Thoughts Today

Happy 3 Years, Troy!! Three years ago today, I was getting ready to head to my hair appointment and then to the church to get ready for the wedding! I wish we could re-live our reception because it was awesome - we had the most fun! It's hard to believe it's been that long....

So, this is kind of just a really random post about different things I was thinking about on my way into work.

First, I failed to mention in an earlier post that I witnessed something very awesome on our flight from Dallas to St. Louis when we came home from Cancun. The flight wasn't very full, and there was a soldier on board who got upgraded to first class. I thought it was really great of the stewards on American Airlines to do that for him. The men and women who serve in our armed forces work their butts off every day to ensure our rights and freedoms are protected, and I will forever be thankful to each and every one. It was very classy for American Airlines to do what they could to show their appreciation for this man.

That memory was sparked by my great-uncle's facebook post this morning. He served in the military and his son, Gregg, is also in the military. Gregg has served MANY tours of duty, including two tours in Iraq and a tour in Bosnia. He has been in the States for a while, after serving over in Germany when he first got married. Two of their three children were born in Germany, I believe. My great-uncle posted about how he was looking forward to the visit with his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren this weekend before they went back to Germany. They will be going there for at least 3 years, and I know they are excited about it. I'm so proud of my family members who have served, including Uncle Tommy, Gregg, and my cousin Josh. Josh did a stint in South Korea working on some kind of missile. I remember him telling me stories about how unstable their situation was, as he was near the border, and would be on lockdown for days at a time. Iraq gets a lot of heat because most people don't agree with us being there, and I'm not even going to get into that because I have VERY strong opinions that are not the "popular" opinions, but we have men and women serving in hundreds of countries and face danger daily. Just because it's not on the news doesn't mean they are safe - they risk their lives each and every day and for that we should ALL be thankful. Because of these men and women, people are allowed to have whatever viewpoint they wish. I will always support the armed services and I hope that Gregg, Meredith, Jacob, Sam, and Daniel have a great time in Germany.

That led to my third line of thinking this morning. I am determined to visit Germany while they are stationed over there. I wasn't able to go during their previous tour, which is okay because I know I wouldn't have appreciated it as much. Now, having studied the world wars and foreign policy, I think it would be amazing to go there and see all of the sites. They have more meaning to me now that I have an understanding of the events that took place. I definitely want to take Lauren, even though she may not remember it. If I go in a few years, she'll be 4 and may be able to retain some of the memories - I just think it would be amazing to take her. If Troy is unable to go over, then I will have to persuade my parents into going over - which shouldn't be difficult as I know they wish they could've gone last time as well. So, hopefully before 2012 I will have Germany stamped in my passport!!

Then I heard "Love Story" on the way into work. I love that song - it's just cute. It made me think of different songs that have meaning for me. I know that sounds really corny, but there are songs that I hear on the radio that just take me back to a memory I associate with it. Here are a few (the song titles may not be correct, I'm just guessing...lol):

"I Saw God Today" - George Strait
This song reminds me of Lauren and when she was born. During part of the song, it says a time when the fictional child was born, and I always change the words to "6:28" when I sing it in the car because that is when Lauren was born.

"Raise Me Up" - Josh Groban
I walked (ran) down the aisle to this song 3 years ago today! Every time I hear it, I think about our wedding!

"Inside Your Heaven" - Carrie Underwood
This was our first song, and we picked it because we had watched the American Idol finale together and I loved the song then. It just suited us, and we danced to it for our first dance as a married couple.

"Our Song" - Taylor Swift
This song really got overplayed on the radio, but I still love it. I would sing this to Lauren when I was pregnant, because it was the only song that I knew all the words to. I have memories of singing this to her after she was born and we were driving in the car. It would usually calm her down. Also, when I would get ready in the mornings for work, I'd have Lauren in her bouncy by the shower and if she started fussing because she couldn't see me, I'd just have to sing this and she would stop crying.

"Ain't Going Down" - Garth Brooks
Ahhh...the college "getting ready to go out" song. My freshman year at Truman State, my roommate Meghan, my friend Jill, and I would play this REALLY loud when we were getting ready to go out. We didn't do it all the time, but I do have memories of this. One time I think Meghan even had on a cowboy hat while it was playing.

"Missing Missouri" - Sara Evans
I listen to this song when I'm homesick. I think I first heard it when I was living in Indianapolis, and it would remind me of home. The other day I was kind of sad, missing my family and friends, and played this song.

"The Bible Song" - Sara Evans and "Small" (?) - Carrie Underwood
Songs that get me through tough times. Enough said. :)

And all of that got me in to work today! I'm very much looking forward to my date with Troy tonight!