Memorial Day- May 27

I posted this last year, and it, by far, is still the most touching and appropriate poem I could find to remember  what Memorial Day is all about and the sacrifices of those who have given their lives for our freedom.

As we all celebrate this weekend, let us remember the sacrifices of so many that have made our celebrating possible. It is not about sunbathing and barbecues. It is about death and sacrifice and ultimate love for a nation, the principles upon which it was founded and freedom. Freedom isn't free. God Bless America!

THE FINAL INSPECTION - AUTHOR UNKNOWN 

The Soldier stood and faced God, 

Which must always come to pass. 

He hoped his shoes were shining, 

Just as brightly as his brass.. 

Step forward now, Soldier, 

How shall I deal with you? 

Have you always turned the other cheek? 

To My Church have you been true?' 

The soldier squared his shoulders and said, 

No, Lord, I guess I ain't. 

Because those of us who carry guns, 

Can't always be a saint. 

I've had to work most Sundays, 

And at times my talk was tough. 

And sometimes I've been violent, 

Because the world is awfully rough. 

But, I never took a penny, 

That wasn't mine to keep... 

Though I worked a lot of overtime, 

When the bills got just too steep. 

And I never passed a cry for help, 

Though at times I shook with fear.. 

And sometimes, God, forgive me, 

I've wept unmanly tears. 

I know I don't deserve a place, 

Among the people here. 

They never wanted me around, 

Except to calm their fears 

If you've a place for me here, Lord, 

It needn't be so grand. 

I never expected or had too much, 

But if you don't, I'll understand. 

There was a silence all around the throne, 

Where the saints had often trod. 

As the Soldier waited quietly, 

For the judgment of his God. 

Step forward now, you Soldier, 

You've borne your burdens well. 

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, 

You've done your time in Hell.' 




Linking up with:  On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom, Crazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows and Titus 2sday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop and Memoir Monday and Mondays with Countrified Hicks and Create with Joy

Memoir Monday- Happy Birthday Kiddo #1

Our oldest child was born 15 years ago today after a grueling 19 hour labor.  He was 6 weeks premature.  The first minutes and hours after his birth were so scary, as they were touch and go.  Although a healthy 7 pounds 4 ounces, he was still preemie and needed a ventilator and help to breathe.  He stopped breathing after birth and was rushed away to the NICU while they worked to resuscitate him.  I will never forget those moments. Time seemed to stand still.  It couldn't be happening to our little boy.

As I sat next to the incubator all night long, holding his little hand and watching a machine breathe for him, my heart was so full of love and fear.  I spoke and sang to him; I told him about his Snoopy nursery that was home waiting for him and I prayed.  Boy, did I pray.

That baby turned out to be a fighter, strong and determined to not only win that battle, but another that would come all too soon after his birth.  When he was 4 months old, a tumor was found and the "c" word came up often as a possibility.  When being taken from us for the surgery, he was all smiles, reaching for the nurses hair and took my heart with him into the o.r.  There was much more praying that day, as well.  Although the surgery was complicated, he didn't have cancer.  What an amazing blessing and gift.  This child was special. and has turned into a very special young man.

He is calm and even tempered.  He is incredibly handsome and looks far older than 15.  He is strong, but gentle and has amazing patience with his siblings.  He volunteers weekly for our church.  He loves Civil Air Patrol and anything having to do with aviation.  If you don't know where he is, look outside.  He is there with his camera photographing airplanes.  He will tell you its origin, its destination, the make, model and airline.  He has built and flown almost every model there is, even ones with a 6 foot wingspan.  He aces every simulator he has ever attempted and even has flown a real airplane for 45 minutes.  Give him any pile of scraps and he will create a flying entity of some sort.  He has piles of sketches, designs, ideas...  And, on top of that, boy, can he bake!  ;-)

Happy Birthday, Kiddo #1!  Dad and I love you very much and are so very proud of the young man you have become.

Linking up with:  On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom, Crazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows and Titus 2sday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop and Memoir Monday and Mondays with Countrified Hicks and Create with Joy

Memoir Monday- April 22

Our daughter proudly wrote several pages in her journal about an event yesterday that she will remember for quite some time.  It will definitely be a part of her "memoir."  :-)

She attended her first professional baseball game with one of her brothers, my husband and I.  And a great time was had.  (It didn't hurt that we won the game, as well!)  :-)

We had terrific seats (the best we've ever had), and there were plenty of hits to stand and cheer about.  She is still talking about meeting the ball girl (I said our seats were really good, right?  lol), getting her autograph and being so close to a player that we could even say hello to him.  It was a bit on the chilly side.  Ok, it was freezing (literally! who would think that in late April that the temp would dip into the 30s?), but that didn't stop anyone's enthusiasm.  They even issued her a "I attended my first Phillies game certificate."  Now, how cute is that?  :-)  Many memories were made, as well as a wonderful entry in her journal/scrapbook. (she says that she is going to be like Laura Ingalls Wilder and record her life in writing!)  :-)

Linking up with:  On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom, Crazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows and Titus 2sday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop and Memoir Monday and Mondays with Countrified Hicks and Create with Joy

Memoir Monday- April 15

Happy Monday and Happy Tax Day!  :-)

It was a good weekend for the 4 Kiddos family.  On Saturday, we did a really fun science experiment that turned a bar of Ivory soap into a huge blob.  It was so much fun to see the kiddos so engaged and eager to see more.

I love when learning is hands-on!  So much "learning" has become boring, mundane and "textbook-y."  A child (or anyone, for that matter) needs to be interested and engaged.  Their creativity and imagination need to be stimulated.  In order for true learning to take place, the student(s) must really have a desire and a curiosity to delve into the subject area and find out as much as they can.  That is true passion and that is what I witnessed with the experiment.   I truly believe that if we don't find out our children's true interests and encourage them to pursue such interests to the fullest, we are stifling the very spirit of innovation that has inspired countless others to success in this nation and around the world.

Another outlet that is of critical importance to a young person's development is the ample opportunity for physical activity.  It saddened me deeply when I was teaching in the public schools that the students in grades 7-9 were not permitted outside once all day long!  The benefits of exercise are obviously well known and to deprive kids of that outlet after being cooped up in a desk for hours and hours on end is detrimental and unfortunate.  I don't think any of us could be cooped in a desk for hours without being given a chance to stretch or go outside for some air.  Many adults use their lunch hours to go to a gym or exercise facility at their office complex.  Countless others run errands or go out to lunch.  They need that time to unwind, get fresh air and move around.  But, youngsters, who have an even greater need for physical release aren't given such opportunities.  Even if my children and I aren't able to get outside due to weather, we will do some sort of physical activity inside-- even in the middle of a math lesson, if necessary.  You would be amazed at how a jog around the house or up and down the steps helps a child to focus.  When more oxygen gets to the brain, there is a marked change in attention, performance and attitude!

We have been blessed with great weather, so the kids have been outside almost everyday.  And this weekend was no exception.

As you can see from the photos, the bikes are all getting a bit small for the Kiddos, so hubby and I took them all out bike shopping after Church on Sunday.  Two of the bikes needed to be assembled, so they will not be ready until Tuesday.  You know I will happily post pictures then!  :-)  Everyone is excited about "graduating" to bigger bicycles, that I hope will give them much pleasure and exercise for a few years to come.

The beautiful weather has also brought back many of our feathered friends.  We are eagerly anticipating  additions to our photographic bird journal and to learning more about their traits and migratory patterns.

So, yes, in addition to the laundry, cleaning, cooking and other "regular" activities of a weekend, there was much fun and activity in our household that has given me even more reason to smile, be grateful and record memories here for my children to cherish in the future.  :-)  I hope your weekend was memorable and meaningful!

Linking up with:  On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom, Crazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows and Titus 2sday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop and Memoir Monday and Mondays with Countrified Hicks and Create with Joy

Memoir Monday- March 11

Unpredictable: uncertain, variable, erratic

"Unpredictable" can best describe the weather we have been having here lately.  On Friday, my poor snow-deprived children (yes, here in our area of PA, there has been NO measurable snow this year) ran outside to "play" in the few inches that had fallen.  How could a mother refuse?  I had wished and hoped for at least one significant snowfall so they could make a snowman and go sledding, but that doesn't look like it will come to pass.  They made the best out of it.

When they came in, they enjoyed the homemade donuts I was working on.

The following day, within 24 hours of a snowfall, albeit a small one, was close to 60 degrees and the children were out riding their bicycles after a fun game of bingo and more donuts.  :-)

Unpredictable weather indeed.

The beauty of childhood is that they can find their innocent joy in all that they do.  "Uncertain, variable and erratic" to an adult would cause worry, alarm or panic.  Not for a child.  If it snows, they throw a snowball.  If it is sunny, they run for their bikes.  It is in their innocence that I find my joy.  It is their unbridled enthusiasm that I cherish and encourage.  I do not want to stifle it, for they can make even the most unpredictable beautiful......

Linking up with:  On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom, Crazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows and Titus 2sday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop and Memoir Monday and Mondays with Countrified Hicks and Create with Joy

Memoir Monday- March 4

Ordinary.  What is "ordinary?"  I read in a blog recently that ordinary meant mediocre or not good enough, something not worth mention or a second look.

I humbly disagree.

I think there can be much beauty in the "ordinary" if one just takes the time to look for it.  An "ordinary" day, one perhaps without anything 'loud' or 'different' can have its own quiet and special treasure and uniqueness.  When we insist on ignoring the ordinary, I believe we are missing a special opportunity to see the little gifts that are given to us each day and fall into the trap of taking the "ordinary" beauty of our lives for granted like....

My little girl baking cookies for us all on a chilly Saturday afternoon

or looking through vacation photos and seeing one of an amazing sunset

realizing that yet another rose has bloomed on our Valentine's gift

The smile and fun that kiddos can have at a snack bar after doing some food shopping
(will try to add the photo later, but trust me, they were having a GREAT time!)

Finding the beauty in each and every day......there is nothing "ordinary" about that!  :-)

Linking up with:  On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom, Crazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows and Titus 2sday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop and Memoir Monday and Mondays with Countrified Hicks and Create with Joy

Memoir Monday- February 25

We have finished 2 weeks of Lent.  I strive to make it a special time for both the children and I, one where we can focus on our journey toward Easter and what that really means.

This year, you have already read about our Kind Words Cross and Sacrifice Bean Jar.

We also are watching the Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure videos that are emailed MWF as well as doing their supplemental puzzles, coloring pages, etc.

We are reading some special books that help us understand the meaning of this season and why it is so important to us

Today we read "Benjamin's Box."  What a lovely story of a young boy who witnesses first hand the last several days of Jesus' life and collects bits and pieces for his "Treasure Box."  Those items come to represent different aspects of the Passion and Resurrection.  I think we're going to do our own Resurrection Eggs soon that correspond with Benjamin's treasures.

My husband and I are attending a Lenten Faith Sharing with other couples from our church.  We have been participating a couple of years for both Advent and Lent, and it has been a wonderful experience to grow in our faith and be encouraged by others, who are like-minded and valued.

I hope that your Lent has been meaningful so far.  There are still many weeks to go, with much opportunity for prayer, sacrifice, fasting and almsgiving.

Some may ask, 'what is almsgiving?'  Almsgiving has always been an important part of Lent.  For many, it means giving of one's financial means to a charity or other good cause.  I believe the concept of almsgiving goes much deeper.  It is our response to the teachings of Jesus to reach out to people in need-- not just with our money-- but with our time and talents.  Some may call it "stewardship."  Lent gives us the opportunity to cultivate a spirit of generosity.  It gives us a chance to share what we have and who we are with other people.  It puts us in communion with others and helps us understand that we are all members of the Body of Christ.

I try to teach my children, that while "giving something up for Lent" is a good thing, since it is a form of fasting and penance that fosters spiritual growth, that they should also look for something positive to "add" to their lives, as well; something that will bring them closer to God, whether it be at home, in our church community, etc.  It is a journey.  One that culminates in the beauty of Easter.

Linking up with:  On, in and around Mondays in addition to Wisdom Wednesday, Living Well Wednesday, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, Modest Mom, Crazy Mama, Homemaking Wednesdays and Raising Mighty Arrows and Titus 2sday and Clever Chicks Blog Hop and Memoir Monday and Mondays with Countrified Hicks and Create with Joy