John indulged me this 4th of July and even let us book a hotel to stay 45 minutes away in Williamsburg. Our budget provided a quaint (that's euphemism for TINY) hotel to pack 6 of us in. 2 double beds and a pack n play squeezed in the cracks. The kids were excited to stay at a hotel. Even though we live right next to and swim quite often in a pool, they associate hotels with their first experience in a pool and thus look forward to the chance to stay in one. Even if this particular pool was just a little bigger than my right foot.
We woke up almost refreshed the morning of the 4th. And if I'm ever in a bad mood (not that that happens) a look at these 4 in their moment of quiet (read: cartoons) quickly turns my attitude around. I say it all the time but I mean it: God has blessed us immeasurably more than we deserve giving us these sweet ones.
We're off the a good start through the gates of Colonial Williamsburg! Well, except that I am missing one child at the moment as he was racing down the street ahead of us.
We planted ourselves on the field by the courthouse and were greeted by the local tavern owner who was able to share the latest gossip (she called it news) about the various colonists in the town. Being an owner of a tavern she had the privilege of hearing the latest rumblings coming through town.
The most beautiful oak tree I have ever seen in my life. I want to edit out the people around this tree and frame it for my house.
Our first order of the day was a "Salute to the States," where the militia march onto the field followed by the Fife and Drum Corps to honor the colonies who, at this time in 1776 declared that no longer were they separate colonies but the United States.
My eyes were sweating as they played the National Anthem. I guess I gained a fresh understanding of what these colonists intended when they stated:
And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
Here are the 13 flags of the original 13 states. Many gave their lives in pursuit of this freedom from England, in particular freedom from a tyrannical king. Many gave their fortunes. I forget that one a lot. The men who fought for liberty did not have in mind that they would become rich (or in many situations maintain their wealth.) They were fighting not for comfort. They fought so that they could work hard to provide for their own families; so that they could step out from under a government's supervision of their property and family.
They shot a cannon in honor of the 13 original states. We made it through about 3 when our trooper kids had had enough.
Our next stop was the Gaol (Jail). Emmett was particularly excited about this one. Again you might be wondering where Stuart is?
There he is, being very cooperative.
So the Gaol is where Blackbeard's pirates were incarcerated after a battle off the Emerald Isle of North Carolina. Blackbeard was killed in that battle but his first mate and many crew members were imprisoned here in Williamsburg. We walked in their cells. We saw the gallows where all but 2 of them hung. They explained to us that if found guilty criminals were either hung (for big crimes like murder, treason, thievery, etc.). But the smaller crimes were given a smaller penalty. Like cutting off an ear, or the more common branding the palm of their hand with the first letter of the crime they committed. They were guaranteed 1 meal a day of corn mush. If the jailer happened to be given some meat grease or rotting vegetables they would get a little extra put in the mush.
The streets are so fun to walk down. Aubrey kept asking who, back in the days of the colonists, were allowed to ride in carriages. I said the wealthy people were. She asked if people had to pay today to ride in them. I said yes. She said, "Why can't we?" I told her I guess it means we would be the people in colonial times who would have to walk everywhere. :)
Standing outside the Capitol Building. Stuart was really excited. In all seriousness all 4 kids did amazingly well. It reached around 100 degrees and they hardly complained. Stuart was hot and I made him put down rocks to take the picture. You really can't blame him.
The Capitol Building. To the left of the picture is where the King's representative and his counselors would meet and discuss the issues of the colonists. To the right is where the elected Virginia delegates, the House of Burgesses, would meet. The bridge above the arched doorways is where the two groups would meet together to try to find common ground.
This is the room where the House of Burgesses met. Patrick Henry was elected to the House of Burgesses when he was 29 years old. He spent much of his time here, in this room. Forget meeting Beyoncé or Bieber, I got chills thinking about sitting where this patriot sat.
He gave his famous speech, "Give me liberty or give me death!" in Richmond, not here, because Governor Dunmore, citizen of Williamsburg, was a loyalist of King George III (in the portrait in this picture) and Dunmore reaked havoc on the colonists, even after he was run out of town.
While Aubrey, Stuart and I toured the Capitol, John went with Bryant and Emmett to the Magazine where the gunpowder was stored and protected. General Dunmore took the gunpowder from the Magazine toward the beginning of the Revolutionary War and Patrick Henry and others went after him to get it back. Bryant was fascinated. This is how Stuart felt about walking in the literal footsteps of heroes like Patrick Henry and General Washington. Maybe when you're older, Dude, you will thank me.
We so thoroughly enjoyed the day. We did not make it to fireworks but had a glow stick party in our dark hotel room before bed. That was the perfect end to our day.
Thank you, Lord, for blessing us in this nation. And I don't mean thank you for blessing us with air conditioning, money in the bank, nice clothes. Thank you for giving us a country where we can work hard and provide for our children without fear of a government coming and taking it away. And thank you for giving us a country where we can worship you and live our faith out in front of our children without fear of a government silencing us. We will teach and train our children that this is what liberty is. And
that will always be worth fighting for.
