The True meaning of Christmas

I know its not even Thanksgiving yet...but this year I am both overwhelmed by the imminent holiday madness and excited by the possible spirit of the season. So, as you gear up for black Friday and the rush of the holidays, keep this gentle reminder in mind...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn10FF-FQfs

Merry Christmas!

Funny Friday

OK, I know I am not the only mom to have these conversations with my children...just maybe the only one foolish enough to share...
Conversation with Leah...

M: Leah, please take your finger out of your nose.
L: Don't worry, Mom. You cut my nails too short. I can't even pick.


Really???

A sneaky peaky of leah's room

This is a little peak of Leah's "Pink Parfait Garden." It may never be done, but we're having fun doing bits at a time. I'll post as we get more done.
(don't even ask about Ben's room...remember I lost the nomination for mother-of-the year and it wasn't for NO reason.)

Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, MA

History comes ALIVE at Plimoth Plantation!!! Last fall when we were studying Thanksgiving and its history, I was really disappointed that we could not come up north to visit Plimoth plantation. So, we certainly were not going to miss it this year. Despite the COLD (barely 30 degrees) and oodles of school children (for another post), we enjoyed our visit.

For those of you who did not go to Plymouth Plantation as a kid with their own school group, click here to learn more. The children got to "touch" the history they have been studying which is even more extraordinary since its virtually in our backyard.

The view of the colonists' plantation as it was in about 1629 from the guard tower. This was after several years of hard work.

This is Governor Bradford's wife posing (not so cheerfully--life was hard in those days) with the children.

The children in front of a wetu (a traditional home ) of the Wampanoag tribe. Interestingly enough, the Native American family on site are not actors (as in the colonist homesite).

We also visited the Mayflower II. A reproduction of the Mayflower that the English Settlers navigated to America in search of a new life.

And last, but not least: Plymouth Rock--or as Benjamin put it--Plymouth Pebble. Its not as impressive as many people expect it to be, but historical none-the-less!

Wordless Wednesday

A day to offer a little thanks

What does Veteran's Day mean to you? A Day off? A "floating holiday"? A day to remember those that have lost their lives fighting for the many liberties we have? Today was a day that humbled my heart.

I always remember my home being a PROUD-TO-BE-AN-AMERICAN sort of home. My father is a veteran of Vietnam. My grandfather and many uncles all veterans. My youngest brother served two tours in Iraq. AND my husband, Rich, did a tour in Bosnia (shortly after we got married). I am proud of the country in which we live, the freedoms we have and the liberties we enjoy. I strongly believe there is no better country on earth. Now, we have our issues. We are self-centered, selfish, pompous, wasteful, ignorant...I could go on. But, we still live in the best country in the world. It IS the best because many people have given their lives to ensure those freedoms and liberties. But on this Veterans Day, I was humbled by those Americans who have given their quality of life for those freedoms and liberties.

My dad--truly my real-life hero--wanted to visit some disabled veterans at a nearby Veteran"s Hospital and invited us along. I believe Service projects offer hands-on learning opportunities for the children and help tie-in the lessons of service and giving we read about daily in our devotionals. Since my children love being with their Pepere---they would shovel poop with him if it meant spending the day with him--we we thrilled to go along.

The Veteran's hospital was having a special program honoring their vets with a "Barber Shop Quintet" and cake and cider. We we fortunate to sit with a few gentlemen and talk about their service and the stories that brought them there. (If any of you know a vet--or just someone old--you know they love to tell their stories.) But for me... the humbling moment came when we sat in the back of the room and glanced of the sea of grey-haired men and women who had given up their quality of life--for me. All of the Veterans were disabled. All of them had given up something--for me. Many of the Veterans were in wheelchairs. Many of them were mentally impaired as a result of their service--for me. It certainly was humbling and a lesson for my children to refer to when we forget why we live the rich life that way we do.

Take a moment to thank a US Veteran today.

The children made "Thank You" notes to hand out to veterans.

This is Mr. Howard who served in World War II in the Philippine Islands. He obliged us with stories and a photo.

It's "ELECTRIC" Day!

The children participated in the national mock election last week, splitting their votes to the red and blue. After "carefully and thoughtfully" weighing the issues, the children decided which candidate represented and supported their issues best. They submitted their ballots and supported their candidate. I'm pleased to say that it did not divide our home as much as it did our country.

Yesterday, we woke to celebrate our right to vote and make our voices heard. We started with "All American" pancakes.

Then, we created our own "VOTE" signs to adorn our front yard.

We stood on the lawn waving our flags after our short...but proud parade in the driveway.

And then they accompanied me to our voting station. They had the perfect answers for the many questions that were asked of them by fellow citizens:

Fellow voter: "Well, hello young man. Are you here to vote?"

Benjamin: "No, M'am, I can't vote in a real election, I'm not 18 yet. But I did vote for McCain in the National Mock Election. Who are you voting for?

Or this one at the post office:

Leah: "Do you know what day it is today?, Its ELECTRIC Day. You can vote for President today."
Post Office worker: "Do you know who is running for President?"

Leah: "Yep. Obama. I voted for him."

(After some other small talk)...

Post Office Worker: "Did you know that for $.42 you can mail a letter anywhere in the country including Hawaii and Alaska."

Benjamin: "Oh, Hawaii. That's where Senator Obama was born."

Post Office Worker: "Oh, son, I don't think so. He was born in Africa or something like that (and she wasn't referring to his heritage, either).

Benjamin: (politely correcting an adult--since its really an issue around here)"No I don't think he was. You have to be born in the United States and at least 35 years old to run for President. I believe he was born in the capital city of Honolulu, right Mom?"

Post Office Worker: "Hmm. I'm not sure?"

Mom: (a little embarrassed for the PO worker, but REALLY?????) "OK, friends, lets drop these letters in the mail slot."

These were just a couple of the conversations shared throughout the day. At least I know they are listening.