Happy Independence Day!!

I got this from Lori's blog. Great little history lesson. Have a great 4th of July!!!

Independence DayIndependence Day, in the U.S., an annual holiday commemorating the formal adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia. Although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the Fourth of July holiday has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence and is celebrated in all states and territories of the U.S.At the time of the signing the United States consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. There was a growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly refered to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.In April 1775 as the King's troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts, the battle of Concord would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.June 1776 a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. A vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 - Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware was undecided and New York abstained. To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. On July 8th the Declaration had it's first public reading in Philadelphia's Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The "Province Bell" which would later be renamed "Liberty Bell" after it's inscription - "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof."The holiday was first observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776, at which time the Declaration of Independence was read aloud, city bells rang, and bands played.People celebrated with fireworks and with candles which they lit and placed in their windows.The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year - July 4 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate America's birthday. It was declared a legal holiday in 1941.The Fourth of July is traditionally celebrated publicly with parades and pageants, patriotic speeches, and organized firing of guns and cannons and displays of fireworks. Early in the 20th century public concern for a safe holiday resulted in restrictions on general use of fireworks. Although fireworks have been banned in most places because of their danger, most towns and cities usually have large firework displays for all to see and enjoy. Family picnics and outings are a feature of private Fourth of July celebrations.Today, the most popular way to celebrate Independence day is to get together with family and friends, have a cook out and attend a fireworks display!

boys trip

My boys just got back from an incredible weekend in NYC.  They went with Moody, Moody's dad, M's brother and his two sons.  All of the male Alexander's.  Moody's brother and his family live in Colorado so this was a treat for all of them to be together for this special trip.

They went to watch the Rangers play for the last time in Yankee stadium.  They are tearing down the House the Ruth built after this baseball season.  I think they had an amazing time.  

I am trying to figure out what the Alexander women's trip is going to be---I'm thinking beach, spa, margaritas............ahhhhhh!!!

Oh, look what they brought me! A sweet Psling for baby A. :)  I love it.

a lesson from hoodmama

This is the most recent post from my amazing sister-n-law, Melissa. Please read and then go encourage her with a comment. She is hilarious, has a tender heart for the Lord, but ministry can be hard and tiring! They are making a huge difference in the lives of many living in the inner city of Big D.

MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2008

An ounce of prevention.

Darius had himself a little date this afternoon with a sweet little girl from the neighborhood. They both have been on Mercy Street's Work Crew this summer and she invited him to the movies.

She invited him.

Ok, now, one thing that I've noticed and was confirmed by Mindy the other day is that most of the young ladies in this neighborhood are pretty aggressive when it comes to boys. There's the calling, the texting, and the texting and more texting. Then, they like to come over and see what other numbers are on the boys' phones. Like cats marking their territory.

We had several young pregnancies in the neighborhood already this year and there's a little girl around the corner with a child Sadie's age. He's 4. She's 16. She got pregnant at 11.

So, what's a hoodmama to do?

I knew I'd be giving these kiddos a ride to the movies this afternoon so, this morning I took my kids to the pool and got them really tired and hungry. Then, I fed them just enough lunch to tide them over, but to produce some general crankiness right around 4:30. Coincidence. I also picked up a friend of Graham's who we hadn't seen all summer for some added noise, and screaming and fighting with Kung Fu Panda toys from McDonald's.

Then, I loaded everyone up in my very dirty car, filled with crunched up cheese nips, and old Gatorade bottles, and picked up that precious little girl for her date. We had a twenty minute ride of chaos to the movies.

"Have a great time, ya'll!" Smiling and waving.

The look of horror on her face was priceless.

I know the sight and sound of my family can, for some, be birth control. I just may be learning to use it to my advantage.

COURT DATE!!!!!!

Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

Proverbs 25:25

We found out yesterday that we have a court date for July 24th. One more HUGE step toward getting our little guy. We have received new pics over the last few days as well from precious people that have traveled to Ethiopia. He is growing so fast!

If we have a successful first trip through courts, A will be forever in our arms mid-August! I can't type that without my eyes filling with tears. :)

We are so thankful to the Lord for this lastest blessing.

falling

I would love to say that this wait has warped my sense of humor, but I have always found people falling down pretty hilarious (assuming no one is injured of course)!  If any psychologists are out there, feel free to analyze away.

Stick with it a few seconds, I promise it doesn't go in the direction that you might think.

Listen to those behind the camera. :)

welcome lewis

A friend from college is in Vietnam right now picking up her son.  They put a slide show up from their meeting him for the first time.  I love seeing the Lord bringing forever families together for the first time!! 

Click here to see.

waiting in Ethiopia

This picture puts my waiting in perspective.  These people are waiting for food. 

Please click here to watch this video.  It is so heartbreaking.