grace aloud

I always post pictures, quotes, and snippets of things I like, but I’m going to try to put more of ME on this little blog as well.

We’re going to my granny’s house for July 4 this weekend! I am excited to see all of our extended family that is going to be there. On my mom’s side, July 4 is second only to Christmas is its traditionalism… Or maybe it’s more tradition-laden than Christmas! Every year for as long as I can remember we have gone to Granny’s gated community for fun at the lake, fireworks, and lots of food.

The only year I have missed was the year I really started getting to know Jonathan at camp… or maybe the year we started dating.  You didn’t know we met at camp?  Maybe that’ll be the next story to tell.

Last year, we took Sophie, and we forgot her leash.  Jonathan took her out for one last time after the fireworks and everything were over, off her leash, and she heard a *boom* from someone doing a firecracker on their own and took off running.  He came inside and my mom and daddy and I jumped out of bed and went looking for her.  Turns out, she had ran across the street to the nearest people she could find and was happily meeting them.  It was very very scary in the moments she was missing though.  Just a piece of what we felt in Novemeber when she died.  

She loved that weekend though… My little cousins thought she was a doll and carted her around everywhere… she would take solace under my grandmother’s bed, and one time I found them crawling under there to pull her out.  Poor baby!  She was so patient with them though.  This year, Lucy is going with us.  (Already packed the leash).  She is definitely more feisty than Sophie was (and about 9 months younger than Soph was this time last year), so I’m cautious to see how she’ll do.  I think she’ll be fine, but I’m a little worried about one thing—after gorging ourselves on food, my family likes to spread out in the floor and take a nap.  That MIGHT be tough with a puppy who likes to lick in your ears and sniff your face and jump on your belly…. :)  We’ll see!

I hope everyone has a good Independence Day, and takes time to honor the veterans you know, in your family and otherwise.

—grace