Friends invited us to go to Liberty Fest on July 3 and we got a parking pass last minute so we decided to join in on the fun. Face painting, glitter tattoos, bounce houses, bubbles, live music and then fireworks - it was a great event.
We didn't get to bed until late so we were tired on the 4th. We enjoyed the ward breakfast at the park and then we swam at the neighborhood pool. It was a hot day so the kids sold snow cones and it was a success! Grammy and Grampy joined us in the afternoon. Blue was terrified of the loud noises so he hung out inside.
It was cute when Eleanor let Adelaide sit on her lap because she got scared. Aaron and Duane turn into little boys when it comes to fireworks.
We love our neighborhood and the pride they have in celebrating America! It really is exciting to see fireworks going off all around us.
On Wednesday morning we slept in and then the weather was cool so we went on a hike. The kids groaned at first (like they usually do when I suggest a hike) but then they're always quick to apologize and admit that they enjoyed it after all.
Thursday night was a swim meet. Eli drew this stingray on Austin. The boys did great - Austin qualified for conference with his free style! He shaved off half a second on his race. He also got 4th in backstroke and Eli got 6th in his freestyle. They are such little fish!
If Aaron had long blonde hair, he'd look like this.. haha. He lifted Eleanor up over his head. We had a good laugh.
Cute friends. These two dressed up and had a party on the back porch with music and snacks.
Adelaide woke up today and was crying that she didn't want to go to church. Eleanor and Adelaide were crying before sacrament meeting even started and Aaron and I were in the hall with them. It's been a while since I sighed out in exhaustion knowing that it's worth it to push through on Sundays like this, but also realizing it would be so easy to just go home. I was grateful both girls calmed down and we could walk back into sacrament meeting during the announcements. As we were walking in, the member of the bishopric announced that a sweet sister in our ward passed away this morning. Tear immediately fell from my eyes and I thought back to a ministering interview I had with this sister over zoom during covid. She had ALS and couldn't talk so she'd type out her comments into her phone and then have her phone read what she wanted to say. She continued to minister and love those around her, even as she had major health struggles of her own. She had a calling of sending birthday postcards to the RS sisters in our ward and I'll forever treasure the one she sent me.
The talks were uplifting in sacrament meeting and I was grateful we attended church today. Austin gave a great talk in primary and I was able to play the piano for singing time. I love when Eleanor sees me at the piano and yells out while giving me a big wave, "HI MOM!!" One of the counselors in the primary presidency said to me, "It's such a blessing that you play the piano and can just hop right up to help." I pray my kids will continue to work on the piano so they can also play the primary songs and hymns one day.
I know there's power in being consistent so I know going to church today was the better choice, even when it was hard.
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