Happy Independence Day

It's only 11 a.m. and already we've celebrated so much that it requires napping! We were up early this morning to go to a pancake breakfast put on by our church. Quin cooked and Maren and I visited with friends and played on the slide before stuffing ourselves with pancakes, eggs and sweet watermelon. What is it about breakfast that it always tastes better when cooked outdoors? So now Daddy and Baby are napping, and Mommy is headed that direction shortly. Don't have big plans for the day; perhaps we'll dump the past two days' rainwater out of Maren's little pool and fill it up with fresh, and let her splash. Maybe Bronco will even get in on the action! Dinner, hope it doesn't rain again, and if the weather holds we may venture out for fireworks.

Quin's mom, Bunnie, is very involved in doing genealogy for her ancestors, many of whom are from South Carolina (as is she). In her files she had a copy of this wonderful document, and I was so taken by it I had to take pictures. I don't know of the official name for it, but this document was written by who I assume were prominent citizens of South Carolina (some of whom I believe are Bunnie's ancestors) less than a year after the first shots were fired at Lexington & Concord, on April 19, 1775. I will type the text as well as I can read it. I found it to be quite inspiring.

"South Carolina Association. The actual commencement of Hostilities against
this Continent by the British Troops in the bloody scene on the 19th of April
last near Boston, & Increase of arbitrary impositions from a reviled and
despotic Ministry--and the Dread Insurrections in the Colonies, are Causes
sufficient to drive an oppressed People to the use of force: We therefore the
Subscribers, Inhabitants of South Carolina, holding ourselves bound by that most
Sacred of all Obligations, the Duty of good Citizens toward an injured Country,
and thoroughly convinced, that, under our present distressed Circumstances, we
shall be Justified before God and Man, in resisting Force by Force, Do unite
ourselves under every Tie of Religion and of Honor and associate as a Band in
her Defence, against every Foe: Hereby solemnly engaging that, whenever our
Continental or Provincial Councils shall decree it necessary, we will go forth
and be ready to sacrifice our Lives and Fortunes to secure her Freedom and
Safety. This obligation to continue in full Force until a Reconciliation shall
take place between Great Britain and America, upon constitutional Principles--an
even which we most ardently desire. And we will hold all these persons inimical
to the Liberty of the Colonies, who shall refuse to subscribe this Association."

Every time I read that, I am touched by the fervor and the conviction behind those words. I am thankful for the men and women who did what the did, and held such convictions, even being willing to die for them.