Mommy Musings

IT IS THE SOLDIER It is the Soldier, not the minister Who has given us freedom of religion. It is the Soldier, not the reporter Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the Soldier, not the poet Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer Who has given us freedom to protest. It is the Soldier, not the lawyer Who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the Soldier, not the politician Who has given us the right to vote. It is the Soldier who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag.  by Charles M. Province Today....every day...we are honored and blessed that brave men and women still stand up and volunteer to keep us safe and free.  Thank you will never be enough.

Today’s post is sponsored by Great Clips , by my love for their veterans campaign is all my own! At twenty-one, I said goodbye to my brand-new fiance as he headed off to war. As a Marine, he had volunteered to join the military and deploy, away from America, his family and friends, and the comforts we all take for granted, to keep the rest of us safe.  For me, that is the definition of selflessness. All of our veterans answer the call willingly, putting aside their safety, to make sure we all remain free.  It is an honor we can never fully repay. Besides my husband, I personally know several other veterans who have deployed.  And every Veteran's Day, I try to spoil them as best as possible.  I send cards, thanking them for their service.  I've had my kids make pictures and notes, telling them of the sacrificing these brave men and women have made for us.  We take my husband out to dinner to celebrate the fact that he has home with us, and thank him for his ...

This day, November 11, I am many things. I am thankful for all of our veterans. I am humbled by their selflessness. I am grateful that they are willing to step up so I don't have to. I am in awe of their bravery. I am blessed for all those I know who came home safely. I am heartbroken for all those who did not come home. I am honored to keep company with so many veterans who, without hesitation, answered the call to protect and defend this great country we live in.  Thank you to my husband, my cousin, my FIL, my uncle, and so so many friends.  Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed. Now everyone go out and hug a veteran today!!

Skip had to work a double shift starting in the afternoon on Veteran's Day {boo!} so the girls and I wanted to make the morning as special as possible. We had a relaxing breakfast and lazed about for a bit in the morning.  Then Emmy went off to her usual Sunday time at Grandmom's house, and Charlie and I headed out with Skip for lunch.  Every year so many companies offer discounts, free meals, etc to our military on Veteran's Day.  It is such a wonderful practice and we love to take advantage! Normally we go to Applebees, but it's normally pretty crowded on Veteran's Day.  And since this year it fell on a Sunday, I knew it would be standing room only. So instead we headed up to the Olive Garden, who was giving each veteran a free meal from a special menu.  {and Charlie and I had a gift card to cover our meals, wahoo!}  You never can tell what kind of dining out experience you're going to get with Charlie these days, as most of her verbal skills come in the...