Happy Fourth of July!

Eight years ago today, I distinctly remember going to the gym and doing a long, vigorous walk on the treadmill. I was almost 39 weeks pregnant with Elyse and I wanted my baby girl to be born on July 4 so she'd have fireworks on her birthday every year. It didn't work. Even in utero, Elyse did everything on her own terms and didn't listen to her mother!

The Fourth of July in Phoenix is not the same as I grew up celebrating. I always get homesick for that traditional "small-town" celebration I am missing with my family in North Dakota: parade (which means tons of candy for the kids), being handed a baritone horn and remembering how to play it, jumping on a flatbed, cracking a beer at 10 a.m. and playing with the Little German Band in the parade, then a picnic with the family and in recent years, going to the lake with family. Talking, laughing and having fun....with the family. Now I have to admit, and some of you maybe have heard me say it, that sometimes it is nice being in Arizona: 2000 miles away from my very large, loud and crazy family...however, after reading Facebook updates from my nieces, today is not one of them. I am missing sibling bonding, laughs shared, memories relived and new ones made...but alas, it is what it is and I am here and they are there...and there's always next year.

So instead of celebrating with their Allmaras cousins today, the girls went to a Fourth of July celebration with our neighbors...pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., bike/wagon parade, volleyball, water balloons, etc. Sounded perfect for them and a great opportunity for Mom to have the morning to herself at home! So last night they decorated their scooters and planned their best red, white and blue outfits and this morning at 7:45 a.m. they were on their way to celebrate our great country's independence.

Meanwhile, the dogs and I hung out at home, resting and relaxing after our morning workout. With or without The Little German Band and my family, I am debating cracking a beer....after all, we have much to celebrate today! God Bless America!