{ The Park , Broken Toes, and 9/11 }

We've had some fun family times.  Even though they may not be some grand vacation to Disneyland, we had a blast!  And for once, I lugged my big camera along, and now I am thinking I need to do that a LOT more often.

Wendys and the Park

Cherry has FINALLY figured out how to swing, and really get high.

This picture of Damon makes me laugh every time I look at it.  His slap happy giggle is contagious!

Little Lillie, she has always climbed up the bottom of slides, or will push her baby down the slide, but would SHE ever go down? NOPE. Until today... 2.5 years old and she finally did it on her own!

This same week, I also pulled a skill that really only I can do.  I was running late to get Damon from school. So as I was heading out the door I grabbed flip flops.  I jog slightly to the side of my stroller, and since I was late, I was "walking" super fast.  And I kicked the tire with my toes.  I knew right away my baby toe was broken.  But I was already late! So I switched to the other side and not even 2 blocks later I did it again. TO THE OTHER FOOT! Yep, broken pinky toes on BOTH feet.  I was dying. Seriously.  I held back the tears as I limped all the rest of the way to the school (.65 miles away). As soon as I got D I took him and the 2 babies to the front playground and I collapsed and bawled. Yes like a baby. We waited for James to pick us up.  I went to see an orthopedic, and let me tell you, I am all for fun Doctors.  As soon as he heard me telling the nurse what happened he laughed and said "Well that was stupid".  I liked him immediately :)  And then when he saw the xrays he said "Wow, in all my years this is a first!"

So my right baby toes is broken straight across, my left one is nappy and all bent up and broke at an angle.  My running career for the rest of this year is over :(  I still have 2 more weeks before I can start walking.  I have them buddy taped. It's a super fun time!

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

(although this was right after I did them.  The next few days with the swelling and purple and blue bruising was even prettier!)

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Moving on!

This year I really wanted to teach my kids about 9/11. Their Uncle Kelsey(my brother) has been back and forth with the Air Force serving all over the place. I wanted to show them what he does and why. And what all the armed forces do, and what they have given. And how important our freedom is.

I won't lie, I am a HUGE sap when it comes to patriotism. Just looking at a flag can bring me to tears and make my heart swell. Let's not even go to what happens when I hear out National Anthem....

A few Random pics from that day.

I love watching James with Braddock.  He is so smitten with him :)

Braddock likes to attack whoever is kissing him :)

Alright, on to the more serious:

I really had a hard time this year. I was so emotional. Here in Sandy, UT they do a Healing Field every year. It's over 3,000 flags with a special note on each individual flag about each person that lost their life that day. I wish I could have gone through and read them all but I didn't give myself enough time. I was crying reading them to the kids.

There was such a special spirit, and reverence and ambiance on the field. It was so great to show my kids up close and personal what happened. 

I know at least Cherish was understanding for the first time why we must stand up for our rights and our freedom, why some must die and why some willingly put their lives in harms way for us. I was blown away when I turned around and she was standing with her hand over her heart saying the Pledge of Allegiance. It was a very proud moment for me.

I plan on making this a tradition every year. Except with more time next year.

They say Never Forget.

And I won't.

But even more so, I intend to make sure my children Never Forget either.