It's the small things

So in the midst of a crazy season - when I find myself flying down the freeway of life at breakneck speeds - it's then that I realize - it's the little things that matter.

Tonight my 7 year old daughter made her own Barbie Monopoly. Each property was defined by places or things that make sense in her little world. Property #1 - "Hannah Montana Van" - this is her most prized possession. It's big, purple, hideously ugly and by far the most enticing toy she owns. So it makes sense that it would be property #1!

Her other properties included Walmart & Costco (which I believe we spend entirely too much time at), Virginia City (a local town that is by far the biggest tourist attraction to the 'wild west' set), and in place of Broadway and Park Place were the "Swim Center" and "Waterslide".

It could have been so easy to overlook the value of this board game created by 4 1/4 sheets of binder paper all taped, stapled and glued together.

But the star of this story - as much as it may seem like my daughter - is my husband. He is the one who pointed out that this game was a keeper, that this game was a reflection of our 7 year old's little world. And in doing that - he caused me to take a moment to really pay attention, to come up for air, and just take a look at my surroundings. And while it was a small thing - to suggest we keep this made up board game - it was indeed, a very big thing.

Thank You

To those who have kissed their loved ones goodbye, only to wonder if they'll see them again - this side of heaven. To those who have given up hopes and dreams, home and things - to fight for our freedom. To those who have lay in a hospital bed, been bandaged, stitched, broken, not fully mended. To those who have held tight to secrets of fear, intimidation & loneliness in hopes of providing strength for their loved ones thousands of miles away. I say, THANK YOU.

Thank you for protecting my freedom to live my life. My freedom to worship God, my freedom to raise my children. My freedom to work where I choose. My freedom to wear what I wear. My freedom to marry whom I love. My freedom to vote, to think, to speak and to write.

Brent Yamada ● Ed Menezes ● Steve Kincade ● Louis D’Hondt ● Jennifer Abbott ● Ben Abbott ● Josh Nauman ● Nate Shaw ● Rudy Bisson ● Kirt Robinson ● Rudolph Bisson ● Charles Alkula ● Meredith Stringer ● Jason Meyer ● Steve Gardner ● Ryan Lacroix ● Elixabeth Lacroix ● Nathaniel Stamps ● Steve Lochridge ●Jason Noble ● Ron Rogers ● David Dirksen ● Aren Hansen ● Eric Vance ● Claude Johnson ● Tina Johnson ● Mark Kostelecky ● Lydia Woodbury ● Dean Woodbury ● Mark Bowers ● Patrick Cannon ● Pat Ryan ● Don Giard ● Vicki Giard ● Ron Giard ●And Countless Others...

Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your bravery. Thank you for your selflessness. And a special thanks to your spouses who are a whole other type of veteran!

Go Vote

We are blessed to live in a nation with freedoms that we all too often took for granted. We have a right, a privilege and an obligation to vote. It breaks my heart to hear stories from people who believe it doesn't matter. It does! Get out there and vote today! Your vote counts!