Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day Enlightenment




I started this Memorial Day Weekend by shopping.  I was thrilled at the great sales and the additional discount I would receive with my Military ID card.  Even as I drove home Saturday and saw all the beautiful flags lining the streets, I was just excited about my incredible bargains.  Sunday, after a short discussion about our country and the reason for Memorial Day in Sunday School, I was ashamed I had been so shallow.  I take so many things for granted.  My husband serves as a member of the Army National Guard.  No, he is not in Iraq, nor has he been there… yet.  But he has made a commitment to go if he is called on to do so.  He spends many hours each week and at least one weekend each month training so that will be prepared to go.  He does this on top of his other responsibilities to finish school, provide for his family, and be an active husband and father. 

We truly live in a chosen land that has been miraculously preserved and blessed by the hand of the Lord for centuries, even millennia.  But we will not continue to be so blessed unless we live our lives in accordance with the will of the God of this land-even God, in whom we Trust.  As I see flags while driving down the street on our way to enjoy our “holiday”, I chose from now on to take a moment and really appreciate what all the men and women in our military have done for us.  I chose to take a moment and think about what small part I can play in keeping our freedom.  All the fighting and sacrifices of the thousands of soldiers and families doesn’t do us any good if we neglect the freedom they have fought for.  I chose to SHOW my gratitude for our freedom, not only by flying our country’s flag, but by being a responsible citizen, by choosing to be an active parent, by obeying the speed limit, by picking up trash, by going to vote!  Instead of grumbling about how our government has gone to the dogs, I chose to get up and do something about it.  “Of the People… By the People…For the People…”  This is our Nation and if we stop caring about its history and its future, God will stop caring too.

I honor the Soldiers today, from the Revolutionary War to the present War in Iraq.  I honor those soldiers and their families who have made innumerable sacrifices; sacrifices of time, energy, sweat, tears and even their very lives.  I honor my husband.  I honor their service and their sacrifice for my freedom.


Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Life at Home

These are a few of the things I have been doing since losing my job the first of March.  While our financial situation isn't the best, I have to admit that it has been such a blessing to be home with my children and husband.  I've noticed an improvement in the kids' behavior.  I've been able to start working on some little pre-school things with Samantha and we are s-l-o-w-l-y limiting our dependence on screen time (movies, Wii, Ipad etc.).  Thank goodness we never had cable TV to combat with!
While I am still having issues with my gall bladder and the normal morning sickness that comes with being pregnant, I have to say that most days are pretty good.  I definitely have days when all I want to do is go back to bed, and other days when I'm down right depressed about food and my seemingly un-working body, most of the time I am able to see very clearly just how blessed I am.

I have been able to spend a lot of time outside weeding flower beds and mowing lawns.
I have been able to spend a lot of time sewing which is something I have always really enjoyed doing but never found the time.
I have been able to spend time researching foods that are healthy for me and experiment with new recipes (like fat-free cookies!) in order to eat to keep my gall bladder from acting up and keep my insulin resistance under control.  This is probably the biggest blessing I see from losing my job.  I would have never been able to focus so much if I had still been running from appointment to appointment.

Some of the projects on my list of things to do:
Paint the bathroom
Weed the "hill" under our pine tree on the corner.  I have tried and failed multiple times to landscape the area... any ideas?
Sew!!!  I have so many more sewing projects i want to do including some re-purposing and a baby quilt.
Play with my kids!!!  It has been so nice to feel like I have the time to sit and build legos with Brian, drive cars with Nathan, pretend with Samantha and who knows... I may even get brave enough to get on the trampoline with them this summer!
Here are a few pictures of some of my recent projects. A silly picture of the kids during family night (they were all lined up an my feet) and our new dog Rusty.






Monday, May 7, 2012





Samantha and I got our haircuts Saturday!!!  I donated mine to locks of love.  Here are before and after shots. Oh, and a new family picture snapped right after church.