Blueberry Bitterness, Fundraising Success, and the Holiday Weekend

Well, I lied. I did not come right back and write about blueberries. I am sure y'all were on the edge of your seats waiting, but the pain was too fresh. Ok, well, I am partially kidding--I DID have a horrible time picking blueberries with Thing 4 and didn't really feel like re-living it through telling the story. She screamed the entire time and was miserable, it was swelteringly hot and I lost my very favorite silver earring, one I purchased in Africa on our trip to get our daughter and it had huge sentimental value to me so it really made me so, so sad. See why I didn't come back and share my awesome story? ;) However, it has a semi-happy ending because I did go again, ALONE, to pick berries and it was fabulous and then I baked a blueberry almond cake which was even more fabulous so I have now forgiven the blueberry patch. Almost.

Anyway, on to exciting news-my hubby rocked his triathlon-WOOHOO! He did GREAT and through that and some other generous friends, has now raised all the money needed to pay for his trip. THANK YOU to all of you who have given to his trip! But, here is the fun part-$ is still coming in for his trip so he is working to raise an extra $2000 to put toward some special projects while there like goats, water, home improvements, etc. It is SO awesome to see his excitement and enthusiasm to serve the fatherless. I cannot wait to send him off, even though I hate the thought of him being gone. (However, I will let you in on a secret. I am super excited to pack his stuff. No really. I LOVE packing for Africa-I cannot explain it and it is weird and not normal, but it is like a fun game for me to make it fit all small and organized and airline approved. I know, seriously not normal.)

Aside from all the fascinating blueberry news I have to share (I may even go again tomorrow-I know, I am FASCINATING! ;) ), we are just gearing up for a fun 4th of July weekend. My sister in law is here in town with us for the weekend so we are excited to have fun swimming and doing parades and sparklers and cook outs and all the fun things that go with July 4th. I love the 4th because it is just fun, no stress with presents and fancy foods-just having fun outside and celebrating! I am off to go plan what foods we will be making for the cookouts and what fun other stuff we will be doing. What are YOU doing for the long weekend??