Memorial Day Weekend

This past 4 day weekend was great! It started off Friday when I got to sleep in because I was off work! I spent the day with my sweet baby and then Jon, Lillian, and I joined my in- laws for dinner. After dinner Jon and I took Lillian to Rhino Coffee Shop and listened to a bluegrass band called Foley's Van. My sister came in town late that night so we all slept in on Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon we did a little shopping and then ate lunch on the patio at Oyster Bar. Saturday night we attempted to hang out at the Mudbug Madness festival but it didn't last long. Lillian was not a happy camper as soon as she heard the super loud music and was bombarded by unfamiliar faces. About 15 minutes after we were there a huge black cloud covered the sky and we saw lightening in the distance. That was our cue to leave. Maybe next year we will have better success. Sunday we all got up and went to Rhino for breakfast before our trip to the park. Candace, Jon, and Brady ran while Lillian and I walked. It was crazy hot out because the humidity was so bad. Sunday evening Jon made dinner and his parents came over. It was a nice relaxing evening. Monday, Memorial Day, was uneventful and so nice. I am thankful for all of the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to keep this country free. This weekend was full of family time, and I am so thankful for that too! I'm glad my sister was able to come visit!

Remembering...

I was a senior in high school on 9/11/2001.  I woke up, took my brother to school, decided to be rebellious and skipped school, only to go back home to go to sleep.  On my way back home I was trying to listen to the radio but all the stations were talking, and of course I wanted to hear some music, so I switched it over to the CD player and went about my business.  I went back to sleep once I got home and woke up later that afternoon, turned on the TV, and realized what I had missed.   At that time I didn't fully understand what this meant for our country.  I knew it was terrible news and I knew that our country seemed to be in trouble, but I was a naive selfish teenager, that was usually only concerned about what was going on in my life at that time.  I do remember stocking up on things like drinking water and gas for the car.  I also remember being worried because Barksdale Air Force base is located in our city.   I do remember being upset about all the lives lost, but it didn't really hit me until Jon and I made a trip to New York 8 years later.  We visited the church outside Ground Zero and saw where they were still cleaning and starting construction on what is now the 9/11 Memorial.

there is a patch from every fire or police department that came to NY to aid in the help and clean up after 9/11

this is a picture from the front yard of the church that survived 9/11
the blue area is where the twin towers used to stand

I am very proud to be an American and even more grateful for all of the men and women who are fighting for our freedom.  I have more respect for them than words can say.   I pray that the leaders of our country make the right decisions to keep the war off of our soil and to keep our country safe.  

On a more up beat note...here is a video of Charley singing along to Taps today...

God Bless America!