Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day


Rarely a day goes by when I don’t think of our military and the sacrifices our service men and women (and families!) have made for the rest of us. It partly comes from living in a military town where practically everyone I know is in the military or was in the military or is married to someone in the military. I know three families who are currently in the middle of a long deployment. And while I wish it were different (of course I do) I’m grateful that these people are willing to do what they do.

I also have a deep respect for their honor, courage and patriotism.

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” This is an idea attributed to George Orwell though the direct quote is unverifiable. I absolutely believe it. I periodically hear people say, “violence breeds violence,” and I’d like to invite those people to get some perspective. 9/11 didn’t happen because we are a violent nation, it happened because we are a free nation. More specifically because we are a liberal one.

Okay, well, not sure where this soap box came from so I’m going to step off of it now and move right along.

Today I’m thinking of my grandfather, William Stewart. 1920 - 2004

Grandmpa joined the US Army in 1939 and was eventually stationed at Fort Lewis, where he met My grandma, Leora Elms. They were married November 17th, 1941.

He served as company commander in the signal corps in China, Burma and Inda (CBI) during WWII from 1943 - 1945.

I love this picture. This is my grandpa, in his early 20’s, fighting a war.




And lastly, thanks to this guy, I’ve been a Navy Seal fan since way before it was trendy.

This is Marcus Luttrell, former Navy Seal and all around super hero.


This is his book all about how he survived an impossible situation when nobody else did.


Marcus on the right. Danny Dietz on the left who was killed in action during Operation Redwing.

Oh and also, if you want to cry? Check out this blog post from The Pioneer Woman.
http://thepioneerwoman.com/blog/2011/05/memorial-day/

Thank you, thank you, thank you all for doing what you do.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

An Impromptu Photo Session



This past weekend Tracy and I had a photo shoot scheduled at Point Woronzof at the tip of the airport runway, on the beach. We’d never shot there before and while I’d been there once and knew generally what it looked like, I wanted to spend some time there and really scope it out at the same time of day that our shoot was scheduled. So I dolled up my babies, drove to the point and spent nearly two hours shooting, bribing and begging them to smile and/or look at the camera. There is nothing harder for a photographer than taking pictures of their own children. But we obviously had a wonderfully successful day.


View Larger Map

If you look on the map, Point Woronzof is at the tip of the peninsula that is home to the city of Anchorage. The grey area is the Ted Stevens international airport and the darker grey stripe is the runway. The jets literally fly over the top of your head while they are taking off or landing right at the tip of the runway where the park is located. Awesomeness in a bucket.


No, really. Planes flying right over our heads.




We started on this little bluff right next to the parking lot. Beautiful light but VERY windy. Made for some squinty eyes and crazy hair for Jordy. We also happened to pick the windiest day of the year (slight exaggeration) out on a bluff next to the ocean which is always windy, so, you know...it was windy.



We left the bluff and started hiking down the steep trail towards the beach where we hoped to be protected by the wind and the bright sunshine. On our way down we happened upon this amazing piece of local art. It just occurred to me that I never checked it for swear words so, sorry if you find some.



At the bottom of the trail on the beach we found some rocks and driftwood. Oooh, and some smiles.

The above shot is my favorite from the day. :)



At high tide, the water comes right up to the cliff face and pushes debris against it. We found whole driftwood trees piled up there, as well as live ones growing sideways out of the cliff. I let the kids run around on the beach while I took some individual pictures.












We also spent some time down by the water.





You know I love me some bare feetsies.



We finished off the day with a hike back up to the parking lot. The wind had died down slightly so I wanted a couple more shots on the grass.





Oh, and just one more please please please! In the middle of the street.



After nearly two hours, during which my sweet babies tolerated me so patiently, we headed off to McDonalds to play at the playland. We were loaded and buckled into the car when I hauled Jake back out for just one more picture. He was TICKED but he cooperated.









Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Class of 2023



This past Tuesday, Jordy graduated from Kindergarten.

The entire kindergarten department put on a little concert/show/ceremony thing for the families. Jordan was a “wiggle worm” and she sang a wiggle worm song. SHE HATED HER COSTUME. She had been telling me for days that she was embarrassed about her costume and was afraid that everyone would laugh at her.

Her fear was justified. She was the most hilarious Wiggle Worm I ever saw.



See?

When I first arrived to the school, her class was lined up near the office for a potty break. They were already in costume and Jordy burst into tears the moment she saw me. I somehow managed not to crack up when I saw her, instead telling her how cute and wonderful she looked and how excited I was to see her show.

A while later, I was sitting with Hubby in the audience waiting for the show to start. I could see her lined up just outside the doors and leaned over to whisper to Darrin not to laugh when he saw her because she would cry and she’d never recover. He peered over at the door, caught a glimpse and barely managed to stifle his laughter as they walked in.

We grinned at her and waved. She relaxed and the show went fine. PHEW!!!

After the “show” portion ended, the class donned their caps and gowns to receive their little diplomas.

Shut up with all the cuteness.





Afterwards, Jordan had the opportunity to have lunch with JUST Mommy and Daddy and we let her pick any place she wanted.

She picked Costco.

A Touch Of Fun



Today is the last day of school. I have some blogging to catch up on but I’ll tide you over with a video from the other day. Funsies.

Friday, May 13, 2011

My Bubba

A couple of nights ago, we went on a family walk to church and as usual some of the teenage neighbor kids were playing on our basketball hoop as we were leaving. A few minutes down the road Jaycob confided in us that he really wanted to ask those kids if they know about God.

(take a moment, I know I needed to.)

He went on to say that he was scared to ask them because he might get embarrassed if they said, “of course we do!” as if it had been a stupid question. He was also worried about THEM being embarrassed if they didn’t know about Him.

As a Christian of many years I knew exactly how he felt. It is hard to have a spirit of boldness and even when we think we might be ready, the enemy inflicts us with doubts and fears and many choose to keep silent. I’m guilty of this down to my very core. Mostly because I fear I won’t have the right answers to the questions.

Darrin and I told Jaycob that we understood his fears and that we were SO PROUD that he even thought of it in the first place.

And then today happened.

Josh and I walked to the school to pick up the kids and we all walked back home together. By the time we got home, there were already a couple of kids playing at the hoop. I was just mindlessly checking the mail when I heard Jake’s voice ring out behind me.

“Can I ask you a question?”

I turned around to see that he was addressing the kids at the hoop.

(wait for it....)

“Do you guys know about God?”

I continued to meander towards the house, sifting unseeing through my mail stack, eyes full of tears and ears wide open.

I heard one of the kids answer, “yes,” and Jake responded with, “oh good. I just wanted to make sure.”

I escaped into the house to allow him full control over the discussion and immediately texted Darrin to tell him everything.

My son continually renders me speechless. He teaches me lessons every day. I am so stinking proud of this moment that I can’t stop the tears. That his concern for the kids’ knowing the Lord was more pressing than his own fear, pride, whatever...that is love. That is obedience. That is humility. That is everything that I fail at every day!

This moment. Never forget.

Ladybugs vs People

I found this gem in Jaycob’s backpack this week. Another Jayhawk original short story.





Allow me to translate...*ahem*

“Ones a pona time thare wus a ladybug. (Once upon a time there was a ladybug.)

and he had en army. (And he had an army.)

Thay fot the peaple. (They fought the people.)

one night the peaple snuc in the hid out (One night the people snuck in the hideout)

and then one ladybug woke up (and then one ladybug woke up)

he throo an areoe and tha one. (he threw an arrow and they won.)

the end!

My favorite part is “Ones a pona time"

Tuesday, May 10, 2011