Some new things

There have been a few changes in our house.  When Andrew's chair arrived, we decided to move his old chair into our front room.  It was in decent shape, and the furniture store couldn't take it, so we decided to hold on to it.  Adding a chair into our front room required rearranging, and ultimately there will be a table headed to storage.

Additionally, we didn't like how the recliner looked, so we ended up completely rearranging our family room.  As it turns out, I really love the arrangement.  It actually really opens up the space.  I love that we can look out the windows, and I love that our fireplace is now "part" of our room.  We decided though, that the table the TV was sitting on wouldn't work, so we ended up changing out a table in the dining room, and we also moved the wine fridge into the dining room.  There were also a lot of decorations and pictures that needed to be moved.  Lots and lots of changes occurred.  

As much as I hated change, I'm enjoying it right now.  It makes things feel a little fresh, and there are many things I appreciate it about the new arrangement.  It feels peaceful.

Another change...Thomas is officially employed and in the system at the university.  He'll start his new job in two weeks.  We are very proud of him!

So grateful for an afternoon off

 I am so incredibly grateful that I had this afternoon off.  We had purchased a new recliner, and delivery was scheduled for this afternoon.  Work had told me I could leave, and since I'm not overly busy, I decided I would just go ahead and take the entire afternoon off.  It was so nice to be able to do this.  Thomas's tennis match was down in Cinci, so I wasn't going there.  Andrew had a baseball game and then needed to run an errand.  I've had five solid hours of quiet, and I was able to work on things around the house.  It's been truly, truly lovely, and the weather has also been ideal.  I needed this!

Hands down, my least favorite date each year

Today is my dad's birthday.  It is hands down, my least favorite date each year, because he isn't here to celebrate.  Even Father's Day is okay.  I can still celebrate Andrew and my father-in-law.  Same with Christmas and other holidays.  I miss him, but there is still much to celebrate.  Today though, today there is nothing else to celebrate except his birthday.  It is the eighth birthday without him, and it still hurts.  He sure would have enjoyed seeing my kids become adults, and especially Thomas, who would've loved sharing so many hobbies with him.  I'm so grateful Dad is no longer suffering, and I wish him a very happy heavenly birthday!

I really needed this weekend

I really, truly needed this weekend.  I had not one single thing on the calendar.  In fact, none of us had anything, although Andrew ended up having an hour of baseball practice yesterday.  He also had to run out to my aunt & uncle's house, but generally speaking, we had a completely unscheduled weekend.  I needed this expanse of downtime.  I was able to get significant amounts of laundry finished, I was able to get things picked up, I was able to get organized, and I was able to do some relaxing.  It was a blissful weekend in that regard, and I'm so very grateful.

The weather has significantly improved around here, and I'm hoping to have the opportunity to make the house ready for spring.  Thomas got out our hammock and our swing and our patio furniture.  It's going to be a really warm week, and on Tuesday we are even supposed to be in the low 80's...quite a change from the middle of last week!

We also had exciting new for Thomas...he has a job!  He was hired at the pool at the university.  I was very excited because that is a job that he can have year-round.  He's going to have a busy summer.  I am so proud of him!

We are down to 23 days of school left.  Even though I have to work this summer, it will be so nice to have this school year behind us!

Double shots

I am happy to report that as of today, both of the kids have received both of their COVID vaccination shots.  Thomas has had no reactions.  Catherine just received her second shot today, and I know she was fine as of this afternoon.  I suspect she won't have any serious reactions either.  I know that we have two weeks until they are considered fully vaccinated, but I'm definitely grateful they are on that path!

A weather day for record books

Today was a bizarre weather day.  We received record-setting snow this morning that was measurable in inches.  It was crazy!  Then things melted like crazy as the sun came out.  It was a lovely afternoon, until about 3:00.  It started flurrying again, and by 3:30 it was an all out snow burst.  Thankfully, Thomas's tennis match was cancelled because I was not excited about that.

I had a meeting at church this evening.  I was driving home, and couldn't understand why I couldn't see the road ahead of me.  I suddenly realized it was snowing/sleeting/raining, and then all of a sudden there was lightning.  The wind picked up and it was a crazy five minutes.  It had been fine in town, then as I drove east it just kept getting worse.  It was the strangest weather day I have experienced in quite some time...maybe ever!

Not to worry though, the forecast for Tuesday is 80 degrees.  Gotta love Ohio in April!!!!

A tennis victory

Today, Thomas's tennis match was against the parochial school in the neighboring town.  Because the match starts just as I get off work, I don't usually go the away meets because by the time I get there, the match would be over.  Unfortunately, I missed Thomas's first tennis win!  I am so excited for him.  He's not yet even an average tennis player, but everyone deserves to feel victory, even if not frequent.  I am so excited for him, and I love his enthusiasm about it all!

Also, Andrew's team had a come-from-behind-walk-off victory in their baseball game.  That was exciting as well.  So happy for everyone!