October 11, 2009|
I usually try not to complain, but darn it, I am cranky. And it seems such a simple problem. And I'm sure I'm not the only military family member who has been frustrated by it.
One of my children recently turned 10 and therefore is required to get a military ID. The ID offices nearby are only open during school hours, and I thought it sensible to wait a few weeks until a school holiday before getting her ID.
October 7, 2009|
We are remarkably close to my husband's return home for R&R, or mid-tour leave, or whatever it is called nowadays. We're all obviously a little excited, but I am overwhelmed by the level of wackiness coming out of my children. Really, I don't know how we'll get through two weeks of Dad without some sort of colossal collision of kid craziness X4 and one Dad who hasn't been around kids in a long time. Of course, it is possible that the conflict will actually be between the kids and me, since I have visions of a pleasant two week visit that is free of any friction and foolishness.
One part of me wants to believe that this is normal and expected, and the other part of me thinks that they should STOP RIGHT THIS MINUTE. Even though we're all different, and I can see that my kids are each responding in their own ways, I'd still love to hear your experiences, thoughts and tips. Anything to help me remember that it's all going to turn out OK - please share!
September 30, 2009|
An online educational campaign is underway to help you and your military children discuss substance abuse.
September 24, 2009|
I'm often surprised at the things my kids pick up from their Dad. After all, he's really gone quite often. And yet, somehow, he is one of the most powerful influences in their every day life. I also mention that little fact to my husband quite often, to reassure him when the TDYs and deployments add up to depressing amounts of time gone.
But it's the little things they do that surprise me and often crack me up.
Take, for instance, our current voyage to California to combine a visit to family with SpouseBUZZ Live this weekend at Camp Pendleton.
September 13, 2009|
Finding the 'perfect' child care situation can occasionally prove to be difficult, but there are many resources available to assist you.
August 28, 2009|
Yesterday my 6 year old son told me something that nearly made my heart stop.
"Mom," he said. "I think I want a normal haircut now."
August 26, 2009|
My girls started school yesterday. Not just a new school year, but they began their school year at an entirely new school. The first grader showed only a moment's hesitation with the entire process. The fifth grader, however, had more speed bumps.
I kept thinking, "This is so much harder with my husband deployed! If only he were here, this would be so different!"
I realized as I walked from the school building after delivering each child safely to her respective classroom, that I have taken that walk alone, every year whether my husband were deployed or not.
August 8, 2009|
This post has been riding with me for awhile. I've rolled this around, considered not posting it, considered curbing some of the truths, and then became comfortable enough with the truth that I determined I could handle whatever comments people may want to lob my way.
July 27, 2009|
A good friend of mine, another Marine spouse, recently called me and told me about an incident involving her 2 sons. They’d been in the car for several hours and were about 30 minutes from home when the kids’ bickering reached a fever pitch and my friend reached her limit. She pulled over on the side of the road, under a tree.
Then she kicked the boys out of the car. She sat in the air-conditioned vehicle and told them to stay out in the heat and humidity until they’d solved their problem. Each time they tried to reenter the vehicle, she’d ask, “Are you done?” and wouldn’t let them back into the car until they’d resolved their disagreement and were completely done with the bickering.
I heard from her again just last night. Earlier in the day, her oldest son was mouthing off to her while they were in the car. This time they were on the Marine base where they live. She pulled over to the side of the road and told him to get out of the car. Then she told him to do 10 push-ups. After 2, he thought he’d done enough. She informed him he had 8 more to go. Around this time, my friend noticed a Marine running by doing his lunch-time PT. He looked like he was trying to not laugh.
And lest you think my friend is alone in her discipline technique, I know another Marine spouse who often made her 4 kids do push-ups as punishment. I’d try this myself, except my girls would probably just think it was fun. They get that from their dad.
July 24, 2009|
July 20, 2009|
You know, military spouses tend to be a "jump in and get it done" group. Or maybe a "go and get'em" group. (And I know that I'm making a huge generalization here, but play along with me.) And when we have the opportunity to do something that will benefit lots of people (your spouse's unit, your kid's school, your neighborhood), it seems obvious that we should do it. It can be hard to remember that we've got people at home who need us, too, and our impact on them is a lot bigger than our impact on the rest of the world.
Last week, I was asked to do something that could, potentially, have helped military families as a whole. I was very excited and it sounded like fun. I immediately started scheming to stash my kids with friends and neighbors, reschedule swimming lessons, and generally juggle stuff so that I could participate. Then I realized - it was the last day of camp for two children, and they were having a little presentation. I quickly decided that it couldn't possibly be that important to them, and they'd be fine without me.
July 10, 2009|
If you are a regular reader of SpouseBuzz you may or may not know a few things about me. Lest I lose YOU in translation too, let me tell you two things. First, my husband is deployed. Second, we are in the middle of an international adoption.
That, apparently, is a combination ripe with frustrating possibilities.
July 8, 2009|
Everyone in the family has their own personal Camelbak...
July 4, 2009|
I realized as I was sitting in a completely empty house on July 4th with no working knowledge of our gas grill that, perhaps, I should just admit to myself that this is our first of "just not the same" days that we will meet head on this year.
My next thought? I knew a place I could go where I would not be the only one doing this today.
June 23, 2009|
June 16, 2009|
I spent last week visiting my husband on his final pass prior to his leaving for his overseas deployment. When I returned home, I picked up the mail that the Post Office had been holding for me. As I thumbed through the bills, magazines, and junk, I saw it.
A big envelope with Deployment in the "From" field and my name in the "To" field.
I ran my hands over the envelope and realized what had finally arrived.
The Miss-O-Meter.
June 9, 2009|
On Sunday we had an open house because we are desperately trying to sell our house before we PCS later this month. We had to be out of the house so a bunch of strangers could walk through our house and invade my personal space (yes, I have issues with this, but I know it must be done).
We decided to drive 3 hours away to take our kids to Antietam National Battlefield. There are two pieces of history that have become important in our home regarding Antietam.
June 9, 2009|
I introduced Operation: Military Kids (OMK) to SpouseBUZZ back in April 2007. To be honest, I haven't thought much about OMK since then. Primarily because my children are active duty dependents and OMK's main purpose is to support the children of National Guard and Army Reserve parents. I also think that sometimes I hear of someone or some organization that is doing great work and am impressed, but then I tuck the information away in the back of my head somewhere and, sadly, forget about them. I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this (right?!), but I can't help feeling a little ashamed.
Then, during our SBLive event in Norfolk, a nice lady in the audience mentioned OMK on at least two separate occasions and I had an "ah ha" moment. I needed to check back in on the program and see if there was anything new happening. And with April being the Month of the Military Child, what better time? Well, again, I dropped the ball and let it fall to the wayside. What is it they say about good intentions??
June 6, 2009|
Overheard today at the Post Office:
Son: What does APC stand for?
Blond Daughter: Armored Personnel Carrier
Son: How do you know that?
Blond Daughter: Don't you ever watch Daddy's shows with him?
*APC at the Post Office means Automated Postal Center
June 2, 2009|
This coming Saturday, the craft store Michaels is hosting a FREE family event for Father's Day. Kids can make greeting cards or postcards using their thumb- and fingerprints. I think it's a great opportunity for military kids to make cards for deployed daddies, with plenty of time to mail the cards after the event but before Father's Day. And all supplies will be FREE! Heck, even if Daddy isn't deployed, it's a cute way to make him a personalized card. Or the card doesn't even specifically have to be geared towards Dad; there are instructions on how to make gorillas, monkeys, fish, etc with your fingerprints!
If you live near a Michaels anywhere in the US, this event should be at your store. It could be a good activity for your family this weekend.
[Full disclosure: I am employed by my local Michaels and will be working at this event. I made the sample cards for this weekend and they are wicked cute.]
May 1, 2009|
The problem is that I can't quite identify the problem.
And like so many problems, it starts with my children...
April 17, 2009|
DoDEA Offers Summer Enrichment Program
The Department of Defense Education Activity is offering free four-week, half-day summer enrichment programs at 61 Defense Department schools for students in grades K-8.
The date for each summer program will be determined based on the local school schedule. The schools will offer the program from 9 a.m. until noon Monday through Friday.
April 6, 2009|
I have decided I can't wait until my kids are in their twenties so I can ask them what it was like to grow up in our family.
April 1, 2009|
April is the Month of the Military Child. A time to focus in on our children.
March 29, 2009|
I was up at 5:30 am this morning. A Sunday morning after a rough week, and I can assure you I wanted to stay in bed for HOURS.
March 14, 2009|
Sometimes having the funk is a good thing...as in a Parliament "We need the funk! Gotta have that funk!" kind of way. Other times, though, a negative, non-germ related funk envelopes you and you find yourself fighting the funk.
I'm up to my hairline in the funk and I'm asking you for some funk-busting methods.
February 28, 2009|
Dear Deployment,
Although I understand that we are not strangers, I did want to set forth a few ground rules and observations before you officially begin your timeline. First and foremost, please remember that I despise surprises so should you feel the need to visit again before my husband retires, a little notice never hurt anyone. Frankly, I'd appreciate it if you would just take the hint and make yourself scarce, but I understand that you have a job to do and you sometimes find it necessary to do it repeatedly and on your own terms.
February 24, 2009|
I know I mentioned that some nasty bit of germ warfare has been making its rounds through Air Force Family. Over and over and over again.
Making a lot of rounds.
Well, because I have a lot of things to do (family coming to visit, cookie mom for one daughter's Girl Scout troop, various other activities), on Saturday I declared war on those germs and decided to eradicate them from my house. I was SO DONE. Done, I tell you!
However, someone forgot to tell the germs.
February 23, 2009|
Remember when THAT message used to interrupt your favorite programs and make you roll your eyes? I feel like I had one of those moments this weekend at my husband's deployment briefing. I purposely had not
"tuned in" to the fact that today marks the start of his last full week at home for at least a year. Before Saturday, I was blissfully ignoring how entirely tiny the month of February actually is and how March was ready to roar in like a lion.
Then, the briefing and suddenly, it was like I was jolted from my happy land of denial over and over.
February 19, 2009|
I should admit this right off - yes, I'm one of those dorks who actually clicks on the links hotmail shows me when I check my email.
Omigosh! Ten tips to liven up your kitchen? What can they be? New hairstyles for 2009? I'd love to hear more!
And today: When Stress Can Actually be Good for You. Because, seriously, that is something I truly want to know. According to most of the "informed opinion", stress is BADBADBAD and you should avoid it at all costs or end up with a complete psychological break from reality, heart disease, two different kinds of stroke, and excessive tartar build up leading to gingivitis.
And since when can a military spouse or a military family avoid stress? Up until I read this article, I figured my goose was good and cooked.
February 17, 2009|
I have spent most of today in my room. Near my unmade bed. A lot of time on the computer, too. The TV has been on. I still haven't taken a shower.
Air Force Guy, on the other hand, was up at 6 am (it was a late morning for him) and off to work.
Despite the fact that I don't have a lot of options as to where I spend the day today - two of my kids are sick and I'm desperately fielding barf buckets, ferrying hot tea to kids, and exhorting people to "Run! Bathroom! Now! NOWNOWNOW!!!" - I still feel kind of guilty.
After all, aside from those moments of high intensity when the fate of the universe depends on me getting a kid to a toilet before all hell bursts loose, I'm not doing a whole lot today.
February 15, 2009|
From time to time authors are invited to review various items. Our family received an invitation to review an online game called Wizard 101.
January 28, 2009|
We were iced in today. This is something I'm still getting used to, after more than five years on the East Coast.
The kids and I retreated into what we normally do whenever we're stuck in the house or we need to retreat from the world for a bit - we watched movies all day.
Of course, the movies we watch depend on our situation, and we have several family "classics."
January 26, 2009|
Last Friday I was thrilled, and was singing my famous "it is Friday" song in my head all day. Until I went to pick up my Son from school, and was told by another parent that "the teacher wants to see you".
ughhhh.....
January 24, 2009|
Just before I wrote the title of this post, I had a funny memory pop into my head, so I must share.
You know the saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade"? Well, when DH and I were still sorta newlyweds, I was going through a tough time and he gave me a sweet card that said "When life gives you lemons...
January 17, 2009|
You may have heard about the National Military Family Association (NMFA) Operation Purple Camps. This year, they are trying a new program: Operation Purple Family Retreats. From the website:
It is difficult on the entire family when a loved one is deployed, but the time after that father, mother, husband, or wife returns home is often the most challenging of all. Recognizing this, the National Military Family Association is piloting two Operation Purple® Family Retreats. These free, four-day retreats are set in a National Park using nature’s classroom, where families will have opportunities to strengthen and renew relationships, explore their natural surroundings, and participate in fun family-focused activities.
The camps are designed for families who have had a service member return from deployment within the last twelve months. The camps are being held in March in two locations, California and Washington state, and they are free! If you live near either of the locations, and you have a recently returned family member, you might want to check it out. It sounds like a great way to have some affordable family time.
January 14, 2009|
It takes a lot to scare me. I mean, I go through life like anyone else. Like most military spouses, I just don't have the time to let my emotions do what they've been urging me to do. There's just too much to do.
But this morning I woke up, and I still can't shake the odd feeling that something is just not right.
It all started with my kids...
November 18, 2008|
Contests for dads and kids are available. See the details after the jump.
November 17, 2008|
Military brats have a tough life. They have to move every two or three years. They have to make new friends every time they do. They have to re-make their tribe every time just as we spouses do.
Their roots are as complicated as we spouses find them to be. Perhaps it is even harder for them as they are much younger and in a different environment.
November 16, 2008|
Details and links after the jump.
November 14, 2008|
We're moving. Again.
Well, actually I'm in the process of moving stuff and fixing stuff as we were able to buy our first house and it needed some work.
I have a laminate flooring now. I have painted walls. I have eight of my bookcases and my couch. I even, as of Wednesday, have internet and cable tv. And the story of my FiOS installation is what I'm about to tell you.
November 10, 2008|
If your children attend Defense Department schools, consider taking a few minutes to do a survey.
More after the jump.
November 7, 2008|
Saturday, November 8 - Fresh updates and new developments are still coming in.... All updates will be posted after the jump.
There's a video which is making the rounds on the internet, and it's clearly disturbed a number of you because it involves a military child. The video does have political content, so it's tricky. We debated on whether or not to post it because we never discuss politics here. Never. But in the end, it's obvious that this is a subject which is relevant to military families.
The video is below:
November 6, 2008|
Many of you already know that my military family is a homeschooling family, as is AFW's family. Homeschooling military families continue to grow in numbers.
Here are a few things related to military homeschoolers that were in my inbox this week.
November 2, 2008|
Sure the calendar has bid a fond farewell to the month of October, but that doesn't mean your memories of Halloween '08 have to say bye-bye too. After all, don't you have SCADS of candy lying around? And, is your trick-or-treater donning his/her costume and parading around the living room today?
Just how might you want to chronicle this year's Halloween festivities?
Military Crop Talk has your answers!
October 5, 2008|
Website Allows Deployed Parents to Connect with Children
MyChildMyMilitary.com is an interactive website designed to provide military families with a real-time platform to share books and activities with their children. MyChildMyMilitary.com's activities are geared towards children of all ages, interests and educational levels, with books for pre-readers, advanced readers and struggling readers on a broad range of topics. Thanks to grant funding, the website’s service is currently offered free to military families. To learn more about this site please visit: http://mychildmymilitary.com/. FamCorner, the company that created MyChildMyMilitary.com, has also developed a similar web application to help grandparents keep in touch with their grandchildren. Mygrandchild.com is offered by monthly subscription only.
September 28, 2008|
Do you have any gems little kids have said about something related to their parent's military service?
I know Sarah posted a request for some stories almost a year ago, but hopefully we have some more readers ready to share and bring some smiles.
Looking back over my posts during Seadaddy's IA deployment in order to get ready and calm my nerves for Spousebuzz Live Norfolk, I came across something I had almost forgotten my stepdaughter shared.
September 16, 2008|
I got a phonecall from the school yesterday, and it was not a good one.
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