....and I'm PROUD to be an American

America the beautiful!  Wow, I am often in awe at how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place.  I took lots of pictures over the past few days to capture all the fun we had as a family celebrating the July 4th holiday...but, I'm most impressed with this sunset that Chad captured with his phone. The sunset, over the Charleston harbor with the bridge in the background and in the far right middle of the photo, you can see an American flag on a pier.....I so wish I had taken my big camera lens with me...as you looked the distance, there were about 10 or 15 American Flags decorating the piers along the water. 

Once the sun set, we were able to enjoy fireworks from the deck of the USS Yorktown. 

Beautiful day....wonderful way to celebrate our country.

On Tuesday night, we went to see the Riverdogs baseball game and enjoyed their Independence Day fireworks celebration.  As you all think about the cookouts, fireworks and family time that you enjoyed on the 4th, take time to think about this as well.....

Our most favorite pre-school teacher, Miss Rachel, has become a family friend (she happens to be Payton's girlfriend, but thats beside the point...yes, significant age difference but she is so awesome that I'm okay with it!).

 Miss Rachel is an absolutely amazing, well educated, Christian girl....and, she's a Tarheel fan.  She is also extremely patriotic.  She just celebrated her 26th birthday.  She is a WIDOW.  Yes, a widow, at 26...and, she's been a widow for two and a half years.  I guess "technically" she's not a widow, because she wasn't married, but to me, she is a widow.  My cousin, Leslie, is also a young widow and its just not something I handle well.

Rachel's fiance, Jonathan, was killed in action in Afghanistan in December of 2009. 

I really don't have the ability to put into writing all that I really think and feel about this...and, my words will not honor him as much as they should but, these things have been weighing heavy on my mind....especially after the celebrating on Tuesday with Rachel...and I wanted to do my best to attempt to share a few thoughts.  Bottom line....freedom isn't free....remember that every single day!  For you to live here, work here, play here....someone gave it all up for you....and they leave behind special people who are never, ever the same.  Our sweet Miss Rachel happens to be one of those people who has lost the love of her life....for you, for me, for my kids.....its just too much for me to process sometimes.

We barely knew Rachel at the time, she had only been Payton's preschool teacher for a few weeks, but my heart broke for her.  It still does.  We never met Jonathan but I know that he must have been a super awesome person!  Jonathan died fighting for our country...the country that we are able to celebrate this week...as we spend time with our families, endulging on our favorite foods, dressing up in our favorite Red, White and Blue, smiling for family pictures with a georgous sunset behind us, and oohhhhing and aaahhhing over the fireworks in the sky......please stop to remember our military....they make sacrifices that often go unnoticed.  Jonathan gave the ultimate sacrfice....for us, he gave all for us....and, I never even met him!  Like Jonathan, many more have given the ultimate sacrifice....recently and in years past....they have left behind friends and families who miss them terribly.  

I'm not asking you to celebrate differently...I surely didn't....but, I certainly celebrate with different meaning...it means more to me....its more than flags and cute outfits....its an honor to be here to celebrate.  I planned my red, white and blue outfit in advance.  I was bummed that it wasn't more patriotic...and, I'm going to be looking for some nice red, white and blue outfits over the next few months. I know Rachel didn't hide from celebrations either...but, I know the holidays are a little tougher for her to get through sometimes....she celebrated with friends, on the beach, with a flyover and she rocked an awesome stars and stripes bathing suit while celebrating. 

As I sat by her on Tuesday night watching fireworks at the Riverdogs game, I was the one with tears in my eyes....sad for her that she was here celebrating without him by her side....its just not fair!  She doesn't want or need me to cry for her....or be sad for her....she's by far one of the strongest people I know...Rachel and my cousin Leslie put me to shame....both being stronger than they even realize!  I am happy we have her in our lives....just wish we were lucky enough to have him too....instead, I will always be more patriotic than I was before as a tribute to him.  It's not much compared to what he did for me but with each military holiday, I will honor him and his sacrifice in some small way....even if its just by saying a word of thanks to him with fireworks bursting overhead.

As for Miss Rachel....we'll stick by her forever....if she'll let us....and we'll forever be grateful for the patriotism she has already instilled in Payton.  He's known the words to "Jose can you see" since he was three! 

In fact, I guess I can't really say we don't know Jonathan.....he shines on through Miss Rachel every. single. day....blues eyes and all! 

Hope you enjoyed your July 4th celebrations....hope you took a moment to be thankful for the freedom to be here celebrating with the ones you love!

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I'd worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I'd thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.

That I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.