Happy New Year

I remember the chaos that surrounded the year 2000, or Y2K as it was called.  I spent New Years Eve at a friend's party, with other friends.  I was single and getting ready to graduate business school.  I had no idea what my future was going to be like but shortly after I started a serious relationship with Rob and a few years later we were married.  Now here we are twenty years later.  2020 just seems so unreal.  How did we get here so quickly?  In the last 20 years I became a wife and a mother of two.  I've had so many reasons to celebrate and made plenty of mistakes too.  These two decades have been a rollercoaster.

2019 was definitely a rollercoaster in itself.  I had three surgeries to remove skin cancer and it made my face look terrible.  I still have scars and am missing some eyelashes from the spot that was removed from under the eye.  The best part of the year was our trip to Disney World in March.  I had been dreaming of taking my family there.

I'm not sure what 2020 will bring but I hope it will have more ups than downs.  It's going to be a leap year and the next presidential election.

Here's a short recap of the year 2019:

January

 We rang in the new year in the comfort of our own home.

Received a little bit of snow

Walked through the ice festival in our city.

Witnessed a pretty cool lunar eclipse

February

Spent Valentines Day getting a skin cancer spot removed.  No pictures from that day.

My son's final Pinewood Derby with the cub scouts

More snow

March

Traded in my 19 year old Pontiac for a new vehicle (finally!)

Our first family trip to Disney World

Bumped into Darci Lynne at the airport.  If you have never seen America's Got Talent she is an amazing ventriloquist who won one of the seasons. 

April

The start of a new baseball season

Celebrating the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior (Happy Easter)

May

My son bridged over from cub scouts to boy scouts.

Celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary, but the day consisted of professional dance pictures and a baseball game.  

Hubby celebrated his 40th birthday.

Spent Memorial Day at Hershey Park 

June

Kicked off summer vacation with the library's summer reading club and hikes.

My daughter's 4th dance recital 

My second of three skin cancer surgeries.  I received these beautiful flowers from my daughter's 2nd grade teacher.

July

Celebrated Independence Day at my parents with sparklers

Hubby took the kids to see monster trucks while I enjoyed a peaceful evening at home.

My third skin cancer surgery.  No pictures, of course.  

August

My son and the sixth graders joined the middle school and high school bands for two weeks of band camp and put on a performance on the last day.

A visit to the skate park and water park.

Bri got her ears pierced

And celebrated her 8th birthday

The start of 3rd and 6th grade

September

We attended the wedding of the girl I used to babysit through her baby/toddler years.

Saw Darci Lynne at the fair.  Bri got her very own Petunia.  

Monster truck show at the fair.

A Minor league ball game.

Bought two new members of the family, our guinea pigs Nutmeg and Louie.

Some fun at Maze Quest.

October

I celebrated turning 41.  No pictures of that day.  

Bri joined me on the Walk For Alzheimer's.  

November

Since the weather on Halloween was rainy, the changed Trick-or-Treat to the beginning of November.

Matt and his dad spent his 12th birthday at a Redskins game

December

Bri performed in Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker.

Bri started learning the recorder in 3rd grade music class.

The start of something new for my boy, basketball.

Matt playing his trumpet in the 5th/6th grade Holiday concert.

We made it to New York for Christmas with my side of the family.

Then home on Christmas Day to see what Santa left under the tree.

Wow, 2019 was full!  Even though we are always busy with lots of activities I want to be more intentional in 2020 when it comes to making time for family and friends.  With being so busy it's rare that I have any time for friends anymore and I could really use a friend right now.  

It's been a fun and relaxing Christmas vacation.  After our traveling to and from New York we've been spending most of our time at home, with the exception of a one night sleepover the kids had at my parents' and a trip to the dentist for their cleanings.  My son has been thoroughly enjoying his new Playstation.  I usually limit the time they have on their devices, but since it's new and it's a holiday break I've made an exception.  Tonight I will cook some food, maybe do a puzzle and relax in the comfort of my home as we watch the ball drop on television and welcome not only a new year but a new decade.  A new beginning and a chance to start over.  Let's make it a good one!

Happy New Year, friends!  I wish you all a wonderful year filled with many blessings! 

Writing

I have 8 years of writings on this blog and it's all been about my personal experiences as a mother, a wife, and my every day life.  Although I haven't had the time to write in here daily I've enjoyed keeping a blog.  Because I have so much already written in here I have no intention of closing it.  I haven't shared this blog with many people and no one in my life reads it.  I've kept it silent.  I did start another blog called Dawn Marie Writes.  I enjoy blogs that are more personal and about day to day living but in this blog I'm more formal in my writing.  If you're interested please check out the other blog and feel free to follow.  I will be spreading the word about that blog to those I know personally.  Also, at some point I may even pay to have the "blogspot" part dropped.

Today I finished a short and simple post on "Peace."  I intend on writing something about Kindness, Faith and things like that.  If you're interested check it out and I'd love the feedback.

https://dawnmariewrites.blogspot.com/

In 2020 I'd like to be more intentional on writing regularly.  I'm also working on a novel that I hope to be published.  It's a slow work in progress.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2019

Did everyone have a nice Christmas?

We did!

We celebrated with my father-in-law and sister-in-law last Sunday.  It's unfortunate to say we aren't very close to my husband's side of the family and they aren't very friendly with me.  I didn't feel very welcomed by them.  For years I've watched their nasty stares as they are obviously silently judging me and I hear from extended family all the mean things they spread about me.  I don't know why.  We don't even see them very often and honestly, I'm glad about that.  My daughter developed a bad headache while we were there so it was a short visit.

On Christmas Eve we went to Long Island, where I am from.  My parents, who live here in PA, traveled there too.  My sister throws a fun Christmas Eve party where all the family gathers.  My sisters, brothers-in-law, brother, sister-in-law and all the nieces and nephews.  Also, some extended family and friends who have become family.  My family is loud, vulgar, and love to drink alcohol.  My kids seemed to be a little intimidated by that because it's a behavior they aren't used to but they had fun with their little cousins (my great nieces and great nephews).  We really did have a great time.  It's been 4 years since the last time we made the trip for Christmas.  The years I'm not there are hard for me.  So this was a special Christmas.  Traveling to New York is expensive and a long drive so we don't make an effort to go very often, but whenever I'm with my family it's always filled with laughter and fun.

My parents, sisters and brother and me.  With my mom's declining health it's hard to know if this will be her last Christmas, or at least the last one she will be able to travel.  These people are a blessing. 

The cousins photo.  My two kids and nieces and nephews.  One was home sick and one is celebrating in heaven.  It's amazing how much the family has grown.  

Just a couple proud aunts with our nephew, who recently joined the Air Force.  

We spent the night at a Hampton Inn and woke up Christmas morning and ate a delicious breakfast before heading home.  It was a quick trip because we needed to pick up the dog at our friends' house and we wanted to celebrate Christmas Day in our home opening gifts.  When we arrived home my son was surprised with a PlayStation 4 and some games.  It's what he wanted.  My daughter had an art set waiting for her, which is what she wanted.  And so many more gifts.  My husband surprised me with tickets to see Lauren Daigle this summer and a backstage pass to meet her.  I'm so excited.  Her music is so inspiring and inspirational.  My daughter will be going too.  Next month my daughter will be in a winter recital and will be dancing to one of her songs.  

It was truly a fun Christmas.  

This Sunday my mother-in-law will be coming over.  Again, it's much like I described in my first paragraph, but I stay quiet and deal with it all for the sake of my husband and kids.  

We also never forget the true meaning of the holiday, which is the birth of our Lord and Savior.  We had to miss Christmas Eve service but we did go last Sunday.  I'm forever thankful for the gift of Jesus and his sacrifice for me.   

A Young Loss

Last week we learned of a 17 year old senior in our town who died from gun shot wounds.  Her and a few friends were driving through the city when they were shot by someone in another vehicle.  At first we had no idea why they were driving through the city but I recently heard a rumor they had bought some drugs, didn't pay for them so the dealer followed them and shot them.  That's heavy.  This was a girl that my 8 year old daughter had met when playing at a friend's house.  She was a friend of her friend's sister.  Everyone is making this girl out to be someone who was a good kid with a great reputation.  Maybe she was, but she was a good kid who made a poor choice that led to her death.  Regardless of her choices, she didn't deserve to die.  She was young and maybe naïve but had a full life ahead of her.  Teenagers make a ton of mistakes but she'll never have the chance to learn from it and grow from it.  There's also a family and a lot of friends who are left grieving.

This news left me feeling very sad.  She worked at a nearby restaurant and was our server last month when we ate there.  This definitely shook our town and school district.  She was a popular girl and was admired by many.  It also left me feeling worried when it comes to my own children.  Granted, they are only 8 and 12 and so far seem to be very level headed kids, but who knows what their future is going to be like and the kind of influences that will surround them.  They will be going to the same  high school this girl went to and will be around many kids who are into all sorts of negative and illegal things.  I can only do my part in providing as much knowledge as possible to them and teaching them that it's important to make good choices that will lead them to a successful future.  Currently they seem to be on the right track.  They talk about how dumb it is to smoke and do drugs.  I'm hoping they keep those same thoughts when they are teens and young adults.  When their friends start to get into bad habits I hope they are brave enough to walk away.

This is a parent's worst nightmare.

Happy Homemaker Monday - 12/9/19

The Weather Outside Is:

Rain for the next few days and then snow Tuesday night into Wednesday.  

On The Breakfast Plate This Morning:

A bowl of frosted flakes, a cup of coffee and then a cup of cranberry juice.  

As I Look Outside My Window:

Dark, foggy and drizzling.  

Right Now I Am:

Typing this up, of course.  I just finished vacuuming the floor and inside the couch.  The stuff that gets stuck inside the couch is gross, oh my.  Also, threw a load of wash into the wash machine and another in the dryer.  Trying to get as much cleaning done as possible before I head into work.  

As I Look Around The House:

The usual mess left behind from the weekend, although I did start to clean some of it.  The Christmas tree stands in the corner of the living room and lots of other decorations are around.  

On Today's To Do List:

Finish laundry, straighten up, head to work for my three hours in the cafeteria, figure out a menu plan for the week.  Take Bri to dance class tonight.  

On This Week's To Do List:

Monday - tap for Bri

Tuesday - basketball for Matt

Wednesday - basketball pictures

Thursday - basketball practice

Friday - ballet and praise classes for Bri

Saturday - pancake breakfast with scouts, basketball game

Sunday - church, rest!

On The Menu This Week:

I must confess, when it comes to having a full menu plan I stink at it.  I love being able to plan ahead and have everything purchased in one shopping trip but that doesn't seem to happen lately.  Tonight will be pork chops and tomorrow will be tacos but that's all I have so far.  

Currently Reading:

Nothing at the moment.  I haven't had the time.  

On The TV This Week:

Fuller House season 5 on Netflix 

Christmas movies

What I Am Creating At The Moment:

Whenever I find the free time I sit at my laptop and type up a story idea I have.  Getting a book published is my ultimate life goal.  

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes, Or Devotionals:

"I believe in Christ, like I believe in the sun - not because I can see it, but by it I can see everything else" -- C.S. Lewis

If you are interested in participating in Happy Homemaker Monday you can do so by going to the creator Sandra's page here.  

Have a wonderful and blessed week, friends!!  

Starting The Dream

As any good parent, we want what's best for our children.  I certainly do.  I may not always be able to afford to give them all that they want and that's okay.  Money isn't everything.  But dreams are.  I've always been a dreamer but never did much to fulfill any of them, sadly.  I want my kids to have dreams too and even though they may not succeed in all of them I'd like for them to at least try.  I also want to do my part in helping them achieve every goal and dream possible.

My daughter has loved to dance before she could even walk.  She would sit on the floor and just bounce around.  As a child I took ballet but only lasted five years.  I grew bored with it.  I regretted that later.  So when I had a daughter I decided to put her in dance class.  This is her fifth year and she loves it.  So far, her plan is to start teaching dance class when she's in high school and then attend college to become an elementary school teacher by day and a dance teacher at night.  It sounds like a pretty good plan.  She's still very young and that could change and I'm okay with that.  For now, I enjoy watching her.

For the second year she has joined her dance studio as they hosted Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker.  It's such an amazing experience where the young dancers are invited to join the professionals on stage.  She missed school that day because of having to be there early and I took off work so I could help her get ready and volunteer until show time.  We started the day with a little relaxing at home, then getting her hair and makeup ready.  We arrived at the theater just before 1pm.  The young dancers tried on costumes, had professional pictures taken and then we hung out in the dressing room until the professionals showed up.  They were traveling from Maine, where they had a show the night before, and ran into traffic and bus trouble.  Luckily, they arrived in time for an hour of rehearsal before the show was ready to start.  Then I joined my family and Brianna's teacher from last year in the audience.  I'm not sure if Moscow Ballet will be back in our town next year but I really hope they do.  It's an amazing opportunity.

Today my son had a chance to hang out with some former professionals in baseball.  He often talks about wanting to play baseball in college and then going pro.  I told him if he goes in the majors he better buy me a mansion and he agreed.  So, I guess I better help the boy achieve his dream so I can get that mansion.  😂  He's been playing baseball since the age of five and, in all honesty, he isn't the best on the team, but he tries his hardest and has so much passion for the sport.  Even if he doesn't make it to the pros, or even gets a spot on a college team, I will still believe in him and support him no matter what. Besides, I may be biased but I think he can do it!   As a belated birthday present my husband scheduled a practice with Jason Aspito, a former MLB player and a former player on our minor league team.  He runs a place in our county for baseball training along with some other former minor league players.  So that's where they went this morning.  It's a good experience for him.

Thank you Moscow Ballet and Backyard Baseball for making these events possible.

My kids are by far living a better life than I ever experienced or imagined.