30 days of thanksgiving. DAY ELEVEN.

as i'm sitting here typing this it is 9:11 on 11/11/2012.   i'm thankful for all of the people who gave their lives in the attacks on 9/11.  i'm thankful that sweet little rowan collins was born the following year on the first anniversary of 9/11.

it won't be 9:11 by the time i'm finishing this entry...actually, it's already changed to 9:12.

with it being veteran's day there are so many people reflecting on the sacrifices that our military make for us...on a daily basis.  and i'd like to add my thanks as well.

living in virginia beach near the oceana air base, we are CONSTANTLY reminded of the protection our soldiers offer us...the sound of the jets here are not a nuisance...(unless you are trying to watch something on tv and you don't have DVR...lol).  the overwhelmingly loud noises have been titled THE SOUNDS OF FREEDOM.

and i am thankful for the reminder that they are up there.  watching over us.  practicing.  flying drills.  always there.  always ready.

thank you to all of our soldiers...and the families that make the sacrifices along with them.  i appreciate you.

not only am i thankful for the freedom of our country, BUT I AM THANKFUL FOR THE FREEDOM that i have continued to grow in.

it wasn't too many years ago that i was so bound by fear.  by anxiety.  by expectations.  by disappointments.

today that imprisoned person is almost unrecognizable.  the scars are still there.  but unless you draw REALLY CLOSE TO ME you wouldn't notice them.  i am not the same person that i once was.

i am growing.  i am changing.  i am learning.  i am living.

i am free.

and i am thankful.

xoxo.