Freedom

Last night we had the honor to welcome a funeral procession of a fallen soldier who is being buried in our town. His parents live here and I hope in some small way they could know how appreciative we are of the service their son gave for us and our country. We went as a Cub Scout unit with our shirts and American flags and lined the highway as the procession drove through. All the emergency vehicles in town were present with their lights on. We had to wait in the cold for about an hour before the procession got to town and the boys were running around- trying to stay warm. But they were so solemn and respectful when the procession went by. I am so thankful to live in this country where good people are willing to fight and die for the freedoms we hold so dear.

Fleas

In the past 24 hours these calamaties have occured: we hit a racoon and damaged the bumper on our car, we got a notice saying we are being sued by a collection agency, I got a toilet bowl scrubber stuck in the toilet and had to physically remove it with my hands (eww!!), and I got a note from Connor's teacher saying he isn't working hard at school lately. It has been quite the day!

And while I have been frustrated over these situations, lmy perspective has been altered because last night I finished reading the Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. What an incredible book! I was so moved by the attitude that this wonderful family had in the midst of heartache and horror. This true story takes place during the Holucast. Corrie and her older sister Betsie are sent to a concentration camp. Betsie looks at the SS guards and squabbling women around her not as enemies but those with whom she can share God's love. She looks at her flea infested living quarters as a blessing instead of a burden and thanks Heavenly Father for them. It turns out that the fleas kept the guards away and made it possible for her and Corrie to freely read from the Bible and uplift those around them.

I admit that I have yet to thank my Heavenly Father for these experiences of the last day. I do know that I should. I do know that while my day hasn't been the greatest- it could have been much worse. I do know that I have so many rich blessings in my life. I do not think it was a coincindence that I read this book prior to the events of this day. I am grateful for the story of the fleas and the influence it has had on my attitude.

Elder Orson F. Whitney said: “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God … and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven”

24-7 Tag

Well, I read my friend April's blog today and she issued a challenge for people to look in their blog archives for the 7th sentence from their 24th post. I just realised that I goofed up when searching my archives. I searched back 24 posts and ran with what I found.

The sentence was, "They dug the basement yesterday and they poured the footings today." That was on February 23rd.

This picture shows the completed house. They had it finished by the middle of May- including sod. Our neighbor didn't move in until July. I think I have seen him 3 times. In this picture they were working on the walls of the next house down when it was taken about a month ago. It is all framed and they are currently working on roofing the next one.

I guess I am over the fact that the lot next door could have been mine- but now I have a beef with all the construction on our street. It is kind of crazy to weave in between all the vehicles of all the different workers on our street. It will be nice to get back to normal when this house and the one across from it are completed. Unfortunately, there is one lot left. But they wouldn't dare sell that would they, it has my friend Amber's name written all over it.

So here's my tag- if you have a blog- find the 24th post and share the 7th sentence. 

Month in Review

Here is what we've been up to for the last month of our lives:

*Aug. 6th- our computer crashes-yikes!!

*Aug. 7th-20th- we had booths at 4 different county fairs for Troy's business. The girls worked the days, the guys worked at night.

*Aug. 17th- we picked up our winnings from the Otoe County fair- we all did pretty good this year- Genna even made $5.50.

*Aug. 17th- I had a wonderful time scrapbooking with my dear friends Tami and Cheryl at a cabin at Mahoney State Park.

*Aug. 19th- I donated 10 1/2 inches of hair to Locks of Love.

*Aug. 20th- I put up a hummingbird feeder and we have been priveleged to have a cute little ruby throated hummer visit every day since then.

*Aug. 22nd- the boys started back at school. Jameson is in 4th grade and Connor in 3rd.

*Aug. 29th- Genna had her first day of preschool. I cut about 3 inches off of her hair before school started.

*Labor Day Weekend- I got a new computer. My sister Linda and her family came to visit. My BIL saved all my pictures and data from my old computer- I can't thank him enough. My Mom and Dad came down and we all had a great weekend hanging out together! 

Vacationing in the U.P.

We got back yesterday from our vacation to Michigan's beautiful Upper Pennisula. We really had a wonderful time and I wanted to share a few pictures. I'll try and share a few details when I get a chance. 

Bummin' at the Beach

This is an old style scrapbook page from our family vacation to Michigan in 2000. Connor was 2 1/2 and Jameson was 4.

The photo was taken at Bete Gris and if I remember correctly, the water was pretty warm that day. The next year when we were there my Dad's knees were buckling from the icy water. Ok, so Lake Superior is not known for it's balmy temperatures. But that won't stop us from visiting as many beaches as we can in the 7 days we will be there.

Only 9 more days! 

10 days and counting

It is only 10 days away until we get to the beauty of Michigan's Upper Pennisula. I can't wait! My sister Lorilee and her family and Mom and Dad will be there too. We will be staying at Louis Point.

There is just something so special about this part of the country. You can't help but fall in love with it and the slower pace of life. There are no lines to stand in to get on rides, no big traffic jams to manuver through. There is the simplicity of enjoying God's creations and sharing time together as a family.

I am so looking forward to searching for agates at Calumet Waterworks, eating a pasty and washing it down with a Faygo Rock and Rye, visiting the ice creams shops in Copper Harbor and Eagle Harbor and most of all watching my kids experience all the places I grew to love when I was a girl.