My Final Post on "Give Me Liberty"

I know, I know...it's sad news. Why give up? Well, it has to do with a lot of reasons. First of all, I find that I just do not have the time to commit to my blog as often as I would like to. When I originally set up my blog, I had high expectations of posting at least once, if not a couple times per week. As most of you are aware, I did not meet those goals. I have recently found myself getting extremely busy with family, football, the new school year approaching, and my own schooling (for those that don't know, I am seeking my Master's degree in Education). So, I sincerely apologize to all of you. However, the light at the end of the tunnel, or silver-lining, or pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, or yada yada yada...I will, from time to time, post on Jessica's blog. So, to stay in tune with what's happening with my love for history, my football team, the Calvary Murrieta Warriors, and my family, you'll have to check out "On Bended Knee", as most of you do. I love you all and may the Lord continue to bless you and your families. Remember, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your strength, and, regardless of your political affiliation, support our troops and have respect and admiration for our nation's history. May God continue to bless America...for where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty!

Spending the day with my girls

What a great day. I had the opportunity to spend the first half of the day with my baby girls. Jess had a "girls day out" with her friend getting her appendages pampered (pedies and manies for those who don't know what I'm talking about). So it was Cami, Caylee, and Daddy for the morning. We got to play with toys, go outside and explore the backyard, swing, nap, eat lunch, and the most important event of the day...Daddy got to answer the following question at least 15 or 20 times...

"When is Mommy coming home?"

Maybe Daddy should go back to work now.

Memorial Day 2008

I know that this was last Monday (May 26), but I still felt I needed to blog about this day and what it means to me. As a US History teacher, I have come to respect those that have gone out in to the world and placed their life on the line for our country and for the people of other nations. I had created a powerpoint presentation for my classes, but was not able to load it onto blogger. So I have included some pictures that represent the history of Memorial Day and representations of those who have served in all of the wars American soldiers have fought and died in.

Memorial Day started in 1868 as "Decoration Day". On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan (Civil War Veteran) declared in General Order No. 11 that:

“The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.”

Since then, it has been observed on the last Monday in the month of May. However, it no longer represents only those who fought and died in the Civil War, but all American soldiers who lost their lives in the heat of battle. We remember those on this day. We remember their sacrifice, their courage, and their dedication to our country.






























































































































































Revolutionary War (1775 – 1781)
American Deaths: 4,435 (approx.)

War of 1812 (1812 – 1815)
American Deaths: 2,260 (approx.)

Mexican War (1846-1848)
American Deaths: 1,733 (approx.)

Civil War (1861 – 1865)
American Deaths: 214,938 (approx.)

Spanish-American War (1898)
American Deaths: 385 (approx.)

World War I (1914 – 1918)
American Deaths: 53,402 (approx.)

World War II (1939 – 1945)
American Deaths: 291,557 (approx.)

Korean War (1950 – 1953)
American Deaths: 33,741 (approx.)

Vietnam War(1954 – 1975)
American Deaths: 47,424 (approx.)

Persian Gulf War(1990 – 1991)
American Deaths: 147 (approx.)

War on Terrorism/Iraq War(2003 – Present)
American Deaths: 4,450 (approx.)

*All numbers taken from The History Channel website. All numbers represent those that have died in battle.

I very much understand that the above list does not include all of the engagements that our military has been involved in that history does not recognize (my opinion is that it should).

Thank you to all of the above. Those that have lost their lives in battle for our nation, for other people of other nations, and the way that I see it...for me...you will never, never, never be forgotten!

Cheeseburger!

So, we trying to figure out what to do for dinner. Jess goes and asks Cami what she would like for dinner. Here is the conversation:

Jess: Cami-girl, do you want taquitos for dinner?

Cami: Ummm...no...I want a cheeseburger.

Jess: We don't have any cheeseburgers.

Cami: Oh...well, Daddy will go bye-bye and bring me home a cheeseburger?!

(Daddy is now laughing very hard on the couch as he's listening in on the conversation)

I love my girl!!! Then again, I should probably take this as a sign that we go out to eat a little too often...wouldn't ya say?

Did you Pray today?

As I'm sure you are aware, today May 1 was the National Day of Prayer. I thought I would share with you the foundation of this day and how it began. Taken from the official National Day of Prayer website:

"Because of the faith of many of our founding fathers, public prayer and national days of prayer have a long-standing and significant history in American tradition. The Supreme Court affirmed the right of state legislatures to open their sessions with prayer in Marsh vs. Chambers (1983).

The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage. Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history, including President Lincoln's proclamation of a day of "humiliation, fasting, and prayer" in 1863. In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual, national day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day. Last year, all 50 state governors plus the governors of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations."

This may be a day our nation sets aside to pray, however, I encourage you to pray every single day as an act of worship to our Lord and Savior who blessed us with this wonderful nation. A nation in which we are FREE to pray whenever we want and wherever we want. Never, never, never let anyone tell you that there is a separation of church and state by proclaiming the 1st amendment. The 1st amendment grants us the right to pray and worship without fear of persecution or even prosecution. Our nation was founded upon three fundamental reasons: Political freedom, Economic freedom, and Religious freedom. At no time does anyone have the right to tell you that you can not pray. Be bold, be brave, and exercise your right that our Constitution has given you, and above all, the right that our Heavenly Father has given you. 1 Thessalonians 5:17,18 proclaims, "Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." And as the title verse to my blog states, "...where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." Do not allow people to deny that this nation was founded on religious, Christian principles.

GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS AMERICA!!

This Day in History

Here's the ironic thing...I had mentioned that a portion of this blog was going to be dedicated to US history. When was the last time I blogged about history...well, I guess that is history in itself. So I thought I would give you a bit of the history behind this day, April 23:

1776: John Paul Jones burns Whitehaven, England during the Revolutionary War.

1791: President James Buchanan is born.

1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis explains to his wife as he flees from Union troops that "panic has seized the country"; he had realized that the South had lost the war.

1954: Hank Aaron hits his first homerun.

1956: Elvis makes his debut in Las Vegas.

1969: Sirhan Sirhan, Robert Kennedy's assassin receives the death penalty.

1975: President Ford declares that the war in Vietnam is over for America.

* Information provided by The History Channel

The Teacher becomes the Student

Finally, my 5-year plan is happening...three years after it was supposed to be completed! I guess that getting married and having children thing got in the way...TOTALLY KIDDING of course...I love you babe!

I'm going back to school. I was just recently accepted in to the Master's program at Azusa Pacific University. I will be starting classes on April 14. Please pray for me as this will be quite an adventure. Yet I know that if I do not do it now, then it will never be done. Jess and I have been praying about this for some time and feel that this is the time. I should be able to get two classes completed prior to the beginning of the next school year and football season.

Frequently Asked Questions:
1. "Why are you getting your Master's degree?" - It has always been a goal of mine. I knew I always wanted to continue my education beyond my undergraduate degree. This will allow me to explore other avenues of education.

2. "What are you getting your Master's degree in?" - Educational Leadership

3. "What does 'Educational Leadership' mean?" - It is a different way to say Administration.

4. "Do you want to be an administrator?" - I've been considering it for some time now. I have always believed that the Lord has blessed me with leadership qualities. In no way do I want to deny the abilities the Lord has given to me.

5. "Would you miss the classroom?" - Yes I would. I love teaching. Teaching has been such a blessing to my life. The relationships I have developed with my students over the past eight years have been...to sound like a high-schooler...awesome! Teaching United States History, World History, Government, Economics, Health, PE, Psychology, Agricultural Biology, Veterinary Science, and Floriculture (ask me later about the last three), have been an amazing, challenging, and above all, a huge learning adventure.

6. "If you love it so much, why give it up?" - I'm not giving it up just yet. It will take awhile before I finish the program. My guess at this point, is that I will not enter the administration field full-time for another two or three years. Only the Lord knows. Also, I don't feel that I would be giving up teaching. Would I not be teaching History, yes. However, being an administrator does not mean you stop teaching.

So, that's it for now. I will keep you updated as the program continues. Again, please be in prayer for me and my family, as this will be a very busy time. We know the Lord is in control. If you have any other questions, please feel free to comment, and I will get back to you.