Mother's Day 2017

"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all" -- Proverbs 31

These were two moments when I learned that love at first sight does exist.  I will never forget those times of seeing my babies for the first time.  After carrying them for 40 weeks I couldn't wait to see their faces and to hold them.  Motherhood is quite an adventure and it's all worth it.  I wake up early, get them ready for school, make sure they go to every doctor and dentist appointment, make sure they understand the importance of good hygiene, help them with school work and celebrate in all of their accomplishments, rush one to dance class and cheer on the other during baseball games.  Even when it's' cold and rainy I make sure I can get a good view of my son while he's at bat or playing on the field.  All the whining, crying, runny noses and complaining of boredom.  The fights between the two that I have to break up but then the times I see them sharing and helping one another.  Making sure there is a warm meal for them every evening and plenty of snacks and treats to fill their hungry bellies in between meals.  Everything I do as a mother is worth it.  I do believe in teaching my kids how to be independent and I won't do stuff for them that they can do for themselves.  When I see them accomplish a task without asking for help I feel like that part of my job is fulfilled.  As Dr. Phil always says, "You aren't raising kids, you are raising adults."  I want to make sure that my children grow up to be independent, self-sufficient, responsible, respectful adults.  It takes a lot of work, doesn't it?

Yesterday was probably the best Mothers Day I have experienced.  I was told I could sleep in but, of course, I woke up early.  I stayed in bed and waited until the kids came in to get me.  My son prepared a delicious strawberry pancake and bacon breakfast.  I was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers that my daughter picked out, presents from my husband and handmade cards from the kids.  Then my son helped with lunch and also dinner.  My parents came over to spend most of the day with us.  After my mom's stroke 5 years ago each year with her is a blessing.  My husband cleaned up.  I didn't have to lift a finger yesterday.  It was nice.  My husband and kids did an excellent job at making me feel special.  I love them so much.

Becoming a mother has been the greatest gift and I am so honored that God chose me to be the mom of these two.  They make me smile and laugh all the time.  Since they have been born I can't imagine what my life would be like without them.  They have given me a purpose and drive me to be the best person I can be.  It's an amazing thing.  I am blessed!

A day late but wishing all you beautiful mommies out there a Happy Mother's Day.  You are all awesome! 

Drowning In Housework

 This is me drowning in housework!

I have been spending my days cleaning and organizing and getting ready for a yard sale in a few weeks.  My ultimate goal is to declutter this house and have a better storage system for everything we decide to keep.  It's just too much.

In a few weeks the kids will be finished with school so I'm trying to get through it all.

Hooked on Instagram ... and now Snapchat

Oh my goodness!  For years I avoided Twitter but when I found out my dad has a Twitter account I joined.  It's all basically just political blah and I'm not really impressed with it.  Then I decided to join Instagram and I love it.  I know it sounds silly but I followed a bunch of singers and celebrities that I like.  It's fun to be able to take a glance into their everyday lives.  I have become hooked on it ... but not in a freaky stalkerish kind of way.  As a housewife I spend my entire day cleaning the house so it's nice to be able to take a random break here and there to jump on my phone and check for the updates.  I also have some family and friends on there and it's really nice to see their updates.  I have been on Facebook for many years and that has been a great way to keep in touch with everyone; however, lately it seems to have turned into a platform where people can post their political views and share false information.  It's so annoying.  I keep going back and forth with whether or not I want to stick with Facebook.  I like it.  I do.  But I decided I'm going to go back to taking a break from it.  It's not worth jumping on there to see something that's going to put me in a bad mood.  Instagram is just pictures and videos that people post without the drama.  I like it that way.

And if having all that wasn't enough, I also discovered Snapchat a few days ago.  All the Snapchat filters are so cute and my kids enjoy taking pictures and vidoes of themselves.  They laugh at themselves but they also fight over my phone with it.  So, we'll have to work on that.

Yes, I'm a 38 year old mother who plays with Snapchat.  Welcome to my world ha ha.

I absolutely think my daughter is so cute in this video.  She came up with it all on her own.  "I have lost my mother."

Sunrise

This is on the Firefox search engine today.

Now, if I can get myself to wake up early enough to watch the sunrise. 

Easter 2017

Easter is always a great time.  It's such an important holiday.  Okay, let me change that, it is the most important holiday and any Christian would know why.  To think of what Jesus went through is so incredibly sad but to know why He did it is the most amazing thing in the world.  Thank you, Jesus!

The kids spent two nights of their long weekend at my parents house.  I used that opportunity to redecorate the rec room.  Then on Saturday night we went to a hockey game.  This was my first hockey game.  It was okay.  I'm not too into sports like my husband and son but it was a fun time.  Go Hershey Bears!

On Sunday morning we all dressed up and went to church.  My mother-in-law joined us for the service and we invited her to stop over for dinner.  My parents were already expected to be there.  I prepared ham, mashed potatoes, corn, carrots and rolls.  I was going to also make a lasagna but totally forgot ... oops.  We had cake for dessert and painted eggs after.  We usually paint eggs sometime within the week before Easter but we had no time.  Life is so busy lately. 

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.