Most of the time, when I’m looking for things to take macro photos of, I look for “pretty” things. Not today. I think there is beauty even in things past their prime or things that aren’t the “usual” definition of “pretty” or “perfect”. The same idea can {and should} be applied towards people, don’t you think?

I’m in a mood, can you tell? One thing that always makes me feel better is to go outside, sit in the yard, and feel the cool grass between my toes… ahh. Better.

If tomorrow all the things were gone, I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again, with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars, to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom, and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas, From sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston, and New York to L.A.
Well there’s pride in every American heart, and its time we stand and say.

That I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.

And I’m proud to be and American, where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.

~Lee Greenwood, “God Bless The USA”

I love that song. It’s an oldie, but it still gives me chills when I hear it.

If you don’t hear from me for a few days, don’t worry. The 4th of July is also our big family reunion on my mom’s side of the family and I’ll be out of town for a bit celebrating, visiting, and letting my kids get a little crazy with the snakes and sparklers… teehee. I’ll be back with plenty of festivity snapshots to share!

PS~ I changed up the blog a tad today… what do you think? I miss my cute scrolly comment box, but otherwise I think I like it!

I’ve been lazy today… laid out by the pool for a while, took a little dip, took Austin to Wal-Mart to buy an iTunes giftcard… I’m still playing catch-up with photos I took while I was out of town, so what better day to post some of the macros I took than today, right?

This will be a mishmash of things…

Here’s a hosta…

some hydrangeas…

big juicy blueberries (yes, they are GIGANTIC! Like 1/2″ across!)…

I made a new friend..

mom found a really cool toadstool in the backyard…

and not technically a macro, but a cute statue in my grandma’s garden… isn’t it darling?

Day 3 of our visit was even HOTTER than the first two days… we spent some time doing indoor activities: specifically, BOWLING! It is always so fun and cute to watch the little ones bowl… the ball rolls so slow it almost stops before it reaches the pins!

Later, the kids cooled off on the slip ‘n slide again, and after getting good and muddy, we had some fresh watermelon. YUM!

We also picked some blueberries from great-grandpa’s bushes… Kaitlyn ate them as fast as we could pick them!

It’s so good to be home… and, I’m happy to see it will be cooling off by a few degrees this week and only be in the mid-to-upper 80’s. Definitely more bearable than when it’s close to 100!

Just about the only thing that can keep the kids relatively cool in this heat, is playing in the water. Good thing all 3 of the little ones are total waterbugs!

I love the expressions they make when they run through the sprinkler.

My favorite:

Pretty soon, the big boys (Austin & Devin) started begging to put the slip ‘n slide up instead, so we switched activities. SO fun!

She was so funny… she would daintily tiptoe down the slide, then gently ease herself down onto her knees in the little pool at the end…

What do YOU like to do to stay cool when it’s HOT out? Stay indoors? Play in the water? Have a nice cold beverage?