Home Archive by category "Holidays" (Page 8)

Category: Holidays

A Colonial Thanksgiving

It was a real treat to get to spend this Thanksgiving in Williamsburg, VA. I know that was last week – but after posting about leaving, arriving, meeting up with friends, and more friends, and about an awesome kids pastor, matching sweaters, and even trash cans I took a break from my computer from Wednesday through Sunday and it was wonderful to be off line for several days in a row. Now that I am caught up on the hundreds of e-mails I got behind on… I thought I’d finally post about Thanksgiving. It was like traveling back in time! Except for all the people wearing weird clothes… referring to myself and the other tourists. I actually thought it would be an interesting idea to have an area where you had to be in period costume to get in, that would be fun. (But then the digital camera would still be a give away!) I tied Luke to a horse post as I explained to him what it was. Seconds later, a carriage came by and the driver called out that Luke was tied where he was going to be shortly! Luke watching the horse and carriage. Mom and Luke…

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It’s Called CHRISTMAS!

I could go on a rant about how some in our culture are trying to substitute “Happy Holidays” for “Christmas” – but sometimes artists say it so much better… I think you’ll enjoy this a lot:

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Why Patriotism?

Over on Kidology.org there is a hot discussion that was started by a brother “down under” who asked: Why do American Christians see the need to teach patriotism? Doesn’t God love all nations equally? (see full question and discussion here) I’ve been watching the conversation, discussing it with family and friends, and waiting to post my answer until I could really give it some thought, and decided to answer it here on my blog rather than just in the Kidology forum. I’d love your feedback here or there. My short answer would be, I have never taught “Patriotism” to kids in church, but I certainly have modeled it. They see my flag ties and my red-white-n-blue converse shoes I only wear on US holidays. There is no secret I love my country, but I don’t teach “patriotism.” What I have taught is gratitude to God for our blessings, many of which are being American, and civil responsibility, both which are not USA dependent. “nation” not “America” I can go on and on about what a good and amazing country this is, but that is beside the point. I think the Kidology discussion got off on that rabbit trail, which is…

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My First “Official” Father’s Day

2nd Annual Lake Geneva Father’s Day Picnic Last June I posted my first Father’s Day as a Dad, and in May last year some thoughts on finally being a Dad. This year, with the adoption final, it was nice to just BE a dad and enjoy Father’s Day as a dad without any question marks or fears or concerns. Of course, we marvel at how much he has grown! Father’s Day 2006 Father’s Day 2007 And, unlike last year, where the dressing in swim suit and photo-op lasted longer than the swim, this year, Luke LOVES to swim! Luke is all splashes and smiles this year! We adopted a fish! But what made 2007 extra special were some little critters that Luke won’t see again until he is 18 years old… yup, there were cicadas everywhere! Grandpa catches one! Boy oh Boy, Are These Things UGLY! (click for larger image!) Luke was hesitant to hold it, but wanted to poke it! But he mostly wanted to walk… with parents in toe! (That’s Grandma/Grandpa far left watching!) Or chill out in a grown up chair! It was a wonderful Father’s Day. Being a Dad is the Best Thing! Several family have…

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Happy Mother’s Day MOMMY!

By popular demand (seriously!), here are some pictures from Mother’s Day 2007: Mother’s Day began with a photo-op of Luke outside on the way to church…. Luke with Daddy’s Car… too cool. (the boy, not the car!) Trying to Look BIG and Tough (but too cute to pull it off) “What’s with the flowers, Dad, I’m a BOY!” Waiting for the women to be ready to leave for church. (get used to it, boy) And here is MOM with her happy boy on Mother’s Day! Luke gets his hands on daddy’s deck of cards… A magician in the making! Luke loves water, so the splinkers was the hightlight of his day! Luke helps daddy drive…. again. “Turn this way, daddy, according to the satelites!” We enjoyed a wonderful Mother’s Day relaxing at Sara’s parents, not far from the latest Chicago fire. It’s amazing how much Luke has grown since last Mother’s Day.

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If April Showers, Bring May Flowers

If April Showers, Bring May Flowers What does April Snow Bring? the view out my window! the Easter Bunny is confused! THIS is Spring? Mysterious Patterns Appear in the Drive Way So much for Global Warming! (or a relaxing swing in the back yard) WARNING: POLITICAL SOAP BOX By the way, if you don’t know what Global Warming is, it is simply a paranoid scare tactic to raise money and increase political power by those who will do anything to get power. You probably don’t know why they only use climate data from 1975 to present? Because from 1940 to 1974 the world was cooling and the political kooks at that time where using a Global Cooling scare (“The Next Ice Age is Here!) to raise money and try to gain political power. Bet you didn’t know that Congress was having special sessions on Global Cooling in the 70’s. Nope. Because that would be an Inconvenient Truth! :) (Want the truth, watch this documentary from the UK that debunks this American obsession) An even more “Inconvenient Truth”, (or stinky truth) reported by our own government agriculture agency, is that US cattle flatulence (big word so kids don’t know) accounts for…

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