4th of July

Last year we were in Tennessee for the 4th and the boys were being taught how to light bottle rockets and cherry bombs! Of course Jax was still afraid and hid in the car the entire time! Fireworks are legal there (not like the ones we grew up with here, either!) and Gary and the boys had such a great time. We were on a vacant lot in the middle of nowhere and it was so dark and had I known Gary was showing the boys how to hold fireworks, light them and shoot them off I would have stopped it immediately and stomped on their fun! I swear to you that our family is not a bunch of gun toting whohaws like the people showcased on Jerry Springer! I am still not sure what Gary was thinking (and he was 100% sober) but I do know the boys did not get hurt and they will remember that forever and ever! Dad is so much more fun than Mom!

I grew up in Mission Viejo by the Lake on a culdesac and our neighbors gathered every year and all of the Dads lit what seemed to be hundreds of fireworks together and put on an exciting 4th of July show. I looked forward to that every year and hoped my kids would experience that each year as well. Obviously, times have changed.

Last night we were a tad bit disappointed as we watched the Laguna Niguel show and it abruptly stopped about 4 minutes in due to a brush fire that was started by some kids enjoying their own firework show on the hill.

By the time we all walked back to the house the show resumed and we all watched from our street - not the same. I guess that incident is precisely why fireworks are illegal now. All of the idiots who are irresponsible really piss me off because they have managed to ruin it for our kids and rob them of the 4th experience we all had growing up.

Yesterday I took the boys with my friend Christina and her 4 kids on the Salt Creek hike. We walked about 2 miles down to the beach where all 7 kids played in the water for hours while we relaxed on the beach. It would have been nice if the fog had lifted but it was still warm and we all had a great time. I was fearful that the kids would complain on the walk back. It is all uphill and after hiking down there and swimming for hours I figured we have some complainers! Not so! No one complained. Instead, the pack of 6 boys and 1 girl made it to the top with ease.

We swam with friends yesterday and had a great dinner (thank you in part to Bonnie). We had New York Steaks, Twice Baked Potatoes smothered with cheese, baked mac&cheese, watermelon, rolls, bar b qued corn on the cob and yummy bar b qued chicken! For dessert we had 3 kinds of ice cream, cherry/pineapple dump cake, brownies and cookies! We had enough food to feed an army and an army we had! 21 people joined us in the fun! How blessed we felt to be surrounded by some of our friends. Thanks for ditching your families and other friends to make our 4th special.

Gary managed to join us for a little bit at the pool and then sat at the table with us for dinner! He pretty much ate lots of food yesterday. So much more than he has eaten as of late. He topped it off with 2 helpings of dessert, too! Gary is trying to hang in there and obviously gain some weight. He is very uncomfortable and has pain but he really wants to be a part of everything and is trying very hard to do just that. He helped me get the house ready for company and did a few loads of laundry and made our bed. Despite his illness he always tries to help me. Like I told you he is a truly selfless individual. I just love him and his heart so much. He needs a break (permanent) from all of this cancer crap.

I truly believe Gary is going to be healed. I hesitate saying that sometimes because the odds are so stacked against that prognosis. However, I keep telling you that God can do anything and I keep telling him that I expect that from Him! I want Gary healed and that is the prayer I will keep praying. I know God hears me and I know He hears all of you, too. Keep asking Him to give Gary his earthly life back and banish his cancer forever!

Nothing to do today. Did I just say that? I can ALWAYS find a multitude of things to do. In fact, here is the immediate list that comes to mind - washing the car, cleaning the house, going to the gym, paying bills, doing laundry, cleaning the garage and so on. In between I guess I can relax (although it is not in my nature).

Have a great Saturday and I am off to do nothing! :)

Love,
L