Home of the free Because of the Brave

I have scrolled through my news feed a million times reading about people’s lives and views. For the most part I keep my opinions to myself. I do my best to keep my posts light and happy. With all this being said, there is an issue I keep seeing on my Facebook that I can no longer sit back and ignore. The hatred and disrespect for our military needs to stop.

I have read article after article, and person after person bash our soldiers. Who gives you the right to sit behind your computer and voice your opinion on something you know nothing about? Oh yeah, that’s right.. these soldiers do. These men and woman leave their families, wives/husbands, and children behind to fight for their country. They fight for your right to sit on Facebook and voice your opinion on how you feel about your military, president, and country. I want you to take a second to imagine doing what these brave soldiers do. I want to you think about leaving everyone you love not knowing if they will ever see them again. You are doing this because you believe in your country and all the men, woman, and children living in America.

I completely understand that most people are uninformed on why and who we are fighting. Most people don’t want to be at war and feel that America is picking fights. I want you to think about something for me. I want you to think about what you were doing and how you felt on September 11, 2001 when those planes hit the world trade center. NOW tell me you don’t know what they are fighting for. Believe it or not, there are people in the world that want to hurt Americans. These men and woman that you continuously degrade are giving their lives so you can live yours.

I recently went to see the movie ‘American Sniper’. After seeing the movie my Facebook blew up with controversy on if Chris Kyle is an American hero. This only made me want to voice my opinion on the lack of appreciation for our military even more. Are people so self centered and self involved that they really believe a Navy SEAL sniper is a cowered? For anyone that has seen the movie or is a fan of his knows he saved hundreds of soldiers lives while being a sniper. These soldiers he saved went home to their mothers, fathers, spouses, and children because they had someone looking over them from above. What I don’t think people understand is Chris Kyle is not an American hero because of the number of people he killed, It is the number of lives he saved.

For everyone that hates our military and believes our soldiers are murderers I want you to take a minute and think about what it would be like if America stopped fighting for your freedoms. What if we gave up and let all the terrorists that want to destroy our beautiful country win.  What would your life be like if you didn’t have the right to free speech or the right to bare arms. These soldiers are fighting for you! So the next time you see a man or woman in uniform take a second out of your busy life to thank them for their service.

I am proud of every soldier in America and I thank them endlessly for everything they do and sacrifice. I challenge everyone that has negative feelings about our soldiers to go and meet one. Listen to their story’s and ask them why they enlisted. Ask them why they are proud to be an American Soldier. Take a step back from your everyday life to educate yourself and walk a mile in their shoes.

Reasons I’m thankful for having two sons

I am blessed to have two amazing little boys.

When I first got pregnant my entire family had already decided I was having a girl. Coming from a family of all girls, I definitely thought it was a possibility! On the other hand, my husband comes from a family of boys and since the male picks the sex from the beginning I leaned toward having a little boy. When we went in for the sonogram there was absolutely no denying I was indeed having a boy. At first I was a little scared. As I mentioned, I come from a family of all girls, how was I suppose to raise a boy? Two years later I got pregnant again. Everyone crossed their fingers and hoped for a little girl. Including my husband, but when they told me I was having another boy I about jumped for joy!

The number one question I get asked while out in public is “don’t you want a little girl? Are you guys going to try for one?” I always smile and say “I am not against having another baby later but for right now I am completely content with my two little boys.”

Here are some of the many reasons why I love having boys/brothers.

1. They love their mom more than anything in the world. Both of my boys have been Mama’s boys since they day they were born. I wouldn’t trade all the love, kisses, and snuggles for anything.

2. No fuss! I have plenty of friends that have girls and they look absolutely adorable in their completely matching outfits and accessories, but I love the fact that my boys put on a t-shirt and jeans and are ready to play. Never do they fuss over what they are wearing. Truth is that it will be covered in dirt by the end of the day anyway.

3. They have the coolest toys! I love getting on the floor and playing with a hot wheels track with my oldest son. Nothing against barbies and baby dolls but they are awesome!

4. My oldest already protects his brother. I know they are going to fight (they already do) but when it comes down to anyone outside of the two of them all bets are off. My three year old stands directly in front of his brother when a stranger is talking or looking at him.  Obviously there is not much a three year old can do but its good to know he is protective.

5. The love between them is so special. Since the day my youngest was born he looked at his big brother like the world completely revolved around him. That look has only grown since he’s gotten older.

6. You, as their mom, are their first love. What an honor! I remind myself everyday that they are going to look for a woman that reflects their mother. That alone drives me to be the best mom I can be. I want them to end up with a woman that is not only worthy of them, but loves them unconditionally. I am the only one that can teach them their value.

7. They look up to their fathers to see what being a man is all about. I am lucky to have married a driven and successful man that my boys can look up to. Knowing they have him as a role model makes me excited to see what they grow up to be.

8. Being the only woman in the house is great. I have my three boys to love and protect me for the rest of my life. These two little boys will grow up to be big men, but I will always be their mom.

9. No stress over boyfriend’s one day! I will be on the other side of all this drama. I intend to raise my boys to respect woman and their bodies. I will teach them the importance of being honest and trustworthy. I will also teach them the power in being respectful to their girlfriends parents. Going inside and meeting them before a date will not be optional to my boys.

10. Even if I don’t end up having a daughter I will one day have a daughter-in-law. I will love and respect her as his wife and the mother of my grand kids. I will go out of my way to make sure she feels like a part of our crazy family, after all she will be the daughter I never had.

I wouldn’t trade my boys for anything. Maybe one day we will end up welcoming a little girl into the world, but if not that’s okay. I was unaware of how special sons were until I had my own. Why are you thankful for having boys?