Fabulous Army Life

 Christy and me with adorable Matthew  We were thrilled when we found out some great friends were in town, visiting from their current home of London, England.  Rich and Christy have been friends of ours since 2005, a friendship solidified during our shared 2006 deployment.  Nate and Rich worked together on the 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division staff while Christy and I got to know each other back at home. They recently adopted a beautiful little boy, Matthew.  They are wonderful friends and amazing parents and we were thrilled to be able to catch up with them -- and meet their precious son -- on their Christmas trip-across-Texas. Nate and Rich enjoy catching up.  Matthew enjoys lunch with Mom. Matthew meets Leo, who is not concerned at all about his face being baby-smashed.  Trey enjoys reading with a new friend! Matthew wrestles his dad for the camera.

Red Dragon elves ready to wrap gifts at the Clear Creek PX Day One of wrapping gifts for donations. We had a wonderful day of fundraising today at the Clear Creek PX on Fort Hood.  Six Red Dragon ladies served as elves helping wrap gifts for donations.  We had a great time together and enjoyed the shoppers who stopped by for help with their gifts during the busy holiday season!

I admit it; I have committed what a good friend terms a "Mommy Foul." I was not diligent enough in checking my creepy-radar before I took my nine-year-old to see "A Christmas Carol" this weekend. I carelessly assumed that a Disney movie with Jim Carrey targeted to kids would be .... well, not so creepy. I envisioned more of an animated, humorous, Mary Poppins-like, don't-we-all-feel-like-a-Merry Christmas-now kind of movie. What we saw was a very dark, scary, and creepy version of this classic tale. I know, I know. You're all shaking your fingers at me and thinking, "Hasn't she heard the story of 'A Christmas Carol' before?" Yes, of course I have, and yes, I knew it would have ghosts that visit, but I was fooled into thinking that they would be a happy, Casper-like ghosts, smiling and gently reminding our beloved Scrooge to be more giving and kind. These ghosts were more of the 'your-soul-is-bound-for-Hell' kind of ghosts an...