Proud to be an American!

There are absolutely no words to express my love and pride I have for this country and my family that serves it! I am so lucky to have so many selfless men in my life that are willing to put their lives at risk for the freedom of our country and its people.

  I grew up loving my country because of all the stories I heard from my grandpa's. Both of my Grandpa's served in the United States Army as well as my Great Grandpa Bennett.

 This is my Grandpa Olsen! He is so full of wisdom, jokes and stories about anything you could dream up. Being a sheep farmer he has a very good work ethic, he worked for everything he had, raised 12 children after his service in the Army. Every time I visit him he tells me the same story about the motor pool, and I love it just as much as I did the first time he told me about it! I'm truly lucky to call this man my grandpa, I look forward to visiting every chance I get, I wish it was more often. His stories are the memories of him I hold closest to my heart! I love you Grandpa, thanks for everything you've taught me, and your service to our country! 

This handsome man is my Great Grandpa Bennett. (my mom's mom's dad, confusing?) I only have a few memories of him, but they are some of the funnest I have. My Grandpa Bennett was such a fun Grandpa, he passed away when I was 4 and I think its kind of amazing that I remember him. He served in World War 1 in the Philippines. Although I dont remember him telling me any stories about the war I do remember feeding him salsa and accidentally dumping the whole bowl all over his face. I also remember asking him to hold my ice cream cone from McDonald's while I climbed up onto his bed, getting up there and seeing what was left of my ice cream in his beard. The last memory I have of him was not being allowed to go to his funeral. My mom didn't want to deal with 4 year old twins so she left us home. Back in 2006 I attended my Great Grandma Bennett's funeral where she was buried next to her husband at Camp Williams. It was cool to my 13 year old mind to actually see where my Grandpa's resting place. I look forward to meeting him again on the other side, catching up with him and laughing about the ice cream and salsa incidents! Hearing stories about me as a little girl and about his service in the Military.

If you don't already know this man, then your life is not complete. This is my Grandpa Tripp, he passed away just a few weeks after I got married. It was so hard to see such an amazing man leave this world, but such a relief to see him out of pain! Recently I attended a funeral, one of the speakers read a poem and I couldn't help but think how perfect it fit his situation. "God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be, so he put his arms around you and whispered, "Come to me." With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you pass away and although we love you dearly we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best." I loved my Grandpa dearly and was extremely blessed to live walking distance away from him. I got to see him whenever I wanted and he always had something witty to say to me or something to teach me. I took a welding class in High School and that was one of my Grandpa's many specialties. He was so excited when I brought one of my first welds over to show him. He was so proud of me and that's a feeling I will never forget! After that day him and I had a few welding projects to do, I will always treasure the lessons he gave me and I will never forget the day we welded my parents house to the giant I beams under it! This grandpa, to my knowledge was never deployed out of our country, but he was in the Military for a number of years. Regardless of the task's he did while in the service I'm still incredibly thankful for him and his sacrifices! 

These two are my Uncles, Shane and Steven. They both served in the National Guard unit out of southern Utah, the 222nd. I was young when they deployed, I remember writing them letters and sending care packages. The thing I remember the most is when they came home! Our whole family was there to welcome them back, there were so many smile and so much love that day! My uncle Shane (on the left) has since passed away and my uncle Steven is now a Chiropractor. Their sacrifices were so appreciated by our whole family. They deployed in the heat of the war in Iraq, we were so lucky to be able to welcome them back in one piece! There were so many men and women that didnt make it back to their families, but we did! We will be forever thankful for that! Thank you Shane and Steven, I'm lucky to have two selfless uncles, and Steven, you will be such an example to my future boys!

 Last but certainly not least, my Husband! I grew up loving the men in my family that served our country, little did I know, I would be loving my very own hero! My future children get to have a solider for a dad and I get to be forever thankful, proud and in love with one! I don't have words to express how thankful I am for his sacrifices, he does so much for me and for our futures. Our kids are going to have the best example of love for our country, just like I did! I look forward to where the Military takes us and I cant wait to bring little ones into the world with Austin! I can never tell him enough how much I love him and I never feel like he actually knows how much I appreciate him. I strive everyday to show him, hopefully one day I will be able to convey it to him!
 A shout out to all of Austin's friends that he is currently serving with! I'm thankful that Austin has such great guys to be around! You guys may not know it but I love you as much as he does!!