Love My Veterans

I love me some veterans...I feel so blessed and honored to have three in my immediate family.

 

My dad served in the Army during Viet Nam.  He was even shot down from his helicopter and still suffers today with shrapnel in his head.  He is reminded every day of the sacrifice military members make when they put their lives on the line. 

 

 

KT served in the Marine Corps during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  We were newly married, it was a difficult time, but he returned safely to me.

 

 

TJ, AKA, Air Force Man, first child of mine served in the Air Force for several years, then when the department of defense were doing cutbacks, TJ volunteered to be let go.  He had somewhere to come home to, others did not. 

 

 

 

Air Force Man Returns

This past week we have been enjoying the company of TJ.  He came home for a visit from the Albuquerque where he is stationed in the AIR FORCE.  He hasn't seen these two jokers in over two years...They welcomed him home with a sign and to give him a hard time they put National Guard...Check out those patriotic socks and pink shoes.  That kids a hoot.

When TJ lived at home he worked at Little Caesars.  He couldn't even make it home before stopping for some pizza.  I swear this kid eats like 4,000 calories a day.  He is constantly eating.  

It has been fun for him to reconnect with his friends and amazing for us to have him home.  Today we put him back on an air plane.  It is never easy watching your kids leave.  

31 Days of Faith {We Believe 12...}

Source

"We believe in being subject to kings, president, rulers, magistrates in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law."

We are counseled to be law abiding citizens in our own respective countries.  I can speak for myself and say that I am very Patriotic and take very seriously my right to vote as I take part in the political process.  But, to make things clear, my Church stays politically neutral and does not tell us how to vote.  We are only counseled to pray about candidates and take note of moral issues.

With a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints seeking the highest office in the land, it is important for others to understand our Church's political neutrality.  Despite popular headlines, the leaders of the LDS Church will not be telling Mitt Romney how to run the country should he get elected just as the Vatican did not counsel with Kennedy.

On a different note, a celebrity recently insinuated that we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are not permitted by our religion to serve in the military.  This is completely FALSE.  There are many faithful Latter Day Saints serving in the US Armed Forces and other military forces around the world.  My oldest son is serving in the US Air Force.  We are just as proud and pleased with him as we are with our Missionary serving son.

We even have a Military Relations Department within our Church.

Don't forget about my free offer here

**I am not a spokesperson for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

If you would like to read up on the Church's Political Neutrality, you can go here.**

One week to go!

One week from today I get to see TJ the Military Man graduate from boot.  

San Antonio here we come! 

TJ the Military Man

This child shall here to after be referred to as Military Man. TJ has joined the Air Force! What child doesn't look forward to the day where he can leave his mama's home and enter the pits of hell with a drill instructor to be your mommy and daddy for eight weeks? Seriously, he is so excited to leave on March 8th. I'd like to be excited for him, but really I'm not. Because...

#1. It means I am getting old, and who wants to do that?
#2. I have to cut those apron strings because the government now owns him for six years. And...
#3. From a practical stand point, I'm losing a tax deduction.
#4. All kidding aside, I'm just plain gunna miss him!

In order to help focus on the positive I have compiled a list of reasons it is good he is leaving.

#1. No more fighting over the extra car with his brother
#2. I can drop him from my car insurance saving about $1,000/year
#3. My grocery bill goes down quite significantly
#4. My water bill goes down, seriously, teenage boys take freaking LONG showers!

All these savings, will help offset the price to travel and visit him in his various locations across the world, yet to be determined. And that's a fact!

PS.  The crazy eyed picture is my revenge for flying the coop.

Army Man

This is AJ. He is an Army Man. He has been living with us for almost a month while on leave from Italy and Afghanistan. He is a friend of TJ's. The week of Christmas TJ asked if AJ could come live with us for a few days. Three weeks later he is still living with us. We have officially, unofficially adopted him; he just fits in. Can you really legally adopt a twenty year old?

Here is some food for thought. AJ grew up in the foster care system and was never adopted. What happens to those kids who grew up in foster care and want to come home for Christmas? Seriously, have you ever thought of that? I hadn't until this guy came and blessed our home. I am referring him to as one of our boys and have hung his picture on our wall with the other children. I have this feeling that he just wants to belong somewhere. We want him to know he belongs here; with us he has a home...

On Wednesday he will be flying back to Italy and then possibly back to Afghanistan. We'll miss you! Keep safe and we'll be praying for your safety.