I know I mentioned last week that I’d be back to the IVF journey this week, but I completely forgot about the holiday, so let’s talk about the Fourth instead. I’ll plan to jump back into IVF next week.
Growing up, the Fourth of July was the biggest celebration in my little Indiana hometown. They have the biggest parade in the state, and there’s always a delicious ham and egg breakfast early that morning. After the parade, the day is spent hanging out with friends and family.
If you’re in my hometown, I hope you enjoyed the ham breakfast and parade; I was there in spirit. Hopefully you said hi to my mom and dad as they walked the parade route! Dad’s running for mayor in November, so he’s walking with the other candidates from his party. (Vote for Preble, he’s a rebel!) Just kidding; he’s not a rebel, but he’d make a great mayor!
Nick hasn’t experienced a Linton Fourth of July yet, but hopefully one year he will. He does seem to work a lot on this holiday though.
For Nick’s family in Minnesota, the Fourth of July is also a big day. They usually get together the night before for personal pizzas grilled in the Jackson’s homebuilt woodfire oven (they’re the most delicious pizzas ever!) And then the next day, we drive up to Uncle Don’s cabin (on a lake) and spend the day swimming; playing softball, volleyball, soccer, or any other sport; eating; playing cards; and enjoying one another’s company.
Seeing photos from all the celebrations really makes me wish teleportation existed, and we could easily pop in and out of those parties without all the travel!
There are definitely fun things to do where we live as well, but, as seems to be usual, Nick is working. He’s on second shift for the week (2-10 p.m.), and he’s also working a 12-hour shift on the holiday. So, we weren’t able to travel anywhere this year.
He wasn’t able to make it last night to the county’s pre-holiday show, Stars & Stripes. This is an event our county has done the last few years, and it’s a really fun event on July 3. There’s a free concert, delicious food trucks, and a really great fireworks show set to music.
I think Nick has only made it to one in the last 3-4 years. (So thank you, Amber, for going with me to the event last night!) It’s really a lot of fun, and it’s pretty smart to do a big party and fireworks the night before the Fourth…
Even though Nick works today, he was able to go in early and will be working 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (instead of 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.), so we will actually get to enjoy our city’s fireworks show together! I know it’s a little thing, but I often don’t get to spend the Fourth with Nick. Typically, I’m a third wheel for our friends Stephen and Carrie (thank you both for always letting me tag along!!).
Anyway, I hope everyone has a safe, fun, and happy Fourth of July!
Completely random side note, but if you need a fun, tasty, and easy red and blue dessert (well, it starts red and blue but bakes purple…) try out this Strawberry, Blueberry, and Rhubarb Crisp. It’s absolutely delicious and could not be easier.
Back to our regularly scheduled programming next week (promise)!
IVF That 