HAPPY FOURTH!!!

Hello gang! Happy 4th of July!

We ended up having a cookout this year since it was my first without being on call in 3 years and Elyria cancelled theirs for budget reasons. We felt like it really wasn't the 4th....you see every year on July 3rd (because E-town is cheap and doesnt want to pay the police officers holiday pay)....we all gather on THE hill in Cascade Park and hang out. At some point, we all stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance together. Then once it's dark enough---they start the fireworks and play music to go along with the display. The fireworks are right above your head and with the music---it's the best! So needless to say, when they were cancelled---we felt lost.

So we decided to do a cookout! Nothing extraordinary happened...Skylar had a rough day but she was so cute in her Mayan dress that we bought for her last year in Mexico. That all being said, I like to think I will remember it forever as one of the best, most complete moments of my life.

Since Sky was having a rough night---trying to put her to bed was unsuccessful we decided to stay home and away from the crowds. The neighborhood was setting off fireworks---so we set out our chairs and watched. It was so sweet to see the surprise on her face! Then she settled in and fell asleep in my lap as our little family of 3 hung out at our home watching the colors spread the sky. I even sang Proud to Be An American! (sorry to all who heard it!)

These are the moments I live for. The moments of peace and realizing how blessed we truly are!