I love this woman, my daughter-in-law Rachel

Last month I visited my daughter-in-law Rachel in Virginia for one week. My son, Kyle, aka Scooter is working in Kuwait for his third deployment. We are beginning to count the weeks for his return in a few months. One blogpost could never express how much I adore her. But here are a few glimpses of our times together from that very special, memorable week. 

She kinda kidnapped me for a huge surprise to the Zac Brown Concert. She knows me all too well, knowing that his song "Colder Weather" resonates with me on such a deep level. I remember holding her hand, real tight, as he sang this, just a few feet away from us. Tears were streaming down my face. 
I kinda came undone that night. "Free" moved me again. 
And of course so did his tribute for our Military. 

Rachel gifted me this Gypsy Soul bracelet from Horse Feathers Gifts 
"Peace" by Pam Werneth 

and then there was this....she is a Rock Star Volleyball player!!

and she keeps the home fires burning with Dixie and Tug

and occasional fire circles

This woman is rock steady. She keeps the home fires burning while her husband, my son, is away working during his deployment. 

Months go by. 
Lawnmowers break down. 
Fingers get cut and solo trips to ER happen. 

But let me tell you this about her. { I quote my son...}
"she makes my job in the Military easier, because she is my wife. " 

I truly believe that is the highest compliment anyone could ever make about her !! 

I love you Rachel. 
Thank you for being the woman in my son's life and a dear friend and daughter to me. 

so many smiles

we are the happy hairy shiny people

Rachel and Celina surprise me with a front VIP spot at
ZAC BROWN CONCERT !!

Justine comes to Florida!

Good times with my daughter-in-law Rachel

FaceTime smiles from Kuwait with my son Kyle

Joy Movement

Spirit Sticks for Soldiers

driftwood washed ashore

wrapped with love for Soldier Sons

pray for safe return 

For the past several weeks, I have been creating Spirit Sticks to send to my son in Kuwait. There are 15, one for each team member. They haven been wrapped with beadwork, leather and wool fibers. 
As I wrapped each weathered piece of wood, I was mindful and thankful for the service and sacrifice of each young man. I sat in my air conditioned studio, knowing they are working in temps rising above 120 degrees F. They have been away from home for 6 months. I wept. I smiled. I infused each stick with love. This is a very small token of my appreciation, for now.

Haiku my Heart

49 cent letter to a Soldier

It only costs .49 cents to send a little love and support from home.
The Postal Service has Military Priority Boxes at Special Rate.
When I asked my son what he wished for ( besides coming home ) he explained they have access to almost anything they want. So my suggestion is use your imagination...what would YOU want if you were away from your loved ones for the next nine months?
I will clue you in to something that he did admit..."Jalapeno Potato Chips" sure would make a good day !

Thank you for your sacrifice ...

Kenny Robertson

Jacob Feyery

Jace Dilmore

Tom Dougherty

John Huff

Herman Goldstein

Kyle Bradley

Matthew Tommaso

Pete Fountain

Kyle Broughton

Brian Winter

Josh West

Zach Chrismon

Greg Bascomb

Tommy Christesen

15 Feathers

One for each member of the 511th Engineer Dive Detachment

I walked the beach yesterday, cried, wandered, 

let go of my Soldier Son who deployed 

to Kuwait for nine months

There were so many secret messages 

in the form of feathers

I gathered

I walked

I cried

I looked up

I was lifted

 Do you see the Secret Message?

 

Postcard from Paradise

Deployed

In a few hours this flag will hang in my front window.
Each stitch by myself, Matt, Rachel and Scooter.
Nine months in Kuwait.
Rachel is Rock Steady as his Brave Heart wife.
My son, Sgt Kyle Broughton, is serving his third tour of duty as a Scuba Diver for the Army. 
He is proud, brave, devoted and strong. I could not be more proud.
But no lie....my heart is broken. The sacrifice. The distance. 
The separation.

But when I see their faces and witness the steadfast love they have for each other, I stand taller, cry a little bit less, and dig a little bit deeper into my own tenacity for tough times.

Stay strong
Keep focused
Look forward

 

Share the Joy Thursday

What brings me JOY this week? 

Mailing goodie-gift boxes to the 511th Dive Team and my son, who will spend his 27th birthday this year in Kuwait. 

 I made 24 Tree Ornaments, one for each Team member, from random recycled materials such as t-shirts, duct tape, paper bags, Levis, and even an old Chipmunks Christmas album!!

I figure since they will not have a Holiday tree in the desert, 

I will just make one for each guy!

and then since my son was born December 12, 

I usually gift him with 12 little gifts, 

one to open everyday until Christmas Day!

 This little Army Owl has flown over to protect

and watch over him for all night duty!

and I believe that every Soldier 

needs a rock of encouragement and love

notice the "Dive in" rock? 

My son is a Scuba Diver for the Army

Thank you Kim, The Queen of Arts

 and to all, a Good Night

for more JOYful stories, please visit Meri over here!