Why didn’t you tell me that your kindness would be my sanity?  I remember going to my first “mandatory fun” unit event after my second child was born. My husband had just deployed. My 19-month old was a handful. And my newborn was just a month old. Of course, flu season was in full effect. ... Continue Reading

I think there ought to be some rules. I think that before you represent military families on reality TV you ought to: Like your servicemember — at least a little. Avoid lying about your level of involvement in the military Hint that you are proactive about your life. Have an actual talent. This seems like ... Continue Reading

During a first deployment, some spouses, partners and MilSOs are a little more worried than they like to admit. I personally was convinced that the Perfect Storm would flip a Navy cruiser like a Triscuit and turn it the whole deployment into The Poisedon Adventure. I was sure that The Little Mermaid would pop out of ... Continue Reading

My husband was very seriously injured on October 3, 2005 in Northern Iraq. A grenade fell through the gunner’s hatch of his Stryker vehicle and exploded. We spent over six months in Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  Joe underwent over forty surgeries in attempt to salvage his right leg and right arm.  In his new ... Continue Reading

“Aloha!  E komo mai Hawaii nei!!” When the military sends you here, that greeting might not make you happy. Mahalo nui loa to Kate for her article on “Why Hawaii Living Isn’t Really Paradise.” (A dozen of my friends forwarded it to me!)  My family and I love Hawaii, but that life isn’t for everyone. ... Continue Reading