The Catch of a Lifetime

To hear Bradley tell the story of our 4th of July weekend is priceless. I can say without any further research into the matter that fishermen just naturally know how to tell a tale. They don't have to learn it over years of practice and listening to other's stories before them. They just start from their very first catch with their version of events.

When asked about how big the fish he caught was Bradley excitedly and very straight forward, stretches his arms wide and says, "This big." Then he spreads his arms wider and jumps up and down. Then the listener gets to hear how the fish jumped out of his hands and flopped like this (Bradley's waving his arms and jumping at this point.) I just love to hear his tale everytime he tells it. Of course you'll see in a moment just how big the fish really was, but don't tell him I told you...shhhhhhhh.

Now this year's 4th of July certainly was different from the recent past. In Mark's family we gather at the lake (property that's been in the family for many decades....you know back when no one wanted to live at the lake so the prices were dirt cheap) to eat and be with one another. It's not always the same crowd, but many of the same people are usually there. Not so this year. This year was a very intimate gathering...only Mark's parents and brother, my parents, my niece, one of Mark's aunts and 2 cousins. And of course us. There was peace and quiet, light music in the background, fishing, cooking, and of course eating.




Some old toys were found and became cherished treasures.

Good food was had by all. We got a special dance performance by Miss Jenna Jade (my niece.....who I am so glad could join us this year, maybe one year my brother, sister in law, and other niece Lexie will be able to join us).

Goodbyes were said as my parents and Jenna left to get in some special one on one time. And later Bradley caught a fish. Well....kind of....and here's the less enhanced version:

You see, uncle Timmy was fishing and Bradley was helping. When uncle Timmy knew he had a fish, he let Bradley help reel him in, then Bradley got the net and got the fish out of the water. I of course missed all this as I was changing Tori's diaper, but what I did get to see was priceless. My 3 year old came up the dock as quick as his little legs would carry him proudly holding the net in front yelling look, look at my fish.

The fish was taken out of the net for Bradley to hold and then of course the talk started about needing to put him in the water, but Bradley innocently looked up and said, "But daddy, he's my friend."

It took some coaxing, but the net with the fish made it back down the dock and into the water. Bradley's fish started swimming around and Bradley was crying because he wanted to keep him for a pet. During all this the fish managed to find a way out of the net. Luckily another, bigger fish wasn't too far behind.

Bradley got to net a 2nd fish, which he will tell you he caught, then he'll back up and say uncle Timmy did. Now this fish was a wiggler. When Bradley tells you about the fish jumping out of his hands, this one did. He jumped out, started flopping on the ground, and everything.

I must say it was definitely the highlight of the day....that is until evening came, but even after the evening I think the fish still wins since it's still talked about.

That evening we went to Nana's and Grandpop's (my parents). To start our fireworks, the kids started off with sparklers. Jenna liked this, Bradley loved it, and Tori, well she was fine playing in the yard. Once it began to get dark we trekked back out and brought out the sparklers again, hoping to get Jenna excited and calm her fears, but it didn't work so she and Nana went inside. Meanwhile....

Bradley was jumping up and down, "Do another one! Do a big one!" and on and on. Fortunately my camera has a fireworks setting, unfortunately the shutter speed is slowed and I never got the timing right so I didn't get any good pics.

Back inside the house.... Jenna, Nana, and Tori (Nana came and got Tori to join them) were having a dance party.

Fun I think was had by all.

And let's remember Independence Day is about our freedom. For the majority who do not speak up, think about starting today because in order to continue to have our freedom, we must speak up, speak out, and speak loud. Afterall it's not always majority rule if the majority are silent. That's how things such as prayer in school have been taken away. The majority are standing idly by while the voices of a few are shouting. Read the papers, take a look around you, then stand for what you believe so we may continue to be free, because before long, if you stand by silently thinking other people will represent your voice, you'll find your freedom slowly fading away.