Good morning!  I hope you are enjoying Memorial Day, which is usually a signal that summer is beginning. Please take a minute to reflect on the true reason for this holiday...the sacrifice by many men and women to give us the freedoms we enjoy today.

We had a family cookout yesterday, and we all had a really good time. Good food, good friends and family, good times.

Last week I told you I was working on a wedding card.  I finished it up, and now I'm not sure if I like it or not.  So, I will share it with you, and I welcome all comments, both good and bad. I still have some time before the wedding, so I have time to remake it, if that's what you think I should do.

Here is the card I made:

Today, instead of having a challenge, or technique, I'd like us to take a moment to reflect on our fallen heroes and what their sacrifices mean to us.

I am a member of Soldiers Angels. There you can "adopt" a soldier, send cards to the wounded, send cards to the troops, and lots of other options.

I recently found another group that collects cards to send to the troops. It's called Cards for Heroes, and I intend to go through my cards and send them a box. Why don't you check out their website and donate, too.

As the step-mom of a veteran (2 tours of Iraq), I can tell you what it means to the troops to get cards and packages from home.
Here is a card I made using stamps from Artistic Outpost. Hope it stirs you to make a card for a hero.

Memorial Day is so much more than the 3 day weekend that signals the beginning of summer. It's a tribute to the many men and women who have died in military service to our country. Many people celebrate by visiting a cemetary to place flowers on the graves of veterans or visiting memorials. Another tradition is to fly your American flag this day. In addition to national observances, many individual communities hold memorial observance for fallen soldiers who were from that town by having a ceremony in a church or town memorial park. It is also common for fire and police departments to remember and honor members lost in the line of duty. Towns often hold a memorial day parade to remember those people.

Whatever your plans, take a moment to remember our fallen heroes, and have a safe and happy Memorial Day.