JAK CHAT

Tradition Transition by Just Add Kids Founder, Paula Herrmann Patriot (def): A person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors. I can identify with that definition.  And boy oh boy, along with many members of my family, community, and country, do we ramp up our patriotism with displaying the red, white, and blue (in our clothing, accessories, etc.) and that of Old Glory ...today especially, Independence Day . While I say I can identify with being a patriot, I can also say there are many more who put their money where their mouth is and are fighting and/or have fought the good fight. To those, I applaud you for your service and I am pleased to be personally celebrating side by side with a few of these good men today. Today, unlike many many (this is the 19th celebration of such) years of parade going, Herrmann family party and fireworks, marks the first year of noticeable difference. I didn't go to the parade. Say what? Read Mo...

By All Means  I messed up yesterday.  In my efforts to correctly prioritize my life (faith, family, friends, work - in that order) I got things all mixed up and I am paying for it with guilt and a great deal of a sense of loss. I am busy.  Just like you, I have a kakagillion things on my plate...Housework, work work, stuff, stuff and more stuff on the to do list. Read More... Family from across the country have been trickling into town...I am mostly talking about my husband's siblings' families.  At this time, they are scattered across the country from Florida to Texas, to Arizona to California.  It's a homecoming at each 4th of July with a lot of his family (extended to aunts, cousins, friends, and a stranger or 4 sprinkled in the mix) and my family (parents, siblings and their children) descend on Racine for pre-fourth activities, the parade, the party and of course, the fireworks! This year ALL of my husband's brothers, sisters, spouses and kids came.  My father in-l...