VoiceQuilt: Congratulations and We Love You, Sarge!

I was recently emailed by a company called VoiceQuilt to do a review for their product. It just happens that the timing is perfect as Sarge will be re-enlisting in the Air Force very soon and this is a great way for our family and friends to be able to congratulate him despite the distance! To top it off sometimes the end of deployment, which we are finally near, can be very stressful as military members try to bridge the gap between work and reconnecting with family and life at home.

The process has just begun but so far it has been incredibly easy!  I signed up on their website and then called the given number and followed the prompts to create a greeting that all callers hear when they call to leave their message. If you have ever used voicemail, this works just the same! We have 7 days to record as many messages as we can. After the messages are recorded, I'll continue the process by arranging them into a playlist and choosing a way to present them to Sarge. There are so many options - I'm not sure what I'll choose just yet but I am leaning toward the Audio CD with Leather CD Holder or maybe something like the 4X6 Photo Black Keepsake Box.

I am so excited about this project!  If you'd like to participate just follow the instructions below! It really doesn't matter if you know Sarge personally or not -- if you're a supporter of the military and our family it would be great to hear from you!

To leave a message of encouragement or congratulations for Sarge dial the toll-free number: 1-877-687-7845 and use invitation number: 154638. Follow the prompts and record your message just like you are leaving a voicemail. Use # to review your message and you can just hang up to save it! The deadline to leave a message is September 12, 2011 so please call TODAY!  In addition, if you'd like to send a card you can find our PO Box address on the contact me tab above.

Thank you for helping me create such a great surprise for Sarge!  I'll be blogging more about VoiceQuilt as I work on the project and there just might be a discount or giveaway so stay tuned!

black socks

Monkey and I are back home and finally starting to settle back in. True to what I said previously, I did not expect much of myself when I got home. I was more social than planned and really enjoyed getting together with a few friends. I gave myself a break as far as housework was concerned and just focused on being back home and getting Monkey into a routine that works for the two of us. 

Yesterday, started out a bit rocky. Sarge was wonderful and took the time to call me before heading to bed, but I was stressed and didn't get the response from him that I wanted or needed and was quickly frustrated. We talked through it, but as we said our "see you soon's" I was still burdened with being here alone and having to make all the decisions mostly by myself.

I decided it was time to tackle cleaning up a little and since I've been sleeping on my husband's side of the bed, I started with moving his nightstand, the dog kennel and his lamp to really clean up under and behind them. Boy, was that needed! I then began straightening the area toward the end of the bed and lifted up the comforter that usually spends most of its time on the floor after we kick it off because we are too hot. 

There they were. Still in their packaging, a brand new pair of my favorite black socks!

Ok, I know you're sitting there going "big deal, it's a pair of socks!" but seriously? When was the last time you put on a brand spanking new pair of socks? Do you remember how it feels? They are so soft and full of cushion and I just love the way they feel on my feet when they are brand new! I'm not totally crazy, did you know that Robin Williams only wears every pair of his socks once and then donates them to charity? He does!

I love brand new socks! Not long ago, my husband came home from the store with that very package of brand new socks. He was trying to cheer me up and his mission was successful!  Not only did I love the thought when he first gave them to me, but in that moment when I found those socks hiding under the comforter it felt like my husband was right back home with me, where he belongs. My heart smiled and it was as if he was giving me a sign that everything is going to be ok, even if they are stressful and hard right now.

He doesn't always have the words, and that frustrates me. He has always been there for me no matter what in his own little ways though. Last night, it was those socks that reminded me of his love and that I'm not alone, even when he is so far away. I am absolutely the luckiest!

There is only one fitting way to end this entry..

Black socks they never get dirty, the longer you wear them the stronger they get!

Sometimes I think I should wash them but something inside me keeps saying not yet!

Not yet! Not yet! Not yet!

kiss your face

For weeks now, I have been hoping that we'd get a small miracle and the start of deployment would be delayed just long enough for me to kiss my husband's sweet face on his birthday. I wasn't able to see him on his birthday last year and it was hard to be apart.  Well, today is the day and we got our wish!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARGE!!

We are so blessed to have had the start of this deployment delayed by a few days due to bad weather, and I am so thankful that as my husband turns 28 today we are able to celebrate together! We actually celebrated over the weekend so he would have some time with his present before he leaves. Tonight when he is done with work for the day, I plan to have his birthday cake made of Twinkies ready for him to enjoy!  Last year, I made the same type of cake and took a picture to send in his birthday care package... he told me he was thankful for the thought -- but couldn't stand the thought of all those wasted Twinkies!  So I'm sure no Twinkies will go to waste today!

In honor of Sarge's birthday, I put together a list of 28 things I love about him - in no particular order!

28. He is always, always supportive - no matter how crazy, silly or just plain dumb my ideas are.
27. He is positive - always.
26. I can talk to him about anything.
25. When we cuddle we just fit.
24. I love when he stops me wherever we are - usually in the middle of the store - to dance and kiss.
23. I love how he acts like Tigger when you're excited about something.
22. He puts up with my crazy adventures and road trips.
21. He always lets me stop for my state sign pictures.
20. He's an amazing daddy to his litter girl
19. He's an amazing husband
18. I love how he always signs "I Love You" before he leaves the room or house
17. He treats me with respect
16. He hugs me tight
15. If I really want something he figures out a way to let me have it
14. Dressed up or in sweats - I always look amazing in his eyes
13. He cared enough to leave Afghanistan, putting his career on hold, to take care of me while I had HG
12. He puts up with my constant need to have pictures of every moment
11. He respects that my family is very important to me and we are very close
10. He is always patient with me - even when I am not patient at all with him
9. I love his intelligence - and the fact that he doesn't make me feel less than him.
8. When we are together - we are home - wherever we are...
7. I love that he enjoys reading books
6. I love that we can stay up all night and watch the sunrise together
5. I love that he loves me so much he married me twice
4. He misses me - and shows it.
3. He goes out of his way to maintain communication during deployment.
2. He still believes in chivalry
1. As long as I am happy - he is happy.

I love you Sarge!  Thank you for loving me!