Just Jackie

Child Care Provider

Yep, you heard it correctly. I am becoming a child care provider. For those of you who were around during my migraine days, you may be saying to yourself that I can't handle kids. The truth is that I LOVE KIDS. They are precious little delights! I love em I do! This week I am taking a child care class so that I can get my license. The class is Monday through Friday from 8-4. I have enrolled Link in a family child care providers home for the week. Holy hard to be away from him. The little man and I are connected at the hip, so to have to drop him off at her house KILLED me. I thought about him all day Monday and even went home for lunch and cried for a bit. (pathetic I know). But he is my life now and I felt so bad leaving him there because he's still so young and confused and is probably wondering why the heck I left him. Anyway, I picked him up last night and she said that he hadn't really eaten all day and only slept for like an hour. So sad! When we got home, I held him close while he gulped a bottle down FAST, and then he fell fast asleep! Such a sweet little dude. Today when I picked him up she said she thinks he may be back to normal. She told me how he would cry when she walked away. Linkin has seperation anxiety really bad. Anytime I leave the room he will throw a baby temper crying fit. He's so cute! Anyway, after she told me that I said gol he's already attached to you, and she was like "well I'm already attached to him!" Isn't that cute? I feel bad for her now because after this week, she won't get to experience little Link. He's got a contagious happiness about him. I just love having him in our home!

Speaking of Link...He is getting SOO close to crawling. He can scoot all over the place on his little belly. He is so close to crawling. So close. I'll keep you updated.

I just want to introduce my newest blog to ya'll! It's the same address as this one but /the_cook_queen_/ so www.just-jackie.typepad.com/the_cook_queen_/ So I'm encouraging ya'll to check it out. It's been super fun to do. I've been doing it since the 9th but didn't quite know what I wanted to do (and still don't) but I need some feedback so I wanted to show you. Please check it out and let me know what you think. Also coming up is Craig's UPT blog. UPT is Undergraduate Pilot Training. You will get to hear all the awesome stuff he experiences as a student pilot and the Pre flight stuff that he'll get to do. I'm really excited to get that going. Craig is going to be the author for the most part, but it's going to be a similar address to these two so that they are all virtually the same!! Thanks for visiting!! Have a great one!

Na na na na! na na na na! Hey Hey Hey....GOODBYE!!

SEE YA - WOULDN'T WANNA BE YA - SANJAYA MALAKAR!!!!!! The misery and endless Woe is finally over. We can all relax and enjoy the show. For Sanjaya has been let go. TA he he!

Ya know I feel a sense of guilt come over me as I write that, because my mind has been constantly thinking about this horrible shooting that happened at Virginia Tech. Many prayers are in my heart for those affected. All I can think about as these horrible acts of evil keep occuring is that I need to prepare myself big time to be worthy of God's kingdom. I don't mean to preach, but to me it seem real clear that the second coming is SOO close. Just so you don't think that I'm predicting it in the next ten years, I think 100 years is close, but it just brings to light the fact that I should be doing all I can to be a better person and try to be like Jesus because the world is becoming a seriously scary place to be. I just shake my head in wonder and amazement at the thought of raising kids in this day and age. It's such a scary thing to take on, but yet if we can do it right, and have good results, the rewards are going to be fantastic! In my view, the room for mistakes is very small. We can make mistakes, but they can't be many because it's so important for us to teach them right and wrong, and teach them how to act on what's right and wrong. It's truly a scary thing. (wow, I'm totally rambling right now, but it's good to get out my "thoughts" on deep random things occasionally). I don't exactly know how to express what I'm thinking anyhow.

On to a lighter note. CRAIG had his first flight today. He was scheduled to fly with someone, but a friend that we've met down here that is a captain changed it up so he could take Craig and they had a great time. He already let Craig take over and fly for a bit, and Craig was able to film some parts of his ride. He took some great pics, as you can see. I love to see him in a G-Suit. SOO sexy. He brought barf bags, but didn't get the least bit sick. He was truly meant to be a pilot. I'd be throwing up before I even stepped into the plane. Craig just doesn't have issues with it. They pulled G's (500+ MPH) while he was up there today, and he really loved every minute. I'm so happy for him, and he has a flight scheduled for tomorrow and Friday. YAY! Being the wife, NO it's not scary when he goes and NO I don't worry. In my old world, I would definitely be paranoia the whole time. Like when he was taking flying lessons the one summer, I was a wreck the whole time praying and hoping he'd be alright, Especially if it was past the time he was supposed to land. I guess I just have more trust in the Air Force planes, or maybe it's just that we've been hanging out with pilots often that are constantly talking about flying flying FLYING. A language I have lots to learn about. But Craig does too, so he likes it when I'm there with all the pilots because I ask tonz of questions and ask them to explain it to me like a fourth grader, and then he nonchalantly learns along with me. Good plan eh? So No, it's not frightening to have him go up, it's just fun to see him do something he really loves, and worked hard for. He got fitted for his G Suit, and it didn't fit his thighs because they are so muscly from biking all last summer. So great! They had to work with it to get it right. Not really a ton of work, they just left some "comfort" zippers undone to allow him the room. Nothing wrong with bulky muscly thighs is there? I don't think so either...

So- happiness is in my heart that American Idol has rid themselves of the SM plague. I'm glad! So glad. For a while, I thought he might win. NOW EVERYONE GO VOTE FOR BLAKE!! I've sat here week after week for years saying goodbye to all those I liked and wanted to stay on without picking up my phone to vote, and now I'm advertising to all you doing the same......VOTE VOTE VOTE!! For those of you that don't watch it...well let's just say that you are an outKast because it's been the number one show and the number two show for like four years now, and YOU are really missing out. Not to mention that you are like sssooo the minority considering that thousands of millions of people watch it. Do you feel left out? Are you feeling alone? Are you sinking in your chair...in despair? Pulling out your hair? I truly care. But I can't bare, the thought of you there, in despair, so watch if you DARE!!!!

Wow it's 2:15am. I guess I should go to bed. No wonder I have black circles under my eyes. Who has a six month old that doesn't sleep through the night and stays up this late. Some lunatic. Me. bye.

Can't stop nature!

Hey there. Jenn recently sent me an email and this was my favorite pic on there because it's a jet of course. We have had a few experiences with entering the flight line. First of all, not just anyone can go on there. You have to have a flight ID card. When we want to go out there for something scheduled then we go to a building and then they shuttle us out to the flight line in a shuttle type bus because each car has to be a flight line registered vehicle or else they will literally chase you down - or just shoot you with a sniper, ha ha! It's honestly not something to mess around with. The other day we went to a "welcoming" where we got to see two pilots fly in in their F-117's and land from a deployment in Korea where they'd been gone for 3 months.Then we greeted them and what not. (we didn't know them but we some friends we were with did). Then we had a party after... Anyhow, it was really cool to see, but about the flight line... once we are on the shuttle, before it enters the actual flight line "grounds", someone has to get out and check all the tires for debris (any kind of rocks, or paper, or sacks -anything that could potentially fall out on the flight line). Then they get back in and we are off. They fear wearing hats out there because they are afraid they will blow off and end up out on the flight line to disturb taxiing planes and cause problems on the runway...etc. Anyway just a little flight line history....but YOU CAN'T STOP NATURE!!! Well you might be able to but it didn't happen here! Oh and another reason this pic is a fun one for me is because the MOOSE is one of my very most favorite animals! So big and strong and tall - SOO cute too! Reminds me of Diesel Dog. WHO I MISS EXTRAORDINARILY MUCH BY THE WAY. I ALMOST CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE...I wAnT mY DoG. I Get what I want!!! JUST KIDDING...really!

Tonight Craig and I witnessed Linkin and his own form of transportation. Have you ever seen a dog when they have a "dingleberry"?? and they "scoot" along the grass as if to wipe their bum? Well Linkin has picked up on that skill (MINUS the dingleberry). Tonight I got him naked and set him in the hallway while I got the bathroom ready before our bath. Well he didn't want to be in the hall so he reached forward, braced himself real good and then SCOOTED, then again and again and again until he was in the bathroom where he wanted to be. We were so proud of him. Little things make you so excited! Another cute story that is IRRELEVANT to anyone else (but good for my journals sake - cuz I care) is that this morning I brought Link into my room after he woke up so I could be lazy some more while he sits on the bed by me and kicks me in the face a million times and says, "eh eh eh eh eh eh eh". (So I really don't continue sleeping) but anyway...he looked up at the wall where I have a big star in the middle and then on both sides of the star there is a candle on a holder that are exactly the same. It was so cute because he looked at one, then at the other, and then back at the first one and back and forth and back and forth with this look like hey I just saw that...he did it about three times and then you could tell that he finally determined that they ARE the same and YES there WAS two of them. He's getting so smart. My other favorite thing is that he is very aware of little tiny things. He will see a tiny peice of lint on the carpet and it will be his will to pick it up. He gets his little fingers all positioned to grab, and then grabs to the side of it...kind of like an amateur golfer like me would hit the ground or air NEXT to the golf ball but not actually the ball. SOO FUN! But I'm impressed that he sees the small things...which makes my cleaning job more important if my infant is noticing carpet dirt. ha ha! Plus I don't need him choking on a tiny string or something!!! That's all folks - thanks for joining me tonight!

ANGER management!

Well today I was told I need to go to Anger Management! ...by my husband. It really brought a lot of humor to the house! Maybe I'm angry, maybe not - but all I do know is that we had the best little "fight" about it. He said he "hopes I have a good time roasting marshmallows on Satan's butt!" (sorry for the crude) Holy schmoly...I laughed so hard I almost died. He thinks I'm angry because I demand to declutter. I lose it if the house is messy...especially if it's clutter. We don't really fight, it was honestly a big joke, but I think he's a little serious about the Anger Management thing maybe so we'll see how that goes! ha ha!!! I think my family might agree to the fact that I should attend a class. Hey, it's not my fault I was born with a short fuse. Mama shoulda made it longa! (that's what she said!)

Oh deary, there's no "new" words to describe my love for the little one. He's just AMAZING! I love him so so so so so much! How can a heart even hold this much love. At times I feel anxious as though I can't control my kiss kiss kisses! He is such a joy. Lately, he's REALLY into bottled water. He thinks it's sooo great when Dad or I have a bottled water. Everytime we take a drink, he screams. He thinks it's like a big game of some kind. When he sees a bottle, his eyes light up so big and he smiles the biggest grin and then out comes the crazy scream. It's hilarious. The other day Craig got us this HUGE bottled water. Almost as tall as Linkin sitting up. He just thought it was the greatest thing ever. Watching him try to lift it and bite it was hilarious! He's so small. To me, he looks so old- like he'd be older, but then tiny like he should be younger. It's hard to explain. But I love him so dearly. Craig was able to get him to fall asleep on his chest shopping the other day (we took a picture), so now Craig feels accomplished like he's awesome so tonight we went to Walmart and Link was super sleepy so I told Craig just to leave him in the car seat so he'll fall asleep while we shop. Well, Craig wanted him to fall asleep on his chest again...so he carried him around for a while and sure enough...Link crashed on his chest once again. - for those who don't know...this is a rarity because Linkin is still ADDICTED to his bundle and will not sleep without being tightly bundled. Oh and this was without a binky too! Kudos Craig! He loves his Daddy's manly chest. So precious to see them like that. Why is it that when your own child is sleeping it's so precious. I always melt at certain asleep moments and take pictures. I remember looking through pictures of me as a child and thinking why all the sleeping pictures?....boring! But you'll understand when your a parent (if you aren't already!)

So I decided that I have to comment on my "shows" that I've been watching because TV seems to be a good way to relate to many people. "oh what do you watch?" Oh I watch American Idol..."ME TOO!" Do you like so and so....etc etc etc. So I'm starting the weekly TV column. So here's my take on a few TV things. As far as sitcoms I'm not a sitcom person at all. I've never liked them at all. Friends? Yeah NO THANKS. But I've fallen for the two best sitcoms ever. I laugh my head off every single show. The latest is Til Death. It's on right before or after American Idol on Wednesday night. It's hilarious...seriously. If you have time in your life...you should really check it out. And of course, the best and the classic...The Office. Greatest show of all times. Craig and I psyche ourselves up every week for it and it always pays off. If you have never watched it before, you will regret watching it your first time, but trust me...you learn the personalities, and you will enjoy every minute down the road!! I was actually inspired to write this blog about TV a couple weeks ago because of American Idol. This whole Sanjaya thing is killing me kids. Do any of you really like him? I mean honestly!? There has got to be something we can do to BOOOOOOT him? Vote vote vote. I never vote so I decided last week, I'll vote for someone that's been in the bottom three a lot and hopefully other people will too and then she'll stay...UH yeah I voted for Haley who left the show last week. Sanjaya wasn't even in the bottom three... Oh and guess what? He never has been! HOrRibLe! Ok, now I want to stay friends with those of you that do like him...but just help me understand your logic...PLEASE! I love CSI:NY, and Vegas, and I watch Dancing with the stars, and The Bachelor, but the real real inspiring reason for this part of my blog is the new Animal Planet series called Planet Earth! Who has watched this miraculous show?? Please tell me your thoughts. I think it's honestly the greatest thing that I've ever seen in my life. I am completely in awe the entire time I watch it. It's literally amazing to see what they've been able to capture. WOW WOW WOW!!! Check er out folks!

Well Craig came home today thinking it was Thursday so were in for a treat of a long week. I hope yours are all SHORT!! Love love love and a happy week to you!!! I shall be back in a day or two!

HAPPY EASTER!!

I just want to first say that I love Jesus Christ with all my heart and this day makes me think of and appreciate him very much! I'm thankful for his atonement - that he died for my sins so I could repent and be forgiven of my sins. What an amazing sacrifice - and a huge blessing in my life. I thought of him all weekend and I am so grateful for his example!

Next I want to say HAPPY EASTER! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and hopefully ya'll got to spend time with your families and feel happy and celebrate with your children! We did so here. I missed our families company but Craig and I had a good time together. We celebrated with little Linkster and spent some time out on white sands chillin. Apparently, that's the place to be on Easter. I missed our families and friends for this reason mainly. Everyone was there with their BBQ's, picnics, and even volleyball nets just having a great time. Oh and I don't think I've mentioned in a blog but you can go "sledding" down white sands hills. It's JUST LIKE sledding in snow only it's beautiful, soft sand! Amazing. I haven't done it yet but we have friends that have and we watched some people do so today. You can rent the sleds from the monument center and have a grand ol time! Fun eh? Anyone who wants to come visit and see some really beautiful and awesome stuff is welcome too. We live five minutes from White Sands and fairly close to some really neat other stuff. I will be attaching some pictures of us out on the sands today but it won't be for another couple days as I had to use my old camera instead of my digital.

So I guess I'll tell you a few things we have done recently that have been entertaining. Craig had Friday off work for a "family day" (ha hahhaa ahha! - what a crock. They take days off for anything in the military). Just kidding, I just have a sore attitude about that one because of the day I drove all the way to Hill Air Force Base for some paperwork only to find no one there to help me because it was "family day" but when I am "the family" it's actually SUPER nice!!! Anyways...so Thursday night, we drove to Las Cruces - which is about an hour away from here. It's a really cute college town that is so not ghetto compared to here and has a nice mall and TARGET...and some fantastic eating (Texas Roadhouse- I thought I'd given it up forever!!). Anyway... on the way there, we decided to detour off because we have these special jagged mountains here that Craig and I are fascinated with. They are so jagged. It's so awesome! So we drove u pretty close to the base of them and stopped for pictures. I am awed by the smallest forms of life. Where we parked and got out ( and probably everywhere else ) is some beautiful wild flowers growing. I am in love with wild flowers especially in the desert because they are so pretty in the middle of sagebrush...it's just fun to see, so I took pics of all the pretty colored flower patches and when Craig would accidentally step on them, I would tell him to please watch where he's going...because I didn't want to ruin them. SOO PRETTY! Anyway, that was a fun trip. We ate at a nice mexican restaurant there that was so fancy inside and out. It was cool. It kind of reminded us of The Mayan, except not. ?? ha ha! Then we went shopping at their mall - where we were happy to see some familiar stores for clothes. Yay! We went to Target and bought Linkin some Easter presents (clothes) and his Easter basket. There are going to be some more fun pictures of this little stop in my picture folders, and some close ups of the jagged mountains. They really are quite cool...especially coming from Utah where there isn't any mountains quite like this! Utah is still coolER though! Saturday was a good day because Friday night (middle of the night) was a heck of a night with Linkin and then on top of that, I couldn't sleep because my jaw was so dern (I meant to spell it like that!) sore that I couldn't sleep so I finally woke up and got ready and went into town. I found a fun little pet store and a what looked like cool craft/boutique store but it was closed...then I went shopping where I found my new grocery store. It was a Lowe's grocery but I felt so welcomed there. The people were wonderful and nice and helpful. Then a guy in the parking lot told me to leave my cart by my car and he would take it in for me. I was so impressed that I'll drive the twenty minutes to buy groceries there again and again. Good experience. I'm telling ya, I just LOVE people! If only I could be one. Oh wait, I am! Oh and they make huge flour tortillas homemade there and they are only .89 cents for a bag of ten. That's pretty awesome and I bought some and they are super di duper tasty. I made enchiladas. When I come, I'll bring ya'll some perhaps.

Anywhoo...I came home from that fun little town trip just in time to put Linkin to sleep and send Craig off to the gym so I laid down myself for a nice daytime nap. I always love those naps. When the sun is gleaming through the window and I cozy up in my wonderful white sheets. It feels sooo good. So I slept until Craig came home and then told him I'd like to sleep a little longer, and he ended up finding plenty to do and played with Link while I slept for another like two hours. Golly me oh my. It was so nice to nap. Although sleeping agitates my jaw so bad that I always wake up with a headache. We are still working on that one. Can't seem to find anyone who wants to even touch a jaw problem. They are all so scared of it. It's so crazy. I am going to make some serious phonecalls tomorrow and Craig is going to help me a lot too by talking to the 1st shirt at work. It's disrupting my life big time. I've started getting the horrible headaches again that won't go away with any sort of remedy. It's just no fun. I don't wanna live miserably especially since I am so happy. I have been looking at the pictures that Craig has taken of Linkin and I together and I started realizing that I look so dern happy in those pictures. It's wonderful to see yourself really happy. I guess being here without family isn't so bad. Don't get me wrong, I miss them but I still have my sweet little family that I love dearly and that's keeping me going strong!!! I know that the reason I am smiling so big in those pictures is because Linkin is the most wonderful guy in the world. He is such a sweethearted little cheeseball. I told Craig tonight that I think that the main reason my jaw has gotten worse is because Link was born. He makes me clench my jaw so much because he's so dern cute! His personality is a riot for me. I just love every little moment with him and everything about him!

The weekend was good and now another week begins. They go by so dern fast. Just so all of you know, I will be coming in on Friday the 18th of May and staying for two weeks. Anyone who wants to get together, just let me know and we'll be planning something ahead of time so it doesn't get put off. Twil be a busy time though. I think I'll be spending a weekend at Strawberry reservoir with my fam, and probably just hanging out with my BFF (my parentals) any chance I can get. I just love and miss them so much. Tonight we webcammed for a while and that lifted my spirits real high. Just seeing them is so fun. Linkin was a dud though. All he cared about was what he could get his hands on in front of him. Little squirt! Anyway...this blog was pretty boring but I'm trying to write a bit about what I'm doing for my journals sake. The pictures are going to be so fun - for those of you that enjoy pics of the same old three people. I know there's a select few of you that do so I put them on there for YOU!! These ones happen to be some of my favorites because the scenery is fun in most of them! A place I enjoyed being and experiencing like I talked about! Enjoy. They won't be there for a couple days...but soon enough!!

Love to all!

Cockroaches!

They're all dead. ha ha! Tricked ya. Cockroaches are quite common down here. Craig and I find them in our home but they are always dead, because they have been poisoned by the poison beast (Craig). I am glad they aren't found often in our home because Craig likes the popping sound when you step on them. He says, "once you pop, you just can't stop!" He's a freak! I'm glad that they really don't bother me that much though. They are just so big that it doesn't really scare me. It's just ick~! Oh and ours aren't huge so that's really great too. They are about the size of a large vitamin with legs. No biggie!

Well the flowers have been planted. We sprinkled bug killer all over our grass and gardens because they were infested with potato bugs. (pill bugs) or as they call them in Texas...Rollie Pollies. Apparently a lot of places call them rollie pollies but I'd never heard that so go figure. Anywhoo... They were eating our grass so we killed (tried...hopefully it's working) them and fertilized it. Our grass is starting to look green (YAY!!). I'm so excited. Any sign of life is a great thing here! It's probably more like a miracle. It's very hard to have nice looking grass in the desert. We'll see what happens when it is 115 degrees outside. We are very restricted on watering days here too. We had a sign on our door last week saying we can only water three days a week, so it's pretty sketchy. We'll see how it goes. So far so good. Oh anyway...the flowers have been planted. A sad thing happened...the other day Craig and I were out tending to our garden in the middle of the night - this is a regular thing - we have been watering our plants at like 1 and 2 in the morning...well besides on work nights, then it's more like 11. BUT I was standing our our chair on the front porch watering the hanging plants and I grabbed a hold of the chain the turn one of the plants to water the other side and out came the screw from the wall and my hanging plant landed upside down in the ground garden. SAD! I ended up replanting everything in the ground garden and only leaving one plant in the hanging plants (I did both of them) because I decided it wasn't working out anyway. I think I planted them so their original soil wasn't completely under new potting soil so hopefully they will survive the "transfer". I think my plants are up there on my list of importance...right under Linkin's name. I take care of them like they are babies. It's the best feeling in the world to see new flowers have grown. In my parents garden, I did a lot of scoping out EVERYDAY and it was a great day in my life when new things had come to life. This year, Craig and I planted some bulbs and some seeds. I'm highly doubting the seeds will germinate, much less sprout but hey it's worth a try eh? But I'm hoping to at least see something from the bulbs. We also have some strawberries planted out back and some raspberry trees on the side of the house. Kind of silly for a place we will only stay a year, but like I said before...it's good practice and an extremely amazing hobby for the meantime. I am completely OBSESSED with gardening. AND Cooking!! I can't cook enough. I seriously am on one heck of a roll. I made this fancy jello tonight for easter, but we didn't cut into it yet. My sister in law introduced me to the recipe, but I changed it up a little and used my own colors. It's a fun one! I just can't get enough of cooking! It's just fantastic. HOWEVER...the dishes are REALLY GETTING OLD! Anyone wanna do my dishes for me??????? :) ha ha! I need ya'lls prayers that my garden will grow in abundance and produce many beautiful flowers. Thanks bye. hee!

Proud to be an American!

I remembered a story I wanted to tell so here goes...

( The picture has no relation - just wanted a flag picture! )

One day on our like second day here, we were sitting in our car waiting for something (I can't remember what). Well another Air Force fellow who live(s)(d) a couple doors around the corner came home - likely from work that day - at 4:30. He got out of his car and walked up his driveway straight to his flag that is hung above his garage. It had blown into a tangle, so he spent a litle while adjusting it so that it was straight again. Then he stood at attention and then saluted it, and walked inside. I don't know what it was, but it made me feel so proud to be American. Obviously, he is proud too and felt honored to be standing in front of that flag that stands for so much. He had no idea we were even out there, nor was there ANY other people in site whatsoever. He just did it on his own, thinking no one was watching. I was very impressed. This reminds me of Craig's commissioning ceremony. There was one part of his ceremony that made me tear up quite much. I was the only one in the room that was emotional on this part for some reason, but I'm not sure why, because it's very very awesome. The Colonel got up and gave the two commissionees a miniature folded flag in a bag and called it the deployed flag. He told Craig to carry it with him whenever he was deployed to remind him of what he was serving for, and things like that. Anyhow, he read this poem before he gave it to him and this is what made me tear up...

I AM THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
By Howard Schnauber

I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is "Old Glory".
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,
My head is a little higher,
My colors a little truer.

I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped -- I am saluted.
I am loved -- I am revered.
I am respected -- and I am feared.

I have fought in every battle of every war
for more then 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg,
Shiloh and Appomattox.
I was there at San Juan Hill,
the trenches of France,
in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome
and the beaches of Normandy, Guam,
Okinawa, Korea, and Vietnam.
I was there. I led my troops.
I was dirty, battle-weary and tired,
but my soldiers cheered me
And I was proud.

I have been burned, torn and trampled
on the streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am invincible.

I have been soiled upon, burned, torn
and trampled on the streets of my country.
And when it's by those whom I've served in battle -- it hurts.
But I shall overcome -- for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth
and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space
from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness
to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.

When I am torn into strips
and used as bandages
for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms
of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
I am proud.

MY NAME IS "OLD GLORY".
LONG MAY I WAVE.
DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN,
LONG MAY I WAVE

I love that. It's amazing to think of how many great things we have because we live in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I think we all take it for granted. I think especially at this time in our country where we are fighting against each other, and we have more America "haters" out there then ever before. Shame on them. We are lucky to live here, lucky to have the freedom we have, and we should say thank you everyday to those who are risking their lives for our freedom, and also those who are losing husbands, brothers, son, sisters, daughters, etc for this cause.

I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!!!!!!! 

I underlined two parts, not because they are any better than the rest, but just because!