Memorial Day Remembers

Just a note today about Memorial Day. Thank you to the men and women who so willingly serve our United States of America in the armed forces. I don't know if it's a combination of growing up with a very patriotic family. Being married to Michael for 10 years and him serving in the Coast Guard, maybe it's a combination. I believe I am so blessed to live in the United States, But also to be free to share my faith in Jesus Christ with you openly and willingly. To have a freedom of speech to post my random heart felt thoughts with you. And to not be persecuted. That's a huge deal; I hope you don't take it lightly. I hope that when you hear the National Anthem you feel compelled to cover your heart and take off your cap. I hope that when a parade marches by you're not just looking g for the candy but you're looking for the elderly men gimping along in their uniform and VFW hats. When I was a child we marched in the Ellsworth Memorial Day parade, If it was Blue Birds, 4-H , Marching Band , or dressing as Betsy Ross, I can still make the journey on foot down the big hill and back up again to the corner at Myron's, around the corner and on down 224 to the cemetery...... Then once at the cemetery the VFW representative would explain the Red the White and The Blue of the colors of the flag. I in turn get a magnificent lump in my throat and they salute the fallen comrades.... The fire the 21 gun salute. Taps are played beyond the mausoleum. By this time I as a child would be bored to tears looking for dandelions to pick. Making figures out of the clouds in the sky or thinking I was so hot I might simply com bust. Then in High school I had the divine privilege to play my trombone in the marching band . We always had a select few marches to play and certainly America the Beautiful, Battle Hymn of the Republic, This is My Country, My Country Tis' of Thee. The Boarding the school bus travel out to Berlin Center where we would play the same selections in the gym, then march down to the cemetery.
Now I'm 43, recently at a dear friend's fathers ' memorial service. By the time the VFW Honor Guard got to his casket and presented his beautiful widow the flag, explained the colors to her I was a sobbing , blubbering fool. By the time they left the sanctuary and did the 21 gun salute and played taps. -. i was inconsolable. Thank You for serving thank you for honoring your country. The cute patriotic plaque that says freedom isn't free- I truly respect. I honor you for your service. My Nephew Luke is a United States Army Ranger Lt. That is a an honor and I am so proud of his service, He will be traveling to Korea next week for a 12 month deployment. Pray with me for his safety, the safety of his unit. and for the families each one of them represents. The loved ones they must leave behind in order to serve. God Bless America. It indeed is the land that I love.

Vacation

We are having a great time of rest relaxation sunshine and water. What more could we ask for ? I am happy just to be away from home. I won't lie, I'm missing it a lot , however it's great to be away. We have found a few really cool places. We are surprised how different the water front is miles apart. Here at seista key beach the sand is like fine sugar powdery and white. If you go south 6 miles to turtle beach that sand is grainy and loaded with many shell particles. North to Bradenton is like going to a different place, the beach is sugary white and the water is bright green. As we walked along the beach there were several weddings being set up. Thdts neat I think. The house where we are staying is lovely for the 2 of us. Even if there was another couple it would be fine. I have cooked a little . We have been eating here for the most part. We did go out with friends one night. That was much fun too. All in all this has been exactly what we needed. Kind of each doing our own thing but that's okay too. Love to you. J

Hi friends!

We are in sunny Ssarasota now Yippee.... I had to come to the public library to file my enemployment benefit. So here I am to say Hello to you!! Hoep this finds you well, we had a lovely few days w. Mom and Rich. Their home is so lovely and cozy it really feels like Mom's home now. Last time we were here 6 yrs ago the house was just placed on the lot. It looks just like my moms' home. I feel so comfortable there! You would too. I am trying so hard to detox from diet pepsi. You would be glad as I have cut way back. I still need a few but I am drinking more ice tea. and a whole lot of water.. It is so pretty here at our house. I was in the pool just this morning. I can't like the lizards and the geccos they are awful ! We went to the beach last night. It was so great... I had a lovely time getting my feet so sandy and the wind whipping was glorious! God is so good..... He so good to me.... Love to you this vacation day .... talk to you soon. ~J

We are at the airport and almost ready to board

We have finially made it to the big day! Praise the lord, However I still cried saying goodbye to snick, and driving out the drive. I couldn't wait to leave but now I'm a little melancholy to leave the place I love so much. I know once I get away I'll be happy once away but I'm still kindof sad to leave. I am excited. To see my mom. I have missed her so much, I think she is excited to see us as well.
ezzie still hast had her kitties, I think every day it will be today, the poor thing just gets wider and wider. We cleaned all the clothes out of kennys drawervshe likes to be in, now that I sit here I remember I didn't close hollys bedroom door I hope she doesn't claim hol's bed for the blessed event! Be blessed this day. Please pray for safe travel , rest and relaxation for the big guy and I. Love you - j

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! You are Blessed to have a mother. I am blessed to both have and adore my mother as well as be a mother myself.... We have always been so proud of our mom, she is a delight and a friend, she is a hard working lady who always put every ones needs ahead of her own. Including my dad who was ill much of his life before he died at the age of 56. Mom has loved to work physically hard , it is a good therapy to work hard like that. I enjoy it myself. I always look for my phone in the morning as to chat with mom in florida as I make my way on my daily journey. Mom always greets me with a loving cheerful voice and a word or two of advise... She is curious about my days plans and what I have in store. I enjoy my mom as a blessed daughter can. She has been there for me and helped me through so many situations I can't even count. One of the most lovely things about my mom is her love of Jesus. Her faith is unwavering. Mature and honest, she knows the value of her salvation and appreciates that. I am blessed to have her in my life. Even at the age of 43 I can laugh and cry with my mom. Thank you God for the woman she is as she has molded me into the woman I am. I kinda like me, and I appreciate my mom for making me this way.
Another blessing of mom is that she has an amazing relationship with my daughter Holly. We are so blessed , I never had the joy of a "gram " relationship growing up. Both my Grandamas passed away before I was 8. Holly and Gram's relationship is unique and so cool, they too talk almost every day, at least Mom calls Holly to get her up each morning. Holly shares secrets and all of life with her gram. I want to be a gram like that some day! Thanks for listening to my ramble of my mom, I am sorry if your mom isn't with you this day. I think of dear friends whose moms went to be with our Lord this past year. This is a sucky day for them . Their hearts are sad and heavy. I am so sorry for your loss......I pray the Peace that passes all understanding comforts you right now. And if you are desperately desiring to have a child and can't I understand that all too well also. I know the deep sadness your heart feels. I have felt that emptiness too. I am sorry.....
Words don't help. ... time will eventually callous the longing you feel.... there will never be a day that you won't still wonder . If only....
Be blessed this day. Happy Mother's Day. Love to you. ~jenny

Vacation is Coming soon!!!

I am so excited vacation is coming soon. We will be packing up before you know it. I should be getting things ready right this very minute, but instead I'll stop by here for a little visit. I'm getting the vacation bug! I wrote a long post yesterday about having the boys here for the weekend, However I did something wrong, deleted it and now need to write it all again. So I' am going to give you the abridged version.
Ryder and Zack spent Sat night here in a tent , Ryder stayed Fri night as well bu due to the monsoon he slept in Holly's bed. I think they had a good time, they ate me out of house and home. I did it willingly though.We played in the woods and traversed slippery logs across the creek. Things a young tee should want to do. Right ? I think so. We even heard the Howley Growley. Zack wasn't real excited about that , I think having Ryder there gave him the incentive to be strong and tough. and not panic. :) We still don't know what that creature is. Kenny covered the top of the chicken coop with fencing so hopefully that is significant to protect them from the creature that lives in the woods and eats chickens! I hope so any way... Well Soon Holly will be done w/ her 2nd year of college, and K & I will be on vacation. The first one in 6 years, And the first long one since our honeymoon 13 years ago! I am so ready. White sandy beach here i come! Well my friend I need to clean and do laundry. Hope to talk to you soon. ~J