Memorial Day Weekend

Let's start out with what this weekend is about.

I already knew what an emotional weekend it would be and although I tried to mask my emotions most of the weekend it was a rough weekend with Chris deployed none the less. Let's start with my dad. He is a Marine and the most patriot person I know. He may be a "knucklehead" as he puts it but he is so proud to be an American and so proud of Chris and my brother Andrew for what they do for our country. Monday morning "Swoop" as my dad is called blared the story of Army Specialist Leslie Sabo and his recent medal of honor from the Vietnam War during out family breakfast. If you don't know the story check it our here Leslie Sabo. As my own father wells up with tears during the broadcast I have to walk out of the room. I cannot even listen to the story (as I already knew it) and pretend I have to use the restroom. As I dry the tears from my eyes and return to the kitchen my dad says that my husband is his hero. Woah, what do I even say. My dad is a rough, tough, in your face, drinking military man. But he is so proud of this country and our military I can't ask for a better supporter for our deployments. I knew I would be an "emotional nutjob" (as I like to call it) all weekend but although I had my meltdowns I knew we had to try and enjoy the weekend even if it was hard with Chris in Afghanistan.


Toby Keith's song Made In America reminds me of both my dad and Chris:

"he's got the red, white, and blue flyin' high on the farm
'Semper Fi' tattooed on his left arm,spends a little more at the store for a tag in the back that says U.S.A.won't buy nothin' that he can't fix,with WD40 and a Craftsman wrenchhe ain't prejudice he's just, 
Made in America."

I am so blessed to have such a military family. Not only my dad and husband but my brother, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends. There are countless people in my family who I am so very proud of.

But we have to think about what this long weekend was really for. It was not for me, Audrey, even for my dad or Chris even though I always think about our military members. Memorial Day is about the ones we have lost. The ones that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We need to remember them. While we all enjoyed our long weekend we need to remember why we are able to do that. Over Memorial Day weekend and everyday, we need to remember our lost soldiers from current wars and past. With that being said and with thoughts of our fallen, our family being the military family we are, we did enjoy the family time together. We were able to talk to Chris via text message a little bit and I tried to not be an emotional nutjob all weekend and tried to positive and enjoy the time with my family. 

My dad's yard facing the street

Always paying respect

What an emotional but fun weekend we had. This is the first time in years that we have been up to my dads without Chris. Swoop lives about 2 hours north into Michigan and with our hectic schedule we are not able to get up there as much as we would like. But most long weekends or breaks we try to get up there and visit.

Life at Swoops is easy. That is the only way to put it. He lives on 20 acres with a huge house by himself. About an acre of it is fenced in which comes off of the back deck which is perfect for the dogs and Audrey. "The back 40" as he calls it is used for the quads, fishing, bonfires, and fun! So that's what we do up there...its for the country kids in us all! I wish we could live up there!

The Farm

Dad's partner in crime.... Calvin. He is literally the size of a horse. And even a flag tag on his collar :)

Audrey spent the weekend on the quads, at the beach and hanging out in the sun.

And this is how I spend most of my weekend....

I told ya, life is easy up there! Beer and quads!

She almost has the jump rope conquered!

Glow stick!

Swoop... "What am I suppose to do with this?"

And of course some baby time with Mr. Carter who is getting so big already!

So stinkin' cute!

Cassy's 22nd birthday was on Sunday so of course there was cake and ice cream

Twins!

22!

And some beach time

"I don't want to leave" Oh, look at that face!

If it were up to Audrey she would live in the water. We found mermaids and sharks in the water along with some sea monster.

What another relaxing weekend Audrey and I had. Although its just not the same at Swoops without Chris we had a lot of fun! Last summer Chris cooked a disgusting turtle and normally he is out in the "back 40" blowing things up or shooting guns. But this summer things were a little different... more of just hanging out and not doing much and I am completely okay with that. It was so wonderful to take some time out of our busy schedule and spend some time with the family. And it is also important that we all try and remember why we have that three day weekend and think of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

"They fell, but o'er their glorious grave
Floats free the banner of the cause they died to save."