Day 9 - Historical Tour & My Opinion

Today was spent touring Philadelphia. We get almost daily emails from the principal. Several tour members have come down with colds serious enough to keep them at the hotel all day.

Here are a couple photos from last week. My little rodent is on the right, in the green checked shirt. I do wish he'd show his pearly whites. He got his father's good teeth (thank you again Lord). They are gorgeous, and he doesn't like to show them. Perhaps it's not cool to show your teeth these days?

Wow, the White House - even if there is a Democrat inside it....would be so cool to see. Just for the record, my problem with liberal Dems (and I know that doesn't include ALL Dems) is their views on abortion. Abortion is murder. Abortion is the taking of a life. Once that sperm and egg link up, you have a life. So sorry if that life begins at an inconvenient time.

I cannot wrap my mind around the fact that a woman would have a life vacuumed out of her rather than let that child live and be given to parents who want to raise a child. I can understand unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. I can understand not being old enough, or financially able to care for a child. There are options. There are alternatives.

So often women say "well I couldn't live knowing there was a child of mine out there, and me not knowing him or her" or "I don't want to hear a knock at my door in 18 years and have this kid standing there." Abortion has to be the height of selfishness. Personally I don't think I could do it even in the case of rape. And I know if a doctor told me my life was in danger I would tell him no, it's not - God has my life in His hands and He won't drop me or my child.

I don't think the government should get involved in the abortion issue because I don't think abortion should be an issue in the first place. It shouldn't happen. Yet in today's society it's a totally acceptable solution to what many see as a problem, not a person. A close relative of mine had an abortion about 25 years ago. I found out about it several years after it took place. I am haunted by the thoughts of what that person would have been like, what he or she would have grown up to accomplish or contribute. Granted, had he or she been given up for adoption, I wouldn't know who they were or where they are - but at least they would have been given a chance.

These kids you see, in front of that majestic house, are being raised to honor and treasure life. For that I am very, very grateful.

P.S. It occurs to me how incredibly deep and solid my faith is, when it comes to abortion. Yet I am still terrified to drive or be in a car, almost three years after I had one of those "another foot or so and I'd be dead or paralyzed" accidents. My faith....needs work.

Corny St. Patty's Day Joke & Day 8 Historical Tour

Here is my joke - hopefully no one is offended. These days I think some people need to be less sensitive or, in other words, lighten up a bit.

What is Irish and stays out all night?

(Patty O'Furniture)

Alrighty, now for the postcards!

Today the kids toured the Supreme Court building and the Library of Congress (lucky them) and also Fort McHenry. We received these two postcards today. If you are so inclined you can click on the image and it will open larger, in another window. He's such a good speller. Spelling is important to me.

Protein is also important because he and I don't do well when our blood sugar is low. I do harp on the protein issue. Jacob weighed 3 lbs. and 14 ozs. at birth. They fed him with a tube directly into his stomach at first, then we graduated to a thinner piece of tubing taped to our finger and we would slowly inject the formula down the tube and into his mouth. All of this to keep him from using calories. If you've ever had a premie baby I'm sure you know the drill. Finally he graduated to a bottle (had zero interest in breastfeeding - him, not me - I tried everything) and we fed him one ounce at a time. These are things a mother does not forget, and I am still concerned with him having enough to eat. I know....I need to get a life.

His care package was waiting upon check-in at the hotel. I sent cookies and some chocolate eggs. No protein!

** Disney Deal for Military **

My husband often jokes that the only reason I married him was for the I.D. card. Of course that isn't true, but I do heart my I.D. card and all the meaning behind it. Just when I thought having the card couldn't get any better ~ IT DID!

I came across this incredible offer, and wanted to share it with my four loyal blog readers. Active duty and retired personnel receive a FREE five day park hopper ticket. Up to five family members can purchase a five day non-park hopper ticket for $99.00 ~ but, they do give you an option to upgrade to park hopper for an additional $25.00.

Click here to be taken to the site where I originally found this info. Any military base with a ticket office would have these tickets.

I am going to keep my fingers and toes crossed for certain legal matters to become finalized so we can take advantage of this great deal in October.

Day 6 - Historical Tour

The tour is staying in Lancaster, PA from now till their return on the 19th. Here is what they did today:

Embassy Row, Washington National Cathedral
Holocaust Museum
Lunch at Ronald Reagan World Trade Center
World War II Memorial
Washington Monument
National Archives
Dinner at Union Station
Night Tour

They left the hotel at 8:00 AM and will return at 9:15 PM. Makes me tired just typing it. But how wonderful to be able to see all those places.

Today I sent some oatmeal cookies and the Juneau photos via priority mail. They will arrive on Monday (trust me, I'm a Powerseller) and I know the boy will appreciate them. He's very good about appreciating things.

I have had my fair share of dogs, but NEVER one who poses the way this one does. He's like a professional model...seriously. I take a picture and he poses a different way. I take a second picture and he re-poses himself. This will continue for as long as the photo shoot lasts. He loves the camera. He also loves making himself comfortable and being right in the middle of everything.

For those who don't know, Juneau's life didn't start off very happy. At the age of two month he was removed from a terrible home. The Humane Society doctors attempted to save his badly broken front leg. In the end the leg was amputated and we adopted him after he had recuperated at a foster home. We are still very close to the couple who gave him such loving care. When I refer to his foster mother or foster parents, these are the people of whom I speak.

Juneau is 3-1/2 now. He has been with us since the age of four months. He does everything a four legged dog does, just some of things he does in a different way. It is difficult to look at his missing leg and not feel anger and sadness. I constantly remind myself that he doesn't feel sorry for himself. He has a great life, and he lives it full speed ahead. He's a special dog. God created him and God led us to him. He has a wonderful life.

Day Five - Historical Tour (and bunny soaps)

Are these not the sweetest things you've ever seen? They look like chocolate, but don't eat them. They are soaps! What a beautiful addition to an Easter basket. You could use them for placecard holders at a brunch, for hostess gifts, or nestled in a vintage mini jello mold with a bit of colored grass.

Bunny soaps are the creation of my friend Kay at The Rustic Cottage. Hop on over to her blog for more info on these cuties and to see the bird soaps.

Today the tour checked into a Howard Johnson's. Makes me think of clams. I have never had clams at a Howard Johnson's though. I should put that on my Bucket List. They visited Mount Vernon, and the Capitol. Also Ford's Theatre and the Petersen House. A group photo was taken at the White House.

We received the boy's second trimester report card, and he pulled a 3.55 - that's Honor Roll. He was VERY happy when I told him the news. Hung up the phone and dissolved into tears. Thank the Lord for a patient husband!

Days 3 and 4 ~ Historical Tour

I went ALL day without shedding a tear!! We have been getting nightly phone calls and the little rodent (one of my terms of endearment for the boy) sounds calm and happy. So far, so good.

I was asked if the dogs were acting differently. I would have to say we haven't noticed anything major, but the photo you see was taken the same day the rodent left. I left it uncropped, in the natural 14 year old boy's room state. It is rare for Juneau to sleep in this room.

Seven more days to go, and the rodent will be home - driving me crazy again.

Day 2 ~ Historical Tour

Today the tour traveled to Jamestown and saw the glass house, ruins and the settlement. After lunch and a bit of shopping they headed to Yorktown to see the battlefield and the Victory Center. Back to the hotel for dinner and then the In Defense of Our Liberty Tour.

Jacob called right after dinner and said he's doing fine and seeing a lot of awesome things. It was a short call and I didn't puddle up till after I had said goodbye. Then I bit my lip REAL hard and told myself to suck it up. Crying just makes you so darn tired.

They return late in the evening on the 19th.

I got my Xanax prescription refilled.

As my dear friend Sam said "until you get that welcome home hug, it just gnaws away at you."

Day 1 ~ Historical/Hysterical Trip

My son gets to enjoy the historical trip. I get the hysterical version. Okay, I am overstating it a bit, but I do have my moments.

I would guess there were about 30 people (students and teachers and chaperones), who gathered at the Portland International Airport at 6:15 this morning. All wore matching red long sleeved t-shirts and khaki pants. They flew to Chicago, where they had a scheduled 2-1/2 hour layover. They then boarded a plane for Baltimore but were deplaned (what kind of M&M's did Tattoo like? De plane, de plane) 30 minutes later due to problems with the oil pressure. They were put on another plane and finally took off two hours later than scheduled.

Perhaps I read too much into things, but I feel this change of planes was divine intervention. He did not want that plane, with those kids, in the air today. They arrived safely in Baltimore and then boarded a bus to take them to Williamsburg (a 2-1/4 hr. trip). It was from this bus that I received a call from my son, informing me he was "safe and sound." Amidst all the noise in the background, I reminded him to eat plenty of protein. His response: "I know Mom, I had a glass of water on the plane."

Last night as I was praying for him, the thought came to me - imagine how a mother feels who has sent her son to Iraq? I don't know how I could do something like that. I think you just "do" when you have no choice.

A dear friend of my mother's put it all into perspective when she wrote to me: Welcome to the Mothers' Worry Room - price of admission: one or more children. She also included the following: “Be anxious for nothing but in everything by supplications and prayers let your requests be known with thanksgiving. Then the peace of God shall enter into your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Let's Go Shopping With Me........

I finally got my coupon binder finished and it accompanied me on today's shopping trip. So much nicer than using a file box. If you are interested, youtube has several great videos on how to make your own coupon binder.

Here is what I purchased:

1 box Kraft mac and cheese
1 pkg. Kellogg's Nutrigrain bars
1 4-pack Dole mixed fruit bowls
1 pkg. Knorr Spanish Rice
1 jar Classico spaghetti sauce
1 pkg. Oreo cookies
1 24-pack diet Coke
1 6 double roll pkg. Angel Soft toilet paper
2 rolls store brand paper towels
1 pkg. 250 count paper napkins
1 pkg. Planter's Nut Bars with 7 gr. protein
1 can sliced peaches
1 loaf Oroweat bread
1 loaf Snake River potato bread
1 6-pack Spring water
1 large pkg. Hershey chocolate eggs
1 6-pack snack size raisins
64 oz. Minute Maid orange juice
5 lbs. butter ($1.00 a lb. so I bought five lbs.)
1 pint 2% milk
2 lb. block Tillamook cheddar cheese
5-1/4 lbs. extra lean ground beef
1 onion
1 pkg. salad mix
1 Sunday paper

TOTAL Spent: $52.65

When I consider the fact that the butter and chocolate eggs together were $10 of the above total, I think I did really well. I have about 10 pounds of butter in my freezer right now as I have been finding it super cheap lately.

I've got some cute birthday gifties to blog about - hopefully tomorrow! My son is leaving in about six hours on an 11 day historical trip with his school. I am thrilled he gets to go. He's been looking forward to it since first grade. But I've been in and out of tears all day. Totally ridiculous and I'm sure quite annoying to both my son and my husband. I guess you have to be a mother to understand.

~Time to Blog.....

Say hello to Santa. He currently resides in the middle of the front lawn. Back in December Santa's beard and clothes were clean and fresh. Santa even said "ho ho ho Merry Christmas" if you squeezed his tummy. Well, he said it for a few hours, then Juneau silenced him forever.

I took this photo a few days ago because I can identify with Santa. He looks how I feel. Damp, green, mossy - but with a look of hope on his face. A "this too shall pass" sense to him. His eyes still have their twinkle. He's momentarily down, but not out.

I think menopause must be approaching. It has sent the advance crew out to scout the area, and decide how best to attack. I should not have bad moods which linger, according to my mother and my own common sense. Crankiness and crabbiness and parties of pity didn't happen in my childhood. You were allowed time to feel bad and express your sorrow. Then you got up, put on your big girl panties, and moved on. If you had trouble getting started, you were told to count your blessings. It worked then and usually works now.

It must be this menopause stuff that is tripping me up, and bogging me down. On a happier note, hubby presented me with a box of Thin Mints he had ordered from a neighbor. They are so good, and so gone!