Boycotting Christmas: The True Story of Two Army Wives

While our soldiers are off risking their lives at war, their spouses are left to be everything to their children, do everything for their household and maintain a positive outlook whenever their warrior calls home. It is not surprising that many military spouses suffer from depression and anxiety disorders during deployments.

How does one balance their children's needs, their household management, their soldier's encouragement and their own mental state? That is a question without an answer.

And what about the holidays?

Army wives Elizabeth (Lizzie) Barbour and Brittany Werner have chosen to boycott Christmas. Lizzie's husband, Michael (Mike) Barbour has been serving in Afghanistan since February. He is due home from war in the spring. Brittany's husband Phillip (Phil) is serving in Iraq and is due back in the summer.

Lizzie and Brittany met through MySpace, each seeking a friend in their new homes at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Brittany is from Seattle, Washington and Lizzie is from my house, here in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Lizzie is my oldest daughter. I have personally witnessed this amazing friendship blossom between these two young ladies and they have fast become best friends.

Last week, Lizzie moved into Brittany's house. She and Phil are in the process of buying a home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. When Phil came home for R&R in October, they began the process by renting to own their home. When he gets home from Iraq, they will close on the house, using their rental payments as a down payment on their loan.