4th of July

Every year we go to Elberton to celebrate 4th of July. Hailey's family (my adopted family) lives there and dad's birthday is on the 5th so it's just a weekend full of excitement. He is one of the most hard-working, honorable men I know...which also makes him the hardest to buy gifts for! He is content with what he has and doesn't want gifts unless they're practical. We all went in together and got him an ipod this year since he does love music. And he's excited because he can download sermons to it and listen while he works on the tractor. That's the kind of man he is.

The majority of the time we're here we're in the living room. And when I say we, I mean all nine of us (and more on occasion) just spending time together. Right now Mom, Dad & Hannah are playing on the floor, Michael & I are on laptops, and the rest are playing Rock Band on XBOX. It's not that we're doing anything spectacular, really, we're all just happy to be together. I swear we just love to be goofy together. Last night we were playing Halo and the computer named me Hippo. No, I'm not kidding. I was, of course, annoyed, and everyone laughed for a good 20 minutes or so just because of that. We're silly people and I wouldn't change that for anything in the world.

When Nanny and Papa come over to eat with us there's 4 generations around the table. I look around at everyone and thank God that I am part of this wonderful family. They mean more to me than I can even begin to tell you and I can honestly say that I don't know where I would be without their influence in my life. I know that I talk a lot about them but I can't help it. I am constantly overwhelmed by their love and generosity.

If you got through all the rambling and made it this far I am amazed but thank you for sticking with me. I hope that all of you had weekends that were equally as wonderful!