As we drove around town tonight and I couldn't help but notice all the lights and Christmas decorations. They are in stores, along the streets, and Christmas music is playing everywhere. I don't mind the Christmas music, my daughter has been playing it since Halloween. This is my favorite time of year. The only time when I am able to tolerate winter. For some reason, being cold in December ...

Mail is super slow so he's been sending postcards in advance for the family. My husband has been deployed to the Middle East for 274 days.  These are my real thoughts expressing my heart during his absence.  I appreciate your prayers and kind words as we cope, adapt, and carry on without him until August 2014.  To read from the beginning, click here. ...

For those of you who love college football, you know that today is the day when all the teams play their rivals. This is always a big day in our house being lifelong Florida State fans. We actually video chatted during the big game, but his version of the game was about 40 seconds ahead of ours so he kept calling out the plays before they happened. After I threatened to hang up on him he ...

I had  great day. We were surrounded by family and friends and even though I broke my Thanksgiving rule and spent the whole day baking, it was awesome. A half a world away, he had a lonely Thanksgiving. He ate dinner by himself and spent the evening in his room, alone. I can't imagine feeling so alone, but I'm sure it is common for many of our troops overseas, and at training here in the ...