Showing posts with label military wife. Show all posts
Showing posts with label military wife. Show all posts
Monday, April 23, 2012
The End Is Near!
What does everyone look forward to during a deployment? Yep, the homecoming!! Our homecoming will be here in no time. I can't tell you how excited we are! We started counting down the months, the weeks and now we'll be able to start counting down the days. Our "Kisses from Daddy" jar is almost empty. It's a good thing because it means our soldier is almost home, but does that mean no more Hershey kisses? (I'm sure I can find a way to included kisses in our day to day routines.)
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Things Are Different
There are so many things that are different this year. First, the deployment. That in itself is a HUGE change. Second, we sold our house and moved into an apartment. Third, this is such a strange winter. The temps. are up and the levels of snow are down. Wait...what snow? I'm not usually one for winter, but I really hope next winter acts like winter (especially since we'll be all together again).
I need to take a moment to thank our friends and family for all their support. They are all so great and definitely make life a little easier right now. I appreciate the fact that they don't treat us any differently. They help us continue our day-to-day life as if everything is normal. I guess things are normal, just a different normal.
The boys and I have been working on a list of things we want to do when daddy comes home. We have a good list going and I can't wait until we start crossing items off that list. Some of the things we have listed are going to the zoo, taking a train ride and fishing (for the boys at least). If anyone has other ideas we'd love to hear them! The longer the list the better!
I need to take a moment to thank our friends and family for all their support. They are all so great and definitely make life a little easier right now. I appreciate the fact that they don't treat us any differently. They help us continue our day-to-day life as if everything is normal. I guess things are normal, just a different normal.
The boys and I have been working on a list of things we want to do when daddy comes home. We have a good list going and I can't wait until we start crossing items off that list. Some of the things we have listed are going to the zoo, taking a train ride and fishing (for the boys at least). If anyone has other ideas we'd love to hear them! The longer the list the better!
Monday, January 9, 2012
We Love Our Flat Daddy!
I'm not exactly sure where my last few posts went, but let's try this again!
Flat Daddy is such a wonderful concept and our boys are in LOVE with him. It has definitely made this deployment easier for them to handle. Here are a few pictures of our life with our "temporary daddy."
Flat Daddies and Flat Mommies are life-size photos of deployed service members. They are provided to help children better cope with the separation they experience when a parent is away from home for long periods of time.
I would 110% recommend a Flat Daddy for any family with a soldier preparing to deploy. Kids love seeing it everyday and knowing their soldier is still with them even though they aren't physically there. Our boys like it when we bring "dad" for a ride with us or bring him to a special event. Flat Daddy will also come in handy when dad is home for good because he is often training or "playing army" for a few days here and there.
(this is the picture we used for our flat daddy)
Flat Daddy is such a wonderful concept and our boys are in LOVE with him. It has definitely made this deployment easier for them to handle. Here are a few pictures of our life with our "temporary daddy."
Flat Daddies and Flat Mommies are life-size photos of deployed service members. They are provided to help children better cope with the separation they experience when a parent is away from home for long periods of time.
I would 110% recommend a Flat Daddy for any family with a soldier preparing to deploy. Kids love seeing it everyday and knowing their soldier is still with them even though they aren't physically there. Our boys like it when we bring "dad" for a ride with us or bring him to a special event. Flat Daddy will also come in handy when dad is home for good because he is often training or "playing army" for a few days here and there.
(when we moved into our new apartment)
(Like father, like son)
(Halloween - daddy went as a mummy!)
(Our photo for our Christmas cards.
Some people even thought he was home when they saw the picture.)
(Christmas)
(Celebrating my birthday with me)
Let me know if you have any questions because I'd be more than happy to tell you about the benefits of having Flat Daddy around.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Kisses From Daddy
Once we moved, unpacked and got situated I set up the jar. I explained the concept of the jar to our boys who nodded in excitement about the thought of getting a piece of candy every night. Considering they're only 4 and 2 years old I can't imagine they really comprehend the idea. The original plan was to get a "kiss" from daddy every night after dinner. I was surprised when we went to get their first piece of candy. I picked up our 2 yr. old so he could reach in and choose his kiss on his own. When I took the lid off, little man raised his hand to his mouth and blew a kiss into the jar before choosing his chocolaty treat. Our 4 yr. old then followed in his steps...
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Home Sweet Home
I'm proud to say that we're all moved and settled in at our new apartment. This place is great - unless you ask our 4 yr. old who will tell you "I don't like our new house." The first time he told me that he started crying. It broke my heart! He said he didn't like it because he didn't like having to be quiet. It is a huge adjustment considering our house is the only home he's ever known. I feel so bad that he's sad. I explained to him that it's only temporary until dad gets home and then we can build a house. Now every time he tells me he's sad we talk about what kind of house we should build.
Just recently I came across a special that Tiny Prints was having. This was my chance to help make my boys a little happier. I made each of the boys their own Santa card. I was able to get one for free so I figured I would buy a second one (one for each of the boys) at full price. It was great! I personalized them, had them sent in the mail addressed to the boys themselves and the return address read: Santa Claus, North Pole. I even added a sentence from Santa: "I can't wait to bring your presents to your new apartment." My 4 yr. old LOVED it!
(This is our "welcome" can outside our apartment.)
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Personalized Bracelets - Close At Heart
I signed up for a giveaway on FB just hoping to win something fun. I was excited when I read an email saying I won a personalized bracelet of my choice! Anyone who knows me knows I love pink. So I picked pink crystals with a LOVE charm and sent a photo to use. Jessica was great to work with! After I sent her our photo, she sent me several different background colors to choose from. Once the decisions were made the only thing I had left to do was wait. My bracelet arrived a lot sooner than I expected and I LOVE it! My husband was able to see it before he left too.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
My Army Pride
I've been receiving a TON of compliments on my purse so I figured I should repost this for anyone who missed it the first time. There are several styles of purses/bags that you can choose from. I chose this one because I knew it would be used as a purse and diaper bag all in one. Because of this I splurged and went for the large size. I can't tell you how much I love it!! The best part? I have a piece of my husband with me at all times...I love it!
Click here to order your Hero On My Arm bag
If you don't have a uniform top available to send in, you can choose to use one they have in stock for an additional price. They have seeveral different styles and sizes you can choose from. You can also choose your interior color/pattern, accessories and more. Don't need a purse? They have several other items you can purchase such as wallets, teddy bears and keychains. (They also have a summer special going on right now with their keychains.) I know Christmas is still several months away, but these purses would make a wonderful gift for any military spouse or mother.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Army Pride
I've been receiving a TON of compliments on my purse so I figured I should repost this for anyone who missed it the first time. There are several styles of purses/bags that you can choose from. I chose this one because I knew it would be used as a purse and diaper bag all in one. Because of this I splurged and went for the large size. I can't tell you how much I love it!! The best part? I have a piece of my husband with me at all times...I love it!
If you don't have a uniform top available to send in, you can choose to use one they have in stock for an additional price. They have seeveral different styles and sizes you can choose from. You can also choose your interior color/pattern, accessories and more. Don't need a purse? They have several other items you can purchase such as wallets, teddy bears and keychains. (They also have a summer special going on right now with their keychains.)
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Things you should NEVER say to an Army wife
I found this the other day and was laughing so hard. Most of you might not find this as funny as I do but I can totally relate. Please don't feel bad if any of you have said these things to me. I know none of you have ever meant any harm. And please don't take this too seriously, just maybe laugh a little at the funny things people say to us poor little army wives.
Things you should never say to an army wife:
1. “Aren’t you afraid that he’ll be killed?”
(This one ranks in at number one on the “duh” list. Of course we’re afraid. We’re terrified. The thought always lingers at the backs of our minds —but thanks brilliant, you just brought it back to the front. Maybe next you can go ask someone with cancer if they’re scared of dying.)
2. “I don’t know how you manage. I don’t think I could do it.”
(This is intended to be a compliment. Though, its just a little annoying. Here’s why: it’s not like all of us military wives have been dreaming since childhood of the day we’d get to be anxious single moms who carry cell phones with us to the bathroom and in the shower. We’re not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable, we just got asked to take on a challenging job. So we rose to the challenge and found the strength to make sacrifices.)
3. “At least he’s not in Afghanistan.”
(This is the number one most annoying comment for those whose husbands are in Iraq. What do they think is happening in Iraq? An international game of golf? Guys are fighting and dying over there.)
4. “Do you think he’ll get to come home for Christmas/anniversary/birthday/birth of a child/wedding/family reunion, etc?”
(Don’t you watch the news? No! They don’t get to come home for any of these things. Please don’t ask again.)
5. “What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he’s gone?”
(Short answer: Try to keep my sanity. Maybe there’s a military wife out there who gets bored when her husband leaves, but I have yet to meet her. For the rest of us, those with and without children, we find ourselves having to be two people. That keeps us plenty busy. We do get lonely, but we don’t get bored, and eating massive amounts of chocolate always helps keep me busy.)
6. “How much longer does he have until he can get out?”
(This one is annoying to many of us whether our husbands are deployed or not. Many of our husbands aren’t counting down the days until they “can” get out. Many of them keep signing back up again and again because they actually love what they do or they VOLUNTEER AGAIN and AGAIN to go back to Iraq b/c there is work that needs to be done.)
7. “This deployment shouldn’t be so bad, now that you’re used to it.”
(Sure, we do learn coping skills and its true the more deployments you’ve gone through, the easier dealing with it becomes. But it never gets “easy” and the bullets and bombs don’t skip over our guys just because they’ve been there before. The worry never goes away.)
8. “My husband had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you’re going through.”
(This one is similar to number two. Do not equate your husband’s three week trip to London/Omaha/Tokyo/etc. with a 12-15 month or more deployment to a war zone. Aside from the obvious time difference, nobody shot at your husband or tried to blow him up with an I.E.D., your husband could call home pretty much any time he wanted to, he flew comfortably on a commercial plane, slept between crisp white sheets and ate well, paying for everything with an expense account. There is no comparison. We do not feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for it. Comparing a 12 month combat deployment to a few weeks business trip is like comparing a shitty ford taurus with mercedes convertible.)
9. “Wow you must miss him?”
(This one also gets another big “duh”. Of course we miss our men. There are some wives who do not and they’re now divorced.)
10. “Well, he signed up for it, so it’s his own fault whatever happens over there."
(Yes, ignorant, he did sign up. Each and every day he protects your right to make stupid comments like that. He didn’t sign up and ask to be hit by anything, he signed up to protect his country. Oh, and by the way, he asked me to tell you that “You’re welcome.” He’s still fighting for your freedom.)
11. “Don’t you miss sex! I couldn’t do it!”
(hmmm, no i don’t miss sex. i’m a robot. seriously…military spouses learn quickly that our relationships must be founded on something greater than sex. We learn to appreciate the important things, like simply hearing their voices and seeing their faces. The hard truth is, most relationships probably couldn’t withstand 12 months of sex deprivation.)
12. “Well in my opinion…..”
(Stop right there. Yo, I didn’t ask for your personal political opinions. Hey, I love a heated political debate, but not in the grocery store, not at DQ, not at Target and not in a restaurant when I’m out with my girls trying to forget the war.)
last but not least….
13. “OH, that’s horrible…I’m so sorry!”
(He’s doing his job and he’s tough. Don’t be sorry. Be appreciative and please take a moment out of your comfortable American lives to realize that our soldiers fight the wars abroad so those wars stay abroad.)
If you want to say anything, say thank you. After all, we are sexually deprived for your freedom.
Things you should never say to an army wife:
1. “Aren’t you afraid that he’ll be killed?”
(This one ranks in at number one on the “duh” list. Of course we’re afraid. We’re terrified. The thought always lingers at the backs of our minds —but thanks brilliant, you just brought it back to the front. Maybe next you can go ask someone with cancer if they’re scared of dying.)
2. “I don’t know how you manage. I don’t think I could do it.”
(This is intended to be a compliment. Though, its just a little annoying. Here’s why: it’s not like all of us military wives have been dreaming since childhood of the day we’d get to be anxious single moms who carry cell phones with us to the bathroom and in the shower. We’re not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable, we just got asked to take on a challenging job. So we rose to the challenge and found the strength to make sacrifices.)
3. “At least he’s not in Afghanistan.”
(This is the number one most annoying comment for those whose husbands are in Iraq. What do they think is happening in Iraq? An international game of golf? Guys are fighting and dying over there.)
4. “Do you think he’ll get to come home for Christmas/anniversary/birthday/birth of a child/wedding/family reunion, etc?”
(Don’t you watch the news? No! They don’t get to come home for any of these things. Please don’t ask again.)
5. “What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he’s gone?”
(Short answer: Try to keep my sanity. Maybe there’s a military wife out there who gets bored when her husband leaves, but I have yet to meet her. For the rest of us, those with and without children, we find ourselves having to be two people. That keeps us plenty busy. We do get lonely, but we don’t get bored, and eating massive amounts of chocolate always helps keep me busy.)
6. “How much longer does he have until he can get out?”
(This one is annoying to many of us whether our husbands are deployed or not. Many of our husbands aren’t counting down the days until they “can” get out. Many of them keep signing back up again and again because they actually love what they do or they VOLUNTEER AGAIN and AGAIN to go back to Iraq b/c there is work that needs to be done.)
7. “This deployment shouldn’t be so bad, now that you’re used to it.”
(Sure, we do learn coping skills and its true the more deployments you’ve gone through, the easier dealing with it becomes. But it never gets “easy” and the bullets and bombs don’t skip over our guys just because they’ve been there before. The worry never goes away.)
8. “My husband had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you’re going through.”
(This one is similar to number two. Do not equate your husband’s three week trip to London/Omaha/Tokyo/etc. with a 12-15 month or more deployment to a war zone. Aside from the obvious time difference, nobody shot at your husband or tried to blow him up with an I.E.D., your husband could call home pretty much any time he wanted to, he flew comfortably on a commercial plane, slept between crisp white sheets and ate well, paying for everything with an expense account. There is no comparison. We do not feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for it. Comparing a 12 month combat deployment to a few weeks business trip is like comparing a shitty ford taurus with mercedes convertible.)
9. “Wow you must miss him?”
(This one also gets another big “duh”. Of course we miss our men. There are some wives who do not and they’re now divorced.)
10. “Well, he signed up for it, so it’s his own fault whatever happens over there."
(Yes, ignorant, he did sign up. Each and every day he protects your right to make stupid comments like that. He didn’t sign up and ask to be hit by anything, he signed up to protect his country. Oh, and by the way, he asked me to tell you that “You’re welcome.” He’s still fighting for your freedom.)
11. “Don’t you miss sex! I couldn’t do it!”
(hmmm, no i don’t miss sex. i’m a robot. seriously…military spouses learn quickly that our relationships must be founded on something greater than sex. We learn to appreciate the important things, like simply hearing their voices and seeing their faces. The hard truth is, most relationships probably couldn’t withstand 12 months of sex deprivation.)
12. “Well in my opinion…..”
(Stop right there. Yo, I didn’t ask for your personal political opinions. Hey, I love a heated political debate, but not in the grocery store, not at DQ, not at Target and not in a restaurant when I’m out with my girls trying to forget the war.)
last but not least….
13. “OH, that’s horrible…I’m so sorry!”
(He’s doing his job and he’s tough. Don’t be sorry. Be appreciative and please take a moment out of your comfortable American lives to realize that our soldiers fight the wars abroad so those wars stay abroad.)
If you want to say anything, say thank you. After all, we are sexually deprived for your freedom.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Everyday Chores
And now it begins...Plenty of rain + lots of sunshine = growing grass! Playing "single mommy" to small boys and mowing the lawn don't mix very well. Yesterday my dad emailed me and told me he would stop by after work. Thank you, dad!! He spent quality time with the boys while I got some exercise and mowed the lawn. I have to admit that our lawn looks like a work of art - it's beautiful! Now we just have to see if we can make this a weekly ritual for the next several months or until we sell our house...which ever comes first!
For those of you preparing for deployment you might want to think about responsibilities like mowing the lawn, snow removal, etc. Ask friends and family to take turns helping you out. Hire someone for the season or as needed. American Legions, VFWs, local rotary clubs are all very good resources. They will know people available to help with almost anything. Your FRG will also have several resources for you.
For those of you preparing for deployment you might want to think about responsibilities like mowing the lawn, snow removal, etc. Ask friends and family to take turns helping you out. Hire someone for the season or as needed. American Legions, VFWs, local rotary clubs are all very good resources. They will know people available to help with almost anything. Your FRG will also have several resources for you.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Good News...
A few weeks ago I bought a bayberry candle. "So what?" you're thinking. Well, I was told burning a bayberry candle from tip to socket puts luck in the home and gold in the pocket. So I lit it and watched it burn, and burn and burn. Several hours later it was as low as it could go. I didn't feel any different, but I thought this could be the thing we need to sell our house!
This evening I received an email stating we have a showing tomorrow afternoon. This could be the one! All of them can be the one, but I like to think it everytime. Please cross your fingers and wish us luck because we can definitely use it. Especially after I read an article in the paper that home sales are down again. I will let you know how everything goes. :)
This evening I received an email stating we have a showing tomorrow afternoon. This could be the one! All of them can be the one, but I like to think it everytime. Please cross your fingers and wish us luck because we can definitely use it. Especially after I read an article in the paper that home sales are down again. I will let you know how everything goes. :)
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