Here is a photo of my BFF and her hubby...
Are they not just the cutest couple ever?!?!? (Yes I am a little bias as you are looking at my God Baby's mama and daddy)! Bahahaha!!!!
Well my BFF's hubby just left on Sunday for a year long deployment over sea's. Sigh... as a military wife myself who has gone though more over sea's deployments than I care to count (that would be four in ten years of marriage), I know how crappy this week was going to be! So to cheer her up I put together a
"Deployment Survival Kit"..... Now first I probably should share with you that my love language is gifts! I love love love to give and GET gifts!!! And when I give gifts they tend to be very thoughtful and tailored to the person who is getting said gift.
Now having said all of that - I have to tell you my Deployment Survival Kit turned out
PRETTY DARN CUTE if I do say so myself!!!! So for all my fellow military wives who might have a BFF going through the same thing, I thought I would share my recipe for the "Deployment Survival Kit".
First I went out and purchased all the items needs:
And then I attached printed slips of paper on each item to explain what it was for:
And then I wrapped the whole thing up and presented it to her with a card and a framed photo that I had stolen from Facebook from the send off of her hubby and the kids (I put the photo in an American Flag frame).
All in all I think it turned out really cute and it seemed to lift her spirits at least for a little while - and hey - that's what it as well about!!! (And even my hubby thought it was pretty cool and is convinced that I should sell them on my website!! LOL)
Now for all of you that would like to do something similar, here is an alphabetical list of all the things I put in my "Kit" and what each one of them was for.....
366 One Min Devotions ~ To help you count down the days and to find comfort in each one.
Air Horn ~ To get everyone’s attention.
American Flag ~ To remind you what the sacrifice is for.
(This was the item that actually made her cry!!)
Bubble Wrap ~ To help relieve some stress!
Calgon ~ When you just need to be “Taken away”.
Diamond Paperweight ~ To remind you, you are a gem!
Disguise Kit ~ For when you just want to hide out.
Envelopes ~ To seal with a kiss.
Erasers ~ For when you just want to erase the days.
Faith Magnet ~ To remind you to keep the faith.
Flashlight ~ To remind you there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Godiva Chocolate Bar ~ ‘Cause chocolate makes everything better!
Hair bands ~ To hold your hair back when you just want to pull it out!
Hand Sanitizer ~ To clean your hands after doing all the manly dirty work.
Hersey Kisses ~ To remind you of your soldier's kisses.
Ick Stick ~ For when things just really stink!
Johnson’s Baby Wash ~ To remind you there should be “no more tears”.
Jumbo Paper Clip ~ To help you hold it all together.
Kleenex ~ To wipe away the tears.
Laffy Taffy ~ To remind you to take time to laugh.
Life Savers ~ To remind you, YOU are one!
Marbles ~ For when you have lost yours!
Mega phone ~ So you can be heard.
Monster Energy Drink ~ For when you need the energy to make it through the day.
Mounds Candy Bar ~ To remind you of the “mounds” of love and support you have from family and friends.
Nail Files ~ For when you hit a snag.
Peanuts ~ For when you feel like you are going nuts!
Pens ~ To sign all your X’s and O’s.
Pom Pom’s ~ For when you need to be cheered on!
Punch Balls ~ For when you feel like punching something.
Relaxing Music CD ~ To help you take time to relax.
Rolo’s ~ To remind you to roll with the punches.
Screwdriver Kit ~ For when you are feeling like all your screws are lose.
Silly Putty ~ For when you are being pulled in all directions.
Stationary ~ For all the letters you will be writing.
Strawberry Daiquiri (aka “Mama Juice”) ~ For when you just need a DRINK!
Sucker ~ Because deployments just SUCK!
Thank you cards ~ To thank those that are there to lend support and help.
Timer ~ For when you need some time out.
To Do List ~ To help you keep up with all the “to do’s”.
Twizzlers ~ Just because they are your favorite!
(These just happen to by my BFF's favorite candy! LOL)
Whoppers ~ For when it has been a Whooper of a day!
Wiggle eyes pen ~ For when you need that extra set of eyes.
Worry Stone ~ To take your worries away.
Yo Yo ~ To remind you there will be up and down days and it’s OK!
Most of the items I picked up at the dollar store (each item was only a $1), the basket I got at Michael's (for 40% off), and the rest of the stuff I picked up at Wally World!
I would love to hear if you use my "kit" for any of your friends going though or facing a deployment and what they thought.
Until Next Time!
Cya~
Lori McDonald, Designer
My cutter files work on many machines. Some examples are the: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the most common softwares involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create and Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, and Robomaster. These file are available exclusively at: VDBC!!! We also specialize in original photo keepsakes(including our one of a kind photo Stars). Additionally we are in the process of adding a new "Honoring your Hero" line of products. Make sure to visit our Store!
Don't forget to check back often as we host our scrapbooking digital cutting file freebies at least once a week!!!
