Happy Independence Day!

I would like to start this post off by saying thank you to all of the amazing and wonderful soldiers, marines, sailors, and coast guard that agreed to put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we enjoy in this great nation.  In addition, I would like to thank the spouses and families of those same brave souls.  Brian served four years active duty United States Marine Corps, and is currently a guardsman with the Utah National Guard.  I have watched my amazing husband do what he had to, to protect our liberties.  He sacrificed time with our son when he was a baby to serve in Kuwait and Iraq.  He continually misses family time so he can keep up on his training.  In the Guard, they only require one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer.  Brian goes above and beyond that by attending voluntary training several extra weeks every year so he can be prepared as possible.  I have watched him lose friends while fighting in Iraq, and others to PTSD.  This is just one soldier's story.  There are so many others out there that do so much for us as Americans.  They do more than many even realize.  So, I just say, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Today, my lovely husband is working at his full-time job, so that he can take time off of work next week to attend Guard training.  While he is working, I have been cleaning our house, mowing the lawn, and weed eating the yard.  As I did this, my kids finished their chores (I know, HUGE DEAL, especially since I did not have to make them do it!!!).  Now, it is only 11:30, and they both have a friend over to play.  I love days like this.  The boys are down stairs playing video games having a great time.  The girls, getting some otter pops and then heading out to the trampoline with their swim suits on and the sprinkler on.  It is just a really nice, relaxing day. 

This evening, we really do not have much planned, just dinner and maybe watching other people's fire works.  With Brian working today and all weekend, we couldn't go camping like we usually do for the fourth of July. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe fourth!  Happy Independence Day!