Blessings...name them one by one

It is no secret that yesterday was a precious day for Americans, fraught with importance and significance.  For us, it was no different.  I know some people would say especially since we are a military family...but for me, military or not, September 11, 2001 was a day that changed the face of the world for everyone. 

This year we decided to explain a little bit the significance of that day to Hannah.  I say "a little bit" because it can be hard for a 5 year old to really wrap her mind around what happened.  And it was.  When I explained to her that some really bad people did a really bad thing, her first question was, "What happened to them for doing a bad thing?  Did they get in trouble?"  It is so precious how black and white it was for her; such a marker of her innocence that she felt that since someone did a bad thing they should get in trouble.  It was hard for her to understand that sometimes no punishment can rectify a wrongdoing.  She didn't understand the sheer number of people that tragedy affected.  She couldn't fully understand the heroism of those who gave up everything to help strangers on that day.  And, like all of us, she did not understand why people would want so badly to hurt someone else.

What Hannah did understand were the tears rolling down my face as I told her about that day.  She hugged me and asked me personal questions...like what I was doing, where her Papa was, what Daddy does when he finds the bad guys.  She understood when I told her how important it is for us to appreciate the goodness we have.  She understood what it meant to honor the sacrifice of so many when she told us that we had to wear red, white, and blue to remember 9/11.  She realized that finding the joy in life and America is the best way to commemorate every sacrifice.  Holding tightly to what you are blessed with is the most wonderful way to honor that day.

Two of our blessings.

Highlights of the week:

• Hannah started her actual homework in school, doing something everyday.  Part of it is practicing new sight words every week...and she already knows all of the sight words she is supposed to know for the MONTH.  Yay!
• Hannah started Girl Scouts!  She is now a Daisy.  And guess who gets to be the troop leader?  Me!  We are so excited.  And you all better get excited for some COOKIES!  (And we will also be selling nuts and magazines--random, I know--this month.  Get ready!)




One of her favorite pastimes. 
She can draw for hours.


• Airy has been talking a lot for a while now but I am always so amazed at how much she can say (mostly because her words came a little later).  She has so many sentences and questions.  Always asking, "What sound?"  "What smell?"  "What this?"  And saying things like, "I sad."  "I scared."  "I hungry."  "I got it."  "I draw."  Now she can actually hold a conversation.  Which can be a good thing...or a bad thing.

  

  We picked up a little Hello Kitty
  at Comic Con!

  



Hannah's fave
super hero!

• This past weekend we went to El Paso Comic Con.  Nice.  It was something I never thought we'd go to.  Ever.  But Josh and I were having a dispute over the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and we were able to settle it with the help of the original black power ranger.  No need to say who won.




Airy and her friend.  Aww...


• We also went to one of Airy's best bud's birthday parties.  The girls were happy to play in the dirt and get sugared up on cookies and cupcakes.  I was happy to spend time with some of my close friends.

Enjoy your week and remember to name your blessings!