Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Family, fun, and the fourth of July...


Last week went by with very little blogging happening in this space.  I am giving myself permission to "go with the flow" this summer instead of being a slave to my self imposed schedule.  I usually post my gratitude list for the previous week on Sunday evenings, but this past Sunday was filled with church activities and time with friends. Then came the fourth of July, which we spent with all five grandkids.  Our second born and her family were camping, so we joined them for the day with our two youngest granddaughters in tow.  We drove back to our house with our grandgirlies late in the evening and came home to a neighborhood fireworks display that was unlike anything we'd ever seen when we lived in Portland.  Across the Columbia River here in Vancouver, Washington, they take their fireworks very seriously.  Our granddaughters were thrilled!  We had to wind slowly through the streets near our house as it seemed everyone was out shooting fireworks.  Some streets were blocked with people.  It was a bit intimidating to drive through what felt like a tunnel of fireworks overhead.  When we got home our granddaughters soaked in a bubble bath in my spa tub to wash off the campground dirt and s'mores stickiness with all the lights off, watching the fireworks from out of the bathroom window. It was a fourth of July to remember.

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Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.
 I continue to count my thanks
piling up gratitude day by day
in my journal.
(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)
#8607-#8635

6-27-16-
-a walk with friends
-our two youngest granddaughters having fun playing in the water with their cousin
-dinner and s'mores at our house with my nephew and his family
6-28-16-
-our son-in-law's birthday
-two grand girlies crawling into my bed in the morning
-devotions while they watch cartoons
-fun at the park
-a fire in the fire pit and s'mores with the family
-our youngest grandson's developing speech that comes out in full sentences that surprise and delight

6-29-16-
-a much needed visit with a friend
-playing with our youngest grandson on the playground
-our oldest grandson asking to spend the night

6-30-16-
-eight hours of good sleep 
-visiting a friend in the hospital
-buying an American flag to hang on our house
-a friend stopping by for a visit
-the sweet presence of God in our prayer time

 7-1-16-
-a laid back day off
-a beautiful evening walk together

7-2-16-
-making homemade ice cream and strawberry cupcakes for tomorrow's lunch at church
-soaking up the sun 
-flowers from my hubs

7-3-16-
-all of the helpful volunteers at church who cooked lunch, set up and cleaned up
-a good heart to heart conversation 
-sitting outside and visiting with friends 'til dark

7-4-16-
-spending the day with all five grandkids
-our two youngest granddaughters in their red, white and blue

-the kids swimming in spite of cool weather and occasional drizzle
-fireworks everywhere!

still following,

8 comments:

  1. Friend, give yourself grace. Time spent being with family making precious memories is far more important than staying on schedule for the blog. I always love reading your posts whenever that might be. Life is about just being truly in the moment & enjoying each day that God blesses us with. Life is too short as we all learn along the way!

    Love the pictures of the fun had by all! :-)

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  2. I love the way you and your grandkids got to celebrate. We had a quiet - adult - fourth. My sweetheart walked to the park in the center of town to view classic cars, watch the parade and check out the food and craft booths at the park. I stayed home to paint inside my vintage trailer. BBQ dinner with my dear, little mother ended by watching a patriotic Gaither video together. So glad you are going with the flow this summer. It's a good thing!
    ~Adrienne~

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    Replies
    1. I can't wait to see your little trailer all finished!

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  3. What a lovely post Elizabeth. I too, am "going with the flow" this summer. Have been spending time with my grands and getting ready for a visit back "home". My poor blog hasn't seen any action for WEEKS! But after that season of depression, I'm not sweating the small stuff anymore!! Have a WONDERFUL and BLESSED summer!!

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    Replies
    1. Life's trials can have a way of making us see what really matters. I hope things are going better for you now.

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  4. Wonderful! America at it's finest! Glad your 4th was filled with love, laughter and those two sweet smiles!

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad, too! Love those grandkids of mine!

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