"I feel like it's Christmas morning"...

I know I've mentioned my niece here on this blog.

I have more than one niece owning to the fact

that I have many siblings.

This particular niece has been mentioned for

her brilliance, brains and beauty.

Tonight though I boast not about her accomplishments,

wisdom or degrees, but because she is

A Bride To Be.

Last weekend one of my sisters

hosted a shower for said B2B.

Pink and purple abounded as did variations of egg and vegetarian foods,

 perfectly placed flowers, herbs and 2 variations on Mimosa.

And of course, cupcakes.

It was perfectly, her.

 

I'm thinking of her reading this,

wondering if I should have placed that comma in that last sentence.

But alas, I have chosen to blog without fear

of being critiqued.

Knowing that the way to avoid criticism is

to say nothing,

do nothing,

be nothing.

                 ~Aristotle

Also noting that for now, this month,

she is, The Bride To Be

not the Professor seeking perfection.

Least from me.

A cute, young girl that will probably

be part of the family someday took this group photo.

Insert here, a special shoutout to Kyra,

who makes her official debut on my blog.

I am so excited for my niece as I remember the fairy tale moments

leading up to and including my wedding day.

I am certain the weather is going to cooperate

and there will be many beautiful moments that day.

She and her fiance are choosing a non traditional theme and setting;

something I wish we would have done more of.

Back in 1992, having an all white wedding was "out there"

as displayed by the frowns and grimaces by the sales ladies at the local bridal salon.

I am so glad my sister goes before me as Mother of The Bride

and of the stress that must accompany such a title.

Indeed, she goes before me in most things,

as I AM the baby.

I am also giddy to have a real invite,

RSVP and all,

and a chance to wear something other than

flip flops and mud boots.

Birthday Boys

Solomon woke up on his birthday

to a new, badly needed bike. 

 Looking at photos from 2002

when he was born,

feels like looking at a high school yearbook.

So much has changed.

Our house, the people in our life,

the van, the kids, animals.

 10 years went mighty quick.

The next 10 will go double time.

After church he and I tossed our bikes in the truck

and headed for the local bike trail.

I had my water belt with 2 bottles in it and we used gadgets to attach one to each of our bikes.

It wasn't long into the ride that we were stopped,

guzzling water and resting in shade.

We had picked the hottest part of the day for this trek.

We enjoyed the ride and seeing the area from a new perspective.

When we approached the city limit sign, I explained

that we had not only left our township but we had indeed

biked to the next city!

Our water supply was nearly exhausted and frankly

I began feeling a bit woozy from the heat.

I knew Doug and the kids were at home setting up Solomons

next gift but I also knew we could not bike back home.

We finally located an old school with a tiny patch of shade

and sat, considering where we could purchase drinks

until I felt we had stalled long enough to call in the troops.

We really are so spoiled in America with our air conditioning and all.

Right about the time we arrived home, my heat headache kicked in.

We stumbled into the house, I hit the couch while Solomon opened this

and spent the next 2 hours playing with it on this

Coming Soon....

The following is only a preview

The Princess Bride

 

********************************************************

Bareback Jumping
featuring real Hillbilly English riding

and

The Militia Vs. Kindergarten
(a sweet recounting of one afternoon with a precious little dude)

The Cost

I love Memorial Day.

It is the one parade we do not miss.

During the '80s, Memorial Day meant getting up really early

on a day off of school,

to line up in a skimpy majorette outfit and white boots with orange/blue tassles,

and wait.

Wait with the fire engines and army green vehicles

and those wierd boys in camo carrying a GUN.

 Our small town parade didn't take long to trek

and it always ended at the park where we would fall in line and wait.

Wait while the 1st chair trumpet played taps.

We never could hear what the speaker was saying

what with all the kids running around screaming and playing on the squeaky rocking ducks.

Not that we were at all concerned with the messege.

The worst part for us girls was standing at attention

while those wierd boys loaded their guns and grimmace

during the BOOM... BOOM...BOOM.

 When I no longer marched, Memorial Day weekend

was the big kickoff for those of us in reatail.

It meant swarms of people, opening early, staying open late.

We would anticipate the rush into the store

right after the parade.

It was our opportunity in a seasonal town,

to rake in the money.

One of the finest benefits of teaching children at home

is the opportunity to remember things learned

or learn that which we didn't while growing up.

Some places in time are just more condusive to real learning.

Nathans squadren of Civil Air Patrol

was marching in Holland this year, including adults

so the trio and I held down the curb alone.

 I always get goosebumps as the first veterarns are approaching

and everyone stands up.

The kids at this parade know what they are standing up for

and why they are clapping.

This year we saw friends and kin marching.

Doug was among a few adults with Civil Air Patrol
to walk the sidewalk for the parade route, for the faint factor.
He was moved to tears hearing small kids clap and yell "thank you" to them
thinking they are already active duty.
He felt like they were getting thanked in advanced
for all they will do.

We LOVE us some Willys...of all sizes.