It has been awhile since I've wrote a "Life Lately" post where I update you on what's going on with our little family of now three. My last post, which you can read here, was all about selling the farmhouse in Indiana. Since then, we've been enjoying life here in Tennessee. We have made lots of friends, found a good church, and we love being able to go back to Indiana to see family basically whenever we want. Things are about to change though. And that's why I'm writing this update. Our lives are about to look very different. This is Travis' last week working in his battalion. Soon, he Continue Reading
5 Things I Learned from Moving Back in with My Parents
I'm so thankful that so many amazing bloggers have been willing to guest post for me this month while I'm on "maternity leave." Today, we have Lindsay from Uplifting Anchor. She talks about how moving back in with her parents while her husband was deployed taught her many things. Be sure to go check out her website after you read this because I love the theme behind it! I’m 30 years old and this past year I moved back in with my parents. That statement used to feel strange, defeated, and wrong on many levels, but not anymore. I am a military spouse, and I moved back in with my folks Continue Reading
The Perfect Gift for the Child with a Deployed Parent
With our little girl just a few months away from arriving, my heart goes out to those women who are giving birth without their husbands. The fact is that many service members do not get to be there for the births of their children because of deployment. I think of the many children who will miss their mommies and daddies this Christmas because they are serving overseas. I hope and pray that Travis doesn't get deployed so that he won't miss a moment with our princess. For those who are away, though, I've found a great gift for them to give to their little ones waiting back home. Every child Continue Reading
Thank You to Our Veterans
Tomorrow is Veterans Day -- a day dedicated to thanking the veterans of our nation. The men and women who serve in our country's military make sacrifices to protect and defend us each day. They are brave, strong, and hardworking. They are selfless and hold great pride for the U.S.A. This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of DAV (Disabled American Veterans). All opinions and text are my own. Thank You, Veterans. I would like to thank all of the veterans who have served or are currently serving. A simple thank you isn't enough for all they do, but it's what I can offer. Of Continue Reading
You Live On/Near a Military Base When…
Travis and I have now lived on or near four military bases -- Fort Stewart, Camp Henry, Fort Leonard Wood, and now Fort Campbell. Over the years, we've began to notice similarities. They all have their differences of course. Fort Campbell doesn't have giant live oak trees, but Fort Stewart didn't have beautiful fall colors. But there are a few things that they all seem to have in common. Things that give it away that you are near a military base. That's why Travis and I came up with this fun list! You Know You Live Near a Military Base When... You are wondering if you just heard thunder Continue Reading
Ways to Prepare for a Military Move
This post about preparing for a military move has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions and tips are 100% mine. #RoadTripOil #CollectiveBias We celebrated our first anniversary while living in Georgia. Our second anniversary, I lived in Indiana while Travis lived in South Korea. On our third anniversary, we lived together again, but this time in Missouri. And this week we are moving to Tennessee, where we will most likely end up spending our fourth anniversary. Military moves (also known as PCS) come with the territory, but I have to admit I had no idea Continue Reading
Nothing is Official in the Military
When we announced we would no longer be moving to New York but instead would be staying here in Missouri, everyone kept asking if it was official. My response was always, "as official as it can be." You see, in the military nothing is ever official. Even after you receive orders, they can still change. In fact, I have even heard stories of people who have moved to their new duty station, started unpacking, and within two weeks their orders had been canceled. They had to move again. If there's one thing you'll learn from military life it's to be flexible. Things will change. A Continue Reading
Acts of Kindness for the Military Community
We PCS every two to three years. We handle deployments and TDYs like a boss. We say goodbye to old friends, and welcome new friends. We shop at the commissary and PX. We enter a gate to get to our jobs and sometimes our homes. We are strong. We are resilient. We are the military community. And military life, although rewarding, can be hard. It can be knock-you-on-your-feet hard. On those days -- or let's face it, sometimes months -- a small act of kindness can mean so much. One simple act of kindness can be the hand that helps you stand back up. There have been plenty of times in my three Continue Reading
On Being an Older Enlisted Spouse
Hello friends. I'll be taking a little blogging break, so I've gathered some blogging friends to guest post here. I wouldn't want ya'll to not have anything to read! My first guest post comes from Julie at Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life. I was 26 years old when my husband re-joined the Army. He went in as an E3 at age 30. A few months later, he promoted to an E4 and that is how he spent the rest of his time as an active duty soldier. A lot of people join the military at a younger age, 18-20 years old. Their spouses are young too. They work their way through the ranks and can make it to E5 Continue Reading
“Blue Without You” Care Package
I had so much fun making a baseball-themed care package and a Fourth of July care package for Travis while he lives in South Korea. I've been looking forward to the next box I could send. I definitely miss Travis -- like a lot. So this care package seemed perfect. I really have been feeling blue without my hubby! When you open the box, it says "I'm so BLUE ... without YOU!" It's really simple to decorate and fill this box. I used blue scrapbook paper to cover the box and white sticker letters for the phrase. I included two blue ribbon bows to add a little something extra and fun to the Continue Reading
Uplifting & Strengthening Playlist to Overcome Deployment
This is my first time away from Travis for so long. It's been hard for sure. Although, this isn't technically a deployment -- the separation and lack of communication makes it feel like one sometimes. One of the ways I am getting through these months is through uplifting and strengthening music. Listening to certain music can change my mood and attitude. I think this playlist for deployment can help you overcome and feel strong. This list of more than 60 songs has many different genres of music, so you are sure to find something you like! Add these songs to your playlist for Continue Reading
Ways to Bless a Military Spouse
Looking for ideas on how to show kindness to a military spouse? Well, you've come to the right place. As a military spouse myself, I have always been so thankful to those friends, family, and even strangers who have blessed me, especially when my husband is away. It means so much to know we are supported and cared for. Some of these ideas are my own, and I've asked other military spouses to chime in with their ideas too. Here are 10 ways to bless a military spouse. 1. Invite me over. It can be for dinner or just to watch TV and hang out -- I just want some company. Especially Continue Reading