Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo – May 5th

Growing up in San Diego, I have always enjoyed Cinco de Mayo.  I love Mexican food and look forward to any and every excuse to have it.  Mexican restaurants have a tendency to go all out on Cinco de Mayo.  Awesome food, excellent Mexican music and much, much more. 

I have never known why Cinco de Mayo was celebrated.  I just took it for granted.  This year I have decided to find out the history of all the holidays that I have celebrated all my life and am clueless about.

Cinco de Mayo—or the fifth of May—commemorates the Mexican army's 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations. Cinco de Mayo traditions include parades, mariachi music performances and street festivals in cities and towns across Mexico and the United States.

http://www.history.com/topics/cinco-de-mayo

What is Cinco de Mayo?

On Cinco de Mayo, Mexicans remember the Battle of Puebla, fought on May 5, 1862. On that day, Mexicans won an important battle against the French army, which was invading Mexico.

Why was France invading Mexico?

France had a long history of interfering in Mexico's business, dating back to the famous Pastry War of 1838. In 1862, Mexico was having big problems and owed money to other countries, mainly France. France invaded Mexico to try and get their money.

Why is the Battle of Puebla so famous?

Basically, the battle is famous because the Mexicans weren't supposed to win. The French army had about 6,000 soldiers and the Mexicans had only about 4,500. The French had better guns and were better trained. The French had already beaten the Mexicans a few times as they made their way to the city of Puebla, from which they planned to go to Mexico City. No one thought the Mexicans were going to win the battle…except maybe the Mexicans!

What happened at the Battle of Puebla?

The Mexicans had made defenses around the city of Puebla. The French attacked three times, and each time they had to retreat. When the French cannons ran out of ammunition, the Mexican commander, Ignacio Zaragoza, ordered an attack. The Mexican attack forced the French to run away! The Mexicans cheered and President Benito Juarez said that May fifth would forever be a national holiday.  For the Entire article click HERE

Now, you along with me know the history and origin of Cinco de Mayo.  I plan to have my enchiladas and Spanish rice for lunch.  How about you?

Have a fantastic Cinco de Mayo,

Charyl aka Mom8isme

Veterans Day History

Click on pictures above to play Veterans Day Videos

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as "the Great War."

The first Veterans Day was celebrated on Nov. 11, 1919, which was the first anniversary of the end of World War I.

Veterans Day was celebrated as Armistice Day beginning the following year.

November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938.

In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.

In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill moved the celebration of this special holiday to the fourth Monday in October beginning in 1971. However, in 1975 President Ford returned the holiday's observance to the original date of Nov. 11.

Veterans Day Facts

• In 1954, President Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
  
  
• In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, which moved the celebration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. The law went into effect in 1971, but in 1975 President Ford returned Veterans Day to November 11, due to the important historical significance of the date.
  
  
• Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World Wars I and II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November). In Europe, Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11.
  

Veterans Facts

The brave men and women who serve and protect the U.S. come from all walks of life; they are parents, children and grandparents. They are friends, neighbors and coworkers, and an important part of their communities. Here are some facts about the current veteran population of the United States.

• 9.2 million veterans are over the age of 65.
  
• 1.9 million veterans are under the age of 35.
  
• 1.8 million veterans are women.
  
• 7.8 million veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975), which represents 33% of all living veterans.
  
• 5.2 million veterans served during the Gulf War (representing service from Aug. 2, 1990, to present).
  
• 2.6 million veterans served during World War II (1941-1945).
  
• 2.8 million veterans served during the Korean War (1950-1953).
  
• 6 million veterans served in peacetime.
  
• As of 2008, 2.9 million veterans received compensation for service-connected disabilities.
  
• 5 states have more than 1 million veterans in among their population: California (2.1 million), Florida (1.7 million), Texas (1.7 million), New York (1 million) and Pennsylvania (1 million).
  
• The VA health care system had 54 hospitals in 1930, since then it has expanded to include 171 medical centers; more than 350 outpatient, community, and outreach clinics; 126 nursing home care units; and 35 live-in care facilities for injured or disabled vets.
  
• U.S. Census Bureau and United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  http://www.history.com/topics/veterans-day-facts
  

64 Years Old

I am 64 years old today. 64 years young. I have had 64 years of blessings so far. It has been an awesome ride to date. Life is an adventure. You can’t ask for anything more.

64 years ago today I was born in San Diego, CA, to a wonderful lady named June. This last weekend I went to see her up in Wisconsin. I wrote a blog about it.   Read Blog here!

I was adopted by my fantastic parents, Joe and Fern Hann. I had lots  of childhood blessings. Lots of love, friends and the chance to go to the beach often. Had to throw that in. I love the beach and miss being able to go on a regular basis. Growing up in San Diego was the best.

Graduated from San Diego High School in the top 5% of my class. I was a cheerleader, Class Historian, Year Book Treasurer and a variety of other things.

   I had lots of friends and loved going to school there. I even graduated with my husband Dennis, tho it would be years before we connected and got married.

I attended San Diego State University and have a degree in Accounting. Took the CPA exam with a little push from my mom and passed it on the 1st sitting. I am really thankful for my degree and passing the exam but my heart was never really into accounting.

I had other passions that I didn’t pursue. Lesson to be learned – do what you have a passion for, not something to please your mom. I wanted to be a teacher or photographer, tho I have a natural ability for numbers and math.

I have LOTs of Blessings

I have 12 blessings (Children), 4 by birth, 4 by adoption, 4 by step. Love them all. We have 15 grandchildren blessings, with 1 more on the way this summer. Grandchildren are what it is all about.

Grandchildren are the BEST!! I can’t imagine a day without any one of them. Just wish I lived closer to them. They are spread out from Albuquerque – Knoxville, Houston to

St Louis. Lots of them are just too far to pop over and see. I hate not being there for their special days.

Married my best friend Dennis 13 years ago. He has been a true blessing to me. I can’t imagine life without him. Don’t think I could have gone through all that I have gone through the last 13 years without him. He has been my rock.

Having a personal relationship with Jesus has been a big blessing for the last 37 years. Jesus is the one who gets me through life day by day. Jesus has been the blessing giver, even in the midst of stress, fear and day to day living. Jesus has been with me every inch of the way. Jesus totally = Blessings.

Blessings Abound

I have had 64 years of blessings. OK, it hasn’t all been roses, and I have been through some hard things that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. But overall I have had

wonderful blessings in my life. I really couldn’t ask for better.

Life just keeps getting better. I have an awesome husband, wonderful kids and grandkids,and I love living in the Midwest (tornadoes suck, but other than that), building a powerful on-line business, DS Domination, retired from a J-O-B and I can get out and take pictures with my camera any time I choose. Blessings abound. I couldn’t be happier.

So, for any of you that think growing older is scary or not all it’s cracked up to be – let me assure you, I am 64 and blessings abound.

Be sure to check out my awesome business opportunity. Let it be a blessing to you too. All you have to do is click on the link below. Add your email address, watch the video and JOIN. DS Domination has been a huge blessing in my life.

CLICK HERE

Have a wonderful day of blessings,
Charyl aka Mom8isme

Adopted but Not Forgotten

Dennis and I are heading off later today to go visit my birth mom. Yep, I said “birth mom”. I was adopted as an infant. 

About 20 years ago I decided I needed to find and meet her. So, the search began. I had been carrying around a form to fill out and send in to an online search for birth parents and adoptees. I filled it out and sent it in. Then the wait began.

Apparently, the only way for a match was if both mom and child sent the information in. I figured I had a long shot at finding her at best. BUT a couple short weeks later I got my information. I was genuinely surprised. It was exciting to know I was adopted but not forgotten. Me in my adopted mom (Fern Hann's) arms in the picture.

Now, what to do? Didn’t want to freak her out by calling her so wrote her a letter and telling her all she needed to know about me, just in case she didn’t want to write me back. She did write me back and I eventually went up to meet her.

I Was Adopted – The Hard Choice

She is an awesome lady. She made a hard choice putting me up for adoption but I am positive it was the best choice for both of us at the time. I have enjoyed getting to know her from a distance. I have only met her twice. This will be my 3rd time and it’s been about 12 years since I was there last time.Wasn't I cute as a baby.

BUT here is the odd part. She never gave that company her information. In fact, she had never told a single person about me. Even her husband was quite shocked and surprised when my letter arrived. I was adopted but no one knew.

To this day we have no clue how our information got entered in the data base. I have decided it is just one of those mysteries of life. Someone wanted us to find each other. My theory is it’s just one of those “God Things”. We were meant to know each other. I was adopted but God knew where I was all along.

I Was Adopted – The Reunion

Had a wonderful reunion with my birth mom June. She was so surprised when I walked in. I loved the look on her face. I even got a chance to visit with my brother, Gary. What a treat. I am so glad I came. June has had a ton of health problems lately. I am glad I didn't put it off until it was too late.

I have 2 brothers named Gary. One adopted brother and one birth brother. THAT doesn't happen very often.

June is just the sweetest lady around. She had a stroke recently and struggles a bit with her words but her smile tells it all. She often says "yessss", "righttttt" or "noooo". It was quite cute. It was really good to know that even tho I was adopted, I was definitely never forgotten!

It's interesting to me since I was adopted to look at some one besides my children or grandchildren and see similarities. It is something most people take for granted. It was fun to hear June say things like you look just like your brother John. I could even see where I got my smile. It was fascinating. I was adopted but I look like someone. Awesome feeling.

It was so hard to leave. It felt like I was losing something I finally had. Unfortunately, we live 12 hours away so I can't just pop over and visit. I definitely don't want this to be the last time I see her. She is just too precious for that. I was adopted but never forgotten.

Have a fantastic day and be sure to treasure those you love, 

Charyl aka Mom8isme