My house is so quiet today….

You see, today is the first day of school! After all of the primping and preening and photo taking, everyone made it onto their bus on time dressed in their new clothes with their new school supplies safely tucked into their backpacks.

When they were all gone, I sat and enjoyed my coffee with no distractions…no one was arguing over the TV?!  I even got some housework done.  It sure was a nice change to pick up the family room and have it stay that way for more than five minutes.  I even got to eat a snack without having to share! 

But now, as the day wears on, I find myself checking the clock to see how much longer until they come home so I can hear all about their first day…

• How was the bus ride?
• Did you see your old friends?
• Did you make some new ones?
• Do you like your teacher?

I can’t wait to hear the answers, probably all at once!  Only a couple of hours left……

On a side note…

I have some good news to share! My Blogger Brigade post in July was about preparing for my husband to deploy to Afghanistan…I am happy to report that his trip was canceled at the last minute!  So continues the roller coaster ride we call being a Military Family…HANG ON!!

We got married in August too and just celebrated our anniversary.

When you first get married it seems the romance is everywhere. You are newlyweds and just enjoy each other.  I have such fond memories of those days.  We would pack picnics and head to the beach or park.  Take random day trips. Dinner dates, movie dates, etc.

Then two big things happened.  We had children and we joined the military.  It’s been a lot harder to have that precious time together the last 5 years.  We have to work a lot harder to make it happen.  We take advantage of childcare to have dates, even in the  middle of the day.  We are thankful for Grandparents who we can trust with our children while we going off for a 2 night trip.  We can spend time together after the kids go to bed.

Eventually I would love to have a weekly date night (when he is home.)  Just a night we can go out, just the two of us and catch up, check in and just be a couple.   A night that we knew would happen every week.

When he is away I hope that we can write to each other to connect.  I love receiving love letters and being able to have a reason to pour out my heart to him.  Even if it is just over email.

I have been married 8 years now and I have learned that no matter how long you have been married, you can still have romance in your relationship.  You just might have to work a little harder at it at times.

Click here to read the Commandant’s Coast Guard Day message.

Semper Paratus!

August is Family Fun Month!

The month of July is almost over and school will be starting soon in most areas.  Why not take advantage of August, also known as Family Fun Month, with some great activities that the entire family can enjoy?

Let the games begin!

Amusement parks usually offer a variety of activities for kids of all ages and adults alike, but can be pretty expensive. If you are looking for something a little more affordable, check out your local area for festivals, fairs, and other celebrations.

Maybe camping is more your family’s style.  You could utilize a campground or if you are lucky enough to have a yard, you don’t even have to leave home. Pitch a tent in the backyard and build a fire. Weather not cooperating? Camp in the living room!  Make a tent with blankets and watch your favorite movies. Speaking of movies, have a family movie night.  Make some popcorn or other favorite snacks and pick out a few movies to watch.  Another idea is family game night when you can play board games, cards, or even video games.

Go hiking and pack a picnic or go for a leisurely walk around the neighborhood and have a  picnic in your yard or the local park.  Take along the frisbee or kite!

Swimming is another fun activity for families. Check out your local pool or beaches if you don’t have your own pool. Sprinklers are always fun and a great way to cool off on a hot day.

The fun doesn’t have to end…

The possibilities are endless to spend some fun, quality time as a family.  It all depends on your particular family’s likes and dislikes and how much money you want to spend or not spend. Family fun doesn’t have to end with the month of August either!  Make it a weekly or monthly priority for your family to spend some quality time together, even if it is just sitting down to watch your favorite TV shows together.

As a military family with a looming deployment in our near future we are taking advantage of all the family time we can get…

It is the end of July and there is a light at the end of my deployment tunnel…I can’t send any more mail! Now comes what my Chaplain calls “The Four Horsemen”, “Will my husband have changed?“, “Have I changed?“, “Will he still love me?“, “Will he be supportive of the decisions I have made?“. These are the questions that plague us all when the reality of our loved one returning home (soon!) hits. Fortunately for me, I can answer the question, “Will he still love me?“, pretty easily. I have no doubts there!  After our first deployment together of course we have both changed. I have become more confident, more independent, and I’ve discovered that I am, in fact, one tough cookie. I’ve also discovered many more recipes to pack back on the 29 pounds my husband has lost! With homecoming on the horizon I can’t help but think, “Will he like the new me? What if he has become a different person? Will he like the number in our bank account?“.

Don’t get me wrong, I am beyond excited for the buses to pull up and for my handsome husband to step his boots onto American soil again but homecoming is the one aspect of military life that civilians really don’t understand. There are hugs and kisses and balloons and a ride off into the sunset (all in slow-motion and with perfect lighting)…but when you’ve learned to live alone (or to be mommy AND daddy) sharing your home again can be stressful. I am very prepared for my eye to twitch when I find a pile of crumpled, dirty cammies on the bedroom floor (at least the first dozen times or so…) or coffee dripped on the counter. It’s unreasonable to expect the perfect movie ending to a long seperation. It’s kinda like breaking in a new pair of jeans. At first they can pinch in all the wrong places but after a couple weeks of wearing them you have that comfy worn in feeling and you don’t ever want to take them off.

When I ride in past the gate, park and stand with my “Welcome Home!” banner, I will be about to put on those brand new jeans….but I know soon enough they’ll be like a second skin. And then those “Four Horsemen” can ride off into the sunset alone.

Growing up, the Fourth of July was a fun holiday in my family. We would usually spend the day at the lake, cooking out, swimming, and swirling sparklers while we watched fireworks over the water. It wasn’t until I married a Soldier that this holiday – and so many others – evoked a different kind of emotion in me.

My first Independence Day away from my home country was spent at a Korean-American Rodeo in South Korea, where my Soldier was stationed. As I listened to the beginning bars of the Star Spangled Banner, I developed a lump in my throat and was moved to tears watching our flag fly, whipping in the wind. It was a special reminder to me of the many freedoms and privileges we have as Americans and a moment I will never forget.

In today’s military, Families have grown accustomed to living on foreign soil, enduring long separations from loved ones, and celebrating various life milestones alone or via email, video teleconference, or telephone. Sending a deployed parent a summary of significant events by letter or photo is commonplace and military kids are learning how to cope with a parent deployed. When a patriotic celebration occurs, it is all that much more significant in the hearts of these who currently serve.

I think, too, of the Families who have lost their service member in our ongoing fight for freedom. Gold Star Families – those who have lost a service member – are especially poignant in my mind on this day of celebrating the very freedoms they died to secure. These are today’s true heroes … and have given so much for a country that will remain eternally grateful.

So as I head to Fort Hood’s Freedom Fest this 4th of July – decked out in red, white, and blue and bringing with me all the family and friends I can gather – I will remember all those who have gone before us to make this day possible, and precious, in the heart of every American. Happy Independence Day!

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You can also find out more information about the upcoming project Building Business Military Spouse Style on Twitter and Facebook as well.

I have my best friend from elementary school, Maegan, who I can go weeks without talking to and when I pick up the phone and call it’s like we just talked yesterday. I have my best friend Pamela, who I grew up with and spent almost everyday after school with. I have my best friend Molly, who has been there through my toughest life moments and was my maid of honor when I got married. All of these women mean a lot of me and keep me grounded to my life back home.

Of course, I also have my best friend Cait, who I met while my husband was walking our dog and who has been a constant help in my new “marine dependent” life.

I can always talk about deployment and field operations with my other friends, but it takes a lot of explaining and they try but still don’t really understand. The second I tell Cait about these things she laughs and we rant and we both feel much better. I know I helped her get through her husband’s deployment and I am so thankful I have her to help me get through my husband’s current deployment. When I am worried she listens to my fears, and lets me complain about things I have no control over with a non-judmental ear. She also lets me know when it’s time to put on my big girl panties and suck it up!

While my husband is deployed I have a lot more free time on my hands and Cait is always there to include me in her plans with her husband. They’ve brought me on shopping trips to Raleigh and countless outings to the beach and for that I am very thankful. Neither of us can cook for less than 4 people (our husbands’ single friends love us) so she invites me over for dinner very often since I don’t cook very much while I’m alone. Of course friendship isn’t just about what a friend can do for me, but more about the feeling that you are not alone in your struggles. I’m reminded of a favorite quote, “Joy shared is joy multiplied, while a sorrow shared is sorrow divided”. We revel in each others’ joy (homecomings!!) and help bear the burden of each others’ load together (long deployment nights spent worrying). And who else will look at me and say, “Ooh-Rah”,  with sweat pouring down their face when we have a great workout at the gym?

Don’t get me wrong, I am very thankful for all the spouses I’ve made friends with!

It’s just that Cait and I share that special something that will keep us friends even when my husband and I move back to Maine and are once again considered civilians. She’s told me time and again if I ever missed this crazy life I could always come visit her at another duty station. She will always be on my Christmas card list, and I will always think of her when I lay my head down at night and review all the reasons that I’m blessed in this life.

She’s not just a friend while my husband is active duty, she is a friend I will cherish and love for the rest of my days. I can only thank the Marine Corps for bringing us together.

There were over 85 spouses and 23 participants providing services and information in attendance at the event! Massages, makeovers, blood pressure checks, manicures, self-defense techniques, and teeth-whitening were some of the services available. Information was provided on health and wellness along with Marine Corps family programs and career opportunities. Pink camouflage gift bags with our sponsors’ logos were given to each participant. The bags were filled with make-up samples and information from MCCS. The event boasted 25 door prizes in 3 hours, thanks to amazing sponsors!

We had such a wonderful time with these ladies and can’t wait for next year’s event! Below are some great pictures we wanted to share with you.