Root-a-Toot-Toot

Rachel had a band concert to close out the school year. She started playing the trumpet this year and is doing very well. I was really surprised how much the entire 6th grade band has progressed this year.

Rachel is second from the left in the white headband.

Tacos In a Bag

I was able to go camping with the girls' scout troop. It was tons of fun!!

The particular campground we went to had platform tents. Those were a first for me. I would much rather set up a traditional tent. The platform tents don't secure at the bottom. Anything can crawl in. I told more than one Girl Scout to suck it up.

We got to participate in archery. The adults got to have a try, too. I took an archery class in high school, but don't remember a whole lot about it. Rachel made two bullseyes! I was so glad I was along to see it. It would have been fun and exciting to hear her tell me about it, but it was even better witnessing it. My archery skills weren't as good as Rachel's, but it was fun.

We hiked down to a creek the girls were able to wade in. The younger girls learned how to build a fire. All the girls were able to make smores each night.

For dinner one night, we had Tacos in a Bag. That was another first for me. Each person got an individual bag of Doritoes and added the taco toppings to the bag. The idea was to eat it out of the bag. Of course, everything tastes better after a day of hiking.

Tacos in a Bag were such a big hit, Hannah (with a bit of adult supervision) made it for the family when we got home. We just bought a big bag of Doritoes and portioned them into baggies.

No Longer A Daisy

Hannah bridged from Daisies to Brownies finishing her second year of Girl Scouts.

Rachel's Cadette troup bridged the Juniors to Cadettes. Rachel finished up her seventh year of Girl Scouts.

Then the Cadettes put on a skit to show the others what they had learned through their aMaze journey. aMaze is a book put out by Girl Scouts that teaches the girls to be kind to others and spread peace in their communities. Rachel played a nerd named Mildred.

The girls asked Aaron to play the part of the jock. I was surprised that he agreed.

The Moments We Will Never Forget

Almost 10 years ago, I sat on the couch with my infant for his morning bottle. I turned on the t.v. to see the unbelievable news that our nation was under attack.

Last night I wasn't feeling well. I turned off the tv and computer and went to bed early. I got up this morning and got the kids up to get ready for school. PK was packed and ready to head to Knoxville to drill for a couple days. He said good-bye to everyone and loaded his car. I spent a few minutes loading the dishwasher while Aaron and Hannah finished up their breakfast. I followed them upstairs so I could get dressed to take them to school. My computer was sitting on the floor next to my bed and I thought I would do a quick Facebook and email check.

When I open my internet connection, a newsfeed automatically pops up. I must have read the headline three or four times. I couldn't believe what I was reading. I had to turn the tv on to confirm. Usama Bin Laden is dead.

I was shocked. The mastermind behind our nation's tragedy of September 11, 2001 had been killed by Navy Seals. I picked up the phone and called PK.

I must have posted and deleted my Facebook status a dozen times. How was I supposed to sum up my feelings in a small status update? Plus, many on Facebook probably wouldn't agree with my reaction. I do not like confrontation. My blog is a slightly safer place.

Here is what I think...

I support our troops!! Since our country has been involved in the War on Terror, 5983service members have made the ultimate sacrifice. They follow orders and serve to insure our freedom and safety. PK and I personally know many who have served in Afghanistan. I am very thankful that our Navy Seals made it in and out of this mission without losing any of their team.

That said, I can't celebrate the loss of a life regardless of who it is. Proverbs 24:17... Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice... I don't think this means we are supposed to sit back and take whatever our enemies dish out, but I just can't justify cheering at the death of an individual.

The news of Bin Laden's death does not make my memories of what happened on Septemeber 11, 2001 any sweeter.

As I watched the news and saw the crowds of US citizens who poured into the streets to celebrate, I noticed that many of the faces who were cheering were very young. Were they caught up in the moment? Do they really know what they are celebrating? Are we really happy that a man died a violent death? I think we should rejoice in the fact that Bin Laden can no longer directly harm us, but we shouldn't be quick to forget he has a second in command. I think we should rejoice in the fact that our troops showed those who may dare attack our people that they should not mess with the United States of America.

I just heard a news commentator suggest that Bin Laden's death is the end to terrorism. Are we that naive? Do we as a nation really think that the members of al-Qadea will just change their minds and support peace? More now than ever our service members and our country need the prayers of God's people. Lord have mercy on us all!

Easter

We spent the night before Easter at an Easter Vigil Service with some friends. For the record, if you ever walk into a church service (especially one that is held late in the evening) and are handed a 47 page bulletin, you should grab a large cup of coffee and stake out a seat close to the bathrooms. The service is nice as the climax of the service is celebrating the arrival of Easter and the rising of our Savior by ringing bells.

We got home rather late from the Easter Vigil and Hannah insisted on leaving carrots for the Easter Bunny. Since we leave cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer, it is only fair.

These are the kids Easter baskets. I have friends who have the tradition of sitting out an empty basket for the Easter Bunny to fill. I wish I would have thought of that when the kids were really little! In our house, the Easter Bunny brings the whole shabang. When the kids were really little, I would just use the same baskets every year. As they got older, I started trying to get creative with their baskets. One year I buckets that they could later take to the beach. Another year I used lunch boxes. This year it was beach bags for the pool with everyone receiving their own pool noodle. They each got a new beach towel. Aaron had been wanting a snorkel so got that and the girls got a chair float that their noodle fits through. Of course, there was candy. Just not tons. I don't really care that they eat candy, but I am weak and don't want all that chocolate in the house.

Hannah was really hoping the Easter Bunny would leave a basket for Holly. Aaron and Rachel no longer "believe" and I know Hannah's time is limited, so the Easter Bunny added to the magic.

The empty plate and a note from the Easter Bunny.

Hannah reading the note which thanks her for the carrots and lets the kids know how many eggs are hidden in the front yard.

The hunt is on. Notice the pre-teen is actually hunting for the eggs. The Easter Bunny fills plastic eggs with change at our house and she wasn't going to miss out on that.

I'm not sure what Aaron saw, but I love the expression on his face.

Rachel was finished hunting and was trying to act like she really didn't want to be awake. I thought it was funny because I remember the year I decided I would really rather sleep in and see what I got later.

Sporting the new Easter outfits.

The boys. It was an extra special Easter because PK asked off at the last minute and miracle of miracles, his bossed agreed. We have spent several Easters and Christamases with him missing, so we were very happy to have him celebrate the entire day with us.

Rachel was confirmed in church this morning. What a great day to join the church and for her to reaffirm her decision to follow Christ.

Miss Goody Two Shoes

That is Rachel's new nickname now that she can wear two shoes. After three months in either a cast or aircast, she is delighted to be able to wear two shoes.

Here she is on her first day back to school wearing two shoes.

She had to wear this aircast for the entire month of March. It was a welcome change after having been in the "plaster" cast for two months. She had to wear the aircast all the time except when she was showering. Showering with the previous cast required garbage bags and duct tape. The aircast also allowed her to once again wear jeans. She managed to make sweatpants stylish.

Realizing her life on crutches was going to last a while, she decided to make the most out of it. She added some fun ribbon and a little bling. She received tons of comments on her crutches. I am very proud of her. She made the best out of a bad situation the entire time! (Well...most of the time. She is a pre-teen and I am finding with that comes a certain amount of complaining that is mostly aimed at the Momma!)

This picture is from one of the trips to the orthopedic surgeon. I think it is the second trip. She had already had the thigh high cast for a while and I had been under the impression she would be getting it off on this particular visit. Fortunately, at the previous visit Rachel understood the doctor to say he would x-ray it and we would go from there.

When she had the thigh high cast, she was doomed to a life of sponge baths. We tried washing her hair over the sink. That was not an easy task. I splurged a couple times and took her to a salon to have her hair washed. One of the stylists did a fantastic job blow drying it straight. Rachel has wanted her hair straight for about as long as I can remember. The grass is always greener. She loves having it straightened and was thankful for the treat.

Now she still walks a bit slow and has to build up the muscle in that leg, but she knows that she is capable of enduring which is a great lesson for us all to learn.

An Open Letter to My Dear Friend

Dear Candace (a.k.a. One of My Blog Stalkers),

Thanks for reminding me that I needed to update my blog. It has been on my "to do" list. If you scroll back past this post, you will find a few new pictures.

Love,

Jody (a.k.a Blog Slacker)