My Caring Cross Review

The Olivewood Cross
Caring Crosses are individually carved from a single unique piece of beautifully grained olive wood pruned from the olive trees around Bethlehem the birthplace of Jesus. Christians have been carving crosses like this for hundreds of years, originally for pilgrims and more recently tourists visiting the Holy Land. Each craftsman receives a fair price to support their family and Christian community. The Caring Cross is designed to fit comfortably into the palm of your hand as an aid to prayer or meditation. Ideal as your spiritual companion for easing children's fears, comforting worries and stresses of adults and focusing the prayer of the sick and elderly.

I received two caring crossing in the mail and am  very pleased with how quickly they were shipped to me. I believe it was only 2-3 days after the order was placed. Each of my crosses are a little different... which , to me, proves they are each individually carved from a olive tree. Caring Crosses are ideal gifts for cancer patients, graduation, baptism, anyone in need of comfort

Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem and later died on the cross for us.
Consider giving a Olive Wood cross to remind friends and family of the sacrifice he made for us.Crosses can now be purchased on Amazon, Ebay or mycaringcross.com. If you choose to order from the main mycaringcross.com site use the code OCTCROSS and get 10% off for the month of October.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Noxicare Pain Relief Cream review

Noxicare™ Natural Pain Relief is a breakthrough natural, patented pain relief formula that is a proprietary combination of 7 of the world’s most potent natural pain relievers that quickly and effectively alleviate inflammation, muscle aches and nerve pain —with NO known side effects and without a prescription.
I love the fact that it's odorless and non-greasy. The place I get the most pain is my shoulders/back. Either I sleep wrong or I'm carrying a baby and toddler all day. I was skeptical about using it. After putting the cream on my shoulder/back area, I guess I expected a bengay feeling or icyhot feeling. It went on smooth like lotion and was quite nice. As I sat there I noticed my pain dulled away and left me feeling like I had slept all night and was waking for a new day, no pain.
Noxicare relaxes the muscle and reduces inflammation to alleviate pain, while working to increase blood flow to calm painful nerve endings.
While it worked well, it didn't last long and after a few hours I had to reapply.
http://www.noxicare.com

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Butterfly Bottoms Cloth Diaper Review

http://Www.butterflybottomscloth.com

 Butterfly Bottoms Cloth

I've had the privilege of trying out just about every diaper this lady makes: Love them ALL:)
I've had her newborn diapers, her pocket diapers, her all in one (my favs) and I even have a cover she made (which is the favorite cover I own btw). I started out as a tester for her newborn diaper. Even though I know this woman in real life, I never knew she was so talented or crafty:)
I received the newborn diaper RIGHT before my LO was born .

Here is my LO 3 days old

and she is a little over a month old

 You can see :) Her newborn diapers fit a bit longer than normal newborn diapers because of the rise snap. I <3 them!

In another one of our newborn diapers:)

Don't you just LOVE those prints!
We also had pockets:) I love the double snap on the wings! And the high waist , it helps minimize leaks a LOT!

She fit in the pocket OS
before she was a month old!

More of the pockets we have:)

Then we moved on to her AIO (All in one). These are our absolute favorites. After they are fully prepped they hold a LOT :) They are my go to for taking to church or ANYWHERE because they are the easiest.. no insert . Again the double row of snaps on the tabs make the fit excellent .

my LO at only 2 months in the AIOs

 Here are a few pictures of my lo in the cover we also bought.
We do a LOT of covers and prefolds when we are at home to make laundry easier.
This cover is our go to cover for at night. It holds great and we RARELY have a overnight leak.

We LOVE Butterfly bottoms cloth. 
Visit her site to "build" your own diaper or pick from her selection of ones she has premade.
She also makes zippered wet bags, pail liners, and diaper bags that I haven't tried out ...just yet. :)
But after 4 wonderful months, these are the diapers we reach for the most:)

http://www.butterflybottomscloth.com

I know I know I've been MIA lately
Life's been, KINDA busy:)

So it's my first year doing this but it is

The 2nd Annual “Living and Active” Challenge! 

http://peak313.com/featured/the-2nd-annual-living-and-active-challenge/

 

Here is the description from the link where I signed up:) (all links are not mine..they are from the site)

Here are the challenge basics:

Physical:

Many of you are already in an awesome routine with your workouts, so I want you to keep that up. But for those of you who need a little guidance, I’m here to help!  I will provide a set of workouts you can do from your home (or take to the gym!) All you need are one or two sets of weights, an exercise band (similar to this), and a big exercise ball. These are great basics to build your home gym. They are also fairly cheap! Most of these exercises will be derived from my New Move Mondays, but I also may add a few new routines, too!

CHALLENGE GOAL: Exercise (with your routine or mine) 4 days a week for the 5 weeks we are in it. (25 minutes is minimum time)

Spiritual:

My faith lays the groundwork for everything I do and the upkeep of my body and health is included in that!  So I want to take us through some key principles to get us “living and active” in both our physical and spiritual lives. I’ll provide a small devotional and insight to each principle along with a challenge for us to consider each week. Scripture memorization is also a great discipline, so we will be adding that on too! (I call that our “Soul Food”)

CHALLENGE GOAL: Memorize the new weekly verse/Soul Food (as well as maintaining prior weeks) and do the key challenge.

Accountability:

This all is great, but if we don’t have accountability, then chances are we won’t stick with it. I have a few ways this is going to happen:

- Facebook: Periodically through the week, I will check in with you who are a part of this. This is your chance to check in, ask questions, claim victories, express frustrations etc. so make sure you “like” me on facebook! I also encourage you to create your own facebook accountability groups!

- Twitter: I’ll be doing the same thing on twitter with hashtag #livingandactive.Follow me there!

- Weekly Link-Up: If you are a blogger, this is your chance to write about your journey! Every Monday, I’ll provide a link up for you to write about how you did that past week. You can include healthy recipes, or exercises you like, or the victories and valleys. Set your own goals and measurements. Detail your specific daily diet and what you will be avoiding or adding. This is your place to make it your own! (If you don’t have a blog, you can join us in the comment section, letting us know how you are doing!)

Now, for some of the new things we are adding on this year!:

- Instagrammers: I know there’s a lot of you out there! (You can find me here) I post a lot of pictures of my food during the week on there and will continue to do so. (A few times a week, I’ll post everything that I ate for the day in one picture) I would love for you to join me–it’s great accountability!  Make sure to tag #livingandactive and  #clarepeak313 !

- Before/After Picture: Before some of you flip out, you don’t have to show ANYONE this picture! (You can if you’d like!) This is for you to see the physical changes to your body. So yes–get your sports bra and running shorts on and get in front of a mirror. Snap a shot in the front. Flex your arm. Put your leg out. However many picures you want to take. I don’t want you to do this again until the end of the 5 weeks though! (Feel free to take other measurements on your body and write them down!)

♥♥♥

And just like last year, I have a prize package! (All the goodies still being added up so I’ll share later!) For those of you who are 100% on the scripture memorization and exercising 4/7 days a week during this 5 week period, you’ll get a chance at winning the package! (You must check in here, every week. More on that later)

We officially start next Monday, September 16th, but you have some things to do now!

1.) Grab the button below, add to your blog and link-up a post telling me that you are in! (or just comment below)

2.) Grab a friend, sister, daughter, roommate…whoever…and ask them to join us! (HINT: Headstart to Key Principle #1!)

3.) Take your before picture(s)

4.) Pray through your commitment! I want you to really be successful over these 5 weeks. If this is a bad season in life for you, then maybe this isn’t the time to join as it would leave you more discouraged than encouraged. But if you need a kick in the rear, get focused, dust off those weights or gym membership card and let’s get going!


http://peak313.com/featured/the-2nd-annual-living-and-active-challenge/

 

Life after the third pregnancy.

Jeez okay.. even though Ella is only 7 weeks I've made some huge realizations.. okay so maybe some of these I already figured out with just two kids LOL

Even with one child, women have to juggle relationships, work, domestic chores and motherhood, and hardly anyone would say they've got the balance right. So with three young children, it's even easier to feel you're letting someone down.

We've all heard the "TV before a certain age is bad... kids shouldn't watch tv . You may be tempted to let your toddlers watch TV when you're breastfeeding the baby - so what? Yes, they shouldn't watch too much, but some TV is not bad. My kids right now LOVE Caillou and Team Umizoomi. My almost five year old loves Dinosaur cartoons and Power Rangers (yes he even imitates them).  I don't believe it will cause him to be a bully in school.

The laundry will always be there, but your children won't always be young.  

Unless your supermom (I am NOT) You wont be able to keep a spotless house. My house always has toys all over. I focus on keeping food crumbs up and counters clean. 

Unless you’ve got a nanny, a housekeeper, a driver, and a cook, it’s hard to manage a home and family with a smile on your face. But, it’s worth trying. Because nobody wants a crabby mom. I've been that crabby mom more than I wish to admit.

When you have your third baby, you have a pre-schooler and a toddler both claiming they are the center of the universe. Loudly! You read celebrity magazines at the checkout hoping to be inspired for another name.  When you start considering Wednesday Apple, you realize you are seriously scraping the bottom of the barrel.

The video camera you used for the first two is now ridiculously outdated, and you film footage of the new baby with her older sisters on your Smart Phone to be instantly uploaded to friends and family across the globe.  

 Breast-feeding is still hard, and you still get bleeding nipples and mastitis, but you fast-track through the dramas and just get on with it.  You are able to breast feed or express while peeling a banana for the toddler and changing the batteries in a toy for your pre-schooler.  All at the same time.

When people ask you how you are, you answer honestly. I'm here.  It's life. Life isn’t perfect.  Your kids are driving me crazy. The kids are crazy ..and so am I .  You don't have a clue what is happening in the world, you don’t wear the latest styles (or any style, for that matter) and your car is full of dirt and toys and empty wrappers.

Ryan's oldest is coming to live with us this year and when I tell everyone they always gasp, "4 kids oh my goodness" or "Bless your heart". Going from two to three was a bit overwhelming ,but I'm looking forward to going from 3-4. The kids love Austin and I KNOW him being there will actually make things with them a bit easier:) He's older so he will be a great help:) 

 
 

MIA with a new baby girl

I know that's what I have been the past few months. I've been quite the busy bee ...being in the last trimester of my pregnancy, moving back on post, chasing my two around , and the husband coming home from deployment.  Well Im proud to say we now have a 2 week old baby girl .

Ella Kathleen Smith

picture by Lisa Authier Photography

I didn't start cloth with my dd Emmy till she was around 9 months, and we are doing cloth with Ella now so it's a new experience :) I'll be reviewing some newborn diapers in the next entry.

Miss Ella weighed 7lbs 6oz when she was born and was 20 & 1/2 cm long. She lost down to 7lbs 1 oz before we left the hospital but at 4 days old had gained back to 7lbs and 4 oz. We go back to the dr this morning and I just know she is around 8lbs now as much as she nurses. She sleeps much more than my other kids did and is actually a quite easy baby:) She does love to sleep on mommas chest of course though:) AND she grunts and makes tons of noise in her sleep lol so I'm always checking on her. Adjusting to three kids is  not all that bad and Emmy is not as jealous as we thought she was going to be. :)

Unique Your Name in Bible Verse Certificates Review

Your Name in Bible Verse certificates are beautiful, individually printed certificates personalized with a loved one's first and last names, two first names, or any phrase up to 20 letters and spaces, with an inspirational Bible verse for each letter.
Bible Verse certificates make ideal, affordable, Christian gifts for:
 Birthdays, weddings, baptisms and christenings, Mother's Day, Christmas, 1st communions, confirmations, pastor appreciations...any occasion!
 Available in English and Spanish.
 In over 20 different of styles.
 Each certificate is unique.

 I received mine in the mail and plan on ordering one for each of my kids and one for my husband as well. These are the PERFECT gift for those hard to buy for people... or ANYONE actually.  I wanna frame all of my family's together so I'll be buying a big frame and cutting a mat to fit:)

 Visit BibleVerse.org to order yours TODAY!:)




 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

I'm The Daddy Long Sleeve Tee by DaddyScrubs Review

These tshirts are the perfect fathers day or new father pesent. They are super comfy (I know I've tried them on). I have to admit ...I got this for my husband as a nice present in honor of our newest little one on the way. Now I wish it didnt say " daddy " on it because I want to keep it! I know he will just love it. I cannot wait for him to get home from deploymet to wear it. I will update later with a picture of him in it.

• 100% cotton preshrunk jersey knit material • Weight: 6.1 oz • Tapered neck and shoulders • Double needle sleeve and bottom hems • Colors: Blue  • Sizes: Medium, Large, X Large, 2X Large, 3X Large • $29.95 ( but you can get 10% off using BLOG13)

Get yours at http://www.daddyscrubs.com/

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. This company has Lots more awesome stuff!

I'm The Daddy Hoodie by DaddyScrubs Review

These hoodies are the perfect fathers day or new father present. They are super comfy (I know I've tried them on). I have to admit ...I got this for my husband as a nice present in honor of our newest little one on the way. Now I wish it didnt say " daddy " on it because I want to keep it! I know he will just love it. I cannot wait for him to get hone from deploymet to wear it. I will update later with a picture of him in it.

 Pigment Dyed 100% cotton fleece
• Hooded • Preshrunk •Color: Vintage Blue
• Sizes: Medium, Large, X Large, 2X Large
$54.95 ( but you can get 10% off using BLOG13)

Get yours at http://www.daddyscrubs.com/

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

PottyCover - Disposable Toilet Seat Covers For Kids Review and GIVEAWAY

PottyCover is a disposable toilet seat cover for children that covers the sides and the front of the toilet, to keep away germs at public rest-rooms.  It is made of non-woven fabric coated with a layer of plastic, creating a waterproof barrier between the toilet and the child. This product has the largest coverage of all seat covers on the market and for added convenience, each seat cover is individually packaged in a small, easy to open bag that makes it super easy to always keep one or two in a purse or a back pocket.

These are NOT your normal little paper covers like in the bathrooms at Walmart! These unfold to a quite large cover and are a nice material.. softer than normal covers. My two year is JUST potty trained,and when out we have to make bathroom stops quite often to ensure she doesn't have an accident. Sometimes taking the time to line the toilet with paper just takes too long when your in a hurry. These covers cover the entire toilet...so not only do your little ones hands not touch the toilet, their legs and pulled down underwear and pants don't either. Less germ contact= less sick kiddos = one happy moma!

Leave a comment below and Saturday I'll pick someone to receive a free sample of the potty cover product! Make sure to leave an email to be contacted!

A pack of PottyCover sells for $5.99 and it is available on Amazon, Ebay, all Buy Buy Baby stores around the country and at select Bed Bath & Beyond stores.

 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Closer to the end than the start

    Every day that passes, I get more excited because I know that soon my husband will be home! Well soon enough I guess since I still don't know when that will be LOL. But I DO know that we are closer to the end than the beginning of deployment and that is all that matters! I went ahead and got us on the housing list.. and JUST accepted a house on post. I'll be going next month to move some stuff in and officially sign for it. I would have rather waited but with my last two pregnancies being early bloomers.. I didn't wanna risk it. So at least now I guess we will be ready for when hubs comes home. My DD informed me that she was NOT sleeping by herself when we moved, she was sleeping with her daddy lol. And my DS is very ready to go get our stuff outta storage.

 Arent they just precious:)

me and my good friend at her daughters birthday party:) 

I have two reviews coming up

PottyCover - Disposable Toilet Seat Covers For Kids.

I'm The Daddy Hoodie by DaddyScrubs

so be on the lookout:)

 

Getting More Active as a Veteran

Hi everyone, I'm Emily and I am the Community Outreach Director for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. Jessica was kind enough to let me post some ideas and tips about ways to keep our veterans healthy and active. They sacrificed so much for us, it's the least we can do for them. 

Many veterans deal with physical and emotional ailments every single day. If you know a veteran or are one yourself, it is so important for your physical and mental health for you to take care of yourself. Whether you're dealing with mesothelioma or have PTSD, you need to know the different options available to you that you can make use of to be the healthiest you possibly can be. Many of these options can be done at home yourself and will help you to live a longer and more fulfilling life no matter what you are currently going through.

One of the best things any person can do, especially veterans, is to eat healthier and more wholesome foods. Nowadays, it's easy to grab processed foods from the local drive-thru or to buy frozen junk from the freezers in the grocery store. The problem with this is that many of these foods can aggravate and cause depression, anxiety and weight gain. Because of this, it is important for you to make gradual changes to your diet that will incorporate better foods, like fruits and veggies, into your day-to-day life. You do not need to become a vegetarian, but even just making small daily changes can help tremendously.

Along with your diet, exercise is another option available that will help your health tremendously. Exercise is recommended by doctors simply because of how beneficial it actually is. Just think of how sedentary you've become and it's easy to see why you may be dealing with weight problems, diabetes and even depression. One way to get rid of these issues or to help resolve them is to begin exercising more often. Join a local gym or take time out of your day to go for a walk in the local park with your dog. You will be amazed at how good you'll feel once you begin a workout program.

It is also a good idea to visit your doctor regularly for check-ups and when you're experiencing issues. Many emotional and physical problems can be dealt with through medication; so do not be afraid to bring these things up when you're in the office. You want to make sure that you get the best help necessary so that you are living a long and fruitful life. There is no reason for you to live uncomfortably just because you do not want to talk about things to your doctor. Your doctor and therapist are there to help you with these problems.

Living a long and productive life might seem difficult when you have a number of physical and mental ailments standing in your way. One of the best things a veteran can know is that they have the power to change their lives and their moods. Just exercise more, eat better and make regular trips to your doctor and you will notice a significant difference in your life. If you're not a veteran but know someone who is, bring these things up with them the next time you see them.

Value of human life

If your Pro-choice.. you may or may not want to read this. I'll warn you now I'm pro-life, and this post is mainly from some things I thought about during my class this morning in church..some things we discussed and some things we may not have.

" You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."  (Psalms 139:13-16)

God has a plan for everyone, before they are even born.  There is a purpose for every child. THIS is why I choose to be against abortion. Our Sunday school lesson was on the value of human life.

If a person is considered dead when their heart stops beating, should a baby also be considered ALIVE when their heart STARTS beating. Abortion is murder.
The fact that abortions are so common in America today does not make them right.

"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctioned thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations"(Jeremiah 1:5)

There..okay I spoke my peace. Maybe its the hormones making me so emotional and passionate about this, maybe not. It's what I believe . Maybe this little one will let me get some sleep  now.

Reflo Cup - a smart alternative to "sippy cups"

The Reflo Smart Cup ™ is a revolutionary new concept in training cups. It's a smart alternative to sippy cups and a great transitional tool for your children to learn to drink from an open cup.

Got it with the intent of my 4 year old using it,but my 2 year old has done GREAT with it. Great idea.

She loves being a big girl and using it at the table when everyone else has a regular cup. I think the cups are fantastic and in just one night she was tipping them up correctly and drinking from them like a pro! If they do drop it or knock it over it doesn't ALL rush out and spill. That's my favorite feature, the flow control! It's BPA-free, phthalate-free and dishwasher safe, the Reflo Smart Cup ™ is designed for safety and hygiene with no moving parts to trap dirt and germs. 

Available in four translucent cup colors:

• Red Violet
• Blue
• Green
• Clear

Each Reflo Smart Cup ™ holds up to 6 ounces of your child's favorite pulp-free beverage.

You can purchase from The Reflo site or they are also available on the Sweet bottoms baby site.

  It has a simple insert that controls the flow. It isnt "spill proof" but doesn't let a whole bunch rush out. But no matter how they turn it will come out like a regular cup from any spot on the cup. Best part is without the insert its just a reg cup!

 

 

AP fail

Sometimes I just feel like I'm doing a horrible job at this parent thing. I LOVE my kids, but I know I don't show it to them enough.
I have so Little patience these days.. I snap at the smallest thing. I know that has a little to do with my being all hormonal and pregnant and stuff , plus the hubs being deployed..but still it gets to me.
I spank out of anger...when I've ALWAYS said I'd never do that.
I yell, I ignore, I just get it all wrong some days.
My daily prayer is just.. God, help me get this right..more than wrong. But some days I just feel like I get it the opposite.
I've always wanted to be that stereotypical AP mom, but I just FAIL at a LOT of it.

The world already expects our kids to grow up TOO fast.
A 4 year is expected to be able to sit still be quiet and act... like he's 15 already. Well I'll tell you my 4 year old just CANT do that lol. He is loud , he has TONS of energy and when he is tired ..he is WIRED.  We all too often expect our kids to act so "perfect" that we forget that we as adults are FAR from that "perfect" we expect them to be. I catch myself getting mad at my son for spilling something then Ill turn around and spill my own drink and think..well then Jess.. how bout fussing at yourself as well.
We get upset with our kids for doing things we have TOLD them not to do, but how many times do you do something you KNOW you shouldn't?
I guess I'm just not "hip" enough lol to be FULL ON hardcore crunchy LOL.
Some FUN facts about this mom:)
1) I gave birth in a hospital.. twice.. and fully plan to this third time. and GASP epidural ready! Im a wimp when it comes to pain. I could never homebirth.
2) Only bf Dustin 3 months.. but Emmy yea we went a full 22 months..and a little part time after that LOL
3) CO-sleeping parents here def LOL Dustin slept in the bed forever and well ...Emmys beside me in bed now.. We are def gonna need a bigger bed for when this child gets here, lol.
4) I didn't cloth diaper OR babywear Dustin.. but did both with Emmy and plan on both with this child.
5) I TRY to be a little healthier and avoid lots of chemicals in my home.. making my own stuff or buying green and local.

For some people I may look like a boob slinging hippie... but to a lot of hardcore APs, Im still as silky and horrible as the rest of the moms who use sposies and use the cry it out method (to which I do not believe in BTW )

But anyways, I dont vow to change completely overnight...because I know its hard and will take time. But I have some WONDERFUL role model friends (if your reading you know who you are) and I know they will be there to support all my decisions and help me along the way without judging... but all while being honest:)

A Military Wife

 This is floating around facebook and I love it. I miss my hubby, but I am proud of him!
If he re-enlists...I'll be there to follow gladly. And if he doesn't...I'll still follow:) Love you Ryan!

A Military Wife

Lots of moving...
Moving...
Moving...
Moving far from home...
Moving two cars, three kids and one dog...all riding with HER of course.
Moving sofas to basements because they won't go in THIS house;
Moving curtains that won't fit;
Moving jobs and certifications and professional development hours.
Moving away from friends;
Moving toward new friends;
Moving her most important luggage: her trunk full of memories.

Often waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting for housing.
Waiting for orders.
Waiting for deployments.
Waiting for phone calls.
Waiting for reunions.
Waiting for the new curtains to arrive.
Waiting for him to come home, For dinner...AGAIN!

They call her 'Military Dependent', but she knows better:
She is fiercely In-Dependent.

She can balance a check book;
Handle the yard work;
Fix a noisy toilet;
Bury the family pet...
She is intimately familiar with drywall anchors and toggle bolts.
She can file the taxes;
Sell a house;
Buy a car;
Or set up a move... .....all with ONE Power of Attorney.

She welcomes neighbors that don't welcome her.
She reinvents her career with every PCS;
Locates a house in the desert, The Arctic, Or the deep south.
And learns to call them all 'home'.
She MAKES them all home.

Military Wives are somewhat hasty...
They leap into:
Decorating,
Leadership,
Volunteering,
Career alternatives,
Churches,
And friendships. They don't have 15 years to get to know people.
Their roots are short but flexible.
They plant annuals for themselves and perennials for those who come after them.

Military Wives quickly learn to value each other:
They connect over coffee,
Rely on the spouse network,
Accept offers of friendship and favors.
Record addresses in pencil...

Military Wives have a common bond:
The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands; his commitment is unique.
He doesn't have a 'JOB'
He has a 'MISSION' that he can't just decide to quit...
He's on-call for his country 24/7.
But for her, he's the most unreliable guy in town!
His language is foreign
TDY
PCS
OPR
SOS
ACC
BDU
ACU
BAR
CIB
TAD
And so, a Military Wife is a translator for her family and his.
She is the long- distance link to keep them informed;
the glue that holds them together.

A Military Wife has her moments:
She wants to wring his neck;
Dye his uniform pink;
Refuse to move to Siberia;
But she pulls herself together.
Give her a few days,
A travel brochure,
A long hot bath,
A pledge to the flag,
A wedding picture,
And she goes.
She packs.
She moves.
She follows.

Why?
What for?
How come?
You may think it is because she has lost her mind.
But actually it is because she has lost her heart.
It was stolen from her by a man,
Who puts duty first,
Who longs to deploy,
Who salutes the flag,
And whose boots in the doorway remind her that as long as he is her Military Husband,
She will remain his military wife.
And would have it no other way.

--Author Unknown