Jump In This

Since it has been a bit sunnier lately, I thought that I would get some yard work done.... I started with raking the pine needles.... and finished with raking the pine needles. During the process I could have sworn that I was raking the floor of a forest. I don't think that the people who lived here had ever raked their yard. So after spending the afternoon raking and picking up needles, my neighbor offered to dump them for me. When he offered I don't think that he realized that I would fill his entire truck bed. Don't think that he'll be doing that again. I thought that I would document this by taking a picture, so here it is ladies and gents.... The world's largest pile of pine needles!---

Military Tribute

You stay up for 16 hours.
He stays up for days on end.




You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.




You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.
He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.




You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.




You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.




You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

..


You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.




You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He doesn't get to eat today.




Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.




You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.




You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.




You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.




You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.




You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.




You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.




You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.
He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.




You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the broken bodies lying around him.




You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.




You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.




Freedom is not FREE.

A Military Family

I forgot one! Here is a picture of my older brother Edward and his wife Natasha. Edward also spent time in Iraq. Not only is he one of the coolest guys in the world, he is a hero. He is a great dad and brother and I love him!

Just a Touch of Camoflage

I'm feeling very nastalgic today, so I thought that it would be nice to post some pictures of my sister julia and I. Julia is a Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. She is on the USMC highpower rifle team, and has won the national championship several times.... So pretty much she is amazing :) I once googled her name just to see what would come up- pages and pages full of articles and info came up on my big sis. She was the Marine Corps female athlete of the year, and has spent time over in Iraq. The first picture is of Julia and I at the rifle range getting our concealed weapons permits, the next is a picture of her on the ranges at Camp Perry Ohio where the National championships are held every year, The next is one of me all decked out in flak vest and kevlar :). The next picture is me in front of a plane in Iraq, and the very last is a picture of Julia on the range teaching.

Boys and Dead Stuff.....

So here is a little surprise that Judd found in our new house. He sent me a text with this picture... HAH! Boys, and dead things.... they CAN'T NOT TOUCH THEM! So I thought that I would share this wonderful picture with ya'll so that you can enjoy it just as much as I did.... (Insert sarcastic voice here) :)