Oh The Places You'll Go...life.liberty.and the pursuit of happiness

Since I didn't really blog about last weekend I'm tying that into my reflection on this past week, so with that said, Sunday night was a celebration of those famous sovereign rights, "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" as we toasted Mr. Jones' cousin Carol on becoming an American Citizen. The party was a surprise, one that had been in the works for a few months now and it went off perfectly. We crowned her "Mrs." America complete with sash and tiara and spent the evening surrounded by friends and family who love her dearly. My favorite part of the evening was the actual surprise, there were about 24 adults hiding in a room lit only with candles softly singing "My Country Tis of Thee" which at first I was slightly hesitant about.. I just wanted to scream "Surprise" and start the champagne toasts, but it ended up being such a touching moment for everyone in the room and actually quite moving in my opinion.

Carol & Bob as they entered the room ;)

Our "Mrs. America"

Brits toasting their Cousin...the new American Citizen

It's funny how you can take something like being an American for granted very easily one moment and the next moment the reminder of how precious that is, is all around you.

Following the party on Sunday I found myself working 4 days this week at an elementary school where each morning after the pledge the students sang the very song I felt silly about singing with an entire room of adults just the night before. This time the song stirring the same patriotic emotion as it had the previous night, but translated through the sweet proud voices of 1st graders elicited a feeling of hope and wonder as they sang their hearts out each morning, remembering each line and verse and with such conviction. I couldn't help but smile and think about those famous words in the Declaration, "We hold these truths to be self evident , that all men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." In pursuing happiness this week I surrounded myself with family,

(excuse the strange "action" shot")

Good friends, wine and food,

Mr. Jones, Tait & Kasey and myself enjoying dinner out!

The amazing menu for the citizenship party

I also indulged in a little, me time and pampering ;)

Holy Hair!

And of course surrounding myself with bright, vibrant, loving students and teaching, my ultimate source of happiness.

Hope your pursuit of happiness is fulfilled with a wonderful weekend! Until we meet again...

XOXO- Miss V.