Memorial Monday

This post is going to be a bit of an emotional sandwich.  Somber at the beginning, silly in the middle, and sad at the end.

I hope you have all had a fabulous Memorial Day!  I'd like to thank my friend,Vanessa (a reserve Marine), for posting the following status on Facebook this morning:

It bothers me when people celebrate this holiday for the wrong reasons. Many people close to me have gone overseas & thankfully have made it back, but it's the ones who have made the ultimate scarifice my heart really goes out to. Just please remember why you're all having your cookouts & what not so freely today.

Great reminder, 'Nessa!  My family did take time today to remember men and women all over the world who have given their lives so that others can live in freedom.

We also took some time to enjoy each other's company and celebrate the (unofficial) return of summer.  This evening, Mommy, Daddy, Auntie, Mimi, Poppy, and I all went over to Gramma and Grampa's house for a yummy kabob dinner and some splishy splash time!  Of course, every visit to Gramma and Grampa's must start out with a thorough inspection of the contents of their toy box.  I am happy to report that everything was in working order!

(Thanks for the cutie dress, Zsa!)

After dinner, we headed outside for that aforementioned splishy splash time.  Here I am executing my carefully planned approach to the activity pool...

and we have contact!  It didn't take me long at all to figure out that this thing is a blast.

It even doubles as a water fountain!

In between splashes, I enjoyed chillin' in the big people lawn chairs.  I'm really into sitting in big people chairs right now!

 I sure am going to get a lot of use out of that water wonderland this summer!

On a much heavier note, Mommy was saddened this morning when she found out that the father of one of her former students passed away over the weekend. This man was a wonderful daddy, and Mommy knows that his family is very heartbroken right now.  They have been in her prayers throughout the day today...and she knows that they would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for them, too.