Independance Day

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men. We . . . solemnly publish and declare, that these colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states. . . And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

-The Declaration of Independence

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever. Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free. Establish a law for educating the common people. This it is the business of the state and on a general plan."

-On the wall of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial

I am so grateful for my freedom and those who have and continue to fight to keep it. I know that sometimes it feels this country is going crazy, but each of us has a responsibility to be the best kind of person we can be and encourage others to do the same.

Above all I am grateful for a God who saw fit to grant us with this freedom and all that we hold dear! Let's not forget to thank Him!

We spent the 4th of July with Brad's family. We had a pretty good time (despite the fact that both of my kids had the 24 hr flu on the 4th). Our first activity on Saturday was a small town parade.

We have an even 8 kids between us, 4 girls and 4 boys, just right. Aren't they cute!

Sydnie, Ansley, Molly, Embrie

Riley, Alex, Cooper, Garrett


After the parade we all went swimming.
Garrett loved this slide, he would have gone up and down it all day if possible.
(even for not feeling too good)

As you can see little miss independent had a rough time. She didn't believe that she should have to hold my hand or let me hold her in the water, but really she swallowed enough water going under that she just made herself more miserable. She did have a few moments of fun when she wasn't trying desperately to escape me and Brad.

The rest of the afternoon we bbq-ed and played. Brad and I thought of every possible game you could play with the kids to keep them outside and leave it to Grandma to have fun and interesting thins to do!

Getting ready to light off fireworks in the street!

On Sunday night we drove out to the area where they were having a fireworks show and sat in the back of my sis-in-law's truck with 4 of the 8 grandkids and watch the fireworks. The kids loved it! I wish that I would have taken my camera and gotten pictures of their little faces, it was Embrie's first time watching fireworks.
We had a fun time.