Sparklers!

We had a very quiet Fourth of July this year, which was a blessing. I think quiet and relaxed is the current theme during this season of my life. Our month of June into July was a very busy one - celebrating my grandmother's 90th birthday in Iowa, followed by celebrating my father in-law's birthday in Rockford the next weekend, followed by the Fourth of July. We needed a quiet weekend just to catch up with the weeds growing in our garden and sleep!

It's been lovely to get to see my brother, Dave, while he is home during his life transition from the Peace Corps.

Family didn't arrive at our house until the Fourth, so Rodney and I took advantage of a quiet Thursday (when we usually have Bible study in our home) to go on a date. We enjoyed a delicious meal, followed by ice cream, and a walk along the River Front. We even stopped at the bench where Rodney proposed a little more than 8 years ago!

On the actual Fourth, we ate a delicious meal of beef brisket (slow cooked on the grill by my hubby) with all of the fixings. Yum! Our Texas girls enjoy this Texas tradition almost as much as their parents and grandparents!

We didn't take the girls to fireworks this year. Remember how I said everyone was short on sleep? But we did pick up some sparklers, which from their faces you can see were enjoyed by all.