Memorial Day

I have always looked forward to Memorial Day as a reason to rest and enjoy a long weekend, but this year it meant much more. Before I met Matt, I'm embarrassed to say that the military never crossed my mind. I was certainly thankful for our service men & women, but I never had a personal connection to military.  Over the past four years, I've been introduced to a whole different world that really seems like a family, and I have a new appreciation for the sacrifices that were made by so many people. I'm especially thankful that we can set aside Memorial Day to honor them.

So far there have been 6,013 U.S. casualties in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.  It's a number that I have a hard time wrapping my head around, but when I think that each person was some one's son or daughter or father or husband, it really breaks my heart. There is a website that keeps track of the casualties, and when you put a face with a number, it is powerful.  http://militarytimes.com/valor/

Having become friends with only a few of the men and women that we send across the sea to protect us, I have a sense of gratitude now that I have never felt so deeply. It really moves me to my core when I think about all of the soldiers over the years that have made a conscious decision to serve the USA, many of whom have given their lives. They willingly offered to go where they were needed, and do what they were asked, putting aside everything else.  I'm filled with joy to know that Matt is coming home soon, but at the same time, my heart breaks for the families that are sending their loved ones over to replace him.

I know that there are so many men & women currently deployed that don't have much support back at home.  While Matt has received many letters and boxes filled with more Little Debbie Cakes and baby wipes than anyone could possibly need, there were several of his "buddies" that rarely if ever got a letter or care package. So I'm determined to make what little impact I can by writing random soldiers. Hopefully, it will let them know that someone really cares. If you're interested in doing the same, here are two websites that are helpful:
http://www.anysoldier.com/
http://www.letterstosoldiers.org/

Just Peachy in GA

It's official! I turned in my South Carolina license plate for a Georgia tag. This was my last "official" tie to the Palmetto State, so it was somewhat of a big deal for me. Byrd laughed at me for documenting the occassion. I'm getting really excited for the day that I can remove the "Half my heart is in Iraq" magnet from my car! Counting down the days!

My Soldier Loves Paula!

This past weekend was so fun & it went by in a flash! On Saturday, Mom, Nana, and AB came to Macon to enjoy the Garden Tour (more pictures to come). We spent Saturday morning walking through six beautiful gardens in the neighborhood. In the afternoon, while I volunteered for the tour, the other 3 hens rested in my hobbit hole. What a life!

On Sunday, after my family departed, Lauren and I went to the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show in Atlanta. We've gotten to be pros at these things. For the past few years, we've had so much fun going to  random craft shows & expos and we've developed an ability to scout out any free samples! We agreed that this show made the top of our list. We zig-zagged up and down the rows of vendors collecting lots of "swag."

 But we really went to the show to see Paula Deen! We sat in a crowd of about 2,000 people and watched Paula & her husband cook and tell the funniest stories. She really knows how to work a crowd. She was literally throwing mini key lime pies and pork tenderloin out into the crowd.
Matt loves the Food Network, and after moving to Savannah last year, he became an even bigger fan of Paula Deen.  Lady & Sons is one of his favorite restaurants.

 So, because I am shameless, I made a neon green poster that read "My Soldier loves Paula." Then, when it was quiet, I ran to the front and held my poster up and yelled "Paulaaaaaaaa!" She whipped her bouffant hair around, read my poster aloud, and said "Well honey, tell your soldier I love him too."

I passed Paula's message along to Matt and he was happy ... and embarrassed. I think if Paula had seen Matt's sweet face, she might have agreed to cater our wedding.