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FeaturedRespecting Military Families on Social Media
TO MY NON-MILITARY FRIENDS: Do you know what a CACO is? [Kay-co] My guess is no. It stands for Casualty Assistance Calls Officer. You know them from films as the impeccably dressed men in uniforms who arrive on the doorsteps of WWII widows to announce the news of the deceased (think “Saving Private Ryan”). We,… Read more
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FeaturedWanted: COVID-19 Life Coach. Because I am tired.
Dear Applicant, I am a woman in my 40s, raising multiple children and FEELING EXHAUSTED (and a bit sarcastic). We are approaching our third spring in Pandemic-Land and I simply cannot make another decision about this darn coronavirus. A COVID-19 Life Coach would help me sort through information and make solid decisions about my parenting… Read more
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FeaturedIt’s a Merry Messy Christmas
I’m a lover of paper magazines, especially in November and December. Not the online versions, but the hard copy delights that bring joy to my mailbox. They are Instagram in my hands as I scrutinize every page and decorated table- the white tablecloths, the garlands perfectly winding through the centerpieces, the gold lined napkins perfectly… Read more
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FeaturedMilitary Spouses and the Invisible Backpack: a conversation about stress
“Congratulations on your wedding and welcome to the military!” he said. “Here is your dependent ID card, your application for DEERS and your invisible backpack. Slip it over your shoulders, tighten the straps and you will be good to go.” “Wait, what?” I said in confusion, turning around, trying to view my back. “You just… Read more
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FeaturedCelebrating Military Kids and Leaving the Stereotypes Behind
Each year, April is acknowledged as the Month of the Military Child and my heart immediately opens wide to celebrate this amazing segment of our population. Statistics say that almost one million kids live within the military community and their resiliency and perseverance inspire me. But I didn’t always feel that way. As I’ve mentioned… Read more
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FeaturedHey America, can we take a deep breath?
Hey friends. Can we talk for a minute? I’ve debated for weeks about whether this topic is worth approaching because I am a peacemaker who hates confrontation…but I think it is time for a frank conversation. Can you keep an open mind and not burn down my house after you read it? Thanks. (If you… Read more
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FeaturedCrying Over Spilled Champagne: the guilt and struggle of 2020
Years ago, when my husband was on a long deployment and my kids were little, I recall a civilian friend comparing our seven month deployment to her husband’s short business trip. “I know how you feel”, she said. I politely smiled but in my head I said “Umm…my situation is MUCH WORSE.” Later, when my… Read more
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FeaturedThe Heartache of Moving and the pieces of us we leave behind
[Note: These thoughts were written prior to COVID-19 which makes the heartbreak of a move even worse. Many of us have been robbed of the chance to say proper goodbyes, to thank our teachers and coaches, to hug our friends and visit our favorite haunts. We are cutting the strings without having the chance to… Read more
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FeaturedGrace for Everyone in Quarantine Homeschool Stay At Home Land
So here we are, three weeks after my last blog post about COVID-19 and most of the country is staying at home and homeschooling in quarantine. Well this isn’t what I thought I would be doing when we rang in the New Year! Damn. Have we ever quarantined? When was the last time our entire country educated… Read more
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FeaturedThe Greatest Opportunity: thinking beyond ourselves and COVID-19
The world will always remember the tragedy of September 11, 2001. We recall the heartbreak and fear but also the tremendous community spirit that blew across the United States. I’d like to think the true American spirit shined through in those months that followed. We opened our hearts to strangers, stood in line for hours… Read more
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FeaturedQuirky Military Homes and the Reasons I Love Them
My family has moved many times in the last twenty years, in the country and out, from base to base to base. There is an unbeatable camaraderie among military families, for a plethora of reasons, but I find the laughter (and frustration) over our homes to be a special connection. Living transitory lives in different… Read more
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FeaturedWords from a mom on the other side: your baby will be just fine.
Having a baby is no joke. You can never fully prepare for the experience before it happens and then BAM. Hit by a truck. My military husband once said that having a newborn was akin to Navy Survival School where service members are thrown into the woods and told to survive for a week alone.… Read more
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FeaturedA Letter To My Younger Self: A Navy Wife’s Reflection
Twenty years ago I sat in a stadium watching my future husband receive his commissioning in the US Navy. With a stack of blissful hopes and dreams we jumped into the military life and flew into the unknown. For that hometown 20-something girl, every single thing was an unknown. Dropped into a completely new world,… Read more
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Living the Messy Life
People say the kitchen is the lifeblood of a house. It’s where family and friends congregate and eat; it’s where parties linger, conversations flow and occasions are celebrated. I spend a significant portion of my day standing in my kitchen, which usually doubles as a home office because Mama needs a command center! As a… Read more
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Messy Kitchen Ministry 