Happy Fourth of July!!!!

Happy Fourth of July!!!! I LOVE this weekend, full of fun and friends and family and flags.
I came across this yesterday, read it to Kelly and Josh, and thought I'd post it on here.

Take a moment to reflect..... (it's from Glenn Beck, and I know at least ONE friend who calls him Glenn Blech (you know who you are!) but please read it anyway, I think you'll like it!

Have fun today everyone.......and be safe!!!

Diane

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From Glenn Beck....

July 3, 2009

Hello America,

Here it is, another Fourth of July. Traditionally, this is a day to gather with friends, maybe fire up the barbeque and play with kids until the sun sets and the fireworks start. But in thinking back on the meaning behind this day, we must never forget that our nation was baptized in the blaze of a very different kind of "fireworks." Yes, this is a day of rest and relaxation, as well it should be, but this year…I'd like to ask you a favor. At some point during the day, I hope you'll take time to think and reflect on what it is we're truly celebrating on the 4th of July -- our Independence Day. Of course the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776 but it's so much more than that. On this day, 233 short years ago, a small group of men dedicated themselves to a higher purpose, an ideal they believed in so greatly, they signed their name to its expression and in doing so put their very lives at risk.

Never has a simple act of signing one's name carried such weight, such a profound commitment. By signing the Declaration of Independence, 56 men stood in direct defiance of the British government. They became marked men, and willingly so. As I was doing some research on the significance of July 4th, I came across some interesting facts about these men. Today as we all enjoy the freedom our forefathers guaranteed us, join me in honoring the extraordinary sacrifice of 56 extraordinary Americans.

Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence:

Five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes burned to the ground. Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, and two more had sons captured. Nine fought and died in the Revolutionary War.

If you ever feel like your lone voice can never be heard, that the political system isn't set up for "regular" Americans to change the course of history, remember: The signers were flesh and blood, mortal men with a divinely-inspired aim.

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants, and nine were farmers and large plantation owners. They were well educated, smart enough to know that by signing the Declaration of Independence, they were signing their own death warrants. They did it anyway, and God bless them for it.

As we enjoy our liberty on this 4th of July, or any day of any month, we must never take that liberty for granted. Too many have given too much. In the words of the Signers themselves, "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

Their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor -- I think that's a price paid worth a few minutes of reflection, don't you? But let's not be solemn in that reflection. I say rejoice and share this information with your friends and family, especially your kids. The Signers asked for nothing in return for their pledge, but I say that we show our thanks with a pledge of our own: To remember, to be grateful, and to carry on in their spirit. America is the greatest country this world has ever and will ever know, and it will stay that way so long as "we the people" remember that just like in 1776.

It's US that surrounds them, and we'll never back down.

Happy Independence Day, and God bless America.

Glenn

Our little jessie....at 24!

Our Jessie turned 24 on Friday. I have had two dozen terrific years of being her mother. Jessie is sunshine in my life. She has so many wonderful attributes. Just a few are: integrity, empathy, wonderful mother, smart, kind, creative, strong, faithful, fun....lots of fun, loves her family, incredibly beautiful, did I say smart? and sweet.
Our sweet Jess. Yes, we are blessed.
Elephant shoes. (you'll have to ask one of my kids about that)

Enjoy a few of the faces of Jessica Erin. Our JessBess. We love you, honey!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Ticklin' the Ivories

I was reading online and came across a story about this couple, the Cowans. They have been married 62 years. He is 90 years old, and she is 84. While at the Mayo Clinic having tests for a few days, they took time to play the piano together that is there in the atrium for anyone to play. Here they are putting on a little impromptu recital.
Take a listen HERE.

(Watch the hand movements when they switch places.)

I just want to say that I think marriage and music are two of God's greatest gifts.

There is more to this story, but I'm beat.

Enjoy the video.

Try not to smile.

I dare you.

Blast from the Past - 1994

Sacred Grove ~ Palmyra, New York ~ July 1994

(I've always wondered what Josh was looking at)

Drew - 17
Michelle - 16
Laurie - 10
Jessie - 9
Megan - 5
Josh - 1

I drove the kids to Palmyra from Toledo, as Kelly couldn't get off work. We had a wonderful time together, going to the Hill Cumorah Pageant, seeing the other sights, like the Joseph Smith farm, staying in the hotel, etc.
I am crazy about these people.

Time for Some Sleep

End of another work week. A busy week with lots of fun things, too. Last night was the Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Music Awards at the high school. I met Josh over there at 6pm. We were there until 8:30. It was so much fun sitting with him and his friends at a lunch table. So many kids wanted to be together that they had chairs just bunched up all around this one table. Josh has great friends in band, and they were so funny. I sat with Bryan's mom, Linda, and Maggie's mom, Robin, right next to our kids. FUN NIGHT! Josh lettered last year, so this year earned a bar for his letter, certificate and medal for District Band and a certificate for City/County Honors Band. I was really proud of him and it was so fun watching his joy with his buddies.

Tonight we went over to our friends, the McIntyre's, for dinner. It was supposed to be a cookout, but it was raining, so it was a COOK out, but an EAT in. There was a great group there. We had lots of fun. One of the highlights of the evening was getting to hold little Katelyn Rebecca McIntyre, almost 3 weeks old, daughter of David and Mandy. She is adorable with a thick head of hair. I held her while she slept for quite awhile. A sleeping little baby is like the best muscle and tension reliever there is.

Then Kelly and I went to Barnes and Noble for a little R&R. Reading and relaxation. We each got a hot chocolate and a pile of books and snuggled into two of their comfy chairs for a little while. Heaven.

But now, it's time for sleep. Not getting up until 7:30! Woo-hoo!
(Kelly is throwing marshmallows to our dog, Sloopy, as I write this. Yep, we do know how to par-tay!)

(3 days in a row....I am on a roll!)

Josh in the Driver's Seat!

My last one. My baby boy. My Joshie. How in the world did THIS happen?
I blinked, and now here he is, proud owner of a 15 year old's prized possession ~ THE Learner's Permit. I've been through this six times now. It still chokes me up a little. One more step away from mom. But I'm so happy for him, too. I was sitting at the DMV waiting for him to take the test, and when he started walking towards me, he tried to fake it. He shook his head, and I wondered for a moment, because Josh seems to smirk a little when he's disappointed, but he was trying to suppress a big old grin. He said, "just kidding...I passed". And even though the DMV was CROWDED (we picked the LAST business day of the month to go. Yes, I know, real smart) I wanted to cheer for him. He was so happy. It reminded me of each time one of our children would get their permit. It was like the world was opening up for them. And I was there to just help them along.
It was a busy Friday afternoon when he passed, and we wanted to stop by the music store, so he could get an amp cord and some guitar picks for his friend Zach's birthday party that night. He hesitated, but he drove. And he did really well. He must have felt grown up too, because he asked the owner of the music store if he was hiring. Just out of the blue. The manager might be interested when Josh turns 16 in August. He likes to hire his customers, who know the store, and he has seen over the years.
Josh has driven everywhere we've gone since then. He's doing great. Me? I'm not so sure.

These "lasts" are really hard.

Painted by the Master

I have missed so much by not keeping this up. I will try and catch up a little, but tonight I just feel like posting these. (kind of an easy way to begin blogging again)
We went to Ohio twice in the last month. The first was for a funeral for a dear friend (more about that later) and over Memorial Day weekend for my nephew's graduation (more about that later, too)
While we were there, we went to a Memorial Day breakfast at a park with Laurie and Jeremy. Jeremy's mom MaryAnn was there and it was nice catching up with her. (I've known her for 35 years or so....also a long story) After we ate breakfast, we all walked around a nice little herb garden/pathway built there at the park. It was Kelly, Josh, Laurie, Jeremy, MaryAnn and me. We enjoyed looking at all the signs telling us what we were looking at. I was touched again my the magnificent detail and beauty of His creations for us. I quickly snapped a few pictures. These are the only four I took, and I think they represent what I mean.



Wild daisies - how I love them. I guess I AM a child of the 60's and 70's, but I just think they are about the friendliest flower around. My wedding bouquet was daisies. I am getting older, but daisies still make me feel young. (He loves me....he loves me not....he loves me....he loves me not)
He DOES love me, by the way.



In the picture below, I just love the lingering raindrops. He provides what we need.

These bush roses below were the most amazing color. Vivid and spectacular. Fireworks among the leaves.



And just as we were leaving the herb garden......a little patch of pansies. Deep purple in the center. Like the night sky on a hot night. And such delicate petals. Love the contrast. Such different hues on one petal. That's how we are, too.

Yep, I do love to walk a garden. It's like a walking worship service for me.

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(Ok...so I have officially begun blogging again. I promise to blog again tomorrow night, even if it's just a few sentences. I see you snickering. Yes, you! You know who you are. Well, we will just see tomorrow, won't we, missy?)