The Broken Leg

November 28, 2016 by

As of this writing, my husband has been a soldier in the United States Army Infantry for just shy of 13 years.

Of those 13 years, he has endured three combat deployments totaling 45 months, as well as numerous other intense and potentially dangerous missions/assignments.

We count ourselves incredibly blessed that the Lord has protected him from injury all that time. Because we have many, many friends and battle buddies that cannot say the same.

Well, about a week and a half ago, that injury-free dynamic changed a bit in our family.

Long story short: My husband recently fractured his fibula (the small bone in his leg) when he landed after executing a required jump into Florida with his current job as a Ranger Instructor.

Let’s just say that this turn of events was NOT part of our no-plan-plan. (But are things like this ever on our radar?)  [Read more…]

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Celebrating Everyday Army Miracle Moments

January 26, 2015 by

Army Celebrate_FotorIf you have been an army wife for more than 35 seconds, you have probably already discovered that this crazy ride is, well, crazy.

Somedays it makes us happier than a five-year-old at Christmas… then a few moments later, we crumble into big, smoldering pile of ugly-crying heartbreak.

It can be exhausting, I tell you. In my personal journey as a wife of my beloved infantry man, my emotions have stretched enthusiastic optimistic to Debbie-Downer pessimistic of epic proportions. [Read more…]

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A Lifestyle Fashion Statement

December 10, 2014 by

You might have noticed that in this current season,  Wednesdays are my days to work toward some super-awesome God-sized dreams. So here is a blast from the past straight from the archives. Enjoy, dear friends… and thanks for the grace. 

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Hmmm… Ok… Should I wear my favorite blue shirt? Or maybe the one with pink stripes? If I do, maybe I could go with the hoop earrings? Or should I be dressier? Ok, let’s do the blue shirt with silver dangly earrings and my cross necklace. There. Decision made.

Oh wait. My blue shirt is in the dirty laundry. Sigh. Let’s try this again.

I am certainly not the most fashionable person on the planet—far from it, actually. I dress decent enough to get by, and if I really need to, can groom and clean up reasonably well. I’m not a girl who has to wear make up every time I leave the house and if you see me at the gym wearing mascara, you can assume that it is leftover from an event earlier in the day. [Read more…]

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Practicing What We Preach: Gratitude

December 8, 2014 by

There are a lot of reasons that I love my husband.

He loves Jesus, he is funny, kind, generous, a hard worker… and honest.

Although that last one sometimes finds me less than thrilled.

I don’t mind (too much) when he responds to my question of whether he liked a new recipe as “It was OK.” I don’t get too wound up when he admits (with no remorse) that yes, he left the wet towel on the floor.

However, I tend to semi-loathe his honesty when he takes on the role of wife-caller-outer. [Read more…]

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Attitude of Gratitude 365 (#EverydayJesus Link Up)

August 21, 2014 by

Welcome to another week of our Everyday Jesus link-up. Be sure to link-up below this post, comment on your neighbor’s blog and share with your friends… Because Jesus is everywhere, every day! 

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Attitude of Gratitude 365I would say that for the most part, I am a pretty optimistic, positive person.

But honestly, I have my days where that is SO not the case.

I try to look on the bright side of things, but on the days when this army-wife-life is extra challenging, my attitude changes from positive to negative quicker than you can say “Wait… the army wants us to do what now?”

However, I have learned that having a positive attitude is one of the best ways not only to survive this roller coaster ride that is loving a soldier, but it is a key to thrive.

With a little practice, we can keep ahold of that positive outlook by training ourselves to have an attitude of gratitude, 365 days a year. [Read more…]

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Ultra-Sound-Off for Jesus

February 27, 2013 by

It’s always encouraging when God takes us in our ugliest, yuckiest, grumpiest moments and uses us for His glory.

That happened to me last week. In a big way.

Last Friday, I was scheduled for what I was *hoping* to be my last baby doctor appointment before our Little Patriot’s arrival. I was about 39 and a half weeks along… and unfortunately, the doc’s predictions of me delivering “ahead of schedule” hadn’t come true. (SIGH.) [Read more…]

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From Mess to Message

January 30, 2013 by

Sometimes we find ourselves in a big ol’ fat life mess.

Perhaps it’s due to a decision we made. Or a choice someone else made. Or a life season. Or whatever. The important thing to remember is that when we are in a big ol’ fat life mess… God is sovereign, He is over it all, and knows what He is doing.

And oftentimes, if we open our eyes (and our hearts!) that mess will turn into a pretty suh-weet Jesus message.

Been there. Done that. Living it now. [Read more…]

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A Lifestyle Fashion Statement

May 31, 2012 by

Hmmm… Ok… Should I wear my favorite blue shirt? Or maybe the one with pink stripes? If I do, maybe I could go with the hoop earrings? Or should I be dressier? Ok, let’s do the blue shirt with silver dangly earrings and my cross necklace. There. Decision made.

Oh wait. My blue shirt is in the dirty laundry. Sigh. Let’s try this again.

I am certainly not the most fashionable person on the planet—far from it, actually. I dress decent enough to get by, and if I really need to, can groom and clean up reasonably well. I’m not a girl who has to wear make up every time I leave the house and if you see me at the gym wearing mascara, you can assume that it is leftover from an event earlier in the day. [Read more…]

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A Real-Life Love Offering

April 11, 2012 by

Yesterday, my husband reenlisted in the army.

For how long you ask? Six. Whole. Years.

So for all of you wonderful friends that ask when we are “getting out” of the army? It’s gonna be a while. The signed paper says so.

I wasn’t in a great mood yesterday. Don’t get me wrong, I love (and support) my husband with all I am. And my crappy mood really had little to do with the whole re-enlistment thing. But it was just one of those days. [Read more…]

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