Happy Veteran's Day

Today as I was driving to pick up Ally from preschool I was looking at all the flags in people's yards and I couldn't help feeling extremely patriotic. I realized how much I love our flag and love seeing it. I love all that it stands for. I am so grateful I get to live in this country where I can be free to choose my religion, free to speak my mind, and have more than I can ever want or need. I am so grateful my kids don't have to live in a country wrought with war and they don't have to live in fear of bombs or men with guns outside our door.

Today I am very, VERY grateful for all the men and women who are willing to risk their lives so me and my kids can live the peaceful lives we live. I am thankful for their parents, wives, husbands and kids who are there to love and support their sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers and mothers while they are dedicating their time to protect me and my family.

Last night while the kids and I were eating dinner I looked over and saw Jim's empty chair, which was empty because he hadn't made it home from work yet and I started getting upset. I was frustrated that it was another dinner with just me and the kids. I was feeling sorry for myself because with his commute and travel schedule there are many times I feel like I am alone in parenting my kids. This morning I got my 'wake up' message. I was watching 'Good Things Utah' and Reagan Leadbetter read an e-mail her husband sent his employees regarding Veteran's day. It really hit me hard when he talked about those people who have left and are going to have to leave their families to go to Iraq or Afghanistan. These families will be having many dinners with an empty chair at their table so I can enjoy all the things I do. Wives and husbands will be 'single parenting' for at least a year, maybe more for me and my family. They will be closely watching the news dreading being the one that gets the call about their family member being killed while protecting me, my family and all the things we take for granted. I am truly grateful for the sacrifice so many people are willing to make for people like me who they have never met and will likely never meet. They truly are better people than I am. I am so glad we have this one day a year to remember them and all they do for us, even though I feel we should be being grateful to them each and every day.