I won't get on any soapbox here, but with all the talk about immigration from both sides of the fence (or wall, as it were), my heart has been feeling tender. I don't like my heart to feel tender when I write posts. because I am likely to say something out of deep emotion that triggers someone that I love to comment in defense of some toe I have stepped on.
This isn't about that. It's just about my heart.
I feel so grateful each fourth since 2013 when Natalie's and my life (lives? how do you say that?) were saved by amazing doctors and nurses, by prayer, by faith, by science and the time period and place we were lucky enough to be born in.
I'm grateful on the fourth because the month after Nano was born, on the fourth, I walked to see the fireworks with my family (though I had to get a ride back home). I was still only halfway through the ordeal with my bloodclots, which would return twice more, and my pelvic veins were completely blocked, but I could walk, I had my leg, I had my baby, and I had my life.
I'm grateful because on the following fourth, I ran in my first ever 5K. I came in 14 million and twelfth. I was awesome. Moms pushing double-strollers were passing me, but I did it.
The next two years blurred into that blissful place of New Normal; not what they once were, but certainly not what they could have been.
And this year, as I sat with my family, a new feeling of gratitude arrived. I am grateful that my children are safe and protected in this place I am blessed to live. They have food security and all the simple things in life that make the difference between peace and worry, even if those things are humble at times. They are as safe as I can make them from a world that would take them and hurt them; that would take away their childhoods and replace them with fear and trauma and distrust forever.
I am so grateful to live here. With all it's flaws and struggles to get it right for EVERYONE, which I hope we will ever be working towards, I can acknowledge the good while holding hope for a less troubled future for this country that I love.
We are blessed.
*****
Hmmm, something just doesn't quite look right here...
There, that's better!
We call this his "Flynn Ryder" (look it up).
This is the year she has changed the most.
He usually shys away from my camera,
but so far, not from the offer to snuggle.
Snuggles for everyone!
It's getting dark!
The fireworks take forever to start when you are five.
The fireworks take forever to start when you are five.
But once they do, you can almost touch them!
Natalie danced to the music the ENTIRE time.
She started out plugging her ears, but by the end,
she was more fun to watch than the fireworks!
She started out plugging her ears, but by the end,
she was more fun to watch than the fireworks!
*****
In Amador county, the Fourth is so fun they start on the third!
That leaves the Fourth for family time and play, the whole day.
That leaves the Fourth for family time and play, the whole day.
We always reach out to Dr. F
on the Fourth because it is also his birthday
(though I spelled his name wrong, whoops!).
One more reason to be grateful!
on the Fourth because it is also his birthday
(though I spelled his name wrong, whoops!).
One more reason to be grateful!
Tessa and Big Ellie fought over Erin's Baby Ellie all evening.
Bill and Syndi Dyer bring a spark of joy with them
(which is good, because it's the only sparking we can have in the woods!)
Dad joined us, and where dad is, there is Penny! So fun to have him here.
And Erin was joined later by her hubby, who we seldom get to see
as he works protecting our state from wildfire. More gratitude.
This could be a Normal Rockwell painting!
Jonah planned a water balloon fight, and everyone loved it.
After it was over, there was a water-balloon-picking-up-contest.
The winner got a baggie of nickles! Congrats Aeron!
(best dollar I ever spent!)
As is our family tradition, we watched The Music Man once the sun went down, only this time we did it projected on the garage on a sheet. Those who could stay had a ball.
It was chilly, so everyone bundled up for the show.
This was the only picture I got of Bonnie and Peter... and the Uhri's evaded my camera this time as well. I need to be a better photographer next time. Ethan now lives in Sacramento and decided to hang out there for the Fourth. My kids they is growin' up!
Can't wait till next year!
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