Veteran's Day

Veteran's Day was not a holiday I paid much attention to growing up. We didn't get out of school for Veteran's Day and it wasn't a fun holiday like Halloween, Christmas, 4th of July or Thanksgiving. I understood it was a day to honor our Veteran's but it wasn't something we really "celebrated". The only veteran's I knew then were my grandfathers or men close to my grandfathers' age. Veterans were certainly not people I know, people that are our friends. Certainly not my brother. Definitely not my husband.

Today the word Veteran has taken on an entirely different meaning to me. Maybe because I have realized the sacrifice and selflessness it takes to be a Veteran. You put others before yourself every single day. You do what you are told without having the ability to ask questions or provide your own opinion. You leave even when you may not want to, for months at a time. Missing births, first words, first steps. Missing everything to protect our country, to defend its freedom.

The following is an excerpt from Gator Tales a monthly newsletter we receive from one of Jason's best friends in Iraq. The words are powerful and to me define a true veteran.

The value of life is never under estimated at moments like this. We know that there is no such thing as a refund, redo, or reset in our lives. Each of us is confronted daily with choices that once made, define our characters. As Americans, we choose freedom and the right to the pursuit of happiness. As Soldiers, we have chosen to shoulder the burden of defending these unalienable rights no matter the cost. In doing so our character is defined, we are protectors at the core who embody selfless service. This Global War on Terrorism seems overwhelming for some, but for our soldiers it’s another day doing our duty. From day to day none of us know if we may ultimately be called to sacrifice our lives so that others may live in freedom. Yet our soldiers stand tall and hold fast to their duty. - CPT Scott Bailey

We miss you Scott and can't wait until you are safely home. Thank you to all the Veteran's I know and those that I don't. I admire your honor and your courage. Thank you to your families. Their strength gives you strength.

Until they all come home.

bedtime conversation

Last night as we were tucking Isabella in, Jason noticed that her chapstick was not in its normal place. He asked Bella where it had gone and she said, "I threw it in the trash because it didn't work anymore."

We had a quick lesson on why we do not throw things away just because they no longer work. Things cost money and we try to fix them as best we can before we throw them away. I told Bella that this was her last free chapstick and if she threw anymore away, she would have to get a job or pay for the next one herself. I suggested she head down the street to Miss Susan's and get a job picking up rocks.

Bella got concerned at this point and asked, "Daddy why can't you just give me money because you have some? Then I don't have to work."

Jason replied, "Because sweetie we are not democrats. And in this house you work for your money it just isn't given to you."

Bella said, "I don't want to work, I just want to be a dentist's crack." Whoa, totally didn't see that one coming.

I find it ironic this conversation happened on the night before a huge election, an election that has clearly divided our country. Voting is a personal choice. You may be on a different side of the fence than I am and that's okay. People don't have to see eye to eye on everything. I just hope people have clearly thought out the consequences of their decision tomorrow. I personally don't see a tax plan that a three year old can understand as the right direction for America.

a budding picasso

This week while I was cleaning up dinner, Isabella asked if she and Amelia could color at their little table. I warily said yes and went over the rules of coloring for what seems like the one millionth time..ONLY on the paper and ONLY in the coloring books, etc. Well while I was washing some dishes, I look up and see Amelia hard at work on the walls. This isn't the first time a little artist has left their mark on my walls but it was the first time I caught them red-handed. Thankfully I stock pile Magic Erasers.

walk this way

Will has been working on walking for a few weeks now. He has not been super steady on his feet and usually reverts back to crawling..which he does at lightening speed. If we clap and make a big deal of his accomplishment, he gets embarrassed and crawls away or sits down and claps for himself. This past week he has been walking a lot and is getting better and going farther every day. I was finally camera ready and able to take a few pictures.

Halloween

We hope everyone had a Happy Halloween. We took the kids Trunk-or-Treating on Wednesday night at our neighbors church. They received a TON of candy and had a blast. On Friday (after much debate) we decided to do something less traditional and went to a Fall Festival at Bella's pre-school. I am fighting a horrible cold and can not stop coughing. I knew walking would only aggrivate the situation and the girls are still pretty afraid of the costumes and Halloween decor. We asked the girls if they would rather go to the Festival or go trick or treating again. They chose the festival much to mom's relief. It was kind of like a mini-carnival and was all indoors. The girls played all the games several times and recieved candy and tickets at each station. At the end of the night they were able to buy prizes with their accumulated tickets. They had a blast! Now if I can only figure out what to do with all this candy!? I guess I will be sending it to work with Jason in a few days!