Recycling Project

This weekend Jack had a recycling project for school to complete.  We were given some suggestions of items to use and we chose to use a milk jug.  After we knew what material we were using, we let Jack choose what he would turn his milk jug into - He chose to make a night light.  It turned out so cute and was very easy to make. 
Here is what we did:
Daddy and Jack cutting the milk jug and decorating it:

The jug cut and decorated.  Next step - attaching the night light:

Completed project - It worked!

What you need:

1 gallon milk jug
decorations -  some examples are: stickers, construction paper, paint, glitter (use your imagination)
scissors (to cut the jug)
glue (to attach the decorations if not using stickers)
night light
hot glue gun (to attach the light in the jug)

What to do:
wash and dry the milk jug
cut  the jug keeping the handle and top in tact
decorate the jug
insert night light into the mouth of jug
use hot glue (if necessary) to secure light
allow glue to dry
plug in and enjoy your night light

"Intro To Army Life" - book review

Recently, I was contacted and asked to write a review for a new book, "Intro To Army Life" by Allison Mewes.

Let me tell you, when I finished reading this book, my first thought was, "where was this book 11 years ago when I became and army wife?"

Seriously though, "Intro To Army Life" is full of really useful and accurate information that I think is very much needed for every new Army wife.  Also, as a former FRG co-leader, I think it would be great to have a few of these books on hand for the new spouses. 

"Intro To Army Life" is divided into short, but fairly concise chapters.  Each chapter details different aspects of the Army life such as:

Military Training and Structure (complete with pictures of each rank, uniforms, and some insignia)
Benefits and Pay (who doesn't need help understanding how to read a LES?)
Deployments and Emotions
The Good Stuff (how to find military discounts)

The above are just a few of the subjects covered in this book. 

Overall, I think this is a great book and I highly recommend it for new Army spouses.

Our Easter

We had such a wonderful Easter weekend! 
The weather was perfect!
The festivities were great!

The fellowship was fantastic!

The Easter service at church was so good.  Such a wonderful time of worship reflecting on the meaning of Easter.  So thankful that the story did not end on Friday.  So thankful for Christ filling God's wrath on my (and your) behalf...not because I deserve it, but because He loved me that much to suffer for me. As I sit here and type that I am in awe..and amazement.  So thankful that Christ conquered the grave...so thankful for that empty tomb.    There is just nothing like the worship on Easter.  What a joyous time of praise. 

We had a fun day.  After church we had lunch at my in-laws followed up by an egg hunt for the kiddos.  Then we headed back to our house for dinner with my mom.  It was such a good day.

Below are a few pictures we took:

The kids and me:

My 3 most favorite people in the world:

My little family:

My sweet babies:

Ready to go hunt some eggs:

Jack found one of the prize eggs:

Madeline found the other prize egg:

I hope that each of you had a wonderful Easter!

Sweet Story to Share

I have a sweet story that I want to share.

It's a story that puts a smile on my face.

A story about this sweet young man:

We were on spring break last week and took the kids to Disney World.  We have been planning this trip since J returned from Afghanistan.  The kids have been so excited about going and saving their money to buy prizes. Jack saved around $15 and Madeline saved probably $2 (hehe)  The days and weeks leading up to our trip the kids were getting more and more excited (can you blame them???)
Jack came home from school one afternoon and as I was asking him the usual questions about his day and if he and his friends were excited for spring break.  As he was sharing with me about his day, he shared a sweet story.
Jack said everyone in his class was talking about what they were doing over spring break.  Jack said he told his teacher that he was going to Disney World.  He had a big smile on his face and said that his teacher wanted to go to disney too.  This is the sweet part...Jack said, "Mommy, since Mrs. Young can not go to Disney World with us,  I want to buy something from there for her."  to which I replied that I thought that was a great idea and we will search for her something perfect.  Jack then said, "Ok, it can't cost more than $15 though because that is all I have saved up"  Melt.  My.  Heart.  My sweet boy  not only wanted to get his teacher a gift, but he wanted to use all the money he saved up to get her something.  And I will have you know, he did get her something.  He searched every single day we were there.  I tried to help him choose a gift, but he did not like anything I picked (of course, right?)  He thought about Mrs. Young every day and looked at all the stores for just the perfect gift for her.  He was so excited to get back to school this week to give her the special gifts he chose just for her.  Jack loves school and he loves his teacher...I love his teacher too. We have been so blessed with great teachers...I am so thankful for the foundation they are laying and valuable tools they are teaching.  I am also so thankful for this sweet young man J and I are raising.