Washington, DC

 Hello everyone!

It's difficult to believe we are at the end of October and the cold weather is finally rearing it's ugly head here in Pennsylvania.  Saturday was an unusual mid eighty degrees and I was not mad about it.  We joined our church on a bus trip to Washington, DC.  A two hour drive in a very uncomfortable school bus made my butt feel pretty numb and sore but once we arrived to the nation's capital the fun started.  

We first went to the Museum of the Bible, which was a first for our family.  Six floors filled with a lot to see we didn't even have time to see most of it.  We learned history of the old and new testament, saw some old Israelis artifacts and even saw Elvis Presley's Bible.  We also took a virtual ride that took us on a journey through D.C that showed us where Bible verses can be found.  It was quite an experience.  

Then we walked a half mile to the Capitol Building.  We all took a short tour through the building and enjoyed the beauty of its history.  There were many things about the Capitol that I did not even know, or at least remembered if I ever learned it.  For one, there was a tomb area built for the remains of George Washington but he died before construction finished.  He had wished to have been buried at his home in Mount Vernon and his family honored that wish.  The State of Virginia refused to dig up his remains and relocate him, which was a good choice.  At the top of the Rotunda is a beautiful picture that is the size of a basketball court.  In it you see a picture of Washington, the only one looking down at everyone.  I'm not sure if my pictures are large enough for you to notice.  

When we left the building we all gathered outside and prayed for our nation, the president, and all leaders.  I believe in prayer and our nation certainly needs it.  It was a wonderful experience for the kids and I'm glad we had this chance with them.  They seemed to enjoy themselves.  We have been to DC before on our own and we plan on going back.  Hopefully we'll be able to see more of the museum and some others as well.  

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" -- Psalm 33:12

Back To Monday/Weekend Recap

Happy Monday!

Can we say that Monday is happy?  After what always seems like a super quick weekend it's difficult to hear the sound of the dreaded alarm.  I did not want to get up and it took about fifteen minutes to get my son to start moving.  Although Mondays are never fun we can refocus our minds on what can be good about it.  A new week means a fresh start.  Whatever went wrong last week I can make sure to not repeat this week.  I received a text from the mother of the twelfth grader I pick up saying I did not have to get him in the morning but will have to get him from school this afternoon.  He attends VoTech, which is about fourteen miles down two busy highways so to not have to spend the morning stuck in that, getting a chance to take my time in the morning is great.  I still had to pick up my two elementary girls.  They are cute.  My husband is at work and my kids are at school.  I did some cleaning, a few loads of laundry, went grocery shopping, and is now writing this with a very needy husky next to me.  

On Friday my daughter wanted me to take her to Five Below so she could get a gift for her friend's upcoming birthday.  I just love her generous heart.  We saw this festive dog toy and decided to get it for Brooke.  It lasted ten minutes.  

The boys went to the high school football game while we girls stayed home.  I find joy in just staying inside.  She had an online violin studio class, which contained every one of the teacher's students.  Her regular violin classes are Wednesdays.  Then we hung out together until the boys came home.  

Our Saturday morning started very early in a nearby town as my son played his last two games of the fall season.  These were make up games.  The last several weekends have been very rainy and many games ended up being postponed or canceled.  They won the first game and lost the other.  Then we went to Popeyes for lunch and stopped at Hobby Lobby because my daughter needed something for her upcoming violin recital.  

On Sunday we went to church.  The lead pastor and his wife were away on vacation and the substitute, who has preached a lot, gave a great message.  Well, from what I could hear because there were two different families behind us that would not stop talking.  It's good that they were there and I hope they did take away something from the message but it was a distraction.  We had Pizza Hut for lunch because my son's friend works there and he wanted to see her.  Then the boys watched football.  My husband cooked dinner, same as he did on Saturday.  He enjoys cooking on weekends and I enjoy having a husband who knows what he's doing in the kitchen.  Last night we watched a few episodes from the new Goosebumps series on Disney+.  It's actually pretty good.  

Oh, and my daughter made delicious brownies with chocolate frosting and some Halloween sprinkles.  I'm sorry I did not take a better picture but this is what's left.  I should have snapped a picture of the dish she presented me with, which had a brownie and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  What a treat.  That girl loves to bake and she's good at it.  

Depression continues to kick my butt.  The housework seems to be never ending.  My husband and I got into it yesterday.  But I'm pressing on.  Because even though life is messy and imperfect, it's a blessing.  I was also blessed with a sweet and unexpected surprise from my blogging friend Billie Jo.  If you don't follow her blog I encourage you do to so.  Afternoon Coffee and Evening Tea.  Her posts are always encouraging and uplifting as she shares stories of her love for home, family, and homeschooling.  And the closeness she has with her family is beautiful to see.  

And now I leave asking this very season appropriate question.  Candy corn: yes or no?  

It seems you either love it or hate it.  I particularly don't mind it, although I'd rather sink my teeth into one of those pumpkin Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.  My kids love this stuff so I made sure to pick up a new pack at the store today.  It will go fast!  

Hello Wednesday

 

The pine needles from the pine trees that cross the backyard have changed colors and fallen from the ground.  Our blue eyed husky wanted to pose for a picture with them.  Okay, maybe her human mom was holding up a cookie to force a pose.  

This pup of ours has been quite a handful and I'm still convinced I'm better with a smaller dog but she is growing on me.  She's becoming sweeter and becoming a better listener.  Huskies like to do things their own way.  Regardless, I miss my snuggle pug, Murphy.  I always will.  I actually feel pretty guilty for getting another dog.  

A big thank you to those of you who read my posts and leave comments.  My emotions are always a battle but I get through each time.  Once I started feeling mentally better I became physically sick with flu symptoms.  Vomiting, fever, chills, aches, back pain, headache.  It was awful.  Thankfully it only lasted a few days.  My son had two days off of school saying he was feeling nauseous and crampy.  My daughter missed one day.  That leaves little time for Mom to get her own rest in but you do what you have to do.  Today everyone is back to work and school.  Thankfully.  

My van job is continuing to go well.  I like the independence and no adult drama.  I also like the five hours in between runs.  My focus for this year is to get my kids' bedrooms reorganized and also the downstairs area which we use as a play room.  I want to make it more comfortable and useable for the kids and their friends.  I'd love to get into a full-time job by next school year because that would be helpful financially.  Right now I feel called to be more present at home and I'm grateful to have found a job that helps me be able to provide both.  It's been pretty tough in today's economy.  I'm not sure how we managed while I was fully home with the kids but by God's grace we did it.  Barely.  But we did it.  

I also believe God's grace is going to get us through everything we are battling right now.  My son's issues.  My daughter's issues.  My marital issues.  My parents' issues.  All of it.  I know He has a plan.  I also know that nothing I am going through compares to what is going on right now in the middle east.  My heart aches for those innocent people.  How scary it must be for them.  

Also, how are we already in the middle of October?  

Turning 45

 My days have been busy but before I get started on today's chores I wanted to update on my birthday that was last Sunday.  I turned 45.  Four and a half decades of life.  45 trips around the sun.  It's been quite a ride filled with many ups and plenty of downs.  I thank God for it all!

On Saturday my husband planned a surprise trip to Baltimore.  We haven't been to Baltimore since our son was a toddler and my daughter never went.  We started with a big surprise, which I was kind of thinking was happening but didn't want to say anything out loud.  We all like watching baking shows and one of our favorites is Kids Baking Championship and Buddy vs Duff.  So he took us to Duff Goldman's bakery called Charm City Cakes.  Duff wasn't there, of course as expected, but it was pretty cool to see replicas of the cakes he had made on his shows and we also got to bite into some delicious cupcakes.  I picked chocolate with cookies and cream frosting and it was the best I've ever tasted.  

We weren't allowed to eat inside the bakery so took it in the car.  I failed at taking a picture of my cupcake.  You'll just have to believe me when I saw it was deeeeeelicious!

Then we took a drive to the inner harbor.  The parking garage spiked my anxiety - I cannot stand being in closed in spaces and places where I do not see or know the exit.  My complaining and panicking caused the rest of the family to be frustrated and I feel bad because it definitely caused a lot of grief to the day.  There's so much about myself that needs to work on because it does affect my kids.  Despite that, we had an enjoyable day.  I may not have done the best at showing it but I'm grateful for the day my husband planned out for us.  We ate dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe before heading home.  

On Sunday, my actual birthday, we sat in the cold for my son's double-header.  They lost one game and tied the other.  We went home and my husband and daughter made a delicious steak dinner and I opened my gifts.  A few Halloween decorations, Lauren Daigle's new CD and some homemade cards from my girl.  

I am grateful!

The last few weeks have been filled with difficult things.  My depression has been kicking my butt.  My anxiety has been high.  But I'm finally feeling myself getting up again. My focus is coming back.  I'm getting there again.  No matter what I'm facing or feeling, I am grateful!

Here's to year 45!  Only 5 years to mid-life so I'm going to make these next 5 years count.