Seek

So I've been doing this study on Believing God. Sure I've always believed IN God, but do I really BELIEVE Him? Do I have the faith that He is who He says and that He can do mighty things in my life? And is that more than just head knowledge? These are the questions I've been pondering lately. So this week I was meditating on Hebrews 11:6 (which by the way is JP's life verse) "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and He rewards those who earnestly seek Him". And it got me thinking and asking myself if I have been earnestly seeking God.

I started by evaluating where I spend my time. Of course there are the essential things that I need to do each day (take care of the kids, the house, work, etc), but am I seeking God as I do those things? And what about the rest of my time? What am I doing there? I came to the ugly truth that my priorities are all wrong. And one of the biggest areas I have been convicted about is my computer use. I am a Facebook junkie. I check Facebook at least 10 times a day. Often neglecting the kids or the housework or more importantly GOD because I am on Facebook. So I am starting in my quest to earnestly seek God by limiting my computer use. I am vowing (in front of you my faithful blog readers) to only spend 30 minutes a day on Facebook and 30 minutes a day reading/writing blogs. So there you go. It may seem like a small step, but I think it is one in the right direction.

Fall Break Adventure Days 13 -14 and Thought on Coming Home

Day 13:

Today we had to do another New England fall family tradition and go apple picking.

I love apple picking. I love the memories of having so many apples you don't know what to do with them and then making everything apple for the next two weeks. The kids were obsessed for some reason with finding golden delicious apples (when there are so many other amazing apples that only grow there) so Wendy and I ended up picking most of the apples. But they still had a great time and took time to stop for a traditional apple picking pose.

Monday afternoon the kids all played while I edited some photos I took for Wendy's sister-in-law Quin. She has an adorable new baby and two very sweet girls.

Monday night we just spent at home, savoring the last few moments together as family.

Day 14:

Our flight didn't leave until the afternoon so in the morning I took the kids to look for Red Sox's shirts. John Mark has become obsessed with the Red Sox since being up here. Unfortunately we could not find one in his size in the time we had. He settled on a Webkinz instead. Man that kid loves animals. Add another one to the collection!

The flight was relatively uneventful minus the challenge of trying to keep track of two active kids in the busy airports. Visiting the potty was the worst part! And for all you moms out there, my new best friend for travel is chewable Dramamine. Works like a charm. Both kids slept on the plane (and all of our multiple car trips!). And according to John Mark it tastes like orange Pez!

Final Thoughts:

This was a great trip. It was more than just a vacation for me, it was a chance to reconnect. Reconnect with family, friends, the autumn weather, the place where I grew up, the place that I love. I asked JP multiple times while I was there if we could move back. I know that is not an option, but I just had to throw it out there. After much soul searching and thinking about things I came to the conclusion that what is so difficult for me is that New England is MY home, but not my family's. JP, John Mark and Riley look at Tennessee as home. But part of me, part of who I am, will always look at New England as home. So there has been some grieving about coming back to Tennessee. Yes, I do love it here. I love our life, our house, our friends, our church, our school....so much about it. But I don't think it will ever be 100% home. But really, is this earth 100% home? Certainly not!! So instead of yearning for home in New England, I am going to concentrate on yearning for my eternal home, with my Savior. And that makes it all okay.

Fall Break Adventure Days 9-12

Day 9

We woke up to a soggy morning. It had rained the night before. But no worries, Nana had special crafts for the kids. They made picture frames with sticks they had collected on our hike. Meanwhile, I took on the project of taking all of the old photos out of the non-safe albums and sorting them by year. I scanned a bunch (stay tuned for a preview when I get them organized!!). Then I took on the HUGE undertaking of setting my dad up with a Facebook. Watch out...I'm sure he'll be addicted soon!

In the afternoon, we decided to hike to Auger Falls (something I had not done since I was a kid). Riley had not really napped so she was quite cranky. One minute she was crying and one minute she was laughing. Life with a 2 year old is never predictable! The hike was great and we had a great view of the falls. Then a quite evening hanging out with Nana and Papa.

Day 10

Another travel day. I packed up and picked up Nana's house and then we all headed out to Gloversville (the closest town to where my parents live that has any modern amenities) which is 45 minutes away. Papa took us out to Friendly's for lunch. I miss Friendly's. I grew up with Friendly's. I'm glad we got the chance to take the kids. Then the kids and I got in the car to head to Connecticut. A little Dramamine for everyone (except me!) made the ride a lot more bearable. We hit a lot of traffic in Hartford but I didn't mind. It was good to be back in the city. I was already missing living in Connecticut and I had only been back for 20 minutes!

We got to Farmington where my best friend (and JP's sister) Vera lives. She wasn't home from work yet, so we hung out til she got home. Then her daughters Lexie and Bailey and her husband Rick got home. What a great reunion! Lexie had plans (of course...she's 15!) but the rest of us went out to dinner at Chili's (I really wanted to go to Bertucci's but there was an hour wait!). Then home for some Turkey Hill Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream. I love getting things that I can't get back in TN! The kids went to bed super late but hey, it's vacation!

Day 11

The kids were up early (much to the chagrin of Lexie and Bailey) but we just hung around the house for awhile. I love lazy Saturdays. We had pancakes for brunch and then headed out to tour Simsbury, the town where I grew up. We went to Flamig Farm (the EGG farm for all those who know!) to see the animals. Then we went to Tulmeadow Farm for the best homemade ice cream ever. Then we drove by my old house and one of JP's old houses. Didn't have time to see his other house because we were on a time crunch. I did have to stop by Vincent's Sport Shop to pick up "Simsbury shirts". I have been wanting one forever!

Then on to Lexie's soccer game and trying to watch the kids so they did not run onto the soccer field. That was a little stressful but Lexie won! Then Vera and Rick wanted me to cook dinner (which I love to do and they hate to do!), so Vera and I went to get groceries. Even doing the mundane things of life are fun when I'm with her! Then I made dinner and dessert for a very appreciative audience. We had planned to head up to Rick and Vera's lake house in the Berkshires after dinner. But then Rick asked Vera and I if we wanted to go by ourselves while he stayed with the kids. OF COURSE!! His real motivation was watching the Red Sox (there is no TV at their lake house!) but that didn't matter. Vera and I got to drive up together, hang out, and then go to bed with no kids in the house! Pure heaven!!

Day 12

I got to sleep in til 9:30! I haven't done that in ages! Vera and I had our morning coffee sitting on the porch over looking the lake. The water was so still and there was a beautiful reflection of the mountains on the lake. It was so peaceful. Rick and the kids arrived around 10:30 and we all had breakfast of the yummiest french toast ever! (I'll give you the recipe if you want!). Then John Mark and Rick went out in the kyak and all of the girls went for a walk around the lake. The weather was beautiful and it was so good to be with the Polaceks.

We stayed with them until mid-afternoon and then headed back to Acton, MA to spend the last two days with Wendy.

Fall Break Adventure Days 6-8

Day 6: Travel Day

Oh what an exhausting day! We waited for the Enterprise guy to pick us up to get our rental car and of course he was late and then drove about 15 miles the whole way there. When I went to check in the salesman asked for my credit card. I gave him the only card we have and he said he could not take it since it was linked to a checking account. He said that he could not rent me the car. I offered to go get cash at the bank next door and he said no. You have to have a credit card. Ok, let me get on my soapbox here for a minute. We are living in a country in financial crisis brought on by people spending more money than they have on CREDIT! So why should I be penalized when my family chooses to avoid credit at all costs? If we are trying to live responsibly, why should I not be able to rent a car with CASH??!! Ridiculous. Believe me that I will be sending a letter to Enterprise.

Finally I had to call my sister Wendy who had to load 2 kids in the car and head over to let me use her business credit card. We finally get on the road and 10 minutes before we are ready to stop for lunch, Riley falls asleep. So much for the nap later! 4 stops later, including 15 minutes sitting at a toll booth for no good apparent reason, we arrived at Nana and Papa's house. I can say that the ride was beautiful in the mountains. We had a great dinner and then early to bed for all of us....we were exhausted!

Day 7

We woke up to frost on the lawn (29 degrees outside) but Papa still wanted to take us out on the boat. We did convince him to wait until 10:30 when the temperature outside had warmed up to 45 degrees. Nana (who is ALWAYS cold!) bundled up in her snowmobiling coat and the infamous wool hat that she has had since we were little! The toughest part was that since the docks came out of the lake last week, we had to wade into the water out to the boat. The water was 55 degrees! I could not feel my feet!

But the walk in the water was well worth it! The views were amazing! These pictures are great but do not even begin to show the majesty of it all!

After our boat ride, we had lunch and then headed out to help Nana and Papa pick out their Christmas tree. That's right, a Christmas tree in October. Actually they just go tag it now and then the farmer cuts it down in December. It prevents them from having to hike through the snow! The kids had a great time.

Day 8

Today Nana and Papa had a big plan for us! We packed up the backpacks and headed up the road to Fawn Lake. It was a short hike in, but interesting along the way. There were a ton of cool leaves and we even saw a toad. We got down to the lake the view was breath-taking! There was not any wind and the lake was perfectly calm. It was like a mirror the way that it reflected the view of the trees and the mountains! After admiring the view, Papa made a fire and we roasted hot dogs. They were fabulous! Then we roasted marshmallows and had s'mores! Yum! Then we hiked back (only a few falls on the way and none of them me!!).

We had a quite afternoon....Riley napped and John Mark played with Barnabus the dog down on the beach. Yes, he even ended up in the water. Crazy kid and even crazier dog! After dinner we went out on the porch to do some sparklers. A fun ending to a fun day!

Fall Break Adventure Days 4 and 5

Saturday started early as Ali woke up at 4:3o am (we are sharing a room!). I fortunately fell back asleep but my sister and Ali were up for the day. We all piled in the car to head to Anthony's baseball game. He was so cute and did an amazing "fake" to score a home run! There were too many of us to fit in the car home, so I drove all the kids and Wendy ran home. Those crazy runners! Had some time at home and then the boys and I were off to Joey's soccer game. He scored his first goal! I was glad to see that. Then we rushed home so the boys, Wendy, and AJ could get off to AJ's nephew's baptism. I stayed home with the girl. John Mark asked why Ryan was getting baptised as a baby. It was an interesting conversation...I'm sure the first of many with his Catholic cousins. Then we all went to the post-baptism party at AJ's brother's house. The house was full and crazy and I think we were all a little overwhelmed. Everyone fell into bed when we got home.

Today I went to get bagels from the bagel shop around the corner. They just don't make bagels like this in Tennessee! In the morning I went over to take some family pictures of AJ's brother's family. So sweet. After lunch Wendy and I ran a couple of errands and then we loaded the kids in the car to go pick pumpkins. I got there and realized that I didn't have the card in my camera, so photo opportunities were lost. Bummer. But when we got home we decorated the pumpkins with a kit Nana gave Joey last year. Very simple and relatively mess-free! Then we went for a walk in the cemetery across the street from Wendy's house where the kids built a big leaf pile.

A funny story: Riley is continuing to have problems with the pooping aspect of potty training. Even though she has to go, she will hold it forever. You can tell when she is hunched over that she is trying not to go. Ironically, it seems that JP had this problem as well when he was three. I'm sure my mother-in-law can relate to my struggles!! Well today we were in the cemetery and off Riley went to do the "poopy stance". We didn't want to have any accidents so Wendy picked her up and ran to her neighbor's house right across the street from where we were. No accidents, but no success either. I guess we'll keep trying! It was great to know that my sister would run for me like that!

I am discovering a lot of things that I miss about being in New England in the fall: the color, the cool weather, the smell of leaves, walks, the old architecture, old streets, the familiarity, history, the casual dress. It is good to be back. Not home, but back. (I think JP will be proud to hear that!)

I am also discovering that my sister Wendy is superwoman. I cannot believe the life that she lives. She has 4 kids (8 and under), a job, a husband, a church, a small group, a book club, kids sports....all the usual things that I have. But she is AMAZING! Her house is IMMACULATE! I have never been in a place this clean and uncluttered. There is not clutter or junck anywhere! All of her cabinets and drawers are completely organized. Spices by alphabetical order. Orderly tupperware. Straight sippy cups. She just does not seem to ever stop. She is constantly on the go, no matter how little sleep she gets. She is cleaning, cooking, carting kids around...you name it she does it! It's a little intimidating but I know I will never be her. It's just not in me. I can barely keep up while I'm here! I have no idea how she does it!

Tomorrow we head north to the Adirondacks to see my parents. I'll keep you posted!

Fall Break Adventure Day 3

Today was a little less scheduled but still a lot of fun. We all saw Joey and Anthony off to school on the bus (I was a little sad that John Mark could not go with them). Then we all got ready to head out. Paige went to gymnastics so it was just my sister Wendy, baby Alison and my kids. We went to the mall to look for some clothes for John Mark. Since he has not had to wear pants yet in Tennessee, when I went to try his pants on for this trip they were all too short. And he needed a fall jacket especially since it is nice and cool here.

So we went to the mall...hit about 6 stores. John Mark and Riley were relatively good considering we were shopping. We headed home, stopping for lunch for the kids. Riley and Ali napped (in fact so did I) and John Mark and Paige played. It was great that they got along so well without the boys here.

This evening Wendy decided to have a birthday party for Ali (she turned One on September 23rd). She had a couple of friends over for pizza and cake. The kids played well together (football in the back yard), even though there were a few tears shed over one team's "running game". The kids loved the pizza and sang happy birthday to Ali with all the gusto that little voices can carry. It was great.

Now the kids are winding down and watching Star Wars. I love vacation!

Fall Break Adventure: Days 1 and 2

One of the things that I have been so excited about with John Mark's new school is the schedule. Since they are on a "balanced calendar" (year round), they get 3 weeks off for Fall break. So we are now on a 2 week adventure in the Northeast.

Now the worst part of vacation for me is the travel. My kids are not known to be "good" travelers. There is often crying, squirming, drama getting through security, and vomiting. But this trip was pretty good. At least no vomiting. Dramamine is our friend. And it even allowed for Riley to nap during the last leg of the flight. And I was complimented in the airport about how well behaved my kids were (at least at that momet). So we were off to a good start. A relatively un-eventful travel day.

Our first stop....Acton, MA: home of the Pittorinos. Our arrival was celebrated by signs and screaming. The cousins were so excited to see each other! They jumped right into playing and it was at least 10:30 before the last one was asleep.

Today we woke up early (thanks girls), ready for a full day. After dropping Ali off at her grandmothers, my sister Wendy and I headed into Boston with the other 5 kids. The kids wanted to ride the train, so we parked and took the T into the city. They did relatively well and our only mishap was getting on a train that wasn't going far enough down the line! But we ended up where we needed to go....the Science Museum. There we boarded a Duck Tour of Boston. We were on an authentic WWII DUKW vehicle (ironically named Beantown Betty...yay Nana!) and toured the city. It was really cool. We got to review a lot of American history and see the places that have been made famous. Riley and Paige even managed to fall asleep! Once we finished the driving portion of the trip, we headed onto the Charles River. The boys all got a chance to drive the boat....a favorite part for all of them!

Our tour ended back at the Science Museum where we had lunch and spent some time visiting the museum itself. A lot of the exhibits were a little over our kids heads, but they had fun just being with each other. Only one minor mishap when Riley insisted that she did not need help on the escalator and wiped out on her face. That'll teach me to trust a 2 year old!

We arrived back at home tired and I'm sure covered in germs. The kids all bathed and headed to bed (the girls are still awake talking though). Now I am ready to watch the Vice-presidential debate and try to gain some clarity about this awfully hard decision I am going to have to make!.