We had such a wonderful 4th of July! I hope you did, too.
Our dog Beckham shares a birthday with the U.S.A., which is ironic because he absolutely hates loud noises like thunder and fireworks. Bless his heart. Here he was trapped on the stairs by the baby gate and waiting ever so patiently to be rescued.
Our little firecracker was having a rare moment of stillness.
She loved the cowboy hat that I’d found for Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS.
Curtis and Jackson did some little fireworks in my parents’ back yard.
Fun times with smoke bombs.
Mom and Annabeth.
You might not be able to discern from these pictures how obsessed Annabeth is with her Bibby.
After a feast of fajitas, we all crammed into the Suburban and headed to Pine Forest to watch the fireworks. Doesn’t my dad look comfortable?
Dad and my Pappaw.
Jackson wore himself out on the golf course hills with my cousins.
Mom and AB with Hannah and John. They just moved home from Japan and we’re so happy!
We spent every 4th of July at Pine Forest growing up, but hadn’t been in at least 10 years. I loved getting to bring my kids this year.
Jackson and Bibby.
The fireworks were great!
It was Jackson’s happiest night. Maybe Bibby’s, too.
What a great time! Wonderful photos!
I had a wonderful time with family and friends this weekend as well!
My husband and I hosted a BBQ in our home for about 40 people on Saturday. on Sunday morning we went to church and then helped served a BBQ lunch for the congregation after the service. After church we went to my brother’s house to let the kids swim, had dinner together and then watched fireworks together.
IT WAS A BLAST!!!
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND ALL OF HIS CREATION!!!
Dear Amanda, I love that you keep us updated by posting us pics! I know as girls we mostly all talk a lot…. but we’re also a species that loves to see the artwork behind the visuals we’re being told about. 🙂 I loved Annabeth’s cowboy hat!!!!!!!! Those captured looks were priceless! Oh, how your babies always take me back to my yesterdays. All of my three are taller than me now… and I so often wonder where all the days went that added up to years! We had our own fire-working day yesterday! Woe, they started way before nightfall…. they started weeks ago. God has lit a fire inside my oldest daughter’s heart that has her flame soaring to the heavenlies! I love what a good fire can do! May He flame it higher and higher until He calls us Home to eternity! Love you all… Happy Independence Day to you!
That last picture made me tear up. More beautiful than any firework display 🙂
July 4th was wonderful in the 9:30 service of Houston’s First Baptist Church with the chior, orchestra and pagentry which also encluded fireworks inside the sanctuary. Then after a message from guest speaker Tony Perkins from Washington, DC and the entire congregation kneel and pray lead by our Pastor Greg Matte for our government and our nation was the best way to worship God on this July 4th Sunday. Our nation was founded on Christian principles. I was thrilled to be part of the large congregation on our knees at our seats praying for America, my home sweet home.
This is a Song I Must Sing. Sylvia
It was such a fun night! If Colin and Melissa had been there, it would have been one of my favorite family nights EVER. What you didn’t have time to say, my darling firstborn, is that you and I laughed so hard over Jackson’s enthusiastic commentary on every firework that my side was killing me. NO ONE, I do mean NO ONE, had the time he had last night. No pearls before swine for my boy.”WHOA! WHOA!! DID YOU SEE THAT ONE?? IT WAS IN A CIRCLE! THAT WAS MY FAV’RIT!” Everyone within a country mile enjoyed his repartee.
PS. It is Bibby who is obsessed with AB.
I said that same thimg, before going back to read this! I know that “Granma” feeling, that’s what I am called.
But your face in that last picture is priceless… and aren’t fireworks so much more fun through a kid’s eye?
Oh, what a wonderful day you had! I’m so happy for you! Thanks for sharing the pictures – they made me smile.
My pastor said to the children yesterday during the children’s sermon, that in some countries, if people got together to sing songs to God and worship Him like we were doing, the police would come and take them to jail. I’ve never known that fear – only the freedom. I don’t believe God loves the USA any more than any other country, but I am so thankful I was born in the USA!
O.K., in that last photo…the look on Jackson’s sweet face, I can hardly think of anything except his great anticipation and utter joy and delight in the sky, and how it is blowing his ever-love’n mind!….tied to how we might all look at the coming of the Lord! Of course, if it could be seen in a blink of an eye, that is!
Priceless!
Thanks, Amanda!
p.s. and paaleeese, how did ANY of you manage to wear anything but shorts?!!
OK, Rene I just want to say your observations are often so uplifting. What a wonderful thought: watching for Our Prince to return!
And personally speaking, I’ve been wearing my extra short versions of capris: the ones where you can actually see a little knee cap. I know. Scandalous!
Kathy B.,
You are my Erma Bombeck on here, and I love you so!!Somehow me thinks if we ever got together, we might be two peas in a pod.
rene : )
ps still curious…did you get the stars and stripes? I had to hold my typ’n fingers back not to respond to that one!!haha
I think you’re absolutely right: two peas in a pod. And bless you for saying so!
OK, I made the mistake of telling my 20yr old daughter my pedi plan. She was appalled at the thought. You see by now, that would be so five minutes ago. She advised a bright coral red. And I have so say, I’m likin’ it. Maybe next year. I still think a little sparkling star would’ve been darling. Extra, but darling.
Sweet sweet photos! Thank you for sharing your 4th with us!
My dog Reagan also shares a 4th of July birthday!!! So from Reagan to Beckham….Happy Birthday buddy! *woof woof*!
I absolutely love Jackson’s face watching the fireworks. My nieces saw their first fireworks this 4th also… my sister said they too were totally enchanted… ah – would that we could all see life through the eyes of a child.
Blessings!!! sister lynn
Sooo cute! I love the enthusiasm of Jackson’s age. Have a great day everyone!
I’m yet another fan of that last picture! Priceless!
I also love the one with the smoke bombs. Don’t you love how the big “kids” like those things most of all?! My hubby cracks me up!
Thanks for sharing!
Kelli
Ditto on that last pic. Priceless beyond words!!!
We are blessed to be able to see about four towns’ worth of fireworks from our elevated deck every year. No fighting traffic. We are also blessed to have a pool in our neighborhood. After my husband got back from taking the older kids night swimming (their “fav’rit” thing ever) while the baby and I stayed home in the a/c, he tucked them into bed and he and I watched the fireworks and the fireflies. It would have been better if the kids were awake to enjoy them with us, but what a sweet moment we were given with just the two of us.
Amanda, that family of yours is beautiful. From one proud Mama to another: Thank you for sharing them with us as often as you do!
We had an amazing 4th of July here in good ol’ Deltona, FL:)
I am pretty sure half if not more of the Deltonaians were there in the rain waiting for the fireworks:)
I even got to talk to my old boss from when I worked as a 4-5yr old preschool teacher:) She’s just the sweetest lady in the world, and still remembers every kid that ever was apart of that school:) It was a beautiful night though…my blackberry reset on me when I took too many pictures..:)
Thanks for sharing!
angie
Loved the photos, Amanda. Thank you so much for sharing.
Blessings you to you and your family!
Pictures are great…what a beautiful family I confess that my heart goes out to Beckham though. I was born on the 4th as well and fireworks still put me on edge. I think he and I would have had a grand time together keeping away from the noise. Turned 50 yesterday…husband on a missions trip in Haiti doing what he needs to do without any phone contact. sigh But I am blessed…who knew what God had in store those 28 years ago when this atheist woman married this Jewish scientist in an interfaith chapel by a judge. Nothing is impossible with God.
Arlene,
Now there’s a story wait’n to be told!! Wow…there musta been a fireworks display in the heavens when ya’ll came to Jesus!
Wishing you a happy 50th…from one who turned 50 herself a few weeks ago…
Thanks for your kind words. There were two seperate celebrations in heaven for sure. We came to the Lord 9 very long and hard years apart. Happy Belated Birthday to you too!
Loved seeing the look of excitement on Jackson’s face….kinda makes me think of what we’ll be like when we see Jesus face…..
Thanks for sharing Amanda! That pics are adorable as always. Quick question, what kind of camera do you shoot with?
I have a picture similiar to that last one that I still treasure. It’s of my son, Cam at about age three sitting in my lap, looking up at fireworks and grinning from ear to ear just like Jackson. One difference: Cam had his fingers stuck in both ears! I still chuckle thinking about it and that was 13yrs ago. He loved the colored explosions, but found the onslaught of booms very offensive to his ears.
Thanks for sharing your play by play. You make us feel like extended family taking a peek at your kid’s scrapbook.
What sweet pictures! So good that you got to do this as a family! My husband and I visited our son’s church last night for their 4th of July program and then fireworks afterward. Our little 4-year-old granddaughter just finished Saddle Ridge Rance VBS at her church. At the end of the week program we attended the pre-schoolers sang 2 or 3 songs with hand motions. At the end of the first one Leah (only!)made a bow to the audience. It was so cute and so funny.
Thanks for sharing your life with us Amanda!
Marilyn…in Mississippi
I’ve got a question. How do you find out about a subject in the bible that you want to look into? Like I want to find out about Tamar and if what she did was right or wrong. I’ve read the story but from what I can tell God used what she did for good. Does that make it right?
whitestone
I don’t think what she did was right. Just as Joseph’s brothers were wrong to sell him. But God can use anything for good. Aren’t we blessed?
I hope someone gives you a more in-depth answer. But through Beth’s studies I have learned that everything we read in the Bible isn’t always the right thing to do, but there is always a lesson to be learned.
Hope that helps.
Love
Colleen
Amanda,
You bring so much joy to me as a mom. Your joyful heart beems through your posts, and it is so reflected that you love your family, and I so respect that! Thanks so much for your encouragement to me! My daughter got to enjoy fireworks for the first time last night, and there was so much wonder! Thank you Lord for our children, Amen!?!
Happy birthday Beckham! He’s beautiful!
Wow, I love it. I just got home from a long trip to visit my hubby in Oklahoma, so I opted for bed way before the fireworks started. After I left he headed to Texas for the week for work. He has fallen in love with your state. I have a feeling OK will be short lived if he can help it. While we were in OK, my daughter drooled over pink cowboy boots, bling hats, and BIG earrings. This northerner doesn’t stand a chance. I hope there are some siesta’s neer Ardmore, OK!
Yes, I am near Ardmore. (Durant-rivals in sports, but still friends!)
Such sweet expressions of joy!! Thank you for sharing.
Believing Him~Pamela
I LOVE seeing your pictures! Your kids are so adorable! (and so is your mom & dad!)
Looks like y’all had a great time. 🙂 Love those pics of AB in the hat…too precious. And I think Jackson’s smile could melt a frozen lake. 🙂
Ha, our church did saddle ranch too and it was a blast! And I don’t know what it was about this year, but it seems like this was an exceptionally good one for many of us. My son, Alden, also has a running commentary through the fireworks and he is 10! As we were laying on the blanket with him nestled in the crook of my arm I felt as though I was on borrowed time….probably won’t be much longer and he’ll be hanging with his friends rather than his mama 🙁
I wish you had a thumbs up symbol like on Facebook… cause “I LIKE THIS!” 🙂 I had a “cup-runneth over weekend” myself!!! God so blows my socks off!
Adorable! I love Anabeth’s tiny little hand on her Bibby. How can you not eat that up?!! And you’ve gotta love Keith’s face in the back of the Suburban; it looks like a mixture of pride, love, and pain. 🙂
I also noticed those Moore girls’ toned arms. Those cute little “collegiate figures” are what I’m finally starting to work on again way up here in MN. There’s a bit of progress on the bicep side, but just this morning the back of my arms reminded me of that TV preview where someone pinches the back of her upper arm and says, “What the heck?!! 🙂
While I was watching fireworks last night and feeling those booms shake in my chest, I thought of what your mom said in the Breaking Free session about power just shooting out of Jesus all over the place as He makes the edges of His garment available for us to grab. Power and majesty. I just can’t wait to see Him in all His glory!! – It looks like Jackson got a taste of the tiniest bit of it last night. Full of wonder. Thanks for sharing!
So absolutely precious! Such wonderful memories made. Fourth of July is one of my absolute favorite holidays! You all are a bunch of absolute dolls! Thank you for sharing your 4th with us!
Susan
loved it! i got to enjoy the festivities via t.v. from
my own comfortable living room and all alone. soooo nice – bin there, done that, great to just relax. thanked the Lord for the personal quietness .
I can tell from the pictures (knew already) how obsessed Bibby is with Annabeth and Jackson! Thank you so much for sharing. Did you already do VBS or are you about to? What class are you doing, Amanda? We just did Saddle Ridge Rance last week!
Looking forward to Bible study tomorrow!
We had a fabulous weekend too!!! I love all the memories that are created over the 4th of July weekend. Love the pix and am so glad y’all shared!!
((hugs)) from TN!
I feel so heart sore when I see/hear families having such good times together. Please pray that my family (3 sons age 22, 20 &17) will grow closer & spend more time together.
Thanks.
I am so grateful that nothing is impossible for God!
May God bless your heart cry, Colleen. I’m so ready for my own time of restoring what the locusts have eaten.
Enjoy these precious times with your little ones. I know everyone tells you they grow up so fast, but they really do. Holidays are all about being with families and developing your own family traditions!
Looks like everyone had a wonderful time. God Bless America. The kids are darling and Beckam looks so sweet!
Have a Blest Day!
Thanks so much for sharing your 4th with us all! Such wonderful pictures! Our church is right beside a park that shoots off a wonderful display every year so we let anyone come in and park in our parking lot for free. This year we added some patriotic music along with free hotdogs and pop. It was so much fun serving others and doing some witnessing to them while enjoying such beautiful fireworks. My children loved it too! A great way to teach service with fun!
P.S This is sooo off the subject, but where does Beth get so many of her darling shirts?
Thanks for sharing your family and your pictures with us. What a blessed day you all had!
Love to you all!
Lichelle <3
Great pics! Y’all can’t post enough of them. if there’s one thing I love, it’s looking at pictures.
Everyone looks so happy. Precious family. Praise the Lord.
How precious these family times are….
I LOVE Beckham! He’s soooo beautiful. Golden Retrievers are my favorite…next to my sweet Yorkie. 🙂 Y’all looked like you had a wonderful July 4th…so did I! As always, thanks for sharing the pictures…loved them! Your children are so adorable…any more in the future?? 😉
So fun! I spent Fourth of July in Seward, Alaska with my two younger kids. My honey and oldest were out in the open seas with a couple other “dad/son” friends, fishing all night long for halibut. Fourteen year old Boaz reeled in a 90 lb. halibut. Yummmm! The rest of us watched fireworks at 12:01am on the 4th in the harbor and then spent most of the 4th at the nation’s second oldest foot race (Boston Marathon is the oldest). “Mount Marathon,” as it’s known in Alaska – and in running circles (folks come from out of state to race) has taken place in the small fishing town of Seward since 1915.
Okay, all that to say that one of our own – yes, a true blue Siesta – ran yesterday and took 47th for women. THIS IS A HUGE DEAL!!! The mountain is steep and full of shale and rocks. This was her first time to race this mountain and she’s in her forties; so, to make it in the top 50 is amazing!!
I am so proud of her and I’m sure all the rest of us in Siestaville are, too! She usually reads our comments – but has herself not posted – yet! Anyway, three cheers for our very own Mountain Racing Siesta!
We LOVE Seward! Almost as much as we love the halibut you can catch up there. We were stationed up in Elmendorf from January of 1996-September of 1998. Never saw the fireworks, in fact, I’m not even sure if they had fireworks then…b/c of the fact that the sun never sets this time of year. I’m happy to know they have ’em down in Seward though! We have the best recipe for halibut fingers–you just cut them into strips, (about the size of your pointer finger–hence the name), then dip each piece in melted garlic butter, roll in bread crumbs, then sprinkle, (or coat heavily);), with parmesian cheese. Pop ’em in the oven for about 10 minutes @500*…and enjoy!
Congrats to the Mountain Racing Siesta! That is AWESOME!!!
Oh thank you SO much for the recipe!! I’m usually cooking up salmon – and haven’t had any halibut in my freezer for a couple years. Your’s sounds great and if you were still living around these parts, I’d invite you over for dinner!
Congratulations to our Siesta sprinter. (I know, I know, she’s a loong distance runner. But can you come up with something that sounds that cute with Siesta? Alrighty then).
I can’t get over the fact that you have a son named Boaz. Honest to goodness? I sure hope you’re doing Ruth with us. Boaz? Seriously? I love that. Why didn’t I think of that?
Kathy B – you made a believer outta me! Siesta Sprinter it is!! (and, what’s weird is that it is a type of “distance sprint” – up the side of a mountain, no less). Don’t worry: I was at the base with a few hundred other sane folks, sipping my Starbucks and sporting my “USA with sparkles” headband!
Honest to goodness his name is Boaz. We have the most cool God story about his name. We prayed and asked for confirmation as to whether that should be his name – and we got it in a very God-like sort of way. Yes I’m doing Ruth!!
Ohhhh! That last photo is priceless. So very lovely. Thanks for sharing the photos with us!
Precious family moments! Love the pics of your dad…the last one of Beth and Jackson…and yes, I think I can see a “hint” of obsession between Miss Annabeth and her Bibby 🙂
It’s very sweet to share your own special family memories with your children and make start the same traditions with them.
Melana
Amanda,
I loved all the pics,too! It looks like everyone had a great time. We had a reunion on Saturday with my father-in-law’s side of the family. They certainly have a lock on the longevity gene! I was floored when Grandma said,”Yep, my firstborn will be 80 tomorrow.” She was pretty proud of that, and I thought, not many mothers have the privilege to utter those words! She is 97 herself. All of my f-i-l’s siblings are still living, and we were about 150 people strong on Sat. The weather was awesome too. God is SO good to us,isn’t HE?! Love you! Joan
Beth, Thank you for the journey from insecurity to security. I just finished your book and I am a brand new creation in CHRIST JESUS my LORD and SAVIOR. I am also in my fifties and when I prayed the prayer in chapter 9, i could not believe all the junk, lies and deceptions I have allowed to rule my life all my life. I got saved at a very early age before 4 and wondered how my ABBA FATHER could put up with all the messes, sins and transgressions I have put HIM through. Being a student of the word, teaching, preaching some and leading praise and worship, knowing the word I always felt like Paul said in TImothy always learning but never coming to the knowledge. One day as I was on this journey with you through your book, I finally realized (or rather heard my FATHER telling me HIS definition of wisdom). HE told me wisdom is the supernatural faith that the knowledge revealed by GOD is truth and trustworthy. Our ABBA FAHTER is soooo very awesome. No amount of studying compares to the nuggets HE just drops into our understanding right when we need them. I have prayed that GOD our FATHER will so abundantly bless you and yours for your willingness to be a beautiful instrument in HIS hands for HIS purpose, plans, praise and glory to bless us ladies who need to know that we are not alone. True, our FATHER is always with us but even if we don’t meet here on earth, one day we will have the pleasure of that cup of GOD’s finest coffee and plenty of time to share HIM and HIS wonderful blessings to each of us. I know my children and grandchildren, sisters, mom, and friends all need this book placed in their hands. Placing it there, praying over it before they receive it is not enough. I ask that you join me and believing our ABBA FATHER to prepare their hearts to receive it, but more importantly take the journey, read and receive the death of their insecurities in their lives. You are a beautiful woman with a beautiful family, always bask in GOD’s blessings for you deserve them. Your sister in CHRIST, Janey Smith
That last picture of Jackson and Bibby looking up at the fireworks is PRICELESS!!! LOVE IT!!! And love the one of your daddy between two of his favorite girls. He may not have had lots of room but I’ll bet he loved it!
I’ve been wondering how Beth’s back is doing. Some of these pics make it look like it might be better. Is it? Sure hope so – have been praying for her.
What beautiful photos! I would have loved to have heard Jackson’s commentary on the fireworks. 😉
Bibby and Annabeth are adorable. Bibby’s hair was in a word…gorgeous!
Hi!
I love reading and seeing what you guys are doing. I just started reading this blog because my Mom reads it, and I love it! (you guys are so funny! :P)
Glad you had a happy 4th!
Olivia~age 11
Hey, Olivia!
I met your mom when we were in Houston this year! Welcome and blessings to you.
Cute pics, but wow amanda you look like you lost all of the baby weight :-)You look great.how did you do it?
Thank you! I did weight watchers during the spring.
thats awesome.r u still doing it??when do you find time to Exercise with 2 kids? i had my baby a few years ago and the belly is the hardest part to go away. still working on it.I love to wear bikinis in the summer..:-)