History Lessons

Because I didn't have to work at the church office this morning, the kids and I walked out our front door, hiked up to Haus Rohrbach Pension

  
 and up Tumwater Mountain.  We stopped part way up to have our devotions and then hiked a little farther before settling down to read the about the Battle of Bunker Hill.  It was pretty awesome to be sitting on top of a steep hill and envisioning the Redcoats climbing up to battle the colonists. 

How do you deal with people forcing their opinions on you?  I know I am pretty opinionated.  I have been known to make my viewpoint heard but I have not gone as far as forced it on you.  At least I don't think I have. 

We live in a day and age where the government and liberal minded thinking has stepped in to our personal lives and has tried its best to dictate how you and I live. Personally, you can have your opinion about what is "safe" or not but don't force me to think like you and live in your paranoid world.  Oooo...I am starting to get my dander up.....breathe....ok. So, we have met our neighbors just a few doors done and their boys and mine are getting to know each other and like hanging out.  The other day both boys came home with bike helmets.  They were told that they "needed" them.  To be honest I don't know what the law is here on bike helmets.  I have purposely not looked it up.  From what I understand it is a suggestion not a law, but our neighbors feel that we are putting our children in danger and are doing their best to protect my kids. Bryce made a statement as he was walking out the door that I am pretty sure came straight from their house, "Kids with helmets don't end up in hospitals."  I think I can prove that statement wrong.  My communication to Bryce was if you like the helmet and want to wear it, then do. I, however, am not forcing it on my children.   I have a feeling we won't be best of friends with our neighbors, but will be able to be social to one another. 

Memorial Day

At eight a.m. I was nudged and told to get up, we were going to the cemetery. 

A quick dress, a brush of the teeth, hair pinned up and we were ready to go.

This Memorial Day we visited the Mountain View Cemetery in Leavenworth.  Our first stop was the grave site of Jim Saunders, Todd's high school friend who he was able to lead to the Lord.  Jim served as a state trooper near Grand Coulee Dam.  One day he pulled over a speeder.  As he approached the vehicle the speeder pull out a gun and shot Jim.  Jim and his wife, Billie, had a toddler and were expecting their second son when he lost his life. 

Not too far away from Jim's grave site are the sites of Todd's grandparents, Vincent and Faye Brehm.  Grandpa Brehm served in the US Navy and the US Army.  Grandma Faye died two years ago.  It was for her funeral that Todd flew out here and was asked to move out here to pastor our current church.

Thank you to all those who have served our country and died for our freedoms.  Happy Memorial Day.

Ladies' Retreat 2012 at OneTrueMedia.com

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All In The Name of Science

Yesterday, the deacons of our church surprised us with a rather large toad.  Stretched out from toe to nose he measures about 10 inches.  (I am guessing on that.  I didn't stick my hand in the bucket to measure him when he was frantically trying to escape.)  Todd is going to take the toad to school tomorrow for his biology class.  Yes...Mr. Toad has "volunteered" to participate in biology lab.  It reminds me of my first year teaching at Grace Academy in Chattanooga.  During my free period the head of the science department invited me to participate with the Biology class as they were observing the circulatory system of the frog.  I was asked to pith the frog and then place him on the overhead projector.  We then were able to watch the blood flow through it's veins.  We then cut him open so that we could observe it's heart beating.  Oh...by the way. To pith a frog is to stick a metal probe down the spinal cord to in order paralyze the frog and then place the probe up into the brain cavity and scramble it.  Yes...the frog is now brain dead but the heart is still beating for a little while longer so that you can see it at work. All in the name of science. 

Mother's Day

We celebrated Mother's Day at Smallwoods this afternoon.

Smallwoods is a small farmhouse fruit stand that has turned into a fun-filled family center.  Besides selling the fruits and vegetables that they grow, they have a house filled with jams, jellies, preserves, soaps, jewelry, and about every little chotch-key you can imagine.  Then there is the petting zoo, the cow train, greenhouses, chicken coops, pigeons, swings, horse shoes, ball toss, cowboy roping, etc.   You get the picture.  We stopped off and picked up some venison and elk brats and drinks for a picnic and then explored the grounds.  It was fun and relaxing.  A good way to celebrate the day.

Maifest 2012

It is Maifest time again...parades, dancing, polka, wrapping of the maypole, and more.

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