-
50 Shades of Selfishness
Have you ever sat through a sermon at church and thought, “Holy Cow is the pastor spying on me? Taking note of where I am lacking? Making sermons that speak to only me?” There was a word running through my head all week: “Selfishness”. It was the first full week of Summer Break and every time I turned around there were kids’ toys… on the counter, on the table, on the floor, on the couch, on the deck, in the grass. You name it. There were toys. I was trying to wrap my head around the mess. No matter how much I reminded the boys to pick up after themselves, no matter how often I…
-
Finding Your Rhythm as a Mom: Mom Connection
I remember sitting in a room full of friends and acquaintances.We were going around the room giving prayer praises & requests. My request was fairly simple. “My husband just found out he is deploying to Iraq. Pray for him. Pray for us.” That group of women was a room full of moms. They were an important part of my community: my rhythm. I was a mom of two boys, aged two and four. I knew these ladies through MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers. They were there for me as I geered up for hub’s deployment, for the year he was gone and then rejoiced with me when he returned. They were a piece of my connection…
-
I’m a Winner! Thanks to UbiRock
Isn’t it fun when you are notified that “You are a winner!”? I have to admit it doesn’t happen often. The first time I ever won something it was a windbreaker from a pet store – eons ago. The next thing I remember winning was a baby carrier (backpack style) from Babies R Us soon after my now 9 year old was born. We still have that backpack and it has been used for my other sons as well as my nieces and nephews. It is like the gift that keeps on giving! Just last week I got that ‘You are a winner’ announcement once again. Three days later in the…
-
You know you are a military-brat when…
April is Month of the Military Child and we have some fantastic give-aways lined up from businesses around the nation that support /you/ the military family. We will have one question for each week. Leave an answer as a comment on this blog and you are elgible to win. Our question of the week:“You know you are a military-brat when …”Source: Uploaded by user via MilitaryAvenue.com on PinterestLook at the military children around you, your own children, maybe even yourself (even at 38 years old I still am a Military-brat through and through). What makes them (or you) uniquely part of the military-community? I’ll go first: I know I am a military…
-
Organizing The Road Trip
The Road Trip. Part of the Great American Military-Family Experience, right? We do it to PCS across the country. We do it to visit family and friends who we moved away from so many years ago, a visit home. We do it to for some R&R, to get out and see parts of the country so many American families will never see. The Road Trip, it is part of the ‘American Military Family’ definition. So how do you prepare for such a great part of your experience as a military-family? I recently ran across some great posts that I thought I would share with you. Whether you will be travelling…
-
Three Veterans in the Same Room
US Marines DoD PhotoOur country has a problem with military service. Less than 1% of our population is physically and mentally capable of serving in the armed forces! An interesting statistic but it does not hit home to most Americans. Then we find after serving so many can not find employment. Finding those who have successfully transitioned is always a great story. Last night during a medical test at the University of Michigan Cancer Center, it was surprising to find three veterans in the same room and two of them were employed there as technicians! One an Army retiree, served 26 years; the second, a former Marine (well always…
-
Roots and Wings
We have an interesting phenomena going on in my house. We have an 18-month old and an 18 year old (and two other brothers in between). My husband and I often laugh with each other over the fact that we are the “young parents” with *J* (at sporting events, parent-teacher conferences etc etc) and we are going to be the “old wiser-parents” with *L*. There are times when I just want my 18-month old to grow up. I want him to communicate (although this can be hard even for an 18 year old); tell me his favorite things; share his deepest wishes; form an opinion that doesn’t involve whining; meet friends;…
-
Tasty Tuesday: Slow Cooking BBQ Chicken
A new baby, a sick family member, a recent (or upcoming) PCS, or ‘just because!’; there are many reasons a gift of dinner is so appropriate and heart-warming. If you are looking for a great dinner to deliver ahead of time this is a great one to try. (Bonus is that you will have two to give and one to keep!) Slow Cooking BBQ Chicken: 3 large unpeeled sweet potatoes4 large green peppers1 large red pepper2 medium onions3 tsps quick cooking tapioca3 – 4 pounds chicken thighs or breasts2 8-ounce cans of diced tomatoes3 tablespoons packed brown sugar3 tsps Worcestershire sauce3 tsps yellow mustard powder3 cloves garlic, minced3 teaspoons salt Chop, dice, cut … into your preferred bite size pieces. Dump everything evenly into three one-gallon…
-
Financial Fitness in 2012
Welcome to a new year, military-families! We have so much ahead of us to look forward to: family time to spend, PCSs to plan, houses to buy, vacations to save for, retirements to plan for, new babies for some and others are sending our babies off to college (Yes, I would fall into that category). 2012 is going to be a great year!Did you make any New Years Resolutions, or I would rather call Personal Goals? How is that going? My big one this year is to get my home more organized. You can read more about that journey and steps I am taking on our blog ‘Our Letters to…
-
Tasty Tuesday: Slow Cooker Goulash – Make Ahead
I love Pinterest. Especially when I find something that looks doable and then I do it! I’ve been able to mark a few things completed. I cleaned out my sink-drains with baking soda and vinegar. We have turned an old dresser into storage shelves in our basement. Most recently I made Freezer-Ready Crock Pot Goulash, a great recipe for my family and also to give as a gift to a family with a new baby. This is a super easy recipe for goulash and I made three two-gallon freezer bags of it, each with 5 cups of prepared, but not cooked, goulash in it. I put it together this afternoon and then can cook it in…
