Music Monday – July!

I can’t believe July is already upon us. Also, today happens to be July 4th…and you know what that means…it’s my birthday, tomorrow! Just kidding…well, it is my birthday tomorrow, but today is Independence day! I’m so thankful for this country! Yes, the United States has made some mistakes, but America is still an exceptional nation. We’ve saved the world at least once…not to quote the cheesy song, but I am proud to be an American. Speaking of songs, today is the first Monday of the month! Music Monday!!!!! Here’s my July picks:

1. I Got You – Leona Lewis
2. Let Go – Red
3. Independence Day – Martina Mcbride (Come on…it’s July 4th!)
4. Honey and the Bee – Owl City
5. Like an Avalanche – Hillsong
6. Don’t Know How It Goes – Julian Smith
7. Saviour – Lights
8. River (Acoustic Version) – Lights
9. Deer in the Headlights – Owl City
10. Every Teardrop is a Waterfall – Coldplay

…And the Home of the Brave.

So, this may seem a little random, but what about this blog isn’t? 🙂 A couple of years ago, I was able to go to Washington DC with my family…all I can say is that it’s probably one of my favorite places in this country that I’ve traveled to. I love this country so much, and I had many relatives that have fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. It was such a blessing to see a lot of those rights in action, and the memorials of the wars that they’ve fought in. I wanted to show you pictures of some of my favorite places in DC.   This is Arlington National Cemetery…hundreds of thousands of men and women who fought for our nation, as well as many other historical figures are buried here.  The Jefferson memorial…I want to go back to Washington DC in the spring so I can see everything with all of the cherry blossoms!   The Vietnam Memorial…there are so many names engraved into this wall.  This is the National Archives building. It’s one of my favorites…it’s HUGE! Way bigger than it looks. Also, it contains so much history, which I think is awesome.  The capitol building…I got to tour it! It’s just as cool on the inside as it is on the outside…  This is the World War II memorial. My great grandfather served in World War II! I think this is my favorite of all of the war memorials…is that weird to have a favorite memorial?? I think it’s just all of the sentimental value involved. I remember going fishing with my great grandfather early one morning, and he told me the story of his time serving the country…it was really the only time that he opened up about that part of his past. He had a pretty incredible story! So for me, I saw this memorial, which is physically beautiful, but also a beautiful picture of my great grandfather, and the thousands like him, that fought for the United States in WWII.

“Oh! Thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!”

-The Star Spangled Banner (Final Verse)