Do people really know what it means to Support our troops?

Everywhere you look anymore, there are the magnetic ribbons that say, "Support our troops." Every time I see them, I think to myself, "D0 they really know what it means?" Do they know its more than just buying a $1 magnetic and sticking it to your car? I know for many it is the fear of another Vietnam, when our soldiers came home to be shunned, spit upon and in some cases, harrassed and intimidated. It's almost like people think they can put the magnet on their car and it excuses them from any other "support".

Cole had an eye opening experience a few years ago at Walmart when he was in his uniform. Little kids looked at him in awe, older people smiled, thanked him or told him their stories, but we had a couple of women who did something that surprised Cole but didn't me. As they were walking towards us, they separated so they were on either side of Cole, pushing me off to the side. They, then, pushed against Cole from either side , jostling him around before walking on. Cole looked at me in surprise and asked, "Did they just do what I think they did?" Yep, sure enough, he was just hassled without a word being said.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to be an American soldier, or married to one, or a child of one or the parent of one. Not everyone has to agree. But common decency and respect is one of the best ways to support our troops, those now serving, those who have served and those who have died for us. So the next time you see a soldier in uniform, or a vet, hold the door for them, listen to their stories or give them a simple Thank you. So, the magnetic ribbons are nice but so impersonal---make your support personal!

To my Dad, Mom, Uncle, Brothers, Nephews-in-law and my incredible son: Thank you for your sacrifices!

Happy Memorial Day!

My Syd!

Today is Syd's 11th birthday. It's hard for me to believe that my baby is eleven but even harder for me to look at her and see a young woman who looks 13 not 11. She is growing so fast! Syd is a beautiful, young woman not just on the outside but on the inside where it really counts.

Syd is so caring for not just her family but everyone around her. People love her because she is a delight to be around. I can count on her to do the right thing in any situation.

She is her Daddy's girl. Syd loves to curl up with her Dad and watch a movie. They are quite the pair when shopping for clothes! Both have an excellent sense of style, although her Dad's tends to be more preppy and Syd's a little more funky but they seem to be able to compromise. Syd also has a close relationship with me. It doesn't matter what we do together, we have a ball!

Syd is a great student--she loves to learn new things. I am so glad all of my children have developed this same sense of curiosity. She is also my tomboy. She loves sports of all kinds--not content to just watch but to be right in the action. She is a star player on her girls lacrosse team. You can also find her out playing soccer, kickball, and football with all the guys.

Syd is a beautiful person and I am so fortunate to be her mother. Happy Birthday, babe!

Grand gestures and the little things

With lacrosse season in full swing, Eric's last term before his practicum, my first term for my master's, busy contract season and the kids school winding down, we have been so exhausted that we literally fall into bed at night. Needless to say, romance has taken a the very back seat on this bus! Before we had children and all through our courtship, Eric has done the grand gestures as well as the little things. Whether it was a surprise visit at work for lunch or a wild flower bouquet, Eric has always been one to show his affection. After a particularly difficult time in our early marriage (he had been working two full-time jobs while going to school so we wouldn't lose our insurance), he made arrangements with my store manager (I was a manager at ZCMI) to whisk me away early from work. We had a nice dinner at the newly remodeled Inn at Temple Square and he suggested we ask if we could see one of the new rooms. I was so against asking, I mean, how tacky, but he went ahead and asked anyway. I reluctantly went up the elevator with him and was mortified when we unlocked the room and there was suitcases in the room. It took Eric's prompting before I realized they were OUR suitcases. He drew me into the room and laying on the bed was a new silk dress, pumps and silk stockings (I am allergic to nylon). He told me to hurry and change since we had tickets to the symphony. We had a wonderful weekend and I will never forget how much planning and preparation he did in secret so he could surprise me.

Grand gestures such as that are no longer possible and haven't been for almost 18 years (once the kids came) but Eric still does the little things for me. He irons my clothes (I hate to), cleans the bathroom, dusts, cooks (so much better than I), cleans (also better than I), dresses and shops for me (I hate to shop for clothing) and supports me in all that I do (or attempt to do). Today, after putting in a 50 hour week, he left clinic in Provo with the intent to take me to lunch. Now, we try to have lunch together or with my parents on our Fridays but I hadn't expected it today since he had to work in Provo. We picked up sandwiches and headed to the park. Sitting on blanket, we had nice lunch and some one on one time. It may not seem like it is as grand a gesture as the weekend I described but to me it was. Eric always seems to know when I am feeling a little neglected in romance (I am a closet romantic) and comes up the with grand gestures or the little things to let me know how much I still mean to him.

I love this man!

Mother of the year!

So, once again, this Mom earns the award of Mother of the Year! I know, I know, it is a regular occurrence for me. Cole played his toughest lacrosse teams last week (Jordan and Riverton) with pneumonia! Yep, I didn't catch that. By Friday, I decided he really wasn't sounding so good so I took him to the Doc and then to top it off, I promised him I wouldn't tell his coach so he could play against his former team, West Jordan, Friday night. Sound familiar? Yep, Charlie had pneumonia only 3 weeks ago and I missed it that time, too. Needless to say, I am keeping a very close watch on Syd and if she so much as coughs, it is to the Doc right away. Good thing my kids are so forgiving (at least they don't equate me with perfection).