CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SOLDIERS

American Hero Hugs is participating in Christmas Cards for Soldiers. We are very excited about this project. We designed our own special Christmas card and have had 200 cards made. 100 cards have already been sent out to 10 volunteers. Each volunteer received 10 cards to get signed by friends, family, co-workers. They will then send them to the organizer by Nov. 1, 2010. People really do want to help and participate but sometimes they just don't know how. We Can't thank Jessica Lloyd and the Warrant Officers Wives Club for organizing this event and making it so easy for people to participate.

I am very happy with our card because it holds special meaning for me. When my grandmother was alive she used to make homemade cards for birthdays, holidays and sometimes just because. She called them Tightwad Cards. My grandmother loved her country, her state and the small town where she lived. She had so much gratitude for the men and woman that made our freedoms possible. When trying to come up with a card design I immediately thought of her cards. I kept every card she sent so I dug them out and found the Christmas cards. Through the magic of the scanner I was able to scan in her artwork and use it for our card. I'm sure she would be very proud to know that I used her card to produce our American Hero Hugs Thank-You For Your Service Christmas Card. Not only does this experience give us the chance to do something for our soldiers to show that we support them, but on a personal level it gave me a few moments to sit and reflect about of the most amazing and beautiful women that every walked this earth and for that I even more grateful. Click the link above to find out how you can participate.

It was a tough job but doesn't compare to a HERO's Sacrifice

Recently American Hero Hugs was asked to create gifts for the family of a fallen HERO.

Army Staff Sgt James R Ide V, cause of Death: wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire is survived by his wife and two small children.

We are so honored to be asked to this. It wasn't an easy task. They wanted our American Hero Hugs pillowcase but asked for a different poem so I created the following poem for them.

As you close your eyes to sleep

I leave my love for you to keep.

I am with you night and day,

In your heart I will always stay

.

We were also asked to create something special for his wife, and with inspirational guidance from my friend Jodi, who is a friend of Ide family and an Army wife herself, I was able to create this poem for her. I hope it brings a small comfort. The words and work for this project have come fairly easy. The emotion it has produced is much more difficult and uncomfortable, but leaves me feeling such gratitude for Staff Sgt James R Ide, his wife and their beautiful children and for all of the other HEROES big and small that sacrifice so much for our freedom.

I Support Military Kids Slideshow

We Support Military Kids!

We recently asked fans on our Facebook fan sites to submit pictures of their little HEROES and we asked the question, "Why do you love your HERO?" We used the pictures that were submitted and the answers to the question to make this slideshow. Bringing awareness to the sacrifices these little HEROES make, goes along with the AmericanHeroHugs mission of "Honoring the HERO and the CHILD."

ARMY WIVES PRAYER

I just found this prayer while looking for quotes and wanted to share it and some thoughts it provoked.

Army wives prayer

Dear Lord,
Give me the greatness of heart to see the difference between duty and his love for me. Give me understanding that I may know, when duty calls him he must go. Give me a task to do each day, to fill the time when he's away. And Lord, when he's in a foreign land, keep him safe in your loving hand. And Lord, when duty is in the field, please protect him and be his shield. And Lord, when deployment is so long, please stay with me and keep me strong. Amen.

Often times when we are married to someone with an important job that requires them to put their duty first, it is hard not take it personally. It is important to remember their commitment to their duty doesn't mean they love you less, it is a reflection of the love they have for you. Supporting them to perform their duty is a reflection of the love you have for them.

When left alone during long deployments or sudden changes, it is important to keep yourself busy and utilize all of the support systems available. Do the things that make you happy and bring you joy. Do the things you would do together but only if they bring you comfort. Being able to take care of yourself is a gift you can give your deployed HERO.

Always rely on the power of faith that they will return safely. Never give up your faith and your hope. Staying positive will help you move from day to day. Surround yourself with people who are positive so you can pull each other up when you get down. Turn to your support system in times of need, tell them when you need help. People will help you but you have to be willing to ask.

Always remember to take care of yourself and to take pride in the duty you are performing by being a supportive and committed military spouse. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND WE THANK-YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

XOXO

~T&K~

A picture opens the gateway for support

We recently posted this beautiful picture on our I support military kids facebook fan site. We were not at all surprised that it opened up a dialogue among fans who have experienced a similar moment. This picture for some, represents the moment they said goodbye and for others it represents the long awaited homecoming. This picture invokes so much emotion for those who have lived this experience. Whether it's the sad moment of goodbye or the joy of a homecoming, it's a shared experienced for these brave families. It's a moment of sacrifice we must all notice and be grateful for.

AmericanHeroHugs For Veterans

Recently I was going through old photos and found some of my dad when he was in the military so I decided to try to make dog tags with them. I love the results! A personalized dog tag would make a get gift for your HERO too. How fun would this be for the kids to have of their Grandparent? Recognizing HEROES past and present is not only a gift for the HERO but a great lesson in showing gratitude for those who proudly and bravely served and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy in our great country. Order your AmericanHeroHugs dog tag TODAY at www.AmericanHeroHugs.com.

7 Positive Things

1. Focus on just today.
No one can control tomorrow. Try to only focus on what needs to be done Today.

2. Take time for you.
Everyone needs and deserves a break. We are better parents and people when we relax a little. It's amazing what even as little as 10 minutes of personal time can do for your outlook.

3. Think positive!!
Keep a small notebook and write down 5 things at the end of the day that you are grateful for. This one simple thing changes lives because it changes the way we view the world. You begin to view it with gratitude!

4. Choose your battles.
Decide what's really is important to acknowledge. The small stuff that worries us or stresses us out is not worth the energy we choose to put into it.

5. Hug those babies of yours and tell them you love them everyday. Kids are resilient and even when we make mistakes. They just want our love and will forgive.

6. Keep family and friends close.
Having a support system during deployment is critical. Join groups and reach out for help when you need it. Isolation will lead to depression. So many people want to help so be willing to reach out for the help. Their is great strength in numbers. We LOVE to help you!!

7. Laugh when you feel like crying. Lay down on the floor with the kids and each of you put your head on the others belly and start to laugh. It will be fake at first but soon there will be real laughter and you will feel much better. Laughter is not only the best medicine it's the best stress reliever too.