Independence Day

Besides being one of my favorite movies, we have lots of independence days now in our family.  Yesterday we celebrated America's Independence Day with the typical BBQ and fireworks.  Both Kayleigh and Michael like food off the grill, so Texas is like nirvana.  We have one of those grills that does both gas and charcoal, and since we were out of gas, charcoal it was!  Dylan is only 14 but quite the grillmaster so cooked us up some brats and burgers.  The Fab 5 then hit the driveway for fireworks and had a blast (no pun intended....).  All 50 fingers made it through the night.  After fireworks we pulled out the telescope my dad had bought our kids a few years back and got a great look at the full moon that had risen over the eastern horizon.  Michael and I spent a good 30 minutes after the rest had gone indoors moon watching. 

Both kids understood it was America's birthday but probably don't grasp the full impact of what it means for us.  We had a great trip overseas when we adopted but we could see the definitive gap in real and perceived freedoms between over there and home, and it gave us an even greater appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy here in our home country.  Regardless of anyone's opinions regarding politics or politicians, ObamaCare, et al, there is still no country I'd rather live in. 

It's been two months now since our adoption was finalized in Ukraine and we're still having an amazing time with our two new teenagers.  It's only been two months but honestly it seems like they're just one (well, two....) of us.  We continue to learn them and them us, they're both progressing very well with english, have started activities (dance and martial arts....) and are making friends here.  God's hand has definitely been on them and our family.  They really are nice kids so it's been easy to love them.  Both love to be chased around the house and hide under blankets from the tickle monster.  Both are pickle fanatics, we open a jar and their gone!  Both like bacon and eggs.  Kayleigh likes bratwurst but not sausage on the grill.  Michael likes the front seat of the Firebird because it's a very cool car, but mostly because he can't see out the windows in the back seat (all Firebird owners will understand this.... :)