Let Freedom Ring...

Happy Independence Day!
I LOVE the 4th of July! What a blessing it is to be a "for the most part" free Country! This freedom that we have here in America, is truly a gift from the Lord! I pray that The Leaders of this Country make decisions that please Christ, because I would hate to see this freedom that we hold so dear become lost.
   Not only does Independence Day remind me of the Freedom we have here in America, but most importantly, it reminds me of the freedom we Have in Christ! I am so grateful that Jesus set me free from the chains of sin that had me bound! And now, because of this freedom, I have a hope and a wonderful promise of EVERLASTING life! It hurts me to see people around me slowly slipping into those chains...they celebrate their "freedom" in their country, not realizing that the very Freedom they truly need, they don't yet have, or they are walking away from it. That is why God has called us believers to go out into all the World and tell them about what Christ has done for them! I don't know if you feel the same way I do, but why is it that such wonderful news is so hard to share at times. I am praying the Lord gives me more Boldness to not worry about how I am going to tell people, or what they are going to think of me! I believe we don't have much more time left, so that alone should press me to GET OUT THERE! Ahh, Independence Day is also a reminder of how much growth in Christ, I am in NEED of!! I thank the Lord for His grace, but do not want to use it as an excuse!


I did have a wonderful 4th though :) The Temp outside was 100*!!! For some reason I get sickly pretty fast if it is that hot out! I was really looking forwards to the Allendale Parade in the morning, so we all headed out at 8:30! I had the boys dressed in their red, white and blues, we got some Breakfast and headed to the parade.

Zachary July 2012

Ayden July 2012

Thankfully my sister Julie got there earlier to get a shaded spot! But the kids, of course, have to be on the curb to catch candy where there is NO shade ...Anyways, it was so much fun to have everyone there. My family has been attending this parade EVERY year, for the past like 10 (if not more) years! So it is kinda important for our kiddos to get to experience this day just like mommy remembered it :)

The Group

I thought it was cute that Ayden wore the same outfit that Zachary wore this time last year! Boy does time fly!!

Ayden July 2011

Ok so...confession time..teehee...

Fire Trucks coming...

He sees them...

I really was curious how well Ayden was going to handle the beloved Fire Trucks that parade down the street...Sooo, here they came at the very start of the parade, and I am pretty sure that this year they had ten times the fire trucks as they normally do! I am so grateful for what the fire fighters do...but three trucks would have been perfect. So each of the trucks had to turn their sirens on right in front of Ayden..lol..that seems to be how it goes, right? When he first some them coming, he got really excited, then they got closer and he wasn't so sure about them anymore.

I think that face says it all. This is shortly before he burst into tears.

Auntie Leslie comforting the forgotten child.

 Daddy tried covering his ears...but I think with the 100 degree heat and all those trucks blowing their sirens, he panicked. He started screaming but Ben couldn't hear him over the sirens, so I let him know and he whisked Ayden away...so now for the confession...I was so caught up with watching Aydens reaction, for a moment...or maybe a few moments, I COMPLETELY forgot I had a second child! Honestly! As the sirens are blaring, not one thought crossed my mind like, "I wonder if Zachary is scared"....oh boy. Thankfully my sweet sister Leslie was right next to him, and as he too started screaming, she took him away and comforted him...Thankfully he will never know that Auntie Leslie rescued him because Mommy forgot about him... It must have been the heat getting to me! I  saw here holding and comforting him, and my first thought was "oh that's sweet, she would rather cuddle Zachary then watch the parade"....ya...then I was like OMG was he crying from the trucks??? She was like, "no, he was terrified." Then I felt really bad...

Zachary before the firs trucks...

   After the parade we made our stop to Bigby to use our BOGO coupon they hand out in the parade :) We like coffee...and yes I totally came to the parade with a hot cup of Panera coffee, despite the 100 degree weather. After that, we headed to my parents for the cookout and HOURS of swimming...We lived in the pool for the day, because that was the only way to cope haha..Thanks to my parent's sweet neighbors the "V's". We had big plans for that night, to hit some amazing fireworks, but the kids along with mommy and daddy were WELL spent by 6pm, and Daddy thought it to be wise if we headed home to relax and call it a night!! I was glad to be in my bed in the A/C, as I heard all the fireworks going off!! The thought crossed my mind that we could be out there watching fireworks, but that wonderful thought was followed by the reality of then sitting in the car for an hour at midnight trying to get back home, and having two crabby kids (and parents I'm sure) who just need bed sitting there....then ya I fell asleep..

My Boys are blessed with such Sweet Aunts!!

Ayden turned into a little tomato!! 

Keeping cool in the car!

   So today (the 5th), me and the boys spent the morning relaxing in the cool house. I put Ayden in "big boy" underpants along with rubber pants...they lasted maybe 5 min..haha. But ya, we chilled together in mommy's bed for a bit. I love how much the boys love being with each other already :) Too cute!