the bombs bursting in air

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 Aaron at the 4th of July Parade.

My brother and all of their kids were in the parade.

I wish I had taken any photos of them, but I only got video.

My sweet boy is proud to be an American!

 

Julie and Me.

My cousin Julie invited Aaron and me to come down on the 4th of July and spend the day with all of their family, so we did. Linda and Danny were in town, so it was really nice to see them again. We didn't have a lot of time to talk at Alvin's funeral.

We got to hang out at cousin Robert’s new apartment with all of them for the day. It was great to see everyone that was there.

In the evening, we walked to Cougar Stadium and sat on blankets outside to listen to the Beach Boys sing and then to watch the fireworks. Brian mentioned this in his news last month… as we watched the fireworks, there were some fireworks that must have misfired or something because they showered down on spectators sitting outside the stadium… including all of us. We stood there watching and waiting for it to be over. The fireworks that looked like big fireballs coming out of the sky would hit trees and just explode and they would look like the whole tree was aflame. They were landing on people’s laps, their camping chairs, and some landed right on Julie and Lisa and Dean… we were having to dodge them. They had to go to the first aid truck to get treated for burns. One even landed right next to Aunt Louise on the blankets we had been sitting on. It burned right through the blankets. It was scary and a crazy experience.

I sure did get some neat photos of the rest of the fireworks with the flag though.
Overall, it was a good day and it was fun to be with family. Thank you!

 And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Happy Independence Day everyone!

And thank you to our military!

I love the U.S.A.!

* * *

It Was The Spirit

* * * * * * * * * *

I wrote this down months ago and forgot to publish it and just found it in my drafts.

So I thought I would finish it and finally publish it because it is a sweet experience and one that I will treasure forever.

On Easter Sunday (2012), we were at Hazel's house visiting her after church.

We were there when the young men came to her house to bring her the Sacrament.

As they got ready to say the first prayer, I told Aaron to fold his arms and be very quiet while they blessed the Sacrament.

Between prayers, he leaned over to me and whispered something to me and I told him to Shhh and to be very quiet...

...after I said that to him, it registered to me what he had said.

I was pretty sure I heard him correctly and thought he had said something about feeling the spirit and said something about what he learned in primary.

So, after the Sacrament was over, I asked Aaron to tell me again.

He said that he had a feeling right here (as he touched his heart) and said they had talked about it in primary.

I asked him what the feelings felt like and as he tried to figure out how to explain it, I asked if it felt like a tickle or if it felt warm.

Then he wiggled his fingers as if to look like a tickle and said that it felt like a tickle.

I asked if he knew what that was and he said it was the Spirit.

So we talked about what the Spirit is... The Holy Ghost... and what the Holy Ghost does for us... tells us when something is good or true or how Heavenly Father tells us He loves us.

So, because he felt it during the Sacrament, that meant that the Sacrament is a good thing.

What a wonderful and JOYful experience to have with my son.

I loved that he told me the feelings he was feeling.

I am glad I realized after the fact what he had said so that I could ask him to tell me again what he said... AND I am glad he disregarded when I told him to be very quiet because I might have missed out on one of the most precious conversations I have ever had with my little boy.

What a blessing!!!

 * * *

Fleeting Moments

* * * * * * * * * * *

perfection

boy meets perfect, giant dandelion

 

boy laughs in perfect, giant dandelion's face

boy destroys perfect, giant dandelion

When I was editing these photos, I couldn't help but have the words 'fleeting moments' come to my mind over and over and over.

With school beginning again in just over a week, I think these thoughts are very appropriate.

I feel like I have blinked and Aaron Jr has gone from birth to 1st grade in a matter of a moment. It makes me sad. I know I cannot ask time to stand still, but I sure wish time would slow way down. I never realized the urgency I would feel when I reached this point in my life, the urgency to make sure I take advantage of these fleeting moments, the urgency to try to keep my sweet boy young and innocent for as long as I possibly can.

The urgency to enjoy these fleeting moments because I will blink and they will be gone.

I love this boy.

* * *

10 year anniversary

* * * * * * * * * * * *

 

~ August 21, 2002 ~

Today would be our 10 year wedding anniversary.

Aaron and I only got to celebrate 5 of those years together.

I will probably not get to celebrate a 50 year wedding anniversary in my lifetime, but that is what anniversary my parents will be celebrating this year. I am grateful they have had so many wonderful years together.

Those of you who get to spend so many years with your best friend by your side in a loving and happy marriage... please know how blessed you are. Cherish one another! :)

So, here are 10 of my favorite photos to celebrate 10 years...

 

Until we meet again...

I love you, Aaron.

* * *