Honoring All Who Serve

Even if you are not affiliated with the military, chances are you know about Veteran's Day in November where we honor those that serve and have served. And you probably are also familiar with Memorial Day in May where we remember those that gave all for their country. But did you know that we also remember to celebrate our smallest of heroes?





April is Month of the Military Child and there are various activities around base for the kids. The whole thing wraps up the last Friday of the month at the elementary school with a celebration. This is by far my favorite activity to attend at the school every year. It is always cute, sweet, fun and emotional.

The celebration starts with a static display of various military vehicles. The kids get to climb on and in the "cool stuff" like an MWRAP. They love this part!





Then everyone is ushered inside for the assembly and treats. The fourth grade class always writes poems titled " I am a military child" and every year, the results are amazing! A few of the students are selected to read them to the school and I am always slightly misty-eyed as these young heroes, wise and strong stand there and talk about multiple deployments, missed birthdays and praying their father/mother will be safe but always end with each stanza with "I am a military child."

Afterward, the four-year-olds take the stage and sing along with a Lee Greenwood recording of "God Bless the U.S.A." It was adorable and touching.

Since the focus is honoring and saluting the children, at that point, they have military volunteers in uniform serve the children ice cream while they watch a slide show of various photos of themselves throughout the year set to patriotic music. Included were Battle Hymn of the Republic, You're a Grand Old Flag and a medley of all the armed forces songs. It really is a great experience as our base is a joint base and houses families and units from all branches of the armed services- Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.

I salute you, young heroes scattered all over the country and the world.

I also salute my two favorite little heroes who are currently helping to hold down the fort in their father's absence:

I love you guys.

I am linking this post with Jennifer at Momma Made it Look Easy- she asks that you "share your awesome" and link your favorite post from the week. Since this is my ONLY post, I suppose it is my favorite. Oh yeah.. it has my kids in it too.. so it has to be a favorite!

The Impostors Have Arrived

I blogged last week about breaking my very favorite pair of glasses and how I was forced into picking new frames against my will. If you missed it, you can read it here.

Thursday I picked up my new glasses. I don't love them. But I don't hate them either. That is a good sign.. it means there is the possibility (and likelihood) that they will grow on me with time. Of course, this means that eventually THIS pair will also be the pair I can't replace and then we will one day find ourselves right back here at this very same spot. But, until then.. I promised a picture...

Easter Bunny: Unplugged

It has come to my attention that perhaps, subconsciously, Noah knows the real identity of the Easter Bunny.

Earlier today, we dyed eggs and took loads of pictures to share with Daddy.



Then, we mixed up some homemade Rice Krispie treats and put Peeps on them so that each square is embellished with a Peep.


We ate dinner and each had a Rice Krispie treat for dessert and then the time came for the kids to get ready for bed. We assembled the eggs in each child's basket ready to be hidden and replaced by chocolate. And then, I opened the fridge to retrieve the carrot we leave out for the Easter Bunny every year to nosh on. All that hopping and hiding of eggs has to leave a fella a little famished. But, much to my surprise, we were out of carrots. I tried so hard to remember everything and yet I forgot the stinkin' carrots!

Noah suggested we leave him/her a Rice Krispie treat instead. I thought that was a great idea! I inquired as to what Noah thought a holiday critter might like to drink to quench his/her thirst. Without missing a beat, Noah replied, "I think the Easter Bunny would LOVE a glass of wine!" (Why yes, she would most definitely LOVE a glass of wine!)

And so, that is how we came to leave the Easter Bunny a Rice Krispie treat and a glass of wine.

Noah has been elevated to "favorite" on the Easter Bunny's list and I am sure the Bunny will be certain to relay Noah's kind and generous deed to Santa.

Happy Easter.

And.. Cheers!

** I linked up my post today with Jennifer at Momma Made it Look Easy- Share Your Awesome- if you have an awesome post, go over and link it up!**

Cheater Cheater Pumpkin Eater

Thursday, while having my eye exam, Noah sat in a chair in the corner of the exam room. I had my face to that contraption where the optometrist changes the lenses and I have to read the letters on the wall and tell her which view is clearer. She flashed up two letters on the wall and I told her that I couldn't even guess what they were, because I honestly couldn't see them at all. Just as I said that, there was a knock on the door and she said, "Excuse me for a moment, I have to go get that." She opened the door and stepped outside.

As soon as she was out of the room, I heard Noah whisper, "Mommy? I know the answer! Do you want me to tell you what the letters are?"

I laughed and told him I appreciated his help, but that it would serve me better if the optometrist knew that I had no idea what those two letters were.

But it's nice to know that Noah had my back. Thanks, son.

Goodbye Dear Friend, You Served Me Well

I have a hard time with change.

I realize the irony in this since I am a military spouse. But the fact is, I like consistency and things I can predict. Familiar. Comfortable.

I have had the same frames for my glasses for eight to ten years now.

I love those frames! Every time I have had my eyes checked and the sales-associate-of-the-day has tried to talk me into new frames, I have always talked him/her into just putting the new lenses in my old ones. I have tried on others, but I can't find any I like as much as mine. About two years ago, it was time, so I settled on new frames and kept my old ones as a backup. Less than two weeks after getting my new glasses, we went camping and I left my glasses lying on the table with my laptop where Zoe retrieved them and snapped them. I was upset at first. And then I was happy, because it meant I could wear my old frames. And as loose and crooked and old as they are, I have been happily wearing them since then.

That is, until this past Monday when my frames met a tragic demise. I took my glasses off when I put on my sunglasses and laid them on the console in the van. When we got to our destination, I could not find them. Noah said he remembered seeing them slide off the console while I was driving. I made him get out of his seat and look underneath all the seats and down by his and Zoe's seats. They were nowhere to be found. So, while we were stopped at Sonic, I got out of the van and opened his side and crawled around looking underneath the driver's seat and his seat and all in the third row. I crawled across and looked under the front passenger seat and Zoe's seat. I couldn't find them.

It was then that I walked around the van and pulled on the handle to Zoe's door. It's automatic and it began to slide open and I heard a very distinct "CRUNCH". I could feel the bile rising in my throat and the tears welling up in my eyes. I didn't even have to look. I knew they were gone. One lens crushed and the frame snapped in two. I had to sit down. I cried a little bit.

I mourned their loss all the way home and have mourned the rest of the week. This morning, I had an eye exam and picked out new frames. It wasn't the same. The new ones are okay, but they aren't MY frames. I feel as if I am dishonoring their memory by moving on with new shiny ones. I miss them.

Farewell my friends. I hope you are whole again in the great LensCrafters in the sky. Know that you are/were loved and are dearly missed.

Note: I won't have possession of the impostors for seven to ten business days. I will try and remember to take a picture when I receive them.

The Wardrobe Malfunction A.K.A Mommy's an Idiot

I sincerely hope that people don't look at my kids and think I am a terrible and neglectful mom. I do worry about these things and I try to keep my kids presentable most of the time. But, the truth is that sometimes I have those moments when I am just mortified and wonder what other people must think of me.

Every morning, I put clothes out for Noah and Zoe to wear to school. They both get dressed and I usually give Zoe the once-over to check her shoes. She tends to put them on backwards. She has gone to school and spent the entire day with her shoes on backwards. I was embarrassed then; but not nearly as embarrassed as I was today.

I picked Zoe up from school and we had our usual race down the sidewalk in front of the school. Just like any other day, I was winning until the last minute when Zoe managed to squeak by me and claim a victory for herself. And just like any other day, I then congratulated her and picked her up to put her in the van. As I buckled her in her car seat, something odd caught my eye-a rough seam. I did a double-take.

Astounded, I asked, "Zoe? Did you take your pants off at school today?"

"No?" she replied, somewhat perplexed.

"Were your pants like this all day at school?"

"Yeah, my just put them on at home and wear-ed them ALL day!" she proclaimed proudly.



Oh yeah.. I really did that. She wore her pants inside out all day long. Hurray for me!

The One-Two Punch

Noah came home with his spring pictures today and I have to say, they are the best pictures he has ever taken. I am so pleased with them.

But because I can never be totally satisfied with anything, I still have one complaint: my baby boy looks so grown up! I look at this and I see a BIG kid!

I voiced this complaint out loud to him and he responded with, "Yeah, and since we are talking about me being a big kid, I figure it's a good time to tell you that I am no longer going to call you, "Mommy", I will now be calling you, "Mom".

D'oh!!! It was like kicking me while I was down.

Great timing, Noah. I guess he is growing up... that is just like a man!