Since Then...

Beautiful mountains in Utah

It's been a couple weeks now since we got the new truck, and we've been busy! We put over 6,000 miles on the truck in the first 8 days - Georgia to California to Massachusetts! We're getting to know the new truck's personality, its kinks and quirks and the way it works. It's a 2017, a model year newer than our old truck, and there's definitely a few differences in how it handles.

The reactions we get from people when they see the truck are priceless! Cars on the road sometimes honk and wave, and other truck drivers often do a double-take when they see it. We've had people come up and want to shake our hands, take pictures of the truck, and tell us about their own and family members' military experiences.

We've also been back to our CDL school, Truck Driving Institute, to say hi and show off the new truck. They did an article on us for their national website, too. It was great to go back to where it all started and encourage other people just starting out in the industry.

We are really enjoying driving the Coast Guard truck, and the doors it opens for talking to the people that we meet. If you see us going down the road, be sure to wave!

Politics

I know I've shared a lot of political stuff lately, and usually I try to stay away from politics (especially on social media!), but this is something I feel very strongly about. Since this is my blog, I will take a moment to tell you how I feel.

I'm all for having a female president, but the current democratic nominee is literally one of the worst things that could happen to our country right now. She and those who support her are proven criminals and liars. The blood of multiple Americans is on her hands now, and if she takes office, there will be many more American lives lost. By law, as a person guilty of federal crimes, she actually isn't even eligible to run for president...yet somehow, here she is. Of course, the path to getting there is strewn with staff members and associates who have mysteriously died or gone missing...and let's not even bring up her husband's presidential scandals.

Is the alternative option great? Not really...but he's a whole lot better than her. He is bigoted and sexist, sometimes petty, and has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. However, he doesn't owe anybody anything and hasn't been "bought" by anyone. He says what he feels, and he feels strongly about America. He still believes in the American dream, supports our military, and isn't afraid to be politically incorrect.

Here's the deal. There hasn't been a president elected who didn't belong to the major parties (Republican and Democrat) since the founding fathers. One of these people is going to become our next president, and no amount of burying our heads in the sand will change that.

#3 getting into the patriotic spirit!

Of course, the vote of the people isn't really that important anymore - the votes of the other people we have voted into various political offices is really what will make the decision. But we, as the American people, have the right and the responsibility to make ourselves heard, to voice our opinions and beliefs, and to rise up against evil and injustice in our country.

This year's election is a very difficult decision for some people. I ask that you take time to pray about what you should do, but please do not, under these circumstances, do nothing.

Happy Independence Day!

You, me, and #3

Happy Independence Day! Today we celebrate the birth of our nation and the freedoms that we enjoy in our great country. However, those freedoms are not free. They have been and continue to be purchased for us by the men and women who sacrifice of themselves, sometimes their very lives. To our service members and veterans, thank you...and may we never forget the price of our independence. 

Presenting Our Tribute Truck!

Our employers, US Xpress, are starting a new initiative toward hiring more veterans and service members. As a part of this program, they have commissioned six new trucks, wrapped in decals honoring branches of the military and our nation's independence. We are honored to announce that we were among those chosen to drive one of these trucks!

Our new truck, honoring the Coast Guard

They did a very nice job wrapping these trucks in decals, plus there's some new technology on the trucks.

Some of the other trucks

 We are honored to be a part of this program and excited to see where the future leads!

Our official picture!

Happy Father's Day!

Hubby and I, with our families

As thankful as I am for all the family that God has blessed us with, I am very thankful for our dads. My dad has been very influential in helping me become the person I am today. He is respected in his field of expertise and loved by his family, and he loves the Lord with all his heart. My father-in-law is also a strong man of God. He is a man of good character, one that my husband and I look up to and value his wisdom. We are very thankful for our fathers' involvement in our lives, both during our childhoods and now in our adult years. The blessing of a Godly dad cannot be overstated and is one of the great joys of our lives. Thank you, dads, for being there for your families!

Life Lately

G. W. Bridge, New York

Whew... Life has been crazy lately! It's been awhile since I posted here last, so I'll just give a quick rundown of some of our adventures. Let's see...

There was the load that we tried to deliver in the middle of a thunderstorm, only to be told that the facility was on a lightning lock down and couldn't unload us. We returned the next day and had to navigate a long gravel driveway under about a foot of water to get to the facility, which turned out to be a solar farm surrounded by cornfields!

There was the time we had to pass through New York City on Interstate 95, on the Friday before Memorial Day. Keep in mind, we never left the interstate, but it still took us about 5 hours to travel maybe 15 miles. I greatly detest stop-and-go traffic...

Downtown Boston 

There's been multiple runs between Columbus, OH and Boston, MA. We've come to know that route very, very well.

We both got sick again in the past week. Don caught a bad cold first and was unable to breathe for a few days. Then I caught it, and my body tried to flush it out, so I got to experience the joys of puking in a shopping bag while in a moving truck [again]. We're finally starting to recover now.

Camping with the kids

We recently took a small vacation and went camping. Don has kids from a previous marriage that live several states away, so we don't get to see them very often, but we made the drive out there and took them camping for a few days. It was a great time and we made some very good memories. We wish we could see them more often, but for now, we'll be thankful for the times we have.

Well, that about wraps things up for now. Hope y'all are doing well. Drive safe!

Happy Mother's Day!

My wonderful mothers

Today we celebrate and honor our mothers. In this I am doubly blessed - I have a wonderful mother that I was blessed with at birth and another wonderful mother I was blessed with at marriage! Both of these mothers are incredible blessings to my hubby and me. Let me tell you a little about these amazing ladies.

My lovely mama

My mama is probably the most cheerful person I've ever known. No matter the situation, even if she's feeling down or discouraged, she manages to find and focus on something positive. She makes being flexible and adapting to various situations look easy, and she stays calm even in the midst of crises. She is kind to everyone, and even the grocery store cashiers and post office clerks know her by her smile. She sets a good example for me and other young ladies to follow by modeling Godly womanhood.

I have so many good memories with my mother. As a child, she was my mommy and my teacher; as an adult, she is my confidante, mentor, and best friend. Relationships change as do peope, but I am so thankful that my relationship with my mama has stayed strong despite the miles between us!

My lovely mother-in-law

And yet, not only am I blessed to have a great relationship with my mama, but then the amazing man I married gave me another wonderful mother! My mother-in-law is kind and generous, another beautiful example of Godly womanhood. She has always been caring and sensitive to me and welcomed me into her family. The more I get to know her, the more I love her and thank God for her. She is a tireless prayer warrior, active in her church and community, and a model of God's love to everyone who knows her. I am so thankful for both of my wonderful mothers!

So today I want to honor both of my mothers, as well as the kind ladies that have befriended and mothered me along the way. I also want to honor several of my friends who have recently become mothers and are doing a wonderful job of raising their bundles of blessings. Happy Mother's Day, from my heart to yours!