It's Independence Day

I'm not sure if there has been a time in the history of this great country where the title "Independence Day" has been more fitting.

Here is how our family is "free."

Luke finished his Board Exams on Friday afternoon. Which means he is FREE from school work for the rest of the summer!! No studying, no classes, no exams, no homework, no late nights, no cramming, no KAPLAN, no books, no teachers, no stress.

Ashley (Me) is FREE from responsibility.
Explaination: Today I am sick as a dog. I feel poopy. It's gross.
Which is really bad timing.
Because on top of all the fun-filled excitement of the holiday weekend, I was supposed to teach Sharing Time in Primary today.
So, last minute my incredible husband Luke stepped it up.
Bless. his. heart.

Brooklyn is FREE from fear.

This is a recent development.
A month ago I would have bet my bottom dollar that this kid would not have ventured down the "Swirling Vortex Slide of Death."

She surprised me.

Aubrey is FREE from clothing.
When she stripped down all by herself in the middle of our Branch Activity, everyone gasped in shock and shielded their innocent children's eyes.
Didn't even phase us.

Now, on a more serious note.

I love America.
Like, a lot.

I love that my children can spend the day doing whatever their hearts desire.
Not everyone enjoys that liberty.

I love that we could spend the day with people that we go to church with. I'm grateful we can worship God the way we want to.

Some people are not so lucky.

I'm thankful we can say and do and think what we like.
It has not always been that way.

I'm mindful that there are people in the world not eating watermelon on a hot summer day.
In fact, I'm mindful that there are people not eating anything.

I'm thankful that I got to choose my husband, that we can have as many kids as we like, that we can be together forever, and that we are safe.

I'm thankful that there are certain kids who do not mind mud.
And I'm thankful that mine are some of them.

Yay for Freedom!

Happy 4th.