One of the things I have done over the years that has added immense value to me is to regularly document our family life. The benefits include: a succinct way to organize photos and memories, a digital scrapbook/record book of daily life that will be archived in a way that brings our entire family joy … Continue reading January Wood Family Adventures
Category: growth
Christmas Letter 2020
I've been writing these year end reflections for over a decade now but the last few have also served as a digital Christmas card in years when I haven't sent them at all or only sent a small stash to blood relatives. Photo credit: Liz MacMurray (Read previous letters here: 2017 || 2018 || 2019) … Continue reading Christmas Letter 2020
Top 10 Things I’ve Watched in 2020
Admittedly this year, I have probably consumed more media via television shows and movies than in many years if not ever. 2020 brought us A LOT of time at home sheltering in place, stuck at home, and without the ability to go see movies on the big screen. For posterity, here are my top 10 … Continue reading Top 10 Things I’ve Watched in 2020
Top 10 Helpful Discoveries of 2020
All year I have completed hundreds of 10 Good Things Lists. At the conclusion of 2020, I’m writing a series of blog posts on some of the best things that got me through this year. The next list that is up is my Top 10 Helpful Discoveries of 2020. Think of this as kind of … Continue reading Top 10 Helpful Discoveries of 2020
Top 10 Books of 2020
All year I have completed hundreds of 10 Good Things Lists. At the conclusion of 2020, I'm writing a series of blog posts on some of the best things that got me through this year. The first list that is up is my Top 10 Books of 2020. (*denotes books that were released in 2020) … Continue reading Top 10 Books of 2020
Fort Polk: Letters to Myself
The time has come to write my traditional "Some thoughts on __________ and why Fort _________ is the Army's Best Kept Secret" post like I have done at Fort Bliss , Fort Gordon, and for our short stay at Fort Jackson. I have found that writing these reflections are a vital part of my own closure … Continue reading Fort Polk: Letters to Myself
When a PCS and a Pandemic Collide
I know that everyone has it hard right now. There are dozens if not hundreds of extenuating circumstances that theoretically feel 100 times worse because you are adding the weight of that hard and terrible thing to a pandemic. Within my own personal circles I know of friends who are grieving lost loved ones during … Continue reading When a PCS and a Pandemic Collide
10 Good Things Master List
Here's a complete list of everything I have mentioned in my weekly IG TV 10 Good Things lists. Week 1: March 21 Bodyboss Workout Method The Message Bible Batiste Dry Shampoo Vitamin B12 Vitamin D3 Sourdough Starter Pep Talk Essential Oil Equate Zyrtec Tweezers + 10x magnifying mirror Sally Hansen's "Drop the Beet" Week … Continue reading 10 Good Things Master List
Notes From a Reporter’s Desk: United Through Reading
"Once Upon a Deployment" for Books Make a Difference appears here. When the assignment first came in to cover United Through Reading, I imagined writing this type of article to be a slam dunk. I’d read up on UTR, write up my draft, and hit submit to my editor, Terri. After all, it combined … Continue reading Notes From a Reporter’s Desk: United Through Reading
10 Tips for Peaceful (Temporary) Homeschooling
With the news of the COVID-19 and ensuing school closures, many parents just got a new job: Homeschooling Coordinator. It's been interesting to see all of the reactions people are posting on social media. About a third seem to be completely freaking out and terrified of the implications, about a third seem to be curious … Continue reading 10 Tips for Peaceful (Temporary) Homeschooling
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