God Bless America!!

Happy 4th of July!! We were planning on having a fun breakfast of Crepes with strawberries, blueberries, and cool whip (red, white, blue) but quickly remembered that it was fast Sunday! The Grovers didn't have church until 1pm so we got to go on a fabulous nature walk in the near by forest!

Carson and Jack

There was this cute little stream where the boys had a "leaf race" to see which one went down that mini waterfall first! Entertained them for a long time.

We before church I gave the boys a little devotional about our country them John marched around the living room singing patriotic songs.

The boys went crazy over these little flags.

Brotherly LOVE!! Perhaps my favorite picture of these boys so far!!

Jonah would NOT leave baby Tacey alone. He LOVED her and he really liked her bow!! Jack was wearing his white church shirt when Carson offered him a more patriotic shirt!! They felt so cool in their matching red striped shirts.

Church was so awesome. I LOVE having holidays on Sundays. It is just another opportunity to reminder of how much God has given to me. This nation truly was founded upon principles inspired by God. It was so uplifting to hear testimonies and remember the great men that built this great nation. I'm proud to be an American.

After church we had these amazing french dip, beef sandwiches. I still need that recipe Mallory. They were so yummy. We were planning on driving down to the mall, then after fireworks heading straight home (to Durham, NC). We knew traffic would be bad, but didn't know HOW bad, so we played it safe and last minute decided to stay one more night at the Grovers and just leave Monday morning. Since we weren't heading straight home, and the Grovers weren't going anywhere because of Kurt's kidney stones, they offered to keep Jonah and put him to bed for us. I wanted him to come so badly. I'm actually really sad we didn't bring him, but I just know that if he could talk, he would have wanted to stay home and just go to sleep. He doesn't care about fireworks, or Reba, or being on a hot sweaty mall with millions of people.

On the lawn of the Capitol there was a concert going on with Reba McEntire, David Archuleta, Gladys Knight, Lang Lang and more. We actually got there just as Reba got on stage. She sang a few songs then the fireworks started shortly after. We didn't leave Grovers until about 7pm and it took us at least an hour to get to the mall. It did feel a little rushed, but if just increased our desire to go there again some day.

So, Reba gets to the chorus of, "God Bless America" and the sky lights up in flames!! I turn my head and this is what I see. It was so breathtaking to have that song in the background with fireworks shooting over the Washington Monument. I have to say, I did get a little emotional... which is kind of unusual for me.

Our Nation's Capitol. I was missing Jonah so badly, but I know he was WAY happier asleep in his bed!!

The show was incredible to say the least!

We were going up the escalator and EVERYONE else was going down. We literally ran after the fireworks were over and beat most of the crowd. Plus, we drove in and found a sweet parking stop right next to the Rosslin Metro stop. It took us about an hour to get home and we were all asleep well before midnight. All I have to say after a day like today is:
"God Bless America"

The next morning on our way out of town we met my dear friend Katie Salmon for breakfast at IHOP. It was so fun to get caught up with her. I just love Katie and feel so inspired when I'm around her.

The drive home was pretty uneventful. John and I listened to "The Anatomy of Peace:Resolving the Heart of Conflict", it's a great book. We got home, John marched straight upstairs and said, "Jack, go help your mom unload the car... I have to study for the Bar!!" Let the studying begin...