Deployment

Deployments suck. We can all agree on that. That doesn’t mean we have to lead a terrible life for half the year though. I’m no expert, but I think I lead a pretty happy life even when my husband...

Sometimes I wonder if it’s a blessing or a curse that my husband joined the military later in life. We had the early years of our marriage to grow together into a strong couple, without the interruptions of boot camp,...

We are stronger together than we are alone. It’s a nice idea, but having spent the past 30 plus years as a fiercely independent woman, the idea of asking someone for help isn’t really in my wheelhouse. Neither is...

Tim had a deployment when Jacob, our oldest, had just turned two. It was hard to know how to talk about it with him then—he didn't have the vocabulary or the understanding. Tim gave him a small stuffed lion and...

Nothing says Thanksgiving more than turkey (or tofurkey in some cases). Thanksgiving in the military often means spending the holiday away from family and with friends in a far off place. Here, we've combined that main dish plus service...

I walked into her room to find her sitting up happily. With poop in each hand, she smiled a big toothy grin at me. Considering that I could have caught her "decorating" her crib or walls, I feel I...

Ever feel like you’re on a merry-go-round of negativity? Like your gut reactions line up a liiiiittle too well with Debbie Downer? Then you might need a little cognitive restructuring in your life, my friend. ** Essentially, cognitive restructuring is taking...

The funny thing about a bruise: Sometimes you can't see a bruise, but you can feel it. Other times it's big and ugly and purple. Caused by trauma, these bruises may last a little or a long time. As...

To my many beautiful friends I have met along the way: You know who you are. We held tight to one another through a season. You were my neighbor, we sat next to each other in church, we played games on...

"If You See Him, Say Hello" This is a poem by Military Moms Contributor, Janna Hudson, written to the tune of “If You See Her, Say Hello” by Bob Dylan, released in 1975 on his album, Blood on the Tracks.   If...

I met one of my new neighbors while out for a walk one morning. Well into her nineties, she was out working in her garden. I introduced myself and told her how much I admired her beautiful flowers, particularly...

As a military spouse, your service member is likely away for periods of time. Whether it’s months or weeks, this time can leave you feeling lonely. It can likely make you feel all kinds of things. Sad, annoyed, frustrated,...