OnE NaTioN, UnDer GoD!

I know this is all a little soon but being that the 4th of July is my FAVORITE holiday ever, I thought I would start celebrating a little early, especially because I will be working on that day. (yes I've already cried. Seriously.)

Ever since I can remember my family has celebrated the Fourth of July like it was Christmas... only BIGGER! We are all die hard PATRIOTS! As kids and all growing up we would all camp out in Grandma Paynes backyard with our cousins. The morning of the fourth we were woken up at 5 am by BLARING music coming from the windows of the house, nothing other than good ol' "Stars and Stripes Forever" and other patriotic marches! Then we all came in and had "Old Glory" Pancakes (recipe on right side of blog) for breakfast and got ready to go to the Flag Raising Ceremony. There we would have a devotional with patriotic speeches accompanied by a moment of silence as the dear flag was raised. Were my grandma lives we could look out over the valley and see the balloons from the balloon festival.
Next we were off to the Provo Parade! Nothing else compares to it. From the Local high school bands and cheerleaders, to Great Uncle Allen blowing the canons at every block, there isn't anything better than the Provo Parade. I can't help but tear up when I see the Missionaries that march or the Army Squads in their Camo! Oh and I can't forget my dads Peircing Whistle every time he sees his favorable political canditates. We were raised to love the flag and anything that had to do with defending it!












In the afternoon we all meet back at our house for the Payne Family BBQ. Its BIG and if you miss it... well we'd be more forgiving if it were Christmas but NOT the Fourth! My dad makes sure EVERYONE is fed, including the dog and lets everyone know, "If you go home hungry, its your own darn fault!" The food is accompanied by swimming and canon ball contests! You better believe we have to fill the pool back up when all is said and done!

The BBQ is great but all must stop at 4:30 so we can all get ready for(yes I just sang that out loud!) Its always been tradition to go and celebrate with the rest of Provo at the Stadium of Fire. We've seen countless artists there from Huey Lewis and the News, Toby Keith, Brooks and Dunn, Reba McIntire, Leanne Womack, Sawyer Brown, Natalie Cole, Martina McBride and others! To start the whole program off the JETS fly over the stadium filling the whole bowl with a chest shaking sound! The impact is enough to fill my eyes with tears of awe. It is my absolute favorite part of the entire day! One very memorable parts of the program is when they invite those who have served in the Air Force, Army, Marines, Military etc to stand up. I will never lose that lump in my throat that I get when my dad stands with the others that served in the Marine Core Platoons to sing their anthem.

"From the halls of Montezuma,
To the shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine."

The pride I would always feel in my heart was unforgettable. I look up to my dad for his patriotism and diligent desire to engrave the burning love for his Country in our hearts. He was very successful!

Next come the FIREWORKS! They are simply breathtaking and impacting. I tell you what, the louder and more shaking the better! We are also a family that loves Volume! If it'll shake your ear drum its only half loud enough. Just ask Grandpa Payne... he'd respond, "What? I can't hear you!"

By the end of the night we are all saying, "Only 365 days until next year!" It is truly our love and privilege to stand up and celebrate this wonderful country! Although there may be things to complain about in government and politics we must remember that this Country was all started by the PEOPLE. We are all blessed to be here and should remember those things that we fought for to earn this FREEDOM! We should want to spread that patriotism to others around us! After all we are

ONE NATION UNDER GOD!