My patriotic cake :)

I love watching the flag blowing in the wind.  It's doing that right now, outside my window.  The weather is cold, windy, and it will probably rain tonight.  We've had a very cool spring, but the forecast is for sun this week, and 80 degree weather.  Everyone is ready and waiting!

I recognize that one of my blessings is to have been born in this great country.  The freedom we enjoy, and all that comes with it, is something I am deeply grateful for.  I hope my children realize what they have been given and what their responsibilities are.  A friend forwarded an email recently with several pictures of U.S. military cemeteries from WWII, in several countries of Europe.  Thousands and thousands of U.S. soldiers gave their lives to preserve freedom, not just for ourselves, but for those in other countries.  It's hard to understand why so many people twist history to try to say that we are imperialistic and power hungry, when what we really try to do is protect our own people, and those who need our help, against tyranny, oppression, and ignorance.  Not that we don't have some leaders, not to mention soldiers, who sometimes are not able to handle the power they have.  But it's just sad to know how many "Americans" seem to be ashamed of their own country and what it stands for.  I am so grateful to be here, and to be able to raise a family here.  I think of the millions of people across the world who would give anything to have what I have.  I treasure the blessing of freedom, and I honor those who have sacrificed for me and all of the rest of us.  I feel a great appreciation for those early patriots and all the founding fathers.  They were courageous and loyal to a cause that was worth dying for.  What will we do with what they gave to us?