pool + grill + friends + heat = summertime

After a year of spying on my neighbors partying it up by the pool and being jealous, I finally had a party of my own...without alcohol!!! Last (Saturday) night Tony, Katie, Troy, Nate, and Eric came over to hang out. We swam (the apartment pool is literally right outside my "patio"), grilled, and enjoyed some nice summer sunshine and heat! We finished the evening off by watching Salt. Really good movie, by the way. I'm not typically a fan of Angelina Jolie, but she impressed me with her acting in this one. The boys from out of town (Troy, Eric, and Nate) didn't arrive until a little after 8, so it was a late night. Definitely worth it, though. We did a lot of laughing! I love long summer evenings with friends.

a little poem

God holds me in the palm of His hand
Nothing I should fear
His plan I may not comprehend
But I know that He is near

Let Freedom Ring!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As some of you know, I LOVE the Fourth of July! Some people are astonished to find out that a TCK (Third Culture Kid) is so patriotic, but I would argue that some of the most patriotic Americans are TCK's. Anyhow, although my siblings are currently spread out across the globe, I celebrated our nation's great holiday with much fanfare! I spent the day listening to and singing patriotic songs---military anthems, the national anthem, red-white-blue songs, and many many others. I even said the pledge of allegiance...a couple of times. In the evening, we had a big extended Wiebe get-together. Even more than I love Independence Day, I love my aunts, uncles, and cousins. I have been blessed with a truly special family.

Mom and Dad bought a flag for the special occasion. Doesn't the American flag make your heart all soft inside?!



Like the sunglasses cousin Kristen is wearing? I got them as a gift last summer.












Don't I have a beautiful family? Don't you just love the 4th of July? We had everything American: grilled burgers and hotdogs, beans, potato salad, pie, etc.