The Homecoming Box…is ready for you!

March 24, 2011

 

Well, our newest book is out and ready to guide those little hands into making a Homecoming Box of their own! The kids above have made their own boxes and are now using them to keep life stories in, until a deployed parent returns.  This new addition to the We Serve Too! series of books for Military Families is colorful fun, teaching children that they can make a family treasure .

The cover shows our two We Serve Too! kids (our grandchildren) looking quizzically at a decorated box. The story shows a group of children who have deployed parents learning the purpose and joys of The Homecoming Box.

I would love to hear from parents , teachers , counselors or FRG leaders  who decide to use The Homecoming Box activity. Paula and I have done a couple of workshops on these, and the kids come up with some really wonderful ideas. I know that the boxes make an impact and that Families can find new ways to tell the important stories of life as they face deployment, sustainment and reunion.

To see more about the homecoming Box, click here

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Best Christmas Cookies ever!

December 23, 2010

I am about to reveal to you a wonderful family recipe that was brought over from Scotland by my great-grandparents on my mothers side.

Not only are these rich and delicious, they are easy to make especially for people who are very busy (like parents who have a deployed spouse for instance!)

I have some in the oven now, and my fingers are literally sliding over the keyboard due to the amount of butter (yes I did wash, but this stuff is seriously buttery!)

Here is my Christmas gift to all of you who visit us at camo-n-kids and We Serve Too!

Scotch Shortbread cookies

1 cup of real butter (no, not margarine, you will miss the rich taste)

5/8 c. suger (10 TBSP)

2 cups of  white flour (this is not health food, loosen up and use the right stuff, you won’t be sorry!)

Mix this with your hands until you can make a ball, but don’t  over handle it.

I roll into small balls and use a cookie press, the flat ones with a picture on them,( dipping in flour first so they don’t stick). Rolling a ball and flattening with the bottom of a glass works too.

Oven is at 300 and you cook about 25 minutes (check that they get only a golden brown, not too dark)

That is it! These are rich and a couple is enough with a cold glass of milk.

Merry Christmas!!

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September 11, What should Kids know?

September 8, 2010

Though September 11th is burned into the consciousness of nearly every adult American, our young children were not here then. Unless they were about 5 or 6 in 2001, they will have no recollection of the national grief and fear that you and I know all too well.

What should they know? What do we tell tender little ones that will not frighten them, but give them a sense of the weight of the day, but more, the questions of honor, protection, and what is worth fighting for?

Remembering is something that we need to do as a nation. In Biblical times, the nation of Israel would build piles of stones to remember things that were important so they could tell their children. The reason they did that is because human beings have fairly short memories, and life moves forward quickly. Without teaching our children that memorials are important, they will lose their history and some meaningful pondering of life. Memorials are important to bring together people who have shared an experience and then the question, what can be learned from it, what does it mean to us?

Children can be told more with age. For our little ones I suggest that you stay on the positives, and not detail too much of the fear. Answer the questions children ask honestly, but simply. You do not need to go into the politics, or the graphics with kids. Do not ignore the bad part, but don’t accentuate it. A simple answer to what happened on 9/11 might simply be that some bad people made some big towers fall in New York City, then tell them that there were many people who were there to help.

Here are some things that you may want to share with your little ones:

*Talk to them about the heroes of 9/11. Here is a website to help you with that: www.9-11heroes.us

*Talk about resiliency and that we bounce back after bad things happen. Here are plans for the site of the towers http://www.national911memorial.org

*On September 11th, we remember the people who work to keep us safe. They are soldiers and airmen, they are marines and sailors, coast guard and policemen, they are fireman and doctors. Our country is made up of many kinds of people, they are all Americans and they are the ones who are there when you need help, or when we all need protection.

*Today we remember that sometimes when bad things happen, we learn to come together and fight for what is right. We learn that we are America, and we have a long history of being there for others in the world. We protect others as well as our own people.

*Do something to help your children with expressions of gratitude. Make some cookies and bring them to your local firehouse, draw pictures of police, firefighters, and others who are protectors and give them your pictures. Send a letter to a soldier overseas and express your thankfulness for the sacrificial work they do. Here is a website where you and thank a soldier right now! http://action.uso.org/action/sem-thank-you?sc=OM-google-p_Support-search_ThankyouLetter

Children can understand honor, courage. Help kids to appreciate what it means to be an American. The gifts that we have as a people, and the wonderful country God has given us. Teach them that there are people that want to reach out, that being brave does not mean we are not scared, but that we push through it and help anyway.

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Battle of the Books…and Graduation?

April 21, 2010

This post took on a life of it’s own. I started on one topic and came out with something else. I think I will leave it that way and see what you think.

I was invited today to my grandaughters elementary school for an event called battle of the books. The children were competeing in teams to answer questions about popular books they have read. Each team had posters to announce some very creative team names such as Bubble gum battle Readers, The Crazy flying monkeys, and my favorite (of course my granddaughter’s team) Fresh Focusing Sugar Candy Fire Flames! No kidding! How the kids got the words focus and sugar in the same sentence I will never know.

I bring this topic up because the battle actually was not what most adults might think of as exciting. A few questions, a few right answers and a few not so correct answers about books we haven’t read, is just not most peoples idea of stimulating. I remember as a mom going to a number of events that were like this. As a grandmother , I see them a bit differently.

Here’s the thing… being a witness to the life of a child is a gift you are giving. They are having fun competing on their level, and the fact that you are there to witness their success or even a failure is valuable .

You don’t have to, nor is it realistic to think you can attend every event your child is part of. Don’t feel guilty. When you can be there, really be there, so that it makes an impact. All people need a witness to their life. If you are unable to go, don’t beat yourself up over it, but ask them how it went. If you are away, such as during a deployment, ask you child what the best part of the event was, and what was the worst part. This can start a conversation between you. Children know when you are interested in their life.

These events go quickly, life passes by and children grow literally like the weeds in my backyard. Yesterday I had little ones, and now… I have little ones!…another generation and I get to be the grandma. I have to admit this still surprises me sometimes…how did I get old enough to be watching my grandaughter and grandson perform at school? One day ,if you are a young parent ,you too will find yourself thinking that same thing!

So, here it is…the event may not mean much to you, but it is something they are part of. If your spouse is deployed, try and let them know when one of these events are coming up. Coach them on what the child will be doing, does he have the part of a tooth in the school play? Are they trying for the green belt in karate? Do they have a piano recital?
Stifling yawns are part of parent hood. If you think about how quick time passes, you may be able to attend these with out the yawns.

As your little one steps up to the microphone, envision the day they get up there and give the college graduation speech. It will quickly get you attention focused on that sweet chubby cheek .

May 8th, I will be attending that college graduation. My daughter, will be on that stage. Gone is that chubby cheeked imp that I see in this picture. She is a beautiful and elegant woman.
Take it from me, the time from there to here, is only a moment!

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New Idea for Military Kids connecting to a deployed parent!

April 10, 2010

Operation We Are Here http://www.operationwearehere.com/BratTownBugle.html has come up with a wonderful free download to make connecting fun for kids and their military parents!

At home, you can choose from many different pages, print and let the kids get creative! A garden page can tell all about what you are planting this spring. The sports page lets kids tell all about the soccer game or skating lesson. You can choose to make the front page news that your child got a good report card, helped the neighbors or sang in church.

There are endless possibilities for both parent and child to work together, and since it is a bit more structured, you eliminate the “I don’t know what to say” dilemma.
Created by a Military wife and mother, brat town is an inspired idea. Hope you take advantage of a fun project for your family!

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April is Month of the Military Child!

April 5, 2010

This month the focus is on the kids! Here are some ideas of things you can do to celebrate!

Take those kids out for ice cream!

Take a spring walk or bike ride, and don’t forget to take pictures to share with a deployed parent.

A celebration picnic could be fun!

http://soldiersangels.org/gift-for-month-of-the-miltary-child.html go to this link for a free gift (while they last) of a bracelet of dog tags to those children who have a parent that has served in O.I. F. or O.E.F.

Send some We Serve Too! books to your local base as a gift for a class or FRG group of children, or give one to your local library.

Invite the military kids you know who have a deployed parent to a movie or other activity ( this actually makes it Military mom’s day)

Whatever you decide to do, with your own family or for a Military family, remember that the kids do serve too. They are making a sacrifice of missing a parent who defends this nation. To all you Military kids out there, thank you for your sacrifice , and Stay Brave!

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Willie Banks III, voted Military Child of the year

March 22, 2010

click here to read http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2010/03/post_99.html about Willie, age 10 and why he was voted Miltiary child of the year. When you read the article you will see why this young man was a wonderful choice. He has a solid set of values and lives by them. He adapts to the struggle , and protects those he loves. What more could anyone ask? Check out his story.

I love stories about our young people who make us know that the next generation has all the potential needed to move forward well.
What a wonderful forward thinking father,to write those letters to his son. I have used this blog several times to encourage parents to write real letters to kids. This was a little different, as Willies’ Dad knew he would not be around to raise him, but even if we are, letters mean so much and can be a special keepsake for a lifetime.

Congratulations Willie! I love how you protect your family, trust in God, make your grades count, and role model Military Children. You will be a man that God uses in a mighty way, we are sure of that !

Paula and I plan to send a set of signed books to Willie and his little sister. There are thousands of children represented by Willie. These children deserve your recognition during April’s month of the Military Child. Think of ways to let them know you support them!

This is a kid, like many of our kids that can truly say “We Serve Too!”

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Big Christmas Cards and Banners for your Military Love

December 14, 2009

1422No matter if it is your husband, son , or the kids want to get in on a giant card for Daddy, this company is wonderful! They have offered free banners for quite some time now, and we have had the joy of placing the huge banner over our garage to welcome home our soldier!
While Justin was in Iraq, we sent him the giant card (it is really big!) It comes in a big box to send it in ,and we had everyone from family and friends to former coaches and teachers sign it. It was fun to send it as a Christmas card!
To all Military Families who have a loved one away from home, here is a way to put a smile on their face, or to welcome them home!

Click here

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The Compressed Week of a Military Family

December 6, 2009

thanksgiving christmas 4 generations 007

I am sitting at my computer in an upstairs room, listening to the last snatches of conversation , football on the TV, and noticing the blue winter twilight beginning to descend on our home. Tonight we are at the end of little over a week of celebration, soaking in each others company and laughter. Don’s father, brother, our son Ryan and our oldest, Justin are all leaving in the morning.

Tonight we are still huddled in the circle of family. Morning light will scatter, Don’s father and brother back to New York, Ryan to Kansas , Justin to Germany, to serve our country on another shore.

We have had Thanksgiving , our big turkey dinner, and grateful hearts. We have had Christmas, complete with stockings and gifts beneath the tree. We have sat in the hospital waiting room as grandson Landen had his tonsils out, and like a travelling troupe, marched into his room to watch him suck on a grape popscicle… so many of us, that there was barely room to turn around. . We had a steak dinner with a cake that looked sort of like a flower, to celebrate our grandaughter Devon’s 8th birthday today. We took a photo of four generations of Edick men. The house has been full of dirty dishes, laundry , noise, lost shoes, lost game pieces, and basic chaos.

I’m missing it already.

Thank You Lord, for the gift of family, of being together while we can. To other Military families who compress a whole bunch of living into a few short days..may you make beautiful memories together! Don’t forget, We Serve Too!

O

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As the world swings…

December 1, 2009

Tonight I am listening to Christmas songs from a CD, playing in the upstairs bedroom. An attempt to lull my grandbabies to sleep, which, thank goodness, is finally working. I think about the last few days that we have been together. We have just had a weekend event that was both Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was hectic but fun. Now things are hanging in the balance. Life is about to take some of those hard swings of change.

From the next room , a soft melody, “Mary did you know…“? So true. We do not know the next step, or the next breath if we are honest.
As Paula and I tried to come up with a good analogy for Military life, one from my past seemed to fit best. A mobile.

When my husband and I adopted our baby girl from Korea (the baby is now 23) a caseworker told us that life would be like a mobile. If something is added, or removed, the mobile swings wildly. It begins to settle though, and each person finds his or her own space, and then the mobile balances… for a time…until something is added, or taken away. It helped to know it was not a bad thing, just a normal part of life.

Life feels like that now. We will all have to readjust, balance our weight ,and see how it all settles. Our children are going different directions. Do we stay where we are? Do we take on retirement or another whole new adventure? I wonder if you too are living this analogy? Are you facing deployment? Reunion? A new family member? A move?
Just remember, if you are not now, soon you will be. Change for sure, for all of us. Remember too, the wild swinging is normal, don’t worry, hang on tight, it will be Ok!
053

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