Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas Cards

So I haven't finished sending out all the Christmas cards, because, well, just because.  I will eventually get them out, so don't look if you know you are missing one.  Of course if you are not looking then send me your address immediately!

Not a great shot of the card, but you get the idea.  I found them on etsy.  How can you not like that place?

For all the new readers, there's always last years card that still makes me smile every time I see it (drawn by Abs).


While Christmas is the hardest time to have Gunner gone, at least I know that he took the place of someone who missed last Christmas and that Soldier gets to be home this year.  Next year, he's all ours.  

Hope you had a Merry Christmas!

For your reading pleasure (and yes I know parts don't rhyme, but I should be filling stockings right now instead of worrying about rhyming words):

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, except for a military spouse;

The stockings were hung by 550 cord, with care,

In hopes that skype would work and her husband could be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of their dad in camo, danced in their heads;

And me in his sweats, and Army crap,

Had just settled down with lots of presents to wrap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the floor to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the crappy mini blinds and hoped no Soldier did crash.

The moon on the grass that I was glad did not grow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to housing below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature tank, and eight tiny rear-deer’s,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be Sgt. Nick.

More rapid than deployments, his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Alpha! now, Bravo! now, Charlie and Delta!

On, Headquarters! on Scouts! on, S-2 and S-3!

To the top of the main gate! to the top of the wall!

Now convoy away! convoy away! convoy away all!"

As sand during a sandstorm does manage to fly,

When they meet with a desert, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the tank full of toys, and Sgt. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The stomping and clomping of each combat boot.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Through the mail slot Sgt. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in camo, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all pressed with fine spitshined black boots;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a Soldier just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they looked tired! his dimples were there,

But through it all, his sadness he did wear.

His strong mouth was quiet as he wondered how,

She managed to do it without sweat on her brow;

The single white envelope he held tight in his hand,

Was the first thing he set down, all covered with sand;
A single letter sent home, written straight from the heart,
Even if the military did keep them apart.

He was skinny and strong, silent and stealth,

No danger of stealing, as he was used to no wealth;

A wink of his eye and a nod of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And turning and smiling, he straightened his clothes

And giving a salute, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his tank, to his convoy gave a yell,

And away they all flew like a bat out of hell.
But I heard him call cadence as he drove out of sight
Remember he loves you he’ll call you tonight.


Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas!

I have three children nestled in bed, while visions of their dad, dance in their head.

We hung the stockings from the staircase with 550 cord.  (What military family doesn't love 550 cord?)

Flat Daddy is guarding the tree and the kids also wanted to put him up so that Santa would be reminded about all the dads that are missing Christmas morning.  (So I might have cried at that statement)
Cookies and milk and salsa and chips were left out for Santa. (You have to leave out at least a few German cookies!)
Abs drew a picture of Santa with specific instructions on whose stocking was whose.  Remember the 4 stockings?  Ummmm....yeah.....they gave Sammy one, but not me.  LOL
I think the car was left by Junior because he still isn't potty trained and he was trying to bribe Santa.  Of course Junior had to draw a picture too...

The best present of all came tonight when Gunner got on the webcam and sent pictures of himself.

I miss him.  His one request was for me to take a ton of pictures on Christmas morning.  Guess who can't find the battery charger or the flip.  Luckily I found a backup camera and will use that.

Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Christmas Cheer?

All the presents are wrapped, and in keeping with tradition, they will love everything that they are getting.  Thankfully the zhu zhu pets were not as rare as last Christmas, and I even got the kung zhu model.  Junior got one at the USO party and has been carrying it around like a pet.  Abs has been begging for one since last year, so I managed to score one.  

My in-laws had their presents here way before I was even done shopping, and today the elusive gift basket they got me was finally received.  I am not a big of Fed Ex right now, but at least the product arrived.  It's a huge basket filled with wine, godiva chocolates, truffles, and lots of other good stuff.  After the last few months I have had, it was nice to receive.

The Santa presents are ready to be put out--do you wrap yours or just put them out?  We used to wrap them, but now I just put them out for them to play with once they wake up.  

Knock on wood, even Abbie, has never gotten up early on Christmas morning.  I probably just jinxed that though.

Tonight I went to dinner with my friend Erin, then to the movies, and out for a drink.  It was nice to get out of the house sans children for once, before the holiday chaos ensues.  Plus it was low key, which is just what I needed, since we are both hitting crossfit in the morning.  We are doing the "Twelve Days of Christmas".......I just checked the website, and this workout will makeup for us not working out Christmas Day.  Ouch!

So tonight I go to bed happy, with a lot less to worry about over the next 48 hours than I thought.  I do have to hit the commissary, but Abs and Junior like to help, so hopefully it won't be too bad.  

I'm trying to come up with some snack foods to serve on Christmas day before our DFAC dinner.  Any suggestions?  I am really craving brie right now, so that will have to be on the list.

While Christmas is never the same when Gunner is gone, I am glad that I have a husband that loves me unconditionally, treasures his children, and can still make me smile from halfway around the world.  Life is good.