Wives of Faith Blog Carnival

Twice each year Wives of Faith puts on a military spouse blog carnival. I don't know why I haven't participated recently, but I'm back in the game. It's a blast!

This year, I helped design their button. Take a look!

The 2012 Military Spouse Appreciation Blog Carnival begins Monday! Click here for the details!

I can't wait to write and read along with so many incredible women of faith who are sharing the same military adventure all across the world!

The Kiss

Easter is my favorite holiday. I love the thrill of celebrating Jesus coming back to life! What better celebration than knowing that death has been defied! If you don't know the story of Easter, I'd suggest reading Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament. If you have read it, read it again. It's good stuff.

Oh Easter! I am not a winter person. Easter marks spring in my book and just another reason to celebrate!

And what's a celebration without a little food? Easter brings the arrival of jelly beans and Peeps. Oh, how I love Peeps. I love biting into their chewy, gritty little bodies. They're even better when left out to dry for a few days. Oh soooo good.

Not only are Peeps delicious, they are art. I love the Peeps Show from the Washington Post. Peeps take on a whole new role, from political statements to entertainment. I have always dreamed of entering, but just never had the courage.

This year when I stumbled upon the the AAFES Exchange Patriot Peeps Contest contest, I knew this was my answer. I had a chance at winning if I came up with the right theme - the rules stated that it must be a patriotic scene that evokes emotion.

First things first - I needed a good team. I enlisted The Man and my mom and we started brainstorming. The Man suggested The Kiss in Times Square on V-J Day (interestingly enough, it's actually called Duffy Square after Chaplin Francis P. Duffy and the 69th Infantry Regiment. Another ode to American Military History. Okay, I'm a nerd.).

Back to the story...

We had a theme and we began researching and studying the kiss. I was busy formulating a plan to build the diorama when The Man had a change in plans and was on his way to Utah for work for a few weeks.

One third of my team - gone!

Oh well. I had probably gotten all that I was going to get out of him anyway. I soldiered on.

I headed to my parents house to work (their dining room table was the perfect workspace, my dog is (sort of) welcome and The Boy could hang with Grandpa). My mom had a box picked out and we started in.

You wouldn't believe how sticky Peeps are when a little of their sparkle goes missing. We had Peeps glitter and Peeps body parts all over the place! At one point, my parents' dog, Molly, had a Peeps body part stuck to her leg that Odin licked off.

I never claimed Peeps diorama building was pretty.

Odin and Molly hanging out.

After hours of work and about one million pictures, here are the final results!

Overview of the scene.

I like this shot because you can see most of the details, from the flag flying high,
to the BX/PX and Peeps advertisements on the central building,
to the onlookers with their detailed outfits!

This is the modern day shot that I turned black and white for authenticity.

V-J Day in Times Square

A white-clad peep is surprised as an uninhibited sailor peep plants his lips squarely on hers.
Passersby, including a friendly sailor, two chatting chicks, a business man and nurse,
stare at the celebratory kiss while iconic advertisements add to the celebration of
Victory over Japan in New York’s Times Square.

Oh, yeah, almost forgot...we won!

Army Wives

Who doesn't love a coming home ceremony? Plus...who had the brilliant idea to guest star Susan Lucci? I love this show.

Maybe I should be ashamed to admit this, but I love Lifetime's show, Army Wives.

There isn't another show, ever, that I have been more into.

As the wife of an Active Duty Army National Guardsman, I live my Army Wife Life through this show. Before I get too carried away, I do realize that it's just a tv show. Don't worry, I don't think that it's exactly what life on post is like. However, there are a few things I like to think that I would take advantage of if I lived on post - here is a list of my top five:

MWR
Ah shoot. I'm using acronyms already! For my non-military friends MWR stands for Morale, Welfare and Recreation. What a resource! I think if I lived on post, I'd get a job in the MWR office. Or at least volunteer. There are always ideas, perks and opportunities to be found. I have found online MWR programs aren't as easy to navigate as just going into a physical office. We've used MWR facilities while on vacation or while visiting for various reasons and they've always been a favorite stop.

Exchange and Commissary
I've heard many grumbles about the BX/PX and Commissary. I just can't imagine beating some of the products and prices without going to a mall. I'm not a mall shopper, or much of a shopper at all. Which is maybe why I like shopping there. Or perhaps they pump something through the air to make it more attractive for us non-posties. Although the Exchange may not be Wal-Mart or Target, at some of the larger stores I think the quality and pricing makes it better than the chain big box stores. Where else can you find low-end and high-end products mingling together (think Kathy Ireland and Coach). Where else do you find that?

I can't speak much for the Commissary, but I've had a few good experiences and usually walk away pleased.

Common Understanding
All of you military wives living in a civilian world know what I'm talking about. It's when someone at church or the grocery store or at work walks up to you and is so surprised that your husband is gone, again. This is where living vicariously through the show Army Wives has me the most jealous. Honestly, I get really sick of explaining where my husband is this time around. I feel like I'm listening to a broken pity record...Oh it must be so hard for him to be away...So you Skype every night?...Call me if you need anything....And the list goes on, and on. I feel bad getting upset about it because I know every non-military person in my life means well. I just have an appreciation for those military people who are in my life who just get it. No million questions about Skype. No feeling sorry for me. No pity party. Just a common understanding.

Adventure
I can't imagine moving every three years. However, I can imagine living in different places. I am grateful to be close to family. Please do not mistake that for appreciating the adventure that a military career can offer someone willing to look at it as an adventure.
Appreciation
I think what I'm missing most is a full appreciation for all types of active duty military families. I haven't had to leave my family, my home, and everything familiar so I don't fully understand what sacrifices they have had to make. I think I could be more empathetic and maybe more understanding to the needs of a military family. I also think that might help me be a better community member no matter where I live.

Is there anything else that you'd add to this list? Or that maybe I'm way off base on? I'd love to hear more, just try to keep it positive!