Thank you for all of the caring and compassionate comments last week after Steve’s bee incident. (You can read the post here if you missed it.)
It took him most of the week to recover completely but he is feeling well and more grateful than ever for the gift of each day. And I am more grateful than ever for the gift of him each day!
Speaking of Steve, here is a photo of him with a certain mother of the bride and a certain mother and father of the groom.
All of these photos were taken by Gage’s brother, Nick, with a vintage film camera his mom gave him from back in the day.
let’s transition from lovely wedding-ness to gaudy 4th of July-ness.
We had a cookout after church yesterday, complete with a photo booth.
I was going to sit down and have a photo taken but as soon as I did, I got swarmed by a whole group of crazy, wonderful folks. So much more fun than having a photo taken alone!
My dignified, bee sting-surviving hubby and me. (Note the guitar-themed glasses he’s wearing.)
A few shots of the new couple.
Gage is finally having his root canal tomorrow after almost a month of waiting. Not the most fun thing to have done but a big relief to have it taken care of.
Also, on July 15, Sarah will be at Duke for another CT scan of her abdomen. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers going into that somewhat stressful time.
Thanks for spending a part of your Monday catching up here at Smithellaneous.
What about you?
What did you do on the Fourth? Do you or your family have any particular traditions you look forward to?
The Longs are looking especially happy! Will definitely keep Sarah in my prayers for her upcoming scan. I’ve never had a root canal but hubby has so I can sympathize with Gage. He will feel so much better afterwards though!
We usually golf with friends on the 4th. This year we went on the 3rd to a fun little course about an hour from home. Hilly, slope-y, and quite challenging! Then we always go to our friend’s house and bbq on the night of the 3rd and watch the fireworks that are displayed by the country club they live close to. We sit in their driveway and the view is perfect!
On Sunday we were able to make a quick trip to see our kids and grand kids. It was short but sweet! My honey had to work on Monday so I finished the long weekend with a fairly long to-do list and then a swim in our best friends’ pool. It was 99 degrees and very humid so it felt awesome!!
Lee Anne,
Sounds like a perfect holiday weekend–food, friends, swimming, golfing, kids, grandkids, fireworks. Who could ask for more? Glad you enjoyed it.
Those vintage camera pictures are wonderful! So thankful that Gage is going to get some relief for that tooth today and that Steve is all mended! Praying for Sarah’s next steps as well!
Our Fourth was spent at the lake…there’s nothing like fireworks over the water. We actually had fireworks in 360 degrees at one point (we were in our boat in the middle of the lake) with all the different people on shore shooting them up!
Have a blessed week!
Suzanne,
I’ve always thought I would love to watch fireworks from a boat. Ours were over the water in downtown Manteo but it would be cool to be right in the middle of all the action instead of on the edge. Sounds like you had a marvelous time!
Glad to hear that Steve is feeling better. What a scary event. Your fourth of July party at church looked fun. Our GRANDSON baseball team was playing in a state tournament Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. So we had a great day watching him play and hanging out with family.
Cathie,
Baseball tourneys are always a great chance to see friends and family and cheer on those future major league-ers. 🙂 Nothing quite as wonderfully American as young fellas playing baseball.
Wonderful to hear that Steve is back to his normal self. Am assuming we will find out shortly what it was that stung him? Great pictures with that vintage camera and love those 4th of July hats and glasses!
Sharyn,
We had one pest control guy come out to take a look and now are waiting on the people who will eradicate the insects. We’re hoping in the middle of the eradication, an IF will be made. It would be very helpful to know what Steve reacts to so strongly. I’ll let you know what we find out.
My Sarah and I were driving home from Ohio on the 4th. I was at a celebration of life service for my best friend. It was a lovely send off for a great friend. She died in April. She had 2 service’s one in NC and in Ohio. She will be missed. I’m glad Steve is feeling much better. Praying for the Longs. Hugs to all Catherine
Catherine,
So sorry to hear about the passing of your best friend. That is a great loss.
Glad to hear Sarah was able to go with you to the service; some mother/daughter time is very comforting. Hugs.
Glad Steve is finally feeling better and that you were able to have a 4th of July celebration. Prayers for Sarah’s scan and Gage’s root canal. The pictures Gage’s brother took are great!
I went to Springfield Thursday to celebrate my aunt’s 90th birthday. She and my mom are less than a month apart in age. My aunt, cousin and I were able to get a lobby visit with her and take in Chick-fil-A and coconut pie. We were only there less than an hour but it was good to be able to actually see her in person. I had Facetimed with her once when my cousin was there and my aunt and cousin had a window visit with her on her last birthday. We Facetimed with my dad – my aunts are his sisters. Somehow he got his phone switched to where he only saw himself but my aunt saw him and they could hear each other. My parents live about 75 miles from Springfield so he hasn’t seen her in person for close to 2 years.
On the 4th, we ordered in Mexican food and played Phase 10 and Monopoly Deal. I had just been introduced to Monopoly Deal a couple weeks ago so I introduced it to my aunt and cousin. The Delta variant of COVID is running rampant in Southwest Missouri so we pretty much stayed in the rest of the weekend. One of the two hospital systems in Springfield ran out of ventilators over the weekend and had to borrow from NW Arkansas and St. Louis hospitals.
Phyllis,
Wow. I hadn’t heard about the Delta variant of COVID in SW Missouri. So sorry to hear that. Glad you were able to see a few family members after such a long time and then enjoy the rest of the weekend with games and “hanging out” time.
It’s so good to spend time with people who are dear to us.
Looks like your 4th was a fun, it was so hot here I remained in the house except for watering my vegetables and flowers twice. It has been in the high 90’s for days, so I am not outside unless I have to. Wednesday night a friend and I went to to a concert to see my favorite band. Thankfully we were able to sit in the back in the shade. Best of all I had cheesecake in a waffle cone. Tonight we should get some rain and then have at least five days in the 70’s, looking forward to that. Looking forward to a good nights sleep without fireworks! When they started last night I put Milo on my bed and turned my sleep machine on high, worked like a charm and he just slept.
Cindy,
How fun to get to go to a concert! Seems like last year at this time, we thought we would NEVER get to go to concerts or events again. I know you truly appreciated the opportunity, especially seeing your favorite band!
And cheesecake in a waffle cone? Sign me up. 🙂
You folks look as if you have a wonderful time on July 4th! I can’t think of an equivalent here in England… Oh, I do love to see Sarah and Gage looking so very HAPPY together, such a sense of fun. Lovely photographs! And last but not least – so very glad to see Steve looking his usual perky self again, that must have been so frightening, and how could anyone have seen it coming – what a shock. xxxxxxx
Teresa,
Yes, Sarah and Gage do happy very well. 🙂
And it truly is wonderful to see Steve feeling like himself again. It was a long week of feeling really poorly. Thankful for him!
I’m so glad Steve is feeling better and I loved ALL the photo booth pics! Sarah & Gage look so happy. Prayers for both of them with their upcoming medical/dental appointments. We grilled out with family for the 4th and enjoyed lots of good food, including a delicious brisket. I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Sue Ellen,
A brisket. Hmmm. I don’t think I have ever done a brisket before. I will have to try it!
Grilling out with family is one of the best 4th activities there is. Glad you got to do that.
So good to hear that Steve is doing better. Nice to see all the happy and crazy images. We have usually been in Montana trailering on the 4th. This year we were at home and packing the trailer. After church we worked on packing, had some nice grilled brats for dinner, watched New York and DC fireworks on TV and then were treated to a lot of fireworks in our neighborhood. They really were some amazing displays.
Patti,
Nice to see “brats” come up in a comment. We used to eat them a lot in WI but don’t see them as much as in the south. I miss them!
I know you enjoyed the on-screen fireworks and the in-person fireworks. You can never have too many!
I forget that not everyone calls them brats. I wrote my mom once and at first she thought I was having a bad day at work with some brats (bratty children). It is all in the pronunciation.
Patti,
That is TOO funny!
I’m so glad Steve is feeling better! I had a good 4th! I walked to church and then had a relaxing day at home. I made a cherry dessert and it turned out really delicious!
Sarah,
You don’t see cherry desserts very much; glad you made it and glad it turned out delicious!
And since you walked to church, you burned off a few calories ahead of time. 🙂
Does my heart good to see you and Steve and the new Longs looking so hale and happy! 🥰 Love the photo booth–so fun!
Love, Deb
Deb,
Hale. Now that’s a word one doesn’t see very often.
You get 50 points for using an interesting word. 🙂
The photos are great! My favorite is Pastor Steve giving Sarah a kiss on the cheek, so precious. That Gage is so very photogenic, ‘Hollywood handsome’. A group of church friends met for a fun filled July 4th lunch celebration yesterday. The weather is beautiful in Asheville, heading outside to water the newly planted cherry laurels and forsythia. I will keep Sarah and Gage in my prayers. Thank you for your weekly blogs Becky, I always look forward to Mondays.
Gloria,
Glad you were able to get together with friends to celebrate yesterday. Such a joy to gather after all we went through last year.
And I’m so happy that I can help you look forward to Mondays. That made me smile.
brookdale celebrated the 4th on Fri. I won for best patriotic outfit. so happy to see that Steve is doing well.
Mrs. Pam,
Seems to me you’ve won some awards there before. Sounds like you’re the one to beat! 🙂
What a fun time you all had!
We actually didn’t do anything; just church, lunch, church and packing/cleaning. We’re going to Family Camp today. Each year around the 4th, our church has a week long family camp at our camp site about 40 mins away. 5 days of friends, food, fun and of course, God! This will be the first year we are going for the whole week. We are so excited!
Lords Blessings and prayers for you all!
Krista,
I used to LOVE family camp back in the day. So nice that you can still go and especially, that you can stay the whole week.
Enjoy every moment!
It is such a joy to hang with you guys each week! I’m so so happy that Steve is doing great!
We love any reason to celebrate! I have sang the national anthem for the Holiday many times. This year I got a greater honor to have my first Sunday singing with the Praise Band of our church! 405 people attended the service (normally about 100 however all 3 services were combined for 1 service) We have lived here for 3 years and I can finally say “we are home”!!
We were doubly blessed by a surprise trip from my mom and sister. They were at a wedding and realized they were only 2 hours away! Mom is leaving today and Suzi will fly out Thursday morning.
Lots and Lots of JOY going on over here in the mountains!
Blessings – Tammy
Tammy,
I remember your lovely voice singing that song. So glad you have found a place on a worship team in a church you feel at home in. Good news!
And how fun to get surprised by your mom and sister. That’s the best way to make a holiday even better.