Memorial Day Remembrance

While living in Europe, we had the oppurtunity to visit the beaches of Normandy, France.  The experience was humbling and amazing.  The American cemetary there is much bigger than I ever imagined.  I thought it appropriate to share some pictures from our trip in remembrance of the many soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.



The Normandy American Cemetery, situated on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach and the
English Channel just east of St-Laurent-sur-Mer and northwest of Bayeux in Colleville-sur-Mer, France





Statue, "The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves"
Carved on the inner face of the colonnade's lintel is the inscription:

THIS EMBATTLED SHORE, PORTAL OF FREEDOM,
IS FOREVER HALLOWED BY THE IDEALS,
THE VALOR AND THE SACRIFICES

OF OUR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN

 



Overlooking Omaha Beach......speechless......

  



Different day, same trip.  Different memorial, same message.


"Let me not mourn for the men who have died fighting , but rather, let me be glad that such heroes have lived."
General George S. Patton, Soldier's prayer

Abundantly Blessed,

Poppy

Landon's Birthday Wish

Landon has a hobby.

He has a passion.

He studies it.

He makes meal plans around it.

He keeps a journal about it.

He has had a serious interest in it for more than a year.

Landon's hobby is fitness.

So, when his 14th birthday rolled around, we knew exactly what he wanted,

because he had been talking about something called a "power rack" for quite a while. 

And that's what he got.

  

Happy Birthday Landon! 

He can do lots of pull ups on his power rack.

He can do seated rows,

and tricep extentions(Landon told me you don't spell tricep with a T on the end),

and squats on his power rack.

And Landon's power rack makes him very happy.

I think I even heard him say, "...best birthday present ever!"

Blessed by my offspring,

Poppy


FYI- I wanted to buy Landon a milk cow for his birthday.

Happy Birthday to my Sweet Little Momma!!!

Big sister Phyllis and little sister Cheri, Circa 1964

Look at that cute little girl with strong hips and big heart!!

You still twirl hula hoops and carry babes on your hips better than anyone I know... 

and you lug horseback riding saddles, and laundry baskets on 'em,

 and you shut car doors, cabinet doors and drawer with 'em,

 and you shake 'em faster than the band can play on the dance floor,

 and I know Daddy still watches 'em when you walk ;),

and one hand naturally goes to one or the other of them when you're feeling sassy,

.....or mad,

or one hand on each of them when you're REALLY mad,

and did I mention that I've never seen anyone hula hoop as good as you?

Yeah, I did.

Happy Birthday Momma!!!

I love you!

Maternally Blessed,

Poppy

Eternal Optimist or Darkside Proponent?

Background:  Kellen took the first half of the training to become a certified lifeguard this past weekend.  Part of that training involved learning how to save drowning victims.  Other people in the class pretended to be the drowning victims.  He also learning some basic CPR and first aid.

More Background:  Brian was planning a hiking trip for the boys recently and Kellen expressed concern as to whether or not he would be able to save his Dad if anything were to go awry on the trip.  He wondered if he would be physically able to lift his Dad and carry him to safety if something terrible were to happened.  So Kellen went around for a few days practicing to save his Dad by picking him up and throwing him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, affirmatively saying, "See, I could save you Dad."  Good thing Brian has a sense of humor.  And, yes, Brian still weighs over 200lbs. 

Very Far Background:  When Kellen was in first grade he was the self proclaimed "defender of the playground".  He sat atop the monkey bars watching for any bully action that would require the saving of an innocent kid from getting pushed around.

 Saving people is something that has always concerned my Kellen. 

 So now that you're all filled in, here is a conversation I had with Kellen in the truck on the way home from school today.

Kellen: Coughing up a lung because he has some cold and allergy action going on, "Mom, if I go into heart failure, let me tell you how to save me."

Me: Appalled, "Kellen what are you saying?  Don't talk like that!"

Kellen: Ignores me,"Pull over, drag me out, check for pulse and breathing, if no breathing is found and no other signs of consciousness, tilt head back, give two rescue breaths, 30 chest pumps, call EMS and continue until they arrive."

Me: "Kellen you may have an unhealthy desire to save people.  You need to watch that.  Look what happened to Annikan(AKA-Darth Vader).

Kellen:"He became the ruler of the universe!!!!!"

................



I have to go now.  I have some things to pray about.

Still Blessed,

Poppy