CELEBRATE!

Today is the first birthday of the miricle baby I posted about here. Go on over to her dad's blog and wish her a happy birthday!

Quote from the The National Weather Service

I had to laugh out loud when I read the following quote from the Winter Storm Watch issued by The National Weather Service!

"THIS SNOWSTORM IS STILL ABOUT 30 TO 36 HOURS AWAY SO EVERYTHING IS NOT SET IN STONE. "

I love that they are wiling to "stick their necks out" like this! Seriously, though I know the weather forecast, is just that, a FORECAST. It is science and therefore not exact! So we do the prudent thing and plan for snow and not get upset either way. We get snow or we don't get snow. Only God knows for certain!

(I am located in Middlesex County, MA. and we could see 2-4, or 6-12 inches of snow Friday afternoon into Friday night.)

Our son is ready for some good playing in snow, so he will be happy to see the snow. I will sit in front of a fire with a nice hot cup of tea.

Serenity Prayer

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am truly grateful this Thanksgiving.

Even though we will not be with family...
Even though that includes my oldest 3 boys...
Even though the economy looks bleak...
Even though we live 1000 miles from our nearest relatives...
Even though we live 3000 miles from the most distant relatives...
Even though I miss having my boys terribly...

I am truly grateful this Thanksgiving!

Because I serve a Great God...
Because He has healed my broken heart this past year...
Because I have a loving husband...
Because I have 4 awesome boys whom I am very proud of...
Because I have some wonderful friends who laugh and cry with me...
Because I will be spending the day with some of those friends...
Because God provides for ALL of my need...
AND...
Because I learned the meaning of Matthew 22:39 this year...

Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

I discovered that to love my self is a godly thing to do. I never understood this verse in the Bible before. I actually thought it was an awful thing to do. By the grace of God, today I know what it means to love your neighbor as your self., and that is a wonderful gift from my Savior!

I want to pray God's abundant blessing for each of you today! Be blessed and bathed in the love of God this Thanksgiving Day!

The TRUE meaning of FALL!!!

One day my husband and son did this...

with two of these...

and the next day my son and I did this....

Each day was several hours of work. We packed 19 paper bags at 30 gallon each with leaves. My son slept great both nights!

Have You Voted?

Today, we citizens of The United States of America, are privileged to participate in what I believe to be the second most patriotic activity we are allowed by our freedom. I exercised my right to vote.

"What," you may ask, "then do you believe to be the most patriotic activity we are allowed by our freedom?" I'm glad you asked. I am able to daily exercise my right to PRAY for my country, my president (no matter who is in office,) my local and state officials, and my fellows.

"Father God, I come to you today in the precious name of you Son Jesus. I lift my country, The USA up to you today. I ask for your will to be done in our government. I know that no matter who is our president, you are still on the throne, you are still my God, you are still in control, that you are the same yesterday, today and forever! Father I ask that you put a compulsive desire in the hearts of your people to vote your heart today. I praise you right now for the outcome of your will in these elections. Amen."

In God We Trust!

New Life

Wow! I can't believe it has been so long since I posted here. The day before my last post my husband and I decided I and our 10 year old son would leave in one month for a trip from Boston to Cheyenne, Wyoming and back to visit our oldest three sons. We had purchased a second reliable vehicle at the beginning of August and that made not only the trip possible, but also for our son and I to not be so house bound! We really did enjoy getting out of the house that first month to the tune of about 2000 miles! It is so nice to be able to go places without having to schedule time for me to have the car.

From September the 8th-the 24th, I drove nearly 6000 miles. I was able to visit all of my immediate family. It was really nice being able to see them, I had not seen my 20 year old son for over 2 years, and it had been more than a year since I had seen my 17 year old son. The 2000 plus miles that separate my sons and I are really the only thing that brings any negative aspect to lining in New England.

As much as I love the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains and all their crop fields just before harvest, and the thunder heads building in the distance, I absolutely love New England! I enjoy living only 30-45 minutes from the beach. I enjoy the cooler temperatures in the summer and the warmer temperatures in the winter. While we get plenty of snow, the plow truck are always ready and waiting to clear the roads right away, even during the storm! Last winter I was blessed with a snow blower from someone who was unable to use it. The fall colors are gorgeous! The area is rich in history that fascinates me.

Here are the boys from the left 23 year old, 17 year old, 20 year old, and in front the 10 year old. All except the 23 year old will have birthdays in the next few months. It was so great to see them all together. Hopefully next spring when the 17 year old graduates from high school my entire family will be together again for the first time since June of 2004!

Boston Architectuer

While my family was visiting I happened to be in Boston for the first time after dark. I love this clock tower at night!

Here is a night view of the Cricket Weather vein atop Faneuil Hall in Boston.

This is the Marriott Hotel on Long Wharf in Boston. From the harbor end of the building it looks like a ship.

Family Times in Boston

On Friday's at sunset during the summer months one of the local radio stations hosts free Friday Night Flicks at The Hatch Shell in Boston. We went while my sister and her family were visiting. We saw Evan Almighty. It was a hoot!
Above is my niece ans son waiting for the movie to begin and below is my nephew waiting.

Here I am with my niece, nephew, and son.
My son and niece sitting on Long Wharf in Boston watching the jellies and 3 Stripers swim around.

New England Aquarium Final Episode

The NEA had Sharks and Rays. We could actually touch them. We were instructed to place our hand in the water palm down and wait for the Sharks and Rays to swim to us. Then we could touch them behind the eyes as they swim past. The Rays really seemed to like being touched as they frequently came to hands in the water. My niece was loving touching the Rays. My son and older nephew touched the Rays but weren't as into it as my niece. I didn't like the feel of them. The sharks weren't swimming around, they were sort of in a pile near the edge of the tank. I believe each of them were able to get near to touch them.This is my niece touching a Ray.
Here was a Jelly Fish. I loved trying to get a good picture of them.

It was a great trip to the aquarium!

New England Aquarium Continued

They have a great touch tank at the NEA. The kids can pick up the animals as long as they don't take them out of the water and are gentle. My niece, nephews and son really enjoyed it.

Here are the three of them looking and deciding what to touch. "Touch it with me..." My niece wanted to touch the Horseshoe Crab, but didn't have quite enough courage to do it alone. Her big brother was great and obliged without even a hint of giving her a hard time!
Here is the 3 year old nephew. He was having a great time too!
Here are, from back to front, my niece's, nephew's and son's hands exploring. This is a moment in time recording I believe the first time my son has touched, but definitely picked up any water animal.

New Engalnd Aquarium (NEA)

My sister and her family was in Boston last week. My son and I went into Boston 5 out of 6 days. We took the commuter rail in a few of days and drove and parked at the U.S. Coast Guard station a couple of times. We walked a lot and had even more fun. I hadn't seen her for 8 years. So it was a great reunion and I had the opportunity to get to know hew wonderful kids over the week.

Here our son was watching the penguins. They have 3 or 4 different types there.

Here is my 15 year old nephew, my son, and my almost 10 year old niece. Behind them is a gigantic Loggerhead Turtle.
This guy has been at the NEA since the 1960's. I didn't catch how old he is.
Here is a view of him from the top of the tank. He is about 4 feet long I'm guessing.

The tank is a 3 story tubular tank with a ramp spiraling along it to the top. The kids were totally enthralled with this turtle. There were racing up the ramp trying to keep up with him as he swam around the coral in the center of the tank!

Bubbles

Our neighbor has a pool and our son goes down there all the time. For their son's birthday they bought a bubble blower. The boys had a natural lesson in surface tension. When they got out of the pool and went and stood next to the bubble blower the bubbles would stick to them. As they dried off they popped. After they were too dry the bubbles popped as soon as they touche teir skin. They were entertained just jumping into and them out of the pool, getting covered in bubbles, watching them until they were too dry and then starting over again!

Fireworks on the 5th

Our son waiting for the Fireworks Display to begin.



I was playing with the manual settings my camera and got several nice shots of the fireworks.
I was very pleased.Here are the kids playing (they all piled into the front seat of the car~no we didn't travel) after the few fireworks we saw down the street . They were having fun.

Today We Celebrate our Independance

And the Rockets Red Glare...
The Bombs Bursting in Air... Gave Proof Through the Night...
That Our Flag Was Still There...

We didn't go anywhere to see fireworks tonight, but a few people in the neighborhood were having some fine displays. We walked to the corner to get a better view. The displays were from two opposing vantage points and only lasted 10 or 15 minutes altogether.

When we were living in Korea we had the opportunity, on Halloween, to go see a fabulous 1 1/2 hour firework display. What I noticed after the evening was over is that while they were beautiful, they did not evoke the emotion I usually experience when watching fireworks on the Fourth of July.

So tonight I am thankful for our Independence and when I see the fireworks I am reminded of the sacrifices made by so many men 230 years ago so we could be free today.

GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.

and

GOD BLESS YOU

Feeding Station Activity

It has been rainy this afternoon. The birds have been really active at my feeding station. This House Finch sat pretty for a portrait.
This Juvenile Downy Woodpecker was fun to watch.
This male Cardinal always eats from the far side of the feeder.

Petunias in the Rain

Baltimore Oriole and A Bug

The other day I saw 3 Baltimore Orioles flying around my neighborhood. This is the first time I have ever seen any, so I was pretty excited. They did not pose very long for me to get any nice portraits of them. This is amount the best.
So I decided to try to lure them to my feeding station. I did not get the Orioles, but this lady bug sure seemed to like the treat! I love the contrast of this photo.

Street Sweeper Blues

I looked out my front window this morning to the following scene. What's wrong with this picture? Isn't the street supposed to be cleaner behind the Street Sweeper than in front of the Street Sweeper?

This next one is after the dump truck came and he emptied his bucket.
Still making messes.
Our son went out to investigate. The man explained to him, "When the dirt builds up inside it starts to throw stuff out onto the street. The sweeper driver calls for help to clear the built up stuff out. They reversed the conveyor belt to throw it out. They have to spread the dirt out. And then go over it several times to pick it back up." [quote from our son]
Pretty cool stuff!
Real life learning is the best!
Our son will remember what he learned much longer than what we read in a book.
Although I will probably look for something at the library to enhance what he learned if he seems interested.