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Week in Review: May 15 – 22, 2011 (Military News) #MilitaryMon
Popular Military Family Articles for the week of May 15th – 22nd on MilitaryAvenue.comThe Vietnam Wall and future generations: Memorial Day is approaching and this year my eight-year old will have a very tangible memory of what the day is about. The Vietnam Wall. *C*, 6 years old, Hubs moving at *C*’s pace, and my dad pushing the stroller with Baby *L* were ahead of us. The area was crowded. It was full of school trips and tourists. But there was a lull from the usual noise of a ‘touristy place’. *E*, 8 years old, picked up on it right away and our pace slowed. This, I think, is the…
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Share a Legacy this Military Appreciation Month
May is Military Appreciation Month. Where lies your military-heritage? Is it your spouse, a parent, a grandparent, a cousin, an aunt or uncle, a child? Have you told them how much you appreciate them? How you appreciate their service? What they have done to recognize their valor, their pride, their honor? I come from a long line of military service. My grandfathers, my dad, my husband. My pride runs deep. How about you? Head over to USAA’s “Share a Legacy” and create a badge on their Wall of Honor. Take a couple of minutes (at the most) to put into words who you are proud of! Let’s make this Military Appreciation…
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A Minute Out of the Norm: Helping the Birds
I love birds. We have a couple of feeders around our house and a much used bird bath in the front garden. My favorite feeder is viewable from my kitchen window as well as the deck door. I’ll find myself sometimes just staring out the window watching the birds. Other times my boys will give a loud shout-out. “Mom, a Cardinal.” “Mom, a Blue Jay.” ” Mom, oooo come look at this one.” It is just fun to have a simple thing to enjoy with my boys. (After all I can only feign so much ‘interest’ in Pokemon, jokes involving bodily functions and games like Mario Cart). Today in my monthly-newsletter from my local metro-park…
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The Vietnam Wall and future generations
Memorial Day is approaching and this year my eight-year old will have a very tangible memory of what the day is about. The Vietnam Wall.*C*, 6 years old, Hubs moving at *C*’s pace, and my dad pushing the stroller with Baby *L* were ahead of us. The area was crowded. It was full of school trips and tourists. But there was a lull from the usual noise of a ‘touristy place’. *E*, 8 years old, picked up on it right away and our pace slowed.This, I think, is the purpose of the Wall.To teach. To learn. To think. and of course to Remember.*E* and I walked hand in hand; (he has promised me he would never be…
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Norwegian Waffles for Syttende Mai
It is almost time to say “Hurra for syttende mai”! I can hear the old ladies in my childhood church chatting and clacking… most of them had dentures that didn’t fit quite so well. They had stamina, girth and a love for breads. Yes, these were Norwegian women. They were a tad formal, my Grandma referred to her best friends as Mrs. Otto Andersen, Mrs. Moy, or Mrs. H. C. Andersen. This made me smile, as I can picture these women in sensible shoes, baggy hose, blue suits of every shade, clutch purses and a handkerchief in hand. Each had an open house policy… come on over and have a…
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Getting a Grip on the Spring Sports Schedule
Holy Smokes! I feel like I have been thrown into the lion’s pit. The lion’s pit of an over-scheduled-family! How did this happen? Just this weekend we had three birthday parties, one soccer game, two baseball practices and running up to the elementary school twice for baseball-team pictures. I can almost breath a sigh of relief that the weekend is over! Almost… This week we have three soccer practices, two soccer games, and four baseball practices, if I’m counting right. And if I thought this last weekend was crazy… wait till next weekend when Hubs is out of town for a JAG conference. I’m not a “soccer mom”. I don’t have cute…
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Father’s Day and a Military Deployment
Three quick things: Father’s Day is just about a month away and if you have a deployed-father in your life /now/ is the time to get shopping, boxing and shipping! If you are looking for some care package ideas be sure to check this blog out: Father’s Day from Afar: A letter from our oldest, 14; Some pictures from our 3 and 5 year older from their “Write from the Heart” books; My 5 year old made a ‘dot to dot’ for Dad. I’m not sure it actually makes a picture – but he sure enjoyed doing it and that is what counts!; A copy of my 5 year-old’s preschool…
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WWII Veterans Centerpoint
I captured a moment. It wasn’t what I came to see, yet it was perfect. In mesmerizing calm we walked around the monument, and it is monumental. Schools of school classes were in Washington DC for civics 101 in real life. To some students viewing the WWII tribute, it was ancient history. Our family is blessed with survivors: Navy, Army and Army/Air Corps. The names of battles brought frightening images to conversations to so many who were walking in groups.Then across the center point, a slow moving, wheel chaired, cane supported group of seniors assembled. They weren’t there for my camera, or the 30 other cameras that flashed. They were…
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Week in Review: May 8 – 14, 2011 (Military News) #MilitaryMon
Popular Military Family Articles for the week of May 8th – 14th on MilitaryAvenue.com101 Ways to Thank a Military Spouse – Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day! In honor of the spouses that work so hard on the home-front I’ve compiled a list of 101 Ways to Thank a Military Spouse! It is about Respect, Love, Admiration, Appreciation, and a simple Thank You. Enjoy! … It is Military Appreciation Month at Home Depot Year Round! I am excited! I heard two veterans talk about the company they work for and what it was doing for the military community with employment opportunities, veteran housing grants and military discounts at their stores! This is…
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Mentorship in Marriage
39 years ago today, I wasn’t but a sparkle in my mom’s eye as she walked down the aisle in her beautiful white dress on her dad’s arm. Her focus, my dad, her future! My future. My children’s future. I have been blessed. Since that wedding day the Lt. and Mrs. became Mom and Dad to three children, me and my two younger brothers. They took their family where the military sent them, far from their own families. They relied on each other, friends around them and the grace of God. Their three children grew up, got married and had children. Dad has retired from the Air Force after thirty-years…
