The three day weekend was super busy…we kicked it off on Friday afternoon with horseback riding lessons. Both girls were still in odd moods from the beginning of summer so it was interesting for the new instructor. Hopefully things are a little less giggly and focused next time! We then topped Friday night off with Mexican dinner and some ice cream from one of my favorite places for a belated birthday meal. The girls were utterly exhausted after that!

Saturday we spent planting the rest of the items in the garden! We finally have a fully planted garden…the only thing to do is deer proof it and maintain it by weeding it regularly, watering it regularly, and patiently waiting for the fruits of our labor to pay off! That took most of the morning, but we were also able to work a little on the chicken coop and rest some as well! The girls desperately needed a rest, as did I!

Sunday we went to church. The 4th Sunday of every month is hard on me. The girls are up in the service and their attention spans are extremely limited! It’s taxing and mentally exhausting. Lunch with dad is always a blessing. Then we worked on the coop for a hot minute before we jetted to Aunt Kel’s to have a memorial day cookout and celebrate her birthday as well as her precious girl’s birthdays. The cousins loved playing despite the chill in the air!

Monday, as we remembered those who have given their lives for our freedoms, we worked on the coop some more. The coop itself is enclosed. The next step is to paint, but rain was in the forecast for the day. So we called it a night and watched the pups play for a bit and relaxed.

Memorial Day weekends for some mean camping trips. For some mean, vacations. For me, it means time to catch up on items around the house, but really it’s about remembering why we are free. I will never forget visiting Pearl Harbor and the feel that you standing there taking it all in. The ultimate sacrifice so many have paid over the years. Or Arlington Cemetery and the stillness you feel walking through visiting graves–some you may even know.

So what does Memorial Day weekend mean to you? Did you stop and remember the freedoms that we have and why we have them? Did you thank a veteran maybe? No matter how unraveled life seems, there’s always something to be thankful for. And this weekend is a good reminder of that.

Tags: country, family, holidays, memorial day, thankful