Veteran's Day Parade

Biplane flyover to begin the festivities.

Soldiers carry a flag that measured 30 feet by 40 feet

108th Army Band, Arizona National Guard

Lovely old truck carrying Pearl Harbor survivors.

What parade is complete without a bag-piper?

"...Gonna roll on my Segway..."

What are these things called?

The Sheriff of Nottingham in one of those vehicles. Does anyone else feel more respect for the sand colored one filled with our soldiers? He did have beautiful horses proceeding him.

Miniature horses, they were so cute.

We stood next to this Vietnam Vet, who shook a lot of fellow Vets' hands.

The kids waving flags some group had passed out.

Gratitude Day 11

Today I am thankful that I have tickets (Thanks for the group discount, Amie!) for Phantom of the Opera. When I was in junior high, we played some of the music from Phantom in band. I have been enthralled with it ever since. But have never been able to see it live. My husband has been twice, once since we got married, without me. (I'm not bitter... not at all.) I have refused to see the movie version, too. I wanted to wait, I love the anticipation of it. Just like on Christmas morning I was always excited to see what was in those present, and have never been tempted to peek beforehand.

Tonight we are getting all dolled up and going to see Phantom of the Opera, and I can not wait!

Happy Veteran's Day, especially to my sweet husband and awesome brother.

Here is a picture of my brother Ender from 2004, his first deployment.

Picture of our family shortly before he deployed.

The most heartbreaking picture of Gwennie watching her daddy leave.

Gratitude Day 10

I am thankful that Will is no longer deployed and is home. I know this post would be better tomorrow, given that its Veteran's Day. I have a lot on my mind about it at the moment, though.

As I was taking Rhayn to school this morning I noticed that a flag we pass every day was at half mast. I am sure it was in response to the Fort Hood shootings. Every time I think about that incident I get choked up. I feel such a deep sadness for those families, and every one on that base or who knows someone on that base. I have always thought that while Will was away, on our home soil, on another base, he was safe. Now? I don't think that at all. I learned a few other things this weekend that made bases even less safe seeming. Things that would not occur to the average, safe-in-her-home American.

Since he has been home I have felt blessed so many times. Sure we have our moments of dischord. But more often than not, I look at him, and feel such a swell of love and pride in him. Its hard to explain how I feel having him home by my side, where I can touch and smell him. I know that I could write for hours about this. But I have to start dinner and finish putting away the dishes.

Gratitude Day 9

I am thankful for my mad sewing skills. That is right folks, I am a great seamstress. My girls want one of these dolls, well at least Rhayn does. But I wasn't wiling to pay the $80 for it. Sure it won't be exactly the same as the one in the catalog, but I am positive that she will love it.

Gratitude Day 8

I am thankful for a girls' day out. I am thankful for my husband who, even though he had a lot to do, watched the girls all day whilst I shopped for an LBD (little back dress).

Gratitude Day 7

I am thankful for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The military is finally getting wise to what needs to happen for soldiers to more easily transition back home. Today was the last of the family reintegration seminars that we have to attend as a family. Actually we aren't required to attend while our soldier is, but it is beneficial for us as a family. I have gotten so much good information at these meetings. I am grateful for the people who have put the program together.

Gratitude Day 6

I am thankful for my back yard.


Yes, I wish it were bigger, but honestly it is big enough for a patch of grass (recently reseeded, and I know that isn't very green of us as it uses a lot of water), a sandbox for the kids, and my garden.

I am also thankful for green things sprouting in my garden. Sure, we planted everything haphazardly, so we don't really know what exactly is sprouting, but that makes it more fun, right?

Gratitude Day 5

Today I am thankful for the library. I am thankful for moments of peace while my girls are looking at books.

Gratitude Day 4

I am thankful for healthy children.

Rhayn has had a sore throat for a few weeks, and Monday morning she was so darn grumpy I wanted to leave her in bed. I sent her to school instead. At pick-up she was obviously still in the grumps. She actually fell asleep on the 15 minute ride home. Tuesday she was dizzy when she got up, and I kept her home. Today, she said her throat still hurts so I kept her home and took her to the doctor.

At the doctor office, there was a huge sign that said:

To protect our patients
from H1N1
if you have any
of these symptoms:
cough, sore throat, fever,
please wait in the
sick patient waiting room.
You will be given a mask.

We dutifully sat on that side, and she was given a mask. Then a guy came in, wearing a mask as well, and hacking up a lung. Gross. We were there forever it felt like (about 20 minutes) before we were taken back. Rhayn had a slight (barely there, as in 98.9) temp. But they didn't count that. The doctor talked to me about her symptoms and asked Rhayn about them as well. Then she looked at her, said, "Everything looks fine, but lets test her for strep anyway." That came back negative but she also wanted to do a strep culture to send to the lab. She said Rhayn can go back to school, if she feels up to it.

We came home, my not-sick girls and I. We peeled all of our broken crayons and melted them down into a muffin tin. Now they are outside playing. I am irked that she wasn't feeling up to school this morning, but is feeling fine now. I suppose that she needed a little time off. I also used this time to my advantage and cleaned our guest room (One could actually stay in it now!) We went through our stuffed animals, and bagged the ones we no longer need. Yesterday I cleaned the toy room, and rearranged it. I also cleaned the master bathroom, which really needed it. In a few minutes I am off to clean litter boxes and take all of the trash out for pick up tomorrow.

Gratitude Day 3

I am thankful for my slow cooker. Today it is filled with beans and other tasty things as it slowly combines the flavors in the following recipe for some vegetarian chili. I tweaked a recipe I found online.
Ingredients

* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 2 cups chopped onion
* 3 garlic cloves, minced
* 1 red bell pepper diced
* ½ cup of carrots minced (in a food processor)
* 2 1/2 cups water
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 2 tablespoons chili powder
* 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
* 2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained
* 1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 can cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 or 2 cups of frozen corn

Preparation
Heat oil in a skillet. Add onion, bell pepper, carrots and garlic; sauté 3 minutes or until tender. Add 2 1/2 cups water and ingredients (through cannellini beans) to slow cooker.
When onion mix is soft put in slow cooker and combine.
Allow to cook on low for as long as needed (4 hours or more) serve in a bowl topped with cheese, avocado.