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: hospitality
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
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
Board Games We Love
*** As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. *** Over many years our family has not only collected many beloved board games, but we have also created life long memories around the table laughing, strategizing, competing, and enjoying the company of friends and family. We have accumulated our collection over more … Continue reading Board Games We Love
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
Christmas Letter 2019
The past two years, I have done a digital Christmas card/blog post update. You can read 2017 here and 2018 here. And while I did actually mail out about 25 paper Christmas cards (to family only), I have had so much fun doing a year-end wrap up previously, I decided to do it again this … Continue reading Christmas Letter 2019
Paying Attention: August + September
In 2019, I’m going back to one of my first loves: writing occasional blog posts about what’s going on in my life. My only goal is to reflect on each month and as it draws to a close, take note where my intentions and actions intersect. I’m calling this 12 part series, “The Art of … Continue reading Paying Attention: August + September
Paying Attention: July
In 2019, I’m going back to one of my first loves: writing occasional blog posts about what’s going on in my life. My only goal is to reflect on each month and as it draws to a close, take note where my intentions and actions intersect. I’m calling this 12 part series, “The Art of … Continue reading Paying Attention: July
Paying Attention: June
In 2019, I’m going back to one of my first loves: writing occasional blog posts about what’s going on in my life. My only goal is to reflect on each month and as it draws to a close, take note where my intentions and actions intersect. I’m calling this 12 part series, “The Art of … Continue reading Paying Attention: June
the story of our lives 