May 31, 2009 at 3:39 am (Children)
As if you didn’t have enough music recitals of your own. Sorry. I’m shameless. But Maddie devised her own song this semester, and her teacher let her play it at her recital. Even though she had a fever, she brought the house down.
I love hearing the girls practicing in the house. I may have to take up piano myself when no one is left to practice.
It is a bit quiet at first, so if you really want to hear it, hang in there:
May 26, 2009 at 12:30 am (Family)
I actually did write other blog entries this week, but they remain in the unpublished file. They pretty much lament the fact that Ashley is growing up, I’m not getting any younger, and pretty soon no one will need me anymore. Blah.
It’s a good thing Marcus planned a Memorial Day outing, to give me some perspective.
First we went to Wyuka. They have a service at 9:00am every Memorial Day. A parade, complete with bag-pipes, marches through the cemetery to start things off. Those bag-pipes always get to me.
We say the Pledge of Allegiance, someone sings “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and there is always a speaker. The speaker is usually a veteran, and explains to us why freedom isn’t free. Two years ago a soldier from Afghanistan told us the media does not reflect the reality of what is really going on, and newspapers are bad for the soldiers’ morale. He told us how important their work was over there. It was really good to hear that. Today a general told us to teach our children about the sacrifices made for our nation. Because if a generation doesn’t have to pay anything for their freedom, they won’t appreciate it. He is right. Humans have a way of forgetting their blessings.
Later in the ceremony, people line up to put up wreaths to honor dead soldiers. This is a extremely moving. Many people in the line must be assisted, since they are elderly. A Vietnam vet always brings a rifle, a pair of muddy boots, and a helmet to lay down at the memorial. When he salutes it, there isn’t a dry eye in the place.
Finally, balloons are released, “Taps” is played, and there is usually a flyover (not today). Very cool. We are always glad we went.
After the service, we all met at Woods Park to play softball.
Don’t you love how Maddie hops onto home plate?
Then off to Aunt Rachel’s house for a picnic. Cooper enjoyed the watermelon, and we enjoyed watching Cooper enjoy watermelon.
The baby robins in Rachel’s tree wanted to picnic, too. We had a lot of food, but no one remembered the regurgitated worms.
Driving home in the Chevelle is usually an adventure, but not enough to keep anyone awake in the backseat.
Happy Memorial Day.
May 17, 2009 at 4:00 pm (Children)
Alfredo sauce, focaccia bread, strawberry-spinach salad, and lemonade.
Uncle Luther and Aunt Angie.
Ashley and Maddie.
Good thing Marcus built this table for 16.
Columbine, allium, and Maddie.
Grandmas.
Hilarious one-bounce volleyball.
Maddie, Tori, apple crisp and homemade vanilla ice cream.
Marcus trying out Maddie’s new birthday bike.
Later…
When everyone besides the overnight cousins left, Marcus watched Pirates of the Caribbean 2 with the girls. This morning he asked Maddie and Tori what the heck that movie was about, and stated that he would have to watch five movies to cleanse himself from the neural damage the movie had wrought. Besides that, a great time was had by all.
May 17, 2009 at 3:21 pm (Children)
When you were a wee little babe, Mommy sang this to you:
Maddie-poo
We love you
With a love so rare and true.
Oh, Maddie,
Our Maddie -poo-oo-oo.
Oh, we love you girl, yes, we love you Maddie-poo. (Please sing to the tune of Peggy Sue.)
When you were born you had hair like Elvis, thick and dark. The nurse who bathed you in the hospital took forever styling your hair, and gave you a duck-tail. I remember feeling frustrated, wondering when it was my turn to hold the baby.
When you learned to talk, you sounded like an elf. I remember Kelli wishing you would stop having birthdays, knowing you probably couldn’t continue elfspeak much longer. You didn’t, and I miss it a little.
You were so content, and a smile lit up your face much of the time.
You have never really minded your own company. You used to pretend to read books or play by yourself for hours. Now, even if we have company, you sometimes disappear to quietly work on a project in your room.
You are the maker of Grandma Maggie’s chocolate chip cookies, and eater of copious amounts of dough.
You see beauty and wonder in so many places, places I forget to look now that I’m a Responsible Adult.
You have watched so many westerns with Dad. How many times have you watched War Wagon?
I am so grateful that you understand God’s grace so thoroughly. You told me that you had wanted to be a medical missionary several months ago. Recently, you said you used to worry about going to hell, and had thought that being a missionary could help you get to heaven. However, now that you understand works don’t get you to heaven, you’ll just be an artist.
Happy birthday, dear girl. We love you.
May 7, 2009 at 3:47 am (Family)
Marcus’ parents, and his Aunt Anna and Uncle Bob from South Dakota stopped in for supper tonight.
Aunt Anna raises Irises, and sells them all over tarnation. She wanted to stroll in the yard and check out my flowers.
I realized the sun was just right for pictures of humans, instead of just yard art.
Can we get through an evening without the comedy team?
Yes. We’re hicks. Jen-you-wine.
But it was a beautiful evening, just the same.
May 7, 2009 at 3:09 am (Children, Grow)
I have found it burdensome to be in the house lately, much less at my desk. I am easily irritated when I have to run errands. I have much more pressing, important items to take care of.
Like smelling wild plum blossoms.
Admiring tulips.
Gazing at the blue sky through redbud blossoms.
Comparing the flowers on my different varieties of apple trees.
And disbelieving that my horridly dismembered peach tree has the capacity for such beauty.
While I’m drinking in spring, I must admit my mind is elsewhere…
Don’t ask me why this hit me like a ton of bricks.
I have to practice emergency breathing techniques.
I pinch myself, but I’m not waking up.
I’ll let you know how Mom fares through this new adventure.
Picture credited to Kerri. Thanks. I think.
