Standing on the Mason-Dixon Line

Our library's summer reading club also connects with a program that sets up 30 different hikes around the county and so far we've completed 11.  We need to get our butts in gear if we want to complete them all, which we have yet to do.  It's a fun way of exploring familiar and new locations while getting in some exercising.  

Yesterday we did a hike that started at the bottom of York County and went to the border of Maryland on the rail trail.  It was pretty cool getting to stand in two states at once.  

Of course, a hike wouldn't be complete without the kids arguing along the way and my daughter complaining because her feet hurt.  🙄  Still, I enjoy this time with them.  

Have you ever stood in two states at once?

Monday Morning Rambling

Good Monday morning!  My kids have been spending the weekend with my parents and I've spent the ENTIRE time cleaning my daughter's room.  It was frustrating to see how much mess she has accumulated and I lost count on how many garbage bags I used.  Is it normal for a 10 year old to have such a mess?  I'm not talking about toys here and there.  I'm talking about unnecessary messes, which also included food and food wrappers even though I have a strict rule about eating in the bedrooms.  I've had a talk with her over and over and when she gets home later I'm going to have another talk with her.  I don't why I can't get through to her and what I can do to make her cooperate.  I had trouble keeping a clean room as a child but this was far worse than anything I would have done.  

My goal for the summer is to get through every room and organize/get rid of things not needed.  I'm glad that her room is finished but I'm not sure how long this will last.  I could use some help, kids!  

 I'm still working on a manuscript.  I started one, then got an idea for another, then another.  This one seems to be going well but the problem is finding the time to sit and write.  I know it's better for me to handle housework first but if I wait for that to be done I'll never get to the book.  So, I go back and forth.  There's also something else I'm working on.  Something that's a smaller project that I'd like to get self-published on Amazon.  If you have any advice, from experience, of how to get it done I'd love to hear it.  I really feel the pull to do this but getting in the time for this busy mom of two seems impossible.  

During the evenings of the last few days my husband and I watched the show Candy on Hulu.  We remember actress Jessica Biel from her days of playing Mary Camden on 7th Heaven.  This time she played an 80's housewife who ended up murdering the wife of a man she had an affair with.  It was alright.  Doesn't seem like there will be a season 2.  

Today is a rainy day and my son is supposed to have baseball practice later.  Before the kids come home there's more cleaning to do, wash, dishes, EVERYTHING.  I also have to return books to the library that are due TODAY!  So much to do, so little time.  

Make it a great week, everyone!  

Doing What Is Right

 I grew up surrounded by a lot of hate, anger, and judgment.  I carried those things within myself for a long time, too.  One day something just clicked and I decided I wanted no part of the negativity anymore.  Of course, all of it still surrounds me.  It's difficult to avoid.  I can't control others but I can definitely choose how I react to it and how I proceed to handle my own emotions.   It's not easy.  I feel the harder I try the more I'm attacked.  Spiritual warfare is in full force right now.  Have you ever seen a television show where someone is faced with a tough decision and have an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, both trying to persuade them with which decision to make?  That devil and angel are weighing on my shoulders right now.  

It might seem easy for a Christian to know the correct decisions to make, especially if we know it's one that will please God.  But what are we to do when our own parent expects something from us?  Something that we know will be harmful to our minds and how God will view us?  The Bible tells us to honor our parents, but how far do we go with that?

A more recent example is that my father bought my husband a Let's Go Brandon flag to hang under the American flag in our front yard.   As much as we are frustrated with what is going on in our country and don't take the side of this president, we find the saying inappropriate, vulgar, and immature.  Secretly funny, yes, but not something we want to display publicly.   We believe in standing up for our beliefs but I also believe in keeping the peace.  Yesterday my parents came over for Father's Day and my dad refused to come inside until we hung the flag up.  We resisted.   He eventually came in but I could tell he was disappointed in us.  My father is the kind of man not afraid to speak his mind, no matter how cruel it is.  It's how he was raised and how he has continued to be.  I'm breaking that cycle.  

Hanging a flag or political sign in my front yard won't change the country's problems.   Shouting my views to someone won't fix the country's problems, neither will writing about it on social media.  It will only bring hate and a division God never intended.  Speaking with love and kindness and shining light on a dark world won't even fix things right away but the encouragement it brings could help someone in need of it.  I also believe that we are going to see hard times and it's probably going to get worse.  The Bible tells us those things but it also assures us that in the end God wins the battle and gains the victory.   So, in the meantime I'll do my part to shine the light in the storm until that time comes.  

I'm envious of those who grew up in a home with a solid Biblical foundation.  That was not me.  I grew up being made to believe that it didn't matter what comes out of our mouths or what we view with our eyes.  That only means I have to work harder and independently to make sure I break the chains of what is accepted of the world and focus on serving God.  I'm going to be the light that shines bright in my home so my children can be raised in a home set on the solid foundation.  

My Heart Overflows

Good Monday morning friends!

The busy weekend has left piles of dishes in the sink and a hamper overflowing with clothes.  The rest of the house definitely can use some attention as well.  The dishwasher is running, the wash machine and dryer are running, and everything else will get done in time.  

My heart also overflows at what an amazing week it has been for both my kiddos.

Last week my son played, in what we'd say, was his best game.  A random high schooler, with a gift of photography, snapped several pictures of the game.  Here is one to share.

My boy saved the game a few times when they were losing, helping the team to lead and win the game.  He caught two fly balls, once playing center field and the other time playing second base.  To see how far he's come along in baseball has been amazing.  I remember when he was just beginning and would stand there watching as the ball went right by him and now he's getting them mid air.  His determination and heart for the game has made me so incredibly proud.  When he's not at practice or playing a game, he's in the back yard swinging the bat or throwing the ball at the pitch-back net.  

On Saturday my girl had dress rehearsal and yesterday was the recital.  The theme was "Under the Sea" for ballet and then the second part was "Summer Sensation" for all the other dances.  She did a dance for ballet, her team competition dance, praise, tap, jazz, and modern.  This girl keeps our bank account drained with all of these classes, but it warms my heart to see her also doing what she loves.  Today she's feeling sad that the year is over but it won't be long before she's at it again.  I have taken several pictures of her different costumes but here is one.

She was an evil sea urchin for her ballet dance and boy did her expression play the part well.  To say I felt scared was an understatement.  I just love how dance tells a story (even though my dad, sitting next to me, had trouble following along).  

I want to be fully involved in my children's lives and helping them to accomplish their dreams and desires, no matter what it takes.  Our schedules are filled to the max and our gas tanks empty as quickly as our bank account does ... but it's a complete joy getting to watch them grow in their talents.  To say I'm proud is an understatement, but I am definitely proud.  

I love these two and my heart has definitely overflowed this week.