Today I remember.

Saturday, Sept 11


That famous day we all remember as 9-11.  Hard to believe it's been 9 years now.  I liked someone's post who likened it to the day in their parents generation known as "Pearl Harbor day".

There's some other distinct days I remember as well in my life time.

When the news came that President Kennedy was shot
When man first walked on the moon
When the Challenger crashed to the earth
When the "wall went down" in Germany
The bombing in OKC
The shooting at Columbine school

Maybe I missed a couple, (and I couldn't tell you the dates) but those are the outstanding ones that come to mind.
Although all those are noteworthy, I believe the difference in this one was the mass-wide spread effect it had on the US.  Partly because it was not only 1 place, but 3 different areas. Not only that, but the date "they" picked also.
We in the US have known such peace & prosperity compared to so many other countries. Regardless of some of the horrible tragedies that have occurred that we all can point to & remember, (and I don't mean to be-little any of those)....
we are a peaceful, non-violent country.

Sept 11 is my Niece's birthday.  Today she is 16.  Two more days and we will have a 16 yr. old at our house again, and once again I'm amazed at how very quickly the days and years pass by.
This is the first year the girls haven't celebrated their birthdays together.  My sister moved near by when the girls were 2, and they've grown up together.  Rebecca is in AZ this year, so any duel-celebration will have to be post-poned until she comes for a visit in Oct.

This is a beautiful sunny "fall is in the air" Saturday.  It was the first day in weeks that I enjoyed sleeping in, and although I woke at my usual early time it was luxury to be able to roll over and relax, knowing I didn't HAVE to get up.
It was also the first day in weeks that I got my morning coffee brought to me in bed also--another luxury :)

Meshayla was up early, as she wanted to post on Rebecca's facebook wall her birthday greetings.  The girls were born 2 days apart, but exactly the same time in the morning.  (How crazy is that!)
When Leon brought me my coffee he said Meshayla was heading to "the woods" and when I looked out my window I saw not just her, but all 4 of the kids in their out-door working gear, heading out of the driveway towards the woods.
(Poor dogs left behind, tied to the tree.--When I came downstairs the note that awaited me was "please untie the dogs now that we're gone")

And a long post, much rambling later, as I saw them headed off on their early morning trek what I was remembering was my sister and I, around the ages of  8 to 11 quietly sneaking out of the house early Saturday mornings on an "adventure".

Scouting the streets of our very small town for pop bottles to take in for cash.
Heading across the open pastures, down the canyons of the near-by country side.
Discovering culverts under the highway to explore. (I wonder why we always went one direction out of town and not the other?)
Walking miles of railroad tracks both directions out of town, but not being brave enough to cross the high rail-road bridge in one of the canyons.
Exploring abandon houses & old stores both in our tiny town and in the country.  (I don't ever remember seeing No Trespassing signs or some area being roped off in those days!)

I don't remember mom ever worrying about us--maybe she should of--but here we all are today, safe & sound.

I'm thankful for those little memories of freedom.
I'm thankful for the freedom that my kids now have to roam a bit more freely in the country than town.
And in spite of the small annoyances that we all can experience,
I'm thankful beyond measure that we live in a free country.

GOD BLESS AMERICA,
May we continue to be free and appreciate each & every bit of freedom we have.

Just because....

...I like it. 1959. My dad & I

Happy Birthday Jessi!

It's hard to believe she's one! A year ago I was up in North Dakota, spending the night in a rocking chair, in a freezing cold very tiny hospital room! I didn't sleep much...but I did get to spend a good portion of the night cuddling and rocking my brand new granddaughter, so I guess it was a fair trade. Happy Birthday Jessi, we love you!

2 weeks from now she'll be in Kearney for the weekend, and we're going to have a party for both her and Trey who will turn one on Feb 17. I can hardly wait to see Jessi again, and see the babies together again too! Watch for party pictures!!

20 years ago..."Remember when"

Happy Birthday to Ryan! (on the 15th) "Big sisters" Didn't have any problem waking up in the middle of the night for a new-born peek, but we waited till morning for the next two to get their first look. The scrapbook page is when he turned one. It's been a wild ride "little boy"! Wonder what the next 20 years will bring.