Our 4th of July

We started our 4th of July off by going to the parade. Yes, I know it was on a Sunday morning, and yes we did skip church. The town next to us had one on Saturday, but we had two children down with the stomach flu and unfortunately poor Shadd came down with it Sunday morning. My mom offered to stay with him while he slept.

(At the parade)

(Every year this is my favorite float. How amazing to hear awesome worship music playing!)

(Trust….it’s a beautiful thing)

Later in the afternoon we had some family and friends join us. The kiddos swam, we barbequed, and then enjoyed fireworks.

(My lil cutie pie)

Because Shelbie and Lolly both have July birthdays we decided to combine our celebrations since everyone would already be here.

(Lolly's birthday is actually at the end of the month so when we celebrate her special day with just our family she will really be confused. LOL)

We all had so much fun watching the fireworks this year. The neighbors down the road put on a great show too! There was lots of whooping and hollering!

(Shelbie and Shaylah)

(Shyloh and Jeff)

(Shayden and cousin Tarryn)

(De Anna and Mike. I am blessed to have De Anna as my best friend since I was 16!)

(My brother and sister in love. I love my family more than words can say! There is an old saying…”you can choose your friends but not your family”. I would choose my family! They are both family and friends!)

(Shylie thought the fireworks were pretty intense for a while!)

What a blessing to be able to celebrate our freedom, to be thankful for the men and women that fight and sometimes die for our country, to be grateful to God for the grace He has poured out on our country! I pray that we use our freedom in a way that glorifies the Lord and that makes the sacrifice of all the men and women fighting for that very freedom worthwhile.

God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.
Colossians 1:14 (NLT)