We woke up to snow this morning. Nothing major, but probably close to an inch. It is way too late in the season for this! It was a very, very pretty snow, but it is hard to see that at 6:30 in the morning. It is still pretty dark at that point! Last Monday when we were in PA, we woke up to snow that morning as well. I'll be honest, it made the drive out of town through the mountains absolutely gorgeous. I really wanted to sleep, but at the same time I didn't want to miss the opportunity to admire and appreciate the beautiful land all around us. None of the days have been particularly warm since then, although last Wednesday was absolutely ridiculous. There was a slight coating of snow Saturday morning, and the temps were nearly 20 degrees below average.
I am cautiously optimistic winter might let go of its grip though, and spring might actually be able to begin to appear. Our furnace could certainly use the break! By Friday the high is supposed to be in the 70's, and I think we will all be happy to see that!
Monday, April 9, 2018
It is a crazy phase of life
With three teenagers, our lives are ridiculously busy. In terms of our life with children, this is about as busy as it is going to get. With Robert scheduled to graduate in May and then begin his military service in July, our house is going to be somewhat quieter and less busy. But right now, we are still in the midst of all the craziness. I can not even imagine how family's function with two full time working parents. I am more grateful than I can put into words that I have the opportunity to not be a full time employee!
I know that no one really cares, but I am writing this here so that someday when I think I am busy, I can look back and realize that might not really be the case. This is a quick run-down of what we have going on this week. I work today, and Robert has a Navy commitment right after school. he will most likely miss all of his trac practice, but will need to go anyway because the middle school has a home meet and high school athletes are expected to help. Andrew is also volunteering at the meet, even though we found out yesterday that due to limited entries, Thomas is not participating. That leaves me off the hook for attending which is fabulous, because I painted all weekend and didn't do any laundry at all. I will also need to be getting Catherine to her driving class this evening.
Tomorrow I work again, and will probably need to hit my church job after school. Andrew has a meeting right after school, and then will go straight to his evening class he is teaching. Thomas needs to be picked up from track practice, and Catherine will need to get to her driving class. I desperately wanted to attend Robert's track meet tomorrow evening. Not only is it one of my favorite meets, he is doing the steeplechase event which is run at very few meets. I can't be in two places at once though, and I have been unable to find anyone who might be able to transport the other kids.
Wednesday morning I am taking the day off because I can't make it work otherwise. I have a haircut in the morning. That afternoon the daughter of my best friend is being confirmed, and I am happy to make the hour drive to be able to be there. Robert has track practice after school, Thomas has an away track meet, and Catherine will have her driving class. I am not attending my monthly band meeting.
I am working again on Thursday. The boys have track practice after school, Andrew has an appointment, Catherine has driving school and Thomas will have youth group.
Friday I will work again. Thomas will have track practice and Robert has an away track meet I plan to attend. On Saturday Robert has a Navy commitment in the morning, and then works that evening.
On Sunday, I am the Sunday School volunteer before church and then the nursery volunteer during church. Thomas will acolyte during church, and then he and Catherine have a youth meeting after church, while Andrew and I are attending the Christian Ed meeting. Robert will most likely try to see his girlfriend that day.
Next week I am already scheduled three days, and I will be happy to work all five if I can get the jobs! We are getting down to the end of the school year, and my opportunities to earn additional money are dwindling. But on the upside, when that happens, summer will be here and we will hopefully have some time to relax!
An afternoon spent with friends is always an afternoon well spent
Yesterday we spent some time with some very dear lifelong friends. Our friend Larry turned 50 last month, and a surprise party was planned for yesterday. He was truly surprised and honestly had no idea! It was so sweet to see. It was a room full of people close to him, and I was touched when he said, "I know this many people?"
There were so many people in that room who are so very dear to us. All three of our children have Godparents who were in there, and these people have been our friends for nearly 20 years. In the case of Stephanie, we have been friends for well over 25 years! Because we moved farther away, and the lives of our teens are crazy busy, we don't get to see them nearly as often as we would like. I am so, so, so grateful that we were able to take the time to get together yesterday afternoon and visit, even if just for a short time!
There were so many people in that room who are so very dear to us. All three of our children have Godparents who were in there, and these people have been our friends for nearly 20 years. In the case of Stephanie, we have been friends for well over 25 years! Because we moved farther away, and the lives of our teens are crazy busy, we don't get to see them nearly as often as we would like. I am so, so, so grateful that we were able to take the time to get together yesterday afternoon and visit, even if just for a short time!
Friday, April 6, 2018
I'm going to miss the ocean
I'm not going to lie, I am really going to miss going to the ocean this year. We've gone the last two years, and I would absolutely love to go again. That isn't the plan though, and we've known for a long time. Last year was our last "big" family vacation with all three of our kids. We weren't sure when Robert would be leaving, and we had the money saved to really splurge on it. However, we splurged last year, we bought a car, and we re-did the bathroom...after buying a cheap used car and getting Catherine braces at the end of 2016. It is not in the budget this year, and we completely accept that.
Every once in a while though, I get online just to look at the pictures. I see the ocean views, and my heart actually begins to yearn for the ocean. I'm not an outdoorsy person, and the sun and water aren't really my thing at all, but I almost begin to ache for the ocean. Maybe it is just because I associate it with vacation and the relaxation of getting away. We are visiting friends this year for vacation and I know it won't be the same thing, but we will have fun. Regardless, I am looking forward to a few more months of memories!
Every once in a while though, I get online just to look at the pictures. I see the ocean views, and my heart actually begins to yearn for the ocean. I'm not an outdoorsy person, and the sun and water aren't really my thing at all, but I almost begin to ache for the ocean. Maybe it is just because I associate it with vacation and the relaxation of getting away. We are visiting friends this year for vacation and I know it won't be the same thing, but we will have fun. Regardless, I am looking forward to a few more months of memories!
It. Is. Friday.
Here we are at the end of another week. It was only a four day week, but have long maintained those sometimes feel the longest! Wednesday was my only day "off", and really, it wasn't. Robert and I were up even earlier than normal to get him to a Navy commitment. It was a 75 minute drive, and he had to be there by 6:30. It was in the same town as my afternoon doctor appointment, and I refused to make the trip twice. He was able to get a ride back to school, and I ran a whole bunch of errands after having breakfast with my mother. I was able to be productive and it was a nice day, but not at all relaxing. I was very, very grateful that Thomas's track meet was cancelled that evening (although not overly grateful for the frigid temps that caused it to be cancelled).
While Tuesday and today I am at the high school, yesterday I was in kindergarten. I love the little ones, and the day goes by so quickly. It is such a physically exhausting job though, and in some ways mentally draining as well. That age can not tie their own shoes or zip their own jackets, and we try to do that all while making sure no one leaves the room or is causing harm to another child. And, oh goodness, they never stop making sounds! I am actually looking forward to they eyerolls of teens today...at least those are quiet!
Our evenings have been crazy as well. Andrew teaches a class on Tuesday evening, and last evening Robert had a track meet. Andrew was in charge of the concession stand, and since Robert runs in the first and last event we are pretty much there for the duration. Catherine started her driver's ed classes, which is 3-1/2 hours an evening for two weeks. It made the Wednesday cancellation of the track meet even better!
Tomorrow I have all day to finish the paining of our hall way that I began two weeks ago. I am planning to get it ALL done. It will be a good day to do it because there is snow in the forecast. We are really getting tired of this weather around here! Sunday we will be traveling for a 50th birthday party for a friend. And then Monday will roll around and we get to have another crazy week!
While Tuesday and today I am at the high school, yesterday I was in kindergarten. I love the little ones, and the day goes by so quickly. It is such a physically exhausting job though, and in some ways mentally draining as well. That age can not tie their own shoes or zip their own jackets, and we try to do that all while making sure no one leaves the room or is causing harm to another child. And, oh goodness, they never stop making sounds! I am actually looking forward to they eyerolls of teens today...at least those are quiet!
Our evenings have been crazy as well. Andrew teaches a class on Tuesday evening, and last evening Robert had a track meet. Andrew was in charge of the concession stand, and since Robert runs in the first and last event we are pretty much there for the duration. Catherine started her driver's ed classes, which is 3-1/2 hours an evening for two weeks. It made the Wednesday cancellation of the track meet even better!
Tomorrow I have all day to finish the paining of our hall way that I began two weeks ago. I am planning to get it ALL done. It will be a good day to do it because there is snow in the forecast. We are really getting tired of this weather around here! Sunday we will be traveling for a 50th birthday party for a friend. And then Monday will roll around and we get to have another crazy week!
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
RIP June
Yesterday, I learned about the passing of someone I have known for a very long time. She was aged 82, and I don't remember there ever being a time when I didn't know her. She was a staunch member of the church I attended as a child. Her children graduated with my parents, and her grandchildren graduated shortly after me. When Andrew and I went through the required pre-marital advising, June and her husband agreed to be our mentors. We had two or three sessions (I don't remember the details), and Andrew was convinced we could have them finished in significantly less time if she and I wouldn't spend so much time visiting. Our families had known each other for a couple of generations by that time, so it seemed unlikely that was going to happen!
So many things she talked to us about during those sessions stuck with me. I remember her mentioning that you think things are always going to be perfect in the beginning, and they never are. Everyone has rough times, but life is full of so many blessings. They had a granddaughter born with Down's Syndrome who passed away after just a few months. That was probably the biggest (and most public) challenge in their marriage, but I am sure there were others.
June and her first husband had three children. That marriage ended in divorce, and she and her second husband had another daughter. Some of those children have married and remarried, and of course by now grandchildren have families of their own as well. However, one thing about this family...no one was ever a "step" relative. Regardless of how you came to be a part of the family, that is exactly what you were...family. June's love for her family was second-to-none, as was her modeling of her faith. She came from a family that was well off, and married into one even wealthier. But you wouldn't know it to look at her. She was modest, and generous, and loved our Lord.
I'm very grateful to have known June, and very sad that she has passed away. I send prayers to all who loved and knew her!
So many things she talked to us about during those sessions stuck with me. I remember her mentioning that you think things are always going to be perfect in the beginning, and they never are. Everyone has rough times, but life is full of so many blessings. They had a granddaughter born with Down's Syndrome who passed away after just a few months. That was probably the biggest (and most public) challenge in their marriage, but I am sure there were others.
June and her first husband had three children. That marriage ended in divorce, and she and her second husband had another daughter. Some of those children have married and remarried, and of course by now grandchildren have families of their own as well. However, one thing about this family...no one was ever a "step" relative. Regardless of how you came to be a part of the family, that is exactly what you were...family. June's love for her family was second-to-none, as was her modeling of her faith. She came from a family that was well off, and married into one even wealthier. But you wouldn't know it to look at her. She was modest, and generous, and loved our Lord.
I'm very grateful to have known June, and very sad that she has passed away. I send prayers to all who loved and knew her!
Back to reality for seven weeks
We are down to just over seven weeks of school remaining. I'll be honest, I've been dreading this stretch a bit. We are soooo close to the end of the school year, and and yet so far. I hate wishing away months of my children's lives, but I need Robert to graduate. After today, he has 33 days of school he still needs to do. We need this to happen.
This is also the longest stretch of the school year without a day off. Granted, the reward at the end is the expanse of summer, but I still feel like it is going to feel as though the month takes forever.
The weather isn't helping either. We had some sun on Easter, but woke up yesterday (both in PA and here) to snow. It was a gorgeous drive home, but cold. Today we have had monsoon rains (it's been unbelievable), and severe storms are forecasted for the afternoon and evening. Tomorrow the temps plummet again.
I am working today after being pretty much off for the last 2-1/2 weeks. I've loved every minute of being home, but car problems continue to remind us that working this job is a good thing. I expect April to be a busy month, and for that I am very grateful.
Here's to the next seven weeks!
This is also the longest stretch of the school year without a day off. Granted, the reward at the end is the expanse of summer, but I still feel like it is going to feel as though the month takes forever.
The weather isn't helping either. We had some sun on Easter, but woke up yesterday (both in PA and here) to snow. It was a gorgeous drive home, but cold. Today we have had monsoon rains (it's been unbelievable), and severe storms are forecasted for the afternoon and evening. Tomorrow the temps plummet again.
I am working today after being pretty much off for the last 2-1/2 weeks. I've loved every minute of being home, but car problems continue to remind us that working this job is a good thing. I expect April to be a busy month, and for that I am very grateful.
Here's to the next seven weeks!
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