Happy Fourth of July!

I love the Fourth. Fireworks, blowing stuff up, and fire. Yes, I am a pyromaniac! I come across this trait honestly, whether it was learned or inherited I don't know, but I do know that I get it from my mom. Thank you Mom! I love fire!

My husband is a truly patriotic guy. He loves our National Anthem. He has taught the kids the Country's Bird as well as the names of the President and Vice President. He insists on respect while the National Anthem is played, even from a five year old. We both work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, now know as Naval Base Kitasp. Every day at eight o'clock they play the national anthem. If you are outside of a building you are expected to stop and wait for the playing to be done, whether you are walking, working, driving, in a hurry, or going home. You stand, you wait, it's what's done. I see some people running to get inside buildings when revelry is played. I can't picture my husband doing this. When it's his turn to say prayer you can be sure he will thank our Heavenly Father for our freedom, and also ask for a blessing on all of the troops who are currently serving for our country, that they will be protected and come home safely.

I love that Ben has such a love for this country of ours and what it stands for. I find it inspiring, hopefully some of you will as well. Next time you have an opportunity to be somewhere the Anthem is played, the flag is honored, or even just seeing some of our country's service men, remember what went in to making this Land of the Free free. Remember the people who sacrificed all to get us where we are today and the people who continue to sacrifice. Not just the soldiers, but their families, and the people who support our military in their everyday lives at work as well.

Ben has traveled to the Middle East for work and relayed the following story to me:

He was in an airport in Dubai and there was a husband and wife. The wife was clearly distraught, He couldn't understand what she was saying but she had a cell phone in her hand and was pleading with her husband. He was berating her putting his hand in her face to block her comments and physically push her away from him. Ben was affected very strongly seeing this. He was told very pointedly before his trip that he was not to interfere in the lives of the local people. He could not stand seeing a man treat a woman this way. It made him angry. It hurt him to see that. When he came come and told me about it you could see and hear the effect it had on him.

We are truly blessed to live in a country where our daughters are able to attend school, speak their minds, and choose their own destiny. We are blessed to not have to worry about who will want to take over our town or village next. We are blessed that we don't have to be submissive and controlled by our husbands or be punished by the laws of the land. We are blessed that we can move anywhere around the country we see fit or necessary. We are blessed that our children don't have to be exposed to armed men patrolling the streets. We are blessed that we don't need to live in fear on a daily basis. We are blessed that every individual, whether that person is male or female, child adolescent, or adult, has rights that are inherited and protected. We are blessed that we live in a country that allows us to choose what schools our children will attend, how many children we want to have, what profession we would like to pursue, and where we would like to live.

We are blessed.