old and new

 Miles received his silver cup last week.  An old tradition carried on by a new generation.  My parents have generously continued the tradition of giving their grandchildren a silver cup with the child's monogram.  I wrote the story of Fiona's cup when she received it.  I can't wait until Miles can really use it and cherish it as the rest of us.  He is growing so fast and showing lots of personality.  Happy two months to my funny little man!

 

 

girly things

When Nana comes to visit we take some time to do things just us girls.  This time it was making jam.  Jars and jars of jam.  Thanks to a visit to the farmer's market and the commissary we had a half bushel of peaches, several pints of blueberries and a few pints of raspberries.  So the three of us worked for two days to turn that into jars of beautiful, tasty jam and wonderful memories. 

Short but Sweet

We had more visitors last weekend- yay! (We love visitors!) Grandma and Grandpa stopped in on their way home from California. Even though it was short we had a great time. Fiona got lots of cuddle time with Grandma, which she just soaked right up. The boys got to play lots of games and hear Grandpa tell silly jokes. You know that one about the talking dog? Then on Sunday we got an extra special treat of hearing Grandpa preach at church. It went by fast, but we're looking forward to another visit very soon.

spring break

We've been keeping plenty busy around here. Mostly, it's just what you'd expect- trying to make it through the day. We've done a few fun things that I want to share with you soon. Fiona is growing and changing all the time. She had another first- her first visit from Nana & Grandpa. We did plenty of extra special things, but we also had a great time doing all of our regular things...together.

silver cup

When my brother was born in...well, we won't say when... my grandparents sent him a silver cup with his monogram on it. As the family grew, they did the same for each of their 11 grandchildren; including me. It was a very special possession to me. Many special occasions were made more special by my fancy cup filled with milk. (Milk was not my favorite thing, but it was much more palatable in my silver cup.) The family stopped growing for a while, while the grandchildren grew up, and then it started growing again. This time, it grew great-grandchildren. Each time a new baby was born, my Grandma went into her local jewelry store to order a special silver cup, engraved with each new baby's monogram; including Trevor & Braden.

Here are a few of us from 2004, showing off our cups at a family Christmas gathering. There are many more great-grandchildren now... a total of 20. Each has a special silver cup; including Fiona.

My grandma passed away in July. I went up for the funeral, as did each one of her grandchildren. At the viewing, a lady stopped to speak with my Aunt and explained that she worked at the local jewelry store. She knew my Grandma from when she used to come in to the shop. She went on to explain that my Grandma had been in to the shop only a few months before. My Grandma proudly told her that she was expecting another great-grandchild, and needed to order another silver cup. That great-grandchild was Fiona. Fiona will never know her Grandma Ring here on earth, but she was loved by her. And I know that Fiona will treasure her cup as an heirloom and as a symbol of a legacy of love.

Passing it On

Oh beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine!
-Oh Beautiful for Spacious Skies, by Katherine Bates

Yesterday at church Ev and I played this song, and I had a chance to really study the words of all the verses. Above is the third verse, which I was not very familiar with, but I was struck by the truth and beauty of the words. Today, as we hung the flag, Braden asked why it was a "flag day." We took the opportunity to explain, on a four year old level, why this day is important. I hope that many are doing the same thing so that all future generations will honor the memory of those who have given their lives to preserve this nation.

Story Time

Ev and I have started reading a new book together. It's one of those things that we really enjoy, but don't do nearly enough. Back when we were poor Newlyweds and had no TV he read several books aloud to me- usually something that he had already read, enjoyed and wanted to share with me. This book is the same- he started it and wanted me to join in. So he started over, and we're steadily working our way through the nearly 1300 pages. I keep wondering: why haven't we done this for so long?

Old Groove, New Pastimes

We've been having a little trouble getting back in the groove after all our travels. I think we have vacation-itis. It's not that our regular activities are so unpleasant, they're just not as exciting as vacation. Alas, we can no longer pretend to be on vacation. I've been slowly working through all the pictures from Christmas, and they'll be up very soon ( I hope). The kids have been enjoying all their new Christmas toys and patiently awaiting the arrival of some very special boxes from VA. It's not so much what came in the boxes as what came on them. Trevor spent a very special evening in VAwith Grandpa looking at stamps and has been bitten by the bug. He chose some stamps from Grandpa's stash, and those, along with some other hand-selected stamps by a very excited Grandpa were beautifully arranged to cover the postage on two boxes. We always know boxes from Grandpa because they are covered with stamps. This time, Grandpa picked out the most interesting-looking stamps for two budding philatelists. Now they're patiently awaiting Grandpa's visit so he can help them soak the stamps off the cardboard to put in a special album. In the meantime, though, it's time to get back in our groove.

O National Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree has been on the Ellipse for 31 years. For almost that long, I've been going to see it every year (well, I've missed a couple since I moved away- but not by choice). It's a wonderful tradition that we had growing up to drive downtown and meet my dad (coming from work) at the Yule Log. Then we would walk around to find the Minnesota state tree and the Maryland state tree. We'd visit the live reindeer and the creche. All in the glow on the biggest Christmas tree I've ever (to this day) seen. Then when we were too cold to stay any longer, we'd go get pizza. This year we shared that tradition with the next generation. We found the Arizona, Michigan and Virginia state trees. They watched the trains going round and round the base of the National Christmas Tree. We listened to a choir sing Christmas carols while they looked, in wonder, at the biggest Christmas tree they've ever seen.

Giving Thanks

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration. I've been reading some special books with the boys that talk about the first Thanksgiving. I love how one book summarizes the first Thanksgiving. It talks about all the cooking and preparation, how the Pilgrims played games and held contests with the Indians. There was music and probably singing and, of course, feasting. Most of all, it was a time for the Pilgrims to share and give thanks to God. I think that's a wonderful representation of our Thanksgiving. We had a great time working together to prepare for the meal, there was singing and music and games. Most of all, we thanked God for all of the blessings he has bestowed on us- and good friends to share with.

Wise Warrior

That's what we call him. He's very proud of his name, and will tell you exactly what Trevor Kellen means. It's so hard to believe that it's been 6 years since he came into our lives! I often think of him being so big, becuase I remember how tiny he used to be. Six years seems like such a long time, that sometimes I forget how little he still is. I see how responsible he is and how mature in so many ways. But in other ways I will always see him as my fearless toddler, outgoing preschooler and clowning youngster. I don't suppose it gets much easier as he gets older! I'm his mommy, and I always will be. He bring so much joy into our home! We praise and thank the Lord for blessing us with such a wonderful gift! Happy Birthday, Trevor!

what shall we do?

We're pretty casual around here these days. We don't make any plans. We might do quiet things like reading and playing memory all day. Or we might run around. We might stay in or we might go out.






We'll get in the pool for a while. We might get in again later, or we might not.

When it's time to get dressed, Braden might put together an ensemble like this one.





Or he might not.

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!

Meanwhile, I struggled for exactly the right BB gun hint. It had to be firm, but subtle. "Flick says he saw some grizzly bears near Pulaski's candy store!"



"I want an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle!"

- A Christmas Story








Trevor and Dad went on a special outing together and came home with this. Officially, this is Trevor's new BB gun. Imagine how much I laughed when I saw that it was a Red Ryder! Dad went through the four firearm safety rules: Treat, Never, Keep Keep. Before they took it out of the box, Trevor could recite them by heart.



Dad showed him how to line up the sight, how to operate the safety, how to cock the gun. He didn't need to show him how to pull the trigger.


Then they went outside to try it out. I'm not sure if Trevor will remember this when he's older, but I know his Dad will never forget it.

Disclaimer: I never imagined my son would own a gun while he lived in my house, but when I married a Marine, I had to make peace with them. My motto is: Guns aren't toys. This is definitely not a toy, it is a weapon. This is not for playing; it is for early firearm education and pest control. Never allow children to use a firearm unsupervised. Teach them about firearm safety.

Charmer

Let me start by apologizing for the quality of these pictures. I was halfway to Dana Point, CA when I realized that I had remembered none of the three cameras that I own. We were headed there for the wedding of one of Ev's good friends: from the Academy, flight school and also a fellow cobra jock.

The wedding was beautiful- orchids everywhere, beautiful California sunshine, fresh seafood and a reception at the Ritz-Carlton right on the ocean. But that's not even the good part. I'm going to tell a story now that still amazes even myself. Many of our friends and family have commented on Trevor's ability to charm those around him. Give him about 70 seconds- he's like jedi master. On friday night, we attended the wedding rehearsal; Ev was leading the sword detail and needed to discuss with the groom where it would take place. Trevor watched the rehearsal intently, and finally commented on the fact that there was a flower girl, but no ring bearer. "Where is the ring bearer?" he asked. Well, I didn't have a good answer, except to say that not everyone has a ring bearer. So, at the rehearsal dinner, he decided to bring this issue to the Bride's attention. After they were introduced, he was chatting her up, and suddenly a few words caught my attention. . .something to the effect of, "I could be your ring bearer." (You have to understand that he does have experience from his Aunt Heather's wedding last May. Apparently he thought he might make a career of it.) Anyways, everyone laughed, including the Bride, "Oh, how cute! See," she said as she turned to the Groom, "I told you we should have asked them. I saw their Christmas picture and thought how cute they are and said we should have them as ring bearers!" Ha ha ha! Everyone laughed, and I told Trevor to stop bugging the Bride. End of story. Right? Wrong. Trevor continued to charm the Bride with his clever conversation and sunny personality for the next 20-30 minutes. About an hour later, the groom comes over to Ev and announces that, "Alright, they convinced me. They're going to do it." Do what??? "They'll be ring bearers." I don't think I've ever been so shocked. Only Trevor could convince a Bride to include him in the wedding party 18 hours before the weddding. So, that's how Trevor and Braden came to be Ring Bearers this past weekend. They walked down the aisle, one one either side of the flower girl. I have to admit, they were pretty darn cute.