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.