Let Us Remember

My boss sent me an email titled "Memorial Day" today. I opened the attachment and was rather surprised by the words I read.

"Monday is Memorial Day, one of our most important national holidays.

It is the time every year to put aside our differences and join together as one nation in remembrance of so many brave and idealistic Americans who gave their lives so freedom might endure for our people, and for people elsewhere in the world.

For many Americans, Memorial Day means the unofficial start of the summer season. But I hope for most of us the original meaning and purpose of this day will not be lost. It surely will not be lost on the surviving veterans who fought America's wars, and who, year after year, faithfully uphold the traditions which honor their fallen comrades.

Nor will it be lost on the families and friends who will travel to military cemeteries across our nation and overseas to decorate with flowers and flags the graves of loved ones who gave all for this country.

And for those who still suffer the physical and emotional wounds of war in veterans hospitals or the private torment of memory, the meaning of this day can never be forgotten.

It has become too easy for those of us who have been protected from war and never seen its horrors up close to lose sight of the debt we owe to those who stepped forward in our place to take the risks and make the sacrifices that ensured a secure nation.

This Memorial Day's ceremonies will honor America's war dead.

But the most important tribute should take place in the heart of every American, to give thanks for our liberty and to remember the price paid, in human lives, to keep it."

-Jessica Harris

"I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the Alter of Freedom."

-Abraham Lincoln

I judge Memorial Day rather harshly because of the experiences I have had growing up. However, the words contained in the email made me realize that I've lost sight of the meaning behind Memorial Day. It really has nothing to do with me but those who have sacrificed their lives for freedom.

So, as we enjoy this long weekend, I hope we all take a few minutes to thank our Father for the country we live in and the freedoms we have. And, let us all remember the human price paid to keep it.

Time Warp

I really can't believe it's the end of April! I guess it's time to update the good ol' blog, since it's been over a month!

We're slowly getting settled into our new house. We've been at a stand still for a few weeks because we're still waiting for our repairs to be finished. It's been a bit of a battle to get the contractor to fix the issues we found in our final walk-through (and the warranty issues we've discovered since). Last week we met with the representative of the seller to discuss why our repairs have not been addressed. Yesterday, the sellers and the contractor had a meeting, so we're waiting to hear the outcome.

In the meantime, we've kept busy with other house projects. We've added shelving and dividers to our laundry room area, redone some lighting, and started/planned a million other small projects.

We've also been busy planning for baby. I finally picked colors for the nursery (we're going neutral) and picked out the crib, nursery furniture and bedding. I've decided on the decorations I want to include--more projects to fill the time over the next 11 weeks!

We're getting more and more excited to be parents. We can't wait for our little babe to be here. Let's hope the next 11 weeks slow down a bit though, so we can get everything done that we need to before he comes.

Well that's it for now. I hope this post finds you all happy and healthy!

-A

P.S.

I'm not ignoring your requests for baby pictures. I had a bright idea during the move to pack them so they wouldn't get lost. Now I can't find them.

As soon as they surface, I promise I will post some.

Hmm

Is it really only Wednesday?

Adult Truths

1. It's part of a best friend's job to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
3. Napping is the greatest gift in life. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make for good stories.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection yet again.
13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and a message appears asking me if I want to save changes to my ten-page technical report when I know I didn't make any.
14. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" route option.
15. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
16. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear a word they said?
17. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong brothers and sisters!
18. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
19. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
20. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and pinning the tail on the donkey. So, don't you find it remarkable that we find the snooze button from 3 feet away, in 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

I found this post on a friend's blog. I thought these "Adult Truths" were too funny not to pass along.

-A

What Life is All About

Home Owners

Scott and I are so close to owning! We've been waiting all day for our loan officer to call, so we can close.

Keep your fingers crossed! We're more than ready to start calling this beauty our home.

-A