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Drink More … Feel Better
It was a rough start to our Christmas Break. The night before the final day of school and my first-grader was thinking of a school field trip in the morning and a class-party in the afternoon. What a fun day it was going to be. He had a rough cough for the past week but I just knew it would go away. Eventually. As we were settling into our bedtime routine that Thursday night *C* lost it. Vomit, vomit, vomit. Gross, gross gross. He spiked a fever and I knew he was down for the count. That cough stayed with him for another week. Cough medicine didn’t touch it and I was…
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A Newborn Niece and Spring Mud Puddles
Today a niece was born, not just any niece but my niece. Sure she is a sister, daughter, granddaughter, cousin. But to me she is a niece and I am her aunt. She does however live far enough away that I can’t just “pop over” to meet her. Far enough away that it’s a road-trip to hold her tiny little fingers, marvel at her tiny little toes and most importantly kiss her chubby little cheeks (and tell her all about the troubles her dad caused during my childhood). As a mother of all boys (and oh how I love them and I don’t regret the hand I have been dealt…
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A Quick Review of 2011 on the Military-Family Blog from MilitaryAve…
What happened to 2011? It is almost gone and the MilitaryAvenue team discussed all the activity we had seen this year! So much to do and write about. We saw the troops come from Iraq, discussions on the military drawdown for 2012 and beyond, military health issues at the forefront, homeless veteran initiatives, veteran employment resources, entertainers supporting the troops, we even grabbed the chance to attend the Military Bloggers Conference and so much more. MilAve’s Leanne Kocsis,Inaugural Blogger of Month at USAAMany of our regular features such Tasty Tuesday Recipes, the DoD Blogger Roundtable features on issues impacting the military community, book reviews, veteran support and military children articles…
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I have a confession to make …
I have a confession. I love being organized. You wouldn’t really know it when you walk in to my house. We have had the pleasure of living in the same house for 10 years. (Clearly, I’m a National Guard spouse and not Active Duty.) In those ten years my eight-year old step son has turned 18. I have given birth to three boys. My husband has grown his own private-practice and works 15 hour days. I’m quite sure the family plots daily against my need to be organized. My junk drawer has spawned and over-taken three drawers in my kitchen. It is bad. My basement some how became a great place to (quite literally)…
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Resolutions for the New Year
It is snowing outside the window… 33 degrees wet heavy snow. It is sticking and beautiful and white against the dark tree limbs. I love the look. I love the feel of it all. New Year’s Eve is right at the door step. 2012 is almost tangible. Time to think of improvements, self, household, work and community. Resolving to put energy, time and resources toward good. I have a list! Children in the neighborhood need smiles, someone to look them in the eye and listen to their excitement. My avenue is Wednesday nights: Pioneer Club. This new year the resolve will be to get them to bring more friends, get…
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On our way to 5,000 Fans
MilitaryAvenue is on its way to 5,000 fans on Facebook! We are celebrating with a $20 gift card for Sears from our friends at Sitter City. So if you aren’t a fan yet come join us! If you are a fan (Thank you!) tell your friends and family to join us. Our 5,000th Fan will be our winner.byLeanne KocsisonTuesday, December 27, 2011Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to PinterestMilitary Life:facebook,Leanne
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Bullying and our Military Children
I am a mom. Mom of a senior in high school, a 3rd grader, a 1st grader, and a toddler. My 3rd grader is a bit on the small side. He’s never been on the ‘charts’ and we have even been to a specialist just to be sure all is well. All is well, medically, and his stature has been chalked up to genetics and that is a-ok with me. However, already at 9 years old I have witnessed a few instances of the ‘bigger kids’ picking on the smaller (same age but some twice his size). One instance of apparent bullying was a fellow soccer player, church friend and school mate pushed my…
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Stress and the Holidays
Stress and the Holidays. Somehow they go hand in hand. Overspending, too much food, lots of travel, work- and family-life balance; it is all a recipe for disaster. My own family of six knows first hand about all of these stresses. The 18 year old wants a laptop for Christmas (and other various $$$ gadgets), the 9 & 6 year old have had way too many cookies and are pinging off the wall, and the one-year old doesn’t like the car seat for more then 4 hour stretches at a time (making for a not so quiet trip to Grandma and Grandpa’s last weekend). And Mom and Dad can hardly…
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Tracking Santa with NORAD on Christmas Eve: Don’t be surprised, Be Ready!
How Fast is Santa’s Sleigh? Official NORAD response: Santa’s sleigh travels at Starlight Speed according to military trackers at NORAD’s headquarters in Colorado Springs. Don’t be surprised! Be ready; know when Santa is coming!This was so much fun! Let’s start from the beginning with a quick explanation from US Navy Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Bill Lewis. Bill is part of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) responsible for Tracking Santa on Christmas Eve. Bill said that 1,200 volunteers work the mission for 23 hours to ensure children worldwide know where Santa is going next. Some have done this as a family for 10-15 years and it is now part of…
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Minot AFB Flood Victims – Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and Happy New Year from Military Supporters!
Airmen giving “thank yous” to Home Depot repsWorld events can flood our minds with so much information and unless it impacts us directly it is quickly forgotten! How many remember the floods in June this year in North Dakota? Did you know that more than 1,000 airmen and their families from Minot Air Force Base were displaced and had their homes wrecked by the flooding? I had to think about how that would impact their Christmas/Holidays this year. Well, they have not been forgotten. It is an early Christmas for some of those families who struggled to recover with 135 new appliances (refrigerators, washers and dryers and stoves) delivered to…
