Saturday, December 31, 2011

Sunday Jan. 1st,2012! Happy New Year

Happy New Year! I hope each and every one of you got your kiss in at midnight. May you all be blessed with a terrific New Year. Be careful and don't Drink and Drive.

My New Years kiss will come later in the year. But oh how I look forward to that amazing day.

Jon my love,

I love you so very much. All I thought about tonight was what we would be doing if you had been home. I miss being in your arms baby. This year will be a long one, but I hope that it passes quickly.
I love  you, Happy New Year baby

Friday, December 30, 2011

My Awesome Mom and Dad... 12/23/2011

Friday Dec. 30th, 2011

Tonight the girls, mom and I had PSP class. I taught all four of them how to use masks, make animated text and add borders and frames to their pictures! It was so much fun. The girls had a great time, and grandma took notes so she could remember the steps later. For me it was fun, I had to remember the steps without my computer in front of me. Usually I'm sitting at my laptop and don't think about the steps to do any of it. This time I didn't take my laptop to the kitchen. I still enjoyed it though.

So tomorrow night is the big night of the year; New Year's Eve. My resolution? To try to remember that I am not the only one that has a gaping hole in my life where Jon should be. Is that my only one? Nope, I hope to have lost 15 pounds by April. How do I plan on making that small hope into reality? Usually starting in March I hit the streets walking, this year I plan on hitting the gym until it gets nicer weather. Then I will take to the streets to enjoy all the views of our city.

Fifteen pounds and I have just at 4 months to accomplish that goal. I can do that! Here I come gym!

I love you Jon,

Until later

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

My Darling Jon...

Yesterday, today, and tomorrow; you are always in my heart. Every day is spent thinking of you and about you. Our future is bright thanks to you, there will never again be dark skies. I love you

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Tuesday Dec. 27th, 2011

Well, how was your Christmas? Ours turned out to be awesome! My sweet Jon was so excited about what we had gotten the girls, that he couldn't wait to see their faces light up. He had me wake them at 4:30 AM our time, so that he was able to be on Skype watching them unwrap their gifts. Three sleepy young ladies all just wanting to crawl back into bed, didn't make for shinning faces. It was almost a let down at the time. That is until they woke back up later in the day and it hit them just what their dad had done for them.

Jon had planned for months what he wanted their gift from him to be. He got each of them a new laptop! They had never had their own before. They had been using their grandma's laptops. Now they don't have too. They also received a digital camera from me for each of them. Now they don't have to play with grandma's really expensive camera anymore. Along with laptops and cameras they each got new headphones with mic so that they can Skype  with their dad and listen to music without interfering with the others. They each got a new mouse for their laptops.

All in all it was so much fun seeing their reactions after they woke up later in the day. My gift this year? Being able to have Jon here with us; even if it was via Skype. We talked for hours after the girls went back to bed. I finally went to bed after 8 AM Christmas morning. I didn't care, I wasn't sleepy I wanted to spend as much time as I could talking with Jon. Having him watching the girls unwrap their gifts almost felt like he was home.

That was the BEST gift he could have given me.I will never forget this Christmas. Who needs expensive or for that matter inexpensive material things? Not me, just give me my family all around me and I am one very happy lady. There aren't many Christmas's left that the kids will all be at home together with me at the same time. Before long they will be grown and have more important things to do than spend it with mom. I cherish all these little times we get to have together.

I'm looking forward to next Christmas when Jon will be back home, and by my side as our girls open their gifts. I will not forget to thank my lucky stars that my husband is home safe next year. Every day I'll have with him and the girls together will be my miracle.

Jon love,

Thank you for spending our Christmas morning with us. It meant the world to me to have you able to see the girls opening their gifts. I appreciate the fact that you took the time to watch the girls opening their Christmas gifts, out of your busy day. I love you so much for spending a few hours with me; it made my day so much brighter. It's all those small things that you do, that make me so very proud of you. I know it was hard on you watching the girls Christmas morning. I know it was hard not being able to be here in person.You have no idea how much that meant to me and the girls that you did that for them and me.

You still continue to amaze me, I appreciate the man that you are. I love the man that you continue to show me that you are. I admire that about you, you have a way of always putting us first and making sure we know that we matter to you. I'm so very proud of you love.

I love you

Until later love...

Friday, December 23, 2011

A Poem From my Daughter Rose 12-23-11

This poem was written by Jon and I's 14 year old daughter. I have always told her that she has an "old" soul. She knows and understands life much better than most adults do. She has lived the life of an 80 year old in her short life.

Here is part of her views:

America we stand


America we stand America we breathe America all I feel and all I see.
The sky so blue the grass so green America we are free.

The day so blue when your not here The night so lonely and filled with tears.
I know you are, fighting for our country, miss America, we are here.

The song so loud the water so clear I wish that you could be near.
Today we wait worlds apart as the war goes on I can imagine your fear.

The flag so tall the bell so gold What you hold deep inside is very sad and very bold.
Our American soldiers, our hero's at war, our mothers and daughters, our fathers and son's.

Tonight the stars are very dim the dogs howl with pride and I wish I was by your side.
Tomorrow I will wake, and hope for your sake the war we all fight, deep inside will be small left over movements, from this big earthquake.

The moment I see you standing so proud in front of me on American ground I will bow and smile and say, Our great American your home to stay.

                              America we stand.    ~Faith Rose~
 
She is an awesome writer! I love reading everything she writes. If you want to follow her blog, her link is on the left; A Soldier's Rose. She would love to hear from others what they think of her writing. Keep it positive please, she is only 14.

As for me I'll be back on Monday December 26th with an updated blog. I'm going to try my best to enjoy the next two days with my family. Merry Christmas to you all and may your holiday be a safe one.


Jon,

Christmas is here baby. It's hard to believe that I will be spending it without you this year. I know that you are overseas, but at times it feels like you are right here with me. I hope that you are right here with me the next couple of days. I'm going to need your strength to pull me through this holiday. Remember you have my heart right there next to you every moment you are there. I love you baby, stay safe my love

Until later love,

Your wife

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Thursday Dec. 22nd, 2011

As 2011 rolls to a close, I have been thinking and over-thinking what this year has meant to my life. I'm not one that usually thinks to much about a year closing and another beginning. For the most part each year just seems another year closer to my kids being grown, and my getting still older than I am. I guess you could say that I am a pessimist.

This year however, I have had so many things change. Some of which I am so extremely grateful for, others I could have done without. I'm not really one for lists either; so I won't bore anyone with a list of top ten or bottom ten. Most of you here reading this blog will already know my top and bottom of my "list".

Meeting Jon was absolutely the top of my list of amazing changes for the year. I know having Jon in my life will forever be the number one blessing every year for the rest of my life. He has given my life so many things. You never know how empty your life really is until you meet that one person that fills your life to an over flowing fountain. Life never seemed to give me a break. I learned this year from meeting Jon that it wasn't life that was short changing me, it was me. Jon has this way of making me see that life can't screw with you unless you let it.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Tuesday Dec. 20th, 2011

Christmas is almost here! Okay, really it is here. Last minute things to take care of. Jon and I can't wait to see the looks on our girls faces. That to me is huge part of Christmas. It is about seeing the look in your children's eyes, about family and being together. Our family is a little spread out this year, but our hearts are still very close together.

As we work to get past this holiday, our hearts here at home are trying to not let our sadness rule our holiday. Jon doesn't want us to let our missing him to cast a shadow on the girls day. Some where in the back of an army duffel bag, I will pull out my happy face and get through this.

On the up side, the girls and I are going to spend Christmas Eve with my Aunt and Uncle. Hopefully my little brother will also show up as he said he would. I so hope that he does, I have yet to meet my nephew. It's going to seem so strange going to visit with them as last time we were there, Jon was with us. It felt so perfect having Jon at my family's home. This time he can't be there although he sure wishes he could be. He has been looking forward to meeting my little brother.

There will be lots of photos taken, and maybe a video or two. I want for it to be as if Jon were right there as we all remember why we have this freedom to enjoy the holidays as family.

Well, I have more work to get done before Christmas morning. Who knew it would take so much prep work? Where is Calgon when you want it?

My dear Love,

My heart aches for the day you will return to us. Each day feels an eternity. I promise to make Christmas a day the girls will enjoy. My Christmas will get here when you make it home. I love  you so very much love. Be safe, be well and know that my heart is with you.

Until later love,

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Thursday Dec. 15th, 2011

Well tonight is one of those nights where sleep isn't an option for awhile. We all have those nights where we can't sleep for one reason or another. I have been having more than my share of them lately. One would think that having children would be a part of what keeps me from sleep. However they have never kept me up.

I can't even blame my insomnia on Jon being overseas. Of course I think about him all the time, even when I am sleeping my thoughts turn to him. However my nerves about him being there aren't the cause of sleepless nights right now anyway.

So what keeps me from sleeping? It starts off with a muscle twitch here or there. Then it progresses to not being able to feel my limbs. Usually my legs, but on occasion my arms. After the numbing feeling begins, it's the not being able to MAKE my limbs move. No matter how hard I focus on trying to get them to move, they just refuse.


Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Freedom is never free....

I found this poem tonight as I went in search of military images I could use in a project I am working on. This poem holds so true and I thank and give credit where it belongs, to the original Author.


Freedom Isn't Free

I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze
A young soldier saluted it, and then
He stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many Pilots' planes shot down?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No Freedom isn't free

I heard the sound of taps one night,
When everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That taps had meant "Amen"
When a flag had draped a coffin
of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard at the
bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.....
No -- Freedom isn't free!!

...Cadet Major Kelly Strong

Air Force Junior ROTC
 
 
Enough said for tonight.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Facebook and My Love Wedding Ring.com

December 12th, 2011

I don't ordinarily post links here to Websites around the internet. However today is an exception. I Love Facebook for many reasons, one being that is how I kept in contact with Jon when we first started seeing each other.

I had the pleasure of "Liking" a wonderful Page called "My Love Wedding Ring". They have some of the most gorgeous jewelry I have ever laid eyes on. They have a Holiday Sweepstakes going on right now. Twelve days of Christmas. I entered the Contest hoping to win matching Wedding bands for Jon and I. That part of the contest you were to enter what you would have inscribed inside each band.

The inscriptions that I came up with were as follows:

For his band: Two hearts intertwined
For my band: Will forever beat as one

The voting for those entries is still on going so if you want to help a couple out that is just starting out you can go vote for Jon and I by clicking on this link:

https://apps.facebook.com/contestshq/contests/169245/voteable_entries/35924654

Now besides the fact that they have stunning jewelry I have one other reason for loving them as much as I do. They made me a winner of one of their gorgeous rings! I was the winner on Day 4 of the giveaway. This is the stunning ring I won and it came in the mail today!


That is a stunning Amethyst and diamond ring! That small gold band you see there? That is my amazing engagement ring that Jon let me help pick out. I asked for something small and tasteful. Nothing to big as I am always afraid that I will lose it or worse it would be stolen. I am so very proud to be wearing my engagement ring.

Marrying my true best friend and love of my life is a privilege that I will never forget. I am so very lucky and blessed to be able to marry my soul mate.

Jon my love,

I will never forget the evening we talked about getting married. I was so thrilled. When you came back home after your training and we went in search of the perfect ring, I was excited. The night you asked me to marry you is a night I will treasure for the rest of my life. The day we are able to say I do, will be the greatest day of my life.

I know without any doubt that I am so privileged to be able to marry my best friend, the man of my dreams. I look forward to you getting home so that we can finally say in front of God and anyone there, that our hearts will forever beat as one.

I love you my sweet love
Until later love

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Saturday Dec. 10th, 2011

Well it's been a few days since I posted last. I haven't been in the mood to do too much lately. I thought staying busy would help. The first day or so that I tried to it did help. Now though, not so much. It seems like no matter what I do or how much, I'm still missing Jon more every day.

I have intentionally stayed away from watching the news; for good reason. Seeing that we have lost yet another troop is heart breaking. It also makes one worry even more than you usually do with having a loved one overseas. Tonight however, I read a news article where we lost three troops. The part of that besides the obvious, was that they were from Ft. Bliss. Or had at least trained there.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Wednesday Dec.7th, 2011

I am so very excited! We had our first donation a few days ago over at Operation We Send Love. To know that we are on the right path of being able to not only shine a little brighter light for our troops, but also to show their children that they haven't been forgotten is an amazing feeling. Our troops deserve to have our respect, admiration, and our love and support. I feel like part of showing them respect is o help make their children's lives a little less lonesome.

So as you can see, I have been busy trying to stay busy. I can't sit around here and feel sorry for myself forever. It took a sweet woman to point out that I can't lose myself because my husband is overseas. If anything I have to step up and show him that I can make it without him needing to worry about me. So that is why for the last week I have been working so hard to make OWSL a reality.

The last thing I want Jon worrying about while he is overseas is me. To a degree I know he will always worry; I just prefer him not to have any more worry put on him. Jon is a wonderful man, and he is very good at what he does. He has been doing his job for many years now. He always has shown time and again that he is just as bad as me; he is a worrier. If I can take his mind off of the worry even just a little; then he can concentrate on his job better.

Our girls and I are doing okay. We miss him terribly, we can't wait for the day he comes home again. We aren't just sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves anymore. It's time that I got active doing something. In January I am joining our local health club. I have a few too many pounds that I want to be able to shed once and for all. I would like to have that accomplished before Jon gets home. I know I can with hard work and determination.

I plan to look much different for our homecoming next year. At least feel different for myself. I know Jon loves me no matter what. I can't wait to see his face when I am twenty pounds light though.

Well enough rambling for tonight.

Peace everyone,

Betty

Monday, December 5, 2011

Operation We Send Love is LIVE!

Hello friends,

Operation We Send Love is now LIVE! That's right, we have our Blog up. We have our Twitter account up. We have our FaceBook page up. And you can now Donate to our Organization!

We are kicking off our Show Some Love Event.

Please help us spread the word that Operation We Send Love is now open to helping our Troops and their Families! We are so very excited about this new endeavor. Our goal is to reach as many troops and families as we possibly can. We have set our goal for the Show Some Love Event rather high. We KNOW we can make our goal. With your help we will do just that. Who knows maybe we can surpass that goal!

Help us to help our Service members and the families left at home who also serve us every day.

Share our links with your friends and family. Let them see what a great support
Operation We Send Love is.

Thank you all.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Operation We Send Love

My mother-in-law (mom) and I are starting our own organization.

Welcome to: Operation We Send Love!

We are taking donations to send care packages to our troops overseas.How is our organization different from others out there? Well, maybe we aren't. Why have another organization then? Here's the way we look at it.

No matter how many organizations are out there that send care packages to our troops, there is NEVER enough. Our troops need some comforts of home. Not all troops have someone at home that can send packages to them. That's where we want to help. No soldier should ever have to go without having their name called during Mail Call. Hearing their name being called to get their mail, raises each troops spirits.

No one organization will ever be able to supply each troop member a package. That's why it is imperative that we have many organizations. The more organizations the better in our book! Let's all pitch in and give our love, support, and appreciation to our service men and women.

Until I get our website up and running, if you want to help out by sending care packages, please feel free to contact me. Or you can visit our New Blog....

http://operationwesendlove.blogspot.com/

Our Email address is: 
Email Us

We need our soldiers to keep us safe; and they need us to help support them while they are doing so. The soldier's families also need our support. Being left at home as our soldier's go off to defend our country isn't easy on those at home. They need our appreciation and support as well.

Operation We Send Love is an organization that understands that all of those affected by a soldier's deployment need this country's support. Together we can all make a difference in someone's life. Make a difference today.