the home of the brave

This Memorial Day, I want to remember those that have served this country and those that are currently serving. Whether it's in the form of a firefighter, a police officer, a soldier, a teacher, a nurse, a volunteer. A heart for serving others is truly a great thing. What a gift... indeed.

http://www.flashdem o.net/gallery/ wake/index. htm

girls girls girls

Children are an absolute blessing-at least most days. And I truly love each one of my kids. They are each amazing in their own rite. That being said, what on earth was God thinking when he gave me not 1, not 2, but 3 girls?!!!!!! I honestly don't know how much more I can take!!!

Blue crayon all over the back of my new sofa, one gallon of apple juice poured all over the kitchen the kitchen floor oozing under the fridge and behind the cabinets (love those ants), sharpie body art, throwing fits, throwing objects, throwing each other, hiding in the dryer, not going to bed and getting up for the 1000th time to ask what a coupon is, screaming "I hate you"...., and the incessant talking and talking and talking and talking...ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

There is only so much one person can take. I NEVER told my mom I hated her. I remember thinking it in my head when I would get really angry, but I never dreamed of actually saying it. What do you do when you realize that your 6 year old daughter doesn't care if she hurts your feelings. She doesn't care if she hurts her baby sisters. She doesn't care. It's so scary for me as a mom to think that she isn't understanding the difference between right and wrong-or worse, she doesn't care. She is very sneaky and smart and beautiful and she knows it. Oh, if only I can harness this for good and not evil.

On the bright side, maybe she'll be an amazing attorney, what with her propensity for arguing and such, and take care of her aging parents. Or shove us in a home to drool on ourselves. Ah, the possibilities.

Greensburg, Kansas

When I go to sleep tonight in my bed, in my house, with my family close by, safe and sound... I will be grateful.

http://www.kansas.com/static/slides/050507tornadoaerials/

they're coming down the stretch...

So I fully expected to have some seriously weepy moments after losing my Dad. Like at Christmas when Mom gave me the perfume that Dad gave me every year. Or not getting the early morning call on my birthday so that he could be the first to wish me a happy birthday. And I wept and wept and moved on.

But Derby Day? It hit me out of the blue. Ever since I was little we would cut out the horses' names from the paper, put them in a hat and draw horses for everyone in the family. A tradition for the Streckfus family. Last year I drew Barbaro. We watched the Derby together as a family from Dad's hospital room. He was having complications and had been hospitalized. So since he couldn't come to Derby, we brought Derby to him. He was so excited when my horse won. I never win the Derby. Never. So Barbaro was pretty special to us.

So there I was Saturday evening, watching the Derby with Doug and the kids this year and I was completely overcome with emotion. The commentators kept referring to Barbaro and his remarkable run and of course his tragic end. It was absolutely too much. I just excused myself to go take a shower and collapsed in the tub. I sobbed until my eyes were dry. I sobbed until I choked. I sobbed until the water turned cold. And then I dried off, put on my pjs, and walked back out into the family room with Doug and the kids and portrayed the perfect mom. Business as usual...until the next time.

$138,000

If a stay at home mom were paid for her work, she would earn $138,000 per year. At least that's what the latest survey of salaries states. I disagree. If I could break down the duties performed by the typical stay at home mom it would go something like this:

• Personal Chef: $60,000


• Housekeeper: $24,000


• Chauffeur: $50,000


• Medic: $30,000


• Laundry Service: $12,000


• Accountant: $36,000


• Family Counselor: $50,000


• Childcare Giver: $20,000


• Tutor: $ 7,000


• Photographer: $20,000


• Party Planner: $10,000


• Pet Keeper: $ 5,000

Grand Total: $324,000

Watching my children's first steps, hearing their first words: "Priceless"