Blessing: "Staycation"

This summer we went to Adventureland.  We decided that since we did Disney last year (exhausting and expensive) we'd just do a "Staycation" this year.  Brenda, Joshua, Nathan (Josh's friend), Kenley, Alexis, Justin and I went. Alexis had a blast as she was FINALLY tall enough to ride most of the "big rides".  She loved the Dragon.  Rode it 3 times and would have more if we would have let her.  It was a beautiful summer day and we LOVED the waterpark they have there now (although we didn't get pics of that).  We are blessed to be able to have the health to ride the rides, have the money to do this with our kids, and have family we love to go with.  Fun day!

Blessing: FREEDOM!

I love the 4th of July.  Maybe it's because it's in the middle of summer and I love summer.  No, that's not it.  It's because it's a celebration of our Independence and I'm so very thankful to live in a FREE country.  I'm thankful for each and every one of our service men and women and their families who sacrifice more than most of even realize.  I'm thankful for my brother, Adam, who gave 6 years of his life to serve in the U.S. Air Force.  I know it wasn't easy for him to be away and miss out on 6 years of his niece and nephew's lives.  It wasn't easy for him to miss family Christmas, Easter, birthdays.  It wasn't comfortable for him to leave our country for an entire year to be stationed in Korea.  But--It's because of people like him that we get the opportunity to enjoy freedom.  THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart, to each and every U.S. service men and woman.

                                            My brother, Adam, in the plaid shorts.  Thanks

                                                               for your service Adam!

Here are a few pictures of our family enjoying Independence Day this year!

                                             Sparklers at the Storm Lake fireworks.

                                          Our crew parked waiting for fireworks in Storm Lake.

                                            Austin enjoying the parade in Storm Lake.

                                                    The kids having fun at the parade.

                                           Miss Independence Day Birthday Girl and Papa Cy

                                                                 Happy 4th of July!

Blessing: Swimming Lessons

This summer, my pretty girl got to take swimming lessons at our local Newell Pool (6/27-7/1_).  That pool in itself is a blessing.  We MIGHT have gone crazy in Newell this summer without it!   It was a huge blessing that Alexis could take Swimming Lessons with Becky.  Becky was GREAT with her (she loved her) and she learned a ton.  She was super timid about swimming alone at the beginning of the summer but after lessons with Becky, she did amazing.  She passed her swimming test to go off of the boards and was a rockstar for the rest of the summer. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE to go to the pool and want my kids to be able to grow up loving it too.  So thankful for swimming lessons!