege it is to be an American and how there were so many who risked and lost their lives for us to have such freedom.  

We stopped at a diner for breakfast and my parents came over for a barbecue.  When they left we ventured out to find a tennis court to play.  None of us are good at it but it's fun.  It's really difficult to find a court that's not being used for pickle ball.  What the heck is pickle ball?

May is a busy month and I'll start by saying on the 16th we celebrated my mother's 81st birthday.  Each year is a huge milestone.  It's a miracle, actually.  She proves over and over that she is tougher than the Alzheimer's.  

In this month we also celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary and my husband's 47th birthday.  I believe that celebration deserves a post of its own and I'll get to that soon.  We both had work on our anniversary and then we went to a steak house for dinner.  I'm so grateful to Rob and the life we created together.  I just have to be better at taking pictures of such occasions.  

And speaking of pictures, today was the senior walk.  The seniors, in their cap and gown, got to walk through all of the elementary schools and middle school.  I used to work in the cafeteria and loved watching the seniors go by but unfortunately I left the job and won't get that experience with my own children.  Luckily I still have a friend in the building who took this shot for me.  

This is it!  The last week of school.  Graduation is Saturday morning and I'm going to be a mess.  Getting a child through school is no easy task but we did it.  Still have three more years with the youngest but we are doing it.  

Tonight is his last jazz concert at school. He plays trumpet.  These are the moments I dreamed about but why did it have to happen so quickly?

More Lasts and A Nice Mothers Day Weekend

 The weekend started with a band concert on Friday night.  This is the last one both of my kids will perform in together and I watched with tears.  

All of the seniors were recognized and given a rose, which Matthew gave to me at the end of the concert.  He had the honor of being the band treasurer this year.  It went by fast.  

Mother's Day was special for me and it was a weekend event.  On Saturday I did a little housework but did a lot of relaxing too.  My husband made a very delicious meal with homemade pasta and chicken parmesan.  He worked so hard.  I appreciated it.  On Sunday we went to church and they had some backdrops in place for pictures.  They also gave all the ladies a bouquet of flowers.  

Motherhood is a gift and a blessing.  It can be frustrating, messy and exhausting but it can also be fun, delightful and full of proud moments.  I'm grateful for these two and especially to God for trusting me with them.  I know I mess it up a lot but it's good to see that despite that they are growing up to be good humans.  They also love the Lord and nothing is more important to me than that.  

My husband also made me this dessert, which was delicious.  I can't remember what it's called but it has crushed pecans and caramel.  I failed to take a picture of dinner.  

We had plans of going to my parents' house after church and my oldest sister and her husband were going to visit from Long Island but my dad cancelled.  My mom had a rough night and he knew she'd be a zombie all day.  So, we stayed at home.  As much as I would have loved to see my mother on Mother's Day the time at home was good too.  We went out to eat at a diner, my choice.  Then my daughter taught me how to play Dress to Impress on Roblox.  

These last two days my daughter has had state exams at school and had her first practice for the new marching band season last night.  I don't know why they start so early.  Because of the state exams, which is only for 9th and 10 grade, my son has been able to arrive at school later in the day.  I've been getting through housework and yardwork but that never ends.  There's always something to do.  

My son had his senior pictures done by a friend who had been a teammate and graduated last year.  He is going to school for photography and trying to grow a business so I thought he'd be the perfect one to do the pictures.  We got them yesterday.  I'll just share a few.  

13 more school days until graduation (counting today) 

For Mother's Day!

 

I wanted to take a moment to wish all of you wonderful ladies a Happy Mother's Day!

I hope you all feel loved on this special day.  I hope you are showered with love and goodness.  If you are someone who may not look forward to this day, because maybe you no longer have your mother or maybe you even lost a child, I do hope that you can somehow find some peace and comfort.  I will be taking a moment tomorrow to pray for those who will be spending the day grieving.  Please know that you are needed, loved, and very special.  

Oh, not again!

 So, now there is a huge virus spreading called the Hantavirus.  I don't know much about it aside from what I hear - that this is a virus worse than Covid and there is a small chance of survival when contracted with it.  People are beginning to panic - wondering if they will get it, wondering if the government will shut us down again.  Ugh!  I hope not.  I really, really, really don't want to go through what we did 6 years ago.  

Instead of joining in on all the fear I'm just going to take the time to pray, and just like I did during Covid, Psalm 91 is great to read and pray over in a time like this.  If you'd like to join me grab your Bible or I will have it copied below.  

Psalms 91

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

"Mommy, Push Me"

 I remember hearing that voice so clearly ... 

"Mommy push me!"

My son would jump on the swing and ask me to push him.  My mind would go to thinking about all of the things I had to get done around the house or even pulling weeds while being outside.  The house has always been in need of my attention but my kids needed me too.  Even when I wanted to focus on getting things done I knew my son's need for a push on the swing was not going to last forever.  He would grow up and not have any interest in playing anymore.  So, I let the housework wait and I pushed him.  I'd listen to his sweet voice sing songs or ask me questions about life.  I would watch as that sweet little innocence moved back and forth stretching his legs into the air.  

"Make me go higher!"

Laughter would always follow.  

I looked over at the swing set the other day and began to cry as I thought of those sweet days that had quickly gone by.  The swing sits empty.  No longer being used.  No longer does anyone ask me to push them.  The housework remains the same.  The laundry, the dishes, the dust.  The weeds are continuously sprouting and the grass keeps on growing - and my kids, well, they grew too.  

Mothers of little ones, let me be the one to assure you that all of the errands and housework can wait.  Your little ones can't, because they don't stay little forever and all that is left of those precious moments is the memory.