It seems crazy to remember...

It seems crazy to remember it was this time of year when my Sailor ran off to play with the Army in Afghanistan. He left just before the trees were changing color, and the weather was turning cooler. I remember thinking he would miss this beautiful time of year. Fall is my favorite time of year, a time when I like to stay closer to home and enjoy snuggling under warm blankets and start the art of making hot cocoa on a regular basis.

I remember when he told me he had a t-shirt for me that said "NARMY" on it. (the N is for Navy) I thought it was hilarious and at a time when laughs were not easily happening it was a much needed happy moment.

I know that tonight as little ones are walking the streets trick or treating or attending fall festivals, there will be many dads (and moms) who will be deployed this cool fall evening and miss the giggles and "BOO's" and all that candy.

I just wanted to take a moment from the business of today to say how thankful I am there are deployed troops out there, boot on ground protecting our freedoms while we can be back here enjoying the comforts of home.

If you are taking your kids out on your own tonight, a big warm hug to you. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed.

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School & Cincinnati Dentist to send candy to troops

I have been SO blessed to have had the student teaching placements I have had. The Cincinnati area is not a military town/area. Wright Patt Air Force Base is about 90 minutes north, but no one really goes between there and here. We do have a number of reserve and guard stations, but still - not really a military town. However, it is a city, that I truly believe, supports the troops.



I am student teaching in a VERY small school in Northern Kentucky, just outside Cincinnati. It's so small that the elementary, middle, and high schools are all one larger building. The school and the local girl scout troop will be collecting Halloween Candy on Monday, November 2, to send to the deployed troops. The school has adopted a guard unit from the area that has been deployed. Those lucky soldiers frequently receive cards, letters, care packages, etc. from the students. Let me just tell you - that warms my heart. I love walking in a school wear students are wearing hoodies that say Support the Troops and then the adopted unit is printed under that. Seriously! This is a PUBLIC school too! I LOVE IT! I love being an Army Wife. When I see things like that, I nearly cry - and sometimes I do cry!

To top that, there is a local dentist who pays kids $1 per pound of candy they get on Halloween. He then sends that candy to the troops. His step-son is a former marine. It all started there, but even though his step son is now out of the Marines, he continues to send the candy and support the troops. Here is a link about the story!
http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/C2/20091024/NEWS/910240313/

I just love this life! I truly LOVE being an Army Wife. It's funny that I say that, because back when I was in high school and all, I used to say that I would never marry a soldier/cop/etc because it's too dangerous. I also used to say women didn't belong in the military. Here I am years later - I'm a soldier and I married a soldier. God sure does work in mysterious ways! I wouldn't change the path my life has taken - it has been the most exciting adventure yet!

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United Through Reading: USO supports our Troops

They won't hug their daddy for another 6 months.

But he can still read to them every night.

United Through Reading records soldiers overseas reading books and sends the DVDs and the books to their children back home.

What do you tell a toddler who wants Mommy to tuck him in when Mommy is in Afghanistan? How does a family cope when Daddy is gone and no one knows when he'll be back?

One of the hidden costs of war is the heartbreaking separation of children from their soldier parents. That's why the USO has teamed up with United Through Reading: to help families stay close when Mommy or Daddy is deployed far from home.

Support our troops by supporting their kids

The United Through Reading Program provides access to books, cameras,
DVDs and mailers at USO locations worldwide. Soldiers are video-recorded reading books and talking to their children. Back home, when kids miss Mommy or Daddy, they can insert a DVD to see and hear the one they love and connect in a way that simply isn't possible through letters and photos.

Our troops willingly choose a life of service and sacrifice. But the children they leave behind have no choice. Your tax-deductible donation now can make a world of difference to a child whose parent is half a world away. Thank you for your support.

Click now to help "bring soldiers home" to their kids (http://www.uso.org/WN910UTR)

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Last Chance for Nominations: Military Spouse of the Year

http://msoy.milspouse.com/

Military Spouse Magazine's Military Spouse of the Year contest has only 15 days left for nominations. Head over to the website and get your nominations in!

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Weekend at Edelweiss...

Hello everyone, this is Jessica. Here again to add another post. This time I wanted to share our eventful weekend (last weekend). Have you ever heard of a Marriage Retreat? I am not sure about in the States, but overseas and within this BN and through the Chaplain Services we have them here. There have been Single, Marriage (family), Couple, and Single Parent retreats through out these couple of years we have been stationed here. We had the privilege of going this last weekend to a Marriage Retreat.

So, sometimes I feel annoyed when some say that the Army doesn't take care of it's people. I feel in the latter years (decade) that the Army has and is improving on the subject of Family.

Information is being put out by the communities better through websites and different social outlets such as Facebook and Twitter--two of which I use most.
My community homepage is stacked with information...please visit at IMCOM-Europe USAG Schweinfurt. You can look on-line for just about anything that pertains to your community---you just have to search a little.

Anyway, back to the marriage retreat. We spent two overnights and 3 days at Garmisch at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort. Such a beautiful place in Germany! Visit their website and see!!

For the highlight of the trip, we had childcare available during the sessions (for our seminar) and free meals to boot!! You cannot beat the price of that! Especially if you are eating AT the hotel. Although, we did not have much time for outside excursions, we did have time to spend QUALITY time with our family. And that is the main focus of the retreat--to focus on your family.

The seminar was presented by our BN's Chaplain, CH (CPT) W. Harrison. He is such a great guy and he presents the information to where everyone can understand and make it relate to everyday living. I enjoyed the topic and the materials.

The seminar was based on the book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families." by Stephen R. Covey. Each family received the book and a participants guidebook too! I really enjoyed the time and learned alot from both the speaker (Chaplain) and from the materials.

I mean really....does your family have a FAMILY MISSION STATEMENT? We didn't. Question: What do you want your family to stand for? The 7 Habits can be located here for viewing...

If nothing else, we enjoyed a weekend of family togetherness and we brought home our family's FIRST 'Family Mission Statement' and by involving our children into the mission statement and getting feedback from them...we are an Army of One and NOW a Family of One. Mind you, harmony doesn't happen overnight...it happens when you have open lines between your family; e.g. spouse and chidren.

If you have the opportunity to go to one of these retreats, please do so they are worth it and more. Have a wonderful week and make the most of it with Thanksgiving...

Be glad you have a family, be glad you have a husband or wife that protects you and country. And be proud to be apart of this wonderful organization...it is not always an utopia, but it is what we have.

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The Ugly

I don't know why I thought I could handle this deployment with grace. The rest of my life is crumbs, mess, and stress, so why did I think that I would suddenly turn into super mom when my husband left? We seem to have skipped the Good and the Bad and gone straight to the Ugly.

I am exhausted, worn out, and frustrated. I really thought that if I was prepared and upbeat we would skate through the deployment unscathed. Instead, there are crying children, angry children, puke, blood, and lots of Mommy tears. My six year old is crying, my four year old is angry, and my two year old has started hitting kids at preschool. Thankfully our youngest, is oblivious to the swirling turmoil in the house.

I wanted so desperately to thrive during this time and I feel like I am struggling to survive. How could I have forgotten how hard this is? I am trying to keep my head up and focus on using the resources that the Army and friends provide. It is so much easier to give advice then it is to take it.

The moral of this story is that Deployments Suck!

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Hi There! Thank you for inviting me!

Today I want to say hello and introduce myself. I used to blog for Loving a Soldier, and now have the opportunity to have a go at it again...thank you!

My name is Kathleen, and as the mother of an Army Sgt. I will be bringing a little different perspective to the table. I do not live the life of a military wife, but am instead a step removed from the action. I am the grandmother of my sons two military kids, Devon Victoria (age 7) and Landen Bradley (age 5). I work at keeping my grandchildren connected with their Daddy.

I grew up as the daughter of a Lt. Col, but again ,was a step removed because my parents were divorced. After the age of 7, I was not the kid that moved all the time anymore. My grandchildren now live the same situation. I was always proud of my father, who was one of five, who all served in the military. My husband (before I met him), my brother, cousins, and now my son, are all American servicemembers.

In response to the needs of my grandchildren, my friend Paula and I wrote two books for military kids called We Serve Too! One on deployment and one on reunion. These books have kept us pretty busy , and involved with the military community, even though we are civilians.

I have spent my life in the service of children, from raising four of our own (two by birth and two by adoption) teaching special needs, teaching art and Sunday school, being a caseworker for an international adoption agency, and being a writer and artist. I love kids!:)

I have a heart for the children who are waiting for a beloved parent to return home. As a parent and teacher I know that it is not easy. When children see the purpose in the waiting, they adjust much better to the deployment.

Today I did a sketch of a soldier and son. Having lived this one as my son was away, I thought I would share it with you.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Kathleen

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K12: How Brains Actually Learn

Mastery should be possible for everyone

Our specialty is individualized learning. Our curriculum is based on cognitive science, decades of research about learning, and tried-and-true methodologies. What does all that mean to you? Basically, it means we focus on how brains actually learn, on the concepts and skills kids need to succeed in each subject area, and on wrapping our lessons with rich, engaging content that turns minds on. All kinds of minds--not just the "best and brightest." We believe that academic success leads to career success and that many, many kids can get there. But we also recognize that there is more than one way of learning—that not all kids learn in the same way. Given the right mix of tools and approaches, mastery should be for everyone.Our curriculum is provided in a way that allows you to adjust to the pace, schedule, and learning style that works best for your child—which could vary day by day and subject by subject. We've set out very clear lesson objectives for you, and our assessments are designed to help you and your teacher gauge when your child has mastered each objective. We've also included a variety of activities; the type and amount of activity needed to master each lesson objective will vary by subject and child. Your teacher will work with you to make sure you know if your child can move on, or needs to slow things down and do more to cement a concept or skill. We also know how to match the right learning tool to the task. We use rich digital media and animations when a lesson is best taught using interactivity. We use beautiful illustrations and words that make stories and ideas jump off the page when print works best. And we use paint, rocks, dirt and other messy stuff when the best approach is to get their hands dirty. These approaches help engage young minds in the right ways.It doesn't matter whether your child is used to being the head of the class, feeling left behind, or somewhere in between—we will set you on the right path, we will give you the best tools and we will support you as you guide your child through some of the best educational experiences ever created.It won’t be easy. But it will be exhilarating as you watch your child's mind grow, month by month, year by year.


Tried and True – Research based methods for learning without limits

The first thing to know about our approach is that it really is based on tried-and-true methods. This may sound odd coming from an innovative company that applies technology to learning—aren't we "cutting edge?" The truth is, we apply cutting-edge technology to make tried-and-true methods of learning happen. We take the words "tried and true" very seriously. By "true" we mean "research-based." When we first began developing our programs in the spring of 2000, we knew that early reading was probably the most important skill we could focus on. We needed a method that would work with the widest possible range of children. We read the research, and identified a key group of research studies that seemed to us to have the best evidence about how learning to read should work. We sat down with one of the key researchers and asked her, "What's the program we should be using that best implements this research work?"Her response: "None of them." So we made the decision to build it ourselves. Now, seen from one view, that was a crazy decision: there were many reading programs available at the time—why didn't we just pick one? After all, that's what just about everyone else does when they start a school. Why, especially as a start-up, go through the expense and pain of doing such a large thing that others have already done?The reasons for us were clear, and get to the heart of why we are different than other curriculum providers. First, learning to read well, right at the outset, is incredibly important. Even math performance is tightly linked to reading performance in the first few years of education. Therefore we needed the best possible approach to reading to maximize our students' abilities to learn in all other subjects. Secondly, we had clear research showing how to do this well—the kind of research that, unfortunately, is not commonly available for many areas in education. This research gave us confidence that if we built a program around these principles, we'd have a program that would work for many different kinds of children, if the families put in the time to do the activities systematically and well.Most of education does not have anything like the clear evidence for success that reading research has built. Where those gaps exist, we look for approaches that have been "tried" over and over and proven effective. We find examples of systematic, wide use of good materials that have led to successful, deep, wide-ranging learning over time. A clear example of this is the work of the Core Knowledge Foundation, which has been teaching compelling, rich content to children across America in a wide range of circumstances for more than a decade. Our own John Holdren comes from there; in fact he co-authored several books while there, including the "What Every Child Needs to Know" series. In the next section, you can hear John Holdren describe the influence of Core Knowledge on our approach and why it is good for your child.
Building a solid foundation

To succeed in modern society, you have to know a lot. And you have to have this knowledge instantly accessible at your mental fingertips. So how do we get all this important knowledge? Well, you might think schools would teach it. But that's not always the case. Schools vary widely in the depth and breadth of what they teach. From one state to another, from one classroom to another, there's dramatic variation in the content of the curriculum and the pedagogical approach of the teachers. Faced with such variation, how can we be sure our children are learning what they need to know? To address this question, the curriculum experts at K¹² have consulted with many experts in various fields to gain insights into what experts know and how they structure their knowledge. We’ve also examined many state standards, research reports, and model curriculum programs. In our judgment, one of the strongest, most thoroughly researched models comes from the non-profit Core Knowledge Foundation, founded in 1986 by University of Virginia professor E. D. Hirsch, Jr. (Our own John Holdren worked there as Director of Research and Publications.) Professor Hirsch set in motion a long process of research and consensus-building that led to the publication of the Core Knowledge Sequence. Core Knowledge offers specific content guidelines, grade by grade, in history, geography, mathematics, science, language arts, visual arts, and music. It explicitly and concretely lays out the important knowledge and skills our children need. In its first years, the Core Knowledge Sequence was tested in a range of schools: private and public, rural, urban, and suburban, some serving the privileged and others the disadvantaged. The sequence was then revised based on this practical experience. The Core Knowledge Sequence has helped inspire and guide K¹² as we developed our curriculum for the elementary and middle grades. We've adapted, varied, and added to the Core Knowledge recommendations based upon our own continuing research into how children learn, how technology can enhance learning, and the best materials to support learning. The K¹² curriculum offers rich, challenging, and engaging content. Moreover, this content is carefully sequenced so that, from one grade to the next, students build new knowledge on the strong foundations of what they’ve already learned. We’ve been careful to ensure that students of our curriculum won’t suffer from the repetitions and gaps that afflict many classrooms—our students won't get the same lesson, year after year, on the rainforest; nor will they get to high school without ever having heard of the Bill of Rights. Our curriculum is designed to make sure that kids get the core knowledge they need—that they learn what they need to know to succeed and thrive.

Experts are made, not born

Successful athletes are made by the blood, sweat, and tears they put into honing their natural talents. Chess masters have played tens of thousands of games of chess. A concert pianist practices his craft every day, sometimes for hours on end. Cognitive scientists are finding that mastery in almost any subject area looks the same. Hard work, practice, and the right tools pave the road to success in every field—easier things become fast and fluent, while the conscious mind has conceptual tools to tackle the toughest parts of problems. Over the last 50 years, scientists have been studying the difference between how experts and novices work on problems, and have discovered some key things about expertise and what it takes to get there. One thing that happens when you practice is that some tasks become so natural you don't even think about them anymore. Some skills and conceptual frameworks are moved below the level of conscious thought—below the part of your mind that "talks" to you all the time.Think about bicycle riding: after a few months of practice, a child no longer has a panicked internal conversation about, "What am I doing with the handlebars? How do I stop? Will I die?" Instead, subconscious mental processes grow up, through practice, to handle the basic chores of keeping upright, steering, balancing, braking. This leaves the conscious mind free to focus on more complex goals, like "What's the fastest way to Billy's house from here?All experts wind up with key, subconscious frameworks of understanding within their discipline. These frameworks are usually common to folks in the same discipline, trained in the same way. And these frameworks really do become subconscious—experts are often no longer even aware their expertise is organized along these lines, just as you may no longer know how to describe "how to ride a bike," or "how to read" in words.We call these frameworks the Big Ideas , and our curriculum provides the right content and tools to ensure that with the right amount of practice, all kinds of minds can wrap themselves around and internalize the Big Ideas in each subject area.
The “Big Ideas” will set them free

All experts wind up with key, subconscious frameworks of understanding within their discipline. These frameworks are usually common to folks in the same discipline, who are trained in the same way. And these frameworks really do become subconscious—experts are often no longer even aware that their expertise is organized along these lines, just as you may no longer know how to describe "how to ride a bike," or "how to read" in words.By actually watching experts work and talk together, someone on the outside can begin to describe what these frameworks look like. The reason it's so important to understand these subconscious expert frameworks is that for most people, these frameworks will not emerge without systematic teaching and practice over time. It's incredibly important to us to understand what these frameworks look like, so that we (and you) can make the right down-payments on future expertise. We call these frameworks the "Big Ideas" in a subject area, and we use them to help organize the content and provide the focus for every new course we build.This is another way that we are different from other curriculum companies, and why we think working hard on our programs will pay off for your family. In addition to what we can find from existing studies, we actually do the interviewing work ourselves with experts to find out the Big Ideas. We've done this with physicists, mathematicians, historians, writers, and more. Once we have a structure of the Big Ideas from the experts and our own reviews of cognitive science literature, we put it to work as we develop courses across grade levels. We want to make sure we are making early down-payments on these Big Ideas, so that your children can choose what areas to become experts in later—not be blocked out because they simply didn't get the right starting points. For example, quantum mechanics is a core Big Idea in physics. But we haven't found any way to teach quantum mechanics to anyone under 18! What we have done is make a down payment on something that can be a stumbling block: waves. Waves are wet and fun and engaging. And while we have our students' minds engaged in thinking about and making waves, we are actually making the first down payment—in elementary school—on quantum theory! Imagine! We don't know of any other curriculum that has taken this approach.

That's what K¹² does better than anyone—we use the right research, the right visuals, the right interactions, and the right use of technology to make key learning really come alive for kids.

About K12
K12 is America's largest online curriculum provider for grades K through 12, with more than 1 million online course enrollments to date, delivered worldwide.

More information can be found at www.K12.com or click here for information specific to military families ( http://k12.com/who-we-help/military-families/)

Options include:
Tuition-free, full-time public schooling (www.k12.com/schools-programs/online-public-schools/) in many states.

An accredited online private school (www.k12.com/int) available worldwide
Over 150 individual courses including world languages, AP, and electives available for direct purchase.

Active duty families can always save 15% on independent study courses or full-time options with teacher support.

For more information on K12, click here

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Memorials in DC

As you can probably tell, my weather here today is crummy, so it is leading me to just watching the rain and pondering my thoughts and blogging away... I started to organize my photos from my AUSA trip to DC, and it really got me thinking.

While I was there, I made sure to visit the WWII Memorial before I left. I feel when I go there like it is my time to connect with my grandpa, who fought on the Pacific side during the War. This trip, as I wore all of my Army pins and my badge from the conference, I was approached by one of the many WWII vets that visit the memorial daily. Mind you- I always cry while I am here, just because I feel close to my grandfather and like I am at that moment his eyes. When the man approached, he just put a hand on my shoulder to thank me for being so tough. I must have looked at him oddly, because he pointed to all of my buttons and was able to name each post that they came from. I thanked him, while choking back tears for everything he had done and told him I was thrilled that he was able to see the beautiful memorial and that I wish my grandpa had been able to. He just stood there for a second and said "He can see it" and then the water works.

It really just touches me time and time again to see the servicemen come from near and far to pay tribute and to all the people that go to support loved ones, or even people they do not know. It got me to thinking about my own families future. I surely hope that with all that is going on in our world today our service members are lucky enough to experience and witness with their own eyes a tribute to them and all of the struggles and successes that they had during their time in theatre. That they will be able to stand with their children and grandchildren and share their stories. Some people might not be aware of how truely special that is, but all it takes is watching the servicemembers at any single memorial and looking into their eyes as they stand....it is almost like looking into their hearts.

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Holiday Mail for Heroes

Holiday Mail For Heroes is here again! This year, we are teaming up with our friends at Pitney Bowes for the third time to send holiday cards to service members, veterans, and their families. This is a great way to give back this holiday season - by sharing your kind words and thanks with those who have given a great deal to their country.

We will begin accepting cards on November 2nd. Send in your cards to the address below, and please read the guidelines carefully!

Holiday Mail For Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

All cards must be postmarked no later than Monday, December 7th. Cards postmarked after this date will unfortunately be returned to the sender. This deadline ensures enough time to sort and distribute cards before the holidays.

After the mailbox closes, the cards we received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country. Then, the cards are sent out to recipients in time for the holidays.

For more information visit http://redcrosschat.org/2009/10/27/holiday-mail-for-heroes-2/

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Free meal on Veterans Day!

Hello all!

I just recently learned about this and wanted to make sure I shared the wealth! I would make sure to give a call before heading to make sure your location is offering it! I'm just going to copy and paste the information that I sent out to my FRG! This is a great way to get out and not have to cook if your spouse is here! Enjoy!!!

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In recognition of your service to our country, all veterans and active duty military personnel are invited to eat free at Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar Restaurants this Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov.11, 2009. As you may recall, Applebee's launched a pilot program last year on Veterans Day offering free entrees to military service personnel and veterans. Because the response was so overwhelmingly positive, Applebee's is extending the invitation throughout the country this year. We would appreciate your help in spreading the word. Please help us share details across your various communication channels. All U.S. veterans and active duty military with proof of current or former military service will eat free at all Applebee's nationwide on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009. Proof of service includes: U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, photograph in uniform or wearing uniform. For additional details, visit: http://www.applebees.com/vetsday <http://www.applebees.com/vetsday>

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Haunted thoughts, black cats, vampires - OH MY!

So I had this GRAND idea to give you this totally awesome military spouse related blog post but my thoughts have been so haunted, a black cat has crossed my path, and I feel as though a vampire has sucked the life right out of my creativity! MAYBE IT IS BECAUSE IT IS HALLOWEEN! (Ok, so I'm just kidding on the creative part but I thought it made a good intro LOL)

A little ghost told me this week was going to be simply ghoulish!

We have a big plan this weekend to do the haunted trail, really deck out our house in Halloween craziness, and live up the holiday! Grandma and Grandpa are coming too!

Every year we have a family theme to Halloween - here's a pic from last year - we're nuts! This year we're all vampires and witches. It will be interesting!!

So, what are your Halloween plans? Anything exciting going on on post this year? Share with us! Pictures, events...anything!

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Hello Fellow Military Wives...

Hello to all…this is my first blog post so I thought I'd do my best at introducing myself...my name is Lauren and my husband, Jason, is a Maintenance Officer in the Air Force. We have been together for almost 12 years…married for 5…parents to one sweet little girl!

My husband’s father is retired Air Force and he was my only real affiliation with the military. It wasn’t until Jason and I were in college at Texas A&M, he was in the Corps of Cadets, and when Bin Laden attacked our country that Jason was validated in his desire to serve his country. It was then, in 2001, that I realized I would eventually be a military wife. A military wife…what exactly does that mean?

The average person who has no affiliation with the military might assume a military wife is your quintessential mother of five who rears her children at home, has a meal on the table each night, and keeps an orderly house for her husband to come home to after a long day of defending freedom. While that might be true in many cases I think it’s safe to say that life isn’t always that simple. As a mother of one I know the work involved in child rearing and that is something ALL mothers can relate to. However, add on top of that a husband that is frequently away from home, works long hours, and is sometimes unreachable and we have an entirely new plethora of challenges that we have to tackle. I’m sure you can all relate to feeling like things tend to fall apart only in times of an absent husband, whether that is literally or figuratively. As of late I have had to handle several life situations without my husband’s input and as stressful and emotional as those situations were, they made me realize that military wives probably aren’t given nearly enough credit for all that we have on our plate. I’d like to think that as our husbands are “called to duty” we have a special calling of our own and only we know how big of a responsibility that is. Our families might have a glimpse into all that we bear, our friends might wonder how we do it, but it is the military wife community alone that can truly grasp our roles and responsibilities. I look forward to walking this road with all of you, sharing our good times and bad, and just being brutally honest about it all.

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The Storm…

Hello Everyone,

I know it has been a long time since my last blog! Life has been so busy…moving so fast!

Today…as I looked out of the window at the rain…I thought about just how much we can learn from a storm. If you have ever taken the time to watch a storm …you may find trees bending…dark clouds hiding the beauty of the sun…sometimes we find streets flooded…rivers overflowing and lives changed due to the damage done. Although I am reminded of some of those simple things that come during a storm…I am also mindful of the beauty brought forward after a storm. Somehow after a storm the grass appears greener the flowers seem brighter and depending on whether you live in the countryside or not you can see dirt washed away from the pavement. After a storm…I just love the sound of birds singing and children rushing outside to play.


My fellow Army wives…I am sure you have faced many different kinds of storms from deployment to moving your family from one part of this globe to another in a very short period of time. Like superwomen you simply handle whatever life brings your way with grace…a grace that from time to time surprises even you! I came across this beautiful quote by author and poet Maya Angelou (see below). Although her quote has few words it speaks volumes…in fact it is my great hope for each of you!!!


I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refused to be reduced by it. ~ Maya Angelou


No matter what you are faced with or how that event may change you… my prayer is that it will never diminish you to something less then you were born to be! After all God had something awesome on His great mind when He gave you to your soldier...destiny! Yes you lady are apart of someone else's destiny…I like to think of Army wives as the sweet rain that clears the way for a big beautiful rainbow! A gateway to home for your soldier and your children! You are that huge oak tree that bends from side to side during a huge storm…but you never ever break! If you are wondering how on earth you will make it through this season in your life…do not worry…because this to shall pass my friend! You are a diamond you get better and better with each clear cut! As I said you are evidence of the rainbow after the storm! Never lose that hope that flickers in your eyes!

I want to give a very special thank you to all those Army wives…who stood up to remind me that I too could shine like a rainbow in the sky!


Wishing you the best~
Tara JW

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Sears Heros at Home Wish Registry for TODAY!

My husband and I were blessed enough to be one of the chosen families to participate in this last year. So, I just wanted to post this so that many more families can be involved. They keep closing and opening registration, but they are open for now, so go quick and register!

Thank you to Sears!

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My Introduction!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009


Hello Army Wife Friends!This is my very first blog...ever! (Please bare with me as I begin my journey in the blogging world!)My name is Melanie. I am currently at Fort Bliss with my husband Nathan. We have only been here 7 months, after a short stay at Fort Sill, OK and 4 years at Fort Bragg, NC. We have been married for about a year and a half (I know, we are still in newlywed phase!) however, we have been dating for 5 years now and endured 2 deployments together! (And I still married him!!! J/K)

I am the leader for a brand spanking new FRG, so that keeps me very busy, but in any spare time I have I can be found job hunting here in El Paso!I have my BA degree in Early Childhood Ed, from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. (Shout out all you Ohioans- O-H! ) I was born and raised just East of Cleveland, and am very lucky to have an always supportive, and very close family. I am very much a homebody, so I miss my mom, dad, and sister dearly, but have learned that in this lifestyle, everywhere you move its like an adopted family after just a few months.

I am crazy about scrapbooking, and have FINALLY finished my wedding scrapbook, and have made it my new goal to have a section in a SB for each place we live...lets see how that pans out once we have little ones running around!! I am a big fan of traveling, as my husband and I are always on the road getting intentionally lost to see what kind of neat place we can stumble upon...and depending on the post...how long it took us to get there!!!I look very forward to getting to know many of you so much more, I have been reading the blogs, but now I am a part of them! Wahoo!

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Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS (34 letters)from the movie Mary Poppins is not the longest word in English, although many people believe it is... Do I know the longest word in English? Nope.

But after receiving Mary Poppins on DVD here recently from a friend (THANKS by the way), a flash-flood of memory came upon me. I remember watching Mary Poppins on T.V. when I was a kid. I lived with my retired grandparents who were raising four grandchildren (girls) on a very tight budget. You don't get what you want most of the time and you didn't have the lastest (of anything) growing up in my home---so anything we watched it was on T.V. and life living with grandparents was a blessing --for the most part...

I still like Mary Poppins and my message is not mainly about Mary Poppins but the feeling it gave me....

From what I remember, the songs in-between were quite funny and cheery and the movive was enjoyable. This is the main topic of dicussion! Why am I so happy(happier than usual)? Well, living in Germany for 3 years now, my family FINALLY get to visit back home. Yes, trip to the States! Actually, even better a FREE trip back to the States. Yes, unintentionally (we won't go there) my DH (dear husband) did a COT and so we'll be here in Germany for another couple of years. Good news is we get to go home for a visit.

We will be going soon and I am excited to see family. Last time I saw my family face-to-face was 3 years ago. For me that is a very long time. In August of 2006, our third son was born and we left the States of October of the same year. So three years later, of course he is now 3 and we added a fourth son and he is a year old when we visit!! *Smiling and laughing* They'll be able to meet our baby boy and see how much all our boys have grown....

Another reason for happiness is that unlike most we do homeschool. So, I am not worried about their school work. It comes along with us! Being it our first year, I am finding out some perks that go along with homeschooling military brats! Also, I'll be able to see New Moon when it comes out! LOL!! My sister-in-law already suggested a girls night out! Yippee!

I just wanted to shout out, "SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS!"

We'll have a busy month coming up no doubt--we'll be traveling to Texas and Ohio while in the States. Yes, four children, 2 adults, 4 luggages, 2 backpacks, 2 long flights, 1-twelve hour drive, 1 short flight and 1 layover----I am ready. I think...

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Army Wife Life October 19, 2009

This edition of Army Wife Life discussion is brought to you in partnership with Lucky Army Wives! (www.LuckyArmyWives.com)

Please leave your answers to the questions below by commenting on this post. Listen for Tara & Star's answers on Show 236: Week of Oct 19, 2009 using our AWTR Player in the right sidebar!

Excerpt blog post: “When we troll through the neighborhood or attend our kids’ school functions or chat with acquaintances at the PX, we keep a notebook and pen close by. Why? To make sure we capture any and all pertinent details related to the joys, sorrows, ups, downs, good days, bad days our sources are willing to reveal – aka gossip, rumor, innuendo.
Ha! Just kidding – we actually use voice activated digital recorders. Really, who has time to stop and write things down?!

On a serious note, via the application of multiple theorems and mind draining statistical analysis, we’ve determined that the very simple concept of listening – at approximately 90% of one’s typical capacity – will result in the gathering of information of slightly questionable validity that can then be repeated at 16-hour intervals thereby becoming completely inaccurate within 96 hours.

And where’s the harm in that ladies? My glass house is another’s Windex work waiting to happen! We’re particularly fond of the ammonia (and arsenic) dripping from the "Did you see...?", "Can you believe...?", "I was told..." cleaning teams.”

Discussion Point 1: What expenses would you be willing to give up in order to hire a cleaning service?
Discussion Point 2: Windex or Glass-plus?

Discussion Point 3: Even been implicated in a piece of gossip gone south?

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Free Book for Military Kids!

AUSA has launched Operation Thanksgiving Eagle 2009 as a way to thank military children for the daily sacrifices they make. As their way of saying THANK YOU they are offering a book called It's a Family Thanksgiving! They are offering this book for FREE on a first come, first serve basis!

Click HERE for more information and to order your book!

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Burned+soldier+portrait+to+show+at+Smithsonian

Burned+soldier+portrait+to+show+at+Smithsonian

Shared via AddThis

I wanted to share this as part of the news, but I didn't think I could get through it without crying.

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Tis' the season....or not.

Tis' the season, and I'm not talking about Christmas. I'm talking about cold and flu season. Currently I am sitting at my kitchen bar typing this while drinking a mug of honey vanilla chamomile tea trying to get my voice back. I am going on day two of no voice and it's been fun with two little kids to corral! (can you sense the sarcasm?) I, of course, am not the only one sick in our household as I am sure a lot of you readers can relate. Also to top it off, my husband is deployed overseas, so I have no choice but to tough it out. Of course, I can call one of my wonderful friend's whose husbands are also deployed with mine, but most of them have kids I wouldn't want to be getting sick, and the kid-less one's I wouldn't want to be getting sick either. So what is there for me to do? Well, remind myself that I am a stay at home mom and my priority are these kids. Seems simple right? Well, it is, once I forget about cleaning, and let the dishes pile up, tell myself it's okay if our 3yr old misses a day of preschool, and not be hard on myself when it comes to everything else. Things are easier to adapt to when I'm in that mind-frame and I can be at a good place mentally when our daughter wakes up in the middle of the night and needs to come to bed with me because her fever has spiked.

So, for all those mommies who are sick and have sick babies or any other combination of that statement, just remind yourself that it's okay to let the house slide for a few days and cuddle those babies up all that they will let you! Tomorrow can worry about itself!

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P.S I Love You...from Boot Camp (the things heard in the silence)

As I have blogged before my husband Pachenko is currently in Boot Camp in a far away State. So being how we are doing the snail mail for the most part communications pass each other on the mail route. Things have been tough financially so sitting at my desk trying to write a positive cheerful letter to my sweet husband I would keep getting as far as "I Love you, I miss you, the kids love and miss you, we are so proud of you, we are all fine and everything is great" I have a notebook full of these started letters...I never get any farther then this..I miss my husband and love him very much but I don't lie and to me I feel like by writing this I am lying.
I know that the last thing my husband needs is to be worrying about things he can't possibly do anything about back at home. The Army, his boot camp training is where his focus should be, 100% on that which is what I want.
So I start another letter that goes unfinished. As I sit there with pen to paper my cell rings and it's Pachenko 4 kids are sick with horrible colds and now I have it too I am toughing it out..As I answer the phone he says " Hi babe I only have 5 mins I love you" I return the " I love you, the kids love you, we miss you, are you ok? how are things going?" and he says " what's wrong? and I sigh and say " nothing at all" I just lied to my husband I know I did it with his best intentions but the truth would of made him worry..
I was getting pretty stretched thin at the end the night before payday I cracked open my emergency change jar and paid for gas with $20.00 in dimes with a stack of shut-off notices for all our bills for the day after payday. I sat praying that he'd get paid his 1st pay check and I wouldn't have to wait until the 1st of November as I waited for midnight to come I signed onto the bank website patiently waiting for the clock to say 12AM and I was crushed at 12:15AM that no he did not get paid. I stressed, cried, tossed and turned all night worrying what I would do after a restless night of sleep I slept in not wanting to deal with calling all the bill collectors and asking for any more extensions. I rolled out of bed with a heart full of dread feeling like I had let down my husband and my daughters because obviously I had failed keeping it all running smoothly while my husband was gone.
I figured it was time to face the music so I signed online to make sure the depressing $8.00 I had in the bank was still there. I was stunned to see that my husbands pay was deposited. God, Government Doesn't matter who but my prayer was answered so within seconds I was paying every possible bill I could pay online I wiped out 90% of his check paying bills but the relief I felt was worth it.
I got a letter today from Pachenko and I am going to share a part of it with y'all so you can see how much what we don't say can weigh on our Soldiers..when he called I was quiet, withdrawn, feeling defeated and just not my normal self. So here is what Pachenko said:
"Dear Jenni Wynne you sounded upset with me on the phone. If I did something to make you mad I'm sorry! The last thing I want right now is to be here knowing that you're mad at me. The training, the pt, the drill sergeants yelling, little sleep, no free time.. IS ALL EASY for me there's nothing we've done yet that has made me say " I hate this" the only thing that is difficult for me is being away from you and the kids. Sometimes I find it hard to focus because all I can think about is how much I miss you and the kids that is why when I called I didn't say much it's hard for me to Not get upset when I hear your voice. I just miss you and the kids and can't wait to see you all again. You are everything I could possibly want in a woman and I am proud to call you my wife" then a bunch of personal stuff lol and then P.S. I Love You from boot camp
I wrote my husband a long letter today I told him how I had a cold, how I was happy he called and that everything was running smoothly and as I wrote "I Love you, I miss you, the kids love and miss you, we are so proud of you, we are all fine and everything is great" I meant every word of it...As I rushed to finish the letter, shoving it into an envelope I took off to the post office up to the counter I go..The mail lady asks me how I want it sent I say OVER NIGHT IT even if they hold it until mail day at least I know it will be there for him...as the mail lady puts my letter into an overnight envelope I ask her for it back..as I write lovingly on the back P.S. I love You ...from home

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*Sniffle*Sniffle*

Ugh...my first cold of the season! Even with all of the hand washing Mommy makes me do, I still managed to catch a cold! My nose goes from dripping like a faucet to being all stuffed up! I can hardly sleep at night which means Mommy and Daddy don't get much sleep either! The worst part? Not being able to go outside and play! We've been cooped up in this house for 2 days now!!

For all you Mommies out there, what are some of your favorite things to do with your little ones when they're sick and can't leave the house? Mommy and I are QUICKLY running out of ideas and would love some help!

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Aaahhhhhh Technology! I love it!

This is Artillery Amber and today I was am thinking about all the advancements the Army has made in getting communications more readily available for its troops since my husbands his first and second deployments………Wow how things have changed . Communication with my solider is so much better today than in the beginning g OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom). I marvel at all the strides technology has taken in just a few years. I can hardly imagine what the Army wives of WWll, Vietnam, and Korea endured when communication from their solider was so scarce…..the thought is heart wrenching when it would take two weeks are longer for a letter to be delivered to share the news of a birth or even worse the telegraph and would be delivered for extremely devastating news. The first time my husband deployed I was pregnant with our first child…..the red cross message was sent about our son’s first breath but it didn’t reach him, until after he had checked his email……oh that glorious technology!!! My father had sent him an email upon returning home from the hospital complete with pictures….an Army soldier of Vietnam Nam would have to wait on a letter….”snail mail” as it is now so often referred to. So, I thank God when I get to see my husband’s smiling face on the other side of the world beaming on to my laptop screen….What a Glorious Sight! Just seeing him makes all the fear in knowing that he is in a war zone fade away. Today he is safe….chatting about the fact that his favorite football team (The University of Kansas) won their last game and that recently he ran a combat half marathon and has the blisters to show for it. I know that I am lucky….. many wives don’t get to have the kind of communication I have with my husband be it because of their soldiers job, his location or that their solider is too tired from doing his duty to stand in line at the computer center for his 20 minutes of face time. Today I am just counting my lucky stars that I have the technology to talk to my warrior from half way around the world!!

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Caution Husband Deployed

Yesterday I threw the deployed husband card. I took the boys to see the Disney Christmas Carol train. Unfortunately it was not really designed for young children. The Amtrak station that hosted the event was not set up for the car loads of families that showed up. People were parked in every available space, along the roads and at local businesses.

I loaded the kids in the car after we visited the train and I turned around to see a truck blocking my car in. As the guy walked past I told him that I needed to move my car. He snapped back that everyone who wasn't parked in the Amtrak lot was trespassing on private property. I responded that I'd had no idea as there were no signs saying that it was private property. He popped back that it was private property and that I was going to have to wait while he went inside.

I don't know exactly what happened, but I flipped my lid, jumped the shark, lost my mind and pointed at the guy and said "My husband is in Iraq right now fighting for your freedom so you can stand here and be a jerk." He yelled at me that his grandfather had served in the military, to which I replied, "I don't care, I have four kids in this car whose Daddy is in Iraq." I told him that I didn't understand why he had to be such a jerk. He started moving towards his car saying that he didn't understand why I was so upset and that it wasn't a big deal. I said that it was a big deal because my husband is in Iraq and I am taking care of four children by myself. I got in the car and waited for him to move. As I was driving away I was shaking I was so upset.

He was a jerk and I was stressed out. Deployments make me feel like I am in a pressure cooker and yesterday the whistle was blowing. I really need a t-shirt that says Caution: Husband Deployed.

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friendships: sometimes it's hard to find

when i met my husband, it was in colorado springs. i had a life there before him which meant i had a job i enjoyed, and friends who had been my friends for almost a decade (being a former military kid, that meant a lot). i had a rule though of not dating military guys, so it was quite the shock to all my friends when i actually agreed to meet my husband (we met through personals on aol). i had been dating the quintessential "bad boy", and one of my best friends posted a personal for me because he wanted me to see there were other guys worth having. in the first wave of responses, there was one that stood out that i replied to. he didn't say what he did, just what he enjoyed doing, where he was from, and threw out an obscure line from a movie that i myself used from time to time. after a year we got married, and first order of business was moving.

my military kid training kicked into gear and we had a better move than my husband had expected. i threw myself into getting the house together and taking care of our newborn son. my husband would come home and sometimes ask if i had met any of the other wives that were around. i kept trying to make him understand how much work a newborn and unpacking was plus i also pointed out we were only there for 6 months. we even got into an argument once about how he wanted me to make friends. silly right? so at some point i went to meet some of the other wives we lived around. it had been years since i had been in a position to actively try to make a friend. i would have some playdates with some of the ones i thought were the most promising prospects but at that post i didn't find anyone that i thought i could really like.

at the next post, i had it down a little better and i went to a wives coffee one night. i clicked so fast with one wife that it was strange, we were instant best friends and it kind of spoiled me. even though we were at one of the largest bases, i was fine with having one best friend and knowing some people a little. i also learned some ugly truths in some circles of army wifedom, the drama mongers and bullies (yes, bullies). it was a little disheartening, because even in my life before my husband, i lived drama free and i was naive in the thought that others did too. so when we left there, i was excited and wary in the prospect of finding new friends.

so here we are today, in a small college town with 3 other army wives. i had been hearing about the other wives from my husband but had yet to meet them, it reminded me of when i was single and my friends were trying to set me up with a guy by talking the guy up. it was a little funny. we all got along great and still do, sometimes we have girl dinners away from the husbands to vent and laugh. there is one i am closer to than the others who is so similar to me, and we can make each other laugh so hard that it stops others in their tracks or conversations. we have shared numerous humiliating stories, and when she moves it will suck, but for the time being we are going to laugh like jack asses and feel the rare acceptance of a kindred spirit that at times eludes us as army wives. so to all of you, i hope that you find friendships like that if you have not already. if you are new to this life, to know that true friendships do happen, and that if you are picked on by drama mongers or bullies, know that they are the exception and NOT the rule.

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Breakfast Cheesecake

Sherri's Breakfast Cheesecake recipe that she talked about in the AWTR chat room last night! Enjoy!



2 8oz cans crescent rolls
2 8oz pkgs. cream cheese
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg, separated
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 cup walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread one can of crescent roll dough on bottom of a 13 x 9 baking dish; pressing the perforations together to seal. Combine the cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, vanilla, and egg yolk. Spread on top of dough. Lay second can of dough on top of the cheese mixture. Beat egg white and brush over dough. Mix remaining sugar with the walnuts and sprinkle on top. Bake for 30 nminutes.
   

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My Intro!

Hello fellow Military Wives and supporters! I am Artillery Amber; I’m a PROUD Army wife and a daughter of a Vietnam Vet. I have been married to the Army for 9 years. My husband has recently deployed for his third tour to Iraq. I also have two fantastic boys (one 6 and one 2) who keep me movin and a grovin everyday! I am a fan of FaceBook and have been following AWN as a fan as well…I love the instant posts to my home page from AWN…just like any of my other friends….its so nice and easy. If you haven’t signed up for FB, I suggest you do….it certainly helps keep me connected. Currently I'm reading Dan Brown’s new novel THE LOST SYMBOL…..I haven’t gotten too far yet but it’s very intriguing. We are now stationed at Fort Riley, KS….we are currently experiencing a bit of cold weather and I love it!! I can’t wait until Halloween….it’s one of my favorite holidays….I am one of those Mom’s who dresses up with their kids and makes a night of it! How fun it is to have a night where you can become anything you want!! We have already hit the pumpkin patch and yesterday we carved them into jack o lanterns….my oldest son wanted and got a green pumpkin so we could carve an army soldier into it. His jack does not look too much like a soldier but we love it just the same. So, that’s just a little bit about me. I am a newbie to blogging but not to the Army and I am very excited to be able to share my stories and insights with all of you! I hope that what I have to say will lift your spirits and give you something to ponder or just chuckle about! For now....just check out my pumpkins and get out there and carve some up for yourself!

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Inscription of Hope

The 8th grade choir that I've been working with is singing this song! It is absolutely beautiful. The text is taken from an inscription that was found on a cellar wall in Cologne, Germany - where Jews were hiding from Nazi's. However, this text can apply in more than one situation. The universal message is that firm beliefs will eventually reign victorious over the greatest of odds--be they prejudice, hate, or fear of death.



I believe in the sun even when it is not shining,

And I believe in love even when there’s no one there.

And I believe in God even when He is silent,

I believe through any trial there is always a way.

But sometimes in this suff’ring and hopeless despair,

My heart cries for shelter, to know someone’s there.

But a voice rises within me saying hold on my child,

I’ll give you strength, I’ll give you hope,

Just stay a little while.

I believe in the sun even when it is not shining,

And I believe in love even when there’s no one there.

But I believe in God even when He is silent,

I believe through any trial there is always a way.

May there someday be sunshine,

May there someday be happiness,

May there someday be love,

May there someday be peace.

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Resource of the Week: T-Shirts4Troops

Do we know we keep a database of all our Resources of the Week?
Find and Search it here!



This week we interviewed Beth VanHoose about her Home Sweet Home Campaign. The Home Sweet Home Campaign is proud to offer a fun and unique way for you to support our troops. Visit OurSoldiers.Org.

Create a "one of a kind" T-Shirt OR choose from their preprinted designs.
They will print and mail it to you OR directly to your deployed loved one.
Either way, you will be helping our post 9/11 war veterans.

Not only are the proceeds going to a wonderful organization, Beth and the campaign have also graciously offered a discount to our Army Wife Network. (This discount is in addition to the two free gifts she gave away during our Live AWTR Show October 5: Congratulations Deanna and Amanda!)

To access the discount and other discounts given by previous Resource of the Week guests, please visit Army Wife Network, click shop and for a discounted t-shirt, click T-Shirts4Soldiers.

Thanks Beth. Next week's Resource of the Week is Lyndsay from BakingGals.com.

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Little Soldier Girl "Didn't Want to Let Go"

This brought me to tears. I remember when my husband had to say goodbye to his children before his last deployment. It was the MOST heartbreaking moment I've ever seen. It was so much harder than me having to say goodbye. My step-daughter, who is NOT a crier, sat and cried so hard because she didn't want her daddy to leave. That is when I knew that she really didn't want him to go. None of us ever want them to go, but this story just really touched me. This is straight from the news website.


A family photo that shows a little girl beside her father and his fellow soldiers in uniform as they prepare to go to war has resonated well beyond the tight knit Bennethum clan.

Four-year-old Paige Bennethum really, really didn't want her daddy to go to Iraq.

So much so, that when Army Reservist Staff Sgt. Brett Bennethum lined up in formation at his deployment this July, she couldn't let go.

No one had the heart to pull her away.

The commanding officer allowed Paige to say goodbye as her dad prepared to ship off from Fort Dix.

Paige's mom Abby captured the moment with her camera and her aunt passed the image along to a Berks County, Pa. newspaper.

"I’ve had strangers looking me up online, sending me messages that they are touched by it ... offering a lot of support," Abby Bennethum told NBCPhiladelphia.

The picture took on a life of its own online this week. Abby says that suddenly, people were knocking on her door. "Literally overnight, there's all these people that just want to do anything they can," she says. Though she says her husband hasn't seen any stories about his family yet, he expects to.

For her part, Paige still remembers how she felt that day in July. Looking at the picture of herself – her dad now overseas – Paige remembers, "I didn't want to let go of him."

She calls the work he does transporting supplies across the Iraqi border, "just nice."

But that doesn't change her feelings.

"I just miss my dad right now," she says.

Sgt. Bennethum, 30, is expected home next July. Until then, Paige plans to help her mom take care of her little sister and a new baby that's on the way.

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The Chinooks!

One of the best parts about my Daddy being in the Army is the fact that we get to see really awesome trucks and helicopters and airplanes almost every day! I mean really, how many little boys my age have ever seen a Chinook helicopter up close!?

For a few weeks now there have been between 9 and 12 Chinook helicopters lined up on the airfield. Every time we go to Post, I keep hoping and hoping that we will get to see one flying in the air. I plead with Mommy to turn them on (because Mommy's can do EVERYTHING, right? Even turn on Chinook helicopters!?) Finally, yesterday was my lucky day...and we weren't even on Post!!

Mommy and I were working out at the gym. It's a Crossfit gym, so it's got HUGE doors that were open to the outside. All of a sudden we heard this really loud noise. Before I knew it, Mommy had scooped me up and we dashed outside just in time to see a Chinook fly overhead! But guess what!? THAT WASN'T THE ONLY TIME IT FLEW OVER! While we were at the gym, we must have seen it fly over 6 or 7 times! It was amazing!!

Even though it may sound silly, it’s moments like those, when I get to see brave soldiers training and practicing with the helicopters, that I am so proud to be an “Army Brat” and so proud of the men and women who work so hard to keep us safe!

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Army Wife Network Newsletter, OCT 2009

You can sign up on the sidebar for blog updates, show announcements and newsletters right to your inbox. Or for October's newsletter, just click below. Anywhere!

As an added bonus, Tara shares with us her Halloween Care Package ideas; Enjoy, Star Henderson

Our downloadable newsletters are in a printable format in order that you may distribute--easily--to your spouse clubs, family groups, your chain of command and concern, and others within your Army Wife Network. They are two-sided, single sheets, which offer the best resources, URLs, and articles we gather each month.

They are created and copyrighted by Army Wife Network,
but they are YOURS to personalize and circulate.

There are small editable text boxes for you to update your local network on calendar events and contact data.

You can brand it with your name as subtext to the Army Wife Network name.

Send the issues home with the service member, post them on unit bulletin boards, email them to your distro list, or post them to your Web site. Tell us the ways you've found best to get the word out. We can share that as a "hot tip" in our next newsletter.


Do you feel the chill in the air? I love fall. The leaves are starting to turn colors and tumble to the ground. It's time for chilli, sweatshirts, and fall crafting. October is one of the most fun months because we get to celebrate Halloween! You all know I am the queen of care package ideas so I thought I'd give you some great ideas for Halloween.

We spouses know our soldiers are just giant children at heart. Celebrating holidays across the miles can be a lot more fun if you pack up the perfect bash in a box! Several of my husband's soldiers still laugh and talk about the Halloween treats I sent them when he was deployed! I encourage you to surprise your soldier with something "spooky" this holiday.

Halloween candy (and lots of it!)
Decorations (streamers, caution tape, etc.)
Fake blood
Plastic rat, bat, or snakes
Glow sticks
Ghosts
Purple or orange lights
Plastic pumpkins
Markers & stickers to decorate
Spiders & spider webs
Halloween toys
Silly string
Gum eyeballs
Mask
Wig
Costume
Funny teeth
Face paint
Scary movies
Scary music
Halloween crossword puzzles
Halloween craft
Family pictures (of past Halloweens)
Halloween themed paper and pens
Halloween themed games
Pillsbury Halloween themed cookies
Orange and black rice krispie treats

Really jazz it up and make a "trick" box and a "treat" box. Use your imagination on what to include.

DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com) has a template for a Pumpkin Picking Mini Memory Book. You don't have to wait for the pumpkin patch to come around to make this book.

Hershey's has some great ideas, recipes, crafts and more at www.trickortreats.com.

Here's some Halloween riddles: www.dltk-holidays.com/Halloween/riddles/index.htm and some Halloween coloring pages www.coloring-page.net/halloween.html.

Whatever you do, have fun with it. Your soldier will be able to tell the love and joy that went into creating their package!

With Pride,
Your AWN HH6,
Tara Crooks

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Other Post Goings Ons in October

Fort Drum:
Family Night – Every Wednesday evening - Spend the evening out with the kids at the Winner’s Circle. Each week there is a special fun activity for the children to participate in. The Pizza and Pasta Buffet is sure to meet anyone’s appetite. The buffet is served from 5 – 7 pm.

International Food Festival – October 16, Friday, at 3:30 - Plan to stop in at The Commons for a sampling from a huge variety of homemade ethnic foods. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth 11 yrs and younger. Children of Deployed Spouse’s 11 yrs and younger eat for free with the purchase of an adult ticket.? Proceeds go to the Fort Drum Community Volunteer Support Fund.??

Job Fair - Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 At 08:00 AM at ACS

Oktoberfest - Thursday, October 15, 2009 At 04:00 PM - The Commons is celebrating the autumn harvest with a dinner special featuring German cuisine. Enjoy traditional German specialties and the micro-brewed German Lager. Live entertainment by Les Gates.?

Haunted Hayrides - Friday, October 30, 2009 4 to 8 – Remington Park




Fort Knox:
Army Family Strong Festival – October 17, Keyes Park, 11am – 8 pm, FREE – RAIN OR SHINE
Army Family Covenant Signing at 1 pm
Carnival Games & Rides; Live Bands; Radio Disney; Laser Lightshow at 7:30 pm; Free food; Oktoberfest Tent; Free Family Photo and MORE!
Bring an old cell phone to donate to benefit the Springhaven Domestic Violence Center

Halloween Party at the Rocker II –
Saturday, October 31, 2009 9 Pm – 4 AM

The Rocker will be decorated for the occasion, two DJs will be entertaining and the traditional Halloween costume contest will kick off at the stroke of midnight. Food and drink specials available.

Rocker II
2723 Spearhead Loop
Fort Knox KY 40121 US
502) 942-0409
Fort Meade:
Flea Market - October 10
7 a.m. - 2 p.m.
at the Fort Meade Pavilion
Rain or Shine!
Open to the public! Free admission!
For details, please call Ft. Meade Special Events at 301-677-3912.

Day Trips/Special Trips
• New York City
"ITR's trips to the "Big Apple" are held once a month, and on a Saturday. We provide transportation, and the day is your to spend as you choose. Discounted tickets are available for attractions such as; Grey Line Tours, Madame Tussauds’ Wax Museum, Circle Line Cruises, NBC Studio Tours, and New York City Pass. Cost is $55 each person.
Date: 19 September, 17 October, 21 November and 19 December.
The 2009 Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular trip will be on Dec. 11th.

• Winter Ski Weekend Get-away Trip
A wonderful winter weekend in the beautiful poconos Mountains of Pennsylvania!
Prices for the trip vary, depending upon room occupancy. Weekend includes round trip transportation, accommodations shuttles to ski resorts, meals, parties, entertainment, and other activities.
Whitetail Ski Resort
Ski Roundtop
Ski Liberty
Poconos Mountains in Pennsylvania

Couples Communication Seminar – October 7, 14, 21, & 28
Each session offers a different topic. Light refreshments provided. Free Daycare provided.
Call 301-677-5590 for more details.


Fort Benning:
Oktoberfest – Enjoy everything German during our three-day Oktoberfest event on October 16, 17 & 18 at the Uchee Creek Activity Center! The event will open at 4pm on October 16 with the ceremonial keg tapping. Admission is free and the general public is invited. Come out for authentic German food and imported German beer, German music and entertainment, children's activities, dog competitions, traditional germany sports & games and more!
Featuring
Music and Entertainment
• Gootman Band
• Infantry Band
• Bavarian Yodelers
Free Children's Activities
• Pumpkin Patch
• Arts and Crafts
• Enchanted Forest Maze
• Hayrides
• Story Time
• Guitar Hero
• Tattoos
• Movie on Saturday Night
• Pontoon Boat Rides
• Balloon Artists
• Stilt Walkers
Inflatables
• $5 Wristbands For Unlimited Use
Dog Competition (Saturday)
• Best Dressed Dog
• Best Dog Trick
• Dog/Owner Look a Like
Traditional German Sports and Games
• HammerSchlagen
• Bavarian Finger Wrestling
http://www.benningmwr.com/oktoberfest.php
Kaiserslautern, Germany:
College Night – October 8, 6-8:30 PM
Talk with representatives from over 100 different colleges and universities from across the US and Europe.
Kaiserslautern Special Events Center, Bldg. 237 Rhine Ordnance Barracks,
Food and Beverages available to all US ID Card holders
Family Fright Night – October 30, 6-9 PM
Vogelweh Skate Express
Bring the whole family! There will be free skating, a tattoo booth, cookie decorating, arts and crafts, and a family photo area. Dress up and take part in the “Costume Bragging Rights Competition”. Sign up to participate by October 23.
Spooky Story Time – October 28 at 10:30 am
K’lautern Library at Landstuhl
Spooky craft and a prize for the best costume
Halloween Bash – October 31, 9pm – 4 am
Kazabra Club – Live DJ, dancing, and a costume contest
Family Bingo – at the Kazabra Club!
First Sunday of the month from 3-6 pm
All kids get a free hot dog & soft drink
Individual toy prizes and an exciting grand prize awarded each month
Surprise giveaway for children in their birth month
Coloring Contest

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October PWTM Winner - HAWAII!!!!!!!!

Hawaii:
Sunday Brunch - Sunday, October 4, 2009, 10am – 1pm
Hale Ikena and Mulligan’s
Sunday Brunch at Hale Ikena
Savor roasted prime rib with a peppercorn and garlic crust along with exquisite dishes with flavors infused from the Pacific Rim, Asia and Hawaii Nouveau. Groups & large parties welcome. Served from 10 am to 1 pm, Reservations are recommended.
Adults $19.95 & children’s prices are available.

Family Fun Fridays - The first and third Friday of every month at Tropics. The fun starts @ 6 pm.

Enjoy great drink specials and fun for the
whole family. And as a special added bonus,

FREE Papa John’s Pizza!
Karaoke, Rock Band, Dance Dance Revolution and a ton of other video games are always available. Also enjoy family table games like pool, ping pong, foosball, air hockey, darts and more. The beach volleyball nets are always open and we're doing fun silly contests for prizes all the time! Dance competitions, eating contests, poker contests have all been crowd favorites and there's more where that came from!

Rocktober Fest - Come to the Nehelani
October 9, 4-10 pm
Schofield Barracks
(Serving lines opens 4:30-8:30 PM)

Tickets available in advanced at Scofield ITR, and Nehelani
Advance tickets: $10 Adults/$5 Child. At the door: $12 adults/$7 Child

Enjoy activities and the sounds of Busekrus, a live rock band from 6 - 9 pm.
Food stations serving traditional German food and other tasty "Rocktoberfest" fare.

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Army Wife Life October 5, 2009

This edition of Army Wife Life discussion is brought to you in partnership with Lucky Army Wives! (www.LuckyArmyWives.com)

Please leave your answers to the questions below by commenting on this post. Listen for Tara & Star's answers on Show 234: Week of Oct 5, 2009 using our AWTR Player in the right sidebar!

Excerpt blog post: And there you are – huddled together en masse with the family and relatives unfortunate enough to live within a drivable geographic area – exhausted, sweaty, and dehydrated – surveying the ripped up front lawn, the mangled door frames, and the remaining trash and miscellaneous non-movable goods (cleaning supplies, paint cans, etc.)On the one hand, you and the family are thrilled: “Woo-hoo! Everything is packed and loaded, we’re moving into a hotel - it has a pool, daily towel changes, room service, and cable. We get to eat out EVERY MEAL!” On the other………. Familiarize yourself with the moving triumvirate - sometimes triage - that could haunt your life (I equate this threesome to my relationship with my dentist, insurance agent, and gynecologist – necessary and good to have but I’d prefer to avoid interacting with them): the Transportation Office, the Mediator, and the Claims Office!

Discussion Point 1: Gynecologist or Transportation Office?

Discussion Point 2: Make a late night trip to the "unlocked" dumpster to unload those hazardous waste materials OR make a late night trip to your next door neighbor's trashcan while they are partying on their summer vacation?

Discussion Point 3: Go ahead, tell us – how many times did you eat at the Golden Corral?

Discussion Point 4: What do you think is the best hotel for a PCSing family to stay in? Why?

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Thank Goodness

The last few weeks have been very trying in my house. I started out wiht the flu. Then to top it off, I woke up and my left breast was swollen, red, feverish, hurting really bad, etc. I called my Ob-Gyn. He didn't even see me. He just called in a prescription for amoxicillin over the phone. After taking the amoxicillin for a week, I didn't see much of a change. I was still feeling flu-ish and was going to my family doctor anyway. I went to see him and told him about the issues with my breast. He checked it out and ordered an ultrasound AND mammogram. He also prescribed me a stronger anti-biotic, Cipro. I went to the imaging center. They did the ultrasound, but flat out REFUSED to do the mammogram. My husband, in the meantime, has googled my symptoms and found out about a type of breast cancer called Inflammatory Breast Cancer. I had kind of known about that possibility already, but didn't say anything to him. Then he started to freak out on me by saying things like I can't lose you, etc. When the radiologist refused to do the mammogram, he was furious. We called my doctor and he got into it with the radiologist. Fast forward a little, but he set up an appointment for me with a breast surgeon. I was thankful for this, because I was hoping to get some answers. It's kind of scary being in a place where you have no idea. It could be something as simple as a bad infection or it could be something like breast cancer. Today was my appointment with the breast surgeon. Thankfully, I do not have IBC - just a NASTY breast infection. The surgeon also said that my Ob-Gyn, the one who didn't even see me, prescribed me the wrong type of anti-biotic. The Cipro is what really helped. She said that to help it finish clearing up, I need to put heat on it and that with already having run two courses of anti-biotics that she didn't feel the need to make me take anymore. The good news is that I am cancer free! It's still October, and it's Breast Cancer Awareness month. I still wear pink ribbon stuff. I have a family history of breast cancer. My favorite organization to root for is Save The Ta-Tas. Remember girls, do all you can to save your ta-tas.

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2010 AWN HH6 Top 3 ~ Congratulations

Hi Janet McIntosh, Kelly Clark, and Sherri Kunkel,

Congratulations on being chosen as the top three Household 6 finalists!
You are all amazing women … I would love to meet each of you some day.

Best regards, Kathy Peel
America’s Family Manager
FamilyManager.com
___________________________________________________________________________
Ladies: It is a pleasure for our AWN team to congratulate you as well.
You all have such wonderful qualities, and we are eager to get to know you better.

As promised, you ladies will be our special guests during next Monday’s HH6 segment. We will be asking you questions in order for our audience to get to know you better. After the interview, voting will commence on our Web site, www.armywifenetwork.com.

On-line voting will run from October 12th through November 2nd.

The winner will be announced on-air with Kathy Peel during November 9th’s Army Wife Talk Radio, Household 6 segment. Service of the reigning 2010 Household 6 will begin January 1, 2010 with a 1 year commitment to Army Wife Network and America’s Family Manager Coaching community.

"Army Wife Network is honored to help equip AWN’s military spouses in a way that betters a deserving spouse and impacts a network of individuals who proudly serve along our Nation’s defenders," comments Tara Crooks, co-founder of Army Wife Network. "With the Family Manager Coach Certification comes new means to grow an exciting home-based, portable business. We’re offering spouses the chance to become Army Wife Strong!"

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Atlanta SOS

On this Army journey we have reached a new adventure stage...the adventure of recruiting. Like any job, it has its ups and downs. One of the hardest obsticles I have had to face as a spouse is not having the resources a stones throw away like any other Army Post. I've had to sit back and wait and let my husband handle most things (keep in mind it's not my style to sit back and wait). Recently, I have had my first real healthcare issue since being an Army wife. This is a good time to insert a HUGE THANK YOU to the people at TRICARE for all their help and positive attitudes :) So here's a lesson from one Army wife to all of you! I had received a bill for an ER visit I had to take back in 2007 while my husband was deployed. Confused and beyond puzzled I wasn't quite sure where to start. My husband had told me about the FRG liason and the TRICARE "self-help" man assigned to the Atlanta recruiting battalion. I was a bit skeptical to call and ask for help never having attained help before while on an Army post. I picked up the phone and called. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for the man! He gave me numbers and advice and the steps to take to resolve the issue and then thanked me for making his day by asking for help. After speaking with him, I was confident in making the phone calls I needed to make and the direction I needed to go. I think the Army did something right when they hired Mr. S! We need more just like him! So the issue ended up being resolved and just FYI for anyone else on TRICARE Standard...be sure to keep your copies for your records and be wary of hospitals billing you for what insurance won't cover - they can't do it! The adventure of recruiting continues and I'm learning a different approach to the military system rather than walking on to a post...there ARE people there to help!

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sometimes.........crazy things happen

as an army wife, i am very flexible with some things, we have to be with the Army. i like adventure as much as the next girl, so i was very shocked to find out that i am not the nature girl i thought i was. picture this, a great swimming hole in the mountains that has a fall and rocks that the kids jump off of.

so a few weekends ago, we went as a last hurrah to summer. my fibro was acting up that day so i opted out of swimsuit attire and went in just scroungy clothes. we brought the dogs because they love to play out in the water too, and we were having a good time until i felt that i needed to go to the bathroom. now, i have never had a problem with just finding a place to cop a squat and i want to stress that because what i am about to divulge was one of the more embarrassing things to happen to me.

i started to trek out to find a place that was off the beaten path, with some foliage that would afford me some privacy. those were hard to come by as i walked further, i noticed the dogs were following me. i tried to get them to go back but i was stuck with my audience so then i needed to find a spot that would conceal all three of us which was even harder to find. after some time, i decided to just do it, and get it over with as things were becoming more urgent with my stomach now feeling wonky. i found a large rock off the path and made my way over to it and moved the dogs so as not to feel so weird about it. i copped a squat and realized that my stomach was upset and i was now in a slightly precarious situation, we brought no toilet paper so i considered the leaves that were now not so far away. as i squatted i start to rummage through the leaves looking for some that would help. our giant 140 pound dog sees me doing this and started to lope over to me. he came over to my face and then unexpectedly LEANED into me. i went backwards with a splat in the mess i had just made in the little hole i had scratched out of the earth. determining that my underwear was a loss since it landed in the mess too i carefully pulled them off and used them along with leaves to try and clean myself enough to construct some dignity.

with some semblance of normality i did the best i could and dropped my underwear in a trash bin that was out by the path. i hoofed it back to where my family was, and said to my husband "we need to go, NOW". he asked what happened because i looked rough. i told him i didn't want to talk about it and he asked again, and i blurted out "i just fell in my own poo thanks to the dog, can we go now? i need a shower. " his face froze, and we scrambled pretty quickly to the car. as we pulled up to our house, i jumped out and ran upstairs to clean off. when i was satisfied, and came back down we looked at each other and burst into laughter

it's bad enough that it happened, who wants to admit they have poo pants? then i realized if i had to be embarrassed with someone, i was happy it was with my husband, he truly is a wonderful friend to have. for almost a decade now we've been on a crazy journey together, we're a great team and we'll have more adventures, but i REALLY REALLY hope episodes like the poo pants aren't the norm.

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To Reward or Not to Reward??

Soccer season is going well for both my boys. They haven't lossed a game yet! Nice to be on the winning side for once! Yes, seems like my boys have always been on the not-winning (loser) teams in the past, and yet they still play and enjoyed the game. Winning the game is just an added bonus, but not always the focus of playing sports for us.

Winning is awesome in sports, but it's not everything.

Being Soccer mom and ordering trophies for a team is NOT the greatest job ever to be created...and getting volunteered into doing it is not the greatest either, but someone has to do it right???

By the way---How do you feel about giving out awards just for participation??

One parent was very firm about not doing end of season trophies or team parties because well, she stated that she does not reward for sports. She did say that with academic achievements on the other hand--yes she does. I can relate to that mentality. Academics supersedes sports in my book, but being a cross-country and track & field buff (in my school years), I feel it helps to recognize all aspects of the child; to include sports. I can honestly say that being in sports actually saved me from alot of trouble-making.


By participating in sports, you couldn't fail any academic courses or you could not participate; hence you kept your grades up. Not the only incentive but it sure helped. You learn about team work, relationships, achievements and disappointments in sports and ultimately in life. You reach goals, strive for accomplishing those goals, recognize the need to reevaluate goals sometimes etc. etc. My family life growing up was not the most admirable (on so many levels)---so having an outlet helped me mentally as well. I feel there are alot of benefits to sports. Sports like anything else in life have their moments in our memories.

I will tell you right now that I don't pay for goals, and I certainly don't live through my children either. I am not one of those crazed parents who feel that my sons will go pro either. So, I do try to help them give their best, but not at the expense of their self-esteem. We, as parents, are to build them up, not tear them down. I wanted them to run cross-country or participate in track & field, because I love these sports, but my husband has brainwashed them into baseball and soccer! HA HA HA! In case you haven't figured it out, those are my husband's favorite sports. And sad to say, both sports interfere with the sports I'd like them to be involved with. Oh well, I do ask them each season what they would like to play...if they don't enjoy it what is the point then?

I guess I am just saying that I don't mind giving them trophies...but, I do make sure to let them know that it's not just a given. Some seasons when money is tight or an issue occurred for whatever reason, trophies/team photos were not bought. It's not something I HAVE TO do for them...it's a gift to let them know that I am proud of them. Working towards goals along side good sportsmanship (being a sore loser in life is a NO GO) always have good outcomes in the end.

So what is your stance on rewarding children for sports?

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