Fireworks Were Different This Year!

Maybe it was my lack of being surrounded by my kids and grandkids, or maybe it was the surroundings of all of the history. It was hot, we couldn't find a place to stand...they started going off...then suddenly it was the grand finale....all of the sudden... I was overwhelmed with emotion. You know I realize that I get older the tears are easier to find. Emotion is always so close. A hug from one of my grandbabies, something sweet and unexpected from one of my wonderful children...blessings, all blessings! I am so blessed. Blessed to be married to a wonderful man for 32 years...blessed to be surrounded by supportive friends, blessed to live in the most wonderful country on the face of this earth, blessed to be on my way to heaven, blessed to see beauty each day! I see everything differently with age. I appreciate people, acts of kindness, quiet moments with God, yesterday I appreciate beauty. Beauty of fireworks layered on each other and patriotism ...a filling of wonder and awe filled me. For that moment at first I felt embarrased to look around. I mean, seriously Denise, crying....tears just flowing as those starburst of color boomed away. Then I realized there was nothing to be ashamed of.....I was overwhelmed at all the possibilities that other were not afforded. The ones that died in the beginnings of this country...the ones who gave freely their lives on foreign battlefields....the ones that continue to go because their country says so... I was overwhelmed with love, gratitude and beauty. Please know this..I take nothing for granted. I will not allow any vacation to take me away from my kids on the 4th of July again, but it was a moment of sweet and tender victory of my soul. I've never been a person without words. I always have an opinion or a thought....I rarely have speechless moments. I could hear in the distant burst of color these words pinned from a song.



God bless America land that I love,

Stand beside her and guide her,

Through the night with the light from above.

From the mountains to the praries to the oceans white with foam,

God Bless American my home sweet home.

Ok...I'm a sop....I love this country. My dad taught me that, my school teachers taught me that, my church taught me that....! Let's continue in the traditions of our father's.

The Labor Pains Begin

Labor pains began quickly this morning! I check my little six duck eggs first thing each morning and last thing at night. I turn them at least four to five times a day and midst them lightly with water. As my first collected egg was touched by my finger....it had a little place that felt like...yes....it was....punched almost through! I ran into tell Mark, "I'm gonna be a momma soon." Of course, he knew what I meant. He tries to act so cool and collected, but I knew he was as excited as I was. So, I keep watching...call me Ellie Mae, but I eagerly await the arrival of my very first hatchling. I remember the day when Mark handed me that little egg and I began this process. I will post a pic as soon as it is born. I have six total eggs and each has the date they were collected written on the outside shell.



As I watch the little egg will shake a bit and I know the little fella/gal is workin hard on the inside. Today, it will be born. Any suggestions for a name? I called my resident expert in hatchlings...my daughter-in-law Amber....she said now it is going to take awhile. I guess she knows I may sit by the incubator all day and wants me to chill a bit. I have calmed down now, but I still keep running in to see the egg and check to see if the shell has any changes on it. I texted Sarah and Krista to tell them I'm in labor early this morning. Sarah is glad it isn't her...and reminded me to breathe...isn't that great. Krista just wants to be here...she is like me thinks it is going to happen really quick. I did not raise a little country girl...the daughters in law are totally 100% country. So, today Krista and I may be at the incubator all day long! You know for over 30 days I have turned eggs....worked very hard to keep the temperature perfect, tried to keep the humidity level up. I have really taken this hatching thing seriously. I am sure that I will make it through this process...just pray for me...today is really cool!!!!!

Stress creates the best!!!!

I could say that last week was maybe one of those weeks that just you wish you could sleep through. So many things on your schedule that you just feel stress opening your eyes. Summer should be a time when you don't have to look at your calendar and then plan your day accordingly....yet that was last week. I had a full calendar of lia shows, a wedding, family drama, Alan out of work, Krista out of a car and no air, then add demands of others in the mnidst of it and it was just spelled S-T-R-E-S-S!
Saying all of that I can say my state of mind was a bit down. I knew I had one service at church yesterday and I needed to get all I could get crammed into those few moments of worship and preaching. I went in empty, yet EXPECTING! From the first moment of music I went there...just got lost...one of those times when it wouldn't matter who were there or what they thought...I was there for HIM! I was there to meet Him and throw myself at His feet to worship. Seriously, people I don't care what you think of how I go before Him...He is all that matters. I love Him and wanted to get there as fast as I could. I did! It was wonderful! I went immediately to the altar lifted my hands in surrender and adored the one who created all. I lost track of time, music, people ~ we met ...He and I! I emptied the week upon Him. Geeshh...did that feel good or what? I got up realizing how little stress I really have...how really blessed I am....went back to my little pew scooped up a couple of grandkids...kissing their beautiful faces....watch my oldest completely immersed in his Word! My pastor preached the message to one person yesterday...just ME! Thank you Jesus....I needed to hear exactly those Words from your heart. I walked out so full. Drop a pebble in my bucket now, I dare you...I'll splash all over you...PROMISE!! I thank God today for that stress....it was absolutely nothing..in the light of today...I am blessed everyday of my life I am blessed. That stress it did something wonderful for me...it made me hungry...hungry enough to take mine and yours. I devoured my time before the King of Kings....I threw myself at His feet and I am FREE! Stress created the best in me!

Hard Work Never Killed Anyone!

You know as I child my mom would tell me that a little hard work never killed anyone. I fear that we have raised a generation that is so soft that they cannot leave the air conditioning long enough to work gardens, mow grass, etc. This summer I have had ONE day that I had to stay in from the heat and even then, I longed for the outside. Everyone has excuses to not work hard...their backs are bad, they have some sort of ailments that keep them from becoming over heated. I think it is a sad state! Get outside, work hard...sweat a little...it will be good for you!