Just the two of us!

This time last weekend, we were returning from our mini vacation to Panama City Beach, Florida. It was a wonderfully relaxing time for us and we really needed it! Our lives tend to be so busy with daily responsibilities and I had begun to feel that my sweet husband and I were living parallel lives that rarely intersected for any length of time. It was so great just to spend alone time together and just "be", with no real schedules or agendas! I can tell you it was a terrific time of renewal for both of us! Note to self: Never, never let so much time pass without just a small oasis of renewal!
We returned home through Enterprise, Alabama, where we attended church on Sunday and touched base with our former church family. There is a wonderful group of people there. We were stationed at Fort Rucker when we had no children, when we had young children, and when we had teenage children so they have known us through many seasons of our lives. We lived there 10 out of the 26 years Alf was in the Army.
Alf and I laugh at the commercials that show grown children's perception of their parents really having no real life apart from what they are aware of. Even though we are older, we still have the passion for life and each other that has always been there. Even after almost 40 years of marriage, I am so very thankful for our life together and the lasting love we have for each other! I am especially thankful for our relationship with our Heavenly Father who has been the glue that has held us together through the years! Ah love........Sigh!!!!!!

4th of July Weekend!

Ready for the cook out!

Homemade Butterfinger ice cream, Yum!

Ashlyn

Noah

Grey

Jax

Grey, patiently fishing!

Noah, waiting for a bite!

The catch of the day!

Our 4th of July weekend started with a cookout and fireworks on Friday evening. Our children and grands were here to eat and enjoy fireworks. The children especially enjoyed the sparklers! Josh, Jen, Ashlyn, and Jax left for Gulf Shores for a vacation at the beach on Saturday morning. Noah, Grey and I spent the better part of Saturday fishing at Gigi and Gida's house. Noah caught several little fish and we threw them back but she loved the thrill of the catch! Fish robbed Grey's line of worms and we spent some time getting his line untangled from the brush along the bank. It was a fun day and Gida even joined us to fish for a little while! Sunday evening, we had our traditional church cookout at the Harder's beautiful home. We had a great crowd and loads of food! What fun! Yesterday was quiet for us and we finished some chores around the house. Alf mowed the yard so that is finished for the week!

It is a humbling experience to think about all of the freedom that we have in this beautiful country, America! Even the name of our country sounds majestic! How thankful we are for the men and women through the ages that have fought and died for our continued independence! Hope everyone had a blessed 4th!