Oath of Office

 

In homeschool this week, I had a really nice time watching the Inauguration with Honor and the little boys.

I was praying my heart out leading up to this week that things would be peaceful.  I really wanted to be able to show my daughter something positive about our country, and my wish was granted.

It was really amazing to show my 8-year old daughter the first ever black, female Vice President being sworn in and to listen to the words full of promise and hope spoken from the stand.

I think working as a journalist in my early career and attending college with people who all thought differently from me ensured that I would be a moderate person politically.

I have amazing memories of covering two Presidential Inaugurations and a National political convention during my time working in the media.  And I have wonderful memories of watching the Inaugurations from home and celebrating with my children, helping them to appreciate what a privilege it is to have a country governed by laws and leaders who rule at the request of the people.

 On Inauguration Day, a friend of mine shared this quote: 

"A presidential inauguration is a civic ceremony that transcends the person being inaugurated.  It is an act of state, not politics.  It's primary purpose is for the president-elect to take the constitutionally required oath of office, and for the people by witnessing it to bind him to that oath." - D. Todd Christofferson

I'm praying for our country as we move into this next chapter.  

Continue reading... »

whatever tomorrow brings

It's no secret, that I love this country and the principles on which it was founded.  My grandmother was born on the 4th of July, and my grandparents served in World wars, so we're a family who loves the USA and loves to teach our children to love it as well.

While I worked in TV News, I helped cover two Presidential Inaugurations and one political convention.  I interviewed people in and outside of the White House.  I attended an Impeachment Trial inside the Capitol and listened to oral arguments inside the Supreme Court.  Inside the news bureau where I worked, it was my job to escort all on-air guests through the make-up room, the green room, and finally get them on-set, so I had a chance to get to know quite a few politicians in a candid environment. My time in DC only solidified my respect for and gratitude for the process.

It's not perfect, because we the people are not perfect, but I love to teach my children to love our country, which is why I have been praying hard that there is something GOOD I can show my kids tomorrow as we watch the Inauguration together.

In preparation this weekend, I cleaned my house, and let the kids help me decorate.  We pulled out red, white, and blue balloons and streamers and we're just full of anticipation.

My four year old Val who just loves holidays, asked me, "Mommy, why are are we getting these red, white, and blue straws?"  My answer, "Because next week we're getting a new president!"

Sometimes I pick winners when I vote, and sometimes I pick losers, but who I pick doesn't matter when the counting is done.  When Inauguration Day rolls around, I'm ready to support Democracy and make the best of the next four years.

Some Inauguration Days I have a big smile on my face.  Sometimes, I'm just happy for the person and what his election means.  But always I am flying the red, white, and blue.  Always I am teaching my children what a privilege it is to live in a country like ours, where we get to help pick our leaders and where we respect the rule of law.

I know that is not what 2020 looked like.  Not even a little bit.  But I am praying and will continue to work and pray for a future and for a tomorrow that I can be proud to show and pass down to my children.

 

Continue reading... »

4th of July Parade 2019

Can you believe that I almost didn't do our annual Fourth of July Parade this year?

Let's not even speak of such things!  This parade is 41 years in the making as a family tradition.  And eventhough this is the summer of No for me, that was unacceptable for Honor who just mastered riding a two-wheeled bike this summer and wouldn't hear of any change in our yearly tradition.

So, believe it or not, we threw this thing together the night before.

And I'm so glad we did, because it was a really nice gathering of all of our neighbors.  So, these are my buddies!

I'm just going to share a bunch of photos from the event, mostly from the photobooth.

The wooden US flag sign was made for me by my friend Rachel and the "Life is Good" sign I made...my first try at a new little hobby.

The last photo you'll see was the sunset from July 3rd...Is it just me or does the sky look like it's flying "stars & stripes!?

Continue reading... »

Flag Tshirt Craft

It's been a while since I posted a craft on here.  This US flag tshirt was so fun, because all six kids could do it, it's patriotic AND a sweet keepsake!

First, pick up a plain white tee at Michael's or wherever.

Using acrylic paint, place your handprint in the top left corner (to represent the blue field of stars).

When that's dry, use everyday masking tape to create a stencil for the red and white stripes...like this:

Do as many stripes as looks good to you and fits on the tshirt, but remember there are 13!

 I removed the tape before it was dry and then set the shirt out to dry.

Voila!

We made these on July 3rd and were styling on the 4th!

Continue reading... »

My 4th of July Playlist

It's almost time of our annual neighborhood 4th of July parade!!

And we are busy getting ready.  Here is my

Fourth of July Playlist:

(In order of awesomeness...kinda...)

"Barbara Ann" by The Beach Boys  (Just a great way to start off a party!)

"Sink the Bismark" by Johnny Horton (My Mom always played this!)

"Living in America" by James Brown  (Funky and fun!)

"Ragged Old Flag" by Johnny Cash  (Such a cool tribute!)

"The Battle of New Orleans" by Johnny Horton

"R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." by John Melloncamp (Obviously.)

"Home" by Phillip Phillips (Because America is home to ALL of us!)

"Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus (I apologize in advance for this one.)

"We Shall Overcome" by Mahalia Jackson 

"Everyday America" by Sugarland

"Back in the USA" by Chuck Berry

"American Pie" by Don McLean

"Be True to Your School" by The Beach Boys

"Counting Stars" by One Republic

"Authority Song" by John Melloncamp

"American" by Neil Diamond  (We're coming to America!!  I'm getting pumped just thinking about what that might have felt like for immigrants!)

"Amazing Grace" by Tramaine Hawkins

"America" by Simon and Garfunkel

"Gone, Gone, Gone" by Phillip Phillips

"Born in The USA" by Bruce Springsteen (Classic!)

"Rock and Roll Music" by Chuck Berry

"Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell (I mean, seriously, they are...Is that a bad joke!?)

"Small Town" by John Melloncamp

"Surfin U.S.A." by The Beach Boys

"Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon

"Lean On Me" by Bill Withers

"Route 66" by Chuck Berry  (This one makes my kids shimmy!)

"The Star-Spangled Banner" by Mo Tab

"The Avengers" (100 Greatest TV Themes)

"You're a Grand Old Flag (Yankee Doodle Dandy)" by James Cagney

"God Bless America" by Celine Dione

"Stars and Stripes Forever" by US Military Band and John Phillip Sousa

"When I First Came to This Land" by Mormon Tabernacle Choir

"Taps/Battle Hymn of the Republic" by Piano Brothers

PS - So what do you think?  Let me know if I missed any of your favorites!

Continue reading... »

Cherry the Beautiful!

In yesterday's post about our family and neighborhood 4th of July Parade, I mentioned that I would like to start a scrapbook dedicated to our Fourth of July Parade photos.

Little did I know that my good friend Cherry had already started one for me!  It was hand-delivered to my door by our trusty mailman today during lunch.  We were all thrilled by this very thoughtful, personalized gift.

Cherry took a recent post from my blog and infused it with some of my family history photos to create these very special scrapbook pages that will always be a treasure to our family.  I just love all of the quotes and details...just beautiful!

Thank you, Cherry!

Your friendship is truly a blessing to me!

I am overcome by your thoughtfulness!

Continue reading... »

Our 4th of July Parade 2011

We had another spectacular neighborhood 4th of July parade this year.  It was a blast celebrating with so many good friends on such a special day!  

The children were so creative and had a great time decorating their bikes, scooters, and wagons.  Our friend Leah even built her own sound system into her scooter and rocked out to patriotic songs as she rode by!  As my friend Amy Jo said, it was a sea of red, white, and blue!

Lots of beautiful smiles...

...and happy families...

...even three generations of happy families!

We even had a one-man-band by our friend Henry.  I love that boy! 

We had a last-minute surprise for the 175 parade participants this year--

a cannon blast to begin and end the parade!  

(Thank you, Joe & Skylar!)

Lucky me!  I got to light the fuse!!




I plan on starting a scrapbook dedicated to parade photos.  



It's fun to look back year after year and see how we've all changed and how much all of the children have grown!

Friends...We are thankful for each one of you (and your pets...and patriotic dolls!!)





(...and the plants and friendship you shared.)

The flag ceremony that followed went well.  Porter, our flag bearer, lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, and I played the Star-Spangled Banner.  Yes, I cut myself some slack and used music.  Then Steve ended the festivities with a prayer.

Thanks to my friend Jenn for bringing a boat-load of popsicles that we all enjoyed!

And thanks to all of our dear friends who came to make memories with us for the fourth year in a row! 

Happy Independence Day, everyone!!

Continue reading... »