Love is marching to His Heartbeat...

I've been listening to this band called Barlow Girl recently ... one of their songs, Love is Marching, reminds me a lot of my family and how blessed I am to have them. The song talks about how our ability to help change this world for the better, comes through those that choose to love. I'm not sure how I got so lucky. I see each of my family members and the way they've chosen to selflessly give and love others around them -- and if anything, they've made a huge impact on my life.

My dad is one of few people I know that can balance his busy military career with his family. Despite long and stressful hours at work, he always found time for us growing up -- we were his priority. I'm thankful to have him as my father. He's a true man of God, and someone I look up to.
Moms are an amazing gift -- mine has been not only my caretaker, but my friend. She giving and kind, and has blessed so many peoples' lives with her friendship. I don't know how she ever managed 6 kids, and now a toddler, but she does it with grace. I hope that one day I can be the same loving mother like she has been to me.

Big brothers. I dont' know what i'd do without mine! Zach is one of my best friends -- he always looked out for us when we were growing up -- especially during all our moves. Zach is a Pilot in the AF. He's one of few people i've seen follow their dreams. I'm so thankful to have him in my life.

Tyler -- my first little brother! He is the funniest person I know ... he somehow has the ability to capture an entire room's attention with his humor, and will have you rolling with laughter for hours. I love him, not only because he brightens your day, but because of how he will show love to even a stranger, no matter what their background might be.

Alexa ... (doodlebug). This girl can talk a mile-a-minute without taking a breath. She has amazing lung capacity, which is also why she has such a beautiful singing voice! I love having her as a sister and best friend -- she has a big heart, very passionate about people and the path that God is taking her in.

Josie -- no matter how big he gets, he'll always be my baby brother. I could listen to him play guitar forever -- he has an amazing gift in music, one that I know he's blessed a lot of people with. I've so enjoyed watching him grow up to be the kind, giving, handsom young man that he is!

Laurie! She is growing up so fast, and into such a wonderful woman of God. She has a huge heart for missions, and seeing her travel across the US and world to just serve others, makes me so proud. It just shows that you're never too young to touch lives - I love her so much!
Olivia -- the newest addition to the Walrond family! I've only had the chance to be with her twice, but meeting her, and seeing how she has fit right into the family has been wonderful. She is the cutest thing -- and definitely full of character! I can't wait to get to know her more and love on her. So happy to have another sister.

I Love Food: part 1

I’m fairly certain that food is one of my favorite past times. It’s not just that I adore food – and believe me, I a-d-o-r-e food – it’s that food seems to make up many of my fondest memories. Beyond just consuming amazing meals, the time you spend preparing the meal with a loved one, going to dinner with a close friend, or simply watching your mother mix up something incredible (with no recipe in sight), gives way to many special moments, with special people – and for that, food is close to my heart :)

I’m not sure what I love more: living in a city that seems to be the food capital for mouth-water dinners and scenic views, OR, finally having a kitchen to call my own, where I can experiment (often unsuccessfully) to my hearts content.

Since living in Charleston, Phil and I have tried several different restaurants in the city and in neighboring cities – some of them, especially one, has become a Judge favorite. If you are ever in Charleston , I must recommend “The Peninsula Grill” – Phil and I happened to be walking downtown one afternoon when we came across this restaurant – it’s jammed between other small shops and businesses near Market street, so we almost missed it. The small courtyard and garden attached to the side of the restaurant caught our eye though. We made late reservations, and came back that night dressed for a special occasion. Although the dinner as a whole is fairly pricey (about $50 dollars a person for a meal, drink and a dessert to split), it was worth every penny.

Phil’s family visited last year—and after raving about this place, we all went together for a meal. Lucky for us, there was a perfect spot in the courtyard to eat outside and enjoy the nice Lowcountry weather. One of my favorite parts about this restaurant is the atmosphere – the fact that in the heart of the city you can sit in a small garden with palm trees and lanterns, is amazing – its very Charleston! The seafood is delicious and fresh, and the chef always brings out a sampler “on the house.”

To finish off our meal, we split their famous Coconut Cake, which was featured on a Bobby Flay throwdown on the Food Network. Needless to say, we created some great memories over a wonderful meal. This place has certainly found a spot in my heart (and my stomache)!

Four months and counting!

I officially have less than 2 months to go before I’ll be heading home from Iraq! That is an amazing feeling. Everything about going home is exciting to me – sleeping in my own bed, seeing Phil again, taking Gus on walks, visiting family, mowing my lawn, cooking in my kitchen…and on and on. It’s funny the little things that I so miss.

I can’t complain at all about this deployment though – This has been an amazing experience for me from day one – I feel pretty blessed to have this opportunity. I get to work with my closest friends here everyday, plan trips that take us all over the country and see places I didn’t even know existed. It’s amazing, because I feel like God really has had his hand in this whole journey. Everything from the timing for me coming here, to my awesome roommate, to the friendships I’ve made and my job position – it’s all very humbling, because I feel pretty undeserving to have all of this wrapped into one deployment. And while I know I’ll be ready to come home when my date rolls around, I can truly say that I’m going to miss the lifelong friendships I’ve made here.

It’s funny, because despite the times we’ve spent running to take “cover”, things don’t seem so grim when you’re in this thing together :)

If there is one thing I’ve learned over here, it’s that life is what you make of it – we’ve taken some pretty ordinary circumstances here and made them lasting memories. I’ve also come to realize even more the blessings in my life that I have at home -- things I don’t want to take for granted – a loving husband, supportive family and friends, and a house to go home to.

Thank you all for the support and especially the prayers during this time – they’ve been felt. You have no idea how much your emails, letters and packages have meant -- words cannot express how special they have been.

I look forward to seeing all of you in the near future – miss you and love you!

New Years goal one...of many.

Well, here it is…this girl finally has a blog. I’ve been itching to do it for a long time, and never have found the time or energy to establish one. As one of many goals for 2010 (definitely realized recently how many areas of my life could use some work), I’m going to start journaling again…only this time online!

This is a somewhat selfish goal, as it doesn’t matter if a soul ever reads this. It’s just nice to get your thoughts down … and this time, with a pretty background.

I must say, I’m excited to be in a new year. 2009 came with its many ups and downs, as I guess every year does – this year just seemed emotionally harder than others. In just one year, Phil and I gained a new Judge family member, our giant golden retriever Gus. He has kept me company on many nights when Phil and I have been apart due to our jobs. Although, I’ve lost a great deal of socks and underwear, I’ve gained a constant companion. By summertime, the Walrond family welcomed a new family member as well – Olivia, my adorable little sister from China. We waited years to get her, and prayed for her long before she was even born. How wonderful to have a toddler back in the family – she is pure joy.

Shortly after meeting the little one, I found out I’d be heading to Iraq for a 6 month tour. You would think after going through 3 other deployments, being apart from Phil wouldn’t feel as hard, but it doesn’t ever seem to get easier. Despite it all though, I looked at the opportunity as a new adventure – one I now know I’ll never forget. 2009 brought a sister and a dog into my life, but with it also came the loss of one of the dearest people to me, my grandfather. Looking back, I feel blessed that with the passing of a family member, I’ve been given the opportunity to get to know a new family member. It’s just unfathomable for me to think I’ll never see this man again – and I largely dread going home, to face this very fact. Being in Iraq, it’s easier to push all of the sadness to the side and not deal with it.
January 2010 felt much like relief when it finally got here … It’s nice to have a new year in front of me – to set new priorities and really focus in on the things that matter—my family and friends.

Though I’m not sure I’ll ever have something of real significant to say – its nice to have an avenue to get the everyday memories, joys and pains down in writing – the inner workings of this human heart!