Lincoln Museum

My parents and my husband's family live about 250 miles apart.  One way to drive between the two goes right through Springfield, IL.  I grew up reading a bunch about our 16th president; the Springfield area is the place to visit for such interests.  A museum has been built in recent years, but we are always in a hurry to get from one grandparent to the other.  We have never stoppped.  Since my kids were staying with the Peoria family for a week--I used this opportunity to drive down to this much-touted museum:  http://www.alplm.com/education/home.html .

It was one of the most amazing places I've visited!  I could ramble on and on about the place, but for simplicity's sake--just visit it.  My father, daughters (12 & 13), son (6), and I all found elements we enjoyed.  The volunteers were top-notch.  It was spotless.  It was busy, but the ambiance was one of total respect--particularly in specific areas of the museum.  I read a free Kindle downloaded book about the president on our way to Illinois.  Now I cannot wait to read a quality book about him. 

More on Love

My oldest daughter is thirteen--and has all the "typical" teenage characteristics.  They seem major to me, but then I witness exchanges with other teens and their parents--she is a milder version of normal.  (Thank goodness!).  The "good night" rituals at our house used to include me tucking the children into bed and saying prayers goodnight.  Now, I get a mumbled "good night" and a 1/2 hug. 

Last night we all retired early since we are recovering from vacation.  My daughter did the mumble and 1/2 hug, then proceded over to the dog and loved on her and gave her a kiss on the head.  "Wait a minute!" I hollered at her.  "I'm your mom and I barely got a hug!  The dog gets affection and a kiss!?!?!"  Of course this brought laughter, but I did get a REAL goodnight hug.  She does still love us . . . almost as much as the dog.

The 19's

As is typical on Sundays, the dog and I were the first ones up.  My son was second--about an hour later. 

I asked him if he knew what happened eighteen years ago today.  "What was the date?" he questioned.  I told him it was 1992.  He informed me, "I don't know anything about the nineteens."  It was quite sweet and humorous.  I chuckled (as did his father when I retold the exchange) and told him daddy and I were married 18 years ago.  Now he knows something "about the nineteens."

Unconditional Love

Lady with dog stroller.  Yes--this picture was taken from my front door.

I guess my love for my dog (who truly is a member of the family) is conditional.  I would never humiliate myself to push her around in a stroller.  (Not to mention that I am too cheap to purchase a stroller for a dog).  This woman has unconditional love for her pets.

Annoying Orange

Last night before going to bed, my 12-year-old daughter was talking about some annoying orange videos.  Warning:  the below link is as dumb as can be!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN5PoW7_kdA

There is actually a series of these on youtube--after watching three of them (I couldn't take any more), I sent the girls up to bed.  What happens when you are the only adult in the house for weeks--you turn into a kid.  I pulled two oranges from the fruitbowl, drew faces on them, and planted them next to each girl's bed.

My 13-year-old came downstairs smiling.  If you don't have a teen daughter--let me assure you that smiles at parents are extremely rare.

Sign of Summer

I posted on my Facebook page that a sign of summer would be to read (uninterrupted) five consecutive pages in a book.  School was out on Friday (a week ago), and I've read the same two pages in the same novel about 100 times. 

I'm running my kids everywhere.  I did, however, do two things for me.  One, I went to my church's prayer shawl ministry without my kids; I hadn't done that in over a year.  (Pictures of two quilts were in a previous post).  Second, I left my comfort zone of running alone and joined up with a group at a local running store.  Did not know one person, but runners tend to be a very friendly group.  Several people helped me to find the right people to make me feel comfortable.  My goals to reach before Monday--connect with the running group which reconviens on Saturday mornings, sew something . . . anything, and read my five consecutive pages. 

Miracles

Below is a picture of my hometown.  It was struck by two tornados during a storm last night.

Amazingly, no one was has reported serious injuries.  The theater above was the first "date" my then future husband and I went to the first time I brought him "home."  As a kid, the theater was where everyone went on Friday nights.  In a town of 2,100--there was not much else to do.