4th of July
Jul. 11th, 2008 11:02 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jaelieThis was just going to be part of my week's update, but it got big all on its own. So here's how my 4th of July went....
Fri 7/4: Obviously, this was 4th of July. Independence Day. It's a big day for my mom's side of the family - we borrow the church building and have a big get-together. So, Matt spent the morning cooking Tom Kha Gai for the pot-luck. Annie and Lex came to our house, and we showed up at the church around noon-ish and spent the first hour just hanging out and visiting.
At about 1PM we had our 4th of July Program. This is one of my most favorite things about our family 4th of July get-together. It was my mom's idea (I think), and I really do love it. Last year Mom did a presentation about one of our ancestors who fought in the war.
This year she put together a lesson on the constitution and the First Amendment and how the constitutional convention came up with it and their compromises. Some were terrified that religion would be abolished from the country completely. Others were terrified that a single religion would take hold. Some wanted religion completely out of any government document. This is what they finally came up with and is what is in our constitution today, and it didn't only cover religion but other things that we sometimes take for granted. I love our constitution:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
After the presentation, we sang the whole national anthem. My aunt Ginny played the piano for us. My mom's side of the family can really sing. We had all four parts going loud and strong (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and it sounded beautiful. I almost got teary eyed again. Probably the pregnant thing, but I wouldn't guarantee it. Certain hymns, national or religious, have always moved me.
We sang, and then had lunch. The Tom Kha Gai was a hit, too. Only a tiny bit was left over, and Matt and I had that for lunch on Sunday. Lots and lots of great food at family pot-lucks, heh.
My mom and dad invited their square dance caller to our family thing so they could call for us, so after lunch we did some square dancing in the gym (yes, my church has a gym. It's got a half-sized basketball court and a real stage, too). It was a ton of fun. I only danced the first square because I didn't want to over-do it, but I took pictures during the second square, so I managed to make myself useful.
Then I ran through the building and got pictures of everyone. Dad was reading a book in the lobby while Uncle Jared napped on the lobby couch. Some of my kin were playing Guitar Band, others were visiting in the kitchen. Some of the younger kids were creating a production on the stage, with capes and all. I love my family, as loony as they all are. ^_^
Matt, Annie, Lex and I headed to Frisco after that to watch the FC Dallas/Kansas City game. My brother Ian and his wife Nikki met us there, and Mom and Dad showed up a bit later. The game was good - it was a tie, so at least it wasn't a loss. Games between Dallas and Kansas City are always very sportsman-like. If there's a foul or whatever, the sportsmanship is great. I like playing against them. ^_^
After the game, there was a concert put on for us by a guy named Freddy. It was pretty decent music, and Freddy has a great story. ^_^ However, what I was waiting for, of course, were the fireworks. And I do believe Frisco delivered. The fireworks were spectacular.
Mom wants Matt to do a presentation on the battle at Cowpens next year. Matt's thinking either as an RPG or maybe a miniature battle. Knowing Matt, he'll enjoy the challenge to recreate it.
I think I want to make a July 4 dress. I always loved late 18th century, anyway, and Reconstructing History has an awesome riding habit/traveling outfit that I would just love to try. I'd have to do it in blue (not red!) in honor of my American ancestors who served in the Continental Army. ^_~
Fri 7/4: Obviously, this was 4th of July. Independence Day. It's a big day for my mom's side of the family - we borrow the church building and have a big get-together. So, Matt spent the morning cooking Tom Kha Gai for the pot-luck. Annie and Lex came to our house, and we showed up at the church around noon-ish and spent the first hour just hanging out and visiting.
At about 1PM we had our 4th of July Program. This is one of my most favorite things about our family 4th of July get-together. It was my mom's idea (I think), and I really do love it. Last year Mom did a presentation about one of our ancestors who fought in the war.
This year she put together a lesson on the constitution and the First Amendment and how the constitutional convention came up with it and their compromises. Some were terrified that religion would be abolished from the country completely. Others were terrified that a single religion would take hold. Some wanted religion completely out of any government document. This is what they finally came up with and is what is in our constitution today, and it didn't only cover religion but other things that we sometimes take for granted. I love our constitution:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
After the presentation, we sang the whole national anthem. My aunt Ginny played the piano for us. My mom's side of the family can really sing. We had all four parts going loud and strong (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and it sounded beautiful. I almost got teary eyed again. Probably the pregnant thing, but I wouldn't guarantee it. Certain hymns, national or religious, have always moved me.
We sang, and then had lunch. The Tom Kha Gai was a hit, too. Only a tiny bit was left over, and Matt and I had that for lunch on Sunday. Lots and lots of great food at family pot-lucks, heh.
My mom and dad invited their square dance caller to our family thing so they could call for us, so after lunch we did some square dancing in the gym (yes, my church has a gym. It's got a half-sized basketball court and a real stage, too). It was a ton of fun. I only danced the first square because I didn't want to over-do it, but I took pictures during the second square, so I managed to make myself useful.
Then I ran through the building and got pictures of everyone. Dad was reading a book in the lobby while Uncle Jared napped on the lobby couch. Some of my kin were playing Guitar Band, others were visiting in the kitchen. Some of the younger kids were creating a production on the stage, with capes and all. I love my family, as loony as they all are. ^_^
Matt, Annie, Lex and I headed to Frisco after that to watch the FC Dallas/Kansas City game. My brother Ian and his wife Nikki met us there, and Mom and Dad showed up a bit later. The game was good - it was a tie, so at least it wasn't a loss. Games between Dallas and Kansas City are always very sportsman-like. If there's a foul or whatever, the sportsmanship is great. I like playing against them. ^_^
After the game, there was a concert put on for us by a guy named Freddy. It was pretty decent music, and Freddy has a great story. ^_^ However, what I was waiting for, of course, were the fireworks. And I do believe Frisco delivered. The fireworks were spectacular.
Mom wants Matt to do a presentation on the battle at Cowpens next year. Matt's thinking either as an RPG or maybe a miniature battle. Knowing Matt, he'll enjoy the challenge to recreate it.
I think I want to make a July 4 dress. I always loved late 18th century, anyway, and Reconstructing History has an awesome riding habit/traveling outfit that I would just love to try. I'd have to do it in blue (not red!) in honor of my American ancestors who served in the Continental Army. ^_~
