The True Meaning of Memorial Day

On my way to school on Friday, I was listening to Sirius XM's The Highway, Channel 59, when an interview that DJ Storme Warren did with soldier April Trent struck a nerve with me.  April and her husband, Nelson, were both in the Army and he had always told her that he was destined to die in war and on his third tour of duty, that premonition came true.  The 10 minute interview can be found at https://m.soundcloud.com/siriusxmmusic/interview-with-april-trent-in-gaffney-sc and I highly recommend listening to it.  The strength and courage that April has demonstrated since losing her husband brought me to tears and made me think about the true meaning of Memorial Day and teaching my boys this.

I was not raised in a military family.  My Grandpa Southworth was in WWII and worked at Volk Field all my life, but I never heard him talk much about it.  My father-in-law was in the Korean War and he rarely talked at all about.  My husband said that doesn't even remember his dad talking about anything to do with Korea until he was was in his early 20's because it just wasn't a pleasant memory for him.

My father-in-law, Donald Malphy, in his uniform

My father-in-law with some of his fellow soldiers 

After hearing the interview on Friday morning and seeing some posts on Facebook this weekend regarding the meaning of Memorial Day, my husband and I decided that it was definitely time to take our boys to the cemetery where their Grandpa Malphy is buried to show him his flag and talk about the soldiers who gave their lives for our country.  At the ages of 7 and 6, we felt that they were now old enough to understand that we need to honor our soldiers, both those serving and those that have served.

When we got to the cemetery, the boys pointed out all the new flags that had been placed on the graves of those who had served.  They wanted to go to Grandpa's right away to see the flag placed there for him.  When they got to his flag, they noticed the word Korea and asked all about this.  We told them that this was where Grandpa was in the war and Kris proceeded to tell them what his father had told him about riding on a ship there and that it took them a long time.  Kris told them that Grandpa didn't want to go to war, but it was something he had to do.  The boys then wondered if any of the other soldiers buried in the same cemetery as Grandpa were also in Korea, so then went looking at the flags and found quite a few.  

The boys at Grandpa's gravesite

Jake next to Grandpa's flag

Brock next to Grandpa's flag

We explained to the boys that while Grandpa didn't want to go to war, he had to and he was one of the lucky ones as he came back without being wounded.  That wasn't the case for all of the soldiers who went to war and we explained to the boys that some soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

I am hoping that with just this little trip to the cemetery that our boys have a better understanding of the true meaning of Memorial Day and that they will always take some time on this day to thank all of those currently serving and those who have served as we wouldn't have many of the freedoms we enjoy as we wouldn't have those without their service.

Thank you so much to all the veterans and current service people for all they have sacrificed for our freedoms.

Backyard Camping with the Boys

When Kris and I were first married, we did quite a bit of tent camping.  We had just purchased our 30 acres of land with the plans to build our dream log home on it, so we spent many nights on our property, camping out in our little tent and making improvements to our land.

After we had the boys, we got rid of our camping things as we figured, "We won't be having any time to do this in the near future," and at the time, we were right.  But those two little baby boys started growing up and seeing tents and campers at the parks we'd visit and what would they always ask us about?  You've got it...getting a tent of our own to have at home!

This past Friday, Kris went to Gander Mountain and again purchased some camping equipment for us so that we could spend Memorial Day weekend in our backyard, cooking over an open fire and sleeping in a brand new tent.  Brock had been to a friend's sleepover a few summers ago and they slept in the tent and he loved it, so I knew he enjoyed it, but Jake had never done this before, so this was a new experience for him.

Friday night after school, our first job was to get the tent set up.  And what a big tent Daddy purchased!  It sleeps 9, so there is plenty of room in it for us and I like the fact that we can stand upright in it.  It is a Gander Mountain brand tent and it has worked real well for us this weekend.

Jake with our new tent!

Kris and Brock with the tent all up

In addition to the tent, Kris also purchased a tripod cooker for us to use when cooking over our campfire and that has been fun to use for hot dogs during our backyard camping this weekend.  When not in the tent, the boys have been helping cook or roasting marshmallows of their own over the fire.  They love the sense of accomplishment when they cook something for us!  

Helping Daddy set up the tripod cooker

Putting hot dogs on the cooker

Why did we choose to camp in our backyard instead of going to one of the many parks in our area?  There are many reasons for this and I think the first one is the fact that we love where we live.  We have 30 acres for which to roam and some of what we feel is the best scenery around with the Pine River flowing just below our property, rolling hills all around us and it's really peaceful here.  You don't always find those things at a campground.

Secondly, we like the fact that we can run to the house if there are things we need.  "Mom, where are those marshmallows for s'mores?  Did you bring the roasting sticks?"  And those are just some of the questions and things we've had to run back to the house for during our little camping escapade.  It's nice that we can just walk in the house for what we need.

Third, our dogs are a HUGE part of our family and it's nice that they can be here with us, too.  Yes, it's nice to get away once in awhile without them, but it's also a treat when they can just lay around by the tent/campfire and be with us in the familiar surroundings of our own yard.

Do we ever plan on going to some campgrounds to try out our tent?  Absolutely!  We're looking forward to some great adventures doing that with our family and already have some parks picked out to explore.  Not only are we having a great adventure with our family, but we're making awesome memories for our boys and that's the most important thing of all. 

Jake checking out the air mattress in our tent

Perfect campfire!

Brock roasting marshmallows

Bo waiting for some food

Brock reading a bedtime story to us in the tent

Jake and Captain warming up by the fire

Being a Mom

Anyone who knows me well, knows that when Kris and I were married about 18 years ago, there was no way I was going to have children.  Being the oldest of 5 children with my three younger brothers 10, 15 and 16 years younger than me and watching them quite a bit while they were growing up, I felt like I had already raised children and didn't feel a need to have any of my own.  I had my two Black Labs, Buddy and Shadow, and they were like kids to me and I was a school librarian.  I had a hundreds of students who saw me weekly and I liked going home to just my hubby and my two dogs.  Nothing was going to change my mind.  I was content with just me and Kris and our dogs.

Well, that all changed when my sister had her first child.  I saw all the joy that a baby could bring into the lives of many people and I told Kris that maybe I was ready to try starting a family of our own.  He was elated as he always wanted kids, but he knew how I felt about the topic and he didn't want to push me on it. It took us awhile, but in a couple years, we were expecting a little boy of our own.

Brock Allen arrived on Halloween 2006 and we felt so blessed to have a healthy baby.  Our midwife, Mary Ellen, told us shortly after Brock was born to watch out as that first baby would "trick us" into having a second one and she was right!  Jake Edward arrived in May 2008, three weeks before our scheduled c-section.  Two little boys in diapers and our family was complete!

 

Brock snuggling with Mommy

Holding Jake for the first time

To say that my boys have totally changed my life is an understatement!  I never knew what it was like to see first time experiences through the eyes of children until having them.  Watching them catch their first fish, seeing them overcome obstacles, listening to them read their first books, watching them grow up and become more independent...it has all been a joy.  Have there been trials?  Heck, yes!  Being a mom is not an easy job by any stretch of the imagination.  I remember seeing a plaque once that said, "Motherhood: the toughest job you'll ever love" and that is so true.  Brock and Jake have tried my patience more than once, that's for sure, but would I trade it for the world?  Absolutely not!

We love taking the boys on all sorts of adventures and those will continue as we find more places to explore and things to do together as a family.  Brock and Jake, I promise I will try and be the best mom you could have.  I'll always love you no matter how old you are and you'll always be my babies.  I love you both and thank you for blessing me with you and making Mother's Day a truly special one for me!

Something About Trout Fishing

I grew up with a trout stream running through our rural Camp Douglas, WI, farm.  The Little Lemonweir River is where you would find me, my sister and our Grandpa Bell the first weekend in May when trout season opened.  We would then fish that river many times after chores on the weekends and have so much fun doing that.

Funny how once I got married and we built our log home, there was a trout stream just below our house.  I kind of think that it was meant to be.  I caught a really nice 22 inch trout out of that Pine River shortly after we bought our land and started fishing there and now that our boys are bigger and sharing our passion for fishing, too, we take them there hoping for a big trout.

Today we headed down to the Pine River with Grandpa Dan hoping to catch some trout.  We walked along the river, looking for fishing holes that were a little deeper and we found some nice spots.  While the boys caught little chubs and shiners, giggles and yells of "Whoa!  I've got a big one!" were heard by all of us and just made us smile.  They may not have been the biggest fish in the world, but to the boys, they were catching something and that's all that mattered.

I was able to steal away from the rest of the group for just awhile and sit on the bank watching my line in the river and take in all the sights and sounds around me.  The water flowing so fast and running over the rocks was such a peaceful sound.  It was calming listening to that along with the birds chirping.  The sun was shining and it was just the perfect day to be trout fishing.  After a crazy busy week, this day of trout fishing was exactly what I needed to recharge and get me through the next couple weeks of school before we're done for summer vacation.  There's just something about trout fishing that I absolutely love and I'm so glad that this childhood love is still one that I'm able to do with my own boys.

The Blue Goose...Pizza and Ice Cream Are the Best!

Vernon County is home to some great hidden treasures: the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, the Kickapoo River, along with all of the little mom and pop stores sprinkled around the area, but one of our favorite little spots to go is The Blue Goose.

What is The Blue Goose, you ask?  It is an ice cream and pizza parlor located in the beautiful Kickapoo Valley on 24 Valley Road.  We first learned about The Blue Goose from my parents who like to ride their motorcycle in our neck of the woods and stop from ice cream on summer Sunday afternoons.  The location is quaint and they make the BEST pizza around!

Last night after school, we were talking about going out to eat for Friday Night Fish, but after thinking about it, that just wasn't what we were hungry for.  I suggested The Blue Goose as we hadn't been there yet this Spring since they had opened and the first thing Jake asks was, "Can we get ice cream after we eat pizza?!" You can tell what his favorite item is!

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the owners' dog who the boys love to pet!  It is just the sweetest dog and a great greeter for The Blue Goose customers.

I will never forget the first time when went to The Blue Goose and saw the variety of pizzas that they make. We had never seen so many choices before!  There are, of course, your regular choices of cheese, pepperoni and sausage, but then you start talking about The Hillbilly, The Taco, The Henny Penny, and The Super Goose and you're talking Pizza Heaven!  The Super Goose is our absolute favorite.  Yes, I never thought I'd be saying I like meatballs on pizza, but I do!  You can order the 12" or the 6" personal pizza which Brock tried out last night, too.  You can find the entire Blue Goose Menu located here.

The Super Goose!

Brock tried a personal This Little Piggy Pizza

After eating some pizza, be sure to save room for ice cream!  The Cedar Crest ice cream they serve is the best and you can get it in a regular or waffle cone, a dish, made into a shake/malt...whatever you like!  The Blue Goose is definitely a favorite family hot spot for us around here.  Be sure to check out their Facebook page or webpage for hours of operation and more information on The Blue Goose!

Mommy having some ice cream

Jake loved his ice cream

Brock and Daddy with their malts