My Treat Wednesdays: Introduction

     This year is my last year in high school. Yep that's right, I'm a Senior....I still can't quite believe I will be 18 in a couple months and off to college next August. My parents, being the awesome parents that they are, have for the past year or so have been giving me an allowance that I must budget so I can get all the things I need, it has taught me the importance of budgeting and keeping track of my money. Now my lessons to help prepare me for life are going in to phase two. 

     I'll be in charge of Wednesday night meals, also known as dinner, until I go off to college (and probably when I come home for the summer and breaks and what not). I will be doing a new blog series called My Treat Wednesdays. So here are the rules: 1) It must be healthy 2) I can't cook the same meal twice, I must pick a new recipe every week 3) I have around $20 to spend which means finding fresh, healthy food on a budget (yet another life lesson). I will be writing up a blog post every Wednesday telling y'all what I cooked along with pictures. I am excited to experiment with food and try some new recipes.  I will be doing a lot of American food, some French food, and any other international dish that looks yummy and my family will eat. I guess that means no frog legs, not that I would know where to get those. 

4th of July: A Day of Rememberance

Link

    Happy 4th of July!!!! This is my mom's all time favorite holiday. I love 4th of July because it usually means we are at the Cabin but because of drama over the past two years 4th of July hasn't been the same. Don't get me wrong it's still fun as I get to hang out with my best friends and their families. BBQ, potato salad, fireworks, parades, and yummy desert. It's easy to get caught up in what's, where's, and who's and completely forget why we are celebrating today. When asked why we celebrate 4th of July many of us say: "It's the day we gained independence from Britain" and while this is true and worth celebrating that often makes it sound like fighting for independence is a one time thing. We forget that our freedom and independence must be fought for Every. Single. Day. Ronald Reagan once said "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We don't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same" 

Link

     There are many families who will be celebrating 4th of July missing members of their families. Some of you may even be reading this right now. Your sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends are fighting for our freedom and this day celebrates them. Some of your family members and friends have died protecting our nation and today is the day we remember and celebrate their sacrifice. To paraphrase Joseph Campbell, a hero is someone who is willing to sacrifice his/her life for something bigger than his/herself. This is the holiday of Hero's. 
     I want to take a minute and just say thank you. I don't know if any soldiers will read this but from a teenage girl in Colorado, thank you. It is because of you I can debate without fear of persecution. It is because of you I can say what I want, believe what I want, and do what I want (within the law of course). Thank you for your sacrifice and your willingness to fight so we can be free. I pray for you and your families every time I think of you.

Link

     4th of July isn't just in celebration of that day in 1776. It is a celebration of our men and women who are fighting for our freedom every day. Don't forget our US soldiers, active duty or retired. Take a minute to thank them, to salute them, and to pray for them. And more important never forget them.