A Fresh Start

I haven't done much blogging lately.  My Mom was my primary audience and without her, blogging has felt a little hollow.  It's a new year and time to make resolutions.  I've resolved to get back to blogging because I enjoy the time it gives me to reflect on my daily life.  Maybe I need some other resolutions.  Virtually everyone on the planet is resolving to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more, save more money, and reduce their debt.  I pretty much resolve to do those things every day.  I need something fresher and more meaningful.  As I'm pondering meaningful resolutions, I'm remembering what I refer to fondly as "The After Snow Day." Here's what happened:

Shortly before Christmas we had a glorious snow day.  The kids' schools were closed; my school was closed and Les took liberal leave.  The timing couldn't have been better.   The kids, especially Cassie, are growing up quickly.  It was wonderful to have this concentrated time together.  We read aloud during breakfast and played cards during lunch, interrupted only by a few texts from Cassie's friends.   We wrapped gifts, baked cookies, cleaned the house and put up the tree.  We went for a walk and shook the ice off trees in the park.  

Then came the next morning or, "The After Snow Day." Les and I got up on time, checked the local news station and discovered that the perfect storm had occurred.  My school was opening on time.  But, the kids had a two-hour delay.  It would not be possible for me to get Lacey to school two hours late and get myself to work on time.  Les gallantly offered to take a few hours of leave.  Okay, that problem was solved.  Then, I realized that I hadn't made the girls' lunches the night before.  Lacey doesn't mind buying lunch at school.  But, by the time Cassie gets through the line, her lunch period is over.  I scavenged through the fridge and pantry, throwing a smorgasbord together.  I had ice on my car windows and had forgotten that I needed gas.

My day at school was hectic.  I spent my lunch hour helping a student fill out a job application.  I spent most of my planning period caring for the tiny plants that the science class is growing.  I left work late and traffic was miserable.  On the way home, I got a text from Les that said, "I'm at Taekwondo."  Well, Les was picking up Cassie so I could go straight home.  That was a relief.  When I finally walked in the door at home Les said, "Where's Cassie?"  It turns out their phone lines were crossed again.  The text had actually been from Cassie who was still waiting for me to retrieve her.  Without removing my coat, I headed back to my car.  The evening was spent in a flurry of homework and other paperwork from school.  Later, I reflected on the two days.  Even though the day had been crazy, I'd suffer through a couple more After Snow Days just to have one quiet day with the kids. 

Over the holidays, we went to visit Uncle Al in Florida.  We enjoyed spending time with him and kept a casual schedule.  We went swimming and played cards.  We spent a day at the flea market. The girls opted to visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium instead of Busch Gardens.  So, we spent half a day watching Winter, the dolphin with the prosthetic tail.  We took the "behind the scenes" tour at the aquarium.  We saw props from the movie Dolphin Tale and learned about the filming of the sequel.  And when Les asked if the girls were ready to leave and they said "no," he actually said, "okay."  So, we stood and watched Winter swim a little more.

We spent a day at the zoo in Tampa.  It was blissfully uncrowded and the temperature was wonderful.  There was no rushing, no crazy lines, no shoving people. We ate lunch at a cafeteria that overlooked the giraffe and elephant enclosures.  We fed stingrays.  Lacey counted the number of birds in the aviary.  And, Les didn't tell the girls to hurry up in the gift store.  

So, here's my resolution.  As a family, we are going to slow down the pace of life a little.  And, if I keep bogging at least I'll have a public record to keep me honest!

Exploring the beach

Having lunch at the flea market with Uncle Al

Proof that I was there

Les shopping at the candy stall

Winter

At the zoo

Christmas Card Preview

I just ordered our Christmas cards and was only a little dismayed to learn that the cards might not arrive before December 13th.  I typically don't send cards until the end of December.  So, this really wasn't cause for great upset.  Then, I realized I could give everyone a preview.  Here, for the first time ever, is our early Christmas card!

 

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Celebrating Family

As we remembered my Mom's birthday, I thought about how I could help my kids understand the continuum of life. While they struggle to prepare for their futures, they also need to understand how they are connected to people who came before them.  Recently, we had a tremendous opportunity to celebrate those who came before us. 

Our Uncle Al was part of an Honor Flight that brought World War II veterans from Florida to Washington D.C. to see the war memorials.  This trip had been planned for a long time and was almost cancelled because of the government shutdown.  As the trip approached, we stressed with Uncle Al over whether the veterans would be allowed to see the monuments and whether we would be able to see him.  The day before the trip, the organizers advised him to tell us that the veterans would be given access to the World War II Memorial but we would not.  We decided we had to at least try.

The honor flight was leaving Florida at 5:30 a.m.  They would land at BWI and then head for Washington D.C.  The Iwo Jima Memorial was the tour's first scheduled stop.  Because Arlington National Cemetery was open to foot traffic, we figured this would be our best chance to see Uncle Al.  We had to park about a mile away on Fort Meyer.  Toting a sign that the girls had made, we hiked to the Memorial and waited.

The girls posing with their sign

We saw the tour buses approaching and the kids began jumping up and down with excitement.  But, as the buses passed the memorial, we realized they weren't going to be allowed to enter.   The kids held up their sign and waved.  As the buses paused, the door opened and someone snapped a photo of us. 

The convoy of buses passing the Iwo Jima Memorial

 We waited for about 10 minutes, hoping that the buses would turn around.  I looked at Les.  Even though we had been told that we couldn't get into the World War II Memorial, we had to try.

Greeting the buses

 We drove to Pentagon City and caught a taxi downtown.  Here's what we saw when we arrived.

Because the memorial was open for the honor flights, there were several park rangers there.  I approached them and explained our situation.  "Listen," one said, "If you happen to slip past the barriers and visit the memorial with your uncle, we'll just look the other way."  I could have hugged them and would like to give them a big public thanks for their kindness to both the veterans and us.

Waiting for Uncle Al -the poster had flashing lights on it!

Finally, the buses arrived.  The veterans toured the memorial amid applause and shouts from a large crowd of friends, family and volunteers.

Finally touring the memorial with Uncle Al

The veterans posing - Uncle Al is in the burgundy cap.
The veterans were required to sit in wheelchairs.

Uncle Al with Don, his friend and escort for the trip

Cassie's Perspective

Uncle Al and Les

As the veterans got ready to board the bus, one of them approached Cassie.  Taking her hand, he thanked her for coming to welcome the veterans and said, "You look like a fine young lady.  I hope that my comrades and I helped to make the world a better place for you." 

Happy Birthday, Mom

We are remembering and missing my Mom on her birthday.