another sweet favor to ask you, my darling lovies.

the best part of being home, was that for the first time in 11 years my ENTIRE family was together. It sounds crazy out loud doesn't it? but when you have an oldest brother and his family living in Germany, an older sister and her family living in Italy, and a brother who has deployed to Iraq three times (each a year deployment) in the past years... it seemed someone was missing from any big event. (certainly, never by choice)

we are spread apart and yet, we Lechuga's are wonderfully close. My family is my absolute center.

Being home this past month with all us siblings together under my parent's roof again-- you could not find a happier girl than me. I felt truly blessed!

As you know, Marco is currently serving his third deployment in Iraq. He got to come home for 2 weeks for his R&R (military term for rest and recovery). There are no words to tell you how AWESOME it was to have him home safe, even if it's only 2 weeks. When he returns Sunday, we'll take comfort that he is more than halfway done with his deployment.

A cheesin Sophia with her Uncle Marco

i am SO proud of my brother. And you know what lovies? he couldn't stop telling me about the amazing letters & packages he recieved from you lovely friends. If I could show you his smile and his absolute appreciation in that moment-- well it would look something close to the picture above.

i really can not thank you enough!

and so perhaps, my last favor to ask... in the remaining months they're in Iraq, they've moved to another base. He emailed us all the updated address and asked to "keep the goodies" coming. If you can, I would love if you could send him one more card or care package to wish him well on his last 5ish months in Iraq. You can email me at micaela.lechugaATgmail.com for his updated address. As always, I will keep a list of everyone who writes him and do an appreciation giveaway.

it means SO MUCH to me but moreso, so much to him.For your kindness, i am incredibly indebted to you.

Giveaway details soon... xoxoxoxo

ps. if you have the means to send a care package, some items that soldiers are always happy to receive are: ramen or cup of noodle soups, hygiene stuff (baby wipes, travel size anything), magazines/newspapers, chips, snacks.