We have been so busy over the past couple of weeks. We packed the kids up and headed for Ferndale for 6 days. It was interesting traveling with 2 kiddo's and ALL their gear. Who would have known that we would barely have enough room to pack our own bags, in a mini van no less!!! Between the pack and play, the jumperoo, the bouncy seat, the bumbo, the toy bar, the bags of clothes, the diapers, the dog.....we were packed to the hilt!!!! I felt a little like The Clampet's driving down I5. Good thing we didn't have Grandma in a rocking chair on the roof!!! Hee Hee!!!
We had a fantastic and busy few days up North. Visiting family and friends is always a highlight for us. The kids were great travelers and no one got sick!!! The reason for the trip centered around Connor being chosen to be in a calendar for Down Syndrome Awareness in Whatcom County. We were all so excited about this for Little Bug. We got his first real haircut and got him some fancy new duds so he would be polished for his photo shoot. What fun it was to watch him being a star. The first few minutes of the shoot he wouldn't smile for anything. You should have seen us. We were working very hard to get him to crack a smile, but he just looked at us like we were fools. Then, finally, Randy started to do the airplane game with him and he started pumping those chubby little legs like Rudolph on Christmas Eve and we saw some smiles. The photographer was GREAT!!! She got down flat on her back and let Randy do the airplane game right over her so she could get Connor's smiles close up. She was able to snap some fantastic shots and we can't wait for the calendar to be revealed at the end of summer. We will keep you all posted on the progress of the calendar and many have already asked how they can get one once they come out. It is my understanding that you can purchase them through us or through the Whatcom County Down Syndrome Awareness website. I am waiting for word back from the coordinator on how best to accommodate requests for the calendar. Stay posted and I will let you know how you can get one if that's your desire.
After the photo shoot we walked around Cornwall Park and took some pictures of our own. We realized that we didn't have any pictures of the 4 of us, so this was a perfect and fun opportunity to take some family pictures.
We hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day and we hope you have the opportunity to pay respect to all the men and women who have fought so bravely for our dear country and lost their lives. I personally say thank you to all the brave soldiers that have been dedicated, even to death, to spare the lives of those of us living in our great USA. I found a little bit of history that I thought was interesting. In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
So, if you see a red poppy over the weekend you will be reminded that the "blood of our heroes never dies!!!" Happy Memorial Day!!
Lovebug Hugs,
Lori
2 comments:
I apologize, I know this is kinda long. I just read it in our newspaper...a memorial written from a Mother's heart to her son that was lost in Iraq. Since you shared the "poppy" poem, I thought you might like to read this sweet poem. So, "thank you" to Randy and all those who serve!
Jen from Mukilteo
Jeffrey Brian Star
In Loving Memory
Jeffrey Brian Star
Corporal, USMC
May 25, 1983 - May 30, 2005
KIA Ramadi, Iraq
A triangle of stars -
pure white on field of blue -
represents the gratitude, Son,
our country feels for you.
Some may think its only
a bit of folded cloth.
But, more than that,
its an emblem
of Freedoms highest cost.
Just a bit of folded cloth?
No a symbol to behold.
Our world now is forever
changed.
Our blue star now is gold.
A triangle of stars
pure white on field of blue.
On bended knee his friend gave to me
with whispered words so true:
A grateful nation weeps
this day
and parents hearts are
broken.
A patriot fought a hero died.
This flag is just a token.
It represents the love he had
for family and friends;
the courage and the honor
upon which Liberty depends.
A triangle of stars
pure white on field of blue.
The sacrifice made by those
who do what Patriots do.
How high the cost of Liberty.
How richly we have paid -
For upon the altar of Freedom
our precious son was laid.
To give this gift to Country
was not our choice to make.
the choice was his and he thought
it a risk he ought to take.
A triangle of stars
pure white on field of blue.
Through pain and sorrow, pride is strong
for what he had to do.
How overcome with awe I am
that the little boy we raised
grew up to be a hero
with Valor highly praised.
As a child, I thought it meant
that I had done my part,
if every time the flag
passed by,
I placed my hand on heart.
But now Im grown and
understand
we might be asked for more.
The cost of cherished
Freedom
could be someone we adore.
Inside this folded triangle
are stripes of red and white.
They're hidden now and
can't be seen,
but faith tells me thats right.
Neither can our son be seen,
faith lets us know hes near -
and watching over us until
we leave to join him there.
It has a place of honor
these folded stripes and stars
For pride in him goes deeper
than his parents heart-felt scars.
A triangle of stars
pure white on field of blue -
represents the gratitude, Son,
our country feels for you.
Jeff, We love and miss you
every single minute of
every single day.
~Dad, Mom, Hillary and Emily
To Jen from Mukilteo,
Thanks for sharing that beautiful tribute. As a mother I can feel the sorrow and pride in this poem. We must all remember that with the price of freedom there is great sacrifice. May God spare us from the same sorrow this mother faced, but may we share in her sorrow every day when we adore our beautiful flag and see the stars and stripes blowing in the wind. Thank you Jen for commenting with this most poigniant poem.
Lori
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