S Club Mama

I love celebrating the 4th of July - always have. I remember so many years of going to the local Independence Day parade, their firework show, and fireworks at my Grandma's house. Tonight the firework show brought tears to my eyes as I remembered the past. I miss my Grandma (not because she's passed away but I just don't see her often). I am so thankful for technology that allows me to talk to her whenever I want (which is never often enough) and that in a few weeks I will get to see her. image via   The same cannot be said of God. I do not have the technology to physically see Him. I do long to see Him and will some day. But for now, I am learning to practice the presence of God. That sounds kind of hokey, doesn't it? How does one practice that practically? For me, it's very simple. It comes down to being conscience of God every second of every day. I'll be the first to tell you that I'm very bad at this! I am just learning to do this, though. Lear...

The Berenstain Bears have provided my generation and my kids' generation with some of the best social stories available. They have helped us with teaching our children respect, contentedness (the Gimmes), the dentist, and doctor, among other things. I have really enjoyed the newer Living Lights stories, helping to teach faith to our children. I was excited for an Independence Day story, " The Berenstain Bears' God Bless Our Country " by Mike Berenstain, for my children. We don't have many for the 4th of July (if any?) so I thought this would be great. I liked how they told about the Revolutionary War and why it was fought. I loved the "Li-bear-ty Bell," just cute and cleaver. image via BookLook However, I did not like that the book quoted the Old Testament when talking about America. It called this country a land flowing with milk and honey. While this is the Land of Opportunity, that Scripture specifically is referring to the Promised Land/Israe...

1. 2 miles walked this morning in peace. Not running (yet) but walking will do for now in my injury rehab state. 2. a house. Too many in this world don't have a stable place to live. And even in year we've been here, I feel I take this luxury for granted. 3. family. I love holidays that equal days off for Big A. It's so lovely to have us together. We've played games together, read together, shot off some fireworks, and rested. Later - fireworks! 4. watermelon. It just doesn't feel like officially summer until we eat some watermelon. And I think $2.98 watermelon just tastes a little sweeter, right? Well, not quite as good as the free (!!) peas from my garden will taste (seriously, I have peas in my fridge that I picked from our garden). How cool are gardens?! What are you thankful for today? Independence? Nice weather? Good food? Music? Thank you to the soldiers who have provided so many nice freedoms that I enjoy every day. This is a sweet holiday, a sweet...

We started off our 4th of July weekend with a Firecracker 5K Race. My first 5K finished in 29:47. Then we went to Nebraska City to watch fireworks. We hadn't been to this show in 4 years. Last time was the day before my Moose was born. Here he is playing with our best friends' Kurt & Laura's nephews, foster son, and cousin. I was so proud of him sharing his cars & not arguing about it. My little sweaty head! Squirt, once again, didn't care for the fireworks. This year the noise seemed to bother him as much as the brightness of it all. He didn't cry, though, just cuddled (sweatily) in his daddy's arms. He warmed up about halfway through the show and at least put up with it.  On the 4th itself, we went to a local Kansas town to watch their fireworks. We went there last year and enjoyed them - they put on one heck of a show. We did stop at their awesome playground (where we had the boys' friend birthday party) to play before the show. It wa...

Saturday, July 2, 2011 was my very first 5K. That's right, 3 halves under my belt and no 5K. Anyway, this was our little town's 4th of July run. There were 273 participants (runners & walkers) and I finished 116th with a time of 29:47. The first mile was just kind of tough to get going. There was one hill which I just took at my normal slow & steady pace. That first hill, I passed quite a few people. We looped by our house to a water station at the hospital to get going on mile 2. About mile 2.5 there was another good hill. I was doing ok - I just kept thinking I should be going faster but my pace was normal. Sometimes I think I'm a fast runner - I'm not! Gotta get that through my head! During mile 3 I had a mental breakthrough. I know that I've ran 10 miles more than this, so 3 miles is nothing. I just have to push through! And I did - well. There were two women I was familiar with running ahead of me and I set a mini-goal to beat them. We probably had ...

Independence is such an important part of life. We raise our children to be independent. We move out on our own to be independent. Our country fought to have their own independence. Our country now fights for the democratic independence of other nations. Independence is also freedom. Freedom from persecution, fear. As much as I enjoy my personal rights and freedoms in the USA; my freedom comes from the Lord. I know that I have freedom from all the brokenness of my past. Any hurt, struggle, or fear I've had is laid to rest by the blood of Christ. This Independence Day may you, too, find the freedom of Christ!

Right now our country is in a state of economic crisis (no matter if some say it's over) and we're at war in a foreign country. It may not be the best of times for some but it also is probably not the worst of times for most. We are blessed to live in a country of abundance or, at the very least, some. Many go without. We are blessed to live in a country of relative safety. Many fall daily both without this assurance and to protect our assurance. We are blessed to live in a country with certain inalienable rights. Many are persecuted for much less. We are blessed to live in a country with free speech and freedom of religion. Many have no freedom.  We are blessed to live in a country with a military system in place to defend us at the country's beck and call. Many rely on those same soldiers because they have few or none.  We, the United States of America, are blessed. Please remember this as you celebrate your Independence Day. "because the flag stil...

Happy 4th of July! Growing up this wasn't really a patriotic day for me. I don't remember (outside of school) talking about how proud I was to be an American other than wearing the red, white, and blue. It seemed more of a tradition than a symbolic presentation. Now that I'm older, I want my son to understand why we celebrate the 4th. It's not just a day full of red, white, and blue clothes, food, and decorations along with a great fireworks display. It's a day to remember our soldiers: past, present, fallen, survivors. It's not just a family day to relax like President Obama said today. It's about our freedom. I don't identify as a military family, but, in a way, we are. -My Grandpa Larry (my dad's dad) was in the Army. I honestly don't know if he served, but I think he did. It just was something no one ever talked about, not like in a secretive way but just in an "it's in the past" kind of way. -My very own Dad served in the Nav...