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Military Kids Website Also Helps Parents, Educators
Technology has come a long ways since I was a military-brat PCSing around the world in the 80s and 90s. I didn’t have to deal with year long deployments but I remember Dad being gone for six months at a time for training and schooling. Fast forward a ‘few years’ and I watched my husband head off to Iraq with the Ohio Army National Guard. I had a few print pamphlets and a couple of Internet articles I could share with teachers that weren’t accustomed to having military-children in their classroom but there wasn’t much more support then that.I am so glad to see our military families getting the support they need! The Defense Department…
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Valentines Care Package Ideas
It is that time of year. Time to pull out the USPS Flat Rate Shipping box, decorate it with hearts, smooches and words of endearment and fill it with love. What will you put in your Valentines Care Package? It is nice to have some economical ideas. Items he can use but show that you love him. Things that are small and easy to store that remind him of you. Love that is shared in a note, a kiss, a smell. If this sounds up your alley here are some great ideas for your very own Valentines Package: A homemade card or two from the kids would be great. Leave…
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The Home Depot Celebration of Service 2012 – Meet a military family.
The Home Depot Celebration of Service 2012 – Meet the Purvis family! I had the pleasure of meeting the Purvis family in GrandRapids, Michigan last week, as a part of The Home Depot Celebration of Service 2012. The Home Depot provided them (that we delivered) with decorations, a corner Christmas tree, and an opportunity to meet a wonderful family. Throughout my time with the family we shared plenty of laughs and a few serious and emotional topics. Mr. Purvis has been in the Army National Guard forabout 11 years. He has been deployed 3 times,to Egypt, Iraq and Afghanistan. The family’s living room wall is covered in pictures and memories…
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Away for the Holidays – Care Package Ideas and More
There are a few Christmases that stand out in my life. I remember our first Christmas in Iceland after being separated from my dad for six months while we waited for a house to open up at Keflavik NAS. He had to report without his family but just before the holidays new friends opened up their home to us so that we could be together as a family. Our house would be ready when they returned from a vacation back to the states. That was the Christmas of Homecoming. (Although a new home, but home none the less). Another very memorable Christmas for me was the year my husband was in…
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New Friends, Motherhood and Growth
We are well into the autumn schedule. Boys are at school, my toddler and I are settling into a great routine, which includes some Disney Channel, Lego-time and lots of books. Plus lots of crock-pot time, a newly-painted bedroom and garden canning and storage for the winter months. It has been a great fall so far! But I’m taking on new adventures too. This year that includes MOMSNext. I’m a huge advocate for MOPS. That organization turned my life around from being a lonely mom with not many friends in a new area with a toddler and baby, to an involved mom part of a group; wanted, loved, befriended, needed. …
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Register to Vote /TODAY/
Did you know that deployed it takes about 45 days for deployed military personnel and military & families stationed overseas to register to vote absentee, receive their ballot and mail it back in? That means that they have until September 23rd to request their absentee ballot. If they register after September 23rd the deployed solider very likely will not receive an absentee ballot to vote in the November 6th general election. These are the people that are fighting every day for the American people. Defending our rights of freedom, choice, and opinion. It only seems right that we do our part to ensure they get the right to vote. Deployed personnel must fill out the Federal Post…
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On this 9/11 in 2012, It is Never too Late for our Veterans to seek Help!
“…he did not get help for more than 3 decades – yep, 35+ years and then he felt like damaged goods.” Today is one we do not forget in the United States. Our service men and women have been at war for 11 years since the terrorists struck at us on 9/11/2001. We have lost so many of our service members following the initial terrorist attack during combat and way too many to Suicide. They survive the ravages of war but then the pain comes through … It hurts, they close up, feel isolated and do not seek help or the help is not enough. Their families feel it too……
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Are You Ready for the Army Reserve? Or, Is Your Soldier Ready for the Army Reserve?
Are you a soldier’s spouse, ready for something knew, fewer deployments, going back to school or maybe your soldier sees civilian employment on the horizon? Or are you a soldier that realizes the value of service, enjoy your Army buddies, ready to go home but want to remain a part of the Army? Or maybe uncertain financial times might make a part time check appealing while you get your feet on the ground? Major General Thurgood speaking at AMVETS conventionMilitaryAvenue had the unique opportunity to talk with someone who cares about these soldiers and their families! Army Reserve Major General Keith Thurgood is Deputy Commanding General (Support) and Chief of…
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You Scream, I Scream …
I have a fun loving, head strong, wonderful two year old! As any mother may gush I think he is the best two year older this side of the Mississippi. However, he is a screamer. One of today’s many episodes happened in the library. Of all places. He’s also had ear piercing, atom splitting, dog-hiding under the pillow scream fits at the grocery store, in the kitchen, in the front yard, at the pool, on walks, in public restrooms. You name it, he’s screamed.The problem, usually? He can’t communicate. Sometimes as a mom it makes me feel better to just know why he is screaming. He may throw a fit because he wants…
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The Sad Truth about the Recent Effort to Raise Tricare Fees
“In fact, the medical budget saved $500M in 2011 and $708M in 2012 from what was budgeted!” Saying Goodbye! See Below for Photo CreditWe are a military family blog team! We care about the team – the military team! Yes, we write about their family needs, job search ideas, issues for veterans and post numerous articles about the military lifestyle and its unique challenges on MilitaryAvenue.com. Today I write as a member of that team with a bit of anger toward the military leadership that we normally so appreciate (I did let this sit for a while so I did not use any inappropriate language, etc). The Department of Defense…
