Crazy in Love

You know what's great about a deployment? You are reminded of what it's like to be crazy in love.

The above is a little something I made for my soldier last night before bed.

The below is the front of a Green Beans coffee sleeve that he saved from a COJ (cup of joe) he purchased in Bagram.  He wrote a note on the back:).  

The next photo is his latest to me.  

He always draws a heart.

Always.

Yes, I am 38 and he is 42.  

We have been in love since the ages of 19 & 23 ... and we still act like we just met.  

Love and miss my soldier, but thankful for the sweetness of appreciation that we've come to find amidst difficulty of separation.  I treasure every bit of it!  

And I hope you are treasuring the gift of your marriages, too.  

They will never be perfect, but they truly are gifts that none of us deserve.

If you haven't in a while, take a moment to remember what it was like when you first met.  

Now do what you would have done then ...

If you do, you'll be blessed! 

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (and a good reminder too!)

I know I've posted already tonight, but I had to post again.

Today was hard ... really hard ... for no real outstanding, out of the ordinary reason.  

But it was hard nonetheless.  

I was literally in tears when a friend messaged me a new photo editing site.

I uploaded some random old photos and instantly felt better.

Just when I feel like the worst failure, God reminds me of the beautiful gift of everyday life that I have.

I absolutely love, scratch that ... need captured images.  

Yep, I am that forgetful. 

Life is so beautiful.

I am so thankful for one more reminder of that before bed!

Oh my girls ... they are growing up way too fast.

Still Swinging ...

I have absolutely loved the weather this year!  I feel personally blessed by it ... as if God is making it sunny, breezy and 70 just for me.  Whatever the reason for the weather, I am thankful.  We need the rain to make things grow, but there is nothing like light.  Sort of reminds me of all of life ... we all have moments of rain and our faith is certainly strengthened during those times! But even when it storms, God's light in us is more powerful than the dark and cannot be put out or go unnoticed.

Everyone is drawn to the light.  Even a child is happier when the days are bright!  May we remember this and make every opportunity to let God's light shine through us and be His light in this world.  After all, it is what He has commanded us to do ... even when it is raining in our lives.

With a year of separation behind us and a move on the horizon, we are starting to feel a shift in this deployment.  We have just a few months to go, but a lot to hang in there and complete before this chapter of our lives comes to a close.  Things have been a bit more stressful than normal, but we are still swinging here at 57.

I am so thankful for the gentle reminders God gives me daily through my sweet girls.  They are so much stronger than I could ever imagine to be.  My little heros:).  They've certainly got the "joy, joy, joy, joy down in their hearts" and are such a light in their Daddy's and my life.

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven." Matthew 5.16