I was reading my cousins blog this morning and it has sparked some major frustration in me. So beware this is going to be a ranting post.

My cousin Mindy's husband is serving our country in Iraq. He was deployed last year with the Idaho National Guard and will be gone a year.

They have four children. And they are now having to worry if they are going to be getting a paycheck for the sacrifice they are making on our behalf.

It is absolutely unacceptable that our government would allow this to be even a slight worry in our service men and women's lives. We have asked them to volunteer their lives for our safety...our congressman's safety. Should they have to do this while wondering how they are going to pay their bills?

Read my cousins post

I think we need to always remember and recognize what is done for us to live in this country. These people are real and not just faces on the TV. They have lives, loved ones, hopes and dreams just like us. Yet these things are put on hold because they have a desire to serve our country. They are heroes.

My brother Seth joined the Army when he was 17. He had always wanted to join. It was a childhood dream.

He will be in the Army 12 years this summer. He is on his third deployment to Iraq. He has also been deployed to Kosovo and Africa with many stops in between.

He has lost friends. Friends who were more family than mere acquaintances.

He has dedicated his life to our country. This has come at a high personal price.

Seth is in the special forces. They are deployed for 6-9 months at a time and then home for 6 months. Last year when he was home from his second deployment to Iraq he had training and schools to attend across the country from where he was stationed.

Across the country from his daughter. A daughter that has now gotten old enough to understand that her dad is going to have to leave and that their time together is always short.

So even though he was home in America he was not "home" with his family. Out of the six months between deployments he was "home" for a total of two months. Not two months in a row, two months of combined weeks.

Our military personnel volunteer for this. They know and understand the risks and sacrifices. We live in a country where we are not required to serve it. We have freedom. Freedom that someone has to pay for.

I don't understand a lot of political things that go on. But I am not sure how this is even a consideration. Choosing to not pay people that ensure our safety is not an option. Can we say martial law?! Not sure they are the best people in the world to have upset.

I pray that our government will come to a decision on what they deem "nonessential expenses". Shame on them for making our military families have to have any unneeded stresses in a time like this. All the while they go home to a safe warm house with their family and money in the bank.

I love our soldiers. They are always close to my heart.

I miss my brother lots. Everyday.