Tragedy Strikes in Training Accident

We often times never remember once our soldiers arrive home into the comfort of our arms that they are still in harms way each day as the train for the next mission. I woke up to the horrible news that the unthinkable had happened right in our own back yard. We lost four helicopter pilots in a training accident on Joint Base Lewis McChord last night. It was brought even closer home when a friend private messaged me that it was her husband's unit, that he is a mechanic for one of the birds. The devastation , second guessing has begun. Praying for all the families & friends of those lost seems to be one of many options at the moment. Reassurance to a young Army family that their soldier could have never predicated this outcome. That God has a plan & thankfully it did not include taking her spouse home to heaven as well. Seems he was only home not at work because he worked night last week.

To many times I forget that my husband is always training when he is home. I can count on one hand the amount of soldiers we have lost due to training accidents . It is rare & I am asking that you all remember to pray daily for all our men & women in uniform. They may not be on a deployment but they are still in a dangerous job daily. Pray for these four families whose Christmas will never be the same again. I am posting a link to the article you can read. As well as a link for a call for help. One of the Widows just finalized her adoption of a special needs son & is now finding herself a single parent. If you have it in your heart to make any amount of a donation please follow the links listed in the article.

 This is not an easy life we live as military spouses but God has seen fit to bless me with this sometimes unimaginable burden. I will do my part &  I hope you all will pass  along  the information as well to help.

Tragedy Strikes in Helicopter Training Accident on JBLM

Project Hopeful Loses one of their Own- Call to Action

Video about the Loss

Fudge, Cookies, & more Fudge

There just hasn't been much going on around our home which makes me happy. I threw my lower back out last week & went into see the doctor on Friday. They gave me muscle relaxers & strong mortin for daytime. I mean after all folks I am the only driver in the house for another year so I can't be drugged up during the day. They said they thought I had to much stress going on right now. I literally laughed out loud like a snort! I was thinking umm, one deployed husband, four boys 2 of which or teenagers, three dogs, two that are teaching our very pricey service puppy bad habits, going to Puppy classes twice a week - yeah I see no stress do you all? But I am not complaining because up until this point I have been blessed with good health. My back pain was so bad I was in tears though so I need the pain medication. I can't currently sit in one position for too long or bend over. Which makes it helpful to have two rather tall strong boys to help with groceries etc.

I did take Banyan with me to the doctor's office even though technically he needs to be registered on post & I haven't done that yet. He did AWESOME! All the soldiers loved him- he waited patiently for me to tell him they could pet him. He was not to sure about the doctor making me do things that made me suck in my breath & wince. He wasn't a fan of that at all neither was I. But he did great! We then went to see the Trees for Troops people & got a free 6ft live tree to take to our friends. They had not gotten their tree yet & their dad is deployed as well. They had no idea about the free trees & where very surprised when Banyan showed up to make the delivery. It was fun since I had pain pills by then!

Since yesterday was too cold to be outside after church I made mint fudge, sugar cookies, white chocolate walnut fudge, & chocolate dipped pretzel sticks. They where all for the boys teachers at school. The little guys delivered them today so the teachers could enjoy them all week. That really has been all we've done lately. I hope to have more entertaining stories soon- but I am OK with nothing to much going on for the moment. Have a great week everyone!

Making Christmas Tree delivery.

At the doctor's office with mom

Things that Make Me Laugh

It's been another crazy busy week around our home. My lower back hurts so bad & no amount of pain pills seem to help. It's just stress I didn't injure it working out. It actually feels good to stretch it out with long walks. But it has caused me to stay in my chair a bit more this week with a temperpedic pillow behind me which of course leads to aimlessly browsing the internet or Facebook. I came across of few things that made me laugh out loud . With some crazy spouse drama that I am trying to avoid going on around our part of town as well as back ache I needed a good laugh.  I thought I would share a couple with you this Thursday since we don't have a lot of new to report on lately. I hope they make you laugh or at least smile as well. Have a great Thursday everyone!

Another funny red-head posted this & I got a chuckle. You know why if you read my Blog Post on Stages of Deployment.....if you didn't go check it out!

I am sensing a pattern amongst my fellow Army wives.....just saying once again go check out my last post-hehe

I just thought this one was cute.

 After the week I've had this made me bust a gut- some people  just deserve to be on  Santa's Naughty list!

I can't imagine that anybody hasn't seen the movie ELF by now, but if not hurry out to buy a copy! We've already watched it twice this week. " You smell of Beef & Cheese"-HAHA

Haha- poor Santa!

I am so glad we have a fake tree or my dogs would be saying this!

 

Last is a picture of our sweet Banyan who was resting in front of the Christmas tree after being groomed yesterday. Not sure he was to thrilled but he sure is cute.

I hope you find somethings in your day that makes you smile & forget about all the craziness for a few moments.

Yes Folks There are Stages.....

All of you Army Wives out there in Blog world or for that matter any Military Wife know that there are Stages of Deployment. Well yesterday I hit month #5 of this year long deployment. I was having a decent day playing one of Santa's Elves by wrapping all the presents I had gotten off of layway. Can I just say how glad I am they brought layaway back to Wal-Mart. I have four boys folks & have run out of hiding spots! Wal-mart made for a great place to hide all the gifts.  
Anyway back to the stages....I actually didn't even realize that I had hit 5 months of deployment until I was wrestling with the tangle of Christmas lights on the front porch. I was standing on the very tippy top of our ladder trying not to fall & crash to the ground ending up unconscious- you know that would totally freak the boys out when they walk up from the bus. Here lies mommy in a mass of tangled twinkling Christmas lights asleep on the porch. I am betting the older two would step over me at this point go into the house fix a snack then ask each other " Why do you think mom wanted to nap on the porch? It's freezing outside!". Huge sigh here folks.... I love my life but some days it resembles the sitcom  The Middle with Patricia Heaton- so unbelievable that it's hysterically funny!

My day went downhill for a few hours as Army Wives provided non-stop drama around Facebook & our neighborhood. I love my neighborhood a lot. We chose to not live on post to avoid a lot of the drama that can occur. I was so happy when about three years ago a friend decided to start Military Coffee groups out in our neighborhood so we could have the support with out the drama. It was a wonderful three years but like all drama free military situations it had to come to an end sometime. We out grew our small intimate group & in doing so I met more wonderful ladies from all branches who I am happy to call friends. But it also opened the drama door with a gaping wide path to craziness. That's when I decided I needed a girl's night in my home with A LOT of WINE involved! That folks is how I knew when I heard this lovely & oh so accurate song posted on my Facebook I had hit Deployment Stage #7!!  Wine has become a Food Group - thank goodness for it-LOL I only need one glass on occasion in the comfort of my home with my favorite girly movie on & some chocolate so yes Stage #2 is still sticking around! But I am no where near Stage #12 yet which would mean this silly deployment is almost over!


I know the stages of deployment well & have gone through most of them maybe only one stage have I ever skipped- never had to have a child with him gone. BUT I could replace that stage with "spent a week in the hospital with your sick soooooonnnnnnn all byyyy myself!". Imagine it sung to the tune of The twelve days of Christmas -haha So enjoy this little ditty posted by another Army wife who also is living with the Stages right now in her life.  Then try to remember if you are not currently living through the stages how you felt when you where in the throws of them all! Take a little pity on us crazy ,stressed out, exhausted, over worked, barely hanging on for dear freaking life wives / mom's -  just be nice smile  leave us ALONE with our chocolate & Wine to pretend we  are doing just fine!! Or if you must become involved in our lives be uplifting, encouraging but by all means PROVIDE said Wine & Chocolate before entering our home or writing on our Facebook Walls!!

It doesn't mean we don't still love you all, it just means we are a little cranky & over sensitive at the moment so proceed with caution before entering our world.

Christmas Parade

Today was our town's annual Christmas in the Park & Parade. The younger two boys decided to brave the 29 degree temperatures with me & head to the parade this morning. We took Banyan with us and I was nervous all the noise from the band,horses,dune buggy's & children would be to much. He did pretty well considering all the distractions. He had a moment when the High School band came by with the drums where he had to be right up against my legs. But I ruffed his neck up & told him in a fun voice it was OK. There was a little yippy terrier about four people down who he would occasionally look at  like he wanted to eat him but he did very well not trying to even go over to that crazy dog. When the Human Society marched by with about twenty-five dogs of all shapes & sizes he sat up to pay attention. But he never once pulled & tried to go greet them- AWESOME!  When the dune buggy's revved their engines he came right back to sit by me-lol I don't blame they where loud & obnoxious.We froze but had a great time catching all the candy that was thrown the boys way. They left with two very full plastic bags . Banyan was more then ready to leave after the parade. He jumped right into the van & sat down. But over all he did so good & I was one proud mom!


Next we headed to our church to decorate the Christmas tree with some of our ornaments that where collecting dust in my garage. The boys had fun & Banyan took a nap most of the time, just happy I'm sure for the quiet after the parade. The boys did a good job on the tree & we headed off home finally. It was a fun morning & everyone was tired. Not a peep out of the back of the van as we listened to Christmas music all the way home. It was a good field trip to watch Banyan's reactions to the loud chaos- to know we can take him almost anywhere so far is a great relief. Now he is alseep in his kennel relaxing for the night. Have a great weekend everyone!

 

Enjoying some hot chocolate as we wait for the parade to start

 

Jacob wanted Banyan to wear the hat, Banyan wanted to eat the hat!

 

Merry Christmas Everyone

Tune Time Thursday

No I haven't forgotten about linking with Amber over at Goodnight Moon  life just got very busy the past couple of weeks. BUT today I woke up & about FROZE my booty off taking kids to school & running errands. That's when I figured out my song! It's perfect for this time of year & I love it! The original is my favorite but I love it when it pops up in Christmas movies this time of year as well. Seeing as today's high in WA is only 35 degrees, clear, & COLD- I went with "Baby it's Cold Outside" . Love it in Elf when we watch it sung with Will Ferrral as well- just a good tune! But here is Doris Day & Dean Martin my all time favorite singers of this classic. Stay Warm everyone & go link up with Amber today.