Merry Christmas!

May this holiday season find you blessed beyond words!
May the coming year be filled with wonders!
May you know the peace and presence of God in every moment!
Amen

49 weeks and counting

Russ left 3 weeks ago....gone for a year ....do the math.....49 weeks to go - ish.  ISH is an ALWAYS with the military!  We are surviving nicely and get contact with Russ pretty much daily.  He has already received several care packages for which he is very thankful....and another list for the next box has been started! 
We are looking forward to Christmas with family!  And in preparation I had a "ME" day today.  I took myself out for a bit of pampering!  I got my nails done, my hair trimmed and highlighted, had lunch, and also took care of getting the truck's oil changed and got it a bath....not before it needed it believe me!  The kids stayed home to take care of the last of their lessons for this year and to get themselves ready for our time with family.  After living in the middle of the Pacific Ocean for 3 years I have an even greater appreciation for nearness to family.  So nice to be close enough to visit fairly frequently! 
The coming year holds the promise of possibility!  Looking forward with great anticipation.....

Troop Support

I found out that there are special flat rate boxes through the post office just for sending over to APO addresses!  And the bonus with using them is that there is a discount in the shipping price!  How cool is that? I sent large flat rate boxes with the special "we support you" artwork on them and a place to fill in the special address preprinted on the box and it was only $12.50 per box not $14.95!!  What a nice surprise!
Then the other day I got an email about something the Xerox company is doing again or continuing....
www.letssaythanks.com
kids have drawn pictures that xerox puts on the front of the cards and you can use a prewritten message or write your own.  I have written my own, saved it and just copy and paste.  I'm sending at least one card per day for as long as they have the site up.  It's all FREE  with no registration required!
Thought I'd pass along the info for any who might be interested or need it!
Blessings!

Arrivals and Farewells

Russ made it to his destination in the sandbox and got set up in his room.  Was good to get to skype with him.  Our weekend was a busy one but loads of fun!  The little kids had a great time in the paints and glitter....which is now ALL over my house, but that's the nature of glitter no matter who is using it!  The kids went back to their foster home last night and I don't know when or if I will get to see them again.  Kinda sad but that's the way it is!  My case manager is the same as the one for their foster home though so I get a few updates on them that way.  I decided last night to let the kids sleep in this morning and we'll have a down day today since we were so busy on the weekend.  I slept really hard last night and didn't sleep in as much as I thought I would.  But it is good to feel rested.  I have many things I need to be thinking about and will probably be making lists today to organize my thoughts and plans....if that is even possible!