When a parent or spouse is deployed, wrapping up in a shirt that smells like him or her, or having a keepsake nearby may be the closest thing to having them home. That's what motivated Jaymi Hardman to create Battle Buddies for her daughters. The 14-to16-inch stuffed animals, made out of Hardman's husband's Army Combat Uniform (ACU), created the perfect cuddle partner.

The idea started when Hardman's husband, Staff Sgt. Daniel Hardman, was serving his third tour in Germany. She learned ideas from other military spouses about coping mechanisms for children during lengthy deployments. She also noticed that the biggest thing that gave her three girls comfort while he was away was a pillow he had embroidered for each of them.

"They loved having something special of daddy with them," Hardman said. "This is what inspired me. I wanted something that my girls could snuggle up with at night or tote around."

The Battle Buddies began as an experiment for her girls. She used her husband's old uniforms, which made the project that much more personal, and searched around for animal patterns.

Hardman's girls enjoyed the stuffed animals so much, she decided to start a website and offer them to other military families who could appreciate them as much as her children did. At www.jaymisdesigns.com, customers can chose from a teddy bear, hippo, elephant, rabbit, monkey, horse or puppy and can choose to add little additions to personalize it, like keepsake pockets or nametapes.  Hardman can make the Battle Buddies from any military branch print. She uses ripstop fabric because of the durability, but at no extra cost will use uniform pieces submitted to her by customers who want a more personalized touch.

Each battle buddy is $23 and can be shipped across the country, including APO and FPO addresses at $5.25 per animal for priority mail.  To see the animals in person, stop by Hardman's concessionaire stand at the JBLM PX every other week. Prices there are $28 due to commission rates and tax.  

With time, Hardman hopes to add to her collection of Battle Buddies.  

"Some days can be longer than others, and sometimes I don't get the work done that I wish I could, but the idea that what I am doing is giving other families comfort and happiness, that is the best reward," Hardman said.

For more information, visit Hardman's website or her Facebook page, Battle Buddies Stuffed Animals, or e-mailjaymisdesigns@yahoo.com.