Tradition of Honor

Memorial Day was always one of my favorite days in my hometown.  Those who don't know me likely don't have a lot of reason to know or have heard of Red Oak, Iowa.  And many don't know that in WWII Red Oak suffered more casualties per capita than any city in the United States.  This lead to an amazing tribute every year when the flags of service men and women who have died are dedicated and Evergreen Cemetery is lined in honor.  It is a beautiful sight and a vivid reminder of the cost of freedom.  

When I was in high school we could participate in hanging the flags as a service project.  I remember reading some of the names and the wars they served.  Some of the flags are very old while some are bright and brand new.  Each flag represents a life which give you goose bumps and a humble heart at the thought.  

I've never taken my boys but as they get older I would like to make a point to attend the ceremony in Red Oak and walk around the cemetery.  On a sunny day nothing beats the beauty of all the flags blowing strong in the breeze.  It is a quiet part of the world - one I'm proud to call home.  

Today is cold and rainy in Chicago but I am thankful for the fact that my sons can ride their bikes around our neighborhood, play with their friends, and enjoy freedom in our amazing country.  

God bless.  

Just keep swimming - just keep swimming

I feel like I could use a Dory these days.  There is so much going on that, if I allow myself, I can become quite overwhelmed.  Work is nuts as it always is, boys have a lot going on with school, this bathroom/closet project is still underway, we are participating in our community garage sale this weekend and that's just what comes to mind.

From now until the end of June we are non-stop, topping it off with our family vacation to Croatia (countdown - 36 days).  So that's what is keeping me going.  Just get to Croatia...

When I start feeling like this I try to make myself take a step back and remind myself of the things I do well.  A funny one came to mind today.

By this point in the school year I have nailed the weekday morning routine.  My teammates still need some coaching along the way as we race the clock every morning in hopes of not missing the school bus.  Alarm goes off at 6:20 AM allowing for one snooze before we really need to move.  Cameron now has his own alarm and I enjoy hearing him stumble downstairs to get his breakfast.  By the time we are all downstairs and all have made their breakfast selections I am on to sandwich making.  PB&J for Cameron, ham and cheese for Brandon.  With minimal verbal interaction we make the side and snack selections.  Each meal is placed in it's designated pile for packing by the boys after they get dressed and groom themselves (please make sure you comb the back of your hair as well).

We each do our routines and while sometimes I sound like a drill sergeant in the final minutes, we stumble out the door and are on our way to the bus between 7:20 - 7:25 AM every day.  The actual time out the door will determine our final walking pace.

Any amount of good, bad and ugly can accompany this daily routine...misplaced library books, second try at washing mouths, missing shoe, last minute homework to be checked, check writing for some activity, Jupiter falling out of orbit in the paper mache solar system...a number of possible diversions.  But, we all function as a team and once we are out the door our day officially begins.  For the most part it works and we are good at it.

Soon we will have a break for summer then start up again in the fall.  This is one of the things that I enjoy most about my life right now, strange as that may sound.  I know it won't last forever and every year it will be a little different.  But these are the things that keep me going...simple as they may be.