Songs for the soldiers [OneRepublic "Come Home"]

Excerpt from the lyrics...
"There’s someone I’ve been missing. I think that they could be the better half of me.
They’re in the wrong place trying to make it right, but I’m tired of justifying
So i say to you: Come home, come home
Cause I’ve been waiting for you for so long, for so long.
Right now there's a war between the vanities, but all i see is you and me.
The fight for you is all I’ve ever known... so come home."   

As Good As It Gets

My soldier has a serious love for strawberry ice cream; however, since ice cream can't make it home from the grocery store without melting, getting it to him is just not a possibility until he comes home (in six weeks!!). Til then, and because I feel that astronaut ice cream is just plain weird, this is as good as it gets: Strawberry snacks!

Strawberry Short Cakes, Twizzlers, Pop Tarts, 100 Calorie Strawberry cupcakes (I know, I know, but they were too cute to pass up), Strawberry Sugar Wafer cookies, Strawberry Ensure (these have really long expiration dates and are shelf-sustainable, so these are good to send at all times), Strawberry granola bars & Strawberry Instant Oatmeal. Oh, and best of all... strawberry marshmallows! I was quite proud of myself for this find, so hopefully they are as exciting to receive as they were to find!

Spring... means Summer is getting closer!!

These went out last week with photos of the beach & lots of beautiful American sunshine to look forward to... til then, one patient (sort of) day at a time! At least until summer (and homecoming) I can listen to American Honey to pass the time.

Reading List: Love Letters of Soldiers

So far, I've found comfort and some inspiration in the letters between soldiers and their significant others, regardless of which war they were written through. A few of my favorites...

Dearest Virginia: Love Letters from a Cavalry Officer

by Gayle Hunnicutt (Ed.)

More coming soon!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Goodie Bags & Candy Galore.
...enough to share, since it is the holiday of spreading the love, and there is plenty to go around for these guys :)

These adorable Conversation Heart boxes are made of plastic but are strong, and stay closed with the lids on... each bearing a different little Valentine's message. 

The goodie-bags also included a mix of Valentine's Day candy and individual Valentine's Day cards in this little pink mailbox I purchased at Michaels.  I used adhesive-backed felt letters and put their Troop numbers along the side without the flag.

 Last but not least, Valentine's Day Cookies!!

Reading List: Children of Soldiers (Part I)

Books for children about deployment, missing their Mom or Dad, and helpful ways to explain the war and separation.

I Miss You: A Military Kid's Book About Deployment

by Beth Andrews

My Dad's A Hero

by Rebecca Christiansen

A Yellow Ribbon for Daddy

by Anissa Mersiowsky

MORE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

JETS Football Surprise Package

So, for football fans (or any sport) it is one thing to miss out on a season, quite another when the season is as exciting as that of the New York Jets this year. Being a sports fan myself, I would have been devastated, so I imagine it was tenfold for my soldier, to miss out on all of the games and excitement. What is the solution? Bring the Jets to Afghanistan (so to speak).

Care Package Contents (photos below):
Copies of game tape, recorded onto DVDs
JETS Cheerleader Calendar
JETS-issued camouflage winter hat
JETS Sweatshirt
JETS insulated coffee mug
Football Cookies (Double Chocolate Chip Footballs)
Jersey Cookies (Sugar Cookies, Home & Away)
Team Logo Cookie
Photos of him with friends & family at past games