I finally got to use the gift certificate Rosina gave me for my birthday. We did some paint pouring! Robin and Christina were less than thrilled about going, but there’s something about splashing paint around that lifts one’s spirits. They’ll never admit it, but they had fun.
-
September 7
I spent a lot of time talking to people today, which is not one of my favorite things. I had lunch with someone from church, caught up with Siggi, and then spent time with friends from cheer. I think I made more cheer friends than Robin. And I’m glad!
-
September 6
I finished reading the Frederick Douglass book. I am learning so much, and I am so grateful. My mind is full of new ideas, things that contradict the things I previously thought were true. I want to read more. Who knew that one day at Fort Sumter would lead to this? That one day changed everything… again.
-
September 5
The rain has been endless! I think I read that we’ve had something like more than 5.5 inches of rain in two days. Roads are flooded… poor Billy has had to hold practices in the rain. Meanwhile, the search is on for a tree guy.
-
September 4
My boy doesn’t like storms, and it stormed all day today. It stormed this morning before we woke up, and a branch from the tree my neighbor warned me about fell through the roof of her pergola. It absolutely destroyed me. I cried for half an hour. I couldn’t even bring myself to go over there. Billy went for me. And they didn’t even want to fix the pergola. Apparently it was already broken. I am relieved, but a little broken. I didn’t like the way she rubbed it in my face for no reason. I literally hated myself to the point of self destruction. She doesn’t know me, she wouldn’t understand, and I wouldn’t even try to explain it. But I’m glad now all we have to do is find the money to trim our trees. And take down a dead one. That’s cheaper than doing that AND repairing damage to my neighbor’s property. Even if they did lay shame on me for no reason.
-
September 3
My mind is fighting with itself over unanswerable questions. I am at odds between what is in my heart and what is right. Who knew that one day at Fort Sumter would lead to this kind of inner conflict? I’ve gone from Ken Burns to Martin Luther King to Abraham Lincoln to Frederick Douglass. Soon I will go straight to God and see what He (or She) has to say. If I am not finding answers, I can absolutely say I am learning. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
-
September 2
Today’s big activity was making these enormous s’mores cookies with Christina. They were incredibly time consuming to make, but they were delicious! Good pick!
-
September 1
It was a pretty productive day. Took the kids clothes shopping because Robin wears the same three items every day and Christina has grown so much in the last year that not one item she owns fits her. There was a moment where I had to threaten to pick Christina’s clothes out for her if she didn’t find her own, but then we found the Holy Grail of pre-teen clothes and they couldn’t stop piling it on. I bought them everything. May we never have to go clothes shopping again. And then I spent the rest of the day making this cute gnome ornament for the advent calendar. It’s unlikely to be done in time for this year, but it might be close. I’ll take it.
-
August 31
Christina had the idea to have stadium food while we watched the first Penn State football game of the season. So we did and it was awesome! Also, today Jackson turned 13 and got a hot dog to celebrate, and we played a LOT of Scattergories. A nice Saturday.
-
August 30
I am officially on vacation. Going nowhere, doing nothing, and I’m so excited. This past week has been crushing at work and I so need a break. I kicked it off by playing the piano for the first time in months. I played Billy Joel songs and Billy (my Billy) even recognized a few of them. Guess I’m not THAT rusty.
-
August 28
The merry-go-round continues. This is going to be a long school year. I decided to bow out of the chorus, at least for the first concert until I establish a bit more of a routine. I think that for now, I’d rather be there for my kids for the short amount of time that they’re kids. The chorus will be there later. Or if not that, then something else. Not sure if this is the right choice, but honestly I’m too tired for it anyway. We’ll see.
-
August 26
Someone told me today that I’m doing good parenting. Some days it feels more like it than others. Today was one of the better days.
-
August 25
I am struggling with a lot of things, but Robin had no struggles eating this cotton candy at her cheer party.
Year in Photos 