Sunday, September 12, 2010
Friday, September 03, 2010
Zeke my Buddy turns 4!!
My little man is growing up, he is such a FUN KID! wherever we go everyone falls in love him (just like his dad)
We got back into town just in time to have this little get together for his Birthday.
I love that no matter what my kids get (whether it be one toy or a dozen) they are THRILLED with a gift.
He had SO much fun.
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Hannibal, MO Mark Twain caves
As our last Huzzah before we got home we stopped at the Mark Twain caves, Madi guided me right into the camping spot (after we drove over a power box & created a HUGE spark/explosion)
My first and only casualty,
we lounged, did some laundry and took the cave tour (Over priced but interesting)
Then got up bright and early to hit the road home, it was a grueling 3 hour drive, and it went too fast. As we crossed the Mississippi I had an overwhelming and depressing feeling that my traveling days were over.
The freedom of driving away from the town you had just visited, the setting sites on a new unexplored location , and the exciting ever changing movement, we never stood still for our trips, we just kept on plugging along, it was fantastic!
But then we came home, settled into the same old routine and now I still fight the urge to cry each day I wake up in the same place.
Don't get me wrong, I love Missouri, it is beautiful, it is welcoming, it's not the location that breaks my heart, its the fact that every day is ground-hog day.... the same things
over
and
over
never changing,
My first and only casualty,
we lounged, did some laundry and took the cave tour (Over priced but interesting)
Then got up bright and early to hit the road home, it was a grueling 3 hour drive, and it went too fast. As we crossed the Mississippi I had an overwhelming and depressing feeling that my traveling days were over.
The freedom of driving away from the town you had just visited, the setting sites on a new unexplored location , and the exciting ever changing movement, we never stood still for our trips, we just kept on plugging along, it was fantastic!
But then we came home, settled into the same old routine and now I still fight the urge to cry each day I wake up in the same place.
Don't get me wrong, I love Missouri, it is beautiful, it is welcoming, it's not the location that breaks my heart, its the fact that every day is ground-hog day.... the same things
over
and
over
never changing,
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Washington DC . . . . Our Nations Capitol
We spent 3 days in DC and sadly the first day we took all the memorable photos, and they were corrupted on the disc, the 2nd day we took photos and we share them here, and the 3rd day (of the rally) we forgot the camera, and are waiting for friends we met at the rally to share the ones they took with us.
During this trip, I couldn't help but lament that my children were not "getting it" we studied American History in Home school the year before we made this trip, and we learned about the names & dates, but I still felt like they were not understanding, it was just information to them, and it was not sinking in.
I bore testimony of the necessity of these wars, and sacrifices, I shared with them how they had benefitted from our Founding fathers' sacrifices. but I still felt like it was not sinking it. and then , after we touched the Vietnam Veterans Wall memorial, and we sat through the most moving rally where we were incited to ignite our desire to teach, represent and facilitate HONOR throughout our everyday lies, The kids got a rare and special treat;
A decorated Vietnam Vet approached our blanket after sitting for more that 6 hours for the rally, the kids & I were lounging and visiting when he approached us, He asked the girls how they liked the rally, and if they had seen the Vietnam Memorial Wall, he shared that those names on the wall were his buddies, his comrades, and that they
did not get to come home, they lost their lives in the battle, and then he said to them, "Those boys gave up their lives for you, and let me tell you something, Your Worth It"
He then went on to tell them that the one and only way for my girls to pay back those men for their sacrifice was they had one job to do: "get an education" that is it, you pay them back, you honor them by taking your studies seriously and learning, doing their best in school.
I was in tears, The girls were speechless, And It Sunk in,, the girls "got it" , What a blessing it was to have met that man, to have the honor of shaking his hand, and looking him in the eye to say Thank You. I cannot thank every single solder who has put his life on the line for us, but I can honor their memory and their efforts by studying, teaching and sharing what I know.
New experiences, and overwhelming gratidtude for our Freedoms, and the Blood spilt to ensure those freedoms.
During this trip, I couldn't help but lament that my children were not "getting it" we studied American History in Home school the year before we made this trip, and we learned about the names & dates, but I still felt like they were not understanding, it was just information to them, and it was not sinking in.
I bore testimony of the necessity of these wars, and sacrifices, I shared with them how they had benefitted from our Founding fathers' sacrifices. but I still felt like it was not sinking it. and then , after we touched the Vietnam Veterans Wall memorial, and we sat through the most moving rally where we were incited to ignite our desire to teach, represent and facilitate HONOR throughout our everyday lies, The kids got a rare and special treat;
A decorated Vietnam Vet approached our blanket after sitting for more that 6 hours for the rally, the kids & I were lounging and visiting when he approached us, He asked the girls how they liked the rally, and if they had seen the Vietnam Memorial Wall, he shared that those names on the wall were his buddies, his comrades, and that they
did not get to come home, they lost their lives in the battle, and then he said to them, "Those boys gave up their lives for you, and let me tell you something, Your Worth It"
He then went on to tell them that the one and only way for my girls to pay back those men for their sacrifice was they had one job to do: "get an education" that is it, you pay them back, you honor them by taking your studies seriously and learning, doing their best in school.
I was in tears, The girls were speechless, And It Sunk in,, the girls "got it" , What a blessing it was to have met that man, to have the honor of shaking his hand, and looking him in the eye to say Thank You. I cannot thank every single solder who has put his life on the line for us, but I can honor their memory and their efforts by studying, teaching and sharing what I know.
New experiences, and overwhelming gratidtude for our Freedoms, and the Blood spilt to ensure those freedoms.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Valley Forge
Leaving Williamsburg VA we traveled to Valley Forge, after a long drive, Wes navigated through the crowded and traffic riddled streets, to arrive at 11 p.m. at the National Park.
It was so late, and we were ready for bed, so Wes parked in the visitors parking lot and laid down, I knew we were going to get visitors so I suggested Wes prepare for it when sure enough a Spot Light was directed to our bus and 2 patrol vehicles pulled up next to us.
Wes got up and talked with hem, they notified us it was illegal to park in this park (as they do not offer camping faculties) Wes apologized, they took our ID and we proceeded to visit with them as they ran my ID.
They said they normally would ticket campers, but felt like we would be OK to stay for the night since we had "FAMILY" painted on the side of the bus, and didn't want to bother the kids who would be sleeping.
Incidentally they asked how many kids we had on the bus and we told them 6, they asked if they were all ours? (grin) of course!
The next morning, we readied for the day, and walked around the Park, we took a tour, and learned about Washington's Army. We were in awe and humbled by what pains and sacrifices were made by our American Brothers of 1776.
They also offer a "once upon a Nation" Story telling bench, throughout the park (which is 3800 acres) they have park benches and story tellers who teach the kids in great narrative voices about stories from that time and place.
It was so late, and we were ready for bed, so Wes parked in the visitors parking lot and laid down, I knew we were going to get visitors so I suggested Wes prepare for it when sure enough a Spot Light was directed to our bus and 2 patrol vehicles pulled up next to us.
Wes got up and talked with hem, they notified us it was illegal to park in this park (as they do not offer camping faculties) Wes apologized, they took our ID and we proceeded to visit with them as they ran my ID.
They said they normally would ticket campers, but felt like we would be OK to stay for the night since we had "FAMILY" painted on the side of the bus, and didn't want to bother the kids who would be sleeping.
Incidentally they asked how many kids we had on the bus and we told them 6, they asked if they were all ours? (grin) of course!
The next morning, we readied for the day, and walked around the Park, we took a tour, and learned about Washington's Army. We were in awe and humbled by what pains and sacrifices were made by our American Brothers of 1776.
They also offer a "once upon a Nation" Story telling bench, throughout the park (which is 3800 acres) they have park benches and story tellers who teach the kids in great narrative voices about stories from that time and place.
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