Home never looked so good.....

Well our vacation to the beach has come and gone. The whole family enjoyed a very relaxing vacation. The kids enjoyed spending their days between the sandy beach playing in the waves to playing in the pool. Vernon enjoyed floating on a boogie board soaking up the sun and taking numerous walks on the beach with the kids. Both Vernon and Kenneth enjoyed several fishing adventures on the pier fishing....and Kenneth is happy to report he out fished his daddy. As for me...I enjoyed working a puzzle with my mom (something we always do on vacation) and I actually read a book for pure enjoyment. This is a treat because I usually read in order to learn something or that is informational. But I was able to loose myself in a book for a couple of days. It was nice to get away as a family. And when I say family I mean FAMILY! Our beach house was packed with my parents, my sister, all four of us, my handsome recently graduated nephew, my beautiful niece who LOVES to shop, and various visitors during the week...both my sister and nieces' boyfriends and one of my nieces' friends. The only thing that could have made it better would have been a visit with my brother and sister-in-law!
Friday night before coming home on Sunday we received the news that a severe storm had rolled through our area. In fact a confirmed tornado in Churchville. We live on the outskirts of Churchville. YIKES! Of course, worry set in for our house, our dogs, an our friends. I am thankful to report that other than a few down tree limbs, a missing slide on the swing set, the outside dog pen being shifted a little, and recycling thrown all through the yard we had no major damage. We have been extremely fortunate that we never lost power in our home. Sadly, many in our area are still suffering with no power, water and have lost freezers full of meat. We had a family within our church who lost their entire home when lightening struck in the middle of the storm. I ask that you PLEASE pray for them as they rebuild their home literally from the ground up. This is one of the sweetest couple many of us in the community have the opportunity of knowing and they would do anything for others. It is sad....all they were left with we the clothes they had on! So I understand how LUCKY my family has been. Our garden other than suffering in the extreme heat survived, our 2 boxers were okay, our home was intact and we have power.
Yesterday, we celebrated the 4th of July....minus one. My poor hubby had to work so he missed the parade. We made the parade a family affair this year. My mom and sister's real estate office always have a float in the parade. Both Kenneth and Arin walked with their Aunt Karen and Granny behind the float handing out bubbles, my daddy drove the truck and pulled the float, and I rode on the back of the truck refilling the bags of bubbles the agents were carrying. IT was fun and the first time I had been in a parade in many many years. The good part was the float was at the beginning of the parade so we were able to watch a good bit of the parade. It was so HOT HOT HOT that we got some fast food and came home to cool off in the a/c until it was time to watch the fireworks. The fireworks this year was the best display Staunton has put on in years. So all in all it was a wonderful day celebrating our freedoms!
Well I suppose I should attempt to get something done now. I have laundry calling as well as some dishes too. I hope everyone has a blessed day!
Until tomorrow.....may your heart be merry :)