Fourth of July Weekend

The weekend was fast, fun, and family filled. We spent thursday and friday nights at the cabin, with family coming and going. On friday morning, we had the entire family there (Ken and Jen came from Colorado too!), minus Mario. I missed him a lot, but I'm extremely proud of him for serving our country, and I think there is no better place for him to be during this holiday. (Except home with me of course.) We then went to my parents house saturday night, had a barbeque, and made our own little fireworks show. Then Sunday was Spencer and Sara's baby blessing. It all went by very fast, but I loved spending the time with family.

Just some thoughts I've been having...I felt a particular pride this year knowing that my fiancee is doing his part in serving the country, and I feel like I somewhat have a part in that even though I'm not actively serving. I've grown a greater love for the military families all around the world, and the sacrifice they make by sending their husbands, wives, sons, daughters, and any loved ones away. I have a greater respect for those men and women who leave their families in order to make our country a safer place to live. I hope those serving understand how much that means to those left here. All those who are actively serving, and who previously have served are fulfilling a role that Americans either can't, or simply won't fulfill, and they deserve a great amount of respect for that. I feel it an honor to be numbered among those families who are sacrificing, and I realize that I have it a lot easier than most. Mario and I are very blessed right now to be where we are, and the have the things we do have. I'm extremely grateful and proud to be an American, and live in a country where we have such great opportunities and freedoms.

I wanted some pictures of Mario and I on our first fourth together...here they are! I wish we could see his face better, but he is happy. I brought "him" out on the lawn to enjoy a few fireworks with the family. I was hoping it wouldn't make him too homesick, and it didn't. He said he loved it and it gave him the taste of home that he needed. I sure love him!