Thank You for Your Service

I am a big fan of our military. I admire the long-standing traditions, the patriotism, the values upheld. Fly-overs make my heart beat faster (and is it OK to say I think guys in dress whites are a nice sight too?). Most of all I greatly admire the sacrifices our service men and women willingly make to help preserve the liberties and freedoms we enjoy.

So it was with great anticipation that I attended yesterday's graduation and commissioning ceremony at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. Bob, Cearra and I joined a stadium full of family and friends to honor the men and women who have chosen to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic" (taken from the oath of office).

Under a brilliant blue sky and scorching sun we (and especially his mom Chris, dad Jeff, brother Ben and sister Allison) cheered loudly as Bob's cousin, Andrew J. Cornelius, shook hands with President Obama and received his diploma. We are so proud of him - his dedication, his perseverance, his love of country. We are thankful for him and for his classmates as they begin their careers in the US Armed Forces.

This Memorial Day weekend I am again reminded of those who have always stood ready to protect our great country, and I thank them for their service. God bless them all, and God bless America.

Deep Creek Lake

We planned to take a little vacation, the four of us, but our tentative plans to road trip to Georgia were foiled by a lack of available weekends. We wanted also to visit Cumberland while Cearra was home, and inspiration struck one night in early May ... we'd go to Deep Creek Lake.

I jumped on the Internet and found a great deal on a 3-bedroom home with lake access and a indoor community swimming pool; we happily called Nanny and invited her and Uncle Todd, Aunt Maria and cousin Hannah to join us for a long weekend in the beautiful mountains of western Maryland (conveniently close to Cumberland).

A week later we packed the minivan with luggage, food, golf clubs, and fishing gear and headed off. The weather was beautiful, our home away from home, "Hemlock Chalet" was great, and the company was wonderful! Bob did a little fishing (perhaps I should just say he did a little standing on the dock with a fishing pole in the water), and we all went swimming, played Taboo and relaxed. Bob, Maria, Todd and I rode the mountain coaster at Wisp Ski Resort and then hit Smiley's Arcade with Owen (check out his mad Skee-Ball skills) and Cearra, while Hannah and Nanny enjoyed some quiet time at the house.

We all had a fabulous time and agree that a new Mechem Family tradition has been born!

Thoughts from a Mom for Mother's Day

With Mother's Day right around the corner I've been thinking a lot of what being a mother means. The responsibilities, the privileges, the (occasional) tears, the laughter, and the overwhelming love and joy.

I feel so blessed to be Owen's mom - such an incredible little guy! I adore spending each day with him; helping him learn new skills, seeing his amazement in things big and small, receiving his hugs and kisses. He makes me laugh; he makes me better; he makes me happy.

Being a mother brings a lot of responsibility too. Teaching right from wrong, good from bad. Raising an individual who will be a benefit to our family, our society, our world.

And while a parent's ultimate job is to prepare a child to make their own way in the world - give them wings - this mom can't help but dream of the future she hopes for Owen ...

Number one, I want him to be truly, deeply happy in his life and to have and appreciate the things that matter most - health, family, friends.

I want him to be strong in his values but tolerant of other's beliefs and choices.

I want him to always respect and be kind to his elders, all animals, and our earth.

I want him to graduate from Penn State. Oh ... alright ... fine, I want him to graduate from any college. As long as it's in Pennsylvania. And it's school colors are blue and white. And it's mascot is a Nittany Lion.

I want him to find a career that provides him financial freedom and personal satisfaction (if that job happens to be a veterinarian, well, all the better).

I want him to find at least one activity/hobby that allows his creativity to bloom.

I want him to appreciate dark chocolate, early REM albums, road trips, beach vacations, a great defense in football, and the quiet joy of a good book.

I want him to travel and experience different places and people.

I want him to be proud of his Kazakh heritage and his American citizenship.

I want him to be able to live in a world of peace.

And oh yeah, I want him to always love his mother and know how very much she loves him.

That's not too much to hope for, right??

Big Nap - New Hat

Owen Knows

it's important to put on sunscreen before going outside (and also when Mommy isn't looking and you can have fun with the spray bottles).