{ bands for arms }

A few months ago when Ty first deployed, I read about an organization that produced arm bands/bracelets, created from donated military uniforms -- Bands for Arms.  

According to the  B4A website: 
Bands For Arms was created by Nicanor P. Mendoza III to bring awareness and support to our American military, by having Service Members, their families, and all of our patrons display their support with a bracelet made from an actual Service Member's uniform. We at Bands For Arms Int'l Inc., are proud to be able to recognize all five military branches with our bands, and hopefully help Service Members and their families feel CONNECTED.

I ordered four different bands, grateful that the U.S. Coast Guard was included (many opportunities for military families often leave out our Coast Guard men and women). And this past week, our bands arrived -- each one beautifully packaged with a photograph and card detailing the information about the soldier who donated a uniform to create the band.

Aidan now proudly wears a USCG blue band, as do I. Our sweet little Paige is still a bit young to sport one of her own, but she adores playing with the bands on both her big brother's and mother's arms, where they will remain until Daddy gets back.


Our bands won't bring him home any sooner, but they help us remember why he is where he is, and that he loves us.

appreciation in aggieland

My Fightin’ Texas Aggies will be sporting camouflage jerseys tonight at Reed Arena when the men's basketball team takes on Iowa State.

All veterans or active duty military personnel may receive two free tickets to the game and can purchase additional tickets for only $10.

Following the game, the jerseys will be auctioned off at AggieAthletics.com. Proceeds will benefit the USO.

-- until everyone comes home.

eternally grateful

independence day in new england

Even though we spent this year in the cradle of American history, we decided to skip the patriotic festivities in Boston, opting instead for some slower-paced (and less populated) celebrations in New Hampshire and Maine.

We enjoyed an afternoon with [new] friends at a BBQ in South Berwick, Maine (a picturesque town settled in 1631), surrounded by thick [Maine] accents trying to teach Aidan how to properly say "lobstah", and hot dogs served on rolls, rather than buns (also how Fenway Franks are served, correct?). Ty and I joked about how different it was to the smoked brisket and ribs-filled events we're used to on the 4th of July in Texas, but we appreciated the hospitality very much -- it was great to meet new people.

We ended the day by stopping near the border at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on the Maine/New Hampshire border, where a fireworks display lit up the sky over the water. There's something about being on a military base, surrounded by those who voluntarily serve our country, that makes celebrating American independence that much more special.

God bless America -- both the North and the South. :)

give a veteran a piece of the high life

I'm sure most of us will be picking up some cold beer between now and September 30th. Please consider buying Miller High Life and saving your caps in order to support they're current campaign of supporting veterans.

For every High Life cap or tab you drop off at select retailers or mail in, Miller will donate 10-cents toward High Life Experiences for returning vets. Up to a million dollars will go toward paying soldiers' way into sports events, concerts, outdoor adventures and more.

he's smiling because he's coming home

Ty was promoted this past week and is preparing for his new unit in Boston.

And currently, he's somewhere around Abilene, Texas on his way home to us -- a great start to summer.

Proud as peaches.

a prayer for an unknown soldier

I saw a soldier kneeling down,
for this was the first quiet place he had found.
He had traveled through jungles, rivers and mud.
His hands were scarred and toil-warned.

He folded his hands and looked to the sky...
I saw his tears, as they welled in his eyes.
He spoke to God, and this is what he said.
God Bless my men, who now lie dead;
I know not what You have in mind,
but when You judge, please be kind....
when they come before You, they will be poorly dressed
but will walk proudly, for they have done their best.

Their boots will be muddy and their clothes all torn...
but these clothes they have so proudly worn.
Their hearts will be still and cold inside,
for they have fought their best and did so with pride.

So please take care of them as they pass Your way...
the price of freedom they've already paid.

Amen.

--Author Unknown

coming home

I'm sure it's a combination of factors ... like the fact that Ty gets home in less than two weeks after serving away from us for the past two years.

Or it might be the fact that I'm particularly prone to hormonal outbursts right now as a result of the baby girl I'm half-way finished carrying.

But most likely, it's just the simple fact that this is a display of the most beautiful, raw, and true emotion.

After watching this, I found it very difficult to dry my eyes for a while. It's beyond touching ... had to share.

faces of freedom

Please take a moment to visit Faces of Freedom and learn a bit about some of our fallen American heroes. Each made the ultimate sacrifice in order to guard, protect, and keep us safe.

God bless and protect all of our veterans, as well as the millions of brave servicemen and women who are keeping us safe around the world.