Santa's Prayer

My dear precious Jesus, I did not mean to take your place,

I only bring toys and things and you bring love and grace.

People give me lists of wishes and hope that they came true;

But you hear prayers of the heart and promise your will to do.

Children try to be good and not to cry when I am coming to town;

But you love them unconditionally and that love will abound.

I leave only a bag of toys and temporary joy for a season;

But you leave a heart of love, full of purpose and reasons.

I have a lot of believers and what one might call fame;

But I never healed the blind or tried to help the lame.

I have rosy cheeks and a voice full of laughter;

But no nail—scarred hands or a promise of the hereafter.

You may find several of me in town or at a mall;

But there is only one omnipotent you, to answer a sinner’s call.

And so, my dear precious Jesus, I kneel here to pray;

To worship and adore you on this, your holy birthday.

Healthy Habits for Kids

By Terry Orr

Your child's habits start with you!

The most important thing to remember is that you are your child's role model. Your habits affect your children's habits.

If your habits are unhealthy—smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or always expecting the worst, for example—your child is more likely to get those habits.

If your habits are healthy—eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, looking forward to tomorrow, for example—your children are more likely to build those habits in their own lives.

Sounds simple?  It really is pretty straight forward and without all drama and tantrums - if done smartly.  Some folks pile on the food for a child and complain about them unwilling or unable to finish what’s on their plates. Think smaller portions – say a tablespoon – and if they want more – then allow it – providing they are also eating the other items.

After research the Internet on healthy habits for kids, I found that the article by Robin Madell to capture the true essence of habits we all should follow.

10 Healthy Habits Parents Should Teach Their Kids

Written by Robin Madell /Medically Reviewed on May 10, 2013 by George Krucik, MD, MBA http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/healthy-habits-mothers-should-teach-kids#1

• Habit 1: Make Eating Colorful – They are beautiful, healthy and good for you.
• Habit 2: Don’t Skip Breakfast – It really is the most important meal of the day.
• Habit 3: Pick Enjoyable Physical Activities – Sure makes it easier to do when you enjoy them.
• Habit 4: Don’t Be a Couch Potato – We need at least 60 minutes every day to be physically active!
• Habit 5: Ready Every Day – When you wake up – be grateful and thankful to be alive and have an opportunity to accomplish wonderful things.
• Habit 6: Drink Water, Not Soda – 8 glasses of water each and every day!
• Habit 7: Look at Labels (Food Labels, Not Designer) - Know and understand what those pesky items in what you are considering to eat.
• Habit 8:  Enjoy a Family Dinner – Too important to miss!
• Habit 9: Spent Time with Friends – Amen!
• Habit 10: Stay Positive – With a smile on your face and love in your heart and understanding in your mind.

 Following these healthy habits are a good starting point. Please let us know what other healthy habits you use.

References and Links:

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/HealthierKids/HowtoMakeaHealthyHome/Help-Children-Develop-Healthy-Habits_UCM_303805_Article.jsp#

http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_habits.html

http://www.nourishinteractive.com/nutrition-education-printables/category/7-kids-healthy-habits-goals-tracking-sheets-charts-eating-healthy-foods-diary-cards-nutrition-physical-activity-goals-agreements

http://www.parents.com/health/hygiene/

http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kb/content/special/aba5985.html

Veterans Day 2013

By Terry Orr

USN Retired

Veterans Day is an official United States holiday which honors people who have served in armed service also known as veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.)

Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving. (Source – Wikipedia)

It is also the day after the annual Marine Corps Ball – a good day to recover and enjoy in the celebration of all Veterans.

Thank you to all who have, are and will serve our great country!

Happy 238th Birthday Marines

By Terry Orr

USN Retired

Happy Birthday Marines and thank you for your sacrifice, loyal and dedicated service! Bravo Zulu 

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE 2013

Date Signed: 10/29/2013

ALMARS Active Number: 037/13

R 291451Z OCT 13

UNCLASSIFIED/

ALMAR 037/13

MSGID/GENADMIN,USMTF,2007/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS(UC)/F002//

SUBJ/UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE 2013//

GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  FOR 238 YEARS, THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS HAS PROUDLY SERVED OUR GREAT NATION WITH UNFAILING VALOR - BOLSTERED BY THE ENDURING FORTITUDE OF OUR FELLOW MARINES, OUR FAMILIES, AND OUR FRIENDS.  THIS IS WHY EACH YEAR ON NOVEMBER 10TH, MARINES FROM ALL GENERATIONS GATHER TOGETHER, IN GROUPS LARGE AND SMALL, TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTHDAY OF OUR CORPS AND TO REFLECT ON THE PROUD LEGACY AND WARRIOR ETHOS WE SHARE.  THIS IS WHAT UNITES US AS MARINES.  FROM OUR FIRST BATTLE AT NEW PROVIDENCE TO TODAY IN AFGHANISTAN, MARINES HAVE ALWAYS SHOWN THAT THEY WERE MADE OF TOUGHER STUFF - THAT WHEN THE ENEMY'S FIRE POURED IN FROM ALL ANGLES, AND THE SITUATION WAS GRIM, MARINES UNEQUIVOCALLY KNEW THAT THEIR FELLOW MARINES WOULD STAY BEHIND THEIR GUNS, FIGHT COURAGEOUSLY, AND DRIVE THE ENEMY FROM THE BATTLEFIELD.  WE HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN HARDSHIP, FATIGUE, AND PAIN ... BUT WE HAVE NEVER KNOWN WHAT IT IS TO LOSE A BATTLE!

2.  MARINES OF GENERATIONS PAST BUILT OUR REPUTATION AS THE MOST DISCIPLINED AND HONORABLE WARRIORS TO EVER SET FOOT ON A BATTLEFIELD, AND WE HAVE TRIUMPHED IN EVERY BATTLE BECAUSE OUR CORPS HAS ALWAYS FOCUSED ON IRON DISCIPLINE AND COMBAT EXCELLENCE.  THIS IS WHO WE ARE...THIS IS WHAT WE DO!  IT MATTERS NOT WHETHER YOU CARRIED AN M-1, AN M-14, OR M-16.  IT MATTERS NOT WHETHER YOU FOUGHT ON A LONELY ISLAND IN THE PACIFIC, ASSAULTED A CITADEL IN THE JUNGLE, OR MARCHED UP TO BAGHDAD.  IT MATTERS NOT WHETHER YOU ARE A GRUNT, A PILOT OR A LOGGIE.  WHAT MATTERS IS THAT, WHEN THE CHIPS WERE DOWN AND THINGS GOT TOUGH, YOUR FELLOW MARINES COULD COUNT ON YOU TO STAND AND FIGHT ... AND FIGHT YOU DID!

3.  THIS YEAR, WE CELEBRATE THE ANNIVERSARY OF SEVERAL EPIC BATTLES IN OUR CELEBRATED HISTORY: THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 2D MARINE DIVISION LANDING ON TARAWA, THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF HUE CITY, AND THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE "MARCH UP" TO BAGHDAD.  MARINES WHO FOUGHT IN THESE LEGENDARY BATTLES EACH MADE THEIR MARK UPON THE HISTORY OF OUR CORPS.  THEY HAVE PASSED A RICH AND ILLUSTRIOUS LEGACY ON TO US - A MUCH HERALDED REPUTATION.  IT IS OURS TO JEALOUSLY GUARD, AND IT IS UP TO US TO MAKE OUR OWN MARKS AND THUS PROUDLY PASS IT ON TO THE GENERATIONS OF MARINES WHO WILL FOLLOW.

4.  SERGEANT MAJOR MICHEAL BARRETT JOINS ME IN CONGRATULATING EACH OF YOU.  BECAUSE OF YOU, YOUR SELFLESS SERVICE, AND YOUR MANY SACRIFICES, OUR CORPS REMAINS STRONG AND READY TO RESPOND TO ANY CRISIS.  THROUGHOUT HISTORY, MARINES HAVE FACED TOUGH TIMES AND THERE WILL BE TOUGH TIMES AHEAD, BUT THERE IS NO CHALLENGE WE CANNOT OVERCOME IF WE REMAIN HONORABLE AND ALWAYS FAITHFUL TO OUR NATION, OUR CONSTITUTION AND EACH OTHER.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARINES!

5.  SEMPER FIDELIS.  JAMES F. AMOS, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//