A Michigan 4th

I can't even begin to explain to you how lovely Michigan summers are. It's pretty equivalent to the South's spring weather: highs of 80's & 90's and low's of 60's & 70's with plenty of sunshine. For my last two years of high school, my family lived on Selfridge ANGB which is right on Lake St. Clair. We loved having neighborhood block parties and watching the fireworks from the lawn. 

This year I had the chance to be up there again for the 4th of July. Along with my friend Amanda, her fiance Andrew, and her sister Kristina, we drove over to St. Clair Shores to watch the fireworks. People watching is always fun to do while waiting for nightfall ;)

beautiful water

Andy & Amanda

Amanda, Me, & Kristina

The moon was crazy orange/red and super low in the sky at 9pm

Memory Lane

This year, I will be spending July 3rd-9th in Michigan with my best friends from high school. 

The four of us have not been together since 2008! 

We will be celebrating our dear friend Amanda who is getting married!! :)

Amanda, Samantha, Tina, & I

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!! 

                                                               Source: annies-eats.net via Jamie on Pinterest

An Honor

My younger sister was asked to attend the Marine Corps Birthday Ball by one of her best friends from home. He is a freshman at the Citadel and was invited (from what I hear it's an honor to be asked as a Knob) to attend. 

So, my parents and K came down to stay for Saturday & Sunday the first weekend of November. We hung out and then I helped K get ready by doing her nails, hair, and makeup :) 

We drove downtown and took some pictures of them around the grounds of the Citadel and 

then took them to the Ball (freshman aren't allowed a car). 

It was fun to hear about the Marine traditions, the food they ate, and who they sat with when they got back later that night!!

T and K

I love laughing photos

SO serious

We enjoyed having T stay at our place and attend church with us Sunday morning. 

We went to lunch at Red's Ice House and then my mom and I left for North Carolina. 

While we were gone, everyone hung out at our apartment before taking T back to campus before curfew. Thanks T for taking my little sister to enjoy a once in a lifetime experience. 

{Thankful for honorable friends}

ps- She's growing up too fast! 

Never Forget

Today marks the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001. Today stirs up so many emotions in Americans and others around the world. I've been in awe this week with all of the footage shown in the news, personal videos, tribute programs, sport stories, and specials. The days and weeks following 9/11 were full of national unity from flags, bumper stickers, conversations, religious discussions, prayers, all the way to songs (thank you country music). It is still very inspirational to see this throughout the US today.

I remember when it happened. It was my second class of the day around 9 am. I was sitting in the second row of Mr. Dzuik's English class my junior year of high school, when another teacher rushed in, and turned on our television. You didn't even have to turn it to the news channel- it was on every channel. A few minutes afterwards, we all stared in horror as a second plane hit the other WTC tower. Shock. That feeling of seeing that happen was so surreal. We were glued to the tv as the towers fell. Disbelief. I don't really remember much after that, but we were no longer the same. School was put on the backburner (at least my teachers didn't really continue teaching- people were on their phones- the office intercom told us we could call home).

My dad, who worked at Selfridge (Air National Guard Base) in the Army, came within the hour to pick me up as our school went into a lockdown (being down the road from a joint military base). Usually a drive to school took around 10-15 minutes, but it took my dad and I over an hour to get back home. Everyone was asked to park and get out of their vehicles, while they opened and searched the cars. My backpack was searched. They even used long mirrors to look under the cars for bombs. We were on the highest security level as every other military base in the country was too. Our base's Air Force flew out to help escort other planes safely to Canada. The Coast Guard was constantly patrolling the waters of Lake St. Clair.

We didn't have school the next day. I remember sitting at a picnic table near our home with several of my friends discussing what was going to happen. We couldn't believe what was going on. For the next few weeks, we always had Hummers driving around with a gun on top and soldiers walking around with M16s. There was the fear and talk of being attacked again and where it would be. I will always remember the feeling of helplessness and sadness.

As George Bush said, "We will not tire, We will not falter, and We will not fail".

So as I reflect on that day, I believe that today we stand united still as Americans. We remember those who lost their lives on September 11th and stand by their families and the survivors. We honor the Heroes who saved lives that day and our Armed Forces, Firefighters, Police, Volunteers, Donors, Construction workers and Contractors, and all those who were first to respond. Your service and sacrifice continues to protect the freedoms we enjoy. The service to fight this war on terrorism is never forgotten. I am very thankful for the Red, White, & Blue. God Bless America- land that I love.

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and 

saves those who are crushed in spirit"

Psalm 34:18

Memorial Day

Thanks to the men and women who have ever served in the military. Thank you for your sacrifice each and every day. For your families that prayerfully live alongside your journey. To the men and women whom I have met, have known during college or through church, or have never met.....Thank you so much for your selflessness to be willing to serve in the military. I am so grateful to your dedication, bravery, and willingness to be put in the face of danger. For those who have been lost- we miss you, honor you, and remember you today. Thank you for paying the ultimate price for our freedom.

To My Dad who for 21 faithful years served in the US Army. I remember as a kid when you went for Desert Storm and how happy we were for you to come home. I am very proud to be your daughter and for having the experience of growing up an Army brat. I love you.

To My Grandpa who served during WWII in the US Navy. He spent time being away from his family for months at a time. I loved hearing your stories, and I really miss you telling them. Love you always.