Letting Go

Sometimes in life there will be instances where no matter how much you try to control what happens, life will take it's own course anyways. Our family has been realizing this a lot lately. We've been watching some family members that are getting older and starting to have some difficulties. I know it's hard for Riley to see his mother suffering and wishing that she would let him give her a blessing.

We've been challenged as a family a lot lately it seems. I'm telling you, when it rains it pours around the Dodson household. Our life is a constant balancing act (as it is for everyone). It's exhausting trying to figure everything out. There are some days where I feel like I don't know ANYTHING. Here is what I DO know:

-You can't make people change if they don't want to
-You can't try to please everyone
-You can't tell your children to be kind if you aren't setting the example
-You can try your best to offer help to people, and if they don't accept it that's OK
-Everyday you can choose to be happy
-You can always start over with a clean slate tomorrow

I'm trying my best not to lose sight of the bigger picture. Our little family makes a pretty good team when we all work together.

4th of July 2008

Friday the 4th we headed downtown Pasco for the annual 4th of July Parade. We sat right by the pool since Kendle had swimming lessons, and since hardly anyone showed up she got to go down the big loopty-loop slide a dozen or so times. After her lesson she came and joined us for the rest of the parade and made a valiant attempt to retrieve as much candy as possible. There wasn't a ton to be had this year, but she did score two coupons for a free milkshake at McDonalds. Not too shabby. Morgan didn't enjoy the parade so much, but did perk up a bit when the firetrucks and ambulances came by. Other than that he was content to look for sticks and rocks and try to run away. The parade weather was comfortably warm with a slight breeze, much better than it's been the last few years. I'm bummed I did not get a picutre of our family with everyone decked out in their red, white, and blue.

After the parade we grabbed some lunch and headed back home to get ready for the BBQ we were having that night. We had invited some friends and family over to celebrate with us and it turned out to be really fun. Riley grilled some hot dogs and hamburgers and we set out big tubs of pop and ice in our backyard. Thanks to our guests we had lots of yummy sidedishes, chips, cookies, popsicles, and icecream. It was fun to just eat, relax and visit with everyone. The kids had fun playing on the swing set (thanks Riley for finally fixing it) they played limbo with the garden hose, and probably drank enough pop and ate enough sweets to last them until Halloween. They also had fun with the bubbles we got them:

The little ones enjoyed chasing them around. I got a kick out of how excited the kids were and how well they all played together.

I guess you could say the suckers were a big hit as well:

We're thankful for all of our friends and family that came and helped make it a fun time.

After everyone headed out, we grabbed some chairs and blankets and sat out in the front yard with my parents and grandparents to watch the fireworks from the stadium down the road. Little did we know we'd be getting a second free fireworks show from our neighbors two houses down. And little did they know, that a police man had been sitting there watching them with his lights off for a good ten minutes before he came and busted them. I don't know if people are just ignorant, or think they are above the law, but the city ordinance banning fireworks seemed to be one of those pick and choose laws for a lot of people in our neighborhood and surrounding area this year.

It started to get a little breezy during the fireworks and we all had sweatshirts or were wrapped up in blankets. Morgan was very laid back, drinking his bottle and leaning on me while he looked at the big explosions in the air. He clapped and said "yay" a few times. The fireworks were beautiful and while we were watching them, my grandfather told Kendle the story about how Francis Scott Key wrote the "Star Spangled Banner". It made me think what it would have meant to live back in those times, and through the dirt and grit and horror of war, be overcome with hope and a renewed spirit to see the American Flag still waving high in the air after a desperate battle. My heart is thankful.

After the fireworks were over, my parents offered to take Kendle home with them for the rest of the weekend, (yay) so we packed her a bag and sent her off down the road with a smile on her face. I'm so thankful to live close to my family, and it makes me happy that my children love to spend time with them. All in all, it was a great way to celebrate the 4th of July, and I can't wait to do it again next year!

Independence Day

"Freedom is never free." ~Author Unknown





















On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" so they can begin their American Dream.

Here is a section from the Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

To read it in it's entirety go here. I highly recommend it, it was truly inspired. I am in awe of the bravery of those men.

I am so thankful to live in such a wonderful country. I pray that we as a nation can endure the trials ahead, stand for what is right, and never forget the price paid for our freedom.

Question Of The Day:

How long is too long to wait in your pediatrician's waiting room with a cranky, high energy baby before you get up and leave and never come back? Is 45 minutes too long? And then after that, you wait in the little room for the doctor to come in for another 20 minutes or so. I need answers people. I can't take it any more. Do you think doctors owe their patients an apology for running that far behind schedule? How about to the little 1- year-old who waited that long, who missed his nap and was hungry, only to get three shots and be sent on his way? No fun I tell you, no fun at all. We have a saying in our household: "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." But in this case, it's if the baby ain't happy, and the little Morgster was NOT happy. I think I'll send Riley next time.