Today I dropped off my three and a half year old twins, Max and Miriam at the Air Force base CDC (child development center). Usually, Alex drops them off on his way to work down the street, but he has been out of town for a case. Walking in…
Tag Archive: deployment
Nov
08
Send a deployment hug
Here is a quick tutorial on this super easy deployment hug idea! The kiddos have really been wishing that they could hug their daddy who is currently serving in Afghanistan so this is what we came up with one afternoon. The first step is t…
Nov
05
Pregoploymentcy
I like be creative by composing music, playing the piano, drawing, painting and writing. I also enjoy puns that lighten the mood, no matter how badly the outcome may be. I usually save this privilege for people that know me really well – so…
Nov
01
Inside – Outside – On Top of the Box
Living inside of the box, thinking outside of the box, and landing on top of the box with two feet in tact, is no simple matter. First of all, what is this box? Is this a puzzle box? It’s not just any ordinary puzzle box. T…
Oct
29
Who Pressed the Fast Forward Button?
This is the story of our familyWe are an Air Force family with twins and a son that is living with autism. I am a pianist, composer, music educator, and artist, and I like to do artsy things whenever possible. My husband A…
Oct
20
An essay from a military daughter…..
Hi my name is Makenzie Pickens and my dad is SFC Michael Pickens, he just came back from Afghanistan. While my dad was gone, my whole room was filed with American flags and pictures of my dad and me. Also, when my dad was gone, my friends would cheer me up if I were having [...]
Sep
30
Stay Put “Ask Mrs. Marine”
Dear Mrs. Marine,
During deployments, do you stay put or do you move back home with family or closer to family?~Stay put?
Dear Stay Put,
Every time a deployment rolls around I get the same question from other wives “are you going home for deployment?” Meaning “home” as in where I am originally from, which to me, that’s not my home anymore. My home is wherever we are currently stationed. Out of our 8 deployments so far, I have moved back in with family for 1 of them, only because the initial plan then was we were getting out after the deployment. Obviously that didn’t happen. It made me feel like I lost a sense of my independence. It was nice to have the support of my family, but all in all, I prefer staying put if at all possible. Primarily, I don’t want to uproot my kids from their home. I feel it makes the separation even harder on them.
It seems like many wives think “my husband is deploying so I need to leave too.” So they move back with their families for the entire deployment, uprooting children and leaving friends behind. It’s hard for me to understand why anyone would want to do that. Do they feel they can’t survive without their husbands, they can’t be alone? It makes it harder on the wives who stay because not only does your husband leave, but your friend leaves too. It makes everyone want to leave, it’s a domino effect.
In my experience, if you stay put and tough it out, you will find strength and independence you never knew you had. You have to test yourself in order to find out what you’re truly capable of. I have learned so much about myself since I became a Military wife. I am a strong woman and you can be too if you give yourself a chance to spread your wings.
Sincerely,
Aug
26
First deployment, first baby “Ask Mrs. Marine”
Dear Mrs. Marine,
I am 21 with a handsome baby boy! I am going through my first deployment with my husband and man do I get down a lot. What do you do to keep busy? Also, I’d like some advice on how to manage a ‘newer’ marriage, first deployment, AND a new baby without feeling overwhelmed. I try to keep my hubby as involved in what’s going on as possible but I don’t want to over-do it or under-do it. He works ALL the time and rarely gets any time for himself so I feel like the last thing I should do is bombard him with things from home that will just remind him of how much he misses everyone!~First deployment, first baby
Dear First’s,
I feel we all struggle at times to “keep busy” during deployment because if you don’t, time seems to slow down. It’s simple enough in theory, think about what you enjoy doing, and get out and do it! If you’re on or near a base, your husband’s unit should have activities for the wives and family. Attending those is a great way to make friends and interact with other wives whose spouse is also deployed.
Make it a plan to have dinner once/twice a week with other “lonely wives” you know. Also, look online and around the base for a new mommy group. It’s always nice to know other moms with kids the same age as yours. Do NOT allow yourself to sit around and mope, it will not do you, or your baby boy, any good.
My husband has deployed many times. When he is gone I am a “married single parent” it’s not easy. I am their sole provider, it can be draining but after a while I get used to doing it all on my own. Daily life becomes very routine and sometimes the days seem to mesh together. The key is to find things to break up the monotony.
You have the right idea about not bombarding your husband. Keep the info you tell him positive if you can, he needs to know you can handle everything on the home front. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, smile at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself, “I can do this!”
Sincerely,
Jun
14
What is Flag Day to us…..
Flag Day is celebrated on June 14th of each year. It celebrates the adoption of the Flag of the United States of America. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclomation that established June 14th officially as Flag Day and in 1949 National Flag Day was established by an act of Congress. So what [...]
Apr
27
Autism in pictures. Day 27
Daddy quilt. Each of the kid’s got one for the Marine’s deployment.
Jan
20
Ask Mrs. Marine (Advice from Me)
I have a new project I’m working on!
There are a lot of online message boards, forums, groups, etc. etc. etc. out there. I have read them a lot, posted on them asking my own questions (which rarely get answered) and also answered posts as well. So many…
Dec
07
I’m Sorry I Abandoned You..
I have great news!!
Our 8th deployment is over!!! Hubby got home two weeks ago!!
I’m sorry I have been MIA a lot the last few months… It wasn’t intentional, however I do somewhat blame my recent addiction to Facebook games… LOL! I just haven’t been…
Nov
30
Pathways Update!
Hello Faithful Readers of This Blog, I wanted to send a brief hello and update as I am now back in the States, performing the military duties that I have to endure shortly after an overseas deployment and preparing for some much-needed downtime with fa…
Oct
22
Experiences from a DoD Advisory Panel
by Nicholas Sabula On Sept. 27 military family members representing all services, components and disabilities convened at the Department of Defense Education Activity headquarters in Arlington, Va. The purpose was straight-forward: to discuss issues and offer up solutions to the major overarching issues of the military’s special needs community. It’s been several weeks now since [...]
Aug
07
Be An Encouraging Spouse
When you are deployed like I am currently, you have a lot of time to think. For an analytical-type person like me that can be both a blessing and dangerous at the same time. Lately, I have been missing home quite tremendously. That is normal with deplo…
Jul
29
Peter, My Love, My Best Friend, My Hero
I met my husband back in 2006, ah I still remember it like it was yesterday!!!! He was so QUIET!!!! and naturally I was so LOUD! When I met him, I cant say it was LOVE at first sight but it was definitely awe at first sight and I knew there was somethi…
Jul
17
Missing Him… So Much
Deployments Suck…
Although luckily this one has so far been going fast! Summer break is already almost over, school starts on August 1st.
Toward the end of August will be the half way point! I’m not sure why, but I always feel better when we reach th…
Jul
14
Care Package Tips/Ideas
The last 5 Deployments (this is #8) there was not a need for me to send any care packages to Hubby. Because anything he needed or wanted for the most part he was able to get himself a lot faster than a package would get there.
Well, that is not the cas…
Jul
05
Havent POSTED IN A WHILE!!!
I have been so busy lately, that at night i just cant just sit and type away like I would love to, and my phone, well i end up not posting and it saves it to my sd card in there. lol Here is a little of what has been going on with us latelyDeploym…
Jun
20
Bad day
having a bad day, its the first time deployment and autism have got to me this deployment. I have been going strong and haven’t had a big meltdown since the day peter left (how funny today is exactly 3months) well anyway I’ve been doing so good keeping…
Jun
20
back again!!!!
I havent been posting so much lately, and last night i typed up a LONG LONG post and when i clicked POST it said there was an ERROR!!! i was so upset i just went to sleep. I havent been posting so much lately because I havent really had time. I’ve…
Jun
09
So much to write about!!!!
I have so much to write about, I don’t even know where to start so I will probably post a few tonight or just post a long one, we’ll see. I’m really liking that I can post from my phone, I can write a little, take a break and write again later. For all…
Jun
08
Posting from my phone!
So I didn’t get a chance to write yesterday, but today I will, and I’m trying it out from my phone, let’s see how well it works.Yesterday Kaitlyn missed her ABA therapy session at the “preschool” setting. I was kind of upset because her therapist is no…
Jun
05
SKYPE
Just got to Skype with my husband, boy was it great! We talked a lot about our Vegas weekend!!! both trying to decide where we wanted to stay! All that talk and we didnt come up with ANYTHING! I have a lot of homework to do now and I need to book soon …
Jun
05
Marine Corps
My husband is a Marine, he is currently deployed and oh boy has it changed our lives completely. This is our second deployment, and it just seems so much harder on me than the first one. I think maybe it has to do with the fact that last time i only ha…
AMFAS Update
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 4 of 4 May 24, 2013
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 3 of 4 May 23, 2013
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 2 of 4 May 22, 2013
- Finding Answers in Chicago at AutismOne May 21, 2013
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 1 of 4 May 21, 2013
CMKAA
- TRICARE Stalls on Implementing Treatments February 25, 2013
- FY2013 NDAA Includes One-Year Pilot Program January 2, 2013
- TIME Magazine Highlights Last Minute Kill of CMKAA December 21, 2012
Confessions from Household Six
- Please Stop the Ride May 12, 2013
- Autism Awareness Today and EVERY Day April 23, 2013
- Go Ahead, Laugh AT Me April 12, 2013
Captain Dad – Family Life with Autism, twins, and the Military
- Going on a Mission - and Skittles! April 6, 2013
- March Madness March 16, 2013
- Reading Tea Leaves March 2, 2013
Lily and the Roses
- Autism Mom – Finding A Balance May 22, 2013
- A Cure for Autism? Thoughts and Reflections May 8, 2013
- 87 Blue Balloons and 1 White April 6, 2013
Navy Chaplain: A Story
- Eloping and Autism: How to get a free safety kit for your ASD kid (or share with a family you love) May 22, 2013
- What is the difference? April 14, 2013
- THE BIGGEST SECRET EVER!! March 18, 2013
Who’s Teaching Who?
- Transitions: From Sampling to Eating March 21, 2013
- Today’s Lesson: Appreciation February 2, 2013
- First Impressions October 17, 2012
Oh What A Life!
- Lit it up Blue! May 2, 2013
- Selfish Moments March 15, 2013
- Just keep your head up March 12, 2013
Conner’s Search For A Voice
- The dreaded word. Deployment. March 21, 2013
- All our friends are different. February 18, 2013
- Sick in disguise. January 22, 2013
Red Green Lellow
- God make me a Warrior Mama. May 21, 2013
- Claiming my Namesake May 19, 2013
- Recovery for our kids with Autism: Getting out of our comfort zone April 28, 2013
The Holland’s Home
- We are low on funding so… February 12, 2013
- Book Review: Tent of David by Boaz Michael January 16, 2013
- Hey There Delilah January 2, 2013
Raising Soldiers 4 Christ
- Focusing on the Gospel this Resurrection March 28, 2013
- Tae Kwon Do and Special Needs March 17, 2013
- Tae Kwon Do….is it Biblical February 25, 2013
Pathways in Autism
- Please Sign Petition For Sensitivity Training At Whole Foods January 14, 2013
- Expect Spin With Autism Mandates October 23, 2012
- Watch Your Little Eloper! October 15, 2012
Pieces
- Truth From the Fox February 26, 2013
- Again I Rise February 21, 2013
- Working Together February 6, 2013
Oh What a Life!
- Lit it up Blue! May 2, 2013
- Selfish Moments March 15, 2013
- Just keep your head up March 12, 2013
Autism Recovered
- Kate's recovery story April 16, 2012
- Fairies get a new swing outside February 29, 2012
- Craftiness February 25, 2012
Four Cannons
- BFF’s May 22, 2012
- An Emotional Glimpse Into My Heart… May 17, 2012
- Soooo Ready For Spring! February 20, 2012
P.R.E.K.P.A.
- OUTINGS with 3 small children, Autism and only 1 parent August 7, 2011
- NEW DIET FOR KAITLYN!!! August 7, 2011
- ALL GROWN UP!!! August 2, 2011
Michelle’s maniacal musings on mommyhood
- Kindergarten graduation May 12, 2013
- The battle with strep continues May 12, 2013
- Hello Kitty May 3, 2013
A House of Hagfeldt’s
- You say its your birthday! na na na na na it's my birthday too! yeah! na na na na na March 1, 2013
- What's the deal-eo February 16, 2013
- Christmas 2012 January 16, 2013
ArmyWifeToddlerMom
- Remembering Ramzi Doany 10 years later September 11, 2011
- And she'll have fun fun fun till her Daddy takes her t-bird away June 16, 2011
- And more June 6, 2011
Army Wife and Autism Life
- Crazy Beautiful life February 13, 2013
- What the... January 26, 2012
- A Beautiful Moment November 21, 2011
Pajama Camper
- Family Update October 19, 2011
- Open House August 12, 2011
- Been Awhile August 11, 2011
Parenting a child with Asperger Syndrome
- What a way to spend a day, hike challenge by W December 24, 2012
- My aspie's rude awakening September 26, 2012
- Me, the problem? September 18, 2012
Shot’s Spot
- Send a deployment hug November 8, 2012
- #photoadayaug Day 6 - Writing August 6, 2012
- #photoadayaug Day 4 - Somewhere you sat August 4, 2012
Major Autism
- No one can tell you how to build October 4, 2011
- What causes autism? June 14, 2011
- Is this Autism (Money) Awareness Month? April 3, 2011