Freedom Is Not Free...

Freedom is not free

I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Service man saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil
How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still,
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen",
When a flag had draped a coffin.
Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.

~LCDR Kelly Strong, USCG - Copyright 1981~

Happy Memorial Day...

"Greater love has no one than this,than to lay down his life for his friends." ~John 15:13~

Thank you to all of our soldiers, past and present,

who have given so much of themselves for our country.

Your dedication, selflessness, and patriotism are appreciated & not forgotten.

Without your sacrifice we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today.

God bless each and everyone of you and your families today and every day.

Congratulations...

To those families who have FINALLY received their referrals, your long wait is almost over. What a great way to start a holiday weekend!

Wishing you speedy travel arrangements and safe travels!

The CCAA has updated their website to say that they have finished the placement of children for families whose adoption application was logged-in before March 14, 2006.

2009 Kindergarten Class of Northside Christian...

These are a few pictures from Joshua's kindergarten graduation ceremony. Miss Kincaid and Mrs. Martel put together quite the show with the main theme being the "ABC's of Sailing Into First Grade." Each student had a speaking part where they talked about their assigned letter. Then they performed a few songs, the pledge of allegiance to the Flag, and the pledge to the Christian Flag. The program was ended with the song First Grade, First Grade (sung to the tune of New York, New York) it was so cute! Good job guys and congratulations!

Congratulations Joshua...

My nephew, Joshua, graduated from kindergarten last night. It was quite the ceremony as his class prepared to "Sail Into First Grade" (more pictures to come later).

Joshua, we are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments this year.

We love you!

What Gets Us Through?

Thanks everyone!

We have been waiting...

not too much to say or do about it but forge ahead as best we can...

Easter Pictures...

Happy Easter...

Wishing you all a wonderful and peaceful Easter weekend!

He is Risen...

If Easter says anything to us today, it says this: You can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there. You can nail it to a cross, wrap it in winding sheets and shut it up in a tomb, but it will rise!

~Clarence W. Hall

Congrats to the Hansen Family...

...who received their Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for their daughter Jadyn Grace. Wishing you safe travels as you bring your daughter home.

Referrals have arrived...

To all those who have received their referrals this month. Wishing you all safe, speedy travels and wonderful "gothcha" days!

The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before March 08, 2006.

One More Month Down...

Since the number is getting bigger, figured the graphics should too!

Happy...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wishing you a rainbow

for sunlight after showers-

Miles and miles of Irish smiles

for golden happy hours -

Shamrocks at your doorway

for luck and laughter too,

And a host of friends that never ends

Each day your whole life through!

Can You Believe...

It's Monday already? This time change is kicking my butt...

Wisdom on a Cup...

The Way I See it #299

There s a subtle difference between a mission and a promise. A mission is something you strive to accomplish – a promise is something you are compelled to keep. One is individual, the other is shared. When a mission and a promise are one and the same… that’s when mountains are moved and races are won.

~ Hala Moddelmog
President and CEO, Susan G. Komen for the Cure


Obviously, I hit Starbuck’s on the way to work this morning ;o) As usual I read the back of my cup looking to see what wisdom was being offered up to start my day. Today’s cup got me thinking a little about promises, missions, and goals. We all know what these things are. We have all made promises, been on a mission, and set goals. This is nothing new it’s a part of life.

What I began to ponder on my drive in to work is how these things are a part of my life. When I make promises I do everything in my power not to break them. A promise is sacred; it is something that I don’t make lightly. Keeping promises allows those around us to know that their trust in me is not misplaced. I’ve set goals too. Some I was able to meet and others that for various reasons, both in and not in my control, just didn’t work out. No earth shattering news there either. Where I got stumped is on the mission part. Aren’t goals and missions synonymous? I’ve always kind of used the word interchangeably. Anyway, why I was thinking about it to begin with was I was contemplating what my life mission or goal is. I’m not sure I have a specific life long goal in mind other than being the best person I can be. Meaning to keep the faith and be the best family member/friend I know how. Essentially to live by the golden rule, you know the one “do unto others as you would have done unto you.” Do you have a life long goal/mission?

30 Months...

and counting, and counting...

Congratulations...

To all of those who are seeing their childs face for the first time.

Wishing you safe and speedy travels.

What Does Your Birthday Predict About You?

Your Birthday Predicts You're Nurturing

Ever since you were born, you've loved being a caretaker. Whether you're caring for people or animals, you love making others feel good. You don't stress or worry much in your life. You think it's important not to sweat the small stuff. You have a soft spot in your heart for children and pets. You are drawn to anyone in need.

What Does Your Birthday Predict About You?

I saw this on blogthings.com and thought it was interesting. It's true, I am a nurturing kind of person. I always want everyone to be happy. I want to be there for my family and friends when they need me. I want to make a real difference in the lives of those I care about. They can count on me and I want them to know it. So as I was reading this description I thought for the most part this is a pretty accurate description of me. Then I got to the "You don't stress or worry much in your life. You think it's important not to sweat the small stuff." That part isn't quite true. I try not to sweat the small stuff but I do worry and stress over things in my life. Typically these things are not stuff like Matt didn't take out the garbage or the idiot that almost ran me off the road while talking on their cellphone (this recently happened). I worry and/or stress over things I consider to be bigger issues, not the daily minutiae of life, the truly far reaching, life changing kind of things. Unfortunately a lot of those things are beyond my control, hence the worry or stress.

What's the point of this little dissertation on my personality? I have no idea but it's over so if you made it this far thanks for reading this post, lol. If anyone else checks this quiz out let me know if you agree with the description you get.