Tuesday, September 16, 2008

To A Man Who Taught Me How To Be A Winner - Even When I Lost


7 years ago tonight, my Dad passed away. Today, I remember the lessons, memories & morals that he taught in our home & lived by in his own life. He was the same man, no matter his surroundings. And he was not ashamed of God, his country or his family. He will always be longed for in my heart & his bear-hugs of comfort missed desperately.

My Dad
Dad's creative mind & steady hand
Could sketch a work of art.
His calm, forgiving attitude
Could soothe a troubled heart.
Dad helped to raise communities
To be a richer place.
By giving others guidance
And a solid, sturdy base.
Dad's laughter, strength & fortitude,
His character & grin.
His fear of heights, his ticklish ears,
With love he drew you in.
Dad set the bar for all of us.
That compassion could sustain.
He taught with deep humility
And in our Savior's name.
Many hearts were touched through him.
Some were changed for life.
He served whomever stood in need
And set aside his pain & strife.
Dad's work resumes in Heaven now,
His earthly body rests.
The arms that hugged, the hands that served.
He passed his mortal test.
A mighty work has called him home.
To his Maker, Lord & King,
To teach & preach the Gospel there -
Unto Christ, new souls to bring.
~Angela

What Happened to Respect for Our Veterans & Our Flag?



Saturday, September 13th, was our Mead Community Days parade. Brock & I hurried to find a spot along the main drag to watch the parade (Lily & Alyssa were in it). The parade begins & these honorable Veterans march with our Nation's symbol of freedom - yet, only 4 people are standing up within the block I was standing, on their feet with their hand over their heart!

I get SO emotional when I see the flag, see soldiers in uniform, hear the National Anthem. I have always been patriotic, thanks to my Dad. But, after our 5 years living in Europe - not with the military - I appreciate the freedoms & what these symbols stand for with such a deeper understanding & gratitude.

When I see people with such indifference to our flag, those who have fought to preserve it & those with uneducated BIG mouths who spout their opinions under the banner of "truth" - I get physically ill! I want these people to visit Berlin, just after the wall fell - like I did. I want them to visit Czechoslovakia before it became a democracy - like I did. Where fear & uncertainty were in abundance. Where freedom was something that people only dreamt about. Yet, we have it & don't appreciate the sacrifice it has taken to give these fellow *citizens* (I have substituted for the word I really wanted to use... you are welcome!) the right to be selfish, self-absorbed, disrespectful & ungrateful!

3 years ago, I stood with my hand over my heart at the same parade. The same disgraceful & lazy behavior took place. I will never forget the small, aged Veteran that led the Color Guard... when he saw this lack of respect & disregard - he yelled, "Get on your feet! This is YOUR Flag passing by!" It still makes me choke up when I think of it.

I will never allow myself or my family to forget how blessed we are to live under the cover of the flag of the United States of America - Old Glory. Get on your feet! It is YOUR flag, too!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Brynne Update 9/8/2008

Got a call from the infectious disease Dr. Friday. She said that the tests came back to clear Brynne of tumors, Hodgkins & lymphomas. Such a relief! It is like a huge mental checklist of worries in my head & every time we get to check things off - the relief is just indescribable! We are still waiting on a couple more tests (for Coxsackie Virus & some other weird things). She said that she is exhibiting "Post Viral Syndrome" symptoms - having a couple of normal days & then being knocked down & in pain for a couple. It doesn't give Brynne any comfort knowing this, she just figures, "yeah, tell me something I don't already know!" If she isn't 100% back to normal health in 3-4 weeks, Dr. Gill told us to get her an appt. down at Children's Hospital's Infectious Disease clinic to have a pediatric specialist work her up. So, for now, we wait & pray & hope that she gets well quickly & on her own! This poor kid has already missed 4 days of school & we haven't even been in school for a month! But, I did pick up a Dr.'s note from Dr. Gill today to hopefully help us offset her absences & keep the truancy officer from our door!

Friday, September 5, 2008

All About Our Mom.... sort of :)

Answers by Lily Kate - 4 1/2 years old
1. What is something that mom always says to you? "Umm... I love you!"
2. What makes mom happy? "Me & Brock getting along so good."
3. What makes mom sad? "When me & Brock fight."
4. How does your mom make you laugh? "Umm, by telling us "Hungry Momma!" and then she eats us all up!" (kind of a cannibalistic, yet such a fun game! :)
5. What was your mom like as a child? "Like a stinky pants! (hee, hee, hee!)"
6. How old is your mom? "Your 13 lbs and 4."
7. How tall is your mom? "About 114."
8. What is her favorite thing to do? "Eat foodies & play." (Could explain my recent weight gain)
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? "Cry."
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? "Making a tons of money!"
11. What is your mom really good at? "Letting us play & exercising!"
12. What is your mom not so good at? "Playing jokes, prac-ti-cal jokes."
13. What does your mom do for her job? "To make sure we are SAFE!"
14. What is your mom's favorite food? "Macaroni & Cheese - but now you say it is yucky!" (I DESPISE this unnaturally dyed food product! What is she thinking???)
15. What makes your mom proud? "When me & Brockee get along together so good!"
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? "Mickey Mouse!"
17. What do you and your mom do together? "Play & cook treats & make jelly & jam."
18. How are you and your mom the same? "By dressing up!"
19. How are you and your mom different? "By being afraid & not being afraid - you are afraid of spiders, and I am NOT!"
20. How do you know your mom loves you? "By you giving love to me. By letting me have ice cream & yummy treats!" (GOOD try, Lily, good try!)

Answers by Brock Jameson, age 2 1/2 years
1. What is something that mom always says to you? "I don't know. Mom, what do you say? You say not to be nice - or naughty - or nice." (That explains alot.....)
2. What makes mom happy? "I don't know?" (ditto)
3. What makes mom sad? "I don't know."
5. What was your mom like as a child? "I don’t know."
(I can see where this is going..... we are done!)