In The Midst Of Autumn

 It's the midst of autumn, which means the air is crisp and the leaves have changed colors and most have fallen on the ground.  We are preparing for the holiday season and this year we are faced with a presidential election.  In less than one week we'll find out if our current president gets four more years or if our former vice president takes on the role.  I become so annoyed with the endless television ads and constant political text messages.  I'm trying really hard not to worry about this election.  Okay, maybe I'm a little worried.  No doubt, I've been spending a lot of time prayerfully asking God that His will for our country be done.  No matter the results, I choose to believe that God is in control and He has a plan and purpose for everything.  I know who I'm voting for and why but the future rests in the hands of our Creator.  I haven't logged into Facebook for a long time because I know at least a few people who will be posting their political opinions non-stop and I don't want to read it.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion and are free to share it but I just don't want the harsh words and bashing to ruin my mood.  I mute the television whenever an ad is on and I block and delete those text messages as they come in.  I watched the first presidential debate, while laughing and shaking my head in annoyance, and then decided not to watch the other ones.  No matter who our president is God is the only One who can save us.  

It's also been a hot minute since I've posted anything because life lately has been so busy.  With getting the kids to school, going to work, coming home to get a quick lunch and then heading back out to get my son from school, my daughter decided to start taking the bus again so that helps, then I need to rush her to dance class on some days and other days my husband takes our son to either baseball or scouts.  Dinner has to be ready early or we eat it late.  Time is moving fast and I'm pulled in one direction after another.  The house looks messier everyday and it's hard to find enough time to devote to the endless piles of chores.  Yet, I'm grateful that our lives are back to somewhat normal.  I do miss those months of being at home and enjoying a slower pace but I hope the world doesn't have to "shut down" again.  

The medicine seems to be doing an amazing job in keeping my depression settled but I can already start to feel that extra depression I get during the changing season.  The colder temps and shorter days definitely affect my mentality.  I started taking extra B12 vitamins to help with my mood and alertness.  I was finding myself getting very tired throughout the day and falling asleep here and there.  All I ever desire to do is snuggle under a blanket with my dog and binge watch something on television but, instead, I get moving in this direction and that direction constantly keeping myself busy. 

Even though I'm not keen on the chilly weather I do enjoy autumn for a lot of other reasons.  The colors of orange, yellow and red are beautiful and this year I'm feeling pretty excited about the upcoming holidays.  I only have a small amount of fall decorations displayed around the house but I do wish I did more.  

And my mother-in-law created this beautiful wreath for me and it's displayed on the inside of our front door so it doesn't get ruined by the outside weather.  

Well, friends, it's time for me to get ready for work.  I hope this autumn is treating you well!  

I'm 42 today!

It's my birthday today!

42 years ago a 9 lb 11 oz baby was born with lots of dark hair and fat rolls.  I was so fat that my father still, to this day, teases me about it.  

In 42 years I've learned all about heartache and disappointment but I've also learned about love, forgivness, grace and mercy.  Married to my best friend who I have now known more than half my life and together we have two amazing kids.  And then there's this black pug who came to us unexpectedly but fills our home with lots of snuggles.  

 

Summer 2020 Recap

 

I picked only 10 photos to give a little recap of our summer.  The days felt like they were dragging on but now that it's autumn I wonder where those summer days went.  Isn't it funny how time feels like it goes fast and slow all at the same time?  Even through Covid-19 and all the restrictions we did our best to make summer as normal as possible for the kids; however, we did enjoy sleeping in and lounging around in our pajamas until the late afternoon.  We grew comfortable with being lazy and spent a lot of time snuggling together, having extra video game and screen time as usual ... and that was all okay with me.  I felt my emotions crashing down and, well, I had already discussed that previously.  I enjoyed those lazy days.  Now that it's fall we are back to being busy, busy, busy and even though summer ended yesterday morning I miss it already.  

So in the picture recap we have as follows:

Kids feeling super excited that playgrounds finally opened back up.  

Father's Day mini golfing.

Saying goodbye to our pastor in a retirement parade.

The spring baseball season was put on hold and turned into a summer season instead.  

Since boy scout camp was cancelled the kids decided to camp in the backyard together.  The girl didn't enjoy it and didn't get any sleep.  

The kids were so happy when their dad made a slip and slide.  

Eyeglasses needed for the girl.  

A day trip to Sandy Point, Maryland.

Girl turns 9.

Finished the season with a trip to Chincoteague Island, Virginia.  

Chincoteague, Virginia

 Last week we went on a three day getaway to Chincoteague Island, Virginia.  I felt a little rebellious traveling during this "pandemic" but between you and me I don't see it as being as bad as they make it out to be.  It's sad how much this virus is being politicized but we aren't going to talk about that.  This week the kids go back to school and I go back to work so we wanted a chance to get away for a bit and give the kids something different and fun to do.  We all love the beach and we kept it a surprise until the night before.  My daughter said, "Well, that was unexpected."  They were both so happy to get away and have no fear of the water.  This was the first time any of us had visited this beach and it's become our favorite.  

Chincoteague is a cute island with a lot of different beach themed shops along the road.  Of course, we bought a box of saltwater taffy, some t-shirts, coffee mugs and a shot glass for me, and magnets.  It seems everywhere we go we collect coffee mugs and shot glasses and refrigerator magnets.  The beach was filled with people but not as crowded as Virginia Beach or Ocean City.  There's no boardwalk so I guess that's what keeps the traffic down.  The area is also known for wild horses and we did spot a few in the distance.  We also saw a few dolphins and lots of cranes and seagulls.  

We stayed at a Hampton Inn and this was our backyard.  A nice area where we enjoyed eating our continental breakfast.  

We took a little hike to the lighthouse.  

But spent most of the time at the beach.  I wore my sunhat and loaded up with sunscreen but still managed to get a sunburn on my back.  With all of this skin cancer I've been dealing with I try so hard to protect myself but I love the summer and I love the sun and I love the beach soooooooo ... 

We also bought the kids a few boogie boards and I was surprised with how much they loved it, especially my daughter who is usually afraid of stuff like that.  These kids had absolutely no fear of being in the water and jumping and swimming through the currents.  

We're already planning a trip for next summer.  Thank you Chincoteague Island, you were fun and we were sad to leave!!