Good Friday

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Spring Has Sprung

I love this time of year!  We now have come to that point where there is so much to look forward to.  First of all we already celebrated my son's Blue & Gold Banquet where he earned his Bear patch and can move onto the next den.  He only has two more years in the cub scouts and then can advance to the boy scouts.  As of now he's saying he doesn't want to join the boy scouts and I'm okay with that.  I think he wants to focus more on sports.  However, his school work seems to be slacking and we've spent the entire year trying to help him and encourage him to try harder and focus better.  He was always so smart, especially in math, but for some reason he's just not focusing.  I know it's just careless mistakes but I also want to blame it on this common core crap.  I hate common core.  Despite his dropping grades he is a good kid and I know he will get back on track.  He has also started with baseball practice for the season.  I did tell him that if he can't get his grades up then he can't play sports next year.  It's a tough thing.  He loves sports but he needs to know that school work is more important.  I'm hoping he will get back on track.  I want to see my kids live out their dreams. 

Another great thing about this time of year is it's time to celebrate Easter.  In our house we do have the Easter Bunny come over and leave a basket of gifts and treats for both kids and they still do believe in him; however, we make sure they know first and foremost the true meaning of Easter.  Jesus!  They know about the resurrection and they are very much aware of heaven AND hell.  It's nice to see that they already have a desire to live for Him and want to join Him in heaven when they die. 

This is the time for egg hunts and painting eggs.  We have yet to paint eggs but we did attend our church's egg hunt last Saturday.  They have it separated by age and when the hunt is done there are activities and treats inside the church.  The kids liked it.  It was nice to be at church twice in one weekend.  On Sunday we attended the earlier service since my son had baseball practice in the afternoon.  Unfortunately we haven't been consistent with making it to church every Sunday all year but I definitely desire to get back on track.  I need that closeness of faith again.  Without going into explanation, I have been dealing with a lot emotionally and I know I can't get through without God.

I'm also so happy because we are having beautiful weather.  I'm happier when the sun is shining and the air is warm.  It's supposed to reach 80 degrees today.  So amazing!  I think I'm going to go outside and pull some weeds in the flower bed before the kids get home from school.  After an early dinner I have to run my daughter to ballet while the boys head to another baseball practice.  Busy, busy ... just how I like it. 

Yesterday evening we decided to have a fire and roast marshmallows.  It was nice to sit and relax and enjoy the warm weather.  I'm so glad that cold weather and winter is over. 

Eating Healthier Makes All The Difference

This morning I came across a post on Facebook from a local tv reporter of Fox 43 news.  She shared her story on having to make a diet change after being diagnosed with Endometriosis.  I decided to shard a bit of my husband's story and was so excited to see she replied.  She replied to everyone, so no big deal, but it felt pretty good to see she responded to mine.  It was like having a conversation with a celebrity.

Oh, the excitement!

Lazy, Rainy Friday

It's raining today.  There is something about listening to the pitter, patter of rain against the windows that I find to be so relaxing.  I don't have anywhere to go today and after spending the week painting the bedroom I am going to give myself a break and just enjoy a lazy Friday before the kids get home from school.  Well, I can't say I will be completely lazy today because after spending the last four days focused on getting the bedroom prepped and painted I slacked off on the rest of the housework.  Today is a catch up day.  

I would much rather lay under the blanket and relax as I listen to the rain.  Especially since, for some reason, I didn't get much sleep last night.  I don't know why but I kept waking up over and over.  It made the night seem to drag on forever.  I'm usually one of those people that can fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow and not wake up until I hear the sound of my husband's alarm clock the next morning.  However, last night was much different.  I am tired.  I am feeling like that French Bulldog in the picture; however, there is so much to be done.  Even so, I will allow myself to be a little lazier than usual.  I deserve it, right?

I have so many accumulated piles of clutter to go through and I don't know what to do with any of it.  I feel like there is limited storage space in our home.  I really need to figure something out because I can't stand a mess and it seems this house has been nothing but a chaotic mess.  Joining in the community yard sale this June is a must.  

It's also time to start decorating for Easter and my husband reminded me about getting the boxes of Easter stuff down from the attic today.  The kids are excited to help decorate so that's something that will keep them occupied later.  Tomorrow we watch as my son earns his bear patch at cub scouts.  He only has two more years of cub scouts and then he can move up to boy scouts but as of now he doesn't want to move on.  I hope that he changes his mind because scouts has been good for him but this is a decision he needs to make and I won't force him either way.  

I guess that's all there is for now.  

Hello spring!

Wow, it's been awhile since I wrote on here.  I wish I had more time to write and more things to say.  Life has been hectic.  Since the winter was filled with sicknesses I have been spending a lot of time catching up on things that need done around the house.  There is so much clutter.  Too much.  We also have several friends who have been begging for play dates and I have unintentionally been putting that off. 

It's officially spring now!  Yippee!  I had no problem saying goodbye to winter.  Like we do every year we welcomed the first day of spring with a trip to Rita's to get a free Italian Ice.  My husband didn't join us because he had work and then a doctor appointment after so the three of us went without him. 

We have been dealing with some issues here at home and I'd rather not get into it right now but I'm so thankful that I have a husband who is willing to stay by my side regardless of anything we may face.  He's been wonderful and I am appreciative of him. 

With everything going on we did manage to get away a few weekends ago.  We took a trip to Harrisburg to see a monster truck show and then drove a few miles to Hershey to visit Chocolate World, one of our favorite places to visit.  They have a free ride that explains how the candy is made and then you are presented with a small piece of candy at the end.  So yummy!

I am currently painting the master bedroom and so far I have two walls done.  Since we have a lot of furniture and stuff in the room I am doing one wall at a time.  I absolutely love the new color.  I will share pictures when it's all complete.  The entire week I have spent painting and cleaning up the room.  My husband doesn't like to paint but I find it relaxing and therapeutic.  We took part of the tax return money and purchased a new bed and end tables.  We also ordered new windows for all three bedrooms and that should be ready to be installed soon.  

I guess that's it.  I wanted to take a break from the busyness and write a post and catch up on some other blogs I enjoy reading. 

Snow Storm "Stella"

We had a very mild winter this year.  Last month it reached 70 degrees.  It was so amazing.  I love the warm weather.  But then winter decided to show up and just one week before spring!!!!! 

My kids and husband had off on Tuesday and Wednesday and then a delay on Thursday because of a snow storm that hit us on Monday night into Tuesday evening.  We didn't get the amount that was expected but it was over a foot of snow.  There was also a lot of sleet and wind, which made things very messy.  Since my husband is recovering from ankle surgery I had to do all the shoveling and yes I selfishly complained and hurt my back but it's what I have to do.  My son willingly helped and he was amazing.  I couldn't have done it without him.  My daughter offered to help but pretty much ate some snow and used a small sand shovel.  She was more interested in playing than shoveling and that's okay.  She's 5.  The wind made it difficult to actually enjoy the snow so we had to take a lot of breaks.  Thankfully the driveway is clear. 

I do not like snow and I do not like cold. 

One week until spring ... I think??

Parents Night At Dance

On Monday during dance class we were able to watch our little girl in action.  They only allow parents to watch class twice in the year.  It's great to see just how far she's come in the year.  She loves to dance and does it so gracefully.  I just love watching her and can't wait for the recital in June.

This is her second year of dance and it's a class that has a combination of tap, ballet and creative movement.  She's only learning the simple basics but I do believe she's ready and capable of learning so much more.  I hope dance is something she wants to continue with throughout her school life.  I believe dance is what she was meant to do, or some type of performance.  

She loves dancing and singing.  She is always putting on shows for us in the living room and any time there is music she starts to gracefully move around.  In fact, even if there isn't music she's dancing.  All the time.  It's so cute.  She loves kicking her leg up and can do it really high.  She also loves spinning around in her own version of a pirouette.