Fireworks, Family and Fun.... water included

First off, I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July holiday and found a way to relax and enjoy the day(s).
I know we certainly did.  We headed out of state and spent time at Hubby's Uncle and Aunt's lake home.  Next headed to his parents house, and finally on to my parents house.  We had fun, did lots of swimming and relaxing.  Here's our week, in pictures.

Sunset Swimming

4th of July Boat Parade

Bikini Wearing

Brand new baby cousin holding

Crashing

Fireworks Watching (from the boat)

Sunset Lovin'  (while watching a Little house on the Prairie Pageant)

And some donut making (and eating!)

We went to a couple of different swimming pools, both had diving boards, high and low.  I even did some diving ~ haven't done that forever!  Action gave me a "10" :)

We also went and saw the movie "Brave".  It was good, a little dark, but good.  I think Smiley would have been scared, but she fell asleep halfway through the movie.  We had had a fun afternoon at the swimming pool and she didn't get a nap in.  There were a couple of little girls with their mom and grandma sitting next to me and they left 3/4 of the way through, because they were scared.

It was super fun to visit with family and relax!  Tell me, what did you do?

A Weekend

of Ordinary Miracles.

Friends...
We hosted a potluck for Sassy's softball team.  Ah, the sound of adult conversation and children running around giggling, dodging the raindrops, squealing and  just having fun.  Music to my ears.


Rain....
Waking up Saturday morning to the sound of thunder and the gentle pitter patter of the rain hitting my window.  

And yes, the Skid Row song just popped into my head....

Woke up to the sound of pouring rain. 
The wind would whisper and I'd think of you
And all the tears you cried that called my name
And when you need me I came through

Oh my... Loved Sebastian Bach back in the day (he hasn't aged real well)

Wow, that was a rewind to 8th grade.  YIKES!



Anyway....

A lazy Saturday, a little shopping with my 2 girls, and then a baptism.
BEAUTIFUL.

Reception at our friends home and then, a sick little Sassy.  Bummer. 
Darn stomach bugs.

Sunday.
Church.
A mommy "date" for donuts with Action and a relaxing day for me.  Yep, while my hubby ripped out flooring ☺!  More on that at a later date!

A fabulous... mostly picture free weekend of friends, mother nature, and rest ~ ORDINARY MIRACLES.

A baby

One of my dearest friends had a baby on Monday.

A beautiful baby girl.  She has 3 older brothers who will guide her, play with her, love her and protect her.  Not to mention a mother and father who dreamt of her, prayed for her and are more deeply blessed because of her. What a lucky little girl.

I saw her tonight.

I held her in my arms.

So tiny ~ so precious.  An  (extra~ordinary) ordinary miracle from God.

It got me thinking.

No matter our age, gender or race, we are all miracles.  We all have a purpose. 

There is a song I know ~ it was written by David Haas and goes something like this,

We are called to act with justice.
We are called to love tenderly.
We are called to serve one another, to walk humbly with God.

We are called to be hope for the hopeless,
so all hatred and blindness will be no more!


Anyway, she is a beautiful girl. 

And my wish for you little girl and for all you stopping by to visit today ~ as sung by Rascall Flatts

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you're faced with the choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you

My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you and the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get

May you have a blessed day!