Hoping your holiday weekend is a blast. Happy 4th!
Category Archives: The Ranch Hands
Munich Feis
The family's first European Irish Step Dance competition was a huge learning experience for us all. Fortunately this one was in English which was a good thing because there are so many new procedures and rules to learn – including the one which prohibits photographing the competition itself. Sigh. So I contented myself with snapping some candids where I could.
The Giving Tree
This may well go down as the most unusual twist on our weekly theme's at Snapshots Around the World. ; )
Our firstborn arrived in Germany on Wednesday morning. Warms my heart. Due to paperwork glitches and his college schedule it's been way. too. long. He is now back in the fold for a time. We have joked that we have "Annoying Orange – the Colin Edition" going on here. ("Colin! Hey Colin! Colin! Colin!")
With all this excitement and our travel of days before, I ran late linking up to this week's theme of Tree. That actually is a fine thing because this tree is far more interesting than those in my yard. Let me back fill a bit.
I was raised with significant input by my grandmother who was quietly opinionated. One of the things she felt most certain about was that tattoo's were a bad thing. She rarely said much about it but usually would offer something softly (ie under her breath, with a smile) about "fools names in fool's places…" Forever after, whenever the subject came up, someone would repeat this refrain, which was echoing in our heads anyway.
When my own sons came of age we had many discussions about this. I confidently tossed out the same self-assured comments my Gram had made and my sons were…..unimpressed. They offered back theological and medical defenses. I returned with very compelling arguments such as "I MADE that skin!" <g>
Truth is though Colin doesn't have a rebellious bone in his body. He waited until he was out of the house and had discussed it extensively with us. But this was one thing he really felt strongly about and in the end he made his own decisions, which we support. After all, this is about growing strong, independent adults rather than perpetual children who are afraid to voice their opinions if they differ from our own. We know they can be respectful and parent-honoring without being little copies of us.
Now that it's all said and done – and not just one son but two so far - I admit their choices surprised me. They reflect their beliefs and their passions. Zach chose his favorite motto in latin and the biblical definition of his name. Colin has, ahem, a lot of them, all of which are deeply symbolic of his faith and life. One of the most interesting is from a favorite childhood book, The Giving Tree. I admit it was not one of my favorite reads back then and often I found the plot very painful to work through. (they are quite accustomed to Mom pausing during some of our read alouds to collect herself) But Colin knows all about pain and suffering and offering both freely and peacefully. He was born with Spina Bifida which has left him with lifelong challenges which he bears with stoic grace.
When I think of "tree" I will forever now think of this tree…
in the studio
We just wrapped up regular dance classes for the school year and I was able to sneak in a few pictures on their last day. Competitive Step Dance has had such an unexpected impact on our family life this year – good friends, incredible opportunities, significant investment of time and resources. It is not for the faint of heart! Their self-confidence and self-discipline have improved tremendously. But mainly and most importantly, they are happy. Oh so happy.
fun fun fun : )
The children launched into the world of European Feiseanna this month as well. Will share some pics tomorrow. I hope your summer is fun-filled and warm in every way!
Black and White Wednesday – See No Evil
First thing that came to mind when I snapped this….
…. alternatively titled "What you get when they are so done with smiling for Mom's camera."
Visit Lisa at The Long Road to China for more.
The 3 Amigo’s this week
They have been moving at top speed this week. Lots of giggling, running laps in the yard (and the upstairs and the living room and…), funny voices, loud singing to 15 renditions of Old MacDonald played on the piano by Brendan.
I looked at the three of them in mid-flight today – hair all wild, faces erupting with smiles. You just have to smile back. Happy like that is contagious.
We did settle down for some stories today.
Some with Mom. (pic by Brendan ; ))
Some they read to each other.
And sometimes you just close your eyes and soak it all in. Summer is good.
happy dance
Wildflowers
That is what we are looking for this week at Snapshots Around the World. Tucked into little hands, creeping out between rocks, climbing fences, gracing sketchbook pages, gathered into old soda bottles. Wherever you find them in your world.
summer so far
It's summer which means we are at the park – a different park every week and sometimes more than that. We've been gone someplace pretty much daily which is out of character for me. But, this is why we came here and we are determined to see all we can.
A stellar park day was shared with two families who welcomed us warmly last year and have been steadfast since. One of their little boys had a dinosaur themed birthday party at a phenomenal German park which features life sized dinosaurs placed throughout the woods and fields and playgrounds and streams. Did I mention the streams? Because they were a big hit. Big.
The little girls of our family are now the babies of the group making the previous two "little girls" of the bunch feel much, much bigger. They embraced their new roles introducing Abbie and Tess to the grounds and making sure no one was left behind. Not even for a moment.
The boys? Well, we caught a few glimpses of them. Mostly like this:
They played an Amazing Race game, speeding from one part of the park to another to complete their challenges.
We did catch them all together once they got hungry though. When they ran off again I got some pictures of these lovely young women, beautiful inside and out.
Alannah adores these girls. We were talking afterwards and she said, "You know, they are just always happy. And, they never talk about anyone." We decided there is probably a definite connection between those two points. : ) It is a beautiful – and rare – thing to find friends with whom your heart is safe. She is learning that now and appreciating it when she finds it.
And so am I. So while my house is a little worse for wear some days I can't imagine a better way to spend a summer.
Memorial Day – Meuse Argonne Cemetary France
When we learned that the WWI Memorial near my husband's birthplace was having a Memorial Day ceremony we decided to pack up and make the trip this weekend.
Measuring 130 acres, the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetary is the largest of several WWI era cemetaries scattered throughout the region. The Argonne Offensive called upon more US troops than ever before in history up to that time and was instrumental to winning the first world war.
The remains of over 14,000 soldiers rest here, marked by white marbles crosses and Stars of David. The original number was twice that, but in the 1920's the others were repatriated back to the States.
The grounds are owned and meticulously maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission. The land was given to the US, tax-free in perpetuity, by the French government in gratitude for the aid provided by the soldiers.
The memorial cemerony included US and French Army troops and dignitaries as well as smaller groups from the Boy Scouts, French Fire Brigade, local clergy, and many veterans.
We drove through some really nice little villages on the way there. Romagne, which is the nearest village to the cemetary, was in full patriotic array with red, white and blue flowers and French and US flags tucked into the flower boxes and planters in front of EVERY home. Sadly you will have to take my word for that because we took a different route home which was less lovely. It did however take us through Verdun, which meant a lot to my husband. He was born here while his father was stationed at Metz. It was a kick for him to see his birthplace.
Starry Sky Journal 