Thankful Through Deployments

Yes, you read that title correctly. Thankful Through Deployments. Seriously? What, in all of the deployment training, preparation and packing, family separation for six, nine, maybe twelve or more months of tour, and the reintegration back, is there to be thankful for?!

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Read more

New Milspouse Facing a Deployment? Don’t Worry, We’ve Got Your Six!

Greetings to all the new military spouses (and all the seasoned ones) out there. Military life may seem overwhelming and when you are facing a deployment, it may seem impossible.

But Guess what? You got this and we are here to help you. Below are some resources for those of you who ar experiencing deployment for the first time and also for those of you who just need a refresh.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Read more

3 Challenges of Reintegration (And 3 Possible Solutions)

I’ve been writing about deployment and reintegration a lot. It’s my life right now, and it’s harder than I anticipated. I thought it would be magically easy, since my husband and I had some key conversations to prepare us for the changes that occurred for all of us while he was gone.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Read more

Coping Through Deployment

Sometimes life can be overwhelming. The constant demands of day to day living make it hard to catch our breath. Work, family, sports practices, being at home with small children, sick children and the list goes on and on. This can be especially exhausting when one partner is away training or deployed and “regular stuff” is left to be taken care of day in and day out. The days feel long and, at times, even like there is no end in sight. 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Read more

7 Things That Changed In 7 Months

When I wrote my previous post, my husband and I were preparing for homecoming and reintegration.

The homecoming day (that only changed a couple times) has come and gone. We’re now in the trenches of reintegration.

I say “trenches” not because it’s bad, but because there are highs and lows, including some I didn’t expect. (Silly me, thinking I could plan for everything.)

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Read more

It’s the Not Knowing

Lists get made and memories are created. And time is counted down. But it’s the not knowing that’s an invisible guest in your house.

Tears are shed. Promises are made and dreams are discussed. But it’s the not knowing that takes a toll.

Bags get packed and goodbyes get said. And flights take off. But it’s the not knowing that messes with your head.

Not knowing if he’ll be safe. Not knowing the area he’ll be spending so much time in. Not knowing what’s going on because the news terrifies you.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Read more

Mistresses of the Military

It began during our first year of marriage, these mistresses. He brought the first one home one night. When I questioned my husband, his reasoning made sense to me, so I said no more. 

But she persisted, and soon he was spending more and more time with this “mistress.” I would hear the conversations, and I became increasingly annoyed, and then even angry.

He said it was ending. We had orders to PCS. I remained patient and tried again with him at the following assignment.

But it got worse.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Read more

7 Conversations to Help You Prepare For Reintegration

A few weeks ago, my husband called to give me his anticipated homecoming date. I was ecstatic to hear that; while still a ways off. the date was earlier than I expected. Time to prepare for reintegration

I’m not letting myself write it down until he’s on the plane though… I’m too accustomed to plans changing.

Because…military life.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Read more