Happy 4th

I love holidays. Independence Day is no exception. I think what makes or breaks a holiday is the traditions established for that day. I remember hearing a conference talk years ago that really touched me, I can't remember who gave it, but it sticks out in my mind more then almost any other talk. The message I got was to establish traditions. Traditions are what children remember when they are old. They don't really remember all the day in and day out activities. When a child leaves home and holidays come around, they will be able to have either neutral, positive, or negative feelings about that day. It isn't about the money spent, they number of fire works bought, or birthday presents received. And so as I have become a mother, I have tried to follow the council from this conference talk and establish traditions in my family. On the 4th, I created little traditions such as painting flags on the girls' nails (sorry boys, when I established this tradition I didn't have boys). We also use construction paper and make flags and talk about the meaning of the flag. We always have some sort of dessert that we decorate to look like a flag. And the evening is spent with a few fireworks. Nothing grand, nothing expensive (we don't go all out on fireworks), but a few positive traditions that I hope my children always remember. When they leave home (I don't even want to imagine that) and the 4th comes around, they will have something to reminisce about, maybe even paint their own nails and decorate a fun treat like a flag. And maybe not, but at least we had a good time. I want to make the 4th of July special. I want my children to know that our Independence and freedom is a big deal. It is the birth date of our country and I am so grateful for the men who gave their lives for my freedom. Because if those men, I can worship how I choose, I can have as many children as my body and mind will allow, and I can go where I want whenever I want. I am proud to be an American and be free. God Bless America!