That Time of Year
By · CommentsUsually the middle of August is a busy time in the life of a basketball family. That is typically when Joe needs to go overseas to begin training camp for the next season. But this year there have been some different spins on this time of year:
1. Joe signed late this year. Usually Joe is signed by the end of July, but Joe just signed a contract yesterday to return to Lega Due with Barcellona Basket. I think we were both starting to think that we may be waiting until the December/January signings this season, so we were not really in “leave mode”. Plus they want him to leave on Tuesday!
2. Our NJ basement has to be completely gutted. We came home from our week at the shore to find our NJ home with water from a rotted pipe. After further inspection. It looks like our basement is infested with black mold and we all had to move out on Sunday night. We have been at Joe’s parents house for the last few days as we clean everything out of the basement and either throw it away or disinfect it and store it upstairs.
3. We made a last minute decision to rent our NJ home. It has been wearing us thin to have two homes. We thought we would have an easier time this year because we would be in PA the majority of the time, but we still have to look after our NJ home and deal with things like rotted pipes. So we decided we are moving out of our NJ home and turning it into a rental property. The packing for this has also been done in the last 4 days! Plus we have been dealing with the emotional toll this is taking on our kids (and Joe) who are attached to the home. Doing this without AC (have to turn it off when you have mold) and in between Isaiah’s feedings has been a bit draining for me.
4. I have been dealing with some issues with Abby’s school. Last year we used a charter online public school for Abby’s schooling, but at the end of July we got a call saying that we could no longer be a part of it. Thankfully after some calls to our local school district and being in contact with the charter school, we got things figured out. So I should be getting the supplies today!
So there are my excuses for my lack of blogging and general contact with people. I am going to be staying behind a few weeks once again so I can get packed up, settle all of our stuff in State College and hopefully wrap up some more things in NJ. I have been fighting to believe the promises that God has nothing but good for me in this time. Just another reminder that God wants to do a good work in me and that refinement of character does not come when everything is smooth and easy!
The Challenge of Photographing a Family of Six
By · CommentsWe go away on vacation and aim to get a good family photo or two. This year showed us how hard that can be with 6 of us to try to coordinate. Here were our best attempts:
Attempt #1:
This was on the third day of vacation so everyone was looking rather happy and refreshed. Unfortunately Abby’s hair is quite a disgrace and your eye is automatically drawn to Elijah’s swimsuit (each of the kids was given a European style swimsuit when Joe left Brindisi and Elijah just loves his. Either he didn’t notice that he was the only one sporting this style of swimsuit on the beach or he just didn’t care!) The background in this picture isn’t the greatest and the color leaves a lot to be desired.
Attempt #2:
Here we are on day six of vacation and as you can see, Naomi has had it with picture taking. Isaiah looks a bit “blobbish” too, but everyone else is doing alright. The background and lighting are decent here.
Attempt #3:
And finally later that day we tried to get another beach picture. The lighting and background are gorgeous, but no one looks like they want to be in this picture!
Are good family pictures hard for you to get? Any tips or tricks you use?
Techonology Fast
By · CommentsLast week I read this blog post by Tim Challies and was moved by the way he had enjoyed his vacation without any technology. God had already been stirring in my heart about ways I could simplify things for this season of life and I felt a fast from technology would fit nicely in that. Since we had our vacation to the Jersey Shore coming up, I figured it would line up quite nicely. The house we go to there does not typically have wireless internet, so going without my computer would be easy. So starting tomorrow until the next Saturday, I will be starting my technology fast. This means I will not e-mail, use Facebook, blog or do any other random activities on the computer. I will keep my cell phone with me for being in touch with Joe or for emergencies, but the wireless will be turned off.
I have thought about doing something along these lines for a time, but was a bit scared that I might like it too much. I am almost a little frightened that I may enjoy it so much that when I come back to e-mail and blogs they might feel burdensome. Hopefully I can look beyond the actual task and see the reason that I am doing those things (to keep in touch with and encourage others, to document my journey and to learn as I write) as valuable. But I am hoping that this time away will encourage me to take times like this more often so I can really focus on the people who are right in front of me and pouring into them, instead of doing things with technology because I feel like I have to in order to keep up with everyone.
So until next week, have a great weekend and a blessed week with your loved ones.
