Freedom Isn't Free!

This is a tribute to the men and women who serve, and have served, our country in the military. Let's remember them and pray for them, not just on Memorial Day, but every day!

(**pause or stop the music on here before you play the video**)

"If I Die Before You Wake"

My Mom

Mother's Day is coming, and, of course, you know what that means..."what in the world can I buy my mom that she doesn't already have?!!!" No, not really, well, at least that's not all I think about. I truly am blessed with a wonderful mom, so for me it brings lots of good memories and the desire to do something special for my mom. Today I ordered her gift, but I won't post about that (someone out there might tell her what it is!).

However, I did find a way to honor Mom. Janice, at 5 Minutes for Mom is having a Mother's Day photo contest. All you have to do is post a picture that expresses Motherhood to you. The winner of the contest will receive $1,000 via an American Express gift card! (thanks to Egg Beaters) Soooo, here is the picture that expresses Motherhood to me:



My mom, Dora, joined the U.S. Army in 1954...one day before her 19th birthday. My mom was a very shy person who could barely speak to a stranger, yet she had the strength to venture out and go into a world of strangers! Although she remained a quiet and reserved person, this "Army Mom" would emerge when needed during my childhood...to stand up for what she believed was true and right!

Now that we're both adults, Mom has become one of my best friends! Her strength shines through every day, and I love her for the example she has set for me in her life!

Thanks, Mom!

Veteran's Day

Sunday, November 11th, was Veteran's Day, but since it was on a Sunday this year it was observed on Monday. The kids and I have been doing a unit study this past week about Veteran's Day. It's been a good study, and now they have a better grasp of what our soldiers are doing and what the soldiers in the past have done for our country. Whether a person supports the war or not, our soldiers are all around the world protecting our freedoms. So support our troops! My friend Perri put this link on her blog. Go to it and you can easily send a soldier a post card! It will take about 30 seconds. I don't think that's too much to ask of us sitting here in our comfortable chairs, is it?

Yesterday Mom and I took the kids to a local Veteran's Day ceremony. For those of you who don't know, my Mom is a veteran. She served in the U.S. Army for two years, from November 10, 1954, until November 9, 1956. She had the rank of Corporal when she finished. I'm very proud of my Mom. Her Mom had 11 children....8 sons and 3 daughters. All 8 sons and 1 daughter served in the military. Some were prisoners of war, and some were wounded, but all came home. Not every parent was that blessed.

Here are some pictures from yesterday:

This is the monument where we gathered

Mom, Beth, and Ben remembering our soldiers


A Veteran saluting as his branch of the military is called out

The Ragged Old Flag (click here to hear this poem/song that they sang while we gazed at this ragged flag)