Once Upon an Army Wife: Happy Independence Day!

The Fourth of July is one of my most favorite holidays...like right there beside Christmas...for lots of reasons. The fourth is the very essence of what summer is all about--its sunny, hot, everyone is outside, dancing, cooking out, eating, concerts, playing games--fellowshipping together--i just love it!

Obviously being a military family has brought new meaning to the day as well--i understand so much more now what so many men and women have sacrificed through our nations history in order for us to have our freedom. I'd also like to say, you haven't celebrated the 4th until you done it on a military base--today in the middle of our parade grounds ,with thousands of people around, at exactly 5 o'clock the American flag comes down as it does every day and every single person stops whatever it is they are doing, stands up and faces the flag and waits for it to come down while listening to the trumpet sound, and right before the flag it completely lowered, it stops and seems to suspend perfectly just above the ground and the entire field of people cheer--pretty awesome!

And then, the 4th is also mine and Mike's day--its our official dating anniversary (12 years!), when we got engaged, and also the anniversary of some of my very best memories with him. For this reason, spending the day without him is always a bit hard. I woke up a bit teary this morning and felt his absence most of the day, but i am thankful for the great friends and 2 beautiful babies that the good Lord has placed in my life to keep my mind off everything and help me enjoy each day.

So, for this year's 4th, we spent the morning at church. I'd like to point out how strange it always seems to have holidays fall on the 4th--but then I think its a great opportunity to put things into perspective... to always put God first. After church we went to our new friend Sarah's house so the babies could take a nap before we went to base to celebrate the 4th.--which reminds me again of one more thing (or should i say 2) that has put things into perspective! Nap time more important than party time...whew, what a change!

I'd like to tell you it was a good nap, but it really wasn't--and therefore there was a little crankiness the rest of the day, but really it wasn't so bad. Thankfully the sheer amount of craziness and people on base kept the babies distracted for the most part. Although, at 7 o'clock, already past their bedtimes, the babies were DONE for the day, so this Mommy packed up her sleepyheads and brought them home to bed. And really, although it is my first 4th of July alone in the house before 9 pm, i don't really mind--those sweet little things upstairs are more than worth it and honestly i've seen some pretty sweet fireworks in my life and don't feel slighted in the least by not seeing any tonight. BUT..just in case you are wondering former Hawaii friends, YES the neighborhood is rocking and popping with backyard firecrackers and if they wake up my babies, i'm going to be one mad mommy!

Here's some of our pictures from the day. There are lots of good ones, you'll need to click here to see them all. I don't know what it is, but red, white, blue and sunlight guarantee for great pictures, don't you think?

me and my sweet babies