Brother Love

It's good to reflect on life and everything in it every so often. Usually this happens late at night on the weekend because those days I get to sleep in, which makes it possible to stay up late. And it entails me spending quiet time on my couch or bed when it's dark, with small lamp on, by myself, a journal + pen or laptop + microsoft word. Those are good times.

I went through my entire blog. The entire thing. And before I knew it was 12:30am, WOAH! But it was great. I laughed out loud at some posts and smiled at others, even though I had wrote them and knew what was in them already. Reading all of them made me so grateful that I've kept this blog and documented our life because it is fantastic to look back and 1. Remeber the good times 2. Remember what I have learned 3. Be encouarged by where God's brought us and probably a lot more things that I can't remember now because I never stay up that late.

In the spirit of being thankful I documented the things I did, I have to document this because I want to remember it.

Those two good lookin' people would be my mama and my brother, Greg @ Country in the Park this weekend. Greg, you love on our mama enough for the 3 of us and I'm so thankful you're close by and do everything you do with her since Andrew and are far away at the moment.  You're the best son {I'm just guessing what mom would say ;)} and best brother. Love you forever. And mostly because of the hick shirt you're shamelessly wearing.

Proud Sister

My stepbrother Jacob graduated from boot camp yesterday in Columbia, SC. He's officially a soldier in the US Army! Congrats Jacob!

All four of my brothers are now in the military, serving & protecting our country. I am so very proud of them. Military life isn't for the faint-hearted....I'm so thankful that they're courageous enough to choose the paths they have. Thankfully they are all safe and on American soil today.

Gregory (2nd from the left) joined the Airforce right after high school. We went to see him graduate boot camp in San Antonio, TX in 2005. He's been stationed in Italy, where I regretfully didn't get to visit him! He's also been in AZ and now @ Travis AFB outside of Sacramento, CA. He's single ladies! ;)

Erich joined the Army next. He graduated from bootcamp in Missouri, spent some time in Korea, and now he's stationed @ Fort Carson in CO.

Andrew, the oldest of us all, joined the Navy in 2010 and graduated from boot camp @ Great Lakes Naval Base...ironically enough not too far away from where my mom grew up in Illinois. He's now stationed with his wife and son in Kings Bay, GA.  And he just got back from being on the submarine for the past 90+ days!

AJ seeing daddy after Andrew graduated boot camp, 2010

Being scattered across the country isn't ideal and I wish it was easier to spend time together, but at the end of the day we're all where we're supposed to be and I am thankful that we're all safe and sound, living blessed lives. Love you Andrew, Gregory, Jacob & Erich!