happy (belated) memorial day!

mason and i went to the hardware store and bought a new flag for our new house. we hung up the supports and we were all ready to fly the flag for the memorial day weekend. but then it rained, and rained, and when it wasn't raining, it looked like it could start back up again any minute. so we weren't able to fly our new flag at all - all weekend -because of the bad weather. i even had mini flags to put in the flower pots! i guess i'll just have to wait until 4th of july...

although we weren't able to show our patriotism, i am very thankful for all the service and sacrifice that so many men and women, and their families, have provided in behalf of our country. i don't think i fully understand the cost of my freedom, but i am very thankful for it. i'm thankful for a dedicated weekend to think of them and also the others who have left us.

growing up, we always used to go to the cemetery sometime during the weekend (usually on sunday) and my grandma would have fake flower arrangements all made up to put on family members' graves. we would visit each grave and just visit with each other and enjoy the time together as a family. i think it's a great tradition!

i'm not sure if mason's family has a tradition like that or not, but in the time we've been married, we haven't visited the graves of those we love who have passed on (other than when we're in craig over the holiday weekend). his maternal grandfather is buried near loveland and his brother is buried in fort collins. i've thought about it but wasn't sure how mason felt about it. but we talked it over on sunday afternoon. we're going to continue the family tradition and next memorial day weekend, we're going to visit their graves and decorate them with flowers. i want andrew to grow up and feel some of the special feelings i felt growing up as we visited the graves, shared stories and told memories of those who've gone before us.