4th of July

It’s hard to believe how fast summer is flying by!  Next thing you know, it’s going to be Labor Day and time for the kiddos (and my hubby) to go back to school! 

I remember disliking 4th of July as a kid – not because I wasn’t patriotic or was scared of fireworks, but mostly because it meant that summer was going by way too quickly.  Now that I’m an adult in the workforce, I LIVE for holidays, and the 4th of July has become one of those fun and low-stress holidays that I look forward to each summer.

This year, we stayed in town, but enjoyed the festivities on Friday, July 2nd.  We went to a local fireworks display and enjoyed some time with friends and my family (my parents were in town).  We listened to the Air Force band play for the first hour, and then enjoyed some festive fireworks.

I must say that the occasion wasn’t without some emotion.  For one thing, I always get proud of my hubby when he stands during the Marine Corps anthem.  Though I didn’t even know Kevin when he served his 4 years in Marines, I am so proud to say that I am married to a veteran.  He is so brave and I love that he served his country!

Secondly, I just plain missed Andrew.  Considering that occasions like 4th of July fireworks means a plethora of children, there was no way I wasn’t reminded of what we were missing out on……who we were missing out on.  Believe it or not, it sort of started when one of the women in the Air Force band sang “All American Girl” by Carrie Underwood.

The song goes on to talk about the surprise of finding out that their little baby was actually a girl.  Despite the fact that the song is actually about a girl, I couldn’t help but get a little sad at those first few lines of the song.  Although Kevin and I didn’t really pray since the day we got married, that we’d have a little boy, we were so thrilled when we found out that we were.  I had always wanted at least one little boy – being in of 2 daughters, I was really looking forward to raising a little boy.  The first few lines of that song were just a reminder of what we would be missing with Andrew not being with us – no fishing, throwing footballs, or watching our little boy win sporting events.  I couldn’t help but think of how much we’d be enjoying him had he been with us that night.  We would have loved every second of that night, with our little boy enjoying his first 4th of July. 

As long as it’s been without Andrew, not having him still isn’t “normal.”  I don’t know if it ever will be.  Only time will tell I guess.

After the fun evening, we spent Saturday with my family.  We enjoyed dinner together at my grandmother’s house.  It doesn’t take a whole lot to please us – we just enjoy talking and catching up.

On Sunday, we spent the evening at a cookout with some friends of ours.  There was quote a crowd, and I enjoyed catching up with folks, as well as learning how to play “Spoons” and tasting some homemade Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup ice cream.  Y-U-M!  It was nice to get out and enjoy our friends.  We are so blessed with such good friends.  They truly are an extension of our family, which is nice since most of our immediate family is out of town. 

Yesterday was a bit of a lazy day for Kevin and I.  We didn’t shower until the afternoon, and believe it or not, I never actually left the house.  I ended up with a bad headache in the evening, so I vegged most of the night.  It was just nice to not have to do ANYTHING!

I hope that you all enjoyed your holiday weekend!  I can’t help but give thanks to the Lord for allowing me to live in a country where we are free!  A lot of blood was shed for those freedoms, and I don’t take that sacrifice lightly.  There are so many others who live in oppressed countries and I don’t want to ever take my freedom for granted.  Thank you to all who have helped fight for our freedoms, and thank you Lord for blessing this country!