America the Beautiful

Sharing some Fourth of July photos today :)

The holiday weekend (July 2nd) will always be a celebration of Walt!

Church, brunch and Cars 3, to celebrate the birthday boy!

On July 3rd, the country club had a family Fourth of July party...

Waiting for fireworks over the greens...

Such a wonderful show!!

On July 4th, we started the day with a morning trip to the zoo with the sweetest new friends and neighbors...

It was wet and kind of yucky, not a day we would typically visit the zoo.  But the company was extra special, and maybe one of my favorite days thus far.  My heart was grateful for the time with them.

After the zoo and naps, we started preparing for our family to come for food and fireworks...

Troy grilled burgers and everyone brought a side (or two or 3!?), which made for a Fourth of July feast...

A week later, we did Fourth of July, round 2!  We were unable to be with Sam, Jason and Abby on the fourth, which (other than Houston), was the first in maybe 15 years!?

And that just wouldn't do.

So we went shopping for a few more sparklers and small fireworks and celebrated again....

And that was our 4th : )

This past year has not been the prettiest for our great country.  One wonders how 'America the Beautiful' has become, at times, so ugly.

I have my own thoughts and convictions on the subject...  with of course, more questions than answers.  Like many, I'm disheartened by so much that I see.

But even on its worse day, I'll still fly our flag high. Because despite the ugliness around it...  it's still beautiful to me.  Freedom....opportunity....  ability.....and despite what it may seem...liberty.  The flag is a reminder of all that we have been given in this great homeland.

Still....

America, the beautiful.

Three

A few days after Walt's party, I took him on a quiet birthday date, in hopes to savor those last moments of age 2.

Three.

It sounds so big to me.

The weather was so cool for June, and we had the farm to ourselves that day.  A picnic lunch followed by tractor climbing and barn climbing/sliding (and ice cream!) made for the sweetest day with my birthday boy and his sister.

Babies and birthdays are most certainly bittersweet for me.  I spend birthday week constantly reminding myself of what a blessing it is to see them celebrate another year.  Without that reminder, I'd have a hard time swallowing away that lump in my throat.   It comes so often during birthday week.  While watching them play....   when tucking them in at night....  and singing "Happy Birthday,"....   oh forget it....  I melt.

But that's only because I'm enjoying this season of life so much.  I've never experienced anything so precious.  I knew I would love them....   but I had no idea how much I would enjoy raising them.

And turning 3....    it's just a reminder of how short this season of life is.  Of how few hours I will actually spend with babies on my lap.  

While I know I will love watching all that this next year brings....   I sure wish I could stay right here for just a bit longer.

Because I love being their Momma more than I could ever describe.  

Walt,

Before you, your "Da-da" and I were living the best life.  We didn't think it could ever get any better. We couldn't imagine ever loving anything as much as we loved one another.

 And then you arrived.

You've made every moment of the last three years sweeter than we ever knew it could be.  We've loved everything about each year, but this last one has been extra fun.  You've loved all things animals...  all things Toy Story.....   dinosaurs, monsters, pirates, robots...  you love to climb, and jump and wrestle ....but I think you love to snuggle and cuddle even more.  You still sleep with your two favorite blankies and your animals....  and you still love George.  You are such a fun and loving 3 year old boy and we can't get enough of you.

I hope that you always know how much I love being your Momma...

.... and how much I love you.  

Love,

Momma