Remembrance

I love Veterans Day! I love my county and freedom! I love history and learning about the people and events that have changed the world. I love the music that honors the people who have served (and those who have died) to protected freedom. I want my children to learn and appreciate all that has happened in the past that has brought them to this beautiful future of freedom and knowledge.

I have appreciated Veterans Day since I was a teen, but didn't come to a full understanding until I was in Europe on November 11 and Remembrance Sunday. We, in the United States are so sheltered from the devastation of the World Wars. We lost many good men and women in the battles, but not our homes. Our cities and country were not ravaged by the wars. Our land was not littered with the bombs, barbed wire, guns and bodies of soldiers. Few in our nation even know what an air raid siren sounds like.

I was in Wales on Nov 11...Everyone wore red poppies. I walked through cities that had been reduced to ruins. I saw the fields of France that had once been red with the blood of soldiers. It was a different feeling to be surrounded with the reality of what so many had witnessed first hand. To them, even the children, the day seemed more sacred. 

I realized that in the United States, we might look forward to parades or performances or time off... but many have forgotten the reason this date is a "holiday." And we have one day... I loved that in Europe they had Remembrance Sunday as well... a sacred day. 

The history of  our"Veterans Day" is interesting, changed so we now use it to honor our veterans, which is wonderful... but Nov 11 has a larger historical importance to the world. And we are part of that. We forget too easily. Make things "comfortable" to quickly. It is healing to remember sorrow and learn from our mistakes.

 I am determined that at least five little Americans will be taught and learn to appreciate the past! Have a wonder Remembrance Day/ Veterans Day! Pin on a poppy or wave a flag and be thankful for all you have!

Quarantine

We are in quarantine... at least that's what it feels like. Five of the seven of us have had strep throat this week. When on person starts improving, another one comes down with it. So life is slowly getting back to normal... but things are crazy, messy, and no fun!

Punkin's and Pumpkins

Another one of our family traditions is pumpkin carving with my little punkins. We all go together to pick them out (if we don't grow enough that year in our pitiful little garden). Picking out is super fun and later, closer to Halloween, comes the carving mess!

Some kids love the pumpkin gick... This girls does! Even when she was a baby, Madi would laugh and dive into the guts of her pumpkin. She really got into it this year as usual.

Brooke loved being creative, but NOT the pumpkin guts!

My boys knew exactly what they wanted for faces! They sketched them out first on paper. I loved their creativity!

Madi's pumpkin had braces, piercings, and crazy hair!

Q did NOT want anything to do with the pumpkin guts! He freaked out when Madi tried to put his hand inside... and if any seed got on him, he would get upset. This kid makes me laugh!

Ben's was a pirate and Connor's was just happy to be there.

Brooke went for a bat.

And of course, the Picasso of Pumpkins carved a globe for his. Brett acts like pumpkin carving isn't his thing... but then he really gets into it and shows us all up. Nice work huh?

We love Autumn!

Don't you just love jumping in leaves!

Costumes and more

I LOVE dress ups! I love playing, making and watching my kids have fun with dressing up. I'm a little crazy about Halloween costumes and really get into making my family costumes that match or something silly like that. This year we are dressing up as the Croods. (Funny caveman cartoon if you haven't seen it yet).

I was working on my husband's big furry caveman toga thing and had some extra fabric... I just couldn't let it go to waste. So I made some dress ups for the boys.

You know, just in case they feel the need to be Black Beard or something.

Traditions in the works

For the last five or so years, we have made caramel apples as a family as soon as October begins to look "Fallish." I wanted it to become a fun family tradition and something the kids will remember later. Last night, for Family Home Evening, we decided to make our apples. It's usually very messy, sticky and involves crazy toppings.

Unfortunately, we were short on time, I was short on patience, and the kids had plenty of energy that was being expressed in less than desirable ways. (How was that for saying.. they were being stinkers). So the short version is that they made a mess their apples, but didn't get to eat them because it was bedtime. And by the time we were done I was thinking, maybe they'll just remember the good parts about this and not all the hollering I did.

I mean, what's not to enjoy? "Sit down, hold still, be quiet! We are trying to have some family fun here!" It's always is funny later.

I love me a little shock value!

I hardly EVER straiten my hair... too much time and maintenance... and my honey likes me curly. But its funny to see people who know me look right past me without recognition. Once when we were engaged, my man asked a room full of people if they'd seen me (I was right in front of him with strait hair). Ha!