Changes

Once again life seems to have thrown a curve ball. I quit my job in order to pursue a full time job. What is that saying about the grass is always greener on the other side of the road? Well, as hard as I tried the new job did not work out. So here I am, with lots of time on my hands. The upside to this--I am spending most of my time hoovered over a computer at the local Family History Center. My addiction to Genealogy is once again in full swing. If this change had not made finances soooo tight I would not feel bad at all. I am kept busy with Genealogy, being Grandma and watching our chickens. Yes, in May we got 7 chickens. Then, thinking that some of them would be roosters, we got 5 more. We wanted to end up with 4-5 hens. Well, only one of the first batch was a rooster (he went out to a farm to live), and only one of the second batch was a rooster (at least we think. They are still alittle young to tell.) Leaving us with 11 chickens. We gave 2 to a friend who had a lonely hen, leaving us with 9. They have such characters. Our grandchildren love to chase them, and hold them, and our dog thinks they are his best friends! No, there is never a dull moment at our house. Plus we average 3 eggs a day. When the younger set starts laying we will be providing the entire neighborhood with eggs!

I know I am a day late, but I had to get permission to post this. I have always considered myself patriotic, but since my son joined the Military, I have learned what patriotic is. I do not promote war or conflict of any kind, but I do support my son and the thousands serving with him. God Bless America. And God Bless Our Soldiers!

SPECIAL PRAYERS -- Flag Day - June 14, 2011


Our Banner flies across the skies,

And to some it means more than to others.

The mother at the grave, The young and the brave,

Yes, to some it means more than to others.


As the warriors we love serve our nation in far and distant lands, may we remember this Flag Day the Banner under which they fight to secure peace and freedom throughout the world. May, with great pride, we give honor and respect to the Flag of the United States of America, displaying it for all to see at our homes, offices, and places of worship. Our Banner stands for the American way of life ~ 'Old Glory' waves for a Nation whose foundations are rock solid in liberty and justice and who's heroes are willing to give all that it will forever fly over the land and people they love.

Flag Day, June 14, 2011, also the 236th Birthday of our Nation's oldest fighting force, the United States Army. Their determination to attain, establish, and guard the country envisioned by a people wishing to be free, provided the beginnings of that which would lead to the finest branches of military service, the United States Armed Forces.

Today, may we pray for all those serving in our Armed Forces whether stateside or abroad ~ may we pray for those who have serve under our Banner throughout the years ~ those who stand beside and give support to the Armed Forces past and present ~ the precious families of those who have given their forevers for the freedoms for which Our Flag stands ~ and for our Nation itself.


Our Banner flies across the skies,

And to some it means more than to others.

The mother at the grave, The young and the brave,

Yes, to some it means more than to others.


Holding You In Prayer,

National Chaplain, Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.

The Final Inspection

THE FINAL INSPECTION
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 have not.
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.'

Author Unknown~

It's the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us the Freedom of the Press.
It's the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us the Freedom of Speech. It's the Soldier, not the politicians
That ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It's the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag.

If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the Military,
Please pass this on and pray for our men and women
Who have served and are currently serving our country
And pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom....


THESE COLORS DON'T RUN

Hummingbirds

Every spring I watch for the return of the hummingbirds. For some reason thier return signals hope for warmth and sunshine. I have always put out feeders and enjoy watching them. They all have different personalities. Some are friendly birds, while others are mean and selfish. I remember one year I wanted to some how get rid of one bird who would chase all the others away from the feeder. He would not eat, just sit on it and fly at any other hummingbirds that came along. Finally I purchased another feeder and hung it at the oppisite end of the porch. He could not hog both of them at once.
Did you know that hummingbirds mate for life? Several years ago one of the hummingbirds got trapped in our car and died. For years that bird's mate came back, alone, to the feeder. Now he too is gone.
Yesterday I was sitting on the back porch, and sudddenly there was a hummingbird. He looked at me as if to say, where is the food. So this afternoon, up went the hummingbird feeders, in the back yard this time. So I can watch them from the porch.
Yes, they are a sure sign that spring is here.

Today

This morning I started out collecting clothes for the laundry. While in the bathroom I noticed the door needed to be cleaned, so I put the laundry down and scrubbed the door. Gathering up the laundry once again I headed out to the laundry room but half way there remembered I left the cleanser out, so again I put down the laundry and headed back to the bath room to put it away before little hands got ahold of it. Suddenly Sage needed to go potty, then wanted to play so off we went to the living room. There sat the clean clothes that were washed yesterday so we sat and folded those. Time to make lunch, and I couldn't figure out why there was a stack of dirty clothes in the Kitchen. Oh yea, I was doing laundry earlier. No wonder I come to the end of my day and feel like nothing was accomplished.

Ivy and Jade got ahold of my camara a few weeks ago. When I got it back there were various pictures of nostrils, eyes, mouths, faces--and this. Yup, we have 2 budding photographers!

August 11, 2010

What can I say. The car does not look as bad as I thought. It could have been such a tragic end to a sisters vacation. We were so blessed and protected that my heart swells with gratitude everytime I think about it. Cheri will be released from the hospital on Wednesday and fly home to Idaho. Here again the blessings continue: her youngest daughter is a registered nurse, so instead of having to spend 8 weeks in a rehabilitation facility, she will move in with them and Nicki will be her care-giver! We are all mending, though Cheri did say that the next sisters trip we take we will be taking the TRAIN!