Better Late Than Never...

Thank You I have planned since yesterday to post some photos of our family members, past and present, who have served our country in the Armed Forces to honor them for Veteran's Day today. Obviously the day has gotten away from me, but I still want to say thank you to everyone who has put their life and/or lifestyle on the line to protect and our country. Thank you for defending the land and the life I love; for making it possible for me to say and do and even blog what I think without retribution; for making my kids safe and free to worship and be educated and enjoy thier lives. We recognize and appreciate your sacrifices great and small.

Here's a list of our military family members (please correct me in the comment section if I get info wrong or if I have forgotten someone ):

Matthew Post (my brother) - Army Reserves
Tom Melin (my father-in-law)- Army, Vietnam
Jess Melin (my bro-in-law) - Air Force Pilot
Mark Melin (" ") - Air Force Pilot
Michael Melin (" ")- Army
Brent Mayberry (my cousin) - Army National Guard
Kevin Mayberry (my cousin) - Arizona National Guard Medic
David Mayberry (" ") - Army Reserves, Afghanistan 2004-5
Larkin Elrey (" ") - Army Reserves

These Dreams

I posted this on a friend's dream website:(Heidi & Addie Christmas 2004)

Every night since I miscarried I have dreamt about losing the girls. The first night, Rich dreamed that, too. Every night it's a different scenario, but every night it's the same horrifying plot--we have lost one of the girls or one is stolen, left behind, or dying. Usually there is a happy ending (we are all reunited safe and unharmed), or else I wake up before the resolution because I am so stressed out by the dream. In the daytime I feel perfectly fine, but somewhere my mind must be working things out. Thoughts?

Last night I dreamt that we were at the airport and Rich and I had to take Addie to the car at the curb for some reason, and we left Heidi inside. I was going to stay with Addie in the car while Rich waited inside with Heidi. In the short seconds we were both outside, several busloads full of terrorists (they were WASPY Americans, by the way, with a political beef) took everyone outside the airport hostage. We were lying on the ground with guns to our heads while Heidi was alone inside and we could no longer see her through the window. The plot went on and on and we got out alive, but the most horrible moment was when Heidi came wandering out the automatic doors into the hostage situation. Luckily they let me get up and grab her, but it was straight up terrifying. In the daytime my thoughts are totally normal, but I must have issues in my subconscience.

Addie the Baker

In a lame attempt at being FunMommy, I helped Addie bake the cookie dough we made yesterday (well, we made dough for 12 dozen--today we only made one dozen). She decorated them with little candies, I did some of the frosting. She is very proud of her work and even gave the Fat Boy gingerbread man to Daddy for lunch just now. FUN! Now let's hope she lets me nap--I am SAPPED! More to come...

Post Script...

My Cousin Dave, who served with the Army in Afghanistan last year, brought up a good point in the comments section:

Obviously Grandpa Dotson was a Vet... but which war did he fight in? And which branch of the military was he in? I have a soft spot in my heart for the old boys who went and fought in WW II. I'd love to hear about were he served and what he did while in the service.


So, from Grandpa's Obituary:

"Simon entered the Army at Fort Lewis, WA on Jan. 18, 1944 and was discharged May 13, 1946 [my mom-in-law was born in June 1947]. He served as a radio operator in the Philippines ending his career as a Tech 4. He was also Chief of Section anti-aircraft weapons, supervising 14 men and supplying 40mm anti--aircraft weapons. He received the Philippines Liberation Medal with one bronze star, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, American Theatre Service Medal, Victory Medal, and of course, the Good Conduct Medal."

Then he came back to podunk Montana and raised three fabulous children and 10 grandkids, operating a Cargill Grain Elevator, fishing, and boating--- my in-laws have great memories of him, even my dad-in-law. They are a really close family, thanks in part, no doubt, to the good man Grandpa Dotson was.

11/07: Grandpa Si Dotson's Funeral

The American Legion Bugler played Taps...
...and the guns saluted...
...as loved ones looked on in the sleet (yes, that's Addie in front).
Farewell, Grandpa.

Poor Angie had to go to her Grandpa's funeral on her birthday, so we tried to make it fun by having a big cousin party here last night. It was great!

Mike, Connie, and Cindy are on the couch; Mom Melin is holding the cake; Angie is blowing out candles while Addie and Danny help; Aunt Ellie and Emma look on (PS: See Addie's latest haircut? It's pretty cute).
Emma (daughter of Rich's cousin, Connie) and Heidi had fun together. Emma is 9 days older than Heidi.
Cute Cousins--only 2 Dotson Cousins (Jess and Bobby) were missing.

L-R: Pam, Mike, Connie, Mark, Annette, Cindy, Rich, & Angie.

"Moving in silent desperation

Keeping an eye on the holy land

A hypothetical destination

Say, who is this walking man?

Well, the leaves have come to turning

And the goose has gone to fly

And bridges are for burning

So don’t you let that yearning

Pass you by...

The frost is on the pumpkin

And the hay is in the barn...

And the walking man walks..."

-James Taylor

There is my crazy snow baby making an angel today after lunch.
Look! Fresh Tracks!

Family Lunch

We had lunch at The Wok today with Rich's mom's siblings; clockwise from left: Addie, Me, Heidi, Aunt Ellie, Uncle Dan, Uncle Dennis, Aunt Carol behind Cousin Cindy, Mom & Dad Melin (Rich took the picture).
Addie took this picture of Heidi with Grandma...
...and this one of me waving.