Too Old Glory
February 28, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 7 Comments
I was driving through the mountains of Vermont today and passed a barn that was flying a tattered flag similar to the one in the photo to your left. Up to that point, I’d been having a pleasant conversation with Sgt S. When we passed that flag, we both got quiet and angry for a moment.
It’s one thing when you have a picture of devastation like the aftermath of Katrina or 9/11 and you see a flag still flying proudly and that flag happens to be pretty torn. That is a testament and symbolism of America’s enduring spirit. But when a flag becomes tattered and worn from lack of attention, that’s just flat out disrespectful and it’s better you just didn’t fly a flag, rather than fly one that you can’t maintain. I came across a website today that actually has a “reporting” page, along with plenty of links that cover things like flag etiquette and flag maintenance.
What’s the problem these days? Was last generation’s youth not taught proper respect for “Old Glory”? How did we get to this? What do you feel/do when you drive past a tattered flag?
What a difference a year makes
February 28, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 3 Comments
2006
2007
I realized last night as I was taking pictures of the kids in our beloved brown chair that much time had passed since I had done that. Approximately one year I later discovered. So much has happened in this last year. In so many ways it has flown by, but when I really think about all that went on in our lives I realized that we packed it to bursting with memories. It has not been a perfect year but a year of plenty more good than bad. I won’t bore you with a list of what our little lives have held, but let me say this: We had fun, I have no regrets, and we got it done.
Life is good here in our house, there’s tons of love, lots of laughs, plenty of safety to be yourself, and you can even be a little crazy. Just ask Eve.
Of Sledding
February 28, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 2 Comments
Eve and Judah went sledding for the first time today. I know- we’ve lived here for 3 years and we’ve just gone sledding! Eve had a blast- she is usually pretty hesitant about such things but not today. She hopped on that orange sled and flew down the hill.
Judah not so much. He cried the whole way down. I am glad we are able to have a picture of his initial response to sledding, I just know someday…he’ll cry the whole way home when we have to leave.
I never would have thought…
February 27, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 4 Comments
So sweet yet so impossible.
July 2006Snow Play
February 26, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 4 Comments
It is finally a bit milder outside, for awhile there I thought it was never going to get above zero! The kids have been desperate to go outside. The other day I heard Judah crying so I went to investigate what all the noise was about. I found him on top of a laundry basket pushed up to the big window in the living room. He was banging on the window and crying because he wanted to be outside. I felt terrible because I had to say no; it was one of those days that is so cold your heat basically never shuts off. The gas company really likes those days. My children do not.
Judah was SO happy. He could hardly contain his excitement. Here he is attacking the snow, complete with growls.
Eve had lots of fun making slides out of the mountains of snow piled up.
Too soon the boots started to fill up with snow, mittens started to fall off of hands and it was time to go inside. It was a blast, but Spring can’t come quickly enough for me. Bring on the mud!
A good-ish Sale but really good friends
February 24, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 5 Comments
We have stores here called Plato’s closet and Once upon a Child; they are franchised, we had one in Fargo, North Dakota so the chances are pretty good you have one too. We totally love these stores! They carry previously owned clothing, toys, books etc. I often find myself browsing at one or both on Sunday afternoons while Daniel watches the kids for a few hours. I can shop and come away with a lot or sometimes just a little but with never spending much money at all. I am nothing if not thrifty and I find it very therapeutic, I am quite sure a lot of you can understand that feeling.
Today they were having a bag sale with the rest of the store(s) being 15% off. Our friend Tarrah came down and we switched watching kids. She watched my kids while Daniel and I shopped, then we came back and watched her kids while she shopped. It worked great! Daniel and I had fun- he totally scored (clothing-wise people!) while I got a couple things for summer. We found some cute summer stuff for the kids too. Way too many women in way too small a space though.
When it was our turn to be home with the kids I had a golden opportunity to take a tremendous amount of pictures. All three were totally distracted by watching Horton Hears a Who so I was able to get mostly non-action shots, if you know what I mean (all you parents totally get that!). Eve and Abriella are such cute best friends, very loving towards each other. I was able to capture that and it was thrilling.
Tarrah and Abe hung out with us for awhile this afternoon after shopping and we had a blast making Abe smile. We took some amazing pictures of him, he’s incredibly cute so it wasn’t hard at all. We had a lot of fun and are very thankful for such good friends to hang out with on a cold Saturday afternoon.
-AndreaMock Bach
February 23, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment
A family motto
February 23, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment
Tell me- how many of you have a personal or family motto? I had never considered it until I heard it mentioned on the radio the other day, and I heard it mentioned in another forum tonight. The more I thought about it the more I started to dig it. Easy and fun, yet defining. Here’s the one I heard tonight: “X’s” don’t quit, or the one I heard on the radio: It’s fun to be a “X”, another one we just remembered hearing recently was: “X’s” stick together. I like this idea. A lot. I think it could help give our kids something to identify themselves with, reminding them that we are united as a family. Daniel and I have had more than a few laughs trying to come up with our own motto- we’ve got a few swirling around in our heads. We’ll nail one down soon. So, now that you’ve read this, have you realized that you have a motto and didn’t even know it?
Define Sport
February 21, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 5 Comments
We (co-workers and I) seem to have this conversation every couple of months. What defines a sport. Sgt K thinks NASCAR is a sport. I don’t. I think physical exertion should be prerequisite. Yeah, I know, the drivers are pretty fatigued after the race. But they are exerting all the effort. If someone beats me up for three hours I’d be fatigued too. That doesn’t mean that I was putting forth effort. If you take out the physical exertion, then all kinds of stuff could be considered sport. Like chess, and golf, and darts. Those are skill games, not sports.
Sports are the only reason I miss T.V. Football is over and March Madness is starting up. I do wish that I could watch a few games. But the benefits of not having cable still far outweigh a few missed games.
She’s still "Cindy -Lou-Who"
February 21, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 3 Comments
I am up to my elbows in bright orange gloves and soap bubbles at the kitchen sink when I hear: “Hey Momma!” she sweeps by me sporting kitty pajamas, shiny red rain boots, and a black and white spotted cow coat, “I’m going on a ta-tation!” (vacation) she declares over her shoulder, “Have fun doing the dishes!”
Oh, the sass! And from one so little! It’s going to be a long 18 years.
Judah – the Artist
February 20, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 3 Comments
His little face lit up when he realized I was going to let him draw like Eve. His fingers lightly held the crayon in near wonderment; then the reality of it all started to sink in and the first mark was made. Using two crayons at a time was way too much fun, eliciting little chuckles. A whole piece of paper to himself! No more need to stand at the edge of the table with a longing to be like Eve.
The fun ended with a mouthful of crayon, it was the perfect ending to the beginning of a lifetime of drawing.
Paying bills
February 17, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 5 Comments
Does it make me weird because I enjoy paying bills? To clarify, I don’t actually like giving other people Daniel’s hard-earned money but they did provide a service and I will pay for it. I find a certain measure of happiness in being able to sit down and pay all of our bills. I look forward to it. I like knowing that when I am done, whatever money is left after the bills, putting money into our savings account, tithing, and charitable giving – is ours. To do with what we want. No obligations on how to spend it.
We live simply but not restrictively. I have never wanted to be rich; the military doesn’t make you rich, but I am satisfied. So, I sat at my desk today, paid our bills and wondered if it was weird for me to feel happy.
Good Neighbors
February 16, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 8 Comments
We have really nice neighbors here on our quiet little street. Mostly older and retired folks. Although it took awhile to really get to know them it has been well worth all the effort. Native “Vermontas” can be very guarded. They often come across as standoff-ish and occasionally downright cold. But, once they warm up to you they are some of the nicest people around. There’s something about New Englanders. We still haven’t quite figured them out even after living here for three years.
Yesterday morning our neighbors across the street called to offer Daniel the use of their snowblower. It was a much welcomed offer that we quickly accepted. Daniel spent a few hours finding half the driveway and two cars. Without the snowblower it would have been much longer! When our neighbors offer help like this it almost feels as if we are back in a military community. Everyone has your back. We have missed that.
So, to thank our neighbors, Eve and I made chocolate chip cookies for them. These cookies are favorites here in our neighborhood and I knew they would be just the thing to express our gratitude.
But beyond gratitude, getting a picture this great makes the effort all worthwhile!
Grandma Chips
February 15, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment
I took an inordinate amount of pictures last weekend. For some reason time felt fragile and fleeting. Will they remember her? She’s young yet- only seventy, but they are so little. When Judah kissed her my heart melted. He adores her. Like I adore her. But he’s so little. So, I took pictures, I was like a crazy paparazzi woman. Maybe my pictures will someday have to tell a story that time wouldn’t allow words to express. Yet, time may. I took them anyways. I would hate to miss a moment in their discovery of this amazing woman. Oh, to be like her.
Hey! It snowed!
February 15, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 2 Comments
Daniel has been keeping quite busy helping our neighbors dig themselves out. We love it when it snows like this!