proud to be an american

tata became a u.s citizen on friday.

although he goes by tata, he's actually from canada.

i took the kids out of school early and we headed downtown for the ceremony.

actually, we surprised tata - he didn't even know we were coming.

it was fun to be downtown

and in the us district court building.

there were testimonies of those becoming citizens, some very touching stories.

all the candidates got a little american flag.

and they played the song 'proud to be an american' with the words up on flat screens.

although it was a little cheesy, i got teary at some of the words and the freedom we have here.

"and i'm proud to be an american, where at least i know i'm free"

"and i won't forget the men who died and gave that right to me"

that second lined got me a little choked up as i was singing.

we went back to nani's for a nice surprise celebration.

yes, we are lucky to be in this country and we will never take that for granted.

and as a mother i am most fortunate that these smiling faces get to grow up in this free country.

i cannot even imagine having to go through the hardships that mothers in other countries do.

let us pray for those mothers and their children and remember how lucky we are.