Star Spangled Banner....Amazingly Beautiful

In Gratitude to those who have given all.

A Tribute

It is nearly 10:00pm, Saturday evening.

I have been reading quietly in the living room

until the booms of a distant firework display

got my attention.

Looking out our large front window I am

unable to see the distinct images of each shell

but the flash and glow of light that correspond

to the booms are visible.

Now, we had passed the site of these fireworks

earlier today so they do not catch me by surprise.

They are part of a Memorial Day celebration.

What did cause me pause was the thought of the

many soldiers over the years who have heard such

noises and seen similar flashes just over the

horizon but with a much more serious meaning.

What would it feel like to know that eternity was

just about to look you in the face as bombs fell and

infantries marched? 

Would cannonballs soon be

whizzing past with great force? 

Was that last

letter written to your family the 

final words they

would receive from you?

Over the years many men, 

and more recently women as well,

have faced these realities 

in defense of home

and country. 

To stand for values and freedoms.

On this Memorial Day weekend I want to honor

those who have heard the coming danger and have

stood unwaveringly in its path 

for the good 

of those they love

and the freedoms they cherish.

Remembering those who have 

sacrificed their lifeblood

for you...and for me.

 

Chelsea's Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Last Saturday Chelsea was invited to go

get a manicure and shopping with

our neighbors Judy and Kara.

They  invited me as well but we had music

practice and I had to make the bulletins

for Sunday...

so sadly I didn't get

to go.

When they returned Chelsea was holding

a shopping bag in her pretty little hands.

Inside this bag was not the cute little

shirt or pair of jeans that you might

have expected.

Nope!

It was a Springform Pan.

I have had these and thrown them

away because they just take up

space for me...oops!

 

Look what Chelsea did with hers

yesterday...Chocolate Chip Cheesecake!

Oh my goodness!

This melts in your mouth!!!!

Want some?

Yippeee-Skippeee!

One of my dearest friends has started a Blog!
She is Blogging as Bee.
This woman is smart, funny, sweet and
one of the most loyal friends one could
ask for.

This is her first official week
on her Blog called Busy Bee Trails.

Her first series of posts are very
convicting. She is writing about
criticism and how easy it is to
fall into that habit.

Bee has placed herself on a fast.
She is fasting criticism.
Wow! Who would have thought
to do that. It is a wonderful
thing to give up!!!

I do hope you'll stop by and
visit Bee...in fact I have made
this whole post a link.
You cannot miss.

Don't forget to leave a
quick comment. Remember
what it was like when you
first started? Now share some
Bloggy love.....won't you?

Thanks, friends!

Is it Just Me?

Are you having trouble

loading photos today?

I have two posts in the works
and neither can be finished
without their photos.


Arrrggghhh......

O.k. maybe I need to get my
priorities in order and
go get dressed.

We are meeting Warren's Aunt and Uncle
for lunch today and we can't wait.
However, if I don't get moving they will
be shocked to see me in my hot pink
terrycloth bathrobe!

I'll be back when, or if,
the pictures will
upload.

Creativity in the Waiting...

Our home was built in the 1970's

and had the original windows.

They were pretty.

I liked them.

But, they were not tight

or energy efficient.

Not, a bit.

When we did some research about

the rebate program it seemed like

a very smart thing to pursue.

We met with a salesman and a week or

so later ordered the windows.

They called last Friday to say they were

in and ready to be installed. We were a

bit busy with Graduation so I called them

back on Monday. No problem, they wanted

to do it on Wednesday.

If you could have seen us in a frenzy...

taking down shutters, cleaning things

out from in front of every window,

taking down curtains....who knew we had

things under every window?

Then Wednesday arrived....and we waited.

Now, just for those of you who are not

on the East Coast experiencing the heat

wave, I had anticipated turning on the

A/C on the first day it turned 90 degrees

this summer. But that was not to be.

It would be fruitless to run the 

air with gaping holes in the house.

Thankfully it was a breezy morning.

I was enjoying the air on my face as I

hung out loads of laundry.

The installers were to be here at 9:00am.

One called and said he would be late.

Expect him about 11am.

O.k.

I read, did more laundry, watched the finale of

LOST on the computer, made lunch, sat and talked

with the kids....finally at 1pm I called the

company. They said they would call me back.

Within seconds the installer was in my driveway.

Oops! I felt badly for calling...but.

This installer, Craig, worked by himself until about

4:30pm when another guy, John, showed up.

They worked together until around 7:00pm.

Finally, the job was done.

We have awesome new windows to keep out the

cold. It will be some time before we test

that theory. I turned on the a/c as quickly as

possible and both Moms came to see the windows.

Isn't that cool?

You know how when you get something new

you want to show it off?

Well, we have a built in audience.

Mom is very interested because she is

having some windows put in her place soon...

by this company.

Georgia was interested because these windows

were a gift to us, from her.

Thank You so much!!!

((She reads here))

So...After a long day of waiting,

sitting, watching, trying not to be

in the way in our own home....

We have windows!

Now, to get those shutters looking

pretty and back up.

We are debating painting them

or another treatment that Warren

found online last night.

All I know is they had better not be

off the house too long.

It is not nearly as pretty without them.

So...while I was sitting and sitting I

took a photo I have been wanting to take.

Just for the fun of it.

Every time I order Candle Fragrance Oil I 

get one of these wooden roses.

Frankly it irritates me.

I don't like oddsy-endsy things that really don't

have a home...
We have plenty, believe me.
I am not good at getting rid of things.

So I gave this one a home on top of the Entertainment Center

in the vase that I made.

That is sitting in front of the picture I took of an old

barn.  I had it blown up to poster size.

The colors and shapes have been fascinating me

and teasing me to see what they would look 

like in a photo.

Now I know.

And so do you.

 And all because it was a sit and wait

kind of day.

We probably don't do enough of that.

It has some creative side effects.

 

Outdoor Wednesday...Mikey's Roses

This is the first blog party I have

been able to join this week.

I hope you will check out the other

Outdoor Wednesday Posts at

Susan's A Southern Daydreamer Blog.

There is a reason we are supporting 

our middle son's choice to 

pursue horticulture.

He is really good at it!

It takes someone special to mulch
meticulously for six hours
and come home extremely happy.
But that is who Mikey is.

We are so glad.
Wish my roses looked as nice as his!

Note To Self:

Dear Becky,

When you wish to rant, rave and yell
at your falling apart dishwasher
please close the windows and make sure
the neighbors aren't gathered in your
driveway waiting for the bus!

Thanks,

Yourself

For my Readers...
There is a very lovely post
just ahead. Scroll on....
((Sweet, sane smile))

Just Because they are Pretty...

From my Mother-in-law's garden.

Have an amazing day, Dear Friends.

T.I.R.E.D.

And Grateful.

The Saturday after graduation was

big for Warren and the Boys.

For starters,

Jonathan, Uncle Allan and Aunt Bev

went fly fishing for a large part of

the day.

They caught fish.

Catch and release so I didn't

actually see these fish.

There were photos...but they

could have been doctored.

You know these fishermen and their

fish tales....

(Insert wicked smile here)

While the fishermen were off doing

their thing Mikey and Warren were

on a huge pile or rather many piles

of coal with dirtbikes and friends.

Jumping, trail riding, climbing.

All things that would stop my heart

were I to watch.

They came home very dirty but for the

most part unhurt. Warren did leave a

small amount of DNA out there from his

arm...but nothing major.

Doesn't stop the muscles from screaming

every time they move. I smile.

I didn't get sore reading on Saturday.

Nope! My quiet day didn't hurt a bit.

Truly, I have to be thankful for

their safety as someone in a different
group of riders was 

life flighted off the mountain

on Saturday.

I am so thankful they wear full gear

and are very careful...but understand

that this sport is dangerous.

By its very nature.

On to Sunday.

A full and busy day.

We enjoyed a wonderful time in Worship

and then a huge batch of us went to

lunch together at Sal's in Willow Street.

Sal's has a massive pizza for a decent

price. Makes it an easy choice for

young and old alike.

After this our house was filled with

conversation and laughter as it filled

with some of these friends until well

into the evening.

We are so blessed.

I say that a lot, don't I?

But, it is so true.

Friends, Family....God.

Still...leaves one Tired.

Cause I am so very human!

Our Big Day

Friday began with rehearsal at 8:45 am.

This finished up at 11:30 when we ran some errands

on the way home.

Then it was off to Mom's for an amazing lunch

with my brother, Allan and my sister-in-law, Bev.

You might remember they wrote the Blogger Poem.

Georgia and the boys' friend, Chris, were at the

lunch as well.

Home to get dressed and back to prepare for the

ceremony at 5:45.

The church was a good 45 minutes away so it was

a lot of time on the road. But it was worth it.

There was a moment of worry as Mikey's zipper to

his gown broke. 

Thankfully, just that

morning at rehearsal I had heard the woman

in charge of ordering say that she had ordered extras.

Mikey had two to choose from.

One worked well!

The boys with their friend Chris 

as they prepare

to head in for class photos.

Musicians who played the prelude and

specials throughout the ceremony.

They were excellent!

Finally, it was time to begin.

The class began marching in.

They just kept coming.

All 83 of them!

A Civil Air Patrol Color Guard

 presented the American and Christian

Flags then the congregation sang

The National Anthem....with heart!

The Graduates sang a class song.

There was congregational singing

led by a band of graduates.

One of the graduates gave a wonderful

speech. He is planning to be a Pastor

so it was good to note that his presentation

was well executed. He is well on his way

to being an excellent communicator.

A twenty-five minute video of the grads

from baby to young person. So fun.

The Keynote Speaker.

Dr. Michael Farris.

A very distinguished man.

You may know him as the founder

and chairman of HSLDA, founder

and Chancellor of Patrick Henry

University and as an attorney

he has argued before

 the Supreme Court.

We were so happy when we heard

he would speak at this graduation.

Finally, it was time to give out

the diplomas. My heart began to race.

You see, Mikey had told us that he wanted

to do a back flip as he got his diploma.

I kept saying that he shouldn't.

I mean, what if he missed.

How humiliating would that be???

So, the closer we got to the stage

the more difficulty

I had taking a full breath.

We waited at the top of the steps for our turn to greet

the boys.

Jonathan came first.

Love this big boy.

He offered me a rose in

exchange for his diploma.

Then came Mikey.

He gave me the rose.

He then shoved his cap into

Warren's hands as I said

"Oh No!"

Then executed a perfect

backflip in his dress shoes

and gown.

The crowd erupted in

laughter and applause.

I walked away

shaking my head.

Soon the class was announced,

the flags were removed by the

Color Guard and we found ourselves

in the crush of people in a receiving

line. Awesome.

Our friends and family are so

wonderful. 

They really made

it a special evening.

Finally, we headed to Friendly's

where we found other Grad Families.

We closed the place at Midnight.

It was important to get home and to

bed as the boys both have big plans

for today.

Mikey and Warren are off already on

a dirt bike ride.

Jonathan and Uncle Allan will leave

soon for some fly fishing.

Of course, I worry about the dirt bikers.

But...I am still happy that they get to

do something they enjoy so much.

Just a tidbit of something cool that

happened last evening...

A young man who is about to graduate

from Longwood Garden's Professional

Gardener's Program came up to Mikey

and introduced himself. 

Warren just

happened to take a photo of them talking.

I love how God works!!!

Bits of encouragement even here.

Jonathan and Mikey had a very special day

and all of us were exhausted as we fell into

bed early this morning.

Thank you for your well wishes too.

I am very thankful for the opportunity 

to share these special moments.

Now, because we are so blessed
it makes me want to share the blessing.
Would you take a moment to stop by
and read this post....and this one
about a precious child in Iraq
who needs a surgery.
Brin has set up a way that we all can
help....It would mean the world to me
if you did what you could.

Thank You!

It is Graduation Day...

Oh Yeah...

They are just two of the eighty-three
graduating in this ceremony.

See you tomorrow...with pictures!

You may remember the first photo
from the evening
of the Formal.

It would be a shame to not use the ones
of them dancing for joy!

Now to go wake the sleeping Graduates.

Clematis 2010

Hello Dear Friends,

Georgia has the most amazing

clematis again this year.

So...camera in hand and dogs in tow

I headed over to snap some pictures.

Enjoy...

God is so very amazing.

When I see the details in flowers such as these

I am just in awe of HIS creativity

and attention to detail.

And to think...this is just one of so many

beautiful flowers HE designed.

Sigh....so wonderful to ponder.

Good-bye Senator Specter

Once upon a time there was a

well intentioned man. He was

elected to serve the people.

For a very long time this man

did what he thought best....for the people.

As the years went by this man

became used to a different way

of thinking. It differed from

the people who had elected him.

That didn't stop him.

He continued doing what he thought

was best...for him.

The people have spoken.

They want their seat back.

Good-bye, Mr. Specter.

Ever So Grateful

Warning: A Proud Parent Post....
Skip if these

things make you nauseous!

Last evening was Mikey's last

high school evaluation.

On Friday the Ceremony will mark

him as a Graduate and Monday, 

after a celebratory dirt bike trip on Saturday,

he will begin his new job.

Long time readers know,

or can guess,

where that is!

It has never been easy with him.

He absolutely hated anything having

to do with school.

I do not exaggerate here!

But, by the Lord's grace and

a lot of hard work we have reached

the goal!

Better than that~

Michael did it with

excellence.

That is so very important!

Chelsea had her first High School

Evaluation last night.

That stinker finished up ninth

grade with 11.5 credits.

How can children from the same

Mommy be so very different?

Chelsea does school for fun.

It is her dream to go to Culinary

School and she practices almost

daily. Cooking dinner or most often

baking a fabulous dessert.

She has done meal prep and cooking for

up to nine people.

And it was GOOD!

At the same time she is quite the writer.

She and her pen pal, Julianne,

are co-authoring a very good book.

Our Evaluator, Tracy, really

enjoyed what she read of it and

encouraged us to take it further.
So, who knows, maybe one day
these girls will be published....

It is good to have an evaluator such

as Tracy. She is so encouraging and

very thorough. 

A true blessing!

Sorry if this a bit braggy...

but you know the truth of it is,

I am ever so grateful.

Grateful to my children for doing the required work.

Grateful to my family for all of their help and assistance.

And most of all Grateful to the Lord 

for enabling and strengthening us 

for this journey.

Now... on to Graduation

and then to enjoy

Summer!

A Full Weekend

Indeed it was a very busy weekend.

But good.

The highlights?

~More than 30 in our Family Room for
Bible Study on Friday evening.

~Shopping for Baby Gifts on Saturday

~First Music Lessons with Kiddos at Church

~A sweet Baby Shower

~Friends over Sunday evening.

Poor Mikey got an elbow in the face while playing Ultimate Frisbee

which made him dizzy and his nose bleed.

Ordinarily this would be just a normal happening...

but all of a sudden I had visions of him looking 

like a raccoon for graduation!

Good Grief.

But the truth is that he is likely to have bumps or 

bruises somewhere as only hours before he was riding

an office chair down the hill near our house.

His Dad and Grandma were both in on this.

Once again I feel the need to say

Good Grief!!!!

No wonder I am getting more gray hair.

At least they did it while I was at the Baby Shower
at Creekside Cottage.

By the way...my favorite photo from the Baby Shower

is this one.

My sweet little friend, Sarah.

Very soon she will be called Aunt Sarah
by her brother's soon to be born little girl.
Who knew that ribbons and bows from a package
could be put to such good use.
There are blues in the ribbon, but
Sarah's blue eyes are just the ticket for Blue Monday with Smiling Sally.

Thanks for stopping by today!