Have you seen the iPod?

So. A little while ago MomJ broke the screen on her iphone. When she got a new one we inherited the old. While the screen is broken, and thats a little annoying, we have REALLY appreciated having an ipod. We've been using it for so much! We love it. It has a scriptures app that we use everyday. A camera, with great resolution. Plays music. Has internet access where we can both look things up & check e-mail. It's been very convenient.

Well, unfortunately last Saturday we lost it. I checked our e-mail with it, showed the e-mail to my BetterHalf. And that's the last either of us remember of it. We have searched our house up and down. It's got to be here, we just can't find it. :(
Unfortunately half of the pictures from LittleOne's birthday are on it, and the other half are with Kare-Bear. So even though LittleOne just turned 3, that's why they haven't been posted. As well as other great events.

What really gets me is that my BetterHalf just had his birthday and because it's lost not only do we not have any pictures of it (though admittedly TooTall and Cinderella I think took a picture at his party), but the only thing he had specified that he wanted for his birthday was to get the screen fixed. He says he had a great birthday. I just wish I could have atleast taken care of the ipod for him.

So there's my griping for the day. And though none of you are likely to come to my house. Have you seen the ipod? :(

On a happier note, today is Atlas's birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ATLAS! (--> Atlas holding Tjunior with TooTall and my BetterHalf.... At TooTall's birthday party back in April. Man I love these men.)

FireWorks

Fireworks. They are a great even awestrucking tradition in the United States of America. But how many of us have actually stopped and thought about why? What symbolism do they have? What are they suggesting to our minds?
Well, I know all I can think about is the fight we have all made, and make to live here. I was born in the US like most people who will probably read this blog. But that doesn't mean I have to be complaicant about the gift it is. I'm glad my dear LittleOne who is as stubborn about doing things her way as I am can live where she has the chose to do things her way. Where, even though it took some time, we have the right and honor to celebrate in the truth God has given us today. And are so easily allowed to respect it when others believe differently, that is their choice. Choice. Isn't that a word to be pondered?
I can't say how much gratitude overflow's in my heart for those fighting to protect not just our country but helping others.
Yeah, we do have a tendency to get into fights that aren't necessarily ours. But I will never forget 9/11 will you? Do you remember where you were? What your thoughts were? Mine were gratitude. One because I know God would welcome those that were gone, but mostly because of how much it united us. I liked President Bush because he stood up and showed us it was ok to be emotional and he kept us together at the pivotal moment. He may not have gotten everything right but he did what he could.
I don't just feel this way on the 4th, but all year. New Years, birthdays, Disney Land, parades, family activity, baseball games. You name it. If there are fireworks or anything patriotic, it will be on my mind for weeks, sometimes months, afterward how those fireworks going off sound a bit like gun fire. How the sparks as magical as they seem in the sky, spark within me a sorrow that so many have died. And a gratitude.
I will gladly stand up next to you, and defend her still today. Because there is NO doubt I love this land. God please continue to bless the USA!