For those who have fallen........

........we will never forget.

Today that Unconditional Pride swells in the heart of every True American, as well as the sorrow of so many lost.

God bless our troops -

for they work everyday to ensure the freedom that we so often take for granted.

and God Bless the Firefighters and Police Officers -

for they work everyday to ensure our safety usually at the expense of their own.

Always Remember.........9-11

Close your eyes... And go back... Before the Internet or the AIM Before semi automatics and weed Before playstation2 or X-bOX Before the 5 hours of homework you put off every night... Way back...I'm talkin' bout hide and go seek at dusk. Red light, Green light. Playing kickball & dodgeball until your porch light came on. Mother May I? Red Rover four square Hula Hoops Running through the sprinkler Happy Meals Getting the privelage to sit in the front seat of the car Wait...Watchin' Saturday Morning cartoons Like Hey Arnold and Doug Or what about legends of the hidden temple, global guts, double dare, and who, ARE YOU AFFRAID OF THE DARK! Who could forget Snick Or the teenage mutant ninja turtles, and Power Rangers, Christmas morning... Your first day of school Bedtime Prayers and Goodnight Kisses Climbing trees Getting an ice cream off the ice cream truck A million mosquito bites and sticky fingers Jumpin' down the steps Jumpin' on the bed Pillow fights Runnin' till you were out of breath Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt and you almost peed your pants Being tired from playin' all day Your first crush... Rainy days at school meant playing "Heads up 7-Up" in the classroom Remember that? I'm not finished yet... Kool-Aid was the drink of the summer Giving your friends a ride on your handlebars or spokes Wearing your new shoes on the first day of school Class Field Trips When nearly everyone's mom was at home when the kids got there. When getting high was swinging on the swingset When $5 seemed like a million, and another dollar a Miracle. When your parents took you to McDonalds and you were so cool. When Toys r Us overuled the "mall" I want to go back to the time when... Decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-moe" Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, "do over!" "Race issue" meant arguing about who ran the fastest. Money issues were handled by whoever was the banker in "monopoly" Catching fireflies could happily occupy an entire evening It wasn't odd to have two or three "best" friends. Being old, referred to anyone over 20. The worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex was cooties. Nobody was prettier than Mom Nobody was cooler than Dad Scrapes and bruises were kissed and made better It was a big deal to finally be tall enough to ride the "big people" rides at the amusement park. Abilities were discovered because of a "double-dog-dare" Spinning around, getting dizzy and falling down was cause for giggles. If you can remember most or all of these, then you have LIVED!!!Just thought we could all use a break from our grown-up life.... :)

Thanksgiving

A few things to be thankfull for....

summertime...the warm sunshine...bare feet on soft green grass...mud squishing between my toes...sugar cream pie...the sound of my kids laughter.....working from home...iced tea...my encouraging, handsome, loving husband...my witty step-daughter...my charming son...my giggly daughter....family...a really good friend.....fall colors...campfires...shooting ranges.....karate classes....sewing machines...soft blankets...hugs...farm living....

and the loving God who gave me all of it.

for Father's Day

For my Father -

A mountain of a man with this thunderous baritone voice, a smile that warms the soul and a laugh that was completely contagious. A heart big enough for everyone.... even down to the last stray cat, but a temper you didn't want to cross. Eyes - a clear blue that twinkled when he was happy .... or turned thunderstorm grey when melancholy.

hands....so strong and steady - even to the end.

He always had great stories to tell...

One of his favorites was about the day I was born. He would talk about looking at me through the thick glass of the nursery window and that I was crying so hard I was turning purple. The glass was so thick, he couldn't Hear me wailing, but could certainly see it. Whispering to me through the glass - he said" Its okay, hush now, stop crying... Daddy's here and everything is okay." He said, at that very instant - I looked directly at him - held his gaze - and stopped crying. Ever since that moment we have had an unbreakable closeness.

I think every girl believes their father to be immortal: always there with warm, reassuring hugs, and strong heroic hands, to save the day. Even as adults we take their presence for granted. Never in a million years can we imagine our super hero falling victim to mortality.

On December 25th, 2006 - my father passed away. Christmas Day, sitting around the table with my husband, my in-laws, and my kids ... at 6:12 in the evening - I FELT him leave this world. At the time I wasn't sure what the feeling was. I just knew I suddenly felt empty.

I laid him to rest in the Garden of Love, while planes constantly fly over head. He always had a deep Passion for avionics - Starting as a child, helping his father fixing planes... through the Air Force... and on through his life when he still retained his pilot licence like he did his drivers licence.

For you, Daddy - on Father's Day... I think of you Free of you mortal body and running to Heaven's Gate where mother was waiting for you. I think of you seeing your parents again and meeting Heavenly Father face to face. I think of the happiness you must feel to be completely free of pain. I miss you so much; your insight, thoughts, opinions, and those wonderful hugs - but I will see you again.

I thank God for the time we had and the strong bond forged the day I was born. You have always been a major influence in my life and you have taught me well. Thank you so much, Daddy - not every girl is so lucky.

for now... Know that I love you and that I think of you everyday! May the love I send, reach you on the summer breeze.

INTERESTING STUFF

A few little know facts. I received this in an email today - and found this completely interesting and very amusing. In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have 'the rule of thumb' --------------------- --------- --------- ---- Many years ago in Scotland , a new game was invented. It was ruled 'Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden'.. .and thus, the word GOLF entered into the English language. ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---- The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV was Fred and Wilma Flintstone. ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---- Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S. Treasury. There is no difference between Monopoly money and U.S.A currency -------------- ------------ --------- -------- Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better. ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---- Coca-Cola was originally green. ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---- It is impossible to lick your elbow. --------------------- --------- --------- ---- The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---- The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this...) ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---- The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38% ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $ 16,400 ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour: 61,000 ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair. ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer. ------------ -- ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments. ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history: Spades - King David --- Hearts - Charlemagne --- Clubs -Alexander, the Great --- Diamonds - Julius Caesar ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987, 654,321 ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died because of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later. ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of their birthplace ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ Most boat owners name their boats. The most popular boat name requested is: Obsession ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter 'A'? One thousand ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers have in common? All were invented by women. ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ What is the only food that doesn't spoil? Honey ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ More collect calls are made on Father's Day than any other day of the year. ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --- In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase...'Goodnight , sleep tight' ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon. ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England , when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them 'Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down .' It's where we get the phrase 'mind your P's and Q's' ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ Many years ago in England , pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill , they used the whistle to get some service. 'Wet your whistle' is the phrase inspired by this practice. ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow! ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------ Don't skip this just because it looks weird Believe it or not, you can read it. I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the first and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can still raed it wouthit a porbelm. This is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------

Modesty Honors Beauty

I truly believe that this should be a direct quote from my heart. I hope the nieces, nephews, and children I have coming into their teenage years, trying to discover the adults that they are going to be - take every word of this into their soul, are proud of who they are....and stand true to their faith. I love them so much! Enjoy! :) First, let's get this straight: Modesty is not just putting on more clothes. Modesty is honoring God by acknowledging the value He placed on your body when He created you. If it were just about clothes, then Adam and Eve would have been created wearing something more than skin. Modesty isn't about your closet, it's about having a heart bold enough to throw aside that which society tells us, and hold on to that which God tells us: That we are a beautiful creation wrapped in the wonder and glory of the perfect artist. Today's world of advertising will never tell you that. Girls, you will never hear an advertisement tell you how beautiful you already are. Instead, it will tell you how beautiful you will become if you do this or buy that. And, even more disappointing, that end result of "beauty" will have nothing to do with your true self; it will have everything to do with the exploitation of your sexuality. Guys, you will rarely see an advertisement that encourages you to be a respectable man who spends his whole life loving one woman, but you will see plenty that tell you success is measured in how many scantily clad females your deodorant can attract. Are we really so surface? Is there not more to us than an insatiable sex drive? In today's media--commercials, music videos, movies, and television programs--the bottom line is that sex sells. Always. Why? Because, at some point, we actually started to believe that sex was a measure of success. Women think they have to be sexy, meaning constantly willing to have sex, just to be beautiful. And men think that they have to have sex, a lot of sex, to be worth something. And when you take those two ideas, and throw them into fashion and pop culture, you inevitably come up with styles and trends that depend upon the targeting of our sexuality. That which God created for mystery becomes a commodity, and something glorious becomes common place. This is where modesty comes in. Modesty is the decision to reclaim our bodies and tell this society that we do not need to sell ourselves to one another just to feel worthy. Modesty is a girl's decision to encourage a guy in purity by accentuating her love for Christ, not the curve of her hip. Modesty is a guy's decision to prove himself a man by running after God, not by making himself physically available to every girl. Modesty is choosing to let your beauty speak of Love, not lust. Choosing to be modest is not sentencing yourself to a life of baggy clothes and long dresses. That's not what this is about. Modesty, quite simply, is daring to live a life submitted to God. It is choosing to live outside of the norm. Are you daring enough to be modest? Sarah Howell - info@standtrue.com

Bounce This Along!

All this time you've just been putting Bounce in the dryer!

Here are a few extra uses for the all powerful dryer sheet :)

1. It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice.

2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.

3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.

4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season! and the insects just veer around you! The US Postal service sent out a message to all letter carriers to put a sheet of Bounce in their uniform pockets to keep yellow-jackets away.

5. Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen.

6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling.

7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.

8. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.

9. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner. ( I have used this one! and it really does freshen the air :)

10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.

11. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.

12. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.

13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan.

14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.

15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the lose hairs.

16. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.

17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.

18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.

19. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight.

20. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away. Use them all the time when playing baseball and soccer.

21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh . 22. Wet a Bounce sheet, hose down your car, and wipe love-bugs off easily with the wet Bounce.

Curtis

Yesterday - my baby boy turned 9.

Sometimes he can be the most quirky, crazy kid on the planet..... trying to find every obnoxious noise that he can possibly make with his body..... finding every dirt hole in existence ...... or picking on his baby sister till she turns purple with rage and punches him in the nose..... lol

Other times - he absolutely amazes me with his generosity and kind heart. The other day while dropping him off at school, he was walking to the door in his own little world taking his sweet time - just when I thought that he was taking TOO much time and was going to make himself late, he finally reaches the door. Opening the door, he stands there - Just Stands There! holding the door Wide open! I am wondering what the heck my child is doing -

Then I see the woman......

she is carrying two very small children, dragging her reluctant kindergartner, and about three different bags. He was waiting ever so patiently for her to make it up the stairs so he could hold the door open for her. My eyes are tearing up at this point - and just when I think that I couldn't possibly by more proud of my son ..... he reaches out - and takes two of her bags to carry in.

He is turning into quite a young man, and growing so fast. Ever since he was very little - he has captured the heart of Every Single person that he has ever met. I am so grateful to be blessed with this child - and so proud to call him mine.

* Lake Erie *

Josh and Curtis on the head boat catching some walleye!

Sat. in the pouring rain - we found this "prehistoric forest". It consisted of finding dinosaurs in the woods - walking through a cockeyed house with some weird gravitational pull that made you walk sideways and made water flow up-hill! Really cool.....

Digging up fossils.....

Cora Looks like she is leaning on the house - but she isn't......and she thought she was standing up straight!

Pic by the lake - and yes...we were freezing! :)

O-H-I-O

Exploring rocks along the shoreline by the light house.

A few of my favorite pics -

catching the kids in moments of bliss.......

no matter what you think -

these were not posed!

Such a beautiful sight! :)

This past weekend we went to Lake Erie to spend time with some friends of the family, get away, and actually for a little roof work...lol. Even with the work involved - it was very relaxing and very fun! Due to the rain we had on Sat morning and early afternoon, the work was delayed and our trip was extended by one day.......gee darn - another day at the lake. :) I love the quality time I was able to spend with the kids - especially Cora, because we usually don't get much time together away from the house. The kids and I : went to the beach and even though the breeze was very chilly we warmed ourselves on the sand that seemed to be soaking up the heat of the sunshine. - climbed the rocks along the coast by the light house - ate strange popcorn from this store in Port Clinton. They had so many flavors to choose from and the one that the kids picked tasted like fruit loops -we fed the sea gulls because they were everywhere "mine! mine! mine!" lol - took pictures of course and each of the kids were taking them too - drove around looking at the beautiful houses - and went to a petting zoo. At this petting zoo, a heard of deer followed us Everywhere and bit our back pockets when we were not feeding them! Josh and Curtis were out on a head boat walleye fishing when the girls and I went there.

We all had such a great time - and really didnt want to leave!

"working"

ok - so I really am supposed to be working.......lol shhhh - don't tell :) I am sitting in my office wishing to be outside. The window is open and the warm fragrant air is brushing my face in a teasing fashion. Scents of freshly bloomed flowers and cut grass fill this room and Pretty soon - I will be able to take it No longer, I will succumb to temptation and out the door I will go. Walking into the sunshine, driving with the windows down and the music loud. Racing to get home to play outside with my kids and my husband until we are over come by complete exhaustion, then we will relax in the hammock. Listening to the birds sing their songs of life and contentment. Eventually, the dog will flip us completely out of the hammock, but such is life - for he is a part of the family too, and we are not accessible to him from there. Down goes the sun - and with it, the kids to bed. Time to snuggle into the warmth of my husband's embrace. I love this time of year - surrounded by warmth, growth and sunshine...... the only thing missing is a couple of horses :) Oh wait! Look at the time.......

I Call Her Mother

I would stand in the doorway, staring at the woman I never really had a chance to know. All I know of her, I learned from other people. I've heard stories about the woman she was, about things she has done, and how proud she was of me.

I knew precious little of her and she knew less of me.

She would look at me with this blank stare as a horrible sickness took her slowly from me.

I would walk away blinded by tears, trying not to let her see, because it wasnt her fault.

I would stare at her, trying to see the woman inside, remembering the woman I have been told that I have so much in common with.

She would stare at me, not remembering who I am.

One day - someone asked me who she was...

... I told them

Some people call her a hero

Some people call her a mentor

Some people call her a friend

I simply call her Mother.

Dedicated to my Mother -

she has shown me the mother I want to be

I love her always -

Realization

I've come to realize that my hair... …..has a mind of its own, and will never do what I want it to. I've come to realize that my job... ….is what it is and is necessary. I've come to realize that when I'm driving... ….I sing like no one is listening. I've come to realize that I need... ……my husband and my children. Their love is my food for life…..without them, I would be starving. I've come to realize that I have lost... …….nothing. Those that I have lost are forever in my heart. Though they are physically gone – the love I have for them will always remain. I've come to realize that I hate it when... ……my cat pukes on the floor…….lol. I am not a hater and I cant think of anything else…..lol. I've come to realize that money... ……is convenience – not necessity I've come to realize that certain people... Will never learn... I've come to realize that I'll always be..... …..the listener & the confidant. People give themselves away in their words, and they can count on me to never betray that trust. I've come to realize that my mom... …….is an awesome, selfless person that will truly be rewarded in heaven. She has set the example of the mother I want to be, even in the short time that she was with me. Such a strong woman she was in life….and a continuous influence still. I've come to realize that when I woke up this morning... ……I still wanted to be sleeping. I've come to realize that my dad.. …..is a mountain of a man – physically and spiritually – Gentle yet firm and the strongest man I have ever known. I truly miss him……..and he will always hold a huge space in my heart. I've come to realize that when I get on Myspace, Facebook, ect... ……..it takes up Twice as much time as I Ever intended. I've come to realize that today .. ….is today, and should be lived for today – tomorrow will be here soon enough I've come to realize that tonight... …..i should really try to go to bed early. I've come to realize that tomorrow I will... ……probably wake up sleepy – cause I didn’t get to bed early. I've come to realize that I really want to... …….be a great influence and example to my children. I've come to realize that life... …Is what you make of it, and is too short...when you have the opportunity to hug your father, walk in the woods with your husband, read a book with your children, do a crossword with you mother………those moments are golden – cherish everyone as if it were the last. Those memories are the ones that stick with you, and truly lift the soul. I've come to realize that my friends... …….are absolutely amazing people that I love to spend time with and that I cherish. I've come to realize that this year... …….is going by so fast and sometimes I wish I had a pause button.

The Begining

With much encouragement - I have started a blog :) Thanks, Angie! I cannot guarantee that there will be many entries, but I can guarantee that they will be from the heart. Which is a chaotic roller coaster.... so buckle up, and grab some tissues......lol For today - just a thought People give themselves away in their words...and I like to hear what they have to say. Few people truly recognize the Power contained in their own words, or how often they actually speak condemnation, sickness, defeat and lack over their own lives. Take great care to only speak that which you would have for yourself and for others. Speak blessing, encouragement, comfort, and love..... ....and see all of these things returned to you in abundance.