Memorial Day

     Just a few thoughts and words of my own for the men & women of our armed forces. How noble you all are. How grateful I am for all those who have served or are serving. Despite our country’s problems, this is still the best place on earth to live. It’s because of their dedication that the U.S. remains that way.

     Growing up my family always made the trek north to decorate the graves of loved ones who had gone one before. Grandparents, baby sisters, and a host of others. Besides getting to see the land of my ancestors, there would also be time to look through the rows of headstones to locate other relatives. Once they were located my dad would have a story about each one. Before making our stops at the cemeteries we would go to my Grandma’s (Mom’s mom) and clip peonies off her bushes. She always had the biggest blooms. What a way to remember our loved ones.

     Yesterday as we explained to the kids the reason we celebrate Memorial Day I was reminded again myself. I believe we need to take our kids to those cemeteries so we can tell them about those who have gone before us and allow us to be free.

Random thoughts at work day's end...

A glimpse of my day...

• School is almost out of summer - wow!
• The bosses will out of town the rest of the week...
• Joplin, MO hit by a tornado - just horrible!
• Why are the geese walking across the parking lot and not flying?

April 2011

I am really trying to ease back into scrapbooking so I thought if I highlighted some things on the blog it might help me get a kick start!

April was so fun and so full!

 Robert's kindergarten class performed a reader's theater.

We had another beautiful Saturday so we took another trip to the zoo. This time to be sure to see the elephants. The OKC Zoo just built a brand-new exhibit/habitat for them. Then a week after we were there one of the elephant's had a baby. So we'll have to go back soon!!!

All of the kindergarten classes at Roosevelt went to the Science Museum Oklahoma for a field trip. Scott even went too! This is Robert riding a segway.

Robert played soccer with friends from church. He had a great time!!

Scott & I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary! And last but not least...

EASTER - in Kansas...

We also had friends come from Virginia - yet we didn't take any pictures (what was I thinking?!)

These may not be award winning photos - but we made some wonderful memories!

The Royal Wedding

I didn’t set my alarm to watch the wedding of Prince William to his bride. I planned on catching a view of them reciting their vows later on the web.  My alarm went off at 4:40 am so I could fetch Lord Robert and Lady Lauren their special breakfast of chocolate sprinkled donuts. Then after obtaining my bounty I went to the gym to walk. As I was walking my 3 miles so I could later indulge in my breakfast reward I was able to witness Prince William and Catherine’s vows with a billion of their closest friends. Yeah – Bonus I would be able to see what I wanted! Then as I watched them pledge their troth's to one another my mind wandered to the summer of 1981 when Prince Charles & Lady Diana were wed. I remember being a kid of 11 and begging my mom to wake me up to watch it. I remember the majesty, the pageantry, the hats that only the British can wear, the horses & carriages and the train! The 25 foot train on Lady Diana’s gown was amazing. I kept thinking “Holy cow! How did that fit into the carriage with her?” I remember the vows. How nervous she must have been and then she said his name wrong. To this day I always hold my breath during that part of the wedding – who wants to blow that?! Then I remembered their kiss and thinking what a life that must be. Granted we all know how that fairy tale ended. So here’s to Prince William and his bride, may your fairy tale come true!

January - February - March

    Yes 1st quarter of 2011 got off to a wonderful start. On New Year's Day we watched our Sooners kick some UCONN Husky tail in the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl. A BCS win that was needed.  



These are from our trip to the OKC Zoo in January...the weather was unbelievable so we took advantage of it!!

The very next week this is what the weather brought us in February!!  Robert was out of school for 7 days in a two week period!! We did get to take the kids to a free OU Men's basketball game since the weather was so bad. The university let everyone in for free!!!

March brought a trip to Grammie & Grandpa's in Kansas for Spring Break & a trip to Woolaroc with Mimi & Grandpa. Shocking that this was the best photo of the 2 huh?! Hopefully we're giving everyone the opportunity to make some wonderful memories.

Ahh...Easter

I love Easter - not for the chocolate bunnies or Easter egg hunts (while those are fun distractions); but because it's the time of year to reflect on true unconditional love. The love shown to us by our Heavenly Father & his providing for us a Savior. I hope to post some Easter egg hunt photos shortly. In the meantime, I hope you had a happy Easter & were able to spend it rejoicing in our Heavenly Father's love!

What's in a name?

     

     What’s in a name? Everything! Names can cause heartache or triumph. They’re an adjective that’s so powerful tears of joy or sorrow can come with a mere mention. I’m trying to teach my kids the lesson that names are so important. 

    

      That was one way I knew a new chapter in my life had begun. I knew when we planned our family that I would have to be one of “those” moms who work outside her home. So when the day finally came to take my precious baby boy to the wonderful, loving people who would care for him in my absence there were no tears. Not from me and certainly no from him. When I arrived to retrieve him that first day one of the other mommies was there & she called me a name. She said “Oh you must be Robert’s mom”. There it was. She called me a name that no one outside our family had used to describe me before. MOM – it hit me like a ton of bricks; the newest chapter in my life – MOM. It brought tears to my eyes. It’s a name I wear proudly. So fast forward 5 years. I’m having a conversation with Lauren (who is 2) on our way to her school. I say “La, do you prefer to call me Mommy or Mom?” Imagine my surprise when she says “Um, Paula”. I had worked pretty hard to be called Mom. Guess I need more teaching time with her!