Memorial Day....Never forget!

The Gettysburg Address

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate--we can not consecrate--we can not hallow--this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

GirlTalk thoughts

Okay, this has NOTHING to do with my birthday.....but I just read these really precious thoughts regarding aging by Nicole Whitacre on the GirlTalk blog and thought I'd share....

http://girltalk.blogs.com/girltalk/2006/05/i_will_not_forg.html

Happy Travelers

40+ Days of Birthday

Okay, I have to admit it....today is my birthday and I'm 40 years old (THERE! I said it!). And I only publicly admit it because I really need to publicly brag on my sweet husband.

Way back at the end of February it all began. One evening after the kids were in bed, Mike handed me an envelope with my name on it. I opened it up and it was a beautiful birthday card. Enclosed in the card was also a note stating that Mike had purchased tickets for two Cleveland Indians' Spring Training games in Winter Haven, Florida. WOOHOO!!!! We were going to Florida!!!!!

After I got over the shock (and asked what the kids were going to do while we were gone), he also told me that there was a free day in between the two game days and that we could do something else too, if I wanted. I did a little research on the web and found that it wouldn't be too far to drive to Orlando and go to Disney World. Surprisingly, Mike agreed! WOOHOO!! We're goin' to Disney!!!!!

We had approximately 2 1/2 weeks to get all our ducks (aka. kids) in a row. My parents, Mike's Mom and Mike's sister wonderfully agreed to take care of the kids while we were gone. WOOHOO!! We're goin' to Florida with NO kids!!!!

So....on March 14th, very early in the morning, we flew to Tampa. It was a whirlwind three day trip. It was short, but we packed a whole lot of fun into those three days!!

We arrived in Tampa late morning. We rented a car and drove to Winter Haven (about an hour drive). We arrived in Winter Haven in time for a 1:05 ball game. It was WONDERFUL to be in the warm sun and see the palm trees waving in the breeze. BEAUTIFUL!! Even though the Indians lost, we had a fun time.

After the game, we drove to Orlando (about 45 minutes away). We checked into our hotel and took a short rest. Then we headed out and found a Subway to eat dinner at (they're turning 40 this year too!! Who knew??). After eating, we drove to Downtown disney. We enjoyed just walking around and checking out all the shops. We then headed back to our hotel.

The next morning we got up early (again!) grabbed a bite to eat at Burger King and headed off to the Magic Kingdom. We got there before the gates opened and so were able to see the little "Welcome" show they have and then we entered the park. It was a wonderful day...not a cloud in the sky. We had so much fun! (Mike had never been and I hadn't been since Jr. High!) Others might call it "Pixie Dust", but we called it special blessings we received throughout our day. We knew it was because people at home were praying for us while we were gone. We just had a great time.

The next day we did a little shopping after breakfast and then we left to go back to Winter Haven for another game. It was good we left when we did because we got in a HUGE traffic jam!!! We enjoyed another game (they lost again though), but had to leave early in order to return our rental car and make our flight. Once again, it was good we left when we did because we reached Tampa at rush hour and the traffic was aweful! We were sweating it a bit, but we made our flight. We arrived home that night (well, next day) at about 1 am.

We couldn't have asked for a better trip. We had absolutely beautiful weather and so much fun!!!

Well, picture me basking in the glow of a wonderful trip my husband planned for us....now fast-forward to the day before Easter. I had gone out shopping and when I came home there was a little birthday card set out for me. Inside was a couple dollars and a little note to treat myself to a burger at my favorite burger place. I thought it a little odd, but figured that since I had received such a big gift...the trip....that Mike wanted to do something else little so i would know he hadn't forgotten that my birthday really wasn't until May. Okay. Thanks Hon'!!!

The next day was Easter. When I got up there was a card for me on the kitchen table. I thought it was nice that Mike got me an Easter card even though we had said we weren't going to do that. I opened it up and it was a BIRTHDAY card! Hmmmm. Okay. Thanks Hon'!!!

Well, I don't know if it was that night or the next day, but I started realizing that my sweet husband was up to something! My birthday was still WEEKS away!!! Wait a minute....I got out the calendar....I did some counting and calculating....my 40th birthday was exactly 40 days from the day before Easter. What a clever guy I married!!!

So.... for the last 40 days we've been celebrating the "40 Days of Jill's 40th birthday". Each day I've received a little something.....a card, or flowers, breakfast out, a coupon for something like a back rub or not having to help put the kids to bed. It's been really sweet and fun!

[And as I was sitting here typing, Mike came home with an ice cream birthday cake!! Boy, what am I gonna do tomorrow. I've gotten a little spoiled and it's going to be such a let down!]

Last Friday night, Mike threw me a little family birthday party. A Cinderella/princess birthday party. He cleaned the house, bought a beautiful cake and decorations, and even served hors....appetizers.

People have asked me how I feel about turning 40. What I have told them is that I'm not sure. I've heard others say that 40 is "fabulous", but I don't feel fabulous yet. Oh well, I guess I have to grow into the the 40's slowly. But what I DO know is that I am fabulously blessed to have people around me that love me so much!!!

And it's definitely been a fabulous 40 days.....something I will remember for a long time.

P.S. - Photos to come!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Why Did God Make Mothers? Answers given by second graders!!!


Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mum just the same like he made me. He Just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in
the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use
string, I think.

Why did God give you Your mother & not some other mum?
1.We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mums like me.

What kind of girl was your mum?
1. My mum has always been my mum and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty
bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mum need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mum marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mum eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mum didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mum doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mum. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mum is, but only because she has a lot more
to do than dad.

What's the difference between mums & dads?
1. Mums work at work and work at home & dads just go to work at work.
2. Mums know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but mums have all the real power 'cause
that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Mums have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mum do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mum perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of
plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your Mum, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my Mum smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of
her head.

[Thanks Tina!]