Military Lifestyle

Life as a military spouse is not often framed in the most glowing of terms. We endure a unique set of challenges, after all. But when discussed positively, it’s almost always done as a tribute to fortitude, flexibility, or fearlessness...

I was on my first deployment to the Middle East, and I knew that I wasn't going to return as the same person that left. Since that first deployment I have become a Navy Veteran, military spouse, and military mother....

My husband and I have just celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary and I’ve, naturally, been reflecting on my first decade as a military spouse. I started thinking what I would tell my pre-military spouse self if I had a...

When I was six years old, my family moved two blocks. It was such a short move that the movers propped one side of our swing set on the backside of the open moving van while my dad and...

In its most simple definition, a book club is comprised of a group of people drawn together to read. The members can share their interpretations and opinions; food and drinks can be shared; life experiences can be drawn from...

This month marks our ninth year of marriage. As we begin to plan ways to celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary, I am reminded of all things '10 year' we were once heading toward, prior to Air Force life.  Our family took up...

When I married into the military, I wasn't thinking about the perks. Mostly, I was thinking about the challenges, such as long separations and frequent moves. However, there are benefits to being a military dependent.  I totally married my husband...

“I need to withdraw from the program.” These are words that my brain would not have even considered in 2019 because I thrive on craziness.  To illustrate my love of craziness: last year my daughter had spine surgery, we sold our...

Lingering moving boxes remain tucked away in our basement, filled with donations or items to sell. My son’s artwork covers the fridge, proud trophies from his days spent at his new school. Toys scatter the yard, loved on by...

As a veteran, you probably know about the basic health care and education benefits available to you through the Department of Veterans Affairs: Tricare and the GI Bill. While these benefits alone are substantial, they are far from the...

A few months ago, my 10-year-old daughter came home from school and said, “Mom, today at school, a girl told me to go back where I came from. She also told me that they are a certain type of...

Most people hear the word “retirement” and think of something that happens later in life. Generally, it is a time where one stops working and lives off of a company pension, retirement plan, or savings. It evokes images of...