Happy Veteran's Day

I took the girls to the Folsom Veteran's Day parade today. While we were there I got choked up thinking about all the men and women who have sacrificed for our country and our freedom. I explained to the girls that because of them, we get to live our lives freely and go and do as we please (as long as we obey the laws). I feel so thankful we can jump in the car whenever we want or grab the stroller and walk down the street to wherever we want.

It reminded me of the 8th Grade Washington D.C. trip I got to be a part of. . .

and all the memorials such as The Vietnam War Memorial:

It's mind boggling how many names there are on that one alone.

Then I started thinking about the trip I got to take to the Dominican Republic in high school. . .


And how very grateful I am to live in a country where most of the people will never have to live in a house like this:

There are major issues in countries like this with poverty, safety, health, and education. I feel blessed to have the life I have in America, and I owe much of that to the sacrifices of others, namely my family, the American Soldier and our Savior Jesus Christ.