Happy Fourth of July!

We've been having a great, relaxing Fourth of July here at our house. This yummy blackberry cobbler just came out of the oven, and is ready to go with us to our friends' home for a delicious cookout and fireworks celebration. I will give a complete update tomorrow, so for now enjoy this day with your family and be thankful for the freedom we have here in the beautiful United States of America!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Best Dog Gone Dog in the West

We've enjoyed utilizing our metropolitan library system this summer for some great books to read. But we've also enjoyed the free movie rentals too! I've been checking out one or two a week for us to watch and so far, the girls' hands down favorite has been Old Yeller. They love the dog (of course) and the situations he gets himself into. They are sad when Old Yeller gets "hydrophobia" and have asked all kinds of questions about it including, "Will a wild wolf ever jump out and bite me and give me hydrophobia?" So far this week, the girls have watched the movie twice and talk about it often. I think they secretly want a "pretty yeller dog" for themselves. Someday perhaps....

In addition to Old Yeller, we've also checked out some other Disney classics such as Swiss Family Robinson and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It has been fun to see the girls watch these movies for the first time.

What were some of your favorite childhood movies?

Hot Times at the OKC Zoo

Today was a much anticipated trip to the Oklahoma City Zoo. We planned to go this morning so PaPa would be off of work and could come with us. We headed out early to try to avoid the scorching over 100 degree temperatures. The first thing on our list? The new Elephant exhibit to see the sweet new baby elephant born in April of this year. She was out with her Mama, and was incredibly cute. She stayed close to her mother's legs, and my attempt to capture her with my phone's camera didn't quite capture her cuteness accurately. It was so fun to watch her!

Mama Elephant and Baby

Afterwards, the sun was beating down on us already, so we stopped for an ice cold lemonade and a little play time while we waited for a tram to come by and take us to the next area of the park. We usually walk, but with today's heat, we opted for shade and motorized transportation.

Enjoying the shade, waiting for the tram, playing in the dirt.

Leah in the water at the Children's Zoo

After our tram ride and a twirl on the carousel (no photos unfortunately), we ended up at the Children's Zoo area and headed straight for the water. They have a wonderful waterway that spills downhill, and kids love to play in the water, making dams with the rocks all while cooling off from the heat.

Eventually the heat won out, and we had to just head indoors to the Herpetarium. We had a lot of fun checking out the snakes, lizards, gila monsters, komodo dragons and turtles. Thank goodness for indoor exhibits with air conditioning!

Is it hot where you are? What do you do to deal with the heat?

July 1st

On this first day of July....

* We went to the gym

* We played at the park

* We sweated profusely and complained about the heat

* We played at my Aunt Lindell's house

* We went to Pelican Bay to swim

* We met up with good friends for dinner

Me and my friend Corey

* We struck model poses

"Cover of Vogue--Go!"

* We laughed

* We played

* We enjoyed our first July day!

Parade Day

The girls have been attending a summer program called Adventure Quest at my mom's church. Every Tuesday and Thursday in the month of June they spend the day doing crafts, playing games, reading books, hearing Bible stories, and enjoying a cure for summer boredom. Today their class had a Fourth of July parade. They've been working hard to learn the preamble to the Constitution as well as the lyrics to "God Bless America" and "This is My Country". Leah got to wear a Statue of Liberty Costume and was super excited about that. They paraded up and down the hallway singing and throwing candy to the parents and kids that came to watch.

Leah Liberty and Festive Hannah

Parading down the hall

Stopping for a photo-op.

Leah displaying her torch

The girls and one of their Adventure Quest teachers, Miss Mimi. Mimi was one of my Sunday School teachers when I was little! She has a sweet, gentle nature and a passion for teaching children.

It was fun to watch them today. And get ready to see the girls wearing these dresses several more times in the next few days. We're ready to get our "Festive Fourth" gear on!

Mama Bird

Most days, after I am done at "exercise church" (as the girls call it), we head outside to play at the playground for a few minutes. It helps the kids run out a bit more energy before we head home to eat lunch and have nap/rest time. Today we saw a lovely, yellow-breasted kingbird flitting about over a crepe myrtle. She seemed to hover in mid-air as she chirped and chattered up a storm. The kids and I thought she might have a nest in the tree, so we went to check it out. And sure enough, we spotted the nest! The mama bird was instinctively protecting her babies from potential danger. I told the girls we were making the mama bird nervous and we should play on the other side of the playground. As we slowly stepped away Leah said, "Good-bye, Mama Bird! We're real proud of you!"

I thought about that mother bird later in the day, and compared her actions to my own. I would certainly flit about and make some noise if one of my "baby birds" were in physical danger. But then I thought about the not so obvious dangers-- subtle things that sneak in through various media or other kids at the playground. I sometimes don't want to make a big deal about something at the risk of hurting feelings or looking silly. But, I realized that I need to protect their little hearts and minds just as much as I need to protect their physical bodies.

So thank you for that lesson today, Mama Bird. I really appreciate it.

Looking Back on Forgotten Lake Photos

The last weekend in April we went out to Lake Tenkiller for a spring getaway with some friends. My aunt and uncle's house is a wonderful place to truly "get away" from the hectic pace of life. Situated on the top of a hill, you can see the lake shimmering down below. From the back porch, however, you can sit, sip some coffee and listen to the sounds of the woods. I had no idea that this weekend was the last one that my mom would be alive. I said good-bye to her in her hospital room the day before we left-- it was my last time to see her. Before I left her room, I gave her a hug and told her I loved her. She responded with an "I love you too, Em." But then, as I had taken a few steps out into the hallway, she called out again, "Love you!!" I had no idea that that would be my last hug. My last "I love you." I did speak with her on the phone that Saturday night while I was at the lake. Her voice sounded weak, and we didn't talk long, but she said for me to drive carefully on the way home and that she loved me.

As you remember, I ended up leaving my camera at the lake and I just got it back this past Sunday. Looking through these forgotten lake photos makes me both happy and sad. Happy because we had such a great weekend. But sad, because I see myself in these photos as completely oblivious to the sorrow that was to happen just a day after I returned. I am thankful that I was able to have a relaxing weekend before the "Storm" hit. And I am thankful that my last visit with my mom was so sweet.

Back porch view. We spent a lot of time relaxing here as the kids all played together in the yard.

Taking an evening stroll to watch the sunset.

Me and Lucas

Reed and Marlee; Mike and Lucas

The sky is turning that beautiful twilight purple.

The sun is starting its descent.

There is it in all its glory.

We fit in a few rounds of Bananagrams, of course.

The "big girls": Hannah, Parker, Leah, Berklee

The "grown up girls": Me, Tanda, Nikki

We are heading back to the lake in a few weekends to fit in some time actually on/in the lake (not just looking at it!). Going to the lake is what people do down here in our land-locked state to avoid the insane heat. And to slow down and spend time with family. That sounds pretty good to me!