A fallen soldier.

I need your help.

Robb and I stayed the night at my mom's house the night before we flew out to CHA. As we pulled into her neighborhood we were overcome by the flag-lined street. There were 400 flags leading up to the Barnes home. Across their house was a huge banner that read, "Sergent Nathan Barnes: Returning with Honor." I was so very happy. Their soldier had returned home. The next morning, we drove to the airport and I heard the news. Nathan had been killed in Iraq. He was exiting a helicopter that was under fire and he was shot. I was just so overcome. The Barnes family are the loveliest people. They are kind and generous and I just could not believe what had happened--my heart just ached.
I went to my mother's this weekend and I saw Brother and Sister Barnes in sacrament meeting. I didn't know what to say, so I didn't say anything. But I knew that I wanted to do something. And I need YOUR help. I want to put together a box of cards to give to the Barnes family. I'm asking for anyone and everyone to make a card dedicated to this lost son/ brother/ uncle, so I can send them to his family. Through the feelings of loss and sadness I feel this overwhelming gratefulness. Nathan gave his life for this country and now his family must survive that loss.
If you are willing to help, please e-mail me at papertangos@yahoo.com and I'll send you my address. If you are a Poppy Ink member, you can send your card to the return address on your boxes. Please send the cards to me by August 20th. If you can, please spread the word. I want this family to know that their son will not be forgotten and that amazing people from all over the country know abt his story.
You can read more abt him here.

Thank you.

And we're off.

Um. Hi. :D

We are leaving tomorrow on our CHA journey. Yippy! And then not-so-yippy. I have like a mega-load of work to do...think positive, Heather, think positive... :P

We don't fly out until early Thursday morning, but we're staying the night at my mom's so we can be a bit closer to the airport. I'm thinking that this whole thing is going to be pretty overwhelming, but I'm like totally excited! And my little man. I'm going to miss him. The little man, however, keeps talking abt all the things he'll be doing with his munga fuss (grandma) while we are away. Is it weird that I want him to miss me? At least a little. I wrapped up a little gift for everyday that we're away, and I tied a photo of Robb and I to each one. It would be impossible for him to forget abt us in six days, right?

Here's some pics of our latest little lake trip. We head out when things get stressful and the bickering starts. I think it really helps us unwind and be more productive, and Gibby LOVES being there. I love being able to sit one my pretty beach blanket with my shades and a bag-full of magazines and just veg. Really it's the best thing ever. :)


AND. Robbie has been too busy to post the sneaky-peek of the August add-ons so I'm posting it here. There'll be two, and they're darling! I can't wait to show off everything. :)





Well. I really must finish up with the wash and get packing! :)

See you in Chicago!