Springs ending, Summer is just beginning

We have been experiencing a flurry of activity as spring rolls to an end and as we anticipate the season to come. We have been busy, busy, busy wrapping up our school year. Here is a quick review.

In order to earn his forester badge, Bishop went on a hike with his fellow Webelos. He learned to identify trees, poisonous plants and some animals.

In fact, Bishop had a rare opportunity to observe a muskrat.

He took these fabulous photos.

He took pretty incredible photos, didn't he?
It was so cool!

Maceo, with the rest of his acting troupe, performed at Artsfest.

They are always a crowd-pleaser!

I was greeted with this wonderful card the morning of Mother's Day.
It was from Christian and said, "22 years with the best Mom ever...
and many more to come."
Isn't that wonderful?

Bishop has been working hard on completing a host of cub scout badges, pins and belt loops.
So that he could earn his pet care pin and belt loop, he created a poster and gave his first public speech. It was quite an accomplishment!

He has now been moved up to Webelos II and
was proud to receive the badges, pins and belt loops
that he had worked so hard to earn.

Maceo gave his final performance with his homeschool choir.

They sang Cantar, Kyrie and Only Hope.
It was fabulously impressive!

Maceo and Bishop also attended the end-of-the semester party for their homeschool group at the YMCA.

It was a fun and

rewarding experience.

Homeschool choir also had an end-of-the year party.

We met at the park,

played with good friends and

ate good food.
It was a blast!

Having wrapped up the school year,
we now anticipate summer.

Summer reading programs and ice cream cones,
definitely something to look forward to!

In Honor of All Who Have Served

As I write, I am watching the History Channel's Gettysburg and am reminded of the solemnity of this occasion. I was also reminded of this as I stood among the headstones of those who have served our country. The boys and I returned to the Springfield National Cemetery to honor those who have served our country. Our cemetery was established in 1867 and many men who died in 1861 at the Battle of Wilson Creek, the first major civil war engagement west of the Mississippi river, would eventually be buried here. Buried here are soldiers from every war that America has been involved in, to include the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Spanish American war, WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and more recent conflicts. Also buried here are five Medal of Honor recipients and five Buffalo Soldiers. It is truly humbling to stand amidst these graves, knowing that they only represent a fraction of all those who have served this nation, fighting to keep us free. Now, as I watch Gettysburg, I am reminded of Lincoln's words: "It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:
His day is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His day is marching on.
I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,
Since God is marching on."
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Since God is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
While God is marching on.
He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave,
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.