INDEPENDENCE DAY -- HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

Did You Know?
Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.
During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:
“     The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.    ”

Adams' prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution (From .wikipedia.org

When I think of Independence Day and Freedom I not only think of our forefathers who fought for our freedom but for all those who have since fought to keep America free.  Americans have always been ready to make sure that those freedoms fought for in the American Revolution are still ours today. Not only should we celebrate that day but also honor all those who have fought and died for us.

I feel so blessed to live in America, I get chills when I hear the Star Spangled Banner and I get choked up when I say the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag, and I cry when I sing God Bless America.

It has been 223 years since we first declared our independence and we still have our men and women, of the military, on foreign soils, again fighting for our freedom and for the freedom of others. I honor them today and say a special thank you to them and to their families.

In the mist of all the celebrations today, lets keep in mind just what the day means and give a prayer of thanks for all we have and for our Military.

That said, I have lots to tell you today,

First DSO is having a store wide sale today.

KimB has her new Mini Grab Bag in her store today

I have a new word art set in my store , Just in time for those 4th of July layouts,

Do you have a friend or loved one serving in the military? Or,would you just like to make a layout to honor our military or their families? This is why I made this OUR MILITARY Word Art. Although there are some made specifically for the US, most can be used by other countries. Each branch of the American military is represented. 
There are 25 individual png files all done in 300 dpi for better print quality. Any one of these will add that wow factor that we all want for our scrapbook pages..these can also be used for cards or other craft projects.

It's in my store  and just look at some of the awesome layouts my CT has made for us..

From kimscrappin love the colors in this one..

O2BNGdHope made a collage of this Military layout..it looks great.

nancy made this one..love the pic and all the elements.

purepixels made this..love the mask.awesome page..her husband is in the military and just left Iraq..thanks for all you do at home so he could be there..this day is for you and your daughter too!

kimscrappin made this for the book of me challenge on DSO, she used some free birthday word art on this one..

nancy also sent this one of her baby and her fur baby..love it, she used Doggie Treats

kimscrappin sent this of her adorable GD..love the simplicity of it..she used All About Kids Word art.

You can find all of the word art sets used by my ct at my store

Ok gang, I have a few more layouts left but will show them to you next week...

I made you a little something for today..a bit out of category for me..but hope you can use it..heres a paqe I made with it to honor my dad today, he joined the Navy at 17 when Pearl Harbor was attacked, his parents had to sign for him, a decision they agonized over, he lost his leg at the Battle of Iwo Jima, and came home a man having seen things no boy or man should every have to see..he was my hero always.

 

It's a mini kit made from KimB CU bag 5 and other elements from other of her kits, flowers are from Chaos Lounge..if you want you can find it at

http://www.4shared.com/file/115902954/a5c109fa/Celebrate_America_Freebie.html 

Thanks for reading, hope you all have a wonderful and safe 4th of July, if you don't celebrate the 4th, hope you have a wonderful day too! It would sure be nice if you left a little love today..