thankful thursday

yesterday was a beautiful day.

sunny, clear and in the 70's here in southern mississippi.

layla and i took full advantage of it and spent all day roaming the neighborhood

and picking up every rock she could fit in her chubby little hands.

about our 2nd time around the neighborhood she spotted a couple cute little boys.

and of course she wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to go introduce herself.

as we approached, the mother and i began sharing small talk.

she asked if i was a stay at home mom and i told her i was.

i asked her the same.

she replied, yes.

i notice some big yellow ribbons hanging on the columns of their house so i asked  if

they had recently sent someone away that she knew or welcomed someone home.

they had just sent her husband to Afghanistan.

last month.

for a full year.

my heart went out to her.

my heart goes out to him, and their adorable 3 year old little boy.

they sacrifice so much for us.

(and i complain when my husband is gone for 2 nights in a row)

i'm thankful for her.

her husband.

others who are serving our country so we can rest peacefully at night.

i'm also thankful for their families, children, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,

and all those who have to be away from their loved ones.

i am so blessed.

these pictures are priceless...