July 4th, Happy America Day?!?

It just doesn't have the same ring as Happy Canada Day! We had a happy day anyway, starting with a nice uphill walk to a nice playground where Sam and Ashton played, you guessed it, nicely for an hour! I love Tami. We had such a great chat about the implications of "Independance Day" and about what true freedom intales and emparts (not bad for two housewives at 9am!). Then we went back to Tami's house where the boys continued to play until it was time to head home for an early lunch. (I was despritely trying to wear Sam out so that he'd take an early nap, since we had big plans!)

So, Sam was asleep around 12noon. I got us packed up, did my exercise video (woohoo!), showered and was almost ready by the time he woke up at 2:30pm. We were graciously invited to a 4th of July party by our friends Jennifer, Jeff and Shannon and they even came to pick us up! (I'm telling you, I think I've met the nicest people in Southern California!) We relaxed in their house, swam in their beautiful pool (Sam played in Shannon's wading pool before and after a dip in the big pool), ate (too much) yummy BBQ and sides and M&M's ( :) ) (there's no way I can weigh myself in the morning! but I'm not complaining...it was nice to have some treats) and enjoyed some nice adult time while the kids played well together (with a little guidence here and there) (there were 3 two year old boys and one 3 year old girl and one 6 month old, but since they all play together at Mom's club, they got along pretty well). When they went to see the fireworks, Sam and I came home. (These pics were from a different day, although the kids were wearing the same clothes today)




It's so interesting here. I don't know if it's because visibility is so very poor due to smog, but tonight there are fireworks in like 10 different locations in this mid-sized city. (Un)Fortunately for us, the closest ones to us are about one block away. Since Sam wasn't quite asleep when they started going off, I went in. He said, "I hear something." (this happens to be his favorite saying these days, at any noise he can't identify) So, I asked if he'd like to see something different. He agreed, so I brought him outside and showed him the pretty lights in the sky. Sam did "not like it" so we promptly came inside and laid him in his crib. He said, "I hear the hammers." So we sang songs about hammers and how builders use them and the different things they build. Then I slowed it down and sang "Allelluia." He's such a peaceful, peace loving kid. He immediately laid down on his pillow and shut his eyes. As I was singing, "Allelluia, I love Jesus..." with the noise of fireworks being blown up a block away, I was thinking about a guy that I went to UNB grad school with. He told me once how his wife and two little girls (5 and 8 at the time) were still in the Middle East. How their city is under attack weekly. How his precious daughters are afraid to fall asleep at night because of the guns and missiles and cranads going off around them and the sounds of airplanes flying low. How they live in constant fear. How they are scared to leave the only home they know even if it means freedom from that daily fear. How relatively free we are in this temporary home...

So, tonight I'm going to celebrate the gift of freedom...not in the "hurrah, we're independant of British rule, now let's impose our cultural freedom while economically enslaving other cultures and countries," but the freedom of the life that God's given to me and my family...freedom from the commercialism of our culture, freedom to live in genuine peace with our family and friends, freedom to live in peace in the midst of uncertain times, freedom to worship the giver of true peace in word and in song...

Sam fell asleep to the peaceful song he loves overpowering the loudness of the explosive celebration. I think Homer said it best, "Let's celebrate our country by blowing up a small part of it!" (or something like that...oh, were you expecting something deep from the philosopher?) :)








PS-I missed most of the show, but did manage a few pictures taken from our front step. Not the ideal location, plus I hand-held the camera, but it's better than nothing :) I think next year, I'm going to scope out a prime location with Melanie on the Tracy bridge :P