Happy Fourth of July Everyone!

We have a very busy next couple of days, as many of you might have as well. We have been preparing some today for a bright and early start tomorrow. I told the children ahead of time that today would be a work day and then Fri and Sat play days. So they all pitched in and helped today (even H helped...undo things that is! :) ) The boys cleaned out the van really well, and folded mammoth amounts of laundry. I have started having them do their own laundry, and while I washed a bunch, they had tons of folding to do. I let them do it while they watched a video though, so it made it more fun. The girls also helped with laundry and cleanup. Anyhow, we plan on leaving around 7 am in the morning for a fun daytrip to Georgia. S's aunt lives there and another aunt, and cousins from NC are also planning on coming. We plan on spending the full day there. It is only about a 2 hour drive. We will stay till quite late since we plan on going to see the fireworks with them as well. So, it looks like some nice midnight talking time for mom and dad on the road coming home. We always have gone to Arkansas and made this our summer vacation in the past, staying for several days. Playing on the lake, boating, water skiing, swimming, enjoying our dear family, and chowing down Nona's d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s cooking! So, this year we will really miss being there. Hopefully, S can build up vacation time at his new job and we can head that way soon.

Saturday then, we plan on spending the day with my parents, doing something special. We are not sure what yet, maybe go to the downtown area here, which is GORGEOUS with flowers, a big suspension bridge, waterfalls and the quaintest little shops. It reminds us the UK actually, it is so quaint and nice. We probably will celebrate J's 11th bday also. We might go and buy some more fireworks to do that night, we will see.

So, busy couple of days coming up, as it may be for many of you. Whether you are with family or friends, I hope you have a wonderful time. How thankful I am that the Lord has given us such a country. IN GOD WE TRUST!