The News...

These past months have been a whirlwind. Let's recap... We traveled by minvan some 3,000 miles from Jacksonville NC to Seattle Washington. Which was the time of our lives, we absolutely loved it! So we could then jump on some planes, to go from Seattle to Okinawa Japan. Then we lived in a Japanese hotel for 3 weeks until we could move into our estate! Our mansion if you will, shrunk about in half from our home in the states. Bought two used cars so we could learn to drive on the opposite side of the car and road all the while being told that we are considered 'professional drivers' by local standards! 2 days after moving into our home, school started. Not any ole' school, MIDDLE SCHOOL for 2 boys and our last and final year in elementary school for K80! That alone will cause any mom to crawl under the sofa never to come out! Did I mention that the government furniture is FANTASTIC! The whole family jumped full force into Boy Scouts. Caleb started the swim team, which is a 40 minute drive to the pool and back 3 days a week. Katie was elected Student Council President. Seth started band... trumpet, loving the practicing at home! I joined a women's Bible Study and became a MOPS mentor mom for our church. Mark works an average of 10-12 hours a day, his life hasn't changed too dramatically unless he leaves a base after 7pm at night. (That is another story for another blog entry!)

So yes there is LOTS of news to tell, but the best of all is we have been selected as the "Marine Corps Family of the Year 2010" by the National Military Family Association. We are deeply honored and humbled by this award. It was a huge shock and we are blessed beyond measure to receive this distinction.

NMFA history is remarkable :this organization was founded by military wives in 1969 who wanted their widowed friends to be properly cared for.

Their mission is honorable: To fight for benefits and programs that strengthen and protect uniformed services families and reflect the Nation's respect for their Service. (LOVE IT!)

The NMFA has many programs that benefit military families. My favorite it Operation Purple Camp aka OPC! This program has enabled our children to attend a traditional summer camp for the past 3 years. What a tremendous blessing! Ya'll know how much I value summer camp and love the experiences kids have while attending. However... I wish my children never qualified for this camp. In order to attend OPC the camper's parent must have been or will be deployed within so many months of the summer camp. We qualified 3 years in a row, telling you Mark's deployed A LOT! I am forever grateful of the experiences my children have had at summer camp through OPC, but I love it MORE when Mark is home, in our country and in our home. With that said... OPC is looking for donations large or small in any amount to help support sending military kids to summer camp. Think back to all the fond memories you have of summer camp, share that joy with a military child this summer... Donate today! For more information on OPC or to donate click here!

Life is busy for everyone, sorry it took me so long to 'share the news'! This being Veteran's Day weekend take a moment to give thanks to God for the blessings our Nation has... Freedom from tyranny, Freedom to chose our elected officials, Freedom to worship the One True God, truly the list is endless. Then take it one step further and call the Veterans you know and thank them for their service. You truly never know how much that will mean to them. They need to know their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families are not forgotten and are sincerely appreciated.