This picture has a story

Okay Michelle, Thanks for the tag! :)

Here are the rules -

*Open your first photo folder.

*Scroll down to the 10th picture (if you don't have 10 in that one, then go to the next folder that does).

*Post that photo and the story behind that photo on your blog.

*Tag 5 friends to do the same.

The story on this picture - This was taken on the first day of school when Amberly started Kindergarten and Trent was starting 5th grade. 2008-09 school year. Trent was really excited because he was actually getting to ride his bike to school for the first time to the new elementary school. Amberly was full of smiles that morning because she was so excited to finally be going to school. It's amazing how much they've each grown this past year!

Veterans Day

Today my thoughts have been turned to all the veterans in my life. How grateful I am for their service in the armed forces. My Dad retired from the Navy in 1975 when I was 5 years old. He taught us by his example how much this country meant to him. I'm grateful for that example. He served during the Vietnam War. He was actually off of the coast of Vietnam shortly before my birth and his ship had been recalled back to the States in time for my birth. He never liked to talk about what he saw and experienced during the war, but I did hear a few stories and I'm so glad he lived to return back to us. He chose to become a recruiter after I was born so that he didn't have to be away from his family as much. Thank you Dad for your example and for all you taught us about respecting and honoring the wonderful country which we live in.

I also need to write how grateful I am for my husband and for his service in the Air Force. He served in the Air Force for the first 6 years of our marriage. It was during Desert Storm and it was a scary time for us. His group was put on a 99.9% chance of being sent over seas. His bag always had to be packed and by our door. I remember sitting on the floor in our apartment, pregnant with Elizabeth, and crying as the bombs were falling on Baghdad. It was a hard life, but I learned so much. I had grown up with a military Dad, but being a wife I think I learned more about my Mom and the sacrifices the military spouses have to endure. They truly deserve the honor and praise just as those veterans do. I will never forget the pride I felt being on base and having to come to a complete stop every time the flag was raised or lowered and listening to the National Anthem. It still moves me to this day. We live in such a wonderful country and are so blessed with blessings beyond our comprehension. How grateful I feel. How blessed I feel for living in a land that is free. A land where thousands have fought so that each one of us can enjoy all of these blessings. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to all the Veterans and to their families. You each are heroes in my book.