holidays - Mission: Milspouse

The Best Medicine

by Anna Larson | Apr 2, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Household 6, Military Life

I thought March was supposed to go out like a lamb.

Baaa.

No lambs here; we’re all still dealing with those March lions running around crazy trying to eat everyone.

That’s how this month has been. I’m stuck right now deciding between telling you a few things…

Like how I got arrested last week. Yeah, I—the person voted “least likely to break the law” in high school—got arrested. It was crazy how it happened. I mean, my next-door neighbor is a police officer and even he didn’t have my back despite it being his fence I was crawling over…

Or, have you heard of that weight-reducing cauliflower milk called “Caulk?”

And last, but not least, I would love your thoughts on the New York City Police Department’s announcement of a “Feline Unit” to supplement their Canine Unit.

Isn’t life crazy?

Let’s Really Talk About Love

by Retired Blogger | Feb 22, 2020 | Blog, Expert, Relationships

Did you know that in a recent Gallup Poll, only 8 percent of Americans look forward to Valentine’s Day? When you see all the floral arrangements, the cards, the endless rows of chocolates, heart-shaped soaps, candles, and sweet little gifts, you would think it is the day of all days.

Well, apparently it isn’t.

When we think of Valentine’s Day, it conjures up this fantasy of love and romance that may happen for a brief moment in one’s life.

But, let’s face it—in reality, the Cupid moments of Valentine’s Day are for romance novels, country songs, and the movies.

Mature Love

by Retired Blogger | Feb 15, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Relationships

It’s February, the month Valentine’s Day is celebrated. Romance is in the air.

I love reading clean romance books or watching romantic movies where the love just starts to blossom. It always reminds me of the time when I first met my husband. The feeling of butterflies in your stomach and excitement when he calls. As many of you know the honeymoon phase does not last long, then the everyday life hits, where you have kids to care for, work to go to, chores to tend to, deployments to survive, etc.

If I can be honest with you, sometimes I miss the honeymoon phase and compare the feelings that I had 18 years ago to now. Sometimes I feel like my hubby might not find me attractive or love me as much as he did when we first met.

But those doubts are wrong.

Love The One You’re With

by Kathleen Palmer | Feb 8, 2020 | Blog, Deployment, Experience, Military Life

“Got any Valentine’s Day plans?”

That simple question can evoke a range of reactions from women all over world, but to a milspouse with a loved one downrange, you may want to take a step back when asking.

Unfortunately, like New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day is often greeted with unrealistic expectations. If you have a love in your life, it is a day of plans and giddiness. If you are without your love, let’s just call you the Grinch That Stole Valentine’s Day.

But you don’t have to be!

Christmas in a Minor Key

by Retired Blogger | Jan 13, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Household 6

The holiday season; the season of Joy. In my experience the holiday season brings many happy moments: Watching holiday movies, making cookies to share, decorating the house with lights, spending time with family.

Christmas carols hold a special place in my heart. Every Christmas Eve of my childhood was spent singing carols with my family while my church organist grandmother played the piano. We are, by no means, one of those Von Trapp-caliber singing families. Still, we would laugh as we sang different parts for The Twelve Days of Christmas and poked fun at Grandma during our rendition of Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.

Even as I write these words and remember such joyful moments, I have tears in my eyes.

Doing The Best You Can Do

by Retired Blogger | Jan 7, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Household 6, Military Life

We’ve all heard the saying “just do the best you can do.”

Possibly this was muttered by your senile, passive-aggressive Great Aunt this holiday season while standing around the cheeseball; hopefully, it was said with sincerity from a loved one.

Military wives know this phrase possibly better than anyone else. And if you don’t, then I hope this post will empower you to see the truth in this phrase.

I, like many other victims, am a recovered people pleaser. At one point in my life, I was so concerned with letting people down or saying “no” that I would break down in tears if I had to break a commitment. It wasn’t until I had two kiddos a mere 19 months apart that I realized I needed a change.

Creating a Mom-Guilt-Free New Year

by Retired Blogger | Jan 2, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Financial Planning, Household 6

The weary woman glanced around her house and sighed. With the holiday season officially over, she was at a loss for what to do with her family for the next couple of months. Christmas movies had been played and replayed and new toys had already become too familiar, but the kids were driving her crazy… so the woman wracked her brain for some kind of creative inspiration.

Limited options, however, made creativity hard. January meant no overspending because she and her husband had already agreed to stick to a strict budget and focus on saving. Sporadic trips to the movie theater, drives to the city, and visits to the children’s museum were supposed to be out of the question.

But while she stood there, feeling helpless and at a loss, Mom-Guilt reared its big, ugly head and nagged at her. You can’t just stay home, you need to give the kids experiences. You’ve got to push past your limit of too tired, you’ve got to spend money in order for your family to enjoy life. She could hear it, but she shook her head and ignored it for just a bit longer…

And that’s when she saw it. The pile of barely touched board games on the dining room table. Maybe, she thought.

A Toast: To a New Year and You

by Anna Larson | Jan 1, 2020 | Blog, Experience, Household 6, Military Life

Today we all woke up with 365 new days ahead of us. Happy New Year!

I like to start each year off in my pajamas. I’m talking about a pj party all day long.

This party of mine includes lots of leftovers from the holidays that my family can munch on (so I don’t have to cook!), piles of cookies and treats, a fresh notebook with no writing in it, my favorite orange pen, a warm sherpa throw, crackling logs in the fireplace, and a lot of reflection on the past year.

2019.

I’ve heard from a number of people that they are looking forward to the end of last year. It’s almost like with the clash of pots and pans, the flash of fireworks in the sky, a glass of champagne, and a midnight kiss, all their troubles will end. All the negatives were left in the past and the future suddenly looks bright.

Finding Joy in the Midst of a Holiday Deployment

by Retired Blogger | Dec 27, 2019 | Blog, Experience, Household 6, Military Life

I don’t know about you, but there’s something about Christmas that restores a child-like fun and excitement. I look forward to the smells of baked goods, the Christmas music, and myriad twinkling lights adorning homes and trees during the holidays. I love watching the wonder of Christmas through my children’s eyes.

It truly is a magical time of the year.

If I had my way, deployments and Christmas just wouldn’t go together. But they can and they do—unfortunately, for many of us. It’s a time of love, connection, giving, and family. But how can you maintain that feeling of love, joy, and connection when the person you love the most is not there?