by admin -

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wild Turkey male displaying

By the President of the United States of America. (Abraham Lincoln)

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.

Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.

They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

You can find out more about how Thanksgiving became a national holiday here.

Photo credit: dracobotanicus

by admin -

Amy

This the story of how I became “The Happy Housewife.” You might want to start at the beginning.

When I look back on my life as a mom there is one person who probably influenced me more than anyone else. Her name is Amy. Shortly after we moved into the Mouse House, Amy and her family moved into the house behind us.

She had four kids, which was a lot in my opinion! Happy Baby was a newborn when I met her and to see someone who was able to get four kids dressed and out the door in the morning gave me hope that I could manage my three.

Our kids played together over the summer and when school began in the fall we started our morning routine of walking to school together. All our kids, strollers, backpacks, toys, snacks, and whatever else our little kids would bring along.

I remember one fall morning her toddler had a cold. He sneezed and had a big booger coming out of his nose. Amy took her hand and wiped the booger off his face, then bent down and cleaned her hand off in the wet grass.

I was shocked! I asked her why she didn’t just use his jacket to wipe his face. She replied that if she used his jacket she would have to wash it when she got home and it was a lot easier to wash her hand than a jacket.

I was sold.

Amy made pizza crust from scratch, decorated her house in Playmobil, and even let her kids cut up Christmas cards and photos they received for crafts. She kept spare clothes for each of her kids in the car in case they stopped at the beach while running errands.

She let her kids get dirty, make mistakes, and solve problems. She was a very involved mom, but never overbearing or controlling.

Amy was the mom I wanted to be.

One day Amy asked if I knew anything about homeschooling. I told her I knew a few people at church who homeschooled but I really didn’t know much about it. She said her son was struggling in school and she wondered if homeschooling might be a better option for him that year.

I told her I could invite my friend over for lunch and she could talk to her about homeschooling. The day my friend showed up I decided to stay at Amy’s house and listen to her “homeschool speech.”

I had no interest in homeschooling, but I didn’t want to leave my  friend alone at Amy’s in case she felt awkward. Our ten kids played while my friend gave Amy all sorts of details about homeschooling.

It was interesting but definitely not something I would ever consider. I liked our little neighborhood school and our daughter had just been accepted into the gifted program. We were excited about her opportunities (as much as you can be for a first grader).

My homeschool friend left and Amy and I discussed the pros and cons about homeschooling. Amy had such an opened mind about it, she wasn’t sure if she was going to homeschool her son but I knew that whatever she chose to do it wouldn’t be without a lot of thought, prayer, and research.

Over the next few months during our school walks we talked off and on about homeschooling. Her son was adjusting well to the new school but my daughter was bored. The gifted program wasn’t really designed for first graders at her school so she spent her gifted time reading to other kids.

Sailor and I didn’t mind her doing all the extra reading, but we thought a first grader reading to another first grader every single day and calling it “gifted class” was a stretch.

That Christmas we excitedly went to the school Christmas performance. I was a bit surprised when the children sangs songs about Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Las Posadas, and Santa. Where was the Jesus song?

I came home and told Sailor I was upset that they kids were taught songs about several holidays, but not a song about the Christian holiday. He agreed. I didn’t expect the school to only sing Jesus songs or even make the kids sing a song, but to leave it out when they sang about other December holidays bothered me.

It bothered me all winter break. We looked into Christian schools but they were too expensive, we even went to a homeschool bookstore but I got overwhelmed and walked out empty handed.

In the back of my mind I knew public school was no longer my first choice, but I felt like I didn’t have any other options.

Two days before school resumed we dis-enrolled our daughter from school and filed homeschool paperwork with the state of Virginia. I had no homeschool experience, curriculum, or even a vague idea of what I was doing.

I just knew it was the right choice for our family.

by admin -

2011 Veterans Day Discounts

November 11, 2011 is Veterans Day. To celebrate many companies offer discounts to veterans as well as active duty military. Here are just a few of the Veterans Day discounts for 2011.

Stores and restaurants are often crowded on Veterans Day because of the freebies and discounts. Consider this when planning your dinner or lunch out. Also, remember to call your local store to confirm the discount.

Veterans Day Restaurant Discounts

ABUELO’S MEXICAN FOOD – Abuelo’s offerings vary by region, be sure to call ahead to see what the discounts or freebies are included

APPLEBEE’S RESTAURANT – All veterans and active duty military eat free from a limited menu on Veteran’s Day, November 11th.

BUCA di BEPPO– Veterans and active duty will receive a free Buca small spaghetti marinara Pasta with the purchase of any Bucas small or Buca Large Pasta, baked pasta or entrée.

CHILI’S – Veterans and active duty dine for free from a special limited  item menu on Veteran’s Day.

GOLDEN CORRAL – Military Appreciation Monday free dinner will be available on November 14, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Military retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard and Reserves are all welcome.

FAMOUS DAVES– Discount varies by state.

HOOTERS – All Veterans and active duty eat free.  The free entrees must be selected from a special Veteran’s Day Menu

KRISPY KREME – All active duty, retirees and veterans get a free donut on Veteran’s Day.  Be sure to call ahead to verify your local franchise is participating.

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK – Participating restaurants offer a complimentary entree to vets from a special menu on space available basis.  Online reservations are highly recommended.

OLIVE GARDEN– Choose a free entree’ from  a limited menu.

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE – Veterans and active duty military get a complimentary Bloomin’ Onion and non alcoholic beverage of choice on Veterans Day

UNO CHICAGO GRILL – offering a buy one, get one free offer to service members or veterans with a military or veteran ID or in uniform or with a photo of themselves in uniform.  The Veterans Day bogo offer includes a free entree or individual pizza, with the purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value.

SUBWAY – Free 6 inch subs to active duty and military veterans on Veteran’s Day.

TEXAS ROADHOUSE – Free meal from opening until 4 p.m. on Veteran’s Day.  Call ahead for more information.

T.G.I. FRIDAYS – Veterans and Service Members buy one and get one free from November 11-14.  Contact your nearest location for more details on their Veteran’s Day bogo offer

TIJUANA FLATS– Veterans and active duty receive 50% off your entrée.

TOBY KEITH’S I LOVE THIS BAR & GRILL (three locations in Oklahoma) – American Soldier Special – cheeseburger, fries & beverage “on the house” with military ID.  Good any time of the year, not just on Veteran’s Day. See menu at the link for more details.

Retailer’s Offerings:

AMAZON.COM- Veterans Day Honor download. Free until November 12th.

CABELAS– Cabela’s stores nationwide will honor the contributions of those who serve by offering employee pricing to all veterans and active duty military and reserve, law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel Nov. 10 and 11.

HOME DEPOT – Offers a 20 percent discount to all Veterans during Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day.

LOWES – 10% off to all Veterans on Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day and the 4th of July.  Only available in stores and is limited to in-stock and special order purchase up to $5,000.

PRICE CHOPPER GAS– On Friday, November 11, veterans can stop by any Metro Price Chopper store and get a $.25 per gallon discount off their next fill up at QuikTrip (up to 20 gallons). (Kansas City)

SAM’S CLUB – Over 36,000 collapsible Hugo canes will be given away to US Veterans in need of mobility assistance.  Sam’s Club will require membership for this offer, but proof of service may be necessary.

SLEEP NUMBER- Sleep Number will offer free travel pillows (while supplies last) to active and retired military personnel who visit any of the 400 Sleep Number stores nationwide to ensure they get the rest they need no matter where they lay down their heads.

THE DOLLAR GENERAL – 10% discount for all Veteran’s, Active Duty military, National Guard and reserve and immediate families with a Veteran’s Day Coupon.  The coupon may be found in store circular ads or by asking a sales associate.

Free Admission:

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG – Colonial Williamsburg offers free Veterans Day Weekend-long admission tickets to active-duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, and their immediate dependants, Nov. 11-13, 2011.

JAMESTOWN- The National Park Service commemorates Veterans Day with Fee Free days at Historic Jamestowne November 11-13.

KNOTTS BERRY FARM– FREE admission for Veterans or current serving military personnel and one guest with proper I.D. presented at turnstile. (DD214, Veterans Administration Hospital ID or Active Military Service ID.) Plus purchase up to six additional tickets for just $17 each! Ends Thanksgiving Day.

NATIONAL PARKS– Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees.

Year-Round Veterans Discounts:

FOOT LOCKER — Veterans, Service members (Active, Guard, and Reserve), and their immediate families with a Foot Locker Veterans Advantage Card receive a 20 percent discount every day of the year. That offer is good both online and at any store location, including Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Footaction and Champs Sports — even on sale items. Learn more about the Foot Locker Veterans Advantage offer.

HOME DEPOT — Offers a 10 percent discount (up to a $500 maximum) to all active military, reserve, retired or disabled veterans and their family members with a valid military ID. All other veterans qualify for a 10 percent discount during Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day. Learn more about the Home Depot Military Discount program.

LOWE’S — Lowe’s offers a year-round 10 percent discount offer for all active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retirees and disabled Service members and their immediate families. All other veterans receive the 10-percent discount on Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The discount is available on in-stock and special-order purchases of up to $5,000. The offer can’t be used on sales at Lowes.com, on previous sales or on sales of services or gift cards. You must present a valid military I.D. card to receive the discount.

For more discounts, printable coupons, and information on how you can support the USO visit the USO Veterans Day page.

 

by admin -

Holiday Road Trips: Live Chat Tonight!

If you love camping or road trips you’ll want to visit the KOA Campfire Community tonight at 10pm EST to win some great prizes and discuss road trips during the holidays!

We usually take at least two road trips a year and I love exchanging ideas for meals, keeping the kids occupied, safety, pitstops and more.

You can also win some fabulous prizes including:

A $150 Gift Certificate to Cabela’s and 10 backpacks filled with:

–          A copy of the Camping Mama game (Nintendo DS)

–          A Camping Mama branded backpack

–          A Camping Mama branded water bottle

–          A kit to make smores

–          Camping Mama branded binoculars

–          A Camping Mama branded 22-piece first aid kit

–          A Camping Mama branded foldable and reusable spork

–          A Camping Mama branded miniature flashlight (AAA batteries included)

Join me and the other KOA Campfire Community leaders as we discuss holiday road trips and giveaway some great prizes!