30 Days of Gratitude, 22-30

22. Although I do like a simple, old-fashioned lifestyle, there are a few things about living in this period that I am grateful for...like those skilled in medicine. Sometimes I think about how Steven's accident would have affected our lives if he had not had access to skilled doctors. Or, how Sam's arm would be now. Or how Sam and Katie's epilepsy would affect their lives if they did not have the medicine they need.
23. I also appreciate things like plumbing. Nothing like a hot bath whenever you want it or the absence of chamberpots to make one grateful.
24. Electricity. Sometimes I even resent it, but in general it makes our lives so much easier and connects people all over the world.
25. The ability to travel. Although I don't do it much, I do like to travel and it is a wonderful thing to be able to do.
26.The freedom to go where I want, be with who I want and do what I want. Freedom.
27. The senses...the ability to see colors, hear music, touch soft baby skin, smell roses, taste chocolate.
28. During this time of uncertain financial conditions, that Steven has a job that  provides for us a home, warmth, food and all the necessities.
29. Craftsmanship...the wonderful blend of talent and diligence.
30. "For He so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son."

30 Days of Gratitude, Days 15-21

15. The soldiers who have fought to keep our freedoms,

one of which right now we are praying for his recovery from injuries sustained while driving a MATV in Afghanistan when an IED detonated near his vehicle. He will be celebrating his 20th birthday recovering from numerous surgeries. I taught him high school science at co-op just a few years ago.

16. Seasons, which each have their own beauty.

17. The ability to play and pretend.

18. Friends to celebrate with and who lend a hand in times of need.

19. Books...the ability to read and the ability to have so many choices at my fingertips.

20. The bounty of flavors and textures available to us year around to choose from.

21. Animals, who love us unconditionally.

30 Days of Gratitude; 8-14; Some of My Favorite Things

I am grateful for...

8. staying at home and being with my children all day, every day.

9. Steven working from home and being a part of our daily routines, every day.

10. homeschooling my children, so they can be taught at their own pace, and they way they learn best.

11. cooking with children.

12. children's creativity.

13. intimacy with nature.

14. celebrating the everyday.

Poppies for Veteran's (or Rememberance) Day

In Flanders Field-Where Soldiers Sleep and Poppies Grow, 1890,
ROBERT VONNOH        

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
-John McCrae

For Veteran's day, we looked at paintings of poppy fields and I read them the above poem. Then we made our own poppy fields pictures.

James'

 The boys drew simple drawings of the poppy flower and we glued real poppy seeds to the flower centers.

Quentin's

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30 Days of Gratitude, 1-6

1.

Steven

He is so patient and kind. He is handsome and loving. He is funny and cute. He is protective and hardworking. He is a good teacher and a good example of how a man should be to our sons, and of how a husband should be to our daughter.

I don't know how I was so lucky to have you in my life, but I am grateful.

2.

Katie

My one and only daughter. The one who first made me a mother. I remember with such happiness the hours we spent together, just the two of us. I don't think I've ever felt more lucky--more aware of every bit of good in my life. Every little thing was so important then as I got to know the person that was you. And you are so full of life naturally. You always wanted to be on the go, always wanted to be around people. Always enjoyed life. You still do. I like you so much. I love you so much. I am so grateful.

3.

Alex

My oldest son. You were such a happy baby, as I held you in my arms while we chased the 3-year old Katie around. And boy, did she make us run! You have always loved learning, and you even learned to read by just listening to me teach Katie. I didn't know that you were at first because you couldn't speak, but you were. Reading books is still something that fills much of your time. You love to sit at the table and do schoolwork. You still like to hear the Thomas the Tank Engine stories, which Dad reads to you every night, even though I am pretty sure that you know them all by heart. You continually surprise me, and I am looking forward to more surprises in the future. I am grateful that God has entrusted you to me.

4.

Sam

My strong and quiet baby. You were the most content of my babies. When you were just one or two years old, you could carry a gallon of milk in one hand and a gallon of bleach in the other and often did so as you helped us unload the car after grocery shopping. You were sweet and kind and thoughtful and at very young age, and you still are, because that is who you are. Part of your core being. I am so grateful to know you and even more grateful to be your Mom.

5.

James

My creative builder. You showed a definate interest in things with wheels the first day you were born. You would quietly watch me run a car along the blankets for as long as I would do it. A few years later, the inclination for buildng things emerged and you have delighted us with your creations ever since. You are willing to go along with almost anything and often let your little brother get his way, just because you are so easy-going. You are so brave. You stayed out the the tent we set up in our backyard one year the longest and was never scared. I am so grateful that you have entered my life and our family. It most certainly would not be the same without you.

6.

Quentin

My all-grown-up baby. You have brought such happiness to everyone who knows you. You were the only baby who preferred me and not Dad! We spent so much time cuddling and talking and playing games. You are funny and lively. You don't like to be left behind, and so you are willing to stretch yourself! You are smart and clever. You are a born actor as you love to pretend every day, usually several different things each day, and it is how you like to learn best. I am so grateful that you made our family complete.

On Father's Day and Passing on my Inheritance

at my wedding, December 1989

I remember that even as a little girl my father would take me with him pretty much wherever he went, if I wanted to go. Not that he went far from home or to, for today's standards, exciting places, but, oh, I loved them. Sometimes he just went to the little country store just a mile or so from my house to pick up a loaf of bread or a jug of milk. While he was on his errand, however, I went to the toy display. If you have ever been in a little country store, you will know what I mean...bags of marbles, green plastic army men, small dolls dressed in a nurse's outfit and the like. Sometimes I just looked, noting if there was anything new but sometimes I found some sort of treasure that I wanted. I don't think he ever told me "no" when I picked out something. Somehow, however, it was an unspoken rule that I could not ask for something every time I went. On those occasions when I met him back at the counter empty-handed, he often would pick up at the last minute a 1/2 pound Hershey's chocolate bar with almonds to take back home to share. Sometimes he would also place on the counter between the sweating milk and the bread a small tan paper sack of peanuts in the shell. He loved nothing better.

Sometimes he took me with him to visit his friends and I would search for interesting stones at the edge of a garden while they talked about the progress of their plants or organic bug deterrents (and that was in the day when that was virtually unheard of). I would also listen to their conversation, which was always more interesting than the conversation of my peers, full of practical advise and encouraging tidbits.

Sometimes he took me with him when he bought supplies, salted eels for his "trotline" (a thin rope that had bait at regular intervals that was put in the Bay to entice Blue Crabs from the depths closer to the surface for him to scoop up in his wire net) or bags of salt to keep them preserved, or something from the hardware store for his latest project. He was always doing something. Never in the hurried a-job-to-get-done manner that we are used to today, for it was more the process than the end result for him. I would say that was true for his life in general. He enjoyed each day for what it was, not focusing on the end result but thoroughly loving each moment along the way. That has been the greatest gift he ever gave me, for I see it unfolding in my own life, as I pass it down to my own children. In a simple way, passing down to them an inheritance from him.

Halloween Necklaces

Quentin has been dying to make something Halloweenish, so I consented to getting out a candy Halloween necklace kit. Alex hovered as opened the box and slit the clear plastic pouch for Quentin, so instead of handing it to Quentin's eager hands, I poured them into an empty paper plate at Alex's spot at the table. Alex immediately sat down and got to work, stringing the little candy beads. Quentin did not say a word.

Even though he is the somewhat-spoiled, always-wanting-to-be-first youngest child, Quentin somehow instinctively knows these moments of importance for Alex. He quietly waited for me to open another pouch for him. Soon I had a pouch open for James as well and the three were sitting around the table, together and yet separate in their quiet concentration.

As always, I am snapping photographs, appreciating every moment. Quentin, because he isn't taking his eyes off his task doesn't realize that I am sometimes taking photos of him and sometimes photos of Alex, suddenly admonishes me that I should take some pictures of Alex. I told him that I was and he says, "Oh," in a somewhat relieved tone.

I am not sure whether he is so concerned because of some sense of fairness, or whether he wants me to capture these moments when Alex is with the group, quietly doing what the rest are doing, not needing any assistance. We all are a bit amazed that he is so absorbed in the activity.

I am not sure I would have thought to ask Alex to join us had he not been hovering, and yet, had I not noticed his hovering, these moments may not have happened.

He hands the necklace over to Steven to tie. Wordless request.

The necklace is too small to go over his head as they are not made for sixteen-year-olds, so he slips it on his wrist. He is all big smiles. He is very happy.

Smiles vanish quickly as the camera is raised. The distant, cool look comes out instead. He almost now looks like the teenager that he is, too cool for candy necklaces, but tolerating the photo to please mother.

Let's Remember Who Have Fought For Us

If you know a member of the Armed Forces, give them a thank you today. If you don't head on over to Troop Petrie and thank them for what they do for us every day.

On Gratitude

I think one of the most amazing side effects of studying history is the gratitude that it generates. If you really study it, not just memorize facts and dates, but really put yourself into the time period, in the shoes of those who were there, you marvel at all that they went through. You marvel at how hard it was to get something to eat and to prepare it for your families. You become grateful for the fact you can just turn your faucet knobs on your tub and get lots of water just the temperature you want, and that you can enjoy this luxury every day. You become amazed that you do not fear that the birth of a child might take a loved one from you or that at any time you might lose your whole family from a sudden disease. You become grateful for all the heroes who have made this possible.