Memorial Day....and my Soldier

As a mom to a soldier that is over in Iraq right now this holiday means even more to me then it ever has before. Its important for us to remember the sacrifice that these men and women make when they decide to become a soldier. Today is to honor those that have fallen and have paid the ultimate price for us to have our freedom. But at the same time its important for us to remember all those that are away from their families doing what is asked of them from our government in order for us to have the freedom we have each and every day.

When my son told me over 3 years ago, when he was a freshman in college, he was going to join the National Guard I was shocked and anything but thrilled about this decision and when he got the call last August that he would be taken from his unit and put in another one so he could deploy in November of this last year I was even less thrilled. And as the holidays and family times have come and gone the last few months and I had to spend them without him...its made me realize that the sacrifice my son along with so many others have made is amazing. I have so much respect and admiration for what my son is doing...I couldnt be any more proud of him then I am right now.

Of course it doesnt make it any easier on me when he calls me to tell me that he had an accident and then I see the damage that was done to his beautiful face.


He is ok......some equipment decided to pop off the truck and it happened just after he took his head gear off.....of course it would happen then....great timing!!!


At any rate today whether you spend the day BBQ'ing, or at the pool, or just relaxing and enjoying your time off work, don't forget to remember those who gave their lives for this great nation, and those that are away from their families still fighting for our freedom.


In the words of Lee Greenwood:
And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.


And to my son, Kody.....I love you with all my heart and I miss you every single day but I couldnt be more proud of you and the man that you have become...you will always and forever be my hero!

our week-end

We decided to take a little trip this week-end...we went to this COOL Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado if you have never been to one of these it is so worth the time and the money you spend to see one. This is a rescue place for wild animals that are taken from zoos that are shut down and from people who try to raise them and then realize they cant handle it...some of these animals are put thru some really horrible situations before they get rescued. The animals go thru a rehabilitation and once they go thru it then they get to be out in open fields like you see in our pictures. The animals were so healthy looking and seemed so happy and content, this was way better then any zoo I've ever been too!!!! You can check out this place we went to by going to http://wildlife-conservation.com/ heres just a couple of the pictures we took while there:

Then we headed back to our own state Nebraska and decided to take Devin too see some of the places he learned about in school...our first stop was Courthouse and Jail rock they are two of the most famous landmarks of the mid 1800's Nearby is the Oregon-California Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Pony Express Trail and the Sidney-Deadwood Trail. The rocks were vanguards of the unforgettable scenic wonders that travelers would encounter.


Then we took him to see Chimney Rock the most famous landmark on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. Today, the spire stands 325 feet above the plain, but during the time of the migration, Chimney Rock was substantially higher. It was the most spectacular landmark on the entire trail. Many considered it the eighth wonder of the world. In their enthusiasm, some tried to climb the massive rock but none got higher than the base.


next on our trip was Carhenge, which replicates Stonehenge .The artist of this unique car sculpture, Jim Reinders, experimented with unusual and interesting artistic creations throughout his life. While living in England, he had the opportunity to study the design and purpose of Stonehenge. His desire to copy Stonehenge in physical size and placement came to fruition in the summer of 1987 with the help of many family members. Thirty-eight automobiles were placed to assume the same proportions as Stonehenge with the circle measuring approximately 96 feet in diameter. Some autos are held upright in pits five feet deep, trunk end down, while those cars which are placed to form the arches have been welded in place. All are covered with gray spray paint. The honor of depicting the heel stone goes to a 1962 Caddy.

I told Dev he had better never end up with his car looking like this!!!!!

some cool metal art we seen

last on our trip was a drive thru the Nebraska National Forest

and yes Josh and I was on this trip...see.....

me not wanting my picture taken

Josh peeking in the sunroof of the car before he got in...hehe

Over our week-end we also helped move Dakota into his new place...had a barbecue with the boys and remembered those who have left us...all in all it was a very eventful and fun week-end!!!