A Frightening, Thrilling, Fun-filled, Life-Threatening Fourth

When I was packing up the swimsuits, towels, and pink hippo and blue dolphin pool floaties for the annual Fourth of July party at the Volpatos, I had no incling of the evening that was to come.

We arrived at the party and it was stiflingly hot. I was not about to be seen in my maternity swimsuit (the only swimsuit I own at the moment), so I was watching Gwen and Ruby like a hawk as they paddled around in their floaties--mentally preparing myself to jump in the pool fully clothed if the situation called for it. Well as it turned out, luckily, Ruby slipped under the water right by the pool side so I could just reach down and fish her out. But seriously, it was frightening to see my child slip beneath the water and wonder at the implications if I hadn't been paying attention. I grabbed her out and she did not get in the pool (or out of my sight) for the rest of the evening.

Later, we were all preparing ourselves for the awesome show that Jack was about to put on with the fireworks he had purchased. I was standing up, positioning my chair when I hear Jack yell "Okay, run, get away!" He was actually talking to a few little girls who were still standing close to the table where the first firework was going off. One little girl ran away screaming as the candle spewed out a deafening "BOOM" every second, while the other little girl (Dempsey) just stood there watching without even flinching. I stood frozen, and when the firework fizzled and ran and grabbed my baby. Someone had called her brave, I on the other hand, became convinced she is hearing impaired.

As we were watching the rest of the show, the rain started the fall, then lightening, then thunder, then pouring. The lightening became close. We all thought we were fine outside in it until the one particular strike surprised us by being close enough to shake the earth, but far enough not to set anything or anyone on fire near us. This is when we all frantically ran for the doors of the house. I had Ruby and Dempsey, and was looking for Gwen. I scanned the yard and found Gwen and Grace gleefully swinging on the metal swingset teeter-totter. I yelled for them to come to the house in a loud and authoritative voice that usually only comes out when I am in teacher-mode, and the two girls caming giggling in.

The storm died down, and we all stood on the back deck with the falling rain drenching us as we watched the big fireworks over the river. There would be ooohs, and aaaahhs, and it seemed the biggest expressions of awe were for the competing lightening show (now a safer distance from us). God's power is still bigger and more inspireing than anything man could create.