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.

Cute Bag...Check

I'm on a knitting kick. When my mom was here, she repossessed her stash of needles (with my blessing of course), but did necessitate a small investment in some knitting supplies of my own. Of course that necessitated a bag to hold all my new knitting stuff. I just can't bring myself to buy something that I can make for less, which I will like more. So I searched online for a pattern to make a craft bag. I found this Tote Bag Pattern for free, and completed it in a matter of hours. I did change a few things to customize it for my needs, but the original pattern includes the nifty little pocket on the inside for small items, and those professional-looking boxed corners. They look difficult, but once I learned the trick they're actually quite simple. I just love these gorgeous batik fabrics that I found at my local quilt shop! I think my yarn will like its new home.

Happy Happy Birthday

Streamers, balloons, noise-makers and a mile-high cake! Happy, happy Birthday, dear Daddy!

Sew Cute

Trevor has been waiting and waiting for his new summer pajamas. I cut the fabric, oh, about the end of March. Shortly after that, I just wasn't feeling up to a big sewing project. So they sat, and sat, waiting for me. I made three sets in an assembly line fashion, which it made it super easy! They turned out sew cute, if I say so myself. And Trevor looks like such a little man in them. Totally worth it! I finally feel like I have some energy back, and look forward to knocking out a bunch more projects in the near future.

Work, Work, Work

Woohoo! WTI is finally over! You might wonder what we've been up to over the past several weeks of slow blogging. While the boys and I have had our heads down, waiting for it to end, Ev has been doing his WTI thing. Mostly, he's been doing a lot of flying and instructing, but he also spent several days out in the field as a FAC. (In a nutshell, FACs are the guys who tell all the aircraft where to go, and where the targets are.) No, it's not as cool as flying, but I think you can tell that he likes it just fine. For all of us it has been a super busy seven weeks, and we're glad this class is at an end. Meanwhile, we're waiting anxiously patiently for him to come home again, and we're very excited to be planning for his birthday. We get to celebrate together for the first time in a long time!

On Mother's Day

Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you;
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.

by Christina Rosetti










That is one of my favorite poems, committed to memory by hearing my mom read it to me many, many times. I have so many precious childhood memories of my mom, and they have been joined by many special times together in my grown-up life. I am grateful for her loving sacrifices and her example as a godly mother. Now, I am also making memories with my own children- memories that will be added to my storehouse of treasures. I am so thankful to God for blessing me with two very special boys to mother. Psalm 127:4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. God is continuing to bless us by filling our quiver a little more. Next year at this time, there will be one more little person in our Mother's Day photo. We praise Him for his goodness! To all mothers, I hope you have a very special day. Happy Mother's Day!

Batter Up

It's that time of year again. Time for batting and fielding practice. Time for blankets in the shade with the little ones. Picnic dinners and peanuts and cracker jack. This year, though, Dad gets to be part-time coach. What a treat at the old ball game!

Water Balloon Fight

We love visiting with Nana and Grandpa, because Nana is always full of fun ideas for special things to do. (I get tons of fun ideas, but let's be honest: only rarely do they see the light of day) This one was definitely a big hit with the crowd! For some reason, though, they seemed to be more hesitant to catch the water balloon than a baseball. (yes, Braden is cringing) Even before they got splashed with one! Still, it's a good day that includes water balloons. My mind is fast-forwarding about four years and imagining the havoc they will be wreaking when they can make some without help.