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Saturday, May 23, 2009

We Remember


This Memorial Day, having just had some great visits to historical places, I want to pay tribute to those who have died for the freedoms I enjoy today.
Here we are in front of Plymouth Rock. Steven is going to his orchestra competition next, thus the uniform. I know you can't see it, but trust me it would have been impossible to see both us and the rock, and since I know my family wants to see my children, here we are. Without the Pilgrims coming for religious freedom where would we be today?


This was Paul Revere's home in Boston. We learned so much about him. First of all, Longfellow's poem, though I do love it, is more fiction than fact. What we did learn was that he was in hiding for the next year after making his famous ride, and in truth, he never reached Lexington and Concord. He was one of several men willing to ride and warn all they could that the British were on their way. He was a "Son of Liberty." What a great title. He and the other patriots of their day move me with their courage and willingness to die if necessary for the cause of freedom. Many did.

Here is Ryan dressed as Paul Revere for his recent Enrichment Fair's "Wax Biography." Their assignment was to dress and speak as if they were "someone who has influenced the world for good." It was fun to dress him up and hear his two minute talk. He loved the outfit too - my creative endeavor for the week - putting it all together. I was glad I only had to buy the hat. Everything else we had on hand.

Last Monday we toured the US Capitol. This was taken as we left, about 5pm. E Pluribus Unum - out of many, one. May we always remember, freedom isn't free. The history of our country is filled with many who sacrificed their personal freedom to ensure freedom for US citizens in the future. May every one of them be blessed for their efforts.


Last night Ryan and I went to the Baltimore National Military Cemetery. All the Scouts in our area who come place flags in front of the headstones of each of these fallen soldiers and their families. There are thousands, and I estimated there were probably 500-700 Scouts there, but in less than 20 minutes the work is done. And, it is stirring, to see all the flags and all the headstones. I always leave with a lump in my throat, and feel the need to say a prayer of thanks for those who died for me.

Last but not least, this is at Pearl Harbor. These are the names of those on the USS Arizona who lie beneath the water still. They were attacked because those who were on the lookout didn't understand what they were seeing and hearing. It just couldn't be that, they thought. . .
We are watching and listening today. We pray those in Congress will see and hear too. We will never forget those who gave their lives for the freedoms this country has enjoyed for over two hundred years. We thank those who still today die as sons and daughters of liberty. We Remember!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

One Big Happy


She loved her birthday card. I loved doing it in pinks and browns and greens and Lilac Mist this time. It has to be one of my favorite color combinations, warm and happy.She said she loved her birthday. Thank goodness for the creative idea to take her shopping. Hah! Not too creative but she was happy, so I'm happy. We did have a good time, shocking, I know, from the girl who doesn't like to really shop in a store. I hope you can see the glitter on the chipboard. It changed the whole feel for chipboard and made it so girlie! Just rubbed a glue pen all over it, dipped in the glitter, fast and easy! I'll definietely be doing that again for girlie pages!

 
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Well, I'm learning new things. . . especially when it comes to computers. Didn't realize if I directly uploaded on the blogger icon that it would require the photos to be in separate posts, so sorry today's is on two separate blogs.
This was a fun memory - snow days. I combined more than one day on this page, as my memories of each day were similar. Children home. Everyone happy. Mom is happy to have everyone home. One big happy! Summer vacation feels like that too. I love when we are all together. Can't wait! Not that everything is perfect but being together is perfect enough. More about that below. I used the Aspen paper pack from CTMH here, two retired stamp sets that I love, and a couple of bigger brads. The snowflake scallop is a Martha Stewart punch from Michaels. Loved my coupon that day. Ribbon, corner rounder, that's it. Line all pics up in a row and use some accents to fill in the spaces. . . fast, simple, easy. Mom is still happy!

True Beauty

 

Simple, clean, fast, my idea of beautiful scrapbooking. I actually took this layout idea from a magazine, and tweeked it to fit my photos and colors. True beauty. It was fun to have Cowgirl home in the Fall on a break. We saw her again at Christmas, and not since then, unless you count on TV. Just the day before Mother's Day I was sitting in the basement and just stopped what I was doing, thinking of how much I really miss having her home. Two minutes later she called. "Turn on ESPN. I'm on the third row." Clutching the phone, I run upstairs to change the channel there, and we all stare at the TV. The camera keeps flashing on the crowd, but not for long. "Stand up," I say, "so when the camera moves I can spot you easily." Just then, it moves directly on her row, up close, and there she is standing up, cell phone at her ear. "I see you," I cry, just in shock that this is happening so fast. "Okay, well, I'm going to watch the game now," she says, "I'll call you tomorrow." And just like that, my prayer I hadn't even uttered was answered. It was just a wishful desire of my heart. I got to see her. Its not the same as having her home, but its as close as I could get, especially on two minutes notice.
Back downstairs I went. I have photos of her. All over. A small punched out circle of her head from two Christmases ago is on my button shelf. She is my beautiful daughter. I love and miss her, but I can always see her. Still, it is better to see and hear her at the same time, and on ESPN, cell phone in hand, I could do that. I am blessed! It was a beautiful day.
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Sunday, May 10, 2009

A Mother Heart


No one has influenced my creativity more than my mother. She doesn't think of herself as highly creative, but she lives life in a way that makes things happen. She doesn't wait for things to happen, she just goes and does. If there wasn't something to do, she found something, whether it be work or an outing or a craft project or a visit to someone who needed a visit - and that is what makes a creative life. You take what is there, and then you create what you want out of it. She sews and quilts as her creative passions, but really her best creativity comes from her heart. She grew up Canadian, but instilled in us a great appreciation for our American heritage and a love for the great people who shaped this country. She taught and lived the values that make up a good life - hard work, compassion for others, provident living, and so many more. She has a faith in God that is unquestioned. She gives more than she takes. She is smart, and capable, and organized, and fun-loving. She is the one who bought me a scrapbook in 1991 and told me I needed to make "one" of these to remember my children. . . . Wow look where that has taken me! She is the one who signed me up for piano lessons because I was picking out songs on my grandma's piano at age 4. She taught me the importance of holding old ladies hands when I visit and to love my enemies as an eleven-year old. She encouraged me to always participate, and not be afraid to contribute, especially when I felt naturally hesitant. She has always listened to me and believed in me and helped to shape me more than any other person. Her example of motherhood has been the foundation for all of my mothering. She taught me to embrace my creativity and appreciate my own uniqueness, then use that to mother the children the Lord entrusted to me. And mothering my children has brought more joy to my life than I ever could have imagined. Their sweet love for me has shaped my heart in dimensions I couldn't have known, but am so grateful for. I thank the Lord for the gift to be a mother every day, and to have the mother I have. Of all my names, Mom is my favorite.