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.
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.
First, I want to honor my amazing husband Darin. I am so grateful that I not only have a wonderful husband but that my children have a wonderful father. We are greatly blessed to have him in our lives. 
I'm also grateful for Darin's Dad and the relationship that Darin has with him. I'm grateful that He lives closer to us now so that Granpa Bruce and Grandma Sharon can be more a part of our lives. 
And Finally I want to honor my Dad. I feel that Mother's Day and Father's Day is kind of bitter sweet without my parents alive anymore. I'm so grateful this day for my Dad and for all he did for me. I don't think we always had the greatest of relationships, but I always knew he was there for me and I always knew that if I ever needed anything he was there to help me. My children loved his visits. 
Especially Eyn considering they would always go exploring somewhere and stop by the store for a soda pop and a candy bar. I loved to watch him with my children. I know that he is still cheering us all on. I know that he is applauding loudly as Elizabeth competes in a competition. I know he is running right along with Eyn down the basketball court encouraging him on. I know that he is watching my children grow and helping them in ways that he never could while he was on this earth. I also know and am so grateful for the knowledge I have that someday we will all be reunited together as a family and what a wonderful reunion that will be.
