Somethings Missing......

Or Someone!

Military families know all too well that the holidays are either extra special, because your loved one is home with you, or a little lonely, because they have to be away.  We are facing the latter this year.  As I look at the picture above I can see the joy on my children's faces and I can think of some many things we have to be thankful for, but at the same time it is hard to miss the fact that someone very special is missing. 

I am not going to complain or feel sorry for myself, because I know that there are many military families that are celebrating this time of year not only away from their loved one, but mourning the loss of their loved one.  Please don't forget as you celebrate with your family this year that there are many that are coping with loss and separation.  Please say a little prayer for them.

On a different note: I have to say that so many people have really went out of their way to try and fill in some of the void that my family feels at this time of the year.  I have been invited over to multiple homes for Christmas (I actually had to turn one friend down because I already had plans), have received goodies (thanks Carma, Diana, Laura!), notes, texts, packages, emails, calls, etc. from people just checking in on us and wanting to let us know that they are thinking of us.  I really have some great people in my life and I am so thankful.  God always provides just what we need. 

Merry Christmas!

Sorry Ladies.....He's Taken!

Okay, so for those that know me well, you know that I am convinced that I have the best husband out there.  Not only is he remarkably handsome, but he is pretty loving and thoughtful as well. : )  So he plotted behind my back (until I snooped and began to figure things out) to have my sister Jessica fly out to spend some of the holidays with me as an early graduation present for her.  He thought that it would be fun for her and that it would help me to enjoy the holidays more!  So stinking sweet!  I love my sweetpea!  So, I am sorry ladies, but the best man is already taken.  I am sure there are some runners up out there and there is nothing wrong with second best. : )  J/K! 

Last Minute Christmas Cards/Gift ideas from Shutterfly

Okay, so if you haven't gotten your Christmas cards sent out yet, take a moment and check out Shutterfly.  I know there are lots of online photo sharing sites, but shutterfly really is amazing.  They have the cutest cards to choose from, it's super easy to use, and the prices are great.  I even saw on their site that if you are a new member you get 50 free 4X6 prints.  Grab a few picture frames and this makes for a really inexpensive gift as well as one that is close to your heart.  Check out the thank you card that I made at Shutterfly, it literally took me 2 minutes to make and I think it is adorable!  Click this link to check it out.
Shutterfly Stationery Card
I have shared pictures with family and friends through this site and the nice thing about it from a military families standpoint is that you can send the pictures to your family directly to their house, you can send them to a local store for them to pick up, or they can select the pictures they want and order them for themselves.  I love that option.  I get to share pictures of my kiddos with family and it doesn't have to cost me a thing if I don't want it to.  I love using shutterfly to make personalized gifts for family as well.  The photo books are a great way for me to send pictures that are easy for my grandma to carry in her purse and show to all her girlfriends at her monthly luncheons. 
Check out some of these links:
Christmas Cards
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards
Photo gifts
http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts
Moving Announcements (Great for us militray families that are always moving)
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/announcements/moving-announcements 
So check out shutterfly for all your photo needs!

Absence Does Make the Heart Grow Fonder!

 Okay, so I don't want this blog to be a place that only states the negative of being a military spouse and having your husband leave, cause there really are so many great things that come with this "job".  For one, absence does really make you realize how much you love and appreciate your spouse on a much deeper level.  It also allows for sweet and thoughtful things to occur that don't normally happen daily around our house.  For example, ever since my husband has been gone we have been finding these little notes tucked in all around the house in our clothes, drawers, towels, etc.  Here are a few of them:

I mean imagine putting on a pair of pants on a day that maybe hasn't gone exactly how you have planned so far.  Maybe the kids are crying, fighting, not listening, etc., but then you reach into your pocket and find a note that says;

That will change your mood for sure!

And my five year old has really been missing her daddy alot and will act out because of it at times and you can only imagine how special she feels when she finds notes that say things like "have fun at swim lessons", "have a great day at school" or this one;

What special memories we have!  You can take these times of separation and be down and frustrated (we all have those moments) or we can try and climb out of our self pity and see the special things that can arise from time apart. 

I just want to tell my husband that I love you and really appreciate your thoughtfulness!  You are the best!

When the Cats Away.....Everything Goes Wrong!

So not the way you thought that title was going to go, but for my military wife friends out there you know exactly what this means.  I mean, if it is going to go wrong, break, get sick, act up, get lost, cost more it is going to happen while the husband is gone.  Just in the month or so that my husband has been gone my dog had diarrhea all over the living room carpeted floor (this was actually the day he left), the whole family has gotten sick, the computer got a virus, my ring needed repair, and the last adventure was my car broke down.  None of these things are that huge of a deal, but they all are out of the norm and all required money and/or lots of extra effort on my part.  I am now the proud owner of a Bissel steam cleaner though!  Bring on the messes, okay I am only joking, don't really. 

Let's Get It Started In Here!

I am starting this blog as a way of expressing my daily joys, challenges, fears, and accomplishments of being a military spouse.  For those of you that are military spouses yourself you will probably find yourself relating to my blog alot and maybe we can find comfort in our similarities.  For those of you that are not familiar with military life (other than watching army wives) this may be a way for you to learn about how the families sacrifice and serve as well and maybe it will make you appreciate your life a little more.  So come along on my life's journey with me, it will be interesting that is for sure!