Ay-yi-yi, it's been a long time since I last blogged! We're all alive and well here. I'm finally feeling like living again now that morning (or rather ALL-DAY) sickness is a thing of the past and several other little health issues have cleared up.

Last Saturday the five (and a half!) of us went down to Concord, Mass., which for those of you who aren't familiar with it is a paradise for American history and literature buffs! Which, incidentally, Jed has become, much to our delight. His fascination with weaponry has naturally introduced him to both world wars, the Civil War, and the American Revolution. On Saturday he was in seventh heaven as we checked out the Minute Man visitors center, which showed a fabulous, award-winning multimedia presentation about Paul Revere's midnight ride, as well as other Revolution paraphernalia. Jed learned what a minute man was--a civilian who was always ready to take up arms at any moment.

In fact, the next morning when he got up he came downstairs to Evan's office dressed up (surprise, surprise!) in his rendition of a minute man's garb, which was actually amazingly authentic--even if he was using Chloe's little pink purse to carry his musket balls (a.k.a. marbles). Evan, ever the preacher, saw a teachable moment--to use at church! He asked Jed to wear his outfit and stand in front of the congregation for him that morning. Jed readily agreed (he seems to have no fear of standing in front of an audience). Evan explained what a minute man was, then proceeded to give a beautiful analogy of how each of us should be "spiritual minute men," ready to move at the Spirit's leading at any moment, no matter what we're doing.

The picture above was taken at the Minute Man visitors' center. It was a truly happy family day. It's a vastly rewarding experience to take your kids places when they're genuinely thrilled about what they're seeing and are learning things that make history come alive.