For the Sake of the Call

For the Sake of the Call

Aug. 13, 2007 - Perseid Meteor Shower

Doubtless you've heard all about the Perseid Meteor Shower that was scheduled to take place last night and tonight. Usually I read about such things, flag the e-mail message, and decide to sleep rather than attempt star gazing. I grew up in the city; we didn't have stars. At best we can see the Big Dipper, Venus, and (in the winter months) Orion. But now that we live in the country, I thought we should take advantage of the opportunity to marvel in God's creation.

I started going outside around 9pm and Chris and I finally saw a big meteor around 10pm. We decided to set the alarm for 4am and wake the kids to see them. The neigbor's lights, the street light on our cul-de-sac, and the trees were enough of a nuisance that we were going to have to drive out of the development to a neighboring farm to get a clearer view. When the alarm went off at 4am, I went outside myself to see if I could see any before waking everyone up. It was cloudy and I didn't see any, so I reset my alarm for 5:15am and tried again; this time I saw one. I woke Chris and the kids and we piled them into the car for our literal field trip. We drove to a farm field that didn't have anything planted in it, laid a blanket on the old corn stalks and peacefully gazed at the sky. Ha! With 4 squirmy, chattering kids, there was nothing peaceful about it. The younger two were especially full of questions, complaints, and were altogether wiggly! What a sight we must have been! A couple of us saw a few meteors, only one was really noticeable and not even as much as the one Chris and I saw last night. We're still too close to the city and there's too much light pollution. After about half an hour, we loaded back into the car and drove home, stopping at the McDonald's drive-through for a rare breakfast treat (?) before heading home. Chris read to us from Genesis 1 as we ate and we talked about stars and signs and the glory of God's creation. Then I went on a bike ride with 2dd8 while Chris showered and we enjoyed a bit of the sunrise; the sun was a glorious red globe!

Next time we'll have to go camping and after reading of KindredHeart's idealic experience, I'm thinking we need to go camping on the beach! We might not have seen such a glorious display, and our kids' chattering was not nearly as soothing as the sound of the waves on the beach, but it certainly was a memorable experience, and I had fun waking my sleepy kids and putting socks and shoes on their feet while they wondered in their half-sleepy state what in the world we were doing. They'll cherish memories like this one someday, and when they relate this adventure to their kids, the one comet they did see will be the biggest, brightest comet ever. Because everything is bigger and brighter when you're a kid! :)

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Aug. 13, 2007 - Aahhh!

Posted by onecrazymom

That is so sweet - Way to go! ( : You're right your kids will never forget that!
I love special times like that with the kiddos!
We lived in a 30 ft travel trailer for a year and the kids each had their own bunk in the back - every night they stayed up for awhile and visit - sometimes I would let them stay up later than usual because I loved hearing them giggle and talk - it was like year long summer camp! I know we all built memories that will last forever in that trailer! ( :

Blessings,
Mandi

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Aug. 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Dedee

Doing things like that is the best.

I think I'll try and watch tonight and see if there is anything left.

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Aug. 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by socalval

Ah, yes... the meteor shower. We had a camp out in our backyard and watched... all night. I'm tired! It was fun - the kids enjoyed it, but we didn't see too much. I think we needed a spaceship to see most of the excitement. We had fun anyway.

Valerie

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Aug. 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Honeybee

Not ten minutes ago I looked at my calendar and realized I'd missed it. Ray, however, did see one Fri night when we were out on the Ohio! What a great experience you all had--you made such a good memory!

We just finished our school time and it went great. Only a couple of little tweaks to the schedule. Boy is now doing his helps so he can be FREE! He can't wait :) I haven't the heart to tell him we have to go to the grocery :(. I have to say the time went pretty fast. DD collapsed from exhaustion right during lunch-heehee. She's still napping.

When w/you like to start our "journey"? :)
Me

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Aug. 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by nsremom

I checked at midnight then fell asleep. I'm not quite the stargazer it seems.

but I could go for the family memory thing. You're right. Wouldn't that be something you'd remember from your childhood?

Emily
thelearningneverstops.blogspot.com

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Aug. 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by chickadee

we watched too. post forthcoming about it.

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Aug. 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by StillHisGirl

I saw a few. We did it a bit differently, though... Scott was the good parent. He woke up the girls and took them out, then put them to bed, and I woke up and he and I went out. It was so nice laying on a blanket with my man looking up at the sky! :)

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Aug. 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by drewsfamilytx

The beach?! That is the perfect place to go!!! I would never have thought of that...especially since that would be 1.5 hours away.

I missed it last night. I saw nothing at midnight and then zonked out until 3am. By then I was too confused to even think about going outside.

Hmmm... maybe tonight, but I'm supposed to be one of two mommies at the Children's Museum with about 14 children between us! So sleep is critical.

But if I'm up, I'll try to remember to look up. :-)

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Aug. 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by ReneeM

oh... too bad its not dark enough here yet... in Sept / october is when we usually start searching for meteor showers... hopefully we'[ll catch some this year. Good for you for trying it out! :) (I agree with the McDonalds breakfast treat?!?! LOL)

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Aug. 14, 2007 - We tried last night, but the trees obstructed our view

Posted by bubbebobbie

The grandkids had a great time of it last night. They were up at 1:00 am watching them.

Incase you do not know, there is also suppose to be a lunar eclipse on the 28th of Aug.

Sounds like and excellent field trip. Make sure you count it as school in your records.
Because of Jesus, Bobbie

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Aug. 14, 2007 - Meteors rock!

Posted by stringerzoo

How awesome that you tried! I love "impromptu" times with the family like this. Your kiddos will remember this night. I remember sitting on top of our roof when Hayley's comet came over. We never did spot it, but we built awesome memories!
~J

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Aug. 14, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by MiryClay

I heard about this and would have loved to see it, but it was going on during my sleepy time. :o(

Blessings,
Lori

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Aug. 15, 2007 - Meteor Shower

Posted by professionalmom

No one told me about the meteor shower! Agh! I don't know if I would have been brave enough to wake the troops that early, lol. Probably. :D

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Aug. 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

Wow, what a neat memory, even if it wasn't as spectacular as you would have liked. My husband went on a camping trip this past weekend and said he saw an unusual, bright object in the sky. Turns out it might have been from the International Space Station!
-Sarah

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About Me

Philosophical musings from the heart of a home-educating mommy of four and wife of ten years. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." Psalms 19:14