Memorial day is here and the time has come to remember those who sacrificed all for our freedom.  If you are looking for ways to observe Memorial Day, Carl Francis wrote a great article on his blog:  

Gone But Not Forgotten: 15 Ways to Observe Memorial Day

No matter how you pay tribute, take a minute to say "Thank You" to those who are serving, and give thanks to those who gave all in service their our country.

Happy Spring everone! We have been busy with Derek's Baseball season, work, and life in general.  I just got back from training at Fort Hood, and Dave is now attending First Sergeant's Academy.  He is so excited to be getting this opportunity.  I am so proud of him and know he will be an amazing First Sergeant.

If you are wondering just what a First Sergeant does, here is a great article: http://www.incirlik.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123185706

I know Dave will embrace this new position with the same enthusiasm and sense of duty that he does in his love of Christ. 

"Be shepherds of God's flock, the believers who are under your care. Serve as their leaders. Don't serve them because you have to. Instead, do it because you want to. That's what God wants you to do. Don't do it because you want to get more and more money. Do it because you really want to serve." 1 Peter 5:2 (NIRV)

He truly does want to serve the airmen in his care.  His heart and mind are in this for all the right reasons, and I am so proud to be supporting him on this new path in his career...  I'll be sure to keep you updated on how he is doing. He has three weeks of some intense training, so I will pray for him that he soaks it all in and has a great experience at school.  If you think of him when you send up your prayers - I would be sooooo appreciative! 

If you read this blog, you know that most of my recent posts are Wednesday Hero posts.  I don't get a whole lot of time to write any more, but I do want to post those without fail.  Today is a little bit different.

I wanted to post a Monday Hero post about our dear friend, MSgt Brent Chadick.  Brent is my one of my husband's best friends.  His wife is one of my best friends.  He left yesterday on an 8 month deployment.  I don't want to post too much about his upcoming whereabouts, but do want to ask a very important favor. 

For those of you that are the praying sort, please pray for his safety.  Pray that his beautiful family will be OK and get the support they need in his time of absence.  The kids and I are praying every day for them.  His wife Lisa is a trooper and a tough cookie, but I know how she is feeling.  Every day is going to be something different.  We'll be there for her and the kids.  But prayers and support in abundance are always a good thing.

I am proud of the job he is doing and of his and his family's sacrifices.  They are true heroes.

As a military family, our vacations are few and far between.  It always seems we are using our vacation time and money to visit our families as they live in other states (which of course still count as vacations, but you know what I mean... LOL)  So when we do get to take vacations, it is always SOOO nice to find deals like these.  Disney usually has GREAT discounts for military families.  Here are there offerings this year:


Disney World Tickets: You can purchase up to (6) 4-Day Passes for $99 per person. With this ticket, you can visit one Disney Theme Park each day. For these special discount tickets, you can purchase them on base or at Guest Services at the front entrance to any of the Disney Theme Parks with your military ID.

Disney World Hotels: You can save even more money with special Disney World Resort discounts on a Military Package that includes room discounts up to 40% off. This discount package is available for vacations through September 30, 2010. These prices are normally less money than staying at Shades of Green.

Disney World Meals: You can then save even more money, by adding one of the Disney Dining Plans. The Basic Dining Plan is always the most popular meal plan including sit down meals that can be used at over 125 restaurants at Disney World including the Character Dining. The Basic Dining Plan is a saving of 30% off of meals at Walt Disney World.

Active and retire military can get 60% discounts on tickets, 30% of meals, and up to 40% off Disney Resort. These are great discounts!

Destinations Florida: As an added bonus, if you book with the Destinations in Florida aegency you will receive free Disney Merchandise and services to make your vacation even more magical.  How fun!  You can get a jump on your souvenir shopping! 

WIN Disney Merchandise!

The folks at Destinations Florida have generously sponsored a giveaway here on this blog.  Just leave a comment on this post and one winner will be randomly drawn to win this set of 4 Disney Parks limited edition lithographs featuring special attractions from each Disney Park (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park) and Mickey Mouse ($75 Value).


So leave your comments until Febraury 1, 2010.  We'll draw a winner on the 2nd.  And if you are a military family and are planning to visit Disney this year - be sure to check out these discounts - and Destinations in Florida.

Yes it can!

I have always loved tools and technology that makes managing my life easier.  As a military wife and mother, my career has always had to be flexible, adaptable, and most of all - portable.  I need tools that meet these needs.  I need small tools that pack a huge productivity punch.  The perfect solution?  Winning this:



I want an HP Mini 311!

Now how can a simple little laptop help simplify my life you say?  Easily.  By putting everything I need in one, little, portable, powerful, 3.22lb package.  With this wonderful little tool I can:

* Blog anytime anywhere 
* Work on my (ever elusive) Masters Degree
* Communicate with my husband when he is deployed
* Keep sane while my kids are hogging the house PC
* Keep my life and business going the next time we PCS
   (ie. the next time the military moves us)
* Surf the internet for fun during my downtime
   (whenever I find any)
* Finish this book while at baseball/football/whatever
   sport my two boys are playing at the time and become
   an awe inspiring fiction writer

Ok.  I have lofty goals.

This beautiful piece of technological goodness can help me achieve them.  Really!  Have you seen the commercials for Windows 7?  You can leap tall buildings in a single bound with Windows 7!  I love that this laptop comes loaded with Windows 7 - I have been dreaming of ways I can use the snap, shake, and pin to help manage my crazy hectic day.  Just look at the way Dara Torres uses hers:





Are you a busy Mom?  Would you like to win an HP Mini 311 too?  HP, Windows 7, and The Mom Bloggers Club have teamed up to give away 3 of these to random comment posters on contest entrants' blog.  Just leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win your very own - good luck!

Well here we are again...

The USAF is moving us on what may be the final PCS of David's career... I sit here looking at my half empty, disheveled house and wonder what lies ahead for us. The move is very exciting yet bittersweet. While I am excited to be moving with our best friends (we were lucky enough to get orders to the same base they did), we'll be leaving behind very fond memories of this place and other good friends. Such is military life I suppose.

The movers are coming to start packing us up tomorrow and there is still much to be done today. We close on our new home at the end of October, which means we'll be living out of suitcases for three weeks. The kids think that is so exciting, whereas Dave and I know better. ;)

We are nervous and excited and anxious for what the future holds. But, we are also feeling altogether very blessed indeed...

Sgt. Willard T. Partridge
35 years old from Ferriday, Louisiana
170th Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade
August 20, 2005


Sgt. Partridge was killed by an IED that exploded near his vehicle in Baghdad, Iraq.

There isn't that much information about Sgt. Partridge so I though I would share some of the memories that his friends and family have of him.

"I remember Partridge from basic training and AIT. He was a very quiet guy who had a good sense of humor. I remember asking him why he joined, and he told me it was so he could take care of his family and give them a better life. I would have deployed with him any day, he was one of the good guys I graduated with. He will not be forgotten. God Bless."

"Todd was one of the best men I have ever met and I will always have great memories and admiration for him! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family!"

"I will never forget you and those awful eighteen weeks at Fort Leonard Wood. You are in every sense of the term, 'A HERO'"

"Todd was such a quite, solid person. He never demanded the attention of those around him. I remember him always just smiling while everyone else at our LARGE FAMILY get togethers made noise. I could get a hug from him, but I had to ask for it. He never assumed anything. I loved making him hug me.

Todd was a solid, faithful husband, father and man in every respect. He did what had to be done in all areas of his life. He died doing what he knew to be his job in this life. Not that he wanted to die but he wanted to serve whatever the cost might be. He knew that freedom is not free and wanted to pay his part for that freedom for himself, his wife and girls.

I have nothing but love and respect for Todd's memory and will always proudly and thankfully count him among my nephews that adore. His memory will always be honored. I thank God that He brought Todd into our family. He left his mark on it just as he did everywhere he went."


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.