After living outside of the United States for two years now and experiencing the downside of being an American living in another country (we aren't exactly the most popular people on the planet at the time in case you didn't know) it has been so refreshing to be able to bask a bit in actually being proud to be an American (think of that!) instead of feeling like you have to be on the defense or embarrassed about it. It's been awhile since we've put our hands over our hearts and sang The Star Spangled Banner, as we did a few nights ago at an outdoor concert, and felt that sense of pride when we see the flag flying. On the 4th of July, Old Glory comes out in all it's glory, grills get turned up high, fireworks go off, as we celebrate the birthday of our country, our very blessed, though far from perfect, country.
One of our family's traditions on the 4th is to attend a pancake breakfast at a 400-acre Christian ranch for underprivileged children just down the road from where I grew up. It's a beautiful location, and it was a gorgeous day and we enjoyed walking around the grounds and the girls got to ride in the wagon pulled by that great American, "John Deere."
I snapped this picture while standing in line for our pancakes. They have the best smoked sausage links every year, and this is why!
This is a little petting farm on the ranch and it was fun to watch the girls pet the mule, goats, sheep and duck.
As I was sitting on the lawn next to this tree, I saw this boy dressed in his Revolutionary War outfit and he very cordially agreed to my taking his photo - how American is this??!!! I love it.
Here's an 18-year-old soldier boy by the name of Ray Dougan, fresh off the farm in Missouri where he grew up, who also ended up being my dad, in his WWII Army uniform. My sisters and I gave my dad a surprise birthday party for his 82nd, as shown in the picture below, but he told me that this is how he still sees himself. He was very handsome then, and we all think he still is!
Happy Birthday to a great American dad, grandfather and great-grandfather, who also has been a wonderful husband, farmer and railroad engineer! And don't forget, American soldier. . .
One of our family's traditions on the 4th is to attend a pancake breakfast at a 400-acre Christian ranch for underprivileged children just down the road from where I grew up. It's a beautiful location, and it was a gorgeous day and we enjoyed walking around the grounds and the girls got to ride in the wagon pulled by that great American, "John Deere."
I snapped this picture while standing in line for our pancakes. They have the best smoked sausage links every year, and this is why!
This is a little petting farm on the ranch and it was fun to watch the girls pet the mule, goats, sheep and duck. 
As I was sitting on the lawn next to this tree, I saw this boy dressed in his Revolutionary War outfit and he very cordially agreed to my taking his photo - how American is this??!!! I love it.
Here's an 18-year-old soldier boy by the name of Ray Dougan, fresh off the farm in Missouri where he grew up, who also ended up being my dad, in his WWII Army uniform. My sisters and I gave my dad a surprise birthday party for his 82nd, as shown in the picture below, but he told me that this is how he still sees himself. He was very handsome then, and we all think he still is!
Happy Birthday to a great American dad, grandfather and great-grandfather, who also has been a wonderful husband, farmer and railroad engineer! And don't forget, American soldier. . . 
