These are in reverse order of the day, as it is getting dark here with the finale of fireworks!!
My son, Scott, wife Carrie, and Peyton above and then Carrie's sister and husband, Janel and Dave, and boys, Preston and Andrew below....it was great to have you all!!
Nana and Papa below....come back!!!.....the other Grandparents!
Kids are never bored at this age!!
Buckey the Longhorn will be retiring this year...we'll miss him at our house!! Thanks Bobby and Bonnie for the years of bringing him to park in the yard!! Are any young ones being trained for his position?
The famous Round Top Brass Band!
Cowboys and.....
Cowgirls riding with true colors....
Transportation way back then......
....and now.....Even this big truck, beautiful, got in the parade!
Just like the bears and the banner say..."God Bless America"
From tractors to hot rods...
to politicians campaigning....that is a great freedom!! Go ABE.
Hey!!....we are behaving and having fun....I promise! No need for CSI to investigate that here!
YUMMMM.....
All the grand kids piled on with Grand dad....
My hero....my sweetie!
Children are our cherished heritage....everyone of them!!
All of them!!!
Each and everyone!!!
Happy fourth....and happy retirement BUCKEY!!
Here are some pictures of our 4th of July Parade passing in front of our house..... a yearly tradition in our town with family and cherished friends. Who DOESN'T seek "to be FREE?" Even, "we" who live in a free country "seek freedom" in many different ways. Above are evidences of what kinds of freedom we already have in this blessed Nation. I hope you will reflect and cherish the freedom we have had from the beginning that was also paid for by our veterans and others.....they especially understand what "freedom" is and to be cherished....some giving their lives for us to stay free. THEN there is another cherished freedom.....not only can you obtain it in the USA, but anywhere your heart is open to receiving it and it's eternal blessing! Many in foreign nations have it but don't have the "freedom" to live it or to share it or even talk about it without being persecuted!! Here is not only a cherished freedom like we still have in our Nation that so many seek, but the Freedom that goes beyond life itself! TRUE FREEDOM..... "...if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." John 8:32,36 Blessings!
.JPEG)
Today was a sad day in many ways. The funeral of my Mother's little sister, in her eighties, went home to be with the Lord. That is a good thing .... that you go home to the Lord. I was overwhelmed with tears in church last night, as I thought of how she was the last of "that generation" in our family, and how it made me miss my Mother. She died in 2001, but it is still hard because she was so very special to us all. I have a brother named after my Aunt Eddie ... his name is Edward, but it was with her in mind when they called him "Eddie". He is still living, but I miss him because he has separated himself from me ..... for many reasons I can think of, but not sure "exactly" why. We really never got along after we were adults. I didn't go to the funeral, a short trip, today, ... too vulnerable .... it was just too hard this time around ... it is too painful. Selfish, I know, ... but I just chose to hide away. I seem okay as long as I stay away and keep busy with other things. Well, I stayed away today and sat in the studio to try to do art .... I had an overwhelming sadness. I had started this piece last week but it didn't seem to go anywhere, just didn't come together and had no desire to finish it ...... until I looked at a page from scripture still laying on my desk from doing the beatitudes .... and there it was .... it just popped out at me!!! Matthew 5:23,24. Click on it to read it.... It is in the old scripture language on the art, but it hit home for sure and it was sooo convicting considering my brother. I DO love him and I DO forgive him and hope he WILL forgive me for what it is that has him so angry at me. ANYWAY, loss is hard, either in death or in life....both have loss. This art piece was easier for me to do with him in mind and what the Lord might be doing through it .... either for him in time to come or for me today. I added the hearts .... for the desire of a loving relationship as a brother and sister, which I withheld from him for years in anger ..... very hurtful to a younger brother. The little bird is flying with a heart in his beak to hopefully drop it in the right place ... for healing ..... before it is too late. I will miss Aunt Eddie and do I love you, Eddie, my little brother. Blessings.....
