Faith Deployed Small Group for Military Wives

When the word got out that I wanted to start a small group of military wives going through deployment, I was bombarded by Facebook friend requests. Since there is no way I could keep up with that (and for PERSEC reasons), I created a private page to use. If you want to join us for support, encouragement, a safe place to vent and a place to grow together, come over to "Our Crazy Life" on Facebook.

If you would like to get the book, you can get it from Amazon.com in two ways. It is available as a download (Kindle, iphone or PC)  here or as a hard copy here. If you don't have a kindle and want to use the download, there is a banner at the bottom of this page that will take you to the free application needed.

I am looking forward to being a part of this group! Our Crazy Life is so much better when you aren't alone.

Love,

 

My Pre Deployment Rant - not the first and I am sure it won't be the last!

My 3yo is watching the Sesame Street: Talk, Listen, Connect DVD that came free from Military One Source. (Quick commerical before I start ranting...) It is a great resource and you can't beat free, so if you have little ones, do check it out.

Now... I just want to scream and then throw up. I don't want to do this. The Army and it's 400 day deployments are just stupid! And I know they will be extended. I am not an idiot and the dates don't add up to the whole 'departure timeline' to leave Iraq. I am really mad at the Montana National Guard and whoever else had the stupid idea to have their AT be three weeks this year (on lockdown) right before their federal orders. Can we please get someone with a brain running these things?

My poor 3 year old doesn't know what she is in for. She is just happy watching Elmo and right now, I hate Elmo too.

Thanks for listening to me vent. I feel a bit better, but I still want to throw up.

 

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #10

Join in on all the fun at Wife of a Sailor.

1.What secret indulgence do you act on while your spouse is away? (from Devil Dog Darling)

Don't have one yet, but seriously considering two or three when he leaves the country...

2.If you were a spice, what would you be? (from New Girl On Post)

That is a tough one! I like spicy things, but whatever I am, could you get Tyler Florence to cook with me? ;0)


3.Where do you go for support when your significant other is deployed? (from Texas Meets Washington)

I am so blessed to have my mom living close by. I couldn't do this without her. I also have a great network of friends from all over the world through my work with Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS).


4.What is the oldest thing you own? (from A Troop’s Girl)

I have a lot of really cool antiques from my mom (passed down from her grandmother). My favorite would have to be the books. I love books and there is just something really cool about opening a book that is over 100 years old.


5.How did you vision your future pre-military? (from Daddy’s Duty)

My husband had a pretty good career going (10 years) before he decided to join the military. Really not sure what he was thinking at the time... I am really not one that thinks about what life will be like. I try to be thankful for each day as it comes. I am looking forward to the day when the kids are grown and we can have time together. However, that won't be for a long while :)

Happy Friday!

Book Review - "Whisper in the Wind" by Maureen Lang

If you haven’t guessed by now, I love to read. I am also a huge history buff, so if you combine the two and throw in a little romance, I am hooked!

This month, I was given a copy of “Whisper on the Wind” by Maureen Lang to review. I took it with me to Orlando for MOPS Convention, knowing that I would have lots of airport waiting time.

Like I said, I love history and one of my favorite topics is World War I. It is not a subject that is written about often, especially in fiction books. Needless to say, I was excited to get started.

“In Brussels at the height of WWI, a small underground newspaper is the only thing offering the occupied city hope – and real news of the war. The paper may only speak at a whisper amongst the shouts of the German army, but Edward Kirkland will do anything to keep it in print. Isa Lassone is a Belgium socialite whose family fled Europe at the first rumblings of war. Now, two years later, she sneaks back across enemy lines, determined to rescue Edward – the man she has loved since she was a child.”

Maureen Lang does a great job of drawing you into the story and characters lives right away. You will enjoy getting to know Edward and Isa and following their adventures in occupied Belgium.

One thing that impressed me was the historical accuracy. Now, I am not an expert, but can usually pick out inaccuracies and it ruins the rest of the book. Ms. Lang did her research and put a lot of time into drafting a story that worked with the events of the time period. I especially enjoyed that she uses real quotes throughout the book from the actual La Libre Belgique. It was a very nice bonus.

I hope you enjoy “Whisper on the Wind” as much as I did. In fact, I finished it before my plane landed!

Tyndale House Publishing provided me with a complimentary advance reader copy of this book.

More free ebooks from Amazon.com - Aug. 22, 2010

I wanted to post these freebies before they are gone. Remember to double check to be sure they are still free before clicking buy! If you need to download the app to read these from your computer or iphone, there is a banner at the bottom of the page that will take you to the right place :)

From a Distance (Timber Ridge Reflections, Book 1) 

Premiere 

Rorey's Secret (Country Road Chronicles #1)    

Hope you had a blessed and restful weekend. School starts tomorrow for our four middle ones - guess that means I need to work on schedules and housework today!

Checklists & Our Disney Trip - with picture!

I am a planner, so I make lots of lists. I like to be able to check things off. I even have a virtual post-it note program on my computer that I will use because I can line out completed tasks.

The big thing on my pre-deployment checklist was new family photos. The baby turned three this past month and we hadn't done pictures since before she was born. I know, bad mom. During our trip to Disney World we had a wonderful photo shoot at the Polynesian resort. We had a great time, took over 120 pictures, have them all on CD and it wasn't expensive (bonus!). 

So, here is our new family photo. If you are on my Chistmas card list, you will be seeing this pic again :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

MilSpouse Friday Fill-in #9

Head on over to Wife of a Sailor to join in on the fun!

1.If you could be a fugitive from the law for whatever reason, what would your crime be?  (from It's a Hooah Life)

I am so not a criminal mastermind. If I ever was a fugitive it would be for something stupid like tp-ing the LTs car or something...

2.How long do you think you will be a military family? (from Julie the Army Wife)

Until we die... Seriously, I will probably be one of those old ladies in the commissary that can't reach the top shelf. I promise to not have the blue hair.


3.What’s your favorite recipe? (from Keep Calm and Soldier On)

Irish Oatmeal Soda Bread (however, the 14yo and I have changed it a bit from the original). We eat a lot of it at our house throughout the year. You must have Irish Butter (costs an arm and leg, even at the commissary) on it and enjoy it hot from the oven!

4.What would you want your last five words to be when you leave this life? (from My Goal is Simple)

I did what I could. (See She Did What She Could (SDWSC): Five Words of Jesus That Will Change Your Life)

5.Where do you hope to retire? (from Pennies from Heaven)

I have always wanted to go back to Seattle and get a condo close to Pike Place Market. If we have $ (which I am sure will have all gone to six different universities by then), I would love to go to Ireland. I think Mark may have other plans though and after our trip to Disney World, I think I better start mentally preparing for the heat and humidity now.

Happy Friday!

Staying Sane During Deployment

Although I have a few friends that will testify that I lost my mind long ago, my goal is to not totally go nuts and start hiding under the bed while my Soldier is gone.

So during the next 400 and some odd days, I promise to:

1. Get out of bed and get dressed at least 5 days a week. Mondays don't count and Saturday is my day off :)

2. Stay on my diet, but splurge once a week for mental health reasons (preferably at a 'girls night out' to increase the health benefits!)

3. Connect with other wives/moms going through the same thing. It is important to be around someone who gets it. As much as others try, they just can't unless they have experienced it.

4. Faithfully read my new devotional Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives. My church gave me a free copy so I have no excuses! I would love to do a small group study to keep me accountable. If your spouse is deploying and you would like to join me (via email or facebook), let me know.

5. Have fun with my kids and not be the cranky mom. This is my last year with our oldest before she leaves for college and I really want to enjoy our time. This isn't any fun for them either.

I know I could go on and on, but five is a good start. Please remember to pray for our Soldiers and their families. The war may be "over", but for us, it is just beginning.

Love,

My MomSense Magazine Article

I am back from our family vacation to Disney and MOPS Convention and I promise an update as soon as I recover ;0) 

However, I wanted to take a minute to share my article that was in the July/August issue of MomSense Magazine.

There are so many families experiencing deployments, so please pass it on to friends, family and your MOPS group, to give them a list of practical ways to help. I know that pride can get in the way of asking, so I think forwarding them an article is an easy way to start! Remember that you are not alone.

How to Help a Mom During Deployment

Love always,