On Independence Day....

"We must be free not because we claim freedom, 

but because we practice it." 

~ William Faulkner

The older I become, the more I grow to appreciate this day set aside to celebrate our nation's independence. It truly is a blessing to live in this country. Since I spread my freedom out all year long I don't feel like I have to squeeze it all into one day and thank goodness because this year there was a lot to do...

 Jason left early, before my eyes even thought of cracking open, to pack up and haul back the equipment from girls camp at Stimpson. Then Lauren came home from camp all stinky and tired with a load of camping gear in tow. Lauren had a short time to rest and a quick shower to wash away the mountain dirt and stench before she and I had to work our shift at the firework stand for the cheer fundraiser. We survived the grueling four hour shift in the scorching Vegas heat. No fan, no air conditioner, just the blessed shade provided by the flimsy plywood shack. We sold happiness to pyros while sweat beads rolled down our backs. Finally it was time to enjoy. We joined the Pisciotta's, Stewart's, Beck's, and Conger's for swimming, eating, and a fab firework display. There were a few sketchy moments during the firework show, some scurried and scattered to save themselves from the fiery darts. A few were not so lucky.... but a little flesh burn never hurt anyone... right? As we watched the barrage of illuminations in the sky I paused for a moment, thinking of the lyrics "and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air" and was thankful to those who fought and continue to fight to allow our flag to brilliantly wave "over the land of the free and the home of the brave...." 

Happy 4th of July!!!!

Jace going for a dunk

Lauren and Chloe

Lauren and Sadie

Jace and the mega sparkler

Impromptu

June 30-July 2

ordinary days can pile up. they are necessary, i suppose, but it is good for the soul to be spontaneous every now and then. this post is about one of those "now and thens." 

it began with a phone call sunday morning, which caused us to rent a car within the hour, a small wait time in the form of church, then southbound on I-15 to irvine. we wrapped up a small business transaction* monday morning, then we explored.....

it began with crystal cove; a beachy nature sanctuary just down from laguna beach. we found tide pools with crawly creatures that swapped shells and natural beaches with an occasional lobster carcass. there were rocks aching to be climbed, sand ready to be dug into, and waves that deviously reached farther and farther on shore to snatch up abandoned flip- flops. (one of which Jason had to heroically rescue) lauren was at girls camp, so jace was free to explore to his heart's content.....

crystal cove also has a sandy beach- bring your beach towel- swim in the ocean type area so we drove to a different parking area and walked down to that beachfront. there are vintage rustic coastal cottages originally built as a seaside colony in the 1930’s & 40's nestled close to the beach- one has been repurposed as a beachside restaurant and others are overnight rentals. they fill up quick so book in advance!! jason found a cozy shady spot while jace headed straight into the vast ocean to jump some waves.

that night we feasted on el torito then drove to laguna. jason had a face off with his old pal zoltar and jace and I enjoyed a rainbow sprinkled balboa bar. we strolled the old wooden pier watching the sun sink, bowing out in beauty, to let the moon have it's turn to shine. 

 

on tuesday we wandered through ikea to see what we couldn't live without, stuffed ourselves on the shakey's pizza lunch buffet, and tempted our willpower with a stop at the entrance of disneyland. we finally gave in and headed back home through the hot, dry desert.

*small business transaction
the small business transaction was linked to the sunday morning call that assured us the trip would be worthwhile and that the little bundle of joy was still available....

it had been on a list for years, brewing in our minds for months, and researched for weeks. i like to think of myself as impulsive, but when it comes to big ticket items jason and i are quite methodical and very logical. we compare, evaluate, then re-evaluate and compare again. i know, that is so boring, please don't fall asleep...wake up, wake up. the truth is we are not normal so we make logical choices based on the not normal things we love. in this case it was this darling.....

don't ask we why we didn't get a picture of it in california, but this 2010 mini cooper clubman is our newest edition. pictured at cedar breaks in utah....

and i'm in love....