Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day I'm so very thankful to the men and women who gave it all so that I can live this life.  Their sacrifice, and that of their families, can never be repaid.

And now, a moment on my soapbox...

A couple of days ago there was an incident at the Cincinnati Zoo, in which a young child slipped into the gorilla exhibit and was handled by a silverback gorilla named Harambe.  Today, on this Memorial Day, I can't help but think that our soldiers didn't give their lives for a gorilla.  It's a tragic, tragic thing that happened and I feel badly for the zoo and the gorilla, but at the end of the day the child's life mattered more.  I'm so saddened at what our country has come down to, to the extent that people have said that the life of the gorilla was more important than the life of the child.  I can't even.

I had a long chat with my dad about this yesterday.  We've had pets, dogs we love, but if ever it came down to it. the dog was an animal and we were the child.  A human.  A person.  We did have a dog that got aggressive towards me once, and as I recall my father defended me and put the dog down. 

I'm disappointed in us as a nation, that folks are suggesting that the child's life should have been left to it's own fate.  Because I'm a gluten for punishment, I got on the Facebook site "Justice for Harambe" and then couldn't sleep because of the posts from people suggesting that, because the gorilla is endangered, and human species is not, that the child should have died and Harambe lived.  Oh country, get on our knees.

 To say that four year old little boys are expendable.  Children of God, we're in a dangerous place. 

And then there's the blame towards the parents, who perfect people are quite certain were negligent and careless.  I sit here and think I'd like to believe that my children would be well trained enough to know better, however, remember that time I lost my dolly in the parking lot?  Friends, when did we become so holier than thou, so resistant to forgiveness, so unable to care about each other?  

So, on this Memorial Day, I can't help but think of those who died for mankind.  I agree that we're all entitled to our own opinions, and this is mine, however I also have to just take this minute to point out that Jesus died for all mankind.  Not because he doesn't care about the gorilla but because he cares about us more.  And that is all.

Making a Day of It

Yesterday I needed to "run" to do some shopping and look at dishwashers.  Sometimes (often) I'm very selfish and don't take everyone shopping but yesterday I decided to make a day of it.  First we went to Home Depot and picked up very random things, including a dishwasher (to be delivered soon - and after months without one, I'm so very grateful).  After that we headed to the steakhouse for lunch.  I had a gift certificate that was quite enough to treat our entire family (thank you J.A.M. leaders!) and the children were very well behaved.  The thing about not doing days like this very often is that it's a special treat when we do so everyone's quite excited!  

 {never leave home without your book is Natalee's new life philosophy}

It turns out Ameliya is a HUGE fan of onion straws.  Have I mentioned on the blog that we started slowly reintroducing egg to her about a month ago and she's had no negative reactions?  She has eaten scrambled eggs and shows no signs of allergy - we're so thankful!  My point being that it's a delight to be able to go out to eat without worrying about allergies!

 Thumbs up for onion straws all around - shocker that Xavier liked something battered and fried.  Ha.

 Ameliya also ordered steak - cuz she's no fool!  Her future hubby should prepare his pocketbook!

After a leisurely lunch we finished up the day at Wal-Mart - because no trip is complete without a Wal-Mart stop (actually I avoid WM and hadn't been in some times!  Ha!).  What a lovely day spent as a family - the kids had leftovers from their lunches for supper and we tucked them all in as the rain started coming down.  Perfect.

Zayden's On the Move

Our little Sammy Man is on the move.  All of the sudden he was mobile and now I spend my days training him to not chew on cords, eat inedibles, and roam too far.  Ameliya was carrying raisins around the other day and dropping them on the floor - turns out Zayden is an efficient vacuum.  Sigh.  {wink}

Good thing he's cute as pie!  I mean look at that face...

Isn't he just yummy-licious?  (And then he bit my toe but gee that's all right.)

These videos were about 5 days ago when he was just starting to crawl.

This little chump is also getting louder and louder.  He's developing quite a personality!

Of course he says mama because mama rules!

 

He's not so brave and adventurous when it comes to trying table foods but he's getting there.  We're LOVING our fresh garden strawberries this year and eating about a pound a day between all the kids!

Just the last couple of days, Zayden Sam has started rocking on his hands and knees.  It won't be long before he really takes off - and then I'm sunk for sure.  

 

 

 He's also discovered the joy of hands - he's delighted that he has two and he's started waving. 

New stages are exhausting but oh so fun.  He's growing so quickly!

Xavier's Early Birthday Bike

Xavier outgrew his 12" bike a few months back and started riding his sister's 16" princess bike.  My folks saw him riding the princess bike one day and decided a new one was in order for his birthday.  They picked it up the other day and decided not to let it waste away for a month until Xavier's birthday - good thing, too, because he's put a lot of miles on it already in 12 hours!

 

 

This bike is 18" and has sweet wide tires and multiple speeds (to be played with at a later time!).  Last night he needed help getting on the bike because of it's height - he soon got that mastered and can get up and take off on his own now! 

He made it until 10:00 this morning before asking if he could please, Mom go outside and ride.  Yes, son, go...live summer, build super leg muscles, have an adventure, ride ride ride!

 

He had his first crash this morning and got right back on after a band aid on the blood.  Thanks, Grandma Num and Papa Curtis...I forsee lots of memories made on the new bike!

Ball Game Fans

Spending the summer cheering!

Xavier's First Baseball Games

Xavier's baseball season kicked off on Monday and he played again today.  The forecast really made it look like we were going to get rained out this week but so far our prayers have chased the rain away.  This boy is super excited to play baseball and is finding a real love of the game this year.

Monday's game:

 No shorts for Xavier - he insisted on pants just in case he needed to slide.

Wednesday's game:

Nannie tricked out Xavier's helmet for him.  He was so excited!

 His mommy thinks he looks "so cute" out there.  So small big and mighty.

Xavier played pitcher for the second inning.  He does a good job of paying attention during the games. 

 For the last inning Xavier played first base.  He stayed busy!

 We're proud of you Xavier - what fun to watch you play ball!

Beautiful Weekend

Not only was this weekend beautiful in respect to the weather but it was full of family, of togetherness, of love.  We got to see all four of our nieces and nephews {cousins!}, spend time with extended family, and love on one another.  Is my house tidy and laundry all caught up?  no-notsomuch

But I wouldn't trade the time we had this weekend for anything in the world!  The highlights...in photos, of course...

A sweet hair-do for my beautiful girlie.

 

It's especially dear to me that the miles haven't yet affected the fact that Adelyn kinda likes her Auntie Jenn.  Cuz I sure love this precious precious girl.

The kids got to ride across town to Great Grandma Betty's.  Natalee is on the hitchhiker with Daddy and Xavier is on Natalee's bike.

 Time at Great-Grandma Betty's.  Doesn't she have a crew of great grandkids {all ages 8 and under}?

Kids in the kitchen...Natalee and Xavier made fresh fruit salad for supper on Saturday.

And they ended their full Saturday with a camp-out in their pop up tents!

Sunday brought us some Teddy time!

 Hello there, Uncle Mike.

We also squeezed in a birthday celebration for Nannie, a baby shower, and an extended family picnic!

 Papa Curtis and Grandma Num have quite a pile of treasures!  I love this pile!

Sisters...BFFs

Theo and GiGi - we make a good selfie, don't we?

And Adelyn and Auntie Jenn...she laughed at me when she turned and saw my mustache.  Ha.  She also gave me sweet kisses this weekend. 

I didn't take nearly enough pictures of this weekend's festivities but I see my resolution to get in the pictures and make memories with the ones I love is going well.  Andrea calls me the selfie queen - I've about got it down pat! 

I hope your weekend was beautiful, my friends - full of family, laughter, sunshine and love!