5.31.11
Memorial Day is a favorite holiday for my family. This year it was a bit more... My Grandma Corn is a fabulous gardener. She has such a beautiful oasis of flowers in her yard. Her artistic eye shows in the color and contrast of plants she grows. This allows for beautiful bouquets to lovingly share with family and friends who have gone on. This year we were surprisingly the first ones there so I got to arrange and the kids got to assist in the picking of flowers. It was good. We then loaded up and went to the Nyssa Hilltop Cemetery.
It is so beautiful up there. You can see a large view of the Nyssa region. WE wandered around the cemetery trying to locate headstones and remember all the people we decorate and remember. It is a good walk a nice time to remember and essential to reminisce about those ancestors and people who made a difference in our families well being.
This year we were just in time for the military tribute. WE heard our state representative speak- who was interrupted by 3 warthog airplanes from our semi-local air force base in Mtn. Home. It was very touching. As they spotted us in one pass then did a fly over in formation another time. This was followed by the 21 gun salute and taps. The part I heartily agreed with of the political speech was the importance of keeping our country worth fighting and dying for. That we have lost too many virtues and need to be fighting in our own communities and homes to keep/learn/teach/live those values that were once the common fabric of our republic.
This leads me into my thought I wanted to share this week. The teaching of values. School got out this week. Aliza got the geologist award for the student knowing the most about rocks in her class. Harold received the ravenous reader award along with the right on time award. This is very tongue in cheek as we were late most days. REason being they serve federally funded school breakfast which is some sugar cereal and some juice. I don't feed my kids sugar cereal or cold cereal before learning. I feed them whole grains homemade homegrown stuff. So hence my disrespect of the system and the not caring if they miss the 10 minutes of highly refined stuff to put in their mouths. So because HArold was late he got marked tardy and had to go get a slip from the office. He informed his teacher if she would just wait for him to take her roll call he wouldn't be late. We had discussed this issue at parent teacher conference. I told her my reason she said okay. She said because Harold's mom is making him delicious and nutritous home made breakfast he gets this award. And then went on to tell the story of his response. She thought it was funny. And while I was admittedly red in the back of the gym I still hold to my guns it's my job to feed my kids and I'm not supporting stuff I don't agree with.
So again values. THe world tells us women that we can do anything men can do that it is a mark or superiority to be as strong, smart, hireable, socially accepted, or paid as men. WE feel bad when we don't have high power jobs and acclaim of constituents or peers for our power in the work world. We devalue our merit as mere mothers. Ugh who claims the title of childbearing as desireable or good. Any simpleton can bear children... HOwever while the bearing of children maybe a skill all mammals possess. There is a major difference between the monkeys, cows, and pigs from humans. Because those animals who produce live and those who don't are called culls and are sent to be eaten. Yes we can be like men, but to what triumph does that lead. Does it make us more desirable as spouses? Not really. I prefer things as they really are from my food to my entertainment (the book is always better than the movie) I like it real. So why did I waste all that time trying to be equal to men around me? I am learning that I have more influence hence power as a lady.
Now this does not mean I have taken to wearing white gloves- well I do wear the dipped ones while gardening. which I did plant this week and if it warms up I may have something to show for it. Nor have I tossed the jeans for dresses. But I do try to teach my sons to carry things and open doors etc. and my daughters to let/make their brothers carry things and open their door or not race past them and slam the door. But I am finding in my years of experimenting, interviewing, observing, and learning that it is better to be a lady than just a wo-man. And it has made my man more MAN-ly.
I still mow the lawn, pull weeds, observe chicken killing without tears and feinting, but I let my men do the "hard" stuff and just be silent or appreciative. I want him to be needed I don't want him to go elsewhere to be needed. Too many friends are getting tired of each other falling out of love etc but maybe they just don't feel needed... competition does not work in love. I am not belittling men or saying they need us to sit back and pretend they are something they are not. I am saying they will be better, go harder, work greater if we are there encouraging, supporting, loving, expecting them to do so. When we take matters into our own hands we literaly do that then we are frustrated when we are left with the world crushing us with its weight. I am so thankful that I have had the opportunities given that I have been able to learn this and just hope I can hold on to it and be happy with what I have. It is hard to stay out of the muck of the world. I love the story by Max Lucado about the Lemmicks and their stars and Lucinda who doesn't care she only cares what her creator thinks. That's how I want to be I don't care about popular or status quo or click or because everybody... I care what is right and what I know to be true. Many of these realizations have come from having the gigantic family we have and having them so fast. It has been humbling and instrumental in my learning what I need to be about.
I could have been a force to be reckoned with in the work world. I could have had more awards and more money but I have the challenge of teaching my children values, integrity, faith, work ethic, and much much more. Manners and potty training to name a few. And while I don't have plaques on the wall for the 6 children who independently take care of their beings I have learned more than I would have with 6 scholarly reviewed published papers or travel etc. Because my children are what will care about me when I am 70. MY peers will cheer I am no longer a competitor my boss will be glad I am not working so much, but my kids will be glad I cared and was there through it all.
The best illustration of this was given as a gift years ago as a mother's day gift. When Queens Ride by.
It is worth the time and the thought I hope it causes. I want each of you who are married and those who aren't to be happy to be together and to be the best you can be in your sphere. A quote that I loved and I may botch it but the essence "Realize your Reality and do your best with it." Monte Saunders.
BAck to memorial day Reed burned his hand. The picture is of his wheat juice administration to help heal the burn. The kids went on a hay ride provided by Papa Corn and Uncle Kevin. They had tractor rides on the John Deere D with Uncle Justin and we all enjoyed fun and food. We also hit the library this week as a reward and a kick off to summer learning. I do a mini-homeschool with the kids, especially with the rainy weather, and we are working on vocab this summer. I choose 5 words that they look up and define. It has been great!
So while I sit here with my sleeping baby with his hand still in cool water I am thankful for those who have given me this freedom and security to be a mom and have a family of bedlamites to hopefully school into honorable people. Best to you all.
It is so beautiful up there. You can see a large view of the Nyssa region. WE wandered around the cemetery trying to locate headstones and remember all the people we decorate and remember. It is a good walk a nice time to remember and essential to reminisce about those ancestors and people who made a difference in our families well being.
This year we were just in time for the military tribute. WE heard our state representative speak- who was interrupted by 3 warthog airplanes from our semi-local air force base in Mtn. Home. It was very touching. As they spotted us in one pass then did a fly over in formation another time. This was followed by the 21 gun salute and taps. The part I heartily agreed with of the political speech was the importance of keeping our country worth fighting and dying for. That we have lost too many virtues and need to be fighting in our own communities and homes to keep/learn/teach/live those values that were once the common fabric of our republic.
This leads me into my thought I wanted to share this week. The teaching of values. School got out this week. Aliza got the geologist award for the student knowing the most about rocks in her class. Harold received the ravenous reader award along with the right on time award. This is very tongue in cheek as we were late most days. REason being they serve federally funded school breakfast which is some sugar cereal and some juice. I don't feed my kids sugar cereal or cold cereal before learning. I feed them whole grains homemade homegrown stuff. So hence my disrespect of the system and the not caring if they miss the 10 minutes of highly refined stuff to put in their mouths. So because HArold was late he got marked tardy and had to go get a slip from the office. He informed his teacher if she would just wait for him to take her roll call he wouldn't be late. We had discussed this issue at parent teacher conference. I told her my reason she said okay. She said because Harold's mom is making him delicious and nutritous home made breakfast he gets this award. And then went on to tell the story of his response. She thought it was funny. And while I was admittedly red in the back of the gym I still hold to my guns it's my job to feed my kids and I'm not supporting stuff I don't agree with.
So again values. THe world tells us women that we can do anything men can do that it is a mark or superiority to be as strong, smart, hireable, socially accepted, or paid as men. WE feel bad when we don't have high power jobs and acclaim of constituents or peers for our power in the work world. We devalue our merit as mere mothers. Ugh who claims the title of childbearing as desireable or good. Any simpleton can bear children... HOwever while the bearing of children maybe a skill all mammals possess. There is a major difference between the monkeys, cows, and pigs from humans. Because those animals who produce live and those who don't are called culls and are sent to be eaten. Yes we can be like men, but to what triumph does that lead. Does it make us more desirable as spouses? Not really. I prefer things as they really are from my food to my entertainment (the book is always better than the movie) I like it real. So why did I waste all that time trying to be equal to men around me? I am learning that I have more influence hence power as a lady.
Now this does not mean I have taken to wearing white gloves- well I do wear the dipped ones while gardening. which I did plant this week and if it warms up I may have something to show for it. Nor have I tossed the jeans for dresses. But I do try to teach my sons to carry things and open doors etc. and my daughters to let/make their brothers carry things and open their door or not race past them and slam the door. But I am finding in my years of experimenting, interviewing, observing, and learning that it is better to be a lady than just a wo-man. And it has made my man more MAN-ly.
I still mow the lawn, pull weeds, observe chicken killing without tears and feinting, but I let my men do the "hard" stuff and just be silent or appreciative. I want him to be needed I don't want him to go elsewhere to be needed. Too many friends are getting tired of each other falling out of love etc but maybe they just don't feel needed... competition does not work in love. I am not belittling men or saying they need us to sit back and pretend they are something they are not. I am saying they will be better, go harder, work greater if we are there encouraging, supporting, loving, expecting them to do so. When we take matters into our own hands we literaly do that then we are frustrated when we are left with the world crushing us with its weight. I am so thankful that I have had the opportunities given that I have been able to learn this and just hope I can hold on to it and be happy with what I have. It is hard to stay out of the muck of the world. I love the story by Max Lucado about the Lemmicks and their stars and Lucinda who doesn't care she only cares what her creator thinks. That's how I want to be I don't care about popular or status quo or click or because everybody... I care what is right and what I know to be true. Many of these realizations have come from having the gigantic family we have and having them so fast. It has been humbling and instrumental in my learning what I need to be about.
I could have been a force to be reckoned with in the work world. I could have had more awards and more money but I have the challenge of teaching my children values, integrity, faith, work ethic, and much much more. Manners and potty training to name a few. And while I don't have plaques on the wall for the 6 children who independently take care of their beings I have learned more than I would have with 6 scholarly reviewed published papers or travel etc. Because my children are what will care about me when I am 70. MY peers will cheer I am no longer a competitor my boss will be glad I am not working so much, but my kids will be glad I cared and was there through it all.
The best illustration of this was given as a gift years ago as a mother's day gift. When Queens Ride by.
It is worth the time and the thought I hope it causes. I want each of you who are married and those who aren't to be happy to be together and to be the best you can be in your sphere. A quote that I loved and I may botch it but the essence "Realize your Reality and do your best with it." Monte Saunders.
BAck to memorial day Reed burned his hand. The picture is of his wheat juice administration to help heal the burn. The kids went on a hay ride provided by Papa Corn and Uncle Kevin. They had tractor rides on the John Deere D with Uncle Justin and we all enjoyed fun and food. We also hit the library this week as a reward and a kick off to summer learning. I do a mini-homeschool with the kids, especially with the rainy weather, and we are working on vocab this summer. I choose 5 words that they look up and define. It has been great!
So while I sit here with my sleeping baby with his hand still in cool water I am thankful for those who have given me this freedom and security to be a mom and have a family of bedlamites to hopefully school into honorable people. Best to you all.
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