Thursday, November 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Team Work Says It All
I’ll get the mail!
Last year this would not have been a statement coming from Jon Moore. Jon was injured while serving in the United States Navy and as a result lost a leg and is at times bound by a wheelchair.
Spending his days confined to a recliner on the second story of their three story home, Jon spent his time watching television and learning on the internet. Traveling to the VA Hospital for medical appointments and an occasional trip to the grocery store with his wife were the only visits with the outside world; you see Jon had to go up and down 24 steps just to get into his house; there was no wheelchair ramp or lift therefore his outings were few and far between.
Jon reached out to Operation Homefront Georgia looking for resources and advice on who to contact for help. One telephone call was all it took. Operation Homefront Georgia sprang into action!
“Through our wonderful partners and donors, Operation Homefront Georgia and the Atlanta General Contractors Union proudly handed Jon keys to his new elevator lift and completely remodeled home in the winter of 2009”, Kim Scofi, Chapter President said.
Jon now attends college on campus at the University of West Georgia and enjoys free time with his wife and daughter outside playing with the dogs. “I can’t begin to know the right words to say, (pause)we are, I am (tearfully) forever grateful to Operation Homefront Georgia, Atlanta General Contractors and Blue Moose Elevators for giving me another chance to live my life outside of my chair” Jon Moore said.
Special acknowledgement and appreciation go to The Atlanta General Contractors Union, Blue Moose Elevators and all of the construction companies and contractors who donated their time and supplies to help one of Georgia’s great wounded warriors.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Military Child Award!
Do you know a deserving child that you would like to nominate for a special award? Voting is now open!
Operation Homefront and Lockheed Martin Corp. have partnered together to recognize the service and sacrifices of the nation’s youngest heroes with the Military Child Award. This award honors children in military families who learn patriotism at a very young age and understand sacrifice and service. The Military Child Education Coalition has also partnered to help with this recognition. Nominations for the award are open to military children between the ages of 8 and 18. The winner will be flown with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., for the $5,000 award and special recognition ceremony on April 8, 2010.
Please don’t forget to pass this on to your military colleagues so every special military child has a chance at this great opportunity.
Anyone can nominate a deserving child for the award, but the nominee must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility System, DEERS. To nominate a child of both active duty and reserve families please visit www.homefrontonline.com between now and April 22, 2010.
Operation Homefront and Lockheed Martin Corp. have partnered together to recognize the service and sacrifices of the nation’s youngest heroes with the Military Child Award. This award honors children in military families who learn patriotism at a very young age and understand sacrifice and service. The Military Child Education Coalition has also partnered to help with this recognition. Nominations for the award are open to military children between the ages of 8 and 18. The winner will be flown with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., for the $5,000 award and special recognition ceremony on April 8, 2010.
Please don’t forget to pass this on to your military colleagues so every special military child has a chance at this great opportunity.
Anyone can nominate a deserving child for the award, but the nominee must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility System, DEERS. To nominate a child of both active duty and reserve families please visit www.homefrontonline.com between now and April 22, 2010.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
We have all been there...
We have all been there or will be there soon. It can be quite intimidating and hard to understand. No, for once I am not talking about the dreaded deployment. I am talking about joining the sorority known as a new military wife.
When I first married my husband over two years ago, I was clueless when it came to anything military. We had what most call a “whirlwind romance” but had been together for over a year. After we met, we had been dating all of a month and a half before he left for a year tour in Korea. When he came home, we were married. The talk of the ins and outs of military life weren’t discussed because I was busy talking wedding and decorating our new (to us) tile palace!
I remember three days after got married, we were headed to get my ID card on Fort Sill. We were broke. We had been staying with my in-laws and I wanted to do something nice for them. They had allowed us to stay with them until the wedding and then for a week after. While we were waiting for my ID card, I brought up making dinner as a thank you for everything they had done for us. He looked at me like I had something foreign (which is NOT a new look anymore by the way). He proceeded to ask how I planned on paying for dinner.
I brought up the Star card. After all, we had used it to buy things for his Class A’s before the wedding and we had been putting our lunch on it every day. What would have been nice to know at the time was that the Star card was for AAFES use only.
“Well, isn’t the Commissary AAFES?”
My husband likes getting his laughs at my expense.
So, while some of us don’t want to admit, at one point or another, we were or are brand new to this life. It would have been nice to have known of some of the resources that are made available to those that were in my same situation.
Two weeks after we got married, we PCSed to our current duty station, Fort Gordon. I was a bright eyed newbie who wanted to experience anything and everything! I wanted to volunteer for everything I could get my hands on.
At the entrance to our neighborhood, there is a marquee. One morning on my way to work, the marquee had a message that said they were looking for someone to volunteer to take over handling the messages (birthday, congrats, etc).
I called as soon as I got to work!
I met two days later with the ACS director. In my interview, I explained that I was new and interested in anything and everything I could get my hands on. However, I didn’t get the volunteer gig but I was given invaluable amounts of resources and information.
The purpose of ACS (Army Community Services) is to equip service members, spouses, and civilian employees with the skills that they need to handle every day military life.
I could write a 500 page report on everything ACS can do for you. Therefore, I will touch on a few of the way that ACS can benefit you as a new military spouse!
ACS serves as a go-to for information related to PCSing. When my husband told me he had received orders for Fort Gordon, I had found a welcome CD online and ordered it. I didn’t know at the time, but that was made available through ACS. Just by getting this little computer disk, I knew more about Fort Gordon, the history, the units, and even the housing that was available. With our move to Germany in just a few months, I have been busy playing on the Grafenwoehr/Vilseck ACS website looking for information that will make this PCS easier.
ACS also can provide printed booklets on request for any post through the Standard Installation Topic Exchange Service (SITES) It allows ACS to print a customized information booklet for any military installation in the world. You can stop into any ACS office or access them through the ACS website.
One of the things that I have heard about but never utilized is the Lending Closet. When you PCS and have the military move you, you know you can sit for months without your household goods. When we came to Gordon, we had to wait two weeks. The person who’s HHGS were on our same truck had been waiting two months. The Lending Closet supplies basic household items for 30 days to anyone coming in or leaving. This would have been good to know when we first got here. Air mattresses are only comfortable for so many nights.
As I mentioned before, after my husband and I married, our funds were very limited. We had enough for basics but thanks to pay mishap (thanks finance!) and since I had quit my job a couple weeks earlier, it would have been nice to have a little help. And we all know we need a little help once in awhile.
Next time you find yourself in a financial struggle, check out the financial services that ACS offers!
ACS not only has financial management classes but if an unforeseen emergency arises, you can request an Army Emergency Relief (AER) loan. After my husband arrived at Fort Gordon, he was offered a house but the “rent” was pro-rated meaning he had to cough up almost $500. So he turned to ACS who gave him the loan. At $50 a month, we paid it off in just under 10 months. The best part about these loans? Interest free!
ACS also provides 3-4 days worth of food through the ACS Emergency Food program. It is provided when other emergency financial assistance is not practical or available. A food voucher is provided and good for use at the Commissary.
ACS also provides an educational program called Army Family Team Building (AFTB). It is designed to enhance coping skills and to assist military families with being more self-reliant and self-sufficient. Three months after moving to Georgia, my husband went TDY for a month to Mississippi. Not four days into it, my washing machine decided it wanted to make a lake in my dining room. I had never had my own washing machine before. I had never been alone before. My first thought was to call my husband and whine and cry and beg the army to let him come home but thankfully, AFTB had taught me how to be more independent.
Please know that you are not alone in any issue with the military that you have. There are hundreds of resources made available that you may not know about. The place to start is ACS.
Not army? Check out Marine Corps Community Services and the Navy Community Service Program!
-Amy N.
When I first married my husband over two years ago, I was clueless when it came to anything military. We had what most call a “whirlwind romance” but had been together for over a year. After we met, we had been dating all of a month and a half before he left for a year tour in Korea. When he came home, we were married. The talk of the ins and outs of military life weren’t discussed because I was busy talking wedding and decorating our new (to us) tile palace!
I remember three days after got married, we were headed to get my ID card on Fort Sill. We were broke. We had been staying with my in-laws and I wanted to do something nice for them. They had allowed us to stay with them until the wedding and then for a week after. While we were waiting for my ID card, I brought up making dinner as a thank you for everything they had done for us. He looked at me like I had something foreign (which is NOT a new look anymore by the way). He proceeded to ask how I planned on paying for dinner.
I brought up the Star card. After all, we had used it to buy things for his Class A’s before the wedding and we had been putting our lunch on it every day. What would have been nice to know at the time was that the Star card was for AAFES use only.
“Well, isn’t the Commissary AAFES?”
My husband likes getting his laughs at my expense.
So, while some of us don’t want to admit, at one point or another, we were or are brand new to this life. It would have been nice to have known of some of the resources that are made available to those that were in my same situation.
Two weeks after we got married, we PCSed to our current duty station, Fort Gordon. I was a bright eyed newbie who wanted to experience anything and everything! I wanted to volunteer for everything I could get my hands on.
At the entrance to our neighborhood, there is a marquee. One morning on my way to work, the marquee had a message that said they were looking for someone to volunteer to take over handling the messages (birthday, congrats, etc).
I called as soon as I got to work!
I met two days later with the ACS director. In my interview, I explained that I was new and interested in anything and everything I could get my hands on. However, I didn’t get the volunteer gig but I was given invaluable amounts of resources and information.
The purpose of ACS (Army Community Services) is to equip service members, spouses, and civilian employees with the skills that they need to handle every day military life.
I could write a 500 page report on everything ACS can do for you. Therefore, I will touch on a few of the way that ACS can benefit you as a new military spouse!
ACS serves as a go-to for information related to PCSing. When my husband told me he had received orders for Fort Gordon, I had found a welcome CD online and ordered it. I didn’t know at the time, but that was made available through ACS. Just by getting this little computer disk, I knew more about Fort Gordon, the history, the units, and even the housing that was available. With our move to Germany in just a few months, I have been busy playing on the Grafenwoehr/Vilseck ACS website looking for information that will make this PCS easier.
ACS also can provide printed booklets on request for any post through the Standard Installation Topic Exchange Service (SITES) It allows ACS to print a customized information booklet for any military installation in the world. You can stop into any ACS office or access them through the ACS website.
One of the things that I have heard about but never utilized is the Lending Closet. When you PCS and have the military move you, you know you can sit for months without your household goods. When we came to Gordon, we had to wait two weeks. The person who’s HHGS were on our same truck had been waiting two months. The Lending Closet supplies basic household items for 30 days to anyone coming in or leaving. This would have been good to know when we first got here. Air mattresses are only comfortable for so many nights.
As I mentioned before, after my husband and I married, our funds were very limited. We had enough for basics but thanks to pay mishap (thanks finance!) and since I had quit my job a couple weeks earlier, it would have been nice to have a little help. And we all know we need a little help once in awhile.
Next time you find yourself in a financial struggle, check out the financial services that ACS offers!
ACS not only has financial management classes but if an unforeseen emergency arises, you can request an Army Emergency Relief (AER) loan. After my husband arrived at Fort Gordon, he was offered a house but the “rent” was pro-rated meaning he had to cough up almost $500. So he turned to ACS who gave him the loan. At $50 a month, we paid it off in just under 10 months. The best part about these loans? Interest free!
ACS also provides 3-4 days worth of food through the ACS Emergency Food program. It is provided when other emergency financial assistance is not practical or available. A food voucher is provided and good for use at the Commissary.
ACS also provides an educational program called Army Family Team Building (AFTB). It is designed to enhance coping skills and to assist military families with being more self-reliant and self-sufficient. Three months after moving to Georgia, my husband went TDY for a month to Mississippi. Not four days into it, my washing machine decided it wanted to make a lake in my dining room. I had never had my own washing machine before. I had never been alone before. My first thought was to call my husband and whine and cry and beg the army to let him come home but thankfully, AFTB had taught me how to be more independent.
Please know that you are not alone in any issue with the military that you have. There are hundreds of resources made available that you may not know about. The place to start is ACS.
Not army? Check out Marine Corps Community Services and the Navy Community Service Program!
-Amy N.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Coping with Deployment
Coping with deployment
Erin A. Nash
Whether it’s your first deployment or your 10th, it is without a doubt a very stressful time in life. There are jobs, kids, bills, chores, etc., and it all has to be done without the help of a spouse. There’s constant worry, but with some good tips and advice, deployments can be manageable.
I didn’t know what to expect with my husband’s first deployment. It was two weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, that he left. I didn’t know where he was, and had no communication with him. Luckily, now when he deploys, I have an address for him, and there’s e-mail, video teleconference and much better communication. Even though his unit is not allowed to use a lot of social media like Facebook, it comforts me to be able to write on his Facebook wall, a quick “I love you” or “I’m so proud of you” makes me feel better, and he can see it when he comes home and know I was constantly thinking of him and supporting him.
Our last deployment I faced a different challenge. It was the first in a new place. We moved across Georgia, and it’s our first time not living on post. All of our previous deployments I had the comfort of many neighbors and friends who also had spouses deployed. It’s been challenging living among civilians, who are well-meaning but don’t understand the military life. I take this opportunity to try to educate them about the challenges and rewards of being a military spouse, and what a deployment is really like. I also had to make an effort to get to know the other spouses in my husband’s unit, and when I did, it was nice to get together, and talk about our own experiences, both as military spouses and our coping strategies with deployments.
What has really worked for me during our seven deployments has been one rule – Don’t try to keep things “normal.” I don’t mean making any drastic changes, especially if you have children. Consistency is the key with kids, but, if one night, I feel like making breakfast for supper, I’ll do it. Do what feels right, what will bring you that extra ounce of comfort. It’s when I indulge myself in guilty pleasures – a gossip magazine to escape to the realities of everyday life, a bubble bath every single night if I please, or whatever your guilty pleasure may be. It’s not the best time to overindulge in harmful things, but it is a time when it’s okay to be a bit selfish.
If you find yourself struggling, there are many avenues to explore, many different places to get help. If your unit has a Family Readiness Group, contact your leader or co-leader, or whoever can help. They can guide you to whom or what program is applicable to your situation. A chaplain is always someone who will listen, and who can offer advice. There are a myriad of Websites dedicated to helping the military spouse. Reach out to friends and family. You’d be surprised how willing they are to help.
Towards the end of one deployment, a friend asked how she should deal with her husband when he came home. Should she try to get him to talk about his experience, or should she just let him be? Each person is different, I told her. Whereas her husband may want to talk until he’s hoarse, my husband may not want to say much beyond, “I missed you.” I find it best to just lay low for a couple days, to reintegrate with each other, and not force anything. That pre-deployment feeling will come back, and within a few weeks everything seems normal again. This may not be true for all, but I’ve found it’s always the same for us.
Although deployments have been one of the hardest things I’ve had to endure as a military wife, they have made me a stronger, more independent person. I’ve had time to learn about myself, to understand that yes, I can do it. When friends and family say to me, “I don’t know how you do it,” I have only one answer, “Because I love him.”
Erin A. Nash
Whether it’s your first deployment or your 10th, it is without a doubt a very stressful time in life. There are jobs, kids, bills, chores, etc., and it all has to be done without the help of a spouse. There’s constant worry, but with some good tips and advice, deployments can be manageable.
I didn’t know what to expect with my husband’s first deployment. It was two weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, that he left. I didn’t know where he was, and had no communication with him. Luckily, now when he deploys, I have an address for him, and there’s e-mail, video teleconference and much better communication. Even though his unit is not allowed to use a lot of social media like Facebook, it comforts me to be able to write on his Facebook wall, a quick “I love you” or “I’m so proud of you” makes me feel better, and he can see it when he comes home and know I was constantly thinking of him and supporting him.
Our last deployment I faced a different challenge. It was the first in a new place. We moved across Georgia, and it’s our first time not living on post. All of our previous deployments I had the comfort of many neighbors and friends who also had spouses deployed. It’s been challenging living among civilians, who are well-meaning but don’t understand the military life. I take this opportunity to try to educate them about the challenges and rewards of being a military spouse, and what a deployment is really like. I also had to make an effort to get to know the other spouses in my husband’s unit, and when I did, it was nice to get together, and talk about our own experiences, both as military spouses and our coping strategies with deployments.
What has really worked for me during our seven deployments has been one rule – Don’t try to keep things “normal.” I don’t mean making any drastic changes, especially if you have children. Consistency is the key with kids, but, if one night, I feel like making breakfast for supper, I’ll do it. Do what feels right, what will bring you that extra ounce of comfort. It’s when I indulge myself in guilty pleasures – a gossip magazine to escape to the realities of everyday life, a bubble bath every single night if I please, or whatever your guilty pleasure may be. It’s not the best time to overindulge in harmful things, but it is a time when it’s okay to be a bit selfish.
If you find yourself struggling, there are many avenues to explore, many different places to get help. If your unit has a Family Readiness Group, contact your leader or co-leader, or whoever can help. They can guide you to whom or what program is applicable to your situation. A chaplain is always someone who will listen, and who can offer advice. There are a myriad of Websites dedicated to helping the military spouse. Reach out to friends and family. You’d be surprised how willing they are to help.
Towards the end of one deployment, a friend asked how she should deal with her husband when he came home. Should she try to get him to talk about his experience, or should she just let him be? Each person is different, I told her. Whereas her husband may want to talk until he’s hoarse, my husband may not want to say much beyond, “I missed you.” I find it best to just lay low for a couple days, to reintegrate with each other, and not force anything. That pre-deployment feeling will come back, and within a few weeks everything seems normal again. This may not be true for all, but I’ve found it’s always the same for us.
Although deployments have been one of the hardest things I’ve had to endure as a military wife, they have made me a stronger, more independent person. I’ve had time to learn about myself, to understand that yes, I can do it. When friends and family say to me, “I don’t know how you do it,” I have only one answer, “Because I love him.”
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
New Year
New Year!
Welcome 2010! For us military spouses in the state of Georgia we were so ready to see this New Year get here! Like most of us, my spouse is deployed and should be returning home sometime this year!! With that being said, how many of us have made new years’ resolutions? I know for one I have. My goal is to once again lose weight. I hope to shock my husband when he gets back. We shall see how that goes! I plan on heading to the gym on post. It is free to use and they do have childcare at most of the gyms. If not, you are entitled to 16 hours a month of free childcare if your spouse is deployed! Contact your local CYSS and ask about this and other programs that are available.
So while you are at the gym and you feel that you need more motivation, you can ask for a personal trainer. There is no fee for their help. They will guide you on the proper way to exercise and lose weight.
If going to the gym isn’t your cup of tea you can always walk the neighborhood. Just remember that during this time of year to layer up on clothing. Put your MP3 player on and just go. By the way, walking is a good stress reliever and we all can use that. If you are looking for motivation at home you can contact military one source and they will provide you with a personal trainer who will call and check in on you however much you would like.
Basically what I am trying to say is to set goals for yourself to accomplish while your spouse is deployed. It doesn’t have to be losing weight. It can be anything. Just remember to take care of yourself!! -Susan A.
Welcome 2010! For us military spouses in the state of Georgia we were so ready to see this New Year get here! Like most of us, my spouse is deployed and should be returning home sometime this year!! With that being said, how many of us have made new years’ resolutions? I know for one I have. My goal is to once again lose weight. I hope to shock my husband when he gets back. We shall see how that goes! I plan on heading to the gym on post. It is free to use and they do have childcare at most of the gyms. If not, you are entitled to 16 hours a month of free childcare if your spouse is deployed! Contact your local CYSS and ask about this and other programs that are available.
So while you are at the gym and you feel that you need more motivation, you can ask for a personal trainer. There is no fee for their help. They will guide you on the proper way to exercise and lose weight.
If going to the gym isn’t your cup of tea you can always walk the neighborhood. Just remember that during this time of year to layer up on clothing. Put your MP3 player on and just go. By the way, walking is a good stress reliever and we all can use that. If you are looking for motivation at home you can contact military one source and they will provide you with a personal trainer who will call and check in on you however much you would like.
Basically what I am trying to say is to set goals for yourself to accomplish while your spouse is deployed. It doesn’t have to be losing weight. It can be anything. Just remember to take care of yourself!! -Susan A.
Friday, July 10, 2009
A SOLDIER'S VIEW OF MJ'S DEATH........
A SOLDIER'S VIEW OF MJ'S DEATH........
This is written by a young man serving his third tour of duty in Iraq.
Thought you might find his take on the Michael Jackson news interesting.
...........................................................................
.........
Okay, I need to rant.
I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael
Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer
who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent Millions, and he did a
lot of things that make him a villain to many people. I understand that his
death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his
death, but that isn't the point of my rant.
Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds
with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the Country was to
ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to flock to a memorial
in Hollywood, and even Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence"
for his passing?
Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a
freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all
those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who,
knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands
and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America. Where
is their moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or
memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice?
Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddance,"
and "thank God for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the
Sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their
deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"
I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS For
Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every Service
member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They need to PUBLICLY recognize every
life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous
little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and
those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take
too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that
sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never
star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only
shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.
Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Remember these five words
the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military; "So that
others may live..."
This is written by a young man serving his third tour of duty in Iraq.
Thought you might find his take on the Michael Jackson news interesting.
...........................................................................
.........
Okay, I need to rant.
I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael
Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer
who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent Millions, and he did a
lot of things that make him a villain to many people. I understand that his
death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his
death, but that isn't the point of my rant.
Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds
with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the Country was to
ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to flock to a memorial
in Hollywood, and even Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence"
for his passing?
Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a
freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all
those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who,
knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands
and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America. Where
is their moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or
memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice?
Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddance,"
and "thank God for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the
Sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their
deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"
I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS For
Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every Service
member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They need to PUBLICLY recognize every
life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous
little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and
those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take
too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that
sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never
star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only
shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.
Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Remember these five words
the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military; "So that
others may live..."
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Some Summer Recipes from a Fort Benning Wife and Mother
With summer in full swing and the Fourth of July just around the corner, I thought I would raid my recipes to find my family’s favorite summer recipes. I do not have exact recipes for most of these so I will do the best I can in telling you how to make them. These recipes are my favorite that my mother passed on to me.
Pasta salad
1 box of Rotini pasta (tri color looks nice)
1 bottle of your favorite Italian dressing (If you are feeling ambitious you can make your own)
2 small cans of diced black olive
1 package of feta cheese (If you don’t like feta it is great with provolone as well)
1 package of sliced pepperoni ( I cut the pepperoni rounds in half)
1 green peeper diced (optional)
1 red onion diced (optional)
All you do to make this is cook the pasta and then toss with the other ingredients. I have noticed that this tastes better if you make it the day before and let everything marinate overnight but it is great the same day as well. (The last time I made this I added diced pastrami and salami and everyone loved it)
Fruit Salad
1 large can of chunk pineapple
1 large can of mandarin oranges drained
1 bag of grapes (I like to cut the grapes in half)
3 bananas sliced thin
1 container of cool whip
1 Package of mini marshmallows
1 large package of instant pudding (I use vanilla but you can use other flavors if you like)
To make this you take the pineapple, not drained, and stir in the package of instant pudding. Allow to set and then add the rest of the fruit. Fold in cool whip and marshmallows. If you want to make this a day ahead wait to add the bananas and cool whip or it may get soggy.
Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip
2 cups of Diced cooked chicken (you can cook it yourself or if you are in a hurry buy precooked chicken)
1 package of shredded mild cheddar ( Colby jack is good as well)
2 packages of softened cream cheese
1 bottle of chicken wing sauce (I use Nancy’s)
1 bottle of blue cheese or ranch dressing (or you can make your own)
1 packet of Italian dressing mix
To make take the cooked chicken, Italian dressing mix, and chicken wing sauce in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until warm. While this is heating take a 13x9 inch pan and spread the cream cheese on the bottom of the pan. Then pour chicken mixture over the cream cheese. Next pour the ranch or blue cheese on the top of the chicken mixture. Finally top with the shredded cheese. Place in a preheated 375 degree oven until cheese is melted on top and dip is heated through. You can serve this with tortilla chips or bread.
I hope you enjoy these recipes these are great to bring to pot lucks, Family Group Readiness events, or just a summer picnic.
Pasta salad
1 box of Rotini pasta (tri color looks nice)
1 bottle of your favorite Italian dressing (If you are feeling ambitious you can make your own)
2 small cans of diced black olive
1 package of feta cheese (If you don’t like feta it is great with provolone as well)
1 package of sliced pepperoni ( I cut the pepperoni rounds in half)
1 green peeper diced (optional)
1 red onion diced (optional)
All you do to make this is cook the pasta and then toss with the other ingredients. I have noticed that this tastes better if you make it the day before and let everything marinate overnight but it is great the same day as well. (The last time I made this I added diced pastrami and salami and everyone loved it)
Fruit Salad
1 large can of chunk pineapple
1 large can of mandarin oranges drained
1 bag of grapes (I like to cut the grapes in half)
3 bananas sliced thin
1 container of cool whip
1 Package of mini marshmallows
1 large package of instant pudding (I use vanilla but you can use other flavors if you like)
To make this you take the pineapple, not drained, and stir in the package of instant pudding. Allow to set and then add the rest of the fruit. Fold in cool whip and marshmallows. If you want to make this a day ahead wait to add the bananas and cool whip or it may get soggy.
Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip
2 cups of Diced cooked chicken (you can cook it yourself or if you are in a hurry buy precooked chicken)
1 package of shredded mild cheddar ( Colby jack is good as well)
2 packages of softened cream cheese
1 bottle of chicken wing sauce (I use Nancy’s)
1 bottle of blue cheese or ranch dressing (or you can make your own)
1 packet of Italian dressing mix
To make take the cooked chicken, Italian dressing mix, and chicken wing sauce in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until warm. While this is heating take a 13x9 inch pan and spread the cream cheese on the bottom of the pan. Then pour chicken mixture over the cream cheese. Next pour the ranch or blue cheese on the top of the chicken mixture. Finally top with the shredded cheese. Place in a preheated 375 degree oven until cheese is melted on top and dip is heated through. You can serve this with tortilla chips or bread.
I hope you enjoy these recipes these are great to bring to pot lucks, Family Group Readiness events, or just a summer picnic.
Friday, June 5, 2009
20 Military Couples Say "I Do"
OPHFGA
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kim Scofi, Chapter President
770-973-0014
georgia@operationhomefront.net
20 Military Couples Say "I Do"
Operation Homefront Georgia hosts a dream wedding for 20 Ft. Benning couples, June 13.
Columbus, GA - June 13, 2009
Marriage for many begins with a budget, calendar and a long list of dreams. Stir into the mix cost of living, military careers and multiple deployments and you have military couples marrying at the Justice of the Peace. 20 couples with Ft. Benning ties will have the opportunity June 13th to have the wedding of their dreams and memories for a lifetime as they join Operation Homefront Georgia in Operation Wedding Bells.
Military WeddingBrides will don beautiful designer gowns and veils generously donated by Alfred Angelo of Miami, FL to Operation Homefront Georgia as they walk down the aisle to meet the Soldier of their dreams at the Columbus Botanical Gardens. Each bride received not only the dress and headpiece but professional hair design, manicure, pedicure and make up application to truly feel like a princess. Thanks to the generosity of the Columbus Botanical Gardens these wonderful couples and their guests will have a spectacular outdoor wedding in a beautiful garden setting. The Columbus Botanical Gardens not only donated the space for the wedding, but the volunteers to serve as ushers and attendants and designed and created all of the flowers to include bouquets. Hooters of America, a corporate sponsor of Operation Homefront will provide food and beverage for all of the couples and their guests (250) along with a very special honeymoon for one lucky couple that day.
"The couples participating have faced a variety of issues which precluded them from every girls dream wedding. We want to give these military members and their betrothed a memory to hold onto as these families will face a long deployment soon enough. Operation Homefront Georgia is committed to supporting these wonderful Soldiers and the Families of Ft. Benning along with all installations around the state."said, Kim Scofi, Chapter President, Operation Homefront Georgia.
*
WHO: 20 Ft. Benning Couples & Operation Homefront Georgia
WHAT: Operation Wedding Bells & Vow Renewals
WHEN: 13 June, 2009 5:00 PM
WHERE: Columbus Botanical Gardens, 3603 Weems Road, Columbus, GA 706-327-8400
About Operation Homefront Georgia
Operation Homefront Georgia provides emergency and morale assistance for our troops, the families they leave behind and for wounded warriors when they return home. A nonprofit 501(c)(3), Operation Homefront Georgia leads more than 400 volunteers in Georgia, and has provided critical assistance to more than 8,000 military families in need. Operation Homefront, Inc. hosts the Web community Operation Homefront Online. For more information, please visit Operation Homefront Georgia and Homefront Online.
# # #
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kim Scofi, Chapter President
770-973-0014
georgia@operationhomefront.net
20 Military Couples Say "I Do"
Operation Homefront Georgia hosts a dream wedding for 20 Ft. Benning couples, June 13.
Columbus, GA - June 13, 2009
Marriage for many begins with a budget, calendar and a long list of dreams. Stir into the mix cost of living, military careers and multiple deployments and you have military couples marrying at the Justice of the Peace. 20 couples with Ft. Benning ties will have the opportunity June 13th to have the wedding of their dreams and memories for a lifetime as they join Operation Homefront Georgia in Operation Wedding Bells.
Military WeddingBrides will don beautiful designer gowns and veils generously donated by Alfred Angelo of Miami, FL to Operation Homefront Georgia as they walk down the aisle to meet the Soldier of their dreams at the Columbus Botanical Gardens. Each bride received not only the dress and headpiece but professional hair design, manicure, pedicure and make up application to truly feel like a princess. Thanks to the generosity of the Columbus Botanical Gardens these wonderful couples and their guests will have a spectacular outdoor wedding in a beautiful garden setting. The Columbus Botanical Gardens not only donated the space for the wedding, but the volunteers to serve as ushers and attendants and designed and created all of the flowers to include bouquets. Hooters of America, a corporate sponsor of Operation Homefront will provide food and beverage for all of the couples and their guests (250) along with a very special honeymoon for one lucky couple that day.
"The couples participating have faced a variety of issues which precluded them from every girls dream wedding. We want to give these military members and their betrothed a memory to hold onto as these families will face a long deployment soon enough. Operation Homefront Georgia is committed to supporting these wonderful Soldiers and the Families of Ft. Benning along with all installations around the state."said, Kim Scofi, Chapter President, Operation Homefront Georgia.
*
WHO: 20 Ft. Benning Couples & Operation Homefront Georgia
WHAT: Operation Wedding Bells & Vow Renewals
WHEN: 13 June, 2009 5:00 PM
WHERE: Columbus Botanical Gardens, 3603 Weems Road, Columbus, GA 706-327-8400
About Operation Homefront Georgia
Operation Homefront Georgia provides emergency and morale assistance for our troops, the families they leave behind and for wounded warriors when they return home. A nonprofit 501(c)(3), Operation Homefront Georgia leads more than 400 volunteers in Georgia, and has provided critical assistance to more than 8,000 military families in need. Operation Homefront, Inc. hosts the Web community Operation Homefront Online. For more information, please visit Operation Homefront Georgia and Homefront Online.
# # #
The Perspective of a Fort Benning Military Wife and Mother-Summer in Georgia
Summertime is upon us. Along with the scorching heat comes the fun of block leave and summer vacations. If you are looking for a vacation that is within driving distance then a nice family beach vacation idea is Tybee Island on the Eastern Georgia Coast. It is about a four and a half hour drive through the beautiful Georgia countryside. We made the drive in our Mercury Sable on about three quarters of a tank of gas.
For those who are unfamiliar with where Tybee Island is located, it is the coastal area right near Savannah, Georgia. The beach is absolutely beautiful and it is very family friendly. We rented a three bedroom condo with our family right on the beach and it was about $300 per family for the week which we considered very affordable. There are other options for lodging here as well such a multitude of hotels as well as rental houses. As for the atmosphere the beach is not overly touristy but there are many things to do.
One family outing that we took was to the downtown area on the island. On that end of the island you can find souvenir shops, ice cream stores, lots of restaurants, and the pier. The pier was our favorite spot. On the pier there was an ice cream shop, a hot dog stand, and a bar. There is a covered pavilion that has ample seating. At the end of the pier there is a smaller pavilion that had benches and a beautiful view of the rolling waves.
Another day we went on a Dolphin Cruise. My stepdaughter is an animal fanatic so no vacation is complete without some sort of animal excursion. The dolphin cruise was a ninety minute boat ride. It cost $15 per adult and $7 per child. We were somewhat nervous that after paying for the boat ride we may not see dolphins but as it turned out we could not believe how many dolphins we saw. We even got to see two baby dolphins which the children loved.
My favorite part of the trip was the beach. The beach was a good combination or soft sand and hard packed sand closer to the water. This gave us option of lying out and building sand castles in the soft sand and taking walks or riding bikes on the packed sand. The water this time of year was perfect not too cold but yet not to hot as to not be refreshing. We enjoyed many hours on the beach playing in the water either boogie boarding in the waves and looking for hermit crabs in the tide pools.
My husband’s favorite part of the trip was the lighthouse and the Military forts. My husband was a history teacher before he came into the army so anytime that we vacation we usually visit the local historical land marks. The lighthouse was our favorite part of the day because it had a beautiful view.
The last thing that we did while on vacation was eat. We ate, and ate, and ate but with all of the fresh seafood how could you not. Our favorite place to eat was the crab shack. This restaurant is awesome. There is seating indoors or out depending on the weather, awesome décor, an even an alligator pit that you can feed the alligators. The portions here were huge and the food was good. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone who comes to the area.
We were so busy the whole time that we were on vacation and with Savannah so close there is so much more that we could have done. I highly recommend Tybee Island to anyone looking for a great beach getaway.
CJ
For those who are unfamiliar with where Tybee Island is located, it is the coastal area right near Savannah, Georgia. The beach is absolutely beautiful and it is very family friendly. We rented a three bedroom condo with our family right on the beach and it was about $300 per family for the week which we considered very affordable. There are other options for lodging here as well such a multitude of hotels as well as rental houses. As for the atmosphere the beach is not overly touristy but there are many things to do.
One family outing that we took was to the downtown area on the island. On that end of the island you can find souvenir shops, ice cream stores, lots of restaurants, and the pier. The pier was our favorite spot. On the pier there was an ice cream shop, a hot dog stand, and a bar. There is a covered pavilion that has ample seating. At the end of the pier there is a smaller pavilion that had benches and a beautiful view of the rolling waves.
Another day we went on a Dolphin Cruise. My stepdaughter is an animal fanatic so no vacation is complete without some sort of animal excursion. The dolphin cruise was a ninety minute boat ride. It cost $15 per adult and $7 per child. We were somewhat nervous that after paying for the boat ride we may not see dolphins but as it turned out we could not believe how many dolphins we saw. We even got to see two baby dolphins which the children loved.
My favorite part of the trip was the beach. The beach was a good combination or soft sand and hard packed sand closer to the water. This gave us option of lying out and building sand castles in the soft sand and taking walks or riding bikes on the packed sand. The water this time of year was perfect not too cold but yet not to hot as to not be refreshing. We enjoyed many hours on the beach playing in the water either boogie boarding in the waves and looking for hermit crabs in the tide pools.
My husband’s favorite part of the trip was the lighthouse and the Military forts. My husband was a history teacher before he came into the army so anytime that we vacation we usually visit the local historical land marks. The lighthouse was our favorite part of the day because it had a beautiful view.
The last thing that we did while on vacation was eat. We ate, and ate, and ate but with all of the fresh seafood how could you not. Our favorite place to eat was the crab shack. This restaurant is awesome. There is seating indoors or out depending on the weather, awesome décor, an even an alligator pit that you can feed the alligators. The portions here were huge and the food was good. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone who comes to the area.
We were so busy the whole time that we were on vacation and with Savannah so close there is so much more that we could have done. I highly recommend Tybee Island to anyone looking for a great beach getaway.
CJ
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Perspective of a Fort Benning Military Wife and Mother
One of the hardest parts of being a military wife here in Columbus, Georgia is that our extended families are not here. We find ourselves trying to keep in touch with out of town family but even with modern technology it can still be hard. Lucky for my husband and I both our families are within driving distance so we are constantly entertaining family. This brings up the problem of trying to find new and interesting things to do in Columbus without spending too much.
One thing that we found to be entertaining was to go for walks on the scenic trail at the Columbus Botanical Gardens. This was especially nice for our grandparents and parents. They enjoyed getting out doors and being able to see the beautiful flora and fauna. My stepdaughter Ana, who is five, said she loved seeing all the pretty flowers. The best part was that it is free. This is nice if you are looking to get out of the house but don’t want to break their budget.
Another good place that we like to go that is also free is Cooper Creek Park. This is a favorite of our children. They have multiple playgrounds, picnic tables, grills, and a beautiful lake view. Our favorite outing is to take picnic food and have dinner at the park. The park also has walking and fitness trails. If you like getting out but feel guilty leaving the family pet, after all they are part of the family too, this park is pet friendly. This is our favorite park but there are many beautiful parks in Muscogee County.
A place that is slightly more expensive but worth the trip, is Animal Safari in Pine Mountain, Georgia. This gives families a chance to experience wildlife that is not native to the area up close and personal. We visited Animal Safari one weekend when my in-laws were in town and my niece Sylvia (3) loved it so much that every time that she comes to visit she asks if we can go back. This outing is pricy but it is fun to go if you are looking for something unique to do with family and don’t mind the splurge.
If the outdoors is not your cup of tea there are other options here is Columbus. The Columbus museum of art is also a great place to take the family. While it is not free it is fairly inexpensive. There are so many programs for adults as well as families. The museum has everything from Egyptian art to Architecture. They also have a restaurant so you can eat and then take a tour of the museum. This is one of my personal favorites for a family outing.
Hollywood Connection is my stepdaughter’s favorite place to go on a family outing. This is a family friendly movie theater and more. Most of the movies that are shown there are family movies which is nice for us because we have two children under 6. Not only is there movies but there are also amusement rides as well as movie snacks.
There are many things to do here in Columbus. I find that getting out when family is in town helps us all to have a better time. Sometimes it can be overbearing to have a house full of family and it helps to alleviate that stress by getting everyone out of the house. It also helps to tire out children who may be over stimulated by the extra people in the house. Columbus is a great place for families and we have found it to be a great place to be stationed.
C.J.
One thing that we found to be entertaining was to go for walks on the scenic trail at the Columbus Botanical Gardens. This was especially nice for our grandparents and parents. They enjoyed getting out doors and being able to see the beautiful flora and fauna. My stepdaughter Ana, who is five, said she loved seeing all the pretty flowers. The best part was that it is free. This is nice if you are looking to get out of the house but don’t want to break their budget.
Another good place that we like to go that is also free is Cooper Creek Park. This is a favorite of our children. They have multiple playgrounds, picnic tables, grills, and a beautiful lake view. Our favorite outing is to take picnic food and have dinner at the park. The park also has walking and fitness trails. If you like getting out but feel guilty leaving the family pet, after all they are part of the family too, this park is pet friendly. This is our favorite park but there are many beautiful parks in Muscogee County.
A place that is slightly more expensive but worth the trip, is Animal Safari in Pine Mountain, Georgia. This gives families a chance to experience wildlife that is not native to the area up close and personal. We visited Animal Safari one weekend when my in-laws were in town and my niece Sylvia (3) loved it so much that every time that she comes to visit she asks if we can go back. This outing is pricy but it is fun to go if you are looking for something unique to do with family and don’t mind the splurge.
If the outdoors is not your cup of tea there are other options here is Columbus. The Columbus museum of art is also a great place to take the family. While it is not free it is fairly inexpensive. There are so many programs for adults as well as families. The museum has everything from Egyptian art to Architecture. They also have a restaurant so you can eat and then take a tour of the museum. This is one of my personal favorites for a family outing.
Hollywood Connection is my stepdaughter’s favorite place to go on a family outing. This is a family friendly movie theater and more. Most of the movies that are shown there are family movies which is nice for us because we have two children under 6. Not only is there movies but there are also amusement rides as well as movie snacks.
There are many things to do here in Columbus. I find that getting out when family is in town helps us all to have a better time. Sometimes it can be overbearing to have a house full of family and it helps to alleviate that stress by getting everyone out of the house. It also helps to tire out children who may be over stimulated by the extra people in the house. Columbus is a great place for families and we have found it to be a great place to be stationed.
C.J.
Friday, May 22, 2009
The Perspective of what it is like to be a Georgia Military Wife
The Perspective of what it is like to be a Georgia Military Wife
As I sat there in the oh so comfortable gynecologist chair with my one year old son next to me in his stroller screaming because he did not want to be confined and would prefer to be exploring the room on foot, I realized that being a military wife can be difficult at times. If I had a husband who worked in the civilian sector and did not go to the field for days or weeks or even months at a time, then when I could not find a babysitter he could step in and save the day instead of me bringing my son, or my little shadow, as I so fondly call him, along for what is already an uncomfortable event without a screaming child. Part of what it means to be a military wife and mother is that you are a part time single parent as well. Dealing with this means being able to understand what your husband’s duties are as a soldier and the willingness to pick up the slack when he is gone from time to time.
Another aspect of being a military wife is being flexible. This means that when you have a romantic evening for the two of you planned with babysitter and everything and he gets a call that someone needs him to cover staff duty last minute, that while you may be disappointed you don’t freak out and take it out on him. It also means that when you plan a vacation you purchase the travel insurance because you never know when things might change. My favorite phrase when talking about field time or deployments is “unless amended or extended.” This says it all. Things change all the time in the military. Nothing is set in stone and the sooner that military spouses understand this and accept it the sooner they will be better able to cope with the military lifestyle and the better the quality of life will be for the military families. Am I saying that everything has been 100% okay all the time since I accepted this fact? Well no, it is just that once I was able to put things into proper perspective and be more flexible things did get easier.
As for being a military wife in Georgia I would say that it is probably the same as being a military wife anywhere else except for the scorching heat in the summers and months of frizzy hair due to high humidity. There is plenty to do here at this base with Atlanta being nearby. Being stationed here is just like being stationed anywhere else, there are things I love and things that are not so great but it is all what you make of it. I heard this saying that home is where the Army sends you. All you can do is make the best of it.
So is being a military wife all hard work and no play? Of course, not. We have husbands who do a job that is truly respectable and worthy of admiration. Don’t let my husband read this or it will go straight to his head, but I am so proud of what he does. (Only kidding my husband knows I am proud.) Also one of the perks of having a husband who does a dangerous job is that he and I are very appreciative of our time together. When we do have time together we try to make it quality family time and try not to take any of it for granted.
-C. Jordan
Friday, May 15, 2009
2000 is the Magic Number by May 30th
We hope you'll join us by sending this blog address to everyone you know. We'd like to show our 2000 Georgia Troops and their Families currently in Afghanistan just how much support they really do have at home. Please send this information to your contacts so we can have 2000:2000 by May 30th!
Join us on:
Monday, May 11, 2009
Hometown Hero
Do you know of a Hometown Hero?
| Hometown Hero | |
| Nominate a Hometown Hero today! The Atlanta Braves and Operation Homefront Georgia want to award your Hometown Hero with 4-755 Club Seats, parking and a meal for a Sunday, home game. Email us with your Hometown Hero recommendation and why. |  |
| Winners to be notified by telephone |
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Does anyone know about this? Please comment
|
Monday, May 4, 2009
Hometown Hero - Sgt. Fair
Operation Homefront Georgia and the Atlanta Braves are honoring "Hometown Heroes" every Sunday at Braves' home games this season. On May 3, Sgt. Fair, United States Marine Corps was honored during the sixth inning by all fans at Turner Field. Sgt. Fair was escorted out onto the field where he got the crowd on their feet. Photographs of Sgt. Fair were shown on the outfield jumbotron after the announcer spoke of his tours in Iraq and great service to our country. Sgt. Fair received high fives and hand shakes all around as he exited the field back to his seat.
We are so proud of Sgt. Fair and his family, not only for his bravery and service but for being a genuinely nice person. Way to go Sgt. Fair!
Photographs & Videos forthcoming. To see all Sunday highlights of heroes visit the blog often!
We are so proud of Sgt. Fair and his family, not only for his bravery and service but for being a genuinely nice person. Way to go Sgt. Fair!
Photographs & Videos forthcoming. To see all Sunday highlights of heroes visit the blog often!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
A Bride's Story
We were never the romantic couple. We have always been the best of friends, pals,team mates (college track ), and each other's gate keepers. I guess that is why when our children came along it was very easy to not miss the date nights or romantic evenings. We had never really had them. We've always done everything as a family. As the years passed, I did notice that, the more frequently he was separated from us to fulfill his military obligations, the more I loved being a MOM. I completely threw myself into Motherhood and my career. Fast forward 19 years, two career changes,graduate school, first born off to college, Korea, GTMO and 3 tours in Iraq. I remember one night I looked at my husband and thought "Who is this guy?" I felt like I didn't even know him anymore.. We had totally lost US. I asking him one night, " So is this it for us Did GOD bring us this far for this? Can you believe my husband didn't even answer? I was so upset. I remember being emotional, excitable and he was...well, a rock, my fortress, my Gilbralter upon which I had built my house.
That summer night I had conceded to being another empty nester statistic in just a few more years.
Oh but, it gets better. After a lot of hard work and many detailed hours of "us time" fast forward: prayer, church, Date Night.
To my utter astonishment, one day en route to work, I passed my husband who is standing on the interstate with a sign that reads, "I am still hopelessly in love with my wife of 19 years. Happy Valentine's Day Sweetie. I love you!!!" Fast forward April 2009: I receive an email from him, in the subject line it says "You have to do this!" I opened it, read it and discover that he has confirmed our presence at a Marriage Vow Renewal Ceremony and a dress fitting.
I called him at work immediately and before I could say anything he said "No, God did not bring us this far to leave us. We will be together until HE comes to get us!" I just held the phone and thought "WOW! Who is this guy?!!"
That summer night I had conceded to being another empty nester statistic in just a few more years.
Oh but, it gets better. After a lot of hard work and many detailed hours of "us time" fast forward: prayer, church, Date Night.
To my utter astonishment, one day en route to work, I passed my husband who is standing on the interstate with a sign that reads, "I am still hopelessly in love with my wife of 19 years. Happy Valentine's Day Sweetie. I love you!!!" Fast forward April 2009: I receive an email from him, in the subject line it says "You have to do this!" I opened it, read it and discover that he has confirmed our presence at a Marriage Vow Renewal Ceremony and a dress fitting.
I called him at work immediately and before I could say anything he said "No, God did not bring us this far to leave us. We will be together until HE comes to get us!" I just held the phone and thought "WOW! Who is this guy?!!"
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