holidays - Mission: Milspouse

Making Space at the Table

by Retired Blogger | Dec 21, 2019 | Blog, Experience, Household 6

When I was in high school, I used to pride myself on how filled the calendar pages of December were—events and deadlines coordinated by color. Busy equaled success and accomplishment.

But now, as I look at my calendar for December, I realize just how quickly January and 2020 are approaching and 2019 slipped through my grasp. All of the events and deadlines on my calendar no longer fill me with pride, but rather with an unwanted desire for this season to be over so I can simply move on to the next (hopefully) less busy season (spoiler alert: it won’t be less busy).

The Benefits of Family Traditions

by Retired Expert | Dec 19, 2019 | Blog, Expert, Household 6

“We are what we celebrate,” Meg Cox writes.

Our traditions are an outward expression of our family identity. The traditions we observe and the meaning behind them communicator family values to our children and others. The types of traditions we teach our children, and that were taught to us as children, are one way our family values get passed down from one generation to the next. For example, a family that values community service may have a tradition of volunteering at a soup kitchen or food bank together.

The scary thing is we teach our children about our family identity all the time by the activities we engage in as a family. Worried about the message that gift-centric traditions might be communicating to your children? Start a gratitude tradition! That is why intentionality in observing traditions is so important; without it, you forfeit your power to forge your family’s own identity. However, what makes traditions effective is that they bring together the family, foster connection, and have a purpose, and you get to chose that purpose.

Family Traditions and How They Strengthen Bonds

by Retired Expert | Dec 18, 2019 | Blog, Expert, Military Life

It’s that time of year when family traditions and celebrations abound. It’s a beautiful, magical time.

However, when faced with a deployment this season takes on a tinge of blue. I’ve been there.

Last Christmas, I was pregnant, alone, and my hormones made sure I felt all the feelings. I didn’t have my hubby home and didn’t have the option to fly as I was too far along in my pregnancy. So, I decided not to do anything for Christmas. I thought it would just be more manageable, less stress, and maybe, just maybe, it would make me feel better about spending it alone.

Boy, was I wrong.

Called to Wait

by Retired Blogger | Dec 14, 2019 | Blog, Deployment, Experience, Military Life

They said he’d be back in December.

No. They said he’d be back in November, but that hadn’t happened. At the last minute, he’d been detained, called to do something else—only God knew what. She’d set that Thanksgiving table up right, taking care to have all of his favorites set out in their festive dishes. She’d seen a surprise homecoming video a time or two. Who hadn’t? They filled the internet at this time of year, reminding the world that there were still people who made sacrifices. Of course, she wasn’t one of those lucky ones.

And she’d eaten as much of that turkey as she could in the week following and then frozen the rest…along with the pies.

Last week, her mission included a rash of mad-cleaning. No kidding, even the dust on the light fixtures was gone. The other spouses called it nesting or preparation. She called it distraction. Either way, it had gotten her through another day.

Soldier, Baby

by Sarah Peachey | Dec 13, 2019 | Blog, Experience, Military Life

This holiday season, from my military family to yours, I hope you’re able to celebrate with people you love. Whether you’re celebrating far from home, making a dash home for a few days, or starting new traditions with your own family, I hope your holiday season is filled with hope, love, joy, and peace.

And in case you’re looking for a new-fangled holiday song to carry you through the season, I bring you a new and improved version of “Santa Baby” called “Soldier Baby.”

AWTR Show #711: 2019 AWN Holiday Special

by M:M Command Team | Dec 9, 2019 | Podcast

Happy holidays from Army Wife Network! Tune into this very special AWTR episode and hear from our AWN Command Team as they share their Christmas traditions, recipes, memories and humorous hacks. Our featured guest is SSG Renee Bennett, member of Six-String Soldiers, which is the most followed military music group in the world. Six-String Soldiers is a five-member acoustic group performing bluegrass, country, folk, and Americana music. You won’t want to miss this show!

The Sweetest Cheesecake

by Angie Andrews | Dec 6, 2019 | Blog, Experience, Military Life, OCONUS

Thanksgiving this year turned out to be a first on a few levels. More than 7,000 miles away from the United States—definitely a first. Being the only female at our gathering—a first, except for the few years when it was only my husband and me having a two-person Thanksgiving. Only one person eating dessert before heading home—um, yes, possibly a first at all Thanksgiving gatherings that ever occurred everywhere.

All firsts aside, it was a memorable Thanksgiving.

We shared our home and meal with five soldiers, plus one stuck at the office on shift.

Our guests were all still living the barracks life, and so I seriously was not expecting anyone to bring anything besides their appetites. So, I was surprised to find out that one was planning to bring a cake!

Ginger Ale Thanksgivings

by Retired Blogger | Dec 2, 2019 | Blog, Experience, Household 6, Military Life

The holiday season is upon us! Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, filled with the usual hustle and bustle, shopping and music, food and demands to get busy, plays and programs and recitals—have all suddenly exploded onto the scenes of our already hectic lives.

It’s such an amazing time of year, loved by many. But for others, it’s also an emotional time filled with ups and downs. Feelings of sadness tend to creep up on us as we reminisce on days passed and loved ones we wish could still be with us.

I’ve been an Army wife for nearly nine years, and I have three young sons. A sense of longing for far-away family always fights for my attention in the midst of the holiday business—a longing to live closer to grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles, and to always be able to spend these times with them.

Advent: Spread Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace

by Sarah Peachey | Nov 28, 2019 | Blog, Experience, Household 6, Military Life

One of the best parts about living all around the world is picking up new traditions along the way. After three years in Germany, it was hard not to come back with German traditions. After all, they know how to celebrate the entire Christmas season, beginning in late November and lasting until Christmas Eve.

When touring a local Christmas market during our first year there, I picked up an Advent candle holder. It’s nothing fancy; after all, durability is the first thing I think about when buying something new (especially with seven moves under my belt over the last 11 years). It’s a slab of wood, candles in simple gold holders, and a red silk flower in the center edged with gold glitter. It’s enough to lend a bit of sparkle as the candlelight dances around the room.

The tradition is to light a candle each Sunday leading up to Christmas Eve. We will light the first candle on Dec. 1, and every Sunday until Dec. 22. My family lights them at dinner time, so we can talk about what each candle means.