A date with...

I don't think Daddy expected to get a letter like this for awhile longer and especially not for his youngest dd!

I respectfully ask for the pleasure of taking your beloved daughter Puddin to see a play at the Theatre Thursday morning. Even though the play is called "Harry the Dirty Dog", I assure that this is a wholesome, respectable event. I promise that I will not dance too much or sing too loud. Though I might hold her hand while crossing the street. If it suits your schedule, I would like pick her up at 8:45. Please call and let me know if it is O.K.

Sincerely,

A cute, sweet little boy

Tribute to Army Sgt. Jonathan N. Hartman

Army Sgt. Jonathan N. Hartman, 27, of Orange Park, Florida was killed April 17, 2004 when his convoy was attacked near Diwaniyah, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Friedburg, Germany. He was a native of Portsmouth, Va. where he attended high school. He had lived in Florida since 1996 and enlisted in the Army in 1999. He served as a crewman on an M-1 tank. His mother remembered him as being excited that he had just been extended 90 days to continue fighting for the freedom of the Iraqi people.

As an American citizen I thank you, Jonathan N. Hartman, for your courage and your sacrifice. I thank your family for all they have given for the cause of freedom. I will remember you, and I will teach my children to remember you. We are forever in your debt.


The above information was taken from Honor the Fallen

Feminist Insult

This is a repost of one of my favorite entries from my other blog. It was originally posted 3/1/06
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Wow, I have been insulted this morning. In reading this article that I found linked at Cappucinomom's, I was told that I am not educated or competent because "an educated, competent adult's place is in the office," I have undermined the status of all women, my work is not interesting (she hasn't spent a day around here let alone a few hours!), I can't be fulfilled at my work if I am an educated, complicated person, and that I have chosen a status lower than I should because I am doing work of the lowest caste by "vigilantly watching their babies for signs of excretion 24-7" In other words, I am not really living because "the office and the professional workplace are the arenas where real life is lived and important work is done."

I am glad I am secure in what I am doing or I would be really offended. I am doing what the Lord has called all women to do from Creation - be a helpmeet to my husband and caregiver to my children. I can't imagine a higher calling than doing what my Lord and King has told me to do. I feel sorry for the lady in the article. She is missing out on true happiness and joy!

Our Use Of the English Language

This is a repost of one of my favorite entries from my other blog. It was originally posted 12/28/05

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Dh and I were watching the Gettysburg Dvd he received for Christmas (his loving wife got it for him ) As we were watching the part leading up to and just after the final charge, I was listening to their speech. It was eloquant and respectful. Even in their disagreements, they showed respect and courtesy to one another such as during the discussion of evolution when Armistead responds after Pickett challenges someone to claim that Lee descended from the apes "George, all science trembles before the searing logic of your fiery intellect." Can you imagine how someone would say that nowadays? Probably "Talk to the hand"

Then at the end, this dialogue between Lee and Kemper who has been told he is dying:

Lee: I do hope you are not seriously injured.
                  
Kemper: They tell me that it's mortal, General.
                  
Lee: I do pray God that it is not the case. Is there
     anything I can do?
                  
Kemper: There's nothing more you can do for me.
        But, General Lee, will you see to it
 that full justice is done for my men...
 who made this charge today?

I am sure we would not hear that on the battlefield today.

Our society, in general, has lost the eloquance of our language and that is a shame.  I know it has made me think more on how I use my words and how I am teaching my girls.

Tips On Making A Birthday Cake

This is a repost of one of my favorite entries from my other blog. It was originally posted 12/13/05

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Tip #1 - Ask child 2 weeks, not 2 days, before what kind of cake they would like. That way, if you need a special pan that has been discontinued, you will have time to order it off the internet!

Tip #2 - Don't try to make a lasagna and sandwiches for the trip to the zoo along with bake and decorate the cake all in the same evening. Especially if you are also trying to watch the season finale of "The Amazing Race - Family Edition"

Tip #3 - Check what kind of cake you need for the other special pan that you borrowed from a friend before you buy several boxes of cake mix that are buy one, get one free!

Tip #4 - Make sure you have the icing color you need before 10 p.m. Thankfully, blue and yellow make green even if DH says it looks like wasabi.

Tip #5 - If the cake directions say it takes an hour to bake, plan on double that. Maybe even triple!

Tip #6 - Marry a DH that has more artistic talent and patience than you so he can turn the green blob that the icing won't stay on into a tree.

Tip #7 - Keep both sets of your rechargeable batteries charged so you can take a picture of said cake and post it with your blog entry.

Names & Bloodlines

This is a repost of one of my favorite entries from my other blog. It was originally posted 12/1/05

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Our 2nd DD has a little trouble with her memory, especially names. Tonight on the way home from swim practice, she was telling us about a boy on the team and said his name was Noah. (Dh wanted to know if he builds boats ) Turns out his name is Ken. Thankfully, she hadn't actually called him Noah!!

Their discussion during practice was about ancestors so we were talking about ours as we have English, Scottish, Irish, German and possibly Blackfoot and Cherokee indian. This same DD couldn't understand how we could be related to William Bradford (from the Mayflower) if we have Indian blood. Then when I mentioned how I wish we could prove the indian ancestors, she suggested that they just examine our blood to see if the indian blood was there. That led to an explanation of how we are all human and our blood is basically the same so that wouldn't be possible. So we had a little history/science lesson today after all!

God IS in Control

This is a repost of one of my favorite entries from my other blog. It was originally posted 11/24/05

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I was reading John Macarthur's devotion this morning on God's soveriegnity and an example of it has continued coming to my mind the last few days. This story of a local family whose father did something that is hard for the mind to conceive - attempted to kill his own son. It is only by God's Grace, by His sovereignity, that this little boy is safe with his mother today. It is only God's sovereignity that put a woman in a place she normally wasn't and gave her the strength to rescue this child. It is also His sovereignity that put the mother in a place to become friends with one of my friends so that she might hear biblical words of advice, counsel and encouragement through all this turmoil. My prayer is the end result might be a saving relationship with God for this family but only God knows because He is in control!

This Thanksgiving day I am reminded to be thankful for a loving Father who guides each and every step even when it leads places I might not want to go because I can trust that He sees the end picture and won't send me down a wrong path! What a comforting thought to the believer!

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Safe in the Arms

This is a repost of one of my favorite entries from my other blog. It was originally posted 11/22/05

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I was watching my 7 month old explore her world. She was scooting and rolling all over the floor, playing with her toys and sometimes reaching for forbidden things which allowed her to begin learning the word "No". Finally she reached a point where she couldn't touch the desk drawer handle anymore and lightly hit her head on the desk. Her face went down the ground on top of her hands and a muffled cry could be heard. As soon as Mama scooped her up, though, the cries ceased. She was safe in comforting arms! What a reminder of how when we are weary in the midst of trials and persecution, all we have to do is turn and there are the comforting arms of our Father. Oh, what peace that thought can bring!

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you;" Isaiah 66:13a