Did 2020 leave you feeling blah and gaining the 20 from 20? Okay, maybe not a gain of twenty pounds, but last year definitely left many of us missing our gym routines, group fitness classes, stress eating, and spending much more time in the kitchen. As we approach a new season, it’s time to revisit…
It’s been a while since I have reflected upon military life in retrospect of being married to a service member. This life has taught me a lot. In fact, the last time I reflected upon what I was learning as a spouse, I was approaching my third year in marriage. Now, my spouse and I…
The holidays can be such a tough time for couples waiting for a positive pregnancy test. The magic of the Christmas season can be overshadowed by grief and emptiness for many families who have endured the tragedy of pregnancy and infant loss. My heart aches for all of these families and the pain they are…
A decade ago, who would’ve ever thought that a hashtag could have such a large impact? Now, hashtags not only define a company, but can also start a global movement. Military spouses are not strangers to starting movements and gaining support for initiatives they know can impact their communities. This is why I have put…
If you have never read the children’s book “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” by Judith Viorst then you should certainly check it out. As a tribute to being real and authentic about military life and adding a fun twist to it, this is my take on our recent PCS from…
Has COVID-19 left you rethinking your career path and ambitions? There has never been a better time to find a remote position than right now. Military spouses have always known that remote work and a career that will seamlessly travel with them is the answer to the unemployment woes within the community. However, achieving that…
Timely and adequate pediatric care has never been more important than today, especially during the national pandemic and flu season approaching. Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post on behalf of XpertCare, however, opinions expressed in this post are my own. Why XpertCare? XpertCare is assisting military families with efforts to close the gap in access…
As a rule, I try not to dwell on my struggles and live under a “woe is me” mentality. That might explain why it took me so long to go from the throes of depression to a place where I am eager to share my experience, my growth, and my success with other military spouses.…
Breastfeeding your child is one of the most amazing gifts of Mother Nature. It is not always a perfect journey and requires education, patience, support, and many other things to help you navigate your way through it successfully. Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Baby Pavilion, a Tricare approved breast pump…
It is not uncommon for veterans and military spouses to find ways to give back to military communities. After all, they know first-hand what the needs of the community are and how to put their best efforts forward to help. Dr. Lisa Di Enno is no different. After serving in the United States Navy and…
One of the best ways to learn about other cultures is to live among the people. That’s just what Dr. Erica Eliott did and she recounts that experience in her memoir Medicine and Miracles in the High Desert: My Life Among the Navajo People. She paints very vivid images of what life was like as…
Strength 4 Spouses started out with one goal in mind, to be a place where military spouses located at Fort Bragg could find resources and information all in one place. Over the last three years, it has morphed into a place where military spouses, veterans, and those who support the military can find encouragement, inspiration,…
Have you ever needed a cheerleader during a tough journey in your life? What about a professional that can see the BIG picture and guide your steps in the process to a goal? What if you want to make improvements in your life, your career, your relationships, or in yourself and you need some strategies…
Deployment is a painful time for you and your soldier, but it’s necessary for the freedom we enjoy today. However, you can draw strength from this cause and support your soldier through this difficult time by giving them practical gifts. There are tons of military going away gifts but you need something that is going…
Have you ever wondered how military dads are any different from their civilian counterparts? One given fact is that they may not always be around for special moments, holidays, birthdays, you name it. This isn’t by choice though. Unfortunately, duty to country comes before anything else, even family. Just like some moms are innately born…
Relocating every 3-4 years can be challenging for military families. Move My Way: A Moving Journal for Kids is a journal that helps children keep track of their feelings, special places and memories of the home they are leaving, as well as predictions about their new place of residence. This journal was developed by a…
Mother’s Day to a loss mom was once a day of dred. It was a kick in the gut, a painful day, and a stark reminder of the loss that so deeply broke our hearts. For some it took months, for others it took years, and for many it took medical intervention but we made…
April is month of the military child. All month long, you can celebrate military kids for their bravery, resilience, & strength. Click here for ways to show them appreciation. This year, since I have a military child of my own, I thought I would put together some thoughts about what hopes I have for my…
It’s Earth Day and a perfect time to think about how to be nicer to our planet. I am sure you are already doing your part by recycling, but there are so many other ways we can improve our daily activities to be more earth friendly. Below are a few practical ways to be more…
I never imagined that we might live through anything like the Coronavirus Pandemic in America. It’s truly apocalyptic and something we might see in a Hollywood movie, but in real life? It’s almost as if we have been de-sensitized in this digital age as many of us truly did not believe this could happen here.…
Who would’ve thought that all children in the United States would be learning from home due to a pandemic? With technology and advances in medicine today, this seemed like it was only possible in a Hollywood movie. Unfortunately, it is our current situation. If your child is struggling through reading and writing, this blog post…
Ask any military spouse and they will tell you that luck isn’t always their best friend in military life. In fact, Murphy’s Law is more of a permanent fixture in our lives than Lady Luck. In that case, we need all the extra luck we can get our hands on. For many of us, that…
The Adventures of a Military Brat series of books are written by a service member and military spouse-husband and wife team. The goal of this book series is to explain military life challenges and how to find the positive in them through the eyes of a child. This can be extremely helpful to military kids…
It started off one fateful day at the local college job fair. I had a table for the Boys & Girls Club and he had a table recruiting for the United States Marine Corps. I should’ve known then, but, dress blues…enough said. The thing is, I DIDN’T know. I didn’t know, when during our 9…
At the beginning of each year, wellness seems to be in the forefront of everyone’s goals. As life gets busy, it doesn’t always stay on the top of the priority list. A savings account grows when you make “deposits” into it over time. The same is true for your wellness. You have to make intentional…
As Valentine’s Day approaches and spouses scramble for those perfect gifts, I thought I would offer a few ideas about what military spouses often desire in terms of gifts. 1-A Planned Vacation. This may seem silly to our civilian counterparts because it’s a normalcy in pre-military life. However, military families aren’t always able to plan…
Are you a military family looking for a peaceful place to go for a picnic that is local and close to base? Look no further than Rick’s Place located at 5572 Shenandoah Drive in Fayetteville. This 50 acre outdoor space is open to military families, veterans, and those who serve the military community. It is…
Turning on the news can be dreadful and amplify anxiety and worry. In a world full of uncertain times and unrest, the best thing to do is give those worries to God. Instead of wallowing in those fears and anxieties, focus your heart and mind on biblical words for comfort. Here are seven scriptures from…
‘Tis the season for thankfulness and gratitude. It sounds like a simple concept, but tell that to someone who has fallen on hard times, lost a loved one, is battling cancer, struggling through infertility, and the list goes on. It’s not always easy to see the positive and bright side of things when you are…
*Guest Post by Jeremy Silverstein. A military family move can be stressful for adults, but even more so for children. Uprooting your kids from their community can be challenging, especially when they must say farewell to close friends. Whether you’re relocating across the country or from a civilian community into on-base housing, there are ways…
*Guest Post by Antoinette Truglio Martin I come from a glass-half-full upbringing, where there was always a positive spin on life. The weather is partly sunny, a bad haircut grows out, and traffic will eventually end somewhere along the Belt Parkway. The Cancer Since 2012, I have been walking around with metastatic breast cancer. Metastatic…
There is a learning curve for adults and children alike when it comes to military culture. Who is Sam the Soldier?is a book that helps to break down important aspects of military life in simple yet understandable concepts. It is written by Erin Morris, an Army Veteran, who devotes her time to supporting other veterans. …
Strength 4 Spouses is a place where military spouses, veterans, and those who support the military can find encouragement, inspiration, and resources to help them find their strength through the ups and downs of all phases of military life. While there are many ways to find strength in this lifestyle, Strength 4 Spouses focuses on…
I absolutely love the 4th of July holiday. It’s the time of year to celebrate independence and patriotism with friends and family, July is the halfway mark of the year, and the weather is nice and hot in the south. I have always considered myself patriotic, but being a military spouse has made me even…
Synopsis: Born Under Fire is a historical novel that takes place during the 1930’s. It paints a wonderful picture of what life was like when Jews were forced to flee the rule of Hitler and escaped to Israel. As you follow the life of the main character, Shula, you learn about the deeply embedded traditions…
Pregnancy and infant loss are two of the most devastating situations moms can face. It takes so much strength to recover from that type of tragedy. When a woman does get pregnant again after loss, how is the next pregnancy for her emotionally? This month’s post in the “Finding Your Strength” series will detail what…
Did you know “The unemployment that affects military spouses as a result of the military lifestyle costs the U.S. economy almost one billion dollars a year” (Blue Star Families). Underemployment and unemployment are two key issues that have been a hot topic for years. Instant Teams is doing their part to open doors to portable and remote careers…
This book is written by Chandelle Walker and illustrated by Joshua Allen. To learn more about Chandelle or to order your copy of her book, click here. Disclaimer: A free copy of this book was issued in exchange for an honest review. Daddy Left with Mr. Army approaches the topic of deployment and the…
Since the year 1986, thanks to Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, April has been dubbed Month of the Military Child to celebrate these amazing kiddos located all over the world. Throughout the month, you can expect to see special activities at installations nationwide, online giveaways and contests, as well as tributes to these brave little…
**Guest Post by Kara Ludlow** It wasn’t supposed to be this way. After all, I had selected the word, “brave” as our family’s word for the year. Grace, my ten-year-old, had painted the word in gold letters on white cardstock and artfully framed it with fabric backing. BRAVE hung on the wall in the…
This book is written by Leslie Zimmerman. She spent time as a combat medic in the Army and exited service at the rank of Sgt. After watching the impact deployment had when her sister deployed, she was inspired to open up the conversation of deployment for children through her children’s books. To learn more about…
This year was InDependent’s 3rd annual virtual Military Spouse Wellness Summit. This is an online summit with speakers, a wellness lounge, and giveaways especially geared to the military spouse and first-responder spouse community. This year consisted of a fantastic line-up of 12 different speakers that all had expertise with the theme “Living a Life with…
Each year, I am so fortunate to meet a male military spouse within the military community. They are becoming increasingly common as females serving in the armed forces has also increased and their opinions are valuable. It is my absolute pleasure to share their stories and viewpoints in a special series titled “The Male Military…
*Guest Post by Heather.* As we head into the new year, everyone has the best of intentions for “new year, new me”. I disagree with this philosophy. Most of the time there isn’t anything wrong with the “you” from the past year. If you look back at all the things you accomplished, there is a…
College can be such a wonderful experience, but it can also be tough juggling school, work, and family. What most college students don’t realize is that graduating with a high grade point average can set you ahead of the competition and come in handy as you further your studies in the future. When I first…
Synopsis “All Eyes on Alexandra” is a children’s book that details the story of a migrating crane family. Alexandra is the curious crane, known to wander. Her curiosity about the world sets her up to be a great leader in the migration journey, once she gains the trust of her concerned family. This children’s book…
*Guest Post from Author Anna Levine* Moving on! Packing up and moving to a new home, a new country and an unfamiliar environment isunsettling. We can learn a lot from how animals adapt to changes. In my picture book, All Eyeson Alexandra, the flock prepares for their journey. “They clean their coats and dye their…
When I first heard of the MUTU system from a fellow military spouse, I wasn’t sure if it was for me since I do not have any children. She assured me that this program can help many women in all stages and ages of life whether pre-partum or post-partum. Being that I love all things…
Synopsis Karen Brown Tyson found herself laid off at the age of 51. While many feelings could have taken over and made her new path seem dark and bleak, she decided to take the time to trust in God, even when she did not understand the plan fully. Through this experience, she created a21-Day Devotional…
**Guest post by Author Karen Brown Tyson.** “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV. Life is full of trials. One minute everything is going smoothly and according to plan. The next minute we…
When I left the military to become a mom and military spouse, I thought I was giving up my hard life for the good life. Being a mom looked like so much fun. It didn’t look lonely, stressful, or tiring. From the outside, it looked easy and fun. I had heard stories of parenting struggles,…
Military life is no doubt stressful for parents, but have you ever wondered how it affects children? In this three-part series, we will be taking a deeper look into the stresses of military life, how they impact kids, and strategies to help children cope and heal. Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post on behalf of…
It’s no secret that pregnancy loss can be devastating. What most people don’t realize though is that the healing journey is different for everyone. The time it takes to heal from such a loss is immeasurable. I have my days where I am full of hope, then I have other days where I long to…
My baby wouldn’t stop crying. Although my baby boy was six weeks old, it had been a tough six weeks. We had already been experiencing problems that had taken us to the doctor multiple times without a solution, but this time it was different. I could see the pain in his eyes. I went so…
When you are married to someone in the military, you realize how important a home cooked meal is for your spouse. My husband is like a growing child, he is always hungry. When he comes back from the field, I know he is ready to enjoy real food after eating MRE’s for days, weeks, and…
I was asked to share my story in hopes to connect with fellow military spouses who might be going through a similar situation. Sometimes, all it takes is that extra reassurance that no matter what, You are strong, You are a fighter, and You can do and get through anything that comes your way, even…
I was very apprehensive about taking part in this review for post earrings. I have not worn them since elementary school. This is when I found out they were the reason my ears got irritated, itchy, and infected. My skin is extremely sensitive and allergic to metals. In fact, I cannot even wear watches that…
Being married to someone in the military is not always peaches and cream. There’s the distance, unexpected schedules, moving rapidly, and the list goes on. Do you think milspouses just acclimated to this lifestyle or did their upbringing help to prepare them for this whirlwind life? To honor moms for Mother’s Day, I decided to…
May 8th is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. It started back in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan and was declared to be celebrated on May 23rd. This date changed over time and is now observed the Friday before Mother’s Day each year. Why is Celebrating Military Spouses Important? There’s a difference of opinion when people explain…
Mother’s Day is all about showing appreciation for your mom and appreciating so many mothers all across the globe. However, there are many women who will not be celebrating Mother’s Day with their child or children this year. That first Mother’s Day after child loss is the most painful. In fact, most holidays and milestone…
Last Fall, I was honored to meet a male military spouse at Military One Click’s MilSpouse Fest. Due to the voice of male military spouses being one that is rarely heard, I humbly asked if he would be willing to allow me to interview him for the blog and share his story. He politely agreed…
**Guest Post by Lizann** Strength is… moving to another country where you don’t even speak the language. It is learning new things every single day. It’s bravely leading your children forward, when you have no idea what you’re doing. For military spouses, moving overseas can be one of the defining moments of their lives. It…
Review of “Loved and Cherished”
Have you ever wondered how best to encourage young women in such a divisive and harsh climate as we are experiencing now? Being a teenager was not easy even twenty years ago. Now, technology and constant comparisons make young women question their worthiness and their value, which can have adverse effects on their self-esteem.…
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