Memorial Day versus Veteran's Day

The United States designates two days each year to celebrate and thank military serviceman and their families, but these two days have two very different meanings. Since joining the military by Tyler's side six years ago, I have become keenly aware of the reason the United States designates these days, but also more knowledgeable about the difference.

Memorial day falls on the last Monday in May each year and is a day to remember our fallen soldiers, sailors and airman, and their families. This is not the day to thank people currently serving, yet a day to remember their fallen comrades. If you want to experience true love -- ask them about their friends and fellow serviceman who was killed in action. Be patient as you wait for the story because emotions are hard to contain, but they appreciate your sincerity and relish in the opportunity to share their friend's heroism.

On this day, do not forget the wives, husbands, sons, daughters, moms, and dads left behind. When a service member lays down their life, their relatives' lives change forever. They can tell you what they were doing when they heard the knock on the door and they can tell you what they are doing to survive each day without their loved one. These families are known as Gold-Star families and they are some of the most remarkable people you'll ever meet.

Veteran's Day is November 11 each year and is quite different. It is more of a celebration of those who currently serve. Say thank-you, have a parade, celebrate the men and women who volunteered to serve. Celebrate their families who are left behind for months on end.

This has become one of my pet-peeves. I encourage you to thank a serviceman every time you see them, there doesn't have to be a holiday to share your appreciation, but please don't continue to confuse the significance of Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. They are both necessary and special, but quite different in their purpose.

Last Day of School

I love seeing the First-day/Last-day of School comparisons. My mom took a first-day of school picture every year from kindergarten to senior year -- I know understand why she insisted on getting this done each year!

Caroline began school on September 3 and finished yesterday on May 22. Although Daddy missed both the first and last days of school this year, many things have changed over the last year.

Not only is she taller and her hair much longer and thicker, but Caroline
is 100% potty-trained
is super verbal
is inquisitive
knows her alphabet and colors
can count to ten
has masterfully transitioned to Daddy home and Daddy traveling again
loves her sister fiercely
loves "all her family"
loves to sing and dance -- particularly to the Frozen soundtrack

I have loved this year with her. Although her entire life has been one of exponential growth, this year will be hard to beat because of how much she began to learn. I am constantly amazed at how well her brain and memory work!

Last Weekend

I had grand plans to use last weekend's time wisely and to do a few fun things with my big girl. Sadly those plans came to a screeching halt when we were hit with the stomach bug and discovered a fallen tree on our house.

Friday morning I was feeling pretty good about things. It was cool and sunny -- not a cloud in the sky -- and we were on time for MOPS. The last MOPS event of the year and we were on time. Friday was going to be nothing too special, dinner with friends and getting things together for another trip to the strawberry patch on Saturday, followed by nap time jam making, a Frozen date and sleepover with Caroline Saturday night, and then keeping the nursery and church on Sunday.

But ... mid-way through said MOPS meeting, I got a tap on the shoulder and the news that Caroline had just gotten sick in the nursery. Awesome. I grabbed all my stuff and quickly left. We were home in minutes and this is what we saw when we pulled in the driveway:

Great. Upon further inspection, I discovered that a live power line was between the tree and the house. That makes for quite a sticky situation and one that my brothers, dad and brother-in-law cannot fix.

I parked Caroline on the couch with Curious George, Emma roamed around while I called the insurance company. Thirty minutes later Caroline says, "Mommy, I'm feeling well now." She was better, but I was beginning to ache!

I called in back-up Saturday morning at 1:30 am and my sister was here at 7:30 to help with the girls. They supervised the tree removal and then she whisked them away to Oxford for the night. Not that I could have taken care of them, but I was lost without them.

Sunday I met my family in Raleigh for dinner and to retrieve my girls. This was not a particularly fun weekend and not at all what I had planned, but we survived.

Strawberry Picking

I grew up going to the strawberry patch and picking berries as a fun little outing with friends. Now that I am a Mom I totally see the value in getting your friends and their children together and setting them free on a farm for a morning -- nap time that day is glorious! Any way ... my Mom came to visit last week and we took Caroline to the strawberry patch for the first time. 

We were not over ambitious in our picking; we picked one bucket so Caroline could experience it and then we bought the rest. We came home to make Strawberry Bread and Strawberry Jam, which are both delicious. 

I had every intention of getting back to the strawberry patch last Saturday, but my weekend was everything but what I had planned -- more on that later. I have found that Strawberry Jam saves well, makes great gifts and is tremendously better than store bought. It's super easy to make, too, let me know if you want a few tips! If you haven't made it out to the farm yet, get there soon because the berries are reaching the end of their season!

So proud -- even with a silly smile.

Susee and Caroline

I love to see growth. How can you not believe in God when you see the work of His hand like this. These berries went from tiny seeds to fruit for us to eat -- so wonderful!

Not sure why we are crooked, but these are really good of Emma.

I thought it was fun that they are both looking in the same direction -- I wonder what was in the direction they were looking!

The Airport

Many people avoid flying especially when flying alone with children, but I have had to fly alone with Caroline a few times and this weekend a few special strangers thought I was alone with the girls. I try to be as efficient as possible and I pack our carry-ons for security -- laptop, liquids, medicine, and the girls' food all in one bag and easy to extract quickly. I also ensure we have empty water bottles going through security and I fill them at restaurant on the other side. When I'm through security, I spend a few minutes repacking and readjusting things for the plane and then we're on our way.

I may be in the minority, but I generally find that people are so kind at the airport. When I am standing at the end of the bridge to get on the plane juggling a baby and bags trying to to break down the stroller, inevitably someone asks how they can help. The gentleman who checked us in on Sunday asked if my Mom was flying with us, if not he was going to give her a gate pass to help me through security ... seriously, a little faith was restored in the human race last weekend when traveling. If you see a mommy juggling babies, bags and strollers, don't hesitate to ask how you can help -- I guarantee it will make her day. 

On a related, but different note, I had a great experience at the Nashville airport waiting at the gate. There was a little playground that provided an outlet for my girls energy before hopping on the plane. They played for about an hour and loved every minute of it! 

The Hermitage

My family traveled to Nashville, TN last weekend to celebrate my brother's graduation from Belmont University. Unfortunately, all the pictures from commencement are on my Mom's camera and will be emailed soon. 

After commencement on Saturday, we traveled out to the Hermitage to soak in a bit of US History. The Hermitage was bought by Andrew Jackson and his wife, Rachel, shortly before his rise to fame at the Battle of New Orleans and then his presidency. This property was Jackson's "rural retreat," and when he learned that "rural retreat" in French is "Hermitage -- pronounced with a French -aage on the end" he dubbed his retreat the Hermitage. 

The family sold the property to the Preservation Society (?) and so everything in the home is original except some of the fabrics and floor coverings that were reproduced from the original. I found the home to be beautiful, but I am always taken-back by the fact that EV.ERY.THING. was done by hand. No tractors, no power tools, no running water ... everything. We saw the spring that supplied water to the "Main House" and thinking of carrying water 80 yards uphill for every household chore was mind-boggling.

Be ready for picture overload because we could not have been there on a more beautiful day!! 

The gates to the home:

A view of the gate from mid-driveway:

Turning 180* to see the front of the house. The trees are original to the property.

The architecture on the front of the home.

Waiting to go in with silly Caroline! :)

Loving on Aunt Lindsay!

The view from the side porch.

The side of the house -- I found it interesting that the architecture was so different on the sides and back of the home from the front.

Horse-pulled wagon ride through some of the property.

The home the Jacksons lived in while the main home was built. I two-story cabin that was later turned into a one-floor log cabin for the head house-slave.

And just because I can .. how stinkin' cute is this??