The Best Of PA

He was gone. Josh had flown home and abandoned me with a gripping anxiety. My fears and thoughts were as fresh and frozen as that blustery month of March . But it didn't stop me from saying them, those three little words before our parting...I love you. They came from both of our lips. I had been giddy when it happened...but now all I could feel was a jumble of pins and needles swirling in my stomach. We barely knew each other. I mean, we did, but not romantically, not deeply enough. Was this right?? There are billions of people out there...was I picking the right person for me?? Prayer became a constant facet to my life. And I was desperately pleading for some deliberate sign....like a huge flashing metal contraption above my bed that said: "Marry Him!!" or "Don't Do It!!" We talked for hours every night on the phone. We could laugh and joke about things...it felt comfortable.. until we hung up. Then doubt and fear crept th...

Elly: Mommy why do you watch movies with bad words? Me: I don't know. I watch movies with bad words?? Elly: Yes at Nonna and Pop pops. I had no idea what she was talking about. Until I thought about it more. We slept over Nonna and Pop Pops house. We were snowed in and ate pop corn and hot cocoa. When it was time for the kids bedtime, I tucked them in the spare room and left for the living room. My parents rented movies and the PG-13 movie "Total Recall" was playing (the new one). Lots of Action, Adventure, Intrigue and...cursing. Brinley was sound asleep, but Elly was not sleeping well. She sneaked her way into the living room more than once to complain she wasn't tired. Yes I had watched a foul mouthed movie, a many, but this time I was caught. Me: "I'm sorry Elly. I promise to watch better movies. Mommy will not watch movies with bad words.". Elly: "Heavenly Father does not like us to watch movies with bad words." Gu...

In a fit of insecurity and second thoughts I decided I had been wrong. I loved him, I must have if suddenly MY: attraction to him was strengthened, our conversations flowed with ease, and the anxiety had completely melted. I had screwed up. I let some silly fear get in the way, that must have been it!! Why did he seem soo irresistible suddenly if I wasn't meant to be with him?? Once again just days after the break up, I called him up. "Hey Josh" "Hey, how was your day?" "Good. So..I've been thinking." I heard him swallow hard "yeah?" "Well, it's just that our conversations have been so good lately." "Yeah". His voice perked up. "And well my doubts and fears are completely gone." "Yeah?" "I just don't know what I was thinking because...I love you." There was a long pause before any answer and I held my breathe. I blew it, I just blew it. "A...

He was gone. Josh had flown home and abandoned me with a gripping anxiety. My fears and thoughts were as fresh and frozen as that blustery month of March . But it didn't stop me from saying them, those three little words before our parting...I love you. They came from both of our lips. I had been giddy when it happened...but now all I could feel was a jumble of pins and needles swirling in my stomach. We barely knew each other. I mean, we did, but not romantically, not deeply enough. Was this right?? There are billions of people out there...was I picking the right person for me?? Prayer became a constant facet to my life. And I was desperately pleading for some deliberate sign....like a huge flashing metal contraption above my bed that said: "Marry Him!!" or "Don't Do It!!" We talked for hours every night on the phone. We could laugh and joke about things...it felt comfortable.. until we hung up. Then doubt and fear crept th...

To tell my love story, I have to start from the beginning, which involves a mini love story before the love story-a chance for you to see the real confused and pushy jerk within me. We all have doubts and confusion about what is the right thing to do, what we really truly want in life, just most of you aren't crazy ridiculous like me. No matter,I will still share the story, because it is the story of me...and how I eventually met and married the love of my forever, Danny. Enjoy! It is a little bit all over the place and yeah I don't edit-no time for that. And feel free to judge.::::: "I'm not supposed to be here!" The words rattled into my head. Here I was standing in the hallway of a church building awaiting for the young single adult festivities to officially begin. Men and women bustled about, introducing themselves, laughing, playing games, while I stood there frozen in place, my heart beating with anxiety. After all, I didn't belong here, I ...

1) Think about the lyrics of popular songs and the meanings behind them. These days I've become a fan of classical music. 2) Try to Read all the Classics, that I should have read in school, but had no desire to do because I was WAY to busy socializing. 3) Really try to dress modestly. I believe I tried my Darndest to do the opposite before growing up and serving a mission. 4) Attempt to make MOST things homemade. It was all about the fancy brands before I knew how much LIFE cost. Turns out homemade is always better.

I have been eagerly researching small towns and villages whom are well known for their longevity, specifically a high percentage of centurions. It all began with some research into a little town not far from where I live, called Roseto. It is an old Italian American village steeped with old traditions, generational families, family businesses and old churches. Though I've never visited, but plan to, I am told it is like walking into a 1950's town. The amazing thing about this quaint village is that until recently it had an extremely low percentage rate for heart disease, despite all the fattening foods being cooked up. Another article I read up on was a man from Greece whom moved to the US. At 66, he developed lung cancer and was told he would have 6 months left to live. So him and his wife left the US and moved back home making funeral arrangements along the way. At first he took it easy, but eventually I'm sure with different diet, a quieter pace of life and ...

You see this puppy?  (Well okay it's a donkey)  I made it.  Yup, just some cereal boxes, cardboard, wrapping paper, tape and time!  It was virtually free because I already had these things in the house! PS Thank You Internet! When budgets shrink there is cause to be a bit more creative. And with taxes going up for middle class and beyond, it'a time to get busy with some frugality tips. I have asked a many people for ideas and would like to share. :-) As you know, I have a fascination with the 40's and 50's. And toning down my spending has only helped me to relate and want to dig a bit more into these decades. They were certainly more resourceful and frugal than we are today. All suggestions are things I do. And with no further ado: Five ways to Save: 1) Make your Milk last longer. When your gallon is half full, supplement with powdered milk. In a seperate bowl mix together water and powdered milk. For every one cup of water add 1/3 cup of powde...

Christmas Festivities are upon us.  We have been busy, busy with new and old traditions, our caroling party, candy train making, reading "A Christmas Carol" as a family, visiting the Polar Express, watching the Christmas Specials ont tv, devouring kiddie Christmas books and plenty more simple joys to come.     Learning about our cournty United States of America! Learning about Saint Lucia At the Polar Express School has been fun involving dressing up, games, crafts and treats.  What a delightful time of the year December is.  We have learned about the many Christmas traditions around the world, such as Italy, Sweden, England and France.  This week we learn about Christmas in Mexico and Hanukuah.  I've introduced small Spanish lessons into our curriculum now about twice a week.  I figure we can slowly transition into more days and phrases as time passes.  Small and si...

Christmas Festivities are upon us.  We have been busy, busy with new and old traditions, our caroling party, candy train making, reading A Christmas Carol as a family, visiting the Polar Express, watching the Christmas Specials ont tv, devouring kiddie Christmas books and plenty more simple joys to come.  School has been fun involving dressing up, games, crafts and treats.  What a delightful time of the year December is.  We have learned about the many Christmas traditions around the world, such as Italy, Sweden, England and France.  This week we learn about Christmas in Mexico and Hanukuah.  I've introduced small Spanish lessons into our curriculum now about twice a week.  I figure we can slowly transition into more days and phrases as time passes.  Small and simple is the way to go-after all she is only five-I seriously forget this all too often.     

I certainly have a ways to go as far as simplifying my Christmas, but these are a few things which I intend to strive for: 1) Less Decorations: I have a small home just over 1200 square feet. Honestly, I used to think that the more decorations the better, but the result was more clutter and a home that felt cramped. So I tossed/gave away more than half of my Christmas decorations from last year. Now it feels clean, calm and pretty. I now have a simple, thin tree, a mini tree in the girls room, stockings and something for the mantle. 2) Toning it down on all the festivities: this is something I am still struggling with. But when it comes to Christmas activities, sometimes less is more. In truth, I should probably toss away some of these out of the home activities, I have planned. The goal should be to create simple, at home, Christ centered activities. Some activities I am canning this year: - 25 Books of Christmas (instead of making it all about gifts, we cuddle up and...

Ha Lay Lou Ya! All I can say is that I've had a major breakthrough in homeschooling. No, Elly has not become some genius whom can master addition in one lesson. It was the teacher whom was the problem. Righty-O that would be me. But cut me some slack-I've never done this before. The problem: Barbaric Expectations that resulted in yelling, tears and frustration for both of us. I was a hard head with unrealistic demands. Images of a baby Yale student danced in my head. The Solution: Prayer, writing down the reasons for why I was homeschooling and talking to my expert homeschooling friend, Sasha whose kids are super smart. She told me I was doing WAY more than she had when her daughter was five. Needless to say I felt relief and we scaled back- like a lot. Previous Schedule 1)Letter & number Flashcards 2) 6 pages of Math U See Curriculum 3) Three lessons in a row of "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" 4) 10 pages of several preschool m...

Thanksgiving parade in Lansdale.  The kiddos got lots of candy. The older I get, the more I love Thanksgiving.  I love learning about our American history fromVirginia to Massachusets.  I love counting the things and people in my life that I am grateful for: I am blessed to have wonderful parents whom I live so close to, who are always there for me, whom I trust forever, who I consider to be friends and examples.  In preschool we have beein learning about the thanksgiving story through books and crafts.  Here are their pilgrim hats. I am blessed to be in a country where we are free, can vote for our president and have our freedom of speech. I am blessed to have so many relatives close by to get together watch parades, share delicious food,  catch up, take walks and play pinochle-even though I'm still not quite sure how to play it.  Cousins hanging out. I am blessed to have an adorable family, a ...

It's that time of the year. You know it, when the stores are filled with sparkling trees, and holiday songs begin to appear on regular radio stations. It's my favorite time of the year, but my it's hectic. Already we have begun building our thankful turkey, cut out hands inked with words of gratitude are plastered in a heap on our fridge. A mess of feathery goodness. Elly has had some good practice time at cutting with this fun tradition. She is getting better everyday. :-) Soon I'll be yanking down plastic fall leaves from the valances and mantle to replace it with plastic garland and tree wooden beads. I'm thinking it be would be fun to go au natural this year-as in REAL tree garland and REAL holly and popcorn string and cranberries. Might be fun and new to do homemade this year. Also, Elly has asked Danny and I if Santa is real. It may sound harsh but we have talked about how we don't like lying to our kiddies. My issue I've been mulling over ...

Four days without power was enough to remind me of all the blessings electric can give.  Yes we kindled fires in the living room, cooked on the grill outside, even kept the fridge running and lights going with the generator; however having modern conveniences work at the flick of a switch in the comfort of a warm light filled home is priceless.   I don't realize the lack of effort I put into my very survival until I went just a little without.  It is no wonder the life expectancy of our ancestors was soo much shorter.  It feels like magic now, when I press a button and the room swells with light, warm air fills the spaces, burners boil water in seconds, hot showers steam and beat on an aching back...heavenly.  We are lucky, four days was not so bad with wood to heat usand the buzzing of generators chugging along.  No trees have fallen on our house, no flooding in our basement, every shingle on our roof stay...

See this cute little girl with lipstick all over her face? Well she has managed to potty train herself! She has!! Of course there are some accidents, but cut her some slack she just turned two. Oh my goodness she is a sweetie pie. This smile here is a frequent one. I call it "putting on her charm." Because it is impossible to not fall in love with the girl who holds that smile.

These are the wonderful days of fall. The beauty of fiery crimson, gold and orange leaves blowing on the trees. We have been so blessed to experience this lovely weather and the activities associated with the season. This is what we have gotten to check off the list. -Moonlit hayride -Dorney Park Fall Festivities -Carving a Jack O Lantern -Bonfires (a few) -Roasting Marshmallows -Toasted and Eaten Pumpkin Seeds -Camping -Making Applesauce -Raking Leaves and Jumping in Them -A Walk in Town to enjoy the leaves -Read tons of Seasonal books with the girls -Peddlers Village to check out their scarecrows on display. Soon to come: trunk or treat at church and trick or treating in town. The girls will all be dressed up in Princessy attire.

A chilled breeze, a grey sky, crisp yellow leaves dangling from the branches of oak trees, a camping spot.  This is place for us to set up tents and pull out the dutch ovens.  Tents rise from the ground, food is prepared and topped with hot coals, the weather becomes frosty. And darkness covers the grey, twinkling stars from above, a crescent moon, wanes high in the air.  The smell of  sausage and cheese and warm pumpkin pie waft into our noses.  We pray and devour the best sausage lasagna with yellow tomatoe sauce we have ever ingested.  This is bits of heaven, good food, lovely friends, a cool dark sky, family.  Hot cocoa is poured into styrofoam cups, conversation fills the site, there is laughter, singing, smiling. A cool grey morning greets us the next day.  We form pancakes with blueberries over a grill and drown them in maple syrup.  Elly and Eli...

And this is what happens when you don't pay attention for five minutes or less. Brinley got into my liquid eye liner and painted her nails and face. Brinleys Lines: Ugh Hungee Translation: I'm hungry Ugh won coookie Translation: I want a cookie More to come :-)

Sometimes, many times, I have to take a step back and ponder what it is that makes this life beautiful, sacred, special.  I get frazzled and strangled by the many things on my to do list, my overpowering expectations and desires, kids whining, crying.   Anxiety builds, anger festers, blow ups occurr, until I STOP.  I stop and breathe...clear my mind.  This is not what it's all about is it?   There is no need to have this much PRESSURE.  Why am I sad, frustrated, scared, angry, alone?  STOP, BREATHE.  Hide in a closet and TALK with God.  THANK him for the minuete things, and then build into bigger parts of your life.  You can feel his peace, you will know his love.  I make a list, an endless, eternal thank you card to Heavenly Father.  This is moments of peace, solitude, calm.  And this is just the BEGINNING of my list.  This is turning a new leaf, a work in progress I wil...