I am a small and precious child,
my dad’s been sent to fight…
The only place I’ll see his face,
is in my dreams at night.
He will be gone too many days
for my young mind to keep track.
I may be sad, but I am proud.
My daddy’s got your back.

I am a strong and loving wife,
with a husband soon to go.
There are times I’m terrified,
in a way most never know.
I bite my lip,
and force a smile,
as I watch my husband pack…
My heart may break,
but I am proud.
My husband’s got your back…

I am a soldier…
Serving proudly,
standing tall.
I fight for freedom,
yours and mine,
by answering this call.
I do my job while knowing,
the thanks it sometimes lacks.
Say a prayer that I’ll come home.
It’s me who’s got your back.

http://www.operationhomelink.org/

It all begins here...welcome to the Jackson Zoo, Military Kids! Have a blast!  

Coach Rowe and the sweet Olier girls, Riley and Emily, enjoying an awesome day at the zoo! We love our soldiers!  

Zach, Riley, Blake, and Emily hanging out in the animal's den! Lions, Tigers, and Bears...Oh My!  

Blake's fuzzy black bear! Too Cute! 

Emily posing with her flamingos!  

Is that a monkey? No, that's Zach Lewis!! 

"Chip" the chimpanzee enjoying a delicious orange that he worked hard to get! He was definitely a smart guy!  

We made faces at Gary! He made faces back! 

Everyone...meet our new friend who we like to call "Gary" the golden-belly mangaby monkey! He put on quite a show! Hilarious could not even begin to describe this fiesty fella! We all agree, GARY was our favorite! LOL!  

Theater of all the animals these kids wanted to stay with at the zoo! Zach as "Gary", Riley the spitting monkey, Emily the fancy flamingo, and Blake the black fuzzy bear! (I mean ferocious, Blake...not fuzzy! LOL!) 

Blake the parrot! 

Riley the elephant! 

Zach re-enacting what "Gary" was doing as a orangatan (have no idea if I spelled that right! LOL!) 

Emily the Leopard! 

After a jumping contest at the zoo, Blake takes the lead as a "wallaby"... 

All aboard! This train is pulling out! Hang on! 

Coach Rowe, or Mrs.Kandice, enjoying the train ride with the awesome military kids and her sweet friend Catherine (who is taking the picture!) We had so much fun! 

Blake and Zach on a train ride. 

Cooling off after a fun, hot day at the zoo! 

Nothing beats playing in a sprinkler on a hot July day! 

Blake and Zach having a blast! 

Emily and Riley cooling off! 

SGT Max gets in on the sprinkler action! 

A Military Wife's Prayer

Give me the greatness of heart to see,
The difference between duty and his love for me.
Give me understanding so 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.
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.
Author Unknown

Happy 4th of July to our soldiers. We love you!! 

smoke bombs on the fourth of July. Blake, Zach, Drew, and Holly