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One of the most important parts of supporting your service member as they serve our country is “holding down the fort” (See also: running a smooth, loving, and supportive home life for you and your family, while keeping all things going in your service member’s absence). Easy peasy, right? Sometimes, not so much.

With this category, we cover everything behind the scenes, such as organization, communication, marriage, parenting, overcoming trials, and just some good ole fashioned humor.

Join us as we embark on figuring out the home-life balance as a milspouse and find ways to thrive and excel! No matter what your life at home looks like, one of our Experience Bloggers or Command Team members has probably been in a similar situation and is here to share their triumphs, lessons, and laughs along the way.

We See Each Other, and That is Enough

We See Each Other, and That is Enough

by | May 2, 2020 | , , ,

When I started to write this article in honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day, I honestly was not sure where I wanted to go with it.  I “crowdsourced” a bit to find out what the expectations were from groups of military spouses, and I received answers that ranged from “I didn’t even know there was such a day,” to “My husband gives me a spa day every year.”

(Yes, there is always one spouse getting a spa day. Let’s try to not hate her.)

But, as I dove deeper into the meaning of the day and read articles about the day’s origin (Thank you, President Reagan!) and past celebrations, I was led to ask a very important question.

Who do we really want to appreciate us on May 8?

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Make-Them-Because-of-Mom Food Ideas

Make-Them-Because-of-Mom Food Ideas

by | May 2, 2020 | , ,

Growing up, my family was one that had dinner together at the table with the TV turned off, usually at the same time each night without fail. On Sundays, we had a big lunch at the table instead of dinners. I’m sure we went out to dinner, ordered pizza, or picked up sandwiches from time to time, but we were still almost always there together at the table, eating together.

I think we all know that Mom is the one to thank for this routine. I have no idea if we showed her gratitude at every meal, and this is reality, so I’m going to guess we didn’t. I do know that I treasure this family mealtime around our table in memory and retrospect.

We always took Mom out for a nice sit-down restaurant meal on Mother’s Day.

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I’m Not a Perfect Parent (and Neither are You)

I’m Not a Perfect Parent (and Neither are You)

by | Apr 28, 2020 | , ,

Recently, my 6-year-old had a homework assignment about creating a chain reaction. We drafted our plan using sketches of how we would set up dominoes to fall over various surfaces before launching a car through a loop-de-loop. We spent hours setting up dominoes, knocking them down by accident, and starting over. Finally, everything was in position and still standing despite two younger siblings “helping.” 

My 6-year-old got into position and gently tipped the first domino. We watched them fall, hearing a satisfying clink as each domino made contact with the one in front of it. 

Finally, the last domino began to fall. It tapped the car, and…

Nothing. 

Hours of trying to make it work and it didn’t.

My daughter was upset, and honestly, we might have been overly ambitious. 

That experiment got me thinking about our current struggles as parents.

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Resilient. Strong. Brave: Our Military Children

Resilient. Strong. Brave: Our Military Children

by | Apr 27, 2020 | , , ,

My sweet children had no choice. They were born into this wild, amazing, adventure called the Army life, and they haven’t known any different. Their little 13 -and 10-year-old lives are filled with many moves, unwanted change, tearful goodbyes, joyful reunions, a keen ability to adapt, lots of experience at new-friend-making, and a unique appreciation for “family time.” 

Like many of us, their Army life has been comprised of some really high highs and really low lows.

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Silver Linings

Silver Linings

by | Apr 25, 2020 | , ,

Well suffice it to say, spring isn’t going quite the way we planned…

As I’m typing, the world is literally shut down, with fear and panic being the overruling emotions. You pretty much can’t go anywhere or talk to anyone, and so far there’s no real end in sight. And what’s with all the toilet paper hoarders? Honestly, with all that’s going on, it’s super easy to focus on the negative. But you know what? In my house, there’s been a whole lot of positives too.

Don’t start rolling your eyes yet!

I’m not about to sit here and lie to you, talking about how my family is just loving the time all crammed together, and how I’m managing to write the next great American novel and simultaneously cook all the gourmet meals I’ve always wanted to try, while my well-behaved children and attentive husband look like Pottery Barn models in the background of my pictures, with the hashtag #lovingthisquaratinelife!

Nope. Not in this house.

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