My husband served in the US Army from May of 2007 to May of 2013. During that time he endured two year-long combat deployments to Afghanistan, while I stayed behind to “keep the home fires burning.” We were stationed in Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Knox, Kentucky during his military career. These posts share some of the things that we experienced as a military family.
My counselor looked at me with a tilt of her sassy head and a half-smile and and said, “But girl, remember who you battle! You were riding high and Satan couldn’t have that. Satan hates the family, and he’s doing everything he can to destroy yours. He was gonna hit you hard and he sure did!”
We’ve been talking about our 10th anniversary for several years now. We’ve been throwing ideas at each other of where we should go, what we should do, how we should celebrate. We thought about New York City, the Florida Keys, going back to Boulder Crest for the 3rd time, and visiting a variety of other … [Read more…]
This summer Adam Sandoval is hitting the road with Harley-Davidson for a cross-country motorcycle ride to honor those who have served and give away motorcycles to eight lucky vets. Adam is an avid H-D rider, and he and his chihuahua Scooter have crossed the country in support of military vets. His ScootinAmerica initiative has raised … [Read more…]
I sat down to work on our yearly Christmas e-mail this past Wednesday. Three hours later I was still typing and formatting. I got done and was completely overwhelmed and undone. December has already been so full. Just. So. Full. Of. Goodness. Sunday two weeks ago, we joined a Sunday School class that is discussing … [Read more…]
As I write this, I am in the backseat of our minivan on the way home from our family’s 4th of July Summer vacation. For now, everyone is behaving. My heart is full, but I am unsure quite where to begin. Every patriotic holiday evokes emotion for us, but Independence Day is the happiest. It is … [Read more…]
She walks down the center aisle of the chapel – shoulders back, head held high, dog tags around her neck. She carries her six-month-old son in her arms. They are there to say goodbye to the daddy he never really got to know. I sat there near the back in a simple black dress, my … [Read more…]
I’ve always felt like Military Spouse Appreciation Day was a bit of a joke. Why? Because the only people who tell me they appreciate me are my fellow milspouses and so I say, “Back at-cha” and move on with my normal day. But this year feels different. I’ll be honest, I had no intention of writing … [Read more…]
My college years were filled with drama and exhaustion. Going back to school was pretty much the last thing I wanted to do. Ever. Until a year ago. But this story begins long before. I remember the first time I sat in the office of the “Behavioral Health” clinic on post at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Checking … [Read more…]
I grew up in a house full of plants. My mom has a real knack for tending for houseplants, and it showed in the Fika trees, ivy, African violets, and spider plants that reproduced like bunnies at Easter time that always graced our household decor. When I got married, our house had plants. It wasn’t … [Read more…]
Dear Beautiful You: I call you beautiful, sight unseen, because I know that you are. Not because of how you look, but because you are committing your life to a military man. And that, my dear friend, is no easy thing. While you may not have a full scope of understanding of all that will … [Read more…]