Happy New Year!  I was unable to prepare and send a Christmas letter last year so I hope that your 2015 was a blessed one.  After serving ten months overseas last year, I was happy to return home where the privileges so many of us take for granted have been appreciated more than ever this year at home.  Words cannot describe what it felt like to cook again, eat off glass plates, use real silverware as opposed to Styrofoam and plastic, walk ten steps to the bathroom and in your bare feet as opposed to walking outside to the opposite side of the base, drive again, live in a room larger than an 8ft by 10ft space, use my own washer and dryer, wear my high heels and boots, have internet I can depend on, talk on the phone and not lose the connection, and so many other things.  Deployment granted me newfound appreciation, but more importantly, also afforded me the opportunity to learn some of the most valuable lessons of my career up to this point.

Last September, I was offered an opportunity to take a new job as a Brigade Adjutant.  In October, I found out the job was mine.  In November, I was on a plane back to the states!  It was a bittersweet feeling saying goodbye to the Soldiers that had been with me since my arrival to the unit.  Each taught me something valuable.  My new job is very different but I feel truly grateful to have been given the challenge and opportunity to work with a group of different people and perform a different set of job skills.

Jordan was a lot of rock and desert; however, I was afforded some time to travel off base and see some gorgeous parts of the country—the Jordan River, Baptismal site of Jesus, Mount Nebo and return back to the Dead Sea.  Not many can say they’ve seen the Dead Sea twice in one lifetime and from two different countries as I have from both Israel and Jordan!  My platoon and I were also able to take a few trips into the capital, Amman.

I became a homeowner last December!  I love my house and slowly fashioned it into a “home” this past year.  While expensive, it’s been fun for picky and particular me to figure out what it is I like and want!

While I may have been deployed with a mission to do my family was at home fighting a different battle.  As many of you know, my mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in July 2015.  It is very difficult to be so far away when something like that happens.  After surgery and testing, and the amazing news that she would not have to endure Chemotherapy or Radiation, our family is proud and blessed to say that she is cancer free.  I am grateful to each of you whom offered her and our family support in the way of help, meals, rides, encouragement, and prayers.  Each act of your kindness and generosity was appreciated more than you could ever know.  Even from the other side of the world, I could feel the love and support.

In Connecticut, my dad remarried.  Brianne, after a year of recovery from her brain surgery and after affects, was able to finally return to work.  Most recently however, she has been diagnosed with Lyme’s Disease so if you would continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers, I would greatly appreciate it.  Her recovery has been long and difficult and she still has a long way to go.

My brother, Jimmy, completed Basic Combat Training in February at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.  He made the decision earlier this year to commission with the Tennessee National Guard.  He also became a firefighter, continues to manage his Landscaping business and bought a house!  I am incredibly proud of him.

My sisters continue to do well—Kaci having graduated with another degree in Occupational Therapy, Mara graduating with a degree in Business, and Kalli excelling in Nursing School.  They are each coming into their own and I couldn’t be happier for or more proud of them.

One of the best things about returning home was reuniting with my sweet Ava girl.  For those of you that have Facebook, I know how many laughs you received almost weekly from the faux “chaos” she was “allegedly” causing my sister, Mara, and mother at home. Sadly though, I lost my baby this year.  I miss her; the house was much quieter without her.  She gave me some of the best laughs and smiles in two short years.  She was my little cuddle buddy and secret keeper, my greeter every morning and evening, an absolute comfort and joy.  Kitty Heaven gained a sweet, yet feisty, sassy, but adorable little kitty angel.  In June, I added back to the family when I ventured into PetsMart on Adoption Saturday on a whim.  I fell in love with a three month old orange baby and was then talked into a second one ending up with the orange baby’s sister—a fluffy, multi colored, medium hair girl with some attitude.  They are both adorable, equally crazy, and color my days with their silly antics and playful nature.  Cheeto and Stormy are the new kitty faces on Facebook you’ve probably seen by now.

In August, I made the promotable list and am set to promote to Captain in February.  In September, I celebrated my four year anniversary of signing the dotted line!  I can hardly believe four years have passed already—certainly four of the most rewarding, fulfilling, educational, yet challenging years of my life.

I resumed classes for my Masters this past summer with Webster University.  I am seeking a new degree in Management and Leadership.  It is slow going and I have not been able to take classes with regularity but one class at a time, one semester at a time, I will eventually begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I am set to deploy again just shortly after the start of the new year but just for a short six months.  This will be my last year in North Carolina before it is time to move back to Oklahoma for the Captain’s Career Course school next November.  I have much to look forward to and a toolbox full of knowledge and education to bring along with me.

I hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas.  I wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year!  May God continue to bless you in 2017 with good health, appreciation for the things we take for granted, fulfillment and joy.