My HERO!

This post has been a long time coming, but it's taken me almost two months to be able to look at these pictures long enough to edit and post.  No matter how prepared you think you are, there is NOTHING to adequately prepare you to send your baby brother off to war.  I have spent almost 30 years loving this kid (yes, I can still call him a kid, he's my baby brother, afterall)!  We knew the day he joined that he would go overseas, but even with that knowledge, I was not ready for that day!!!  Words can never adequately describe my feelings for Danny...he is my HERO!  I remember EXACTLY what I was doing that September morning when the world seemed to stop turning.  It took me all morning to be able to even turn off the TV long enough to take Kaiden to pre-school...and while on the drive there, the song "God Bless the USA" came on the radio.  I was a WRECK!  You see, when Danny was about 4 or 5 years old, he stood on a picnic table at a reunion and just BELTED out this song.  I can NEVER hear this song that I don't think about Danny.  At this time, Danny had not enlisted, but I knew he had been thinking about it.  I called him in a panic KNOWING that I could NOT stand to see him join at this time.  Well, I should have known...he is NEVER one to leave a challenge...in the midst of war, and with the knowledge that he WOULD leave to defend this county, Danny enlisted in the National Guard...and the day I was so scared to see finally came.  I pray daily for his safety, his comfort, and speedy return.  I love this man with my WHOLE HEART and thank my Heavenly Father daily for the blessing it has been to be his BIG SISTER!  I love this COUNTRY and know that the freedom we all enjoy is NOT free...many have sacrificed for this blessing we have.  THANK YOU and GOD BLESS!!!

Line up and roll call...

 Danny and the BOYS...could there be a better HERO?!?!?

 Mom and Danny

 Brit and Oaks with their Uncle Dan

 Mom and Dad - Danny and Kristy!

 GROUP HUG!!!