Halfway through another year

I can't believe its July already. Minus the heat, I actually enjoy this time of year. Especially July. Scott has two days off of work this month! The 4th where we get to enjoy the festivities with friends and family with a parade and the park and fireworks. Then there is Pioneer Day (one advantage to living in Utah!) where we get free tickets to Lagoon and free lunch! Can't complain!

I was laying in bed last night thinking about how lucky I am. I am so lucky to live in the US. This is an amazing country where we have so many freedoms. Opportunities are everywhere. As I start to think about how lucky I am to be a citizen of this great country I always am drawn to those who have fought, like my grandfathers, and those who currently fight overseas. Which makes me think of Scott's cousin's husband. Her hubby is over in Iraq now and has been for....I think its been 8 months. And she's been pregnant the whole time! Without her hubby! I think that's something people don't always think of. Yes there are many men and women who sacrifice their lives to keep war off our lands and I am so thankful for them. But they have families too who don't always know how safe they are or can't always talk or communicate with them. And I'm so thankful for them being so willing to send those men and women off to keep us free. Can you imagine what it's like to pregnant for the first time ever and not have your hubby there to share every moment? What a sacrifice!

It's been fun to read her blog and see the ups and downs of army life and to learn a little more about it. I just can't express how thankful I am for not just the soldiers who fight but their families too. I definitely do not let a day go by where I don't let Scott know how much I love him and how thankful I am to see him everyday, even if only for a couple hours. I'm sure his cousin would love even a few minutes to see her husband. I can only imagine how hard its been. Good news though, her hubby gets R&R soon and (fingers crossed) make it home before his sweet little girl comes into this world. Baby E better stay in there!

Anyway... my mind is always wandering while I drift to sleep. I just want to remind everyone to always remember those who help to keep us free. There are a lot of amazing me and women in our armed forces all over the world and how awesome are they? It's people like that who helped us get our freedom in the first place. So amazing! Happy 4th of July to everyone and to the wonderful United States of America. Lets hope I survive the parade Monday. I might get trampled or something by crazy kids going to get candy in the street :)