Red, White and Blue

Chelle took these pictures with her iPhone and then added the app. They were really cute, but I couldn't leave well enough alone, so I added some scrapbook elements and papers from a Scrapgirls kit by Elisha Barnett called Born in the USA.  So here we are looking very patriotic with our red 'white' and blue.

We enjoy having her and her family come, especially in early July, because we all really appreciate the fireworks and the trip out on the lake to see them. With lots of snapping photos and  a little photoshopping, its even more fun.

God Bless America, Land of the Free

Freedom to Accept Others

Ava's picture is a little overwhelmed by the large flowers, but I wanted to show the many tire tracks in the sand. She was at a local beach looking like she was going to show off some of her gymnastic skills. Cute. It was for sure a pleasant place for her to be on that nice day in early June.

Well you are now witnessing a first time ever. Still don't know if I'm satisfied, but I had to add a copy of Ava to the layout. It was just too hard to see her sweet face and expression. I'm leaving the first layout, so that you can compare. It would be interesting to see how the comments compare. Here is the newer layout.

It may still be difficult to see her face well without enlarging it. I hope you can.

I'm sure there are differing opinions on which layout is better. I'm sure some don't like it at all for varying reasons. That is the way we have been created. We all think differently. That is ok. It is fine. Actually it is great. That way we can learn from each other. We must never get to the point that we insist everyone thinks like us. We should be able to agree to disagree. If you have not learned to accept other's opinions as their right...then you need to rethink your whole existence and purpose. If we were all alike, all of us would want to do the same things at the same time, eat the same things...leaving other foods uneaten, etc. What a sad world if we were all pianists and there were no painters.

We must learn to give others room to be themselves. It is called freedom.

Family at the Lake

We didn't get many pictures on the fourth itself. Here at the lakes, the fireworks show is a different day. We have always done it that way. I just recently found out the reason. We get a super discount on it that way. Suits me fine. I'm all for a bargain...and our fireworks are paid for by local people and companies. It is a really nice, big, long show and it doesn't matter that it is a day or two before the actual holiday. This year it was three days before, which made it on Saturday night. And that worked out well for us.

Here is one of the photos taken on July 4. I wrote about this picture on the page itself, but it may be hard for you to read that way, so here is the journaling:  Chelle took several photos, trying to get one with our eyes open, etc. (I can work on those digitally, but it takes time.) She finally got this one, just as Maggie decided to kiss Ashley.  I would like to see her looking at the camera, but the kiss is even cuter.     Aussie, Grampa, Maggie, Ashley, me (Gramma) and Mason. July 4, 2017

Well, I didn't get to see my favorite show until late tonight, since Ron was working on his new sprinkler system until it was nearly dark.  I am still giggling once in a while as I envision Tucker's amused expressions and chuckles. I can't think of a more entertaining show than Tucker Carlson on the Fox News Station.  You'll not know what you've missed until you tune in at 8:00 PM weeknights.

Too Cute

I got the biggest kick out of this picture of our grandson. It really didn't need to be in a layout. The picture itself was enough; yet I just had to mess with it a bit to make a page for my book.  It was a successful shot...all by itself.

As usual I've been plugged into the news. It amazes me the differing opinions involved in the political realm. Pretty much all of us have the same goal...a better life for ourselves and families. However, some of us have no idea what it takes to get there. Just look around. Some are burning buildings and stores to help their neighborhoods!  The only thing that helps is keeping the fire department working. It helps a few insurance companies stay in business...unless too many buildings are burnt and then those people lose their jobs as well. This goes on and on. People do just the opposite of what they should do, while really wanting the same thing their neighbors want. It is strange they can't figure it out for themselves...but many have been taught from the beginning to group think, to do as they are told and not think for themselves.

We must continue to pray for our nation. We have a good president now. We have many good congressmen and senators, but we need more.

Remember God wants the best for us. While you pray, let's consider our own lives. This verse in Proverbs seems to suggest He looks more favorably on a nation that is well behaved.  Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people."

Cute Little Julia

Our cute Julia is a happy little girl. Although this is not the best picture, I love it. We often get some of the sweetest shots when we are not trying, but are quick on the draw. Thank heaven for little girls and cell phone cameras as well.

Just have to add a comment about our  president's warm welcome overseas. Glad to see those people respect him, since there are so many here without the manners to at least pretend they do.

A Bible verse published by Bible Gateway July 3rd is one I understand the gravity of, since it's message is so important in our world today.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people." Proverbs 14:34

The 4th

Ron is the 4th in the picture, no matter on which side you start. However, that has no significance and is not the purpose of this photo.

As most of you know,  the 4th of July here in the USA is a significant day. It is the date on which our Independence was declared back in 1776. Of course, declaring it was not enough. We fought for that independence and now we celebrate it.

Our youngest daughter and her family were here from out of state for our nation's birthday party. Here at the lakes, we celebrate in a big way with a very cool, and expensive, fireworks display, which is financed by private donations. No political group is involved.

Year after year is seems to top the last display. We are all thrilled by the trip out on the boat to the location of the blasting site. It helps us to see the fireworks explode over our heads...well not really; we hold back so that we have a perfect view of all the action.

Recently there have been a few changes, some good and some not.  It seems like each year there is a new color or pattern to some of the fireworks. There have been additions to the fireworks brought by individuals, such as lighted 'lanterns' drifting in the wind overhead, for example. The one bad thing that  really bothers me is that this year and last, and perhaps the year before, there has been no patriotic music. Here we are to celebrate Independence Day and there is really no evidence of that. In years past, a local radio station would play patriotic music and many of us would blast it out of our radios, so that the atmosphere made the firework blasts  more meaningful. I'm not sure what happened with that. Who could object? At least what citizen could object? And it is OUR fireworks, not set off by a dissident political party. I feel like we need to get to the bottom of the problem before next year and remedy the situation...making it a celebration of our nation once again.

Paddling on Portage Lakes.

There were lots of puffy clouds today. It made for a lovely day on the lakes. Greg, Mason and Ashley took advantage of the shadowy, but fine day and went for the paddle boat. Greg cleaned it off well, since it is stored outdoors and collects a lot of dirt. Then came the fun of loading it and paddling around the lakes area.The kids seemed to have fun and are planning another trip.