Forget The Dog Not The Baby!

My Favorite Moments from 2011.

2012-02-08T13:56:00.000-05:00

In no particular order, and a month late... Here are my top 10 favorite moments from 2011.

1. Seeing the Atlantic Ocean for the very first time!
2. Meeting and getting to know "The Friends" as my children like to call them during the documentary filming!
3. Being a nominee for Best Mil-Spouse Blog, and attending the Milblog conference.
4. Sunset cruise with my family for my Birthday!
5. Being awarded a mortgage free home from Military Warrior Support Foundation at TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra, Florida.
6. Moving in to our new home!
7.Seeing my baby brother get married!
8. Disney World!
9. Nate got the MIND award for graduating the track program with a 4.0!
10. New York City 3 times! :)

Wow, I was busy last year! Hoping to top it this year! :)

Looking for Feedback from Wounded Warrior Wives and Caregivers!

2012-02-07T18:46:00.002-05:00

To my WWW and caregivers, are there needs you feel are not being met directly for YOU, if so what are they? What services could a non-profit provide that would benefit/empower YOU that has been overlooked by others? I really need your feedback! :)

Milspouse Holiday Blog Swap 2011

2011-12-14T00:01:00.002-05:00

We didn’t Start The Fire for our generation.

Molly Blake

Today, while listening to the 80’s channel on my satellite radio station and driving home from seeing my husband off on his fifth deployment with the USMC, I recalled a high school homework assignment with clarity.

Mrs. Dobry, my junior year high school English teacher, was a red-haired bespeckled woman. She plays golf with my mother to this day, so I’ll say nothing more. But the fact that I remember that assignment and her class undoubtedly says a lot. We tore apart Lord of the Flies until she famously revealed the ending. (Piggy DIES!?) We gave how-to speeches (Mine: How to tie a Windsor knot while Kristie Vianikos explored the realm of grocery store bagging). And we eventually had to write an expository essay. I chose to deconstruct the then wildly popular song by Billy Joel, “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”

If you are circling near the age of 38, then you are singing a line right now. It might be the line about Marilyn Monroe, Brooklyn’s Got a Winning Team or the ever-scandalous British Politician … Sex stanza but you what of what I speak.

In order to score on A on the assignment, I had to record the song on a tape recorder off the radio. Remember holding your finger atop the red record button and when the damn DJ shut his yap, you slammed it down desperately trying not to cut off the first note. After that, I had to write out the song – longhand. Okay, okay enough barking about the technologically arrested development that defined the 80’s.

During a marathon visit to the Westmont Public Library where I reviewed and studied much of the lyrics, I began to write about the song and it’s meaning. Why was it written and what did it ultimately mean? Did it truly capture the essence of an entire generation or did it miss significant events? And who the hell was Syngman Rhee?

And so when I heard that song today, the entrails of my husband’s jet still practically hanging in the air, I got to thinking.

My husband is currently the Commanding Officer of VMA 311 “The Tomcats.” Incidentally, John Glenn, who is mentioned in Joel’s song is a celebrated former Tomcat. This is our fifth deployment as a Marine Corps family and while I am proud of our service to this nation, I am particularly proud of the stamp we are leaving on history. Much of Joel’s song admittedly meant little to me – in part because of my age but my life was fairly antiseptic, my children will know the war. They will know about deployments, sacrifice, and what Semper Fi means. We have taught them about respecting the flag, standing still during evening colors, and how in this decade of war, only one percent serve in the military and it’s something to be extraordinarily proud of.

And once again, my husband will not be here on Christmas morning to see the joy and surprise on my girls’ faces. Sure, we’ll set up facetime and prop up the computer so he can watch as they tear into their presents but it’s not the same. He’s not here to remind me to move Penny, our Elf on the Shelf. He’s not here to grate just the right amount of nutmeg into my egg nog or stuff stockings or partake in our traditional fondue dinner. But we’ll blow kisses to the computer screen and puff out our chests a bit knowing that we are a Marine Corps family and this is part of the deal. It doesn’t make the holidays any easier but they will surely be memorable – my kids will look back on photos and the years that daddy is digital are likely to be some of the best Christmases they recall.

And sadly, they will have been a part of the incalculable failings of our Congress as they continue to bungle our future at the expense of party-line politics and worse – self-serving notions of grandeur. No generational-defining song would be complete without chronicling such befuddling behavior. Even Steven Colbert, who also warrants inclusion in the song, has mocked our elected leaders.

“Lawmakers on the debt Super Committee are looking for $1.2 trillion in spending cuts. They've recommended cost-saving changes in military health benefits … And the Super Congress recently received a letter supporting those cuts from the bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees. They say, of veterans: We believe no constituency better understands the challenge America faces, and no constituency is better suited to, again, lead by example by putting country first.”

We are the true one percent. And it’s a badge I wear with honor and one that my girls get to wear too. My husband might wear a patch with a, while historical, but nonetheless whimsical cat, but I proudly wear one too. Military spouses deserve a few lines in the song too. Along with twitter, Facebook, Angry Birds, and many, many other quintessential bits from our generation: The Next Greatest Generation.

And although I always stumble over the Dien Bien Phu Falls line, when the song came on, I turned up the volume, my to my children’s horror, and sang it at the top of my lungs. Perhaps it was the nostalgia factor. But I think it was because I knew that my husband, our participation in this war and our life in the USMC, will be a line in a noteworthy song someday. My kids will probably have to write – or excuse me type – a paper about it. And while I had to look up the Bay of Pigs Invasion, they will have lived through the Iraq invasion. I wonder what rhymes with Shock and Awe?

Molly Blake has been a journalist for 10 years and has published articles on a wide variety of subjects. Her main focus is on military family and spouse issues including moving, deployments, education and spouse employment. Molly is the web editor for Blue Star Families, a freelance writer and maintains a popular blog called YumaMom.com.

Molly holds a Master of Arts degree in English and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. Her published works have appeared in newspapers, blogs, magazines and web sites. She is a member of Military Reporters and Editors.

Molly's husband is an active duty United States Marine Corps aviator and Commanding Officer of VMA 311 "The Tomcats." They have two daughters. You can find examples of her work on www.mollyblake.com

To read my guest post visit: Household 6 Diva
To read more Holiday Posts from Military Spouses Check out: Riding the Roller Coaster

WarOut.org

2011-12-08T08:44:00.000-05:00

War is not easy on ANYONE, Not the Warrior, Not the Family, Not the communities we live in. We are tired, we are angry, and confused and constantly searching for validation that the things we are feeling are normal, that we are not the only one, we are WarOut. http://warout.org/

I invite each and everyone of you, if you have been effected by war in anyway to submit your story, the stories that no one wants to hear, the stories you are dying to tell someone, anyone. You can post anonymously, or with your name, its up to you.

To submit, email kristlehelmuth@yahoo.com

Help an Amazing family win $20K in Home Depot Home Improvements! :)

2011-11-28T08:46:00.000-05:00

This post was taken from my dear friend Karie's blog, she gave me the totally awesome job of helping her spread the word about this amazing opportunity! :) Karie is a totally awesome girl, and the Vine's...they are an incredible family who is always helping others. Voting starts tomorrow. Don't worry, I will remind you!

My Family for the $20k in Home Depot Home Improvements

After much deliberation, and some really great entries, I finally came to a decision. And trust me, it wasn’t an easy task. If I could’ve had my way, I would’ve chosen everyone. I had some very deserving, amazing families. Alas, that was not an option. So, before blabbering my reasoning, I’ll get to it.

I chose….

Caleb, Brannan, and Laney Vines!

Ok, so here is why I chose this family. First of all, Caleb is a wounded veteran who struggles with PTSD and TBI. Though that should be reason enough, that’s not why I chose them. The reason I chose them is because this family is not only struggling with the effects of war, but they are giving back to others who are struggling as well. A few years back Brannan and Caleb started “FamilyofaVet.com”- a non –profit that supports military families who are struggling with PTSD and TBI.

Cool, right?

On top of everything, and most importantly, they could really use these home improvements. There are numerous things in their home that need to be fixed up to make it livable, and they deserve to have that. They really do.

Now, this is where we all need your help. Tomorrow, November 29^th, The Home Depot Foundation will open up voting for the families on their Facebook page <---click there. It’s up to you and your votes to choose a family. So, look for the Vines family and choose them!!

I know there will be many who deserve it and it will be hard, but definitely consider Caleb and his family. To meet them is to fall in love with them. You should just take my word on that. They deserve this – I cannot stress that enough - if nothing else, for the simple fact that the better their living situation, the more families they will be able to help. So, you could say that by choosing them, you are choosing every Military family they help.

Well, congratulations to the Vines family! This is a preset blog (I'm somewhere in the Caribbean right now) but I have an amazing helper who will be helping me get the word out. If you have any questions go to my blogs Facebook page and she can help you from there!

Thank you guys for the support! Ya'll rock!

Here is the link to Home Depot Foundations Facebook ONE more time:

Home Depot Foundation Facebook Page

Restless..

2011-11-27T14:18:00.000-05:00

Ever get restless, and just want or even NEED a change, or been through a change and feel the NEED to get everything in your life in line with that change? That's how I feel lately. We have this perfectly amazing house, my husband is doing remarkably well in his recovery, and everything else, well, its a hot mess. I am behind on my writing because I went through a period of like a week where I was just going to do away with this blog altogether, and make a new one, and only blog about now, and not the past, to get rid of the negative in my life. Not that this is terribly negative, but I just thought I would be able to move forward, and move on. That's not going to work though, disappearing is not going to remove negative people from my life, or make me any less upset about the people who have chose not to be in our lives, speaking of which, my heart shattered last night when I saw a note my 5 year old wrote, this is what it said:

Dear Nana, Will you please start liking us again?

Nate.

It is really hard for me to explain to my children why Nana just stopped talking to us. We aren't even mad about, just confused I guess. Those are the types of things I think I need to be able to fix, and when I can't I feel powerless, like I have failed in some way. I know there is not a thing I can do, but when it breaks my child's heart too, it makes it even worse. I'm sure with time she might come around, she usually does, but its definitely not a healthy pattern, for anyone. I apologize for being all over the place, its either that or not write at all, and I think the latter of the two is the better option. I can't believe November is almost over., my Princess turns 3 in a week, Christmas is right around the corner, I have not finished shopping for either. Why? No reason really, just the couch and I have become great friends. I have my 1st mental health appointment this week, hopefully that will help get me back where I need to be.

I will NEVER forget.

2011-11-13T16:48:00.001-05:00

Head on over to Spousebuzz to read about my experience.

Homeless Veterans: A Reality Too Close To Home

2011-11-09T10:25:00.000-05:00

Here at Just Military Loans our business is about people. Of course, we offer loans to those who serve and protect our country but we also keep a compassionate heart towards the needs and struggles that one might face. That’s why we’re taking a closer look at the lives of those who return to a seemingly hopeless situation: homelessness for military veterans.
If you stop to listen to them, the stories are surprising. Once active-duty soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, bearing the responsibility of the nation’s safety on their shoulders are now sleeping in cars, on a friend’s couch, with their family in a motel – homeless.
They are White, African-American, Hispanic. Male, female. College-educated and blue-collar workers.
But the commonality they share? They are homeless veterans haunted by their time at war. Returning home, many struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), addictions, and guilt. Like a number of the citizens they fought to protect, they came home to a poor economy, job loss, higher rents.
And in their fight to regain normalcy upon their return, too many become homeless veterans.
UNFORTUNATE STATISTICS
The US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) estimated in 2009 that there were about 107,000 homeless veterans in the US. An organization called Soldier On places that number higher – around 275,000 homeless veterans on the streets on any given night.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness is concerned that these numbers could grow considering the Obama Administration’s plans to bring home troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. Statistics indicate that young veterans (between 18 and 30) are most vulnerable.
And there’s another growing problem: Women veterans are between two to four times more likely to become homeless than non-veterans.
HOW HOMELESSNESS HAPPENS
Like their fellow citizens, veterans often become homeless when a series of tough circumstances make holding a job and caring for families overwhelming.
Many veterans come home with PTSD, leading to substance abuse problems. Some soldiers report that pride prevents them from seeking help until it’s too late.
In the past few years, returning soldiers have also faced a shortage of affordable housing and fewer job prospects. Some veterans believe employers are hesitant to hire returning soldiers due to their potential emotional struggles. This is something an organization called the Jericho Project wants to remedy. Tori Lyon, of Jericho Project recently told a reporter, “We need to leverage the competitive strengths that veterans offer: technological mastery, teamwork and the ability to perform under pressure. We need to urge employers to hire veterans.”
HELP & HOPE
The camaraderie formed on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan is one of the best solutions for dealing with homelessness. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans reports that the most effective programs appear to be “veterans helping veterans” – particularly transitional housing set-ups in safe environments.
Fortunately, many organizations are attuned to the plight of the homeless veteran:

Recently, Jericho Project has been working on a Veteran’s Initiative, creating safe environments that “will provide the holistic support they need to move from homelessness to healthy lives.” In 2011, Jericho Project has been working on two major housing residences in the Bronx.
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans works in partnership with government organizations to end homelessness and shape public policy. Their website includes resources for homeless veterans and their families.
Soldier On also partners with government agencies to offer immediate and long-term help with housing, addiction treatment/recovery, food, clothing, medical and job services.
The VA has a National Call Center for homeless veterans: 877-4AID-VET. The VA also offers the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, which provides counseling, child care services, temporary financial assistance.

Have you or someone you know ever hit hard times after returning from active duty? What were some ways you got back on your feet?

Submitted by: Jodi Bakken, Outreach Coordinator for Just Military Loans http://www.justmilitaryloans.com/blog/homeless-veterans

Written By: Heather

Homes4Wounded Heroes

2011-10-25T10:24:00.000-04:00

Military Warriors Support Foundation is doing amazing things for wounded heroes and their families! Sounds too good to be true I know, but its not. My family and I moved in to our home in September and we could not be more grateful for this amazing gift. PLEASE share this with all your friends so that they can continue blessing those who gave so much for all of us!

Stress and You: A Recipe for Success

2011-10-24T12:28:00.000-04:00

Stress and You: A Recipe for Success

by Brian P. Smith

TriWest Healthcare Alliance

Books of recipes fill row upon row in book stores and libraries across the country. No matter what you might be cooking, there is no shortage of ingredients to try and instructions to follow.

Just like each chef works hard to build a recipe for the best sauce, cake or steak, each family can work at developing a unique recipe for dealing with all kinds of stress.

Deployments = Missing Ingredients

You gather your ingredients and start following the steps. What happens when a loved one, a key ingredient of your family, isn’t there? From the deployment to the welcome home—and every step along the way—the military family has no shortage of challenges and stresses.

Like a soufflé, your family’s emotional balance is delicate. Everyday stress and change can be very powerful forces, affecting family members and straining relationships.

Don’t Let it Simmer – Get Help

Feeling overwhelmed? There is an entire behavioral health resource library filled with coping techniques and self-assessments. At TriWest.com/BH, these resources are available to you online, whenever you need. From parenting issues to relationships to anxiety and depression, you can learn more about what can cause these feelings and what you can do in these situations.

What if one-to-one help was available online, 24 hours a day? What if it were available to service members and their families at no cost?

You can at TriWest.com/OnlineCare. When eligible, the TRICARE Assistance Program (TRIAP) is an online videoconference option for help with problems associated with day-to-day living. TRIAP video counseling is:

· private

· non-reportable

· available in the U.S.

If you find yourself in a crisis situation and need to speak with someone immediately, you can call the Behavioral Health Crisis Line at 1-866-284-3743.

Deployments, lengthy separations and the stresses of everyday life can affect how you feel. Use your resources; with the right ingredients of family communication alongside medical and emotional care under your TRICARE coverage, you can help serve up a well-balanced family.

The leaves are NOT falling...:(

2011-10-18T09:06:00.000-04:00

Fall generally makes me VERY happy! I love to see all the colors change, the change in temperature, its like an internal clock that tells me I can start getting ready for the Holidays...:( This isn't happening here as drastically as i'm used to, and its really messing me up! Its still green outside...EVERYWHERE, and its still been 80 degrees, which don't get wrong is wonderful, it just isn't what I'm used to. I'm trying to find things to keep me busy to keep my mind off of it because when I really stop to think, it makes me sad. Yesterday I finally put up the Tree frame I bought at Bed, Bath and Beyond, it looks AMAZING! Almost gives my dining room a magazine look..ALMOST. I also added a pumpkin centerpiece, and an amazing smelling pumpkin spice candle, which if you don't have one, you NEED one, they smell amazing!

The candle really helped get me into the fall spirit, and feel super domesticated, in fact, it made me decide to make pumpkin bread, which if you know me, my cooking isn't usually the greatest idea. I accidentally over did it though, and my family will probably be eating pumpkin bread for the rest of their lives....whoops. I just didn't want half a can of pumpkin to go to waste! My day got even better as the day progressed. Two people from Chase Bank here in Jacksonville showed up at my door around 5 and told me they had something for my husband, and they unloaded THIS:

I think his face can speak for us when I say he was VERY VERY excited.

Anyone who knows my husband knows that he LOVES to cook! This was perfect! Now he has a good gas grill, and a smoker charcoal thing. LOL Now we just need to have a BBQ! :) Oh, and my husband thought my pumpkin bread was the greatest thing since sliced cheese. GO ME! :)

A Different Kind of Sunday.

2011-10-16T18:13:00.000-04:00

Last night was a rough night. I slept in intervals of 20-30 minutes only to be woken up by my husband. At 3am he swore that he got a text message to go outside, and then heard 7 gun shots. There was no message, or gun shots. I never fully fell back asleep, his constant jerking, and yelling in his sleep kept me awake. It was one of those nights I felt like if I stayed in bed I was going to get punched in the face, but he has told me time and time again that when he comes out of these episodes, or wakes up and knows i'm there he is able to come out of it faster than if he is there alone, makes sense. Sometimes, I feel like I am dreaming too, like none of this real, I lie there and stare at him waiting to see what he is going to do next, Sometimes he sits straight up in bed after nightmares, and looks around to try to regain his composure, well last night he saw me staring and yellled "whhhaaaaattt," really loud. This is what I told him he looked like.....LOL

It got my heart racing, I thought he might get angry, but not even 5 minutes later he was snoring again. It was all just really bazaar. I'm guessing he had faulty meds or something because he remembered waking up a lot, and realized that was the reason he was so tired and usually he doesn't. For those of you who have been following for a while, you know that we have really been trying to get plugged in to the area, and find a church where we all feel comfortable, and can not only benefit the church somehow, but can get something out of it as well. We found a couple places here where I was comfortable, and that is to be expected with him, but we are continuing to try to find the right place for us. This morning went really well. We tried out a church that I found online, and it was funny because the first thing I found was the Pastor's blog and the first post I saw was asking for help in reaching out to Military Families. I felt compelled to send him our story, and let him know we were looking for a church, and that I would be happy to send ideas his way for outreach whether I decided to go there or not. So we went and tried out Journey Church this morning, and things went very well. Not only did my husband go, he sat through an ENTIRE service, he even asked me to join him at the altar so we could pray together, this is HUGE. For most people going to the altar is awkward anyways, but for a guy who has to see all exits at all times, a guy who doesn't even like to have his back turned to his wife, a guy whose anxiety rarely allows him to even be in the room with 5 strangers let a lone 100 or more, this was such an awesome moment. I saw my husband pour his heart out to God like I had not seen since before he deployed. He needed that. I don't think he or anyone else could understand though how much I needed that though. I needed to know that he still had faith in SOMETHING,that he still could show these emotions that he showed me this morning. I needed to know that he still wanted a greater relationship with The Lord, and I think we may have stayed up there for a really long time because when we got up, we were the last ones. The worship team just kept on playing though, it was like they knew that we needed just a little extra time! I am just praising God today for working on my husbands heart, and for taking us to Journey Church where he could have this opportunity. Whether we choose to make Journey our home church our not. I am glad we went. I think that this is yet another step in the right direction for us!

Where do you find support?

2011-10-14T10:43:00.000-04:00

If there is one thing I have learned through out my journey as a caregiver is that you CANNOT do it alone. Whether you have the support of family and friends in the area, or like me have virtual friends through blogs, forums, or other online means, it is important to have somewhere you can go where you feel safe to talk about the things that we go through on a daily basis. It is NOT healthy for any of us to keep it all in, I had to learn that the hard way a few times! If you are a caregiver looking for some place that you can go, here is a GREAT resource. Caregiver Village is an awesome new place for families who care for loved ones with ADD/ADHD, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, autism, cancer, depression, diabetes, general aging, general caregiving needs, heart disease, mental and developmental delays, mental/emotional illness, Parkinson’s, physical disabilities, stroke, surgery, injury or wounds, and war-related injuries. At Caregiver Village, you have an opportunity to play games, participate in book clubs, and even earn points and achievements for participating. They also offer something that has helped me tremendously through all this, and that is the opportunity to journal, and read the journals of those like you! I honestly do not know where I would be if I had not began writing when things got really bad. Another great thing about Caregiver Village? They even vow to help other groups along the way!

One of my absolute favorite Organizations familyofavet.com-PTSD, TBI, and Life After Combat , has partnered with Caregiver Village, and now when you join Caregiver Village and mention Family Of a Veteran, they will give then $1 to support helping veterans and their families learn how to cope with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), TBI (traumatic brain injury) and life after combat!

You can post the badge featured in this photo to your website by using this code:

http://www.caregivervillage.com/support/familyofavet" title="Join me at Caregiver Village" >http://www.caregivervillage.com/aff/familyofavet.png" width="215" height="188" border="0" />

Or, if you'd just like to refer people to the site (and please, pretty please give FOV credit so that we get the $1.00 donation as one of their partner 501(c)3 non-profit orgs), you can use this link:

http://www.caregivervillage.com/support/familyofavet

Sounds like an awesome deal to me, see you at Caregiver Village!

Whats Your Song? Link-Up

2011-10-06T08:41:00.000-04:00

Ah, yet another Thursday has come, time seems to be flying right through my fingertips. I cannot believe it is October! I know I generally have a song for the things going on in my life, but I just really really like this song for some reason, and I thought you might too!

Do you have a song you would like to share? Head on over to Goodnight Moon and Link-Up too! You will be glad you did!

A room with a view.

2011-09-30T08:46:00.001-04:00

Every morning, I roll out of bed, grab some coffee or juice depending on how I am feeling and I sit down with my laptop and catch up on news, friends, drama, whatever comes across my screen, and I prepare myself for the day. It generally consists of going through what needs to be done immediately, getting my son ready for school, getting my daughter and I ready to walk my son to school, whatever needs to be done TODAY, and a little deeper reflection on who I am, who I want to be, things like that. Recently since moving in to our home, I have struggled a bit with negativity. Not mine, but that of people who always have something to say. I have to admit, it took me down for a little bit, it consumed almost a whole morning routine worth of thought. Maybe I would just remove myself from the online world,stop sharing my story altogether, give up all of the things I have been doing, and move on with our lives as "regular" people. Didn't last long. With a view like this how could it?

The whole inspiration of our life as a nation flows out from the waving folds of this banner. ~Author Unknown

That is the truth, and anytime i'm feeling down all I need to do is go to my "Room with a view." For us, a patriotic family to the core, the flag means sooo much. Not only does it represent freedom, patriotism, sacrifice, tradition, all the things that we think about when we see our beautiful flag flying, but now flying proudly in front of our new home, it represents so much more! It represents a brand new start for us. It represents Military Warrior Support Foundation and their desire to thank my husband for his sacrifices. It represents the hope that this gift gave my husband, and the feeling that he is still worth something. It proudly represents those who were wounded, and those who gave their lives fighting for our great nation. It represents those who are still fighting, and the families they leave behind. It represents our family, and yours. It gives us so much of a teaching opportunity with our children. Its the encouragement I needed at the start of my day to do everything I can to help those whose shoes I have been in. The encouragement to reach out and use my God-Given Gifts to help others. If a little negativity from people who can't understand all this is the price I have to pay, i'll take it. We have been given a fresh start..again, i'm going to do it right this time.

What's Your Song?

2011-09-29T09:00:00.001-04:00

For this weeks What's Your Song? Link-Up, I couldn't help but post something that kind of expresses how I feel right now, my family and I are so overjoyed, and refreshed, and we have our whole lives ahead of us to take on the world! Okay, maybe not the world, but we certainly have goals to meet , and to-do's to get done! I hope that you all are having a great week, and I hope that you will take a minute and head on over to Goodnight Moon, and Link-Up too, or just have fun checking out everyone else's songs! I am so excited to be back, and can't wait to share everything with you! So without further adieu, my song for this week; Fisher-Beautiful Life.

Sometimes, we just have to take a moment...

2011-09-28T15:42:00.000-04:00

I feel like its been forever since I sat here and put my thoughts to the screen, almost a month if you want to get technical. It felt good to be honest, to step back for a bit and re-evaluate what I am doing, and who I am, to focus on what comes first, my family. The last few months have been jam packed with excitement, starting with Labor Day weekend! We spent the weekend at Walt Disney World's Fort Wilderness Campground, a very generous couple from TN donated the cabin to us, and friends from their community stepped up with other things to make the trip even more magical! Here are some pictures for you to enjoy!

I have to admit when I first saw the castle all lit up with fireworks, I bawled like a baby. This was my first time too, and I was completely overwhelmed with happiness for my kids, gratitude because we could have never afforded this trip without our new friends, and pride, for my husband who did so amazing. We didn't have a single issue aside from a few headaches, which is pretty much a daily thing anyways, so I was really pleased. Upon returning from Disney, we got back in to the groove of Nate going to school, and we finally got the phone call we had been waiting for ALL summer! Our house would be ready for us on the 16th!! I had not even dreamed of packing, so it was time to start busting tail, or I would pay for it later. I didn't actually start packing until that weekend....oops. I work well under pressure. It seems like that week flew, I got everything packed to the point that I good, and we started recruiting people to help us out! Finally our day got here, I cried like 19 times that day, I cried when I got up, knowing this would probably be the last time I would sleep at the old house, not that I would miss it, I cried as I stalked it on the way to take Nate to school, and again when we picked him up. I managed to maintain my composure during the handover, but I had another breakdown later that night. Who knew this would be sooo overwhelming? Its such a great feeling to know that its ours, Its a feeling I cant even begin to describe. My gratitude for Military Warrior Support Foundation and their supporters is overflowing, im not sure I will ever be able to properly thank them. We are one blessed family that is for sure!! Here are a few pictures of the progress we have been making!! Ill post more as we go.

Its really starting to come together, and we will find our place here eventually and really be able to reach out and give back, its just going to take some time, and I am ok with that.

Never Take For Granted a Hero's Love, Whats Your Song Link-Up.

2011-09-08T10:30:00.001-04:00

Happy Thursday Everyone!!
I know if you are anything like me, by Thursday you are just ready for the day to be over already and for the weekend to get here! This week has been quite the week for me, we returned from a weekend long Disney escapade, and full of the madness of unpacking from that we found out our move date is September 16th woohooo! We are so grateful for all the opportunities we have been given in our lives, and this morning when I drove my son to school and I continued on my daily drive by stalking of our house, I was reminded once again.

Now many of you might be saying "So what, or I don't get it, but if you have been following for a while, you know that this flag pole is the newest addition to our new house. I cannot express how much it meant to me to see this waving proudly in what is going to be our new front yard. Getting a 100% Mortgage FREE home, from Military Warrior Support Foundation is Incredible, but the fact that they took the time to pay attention to the small things meant even more. How will we ever thank the organization, the donors, the people who worked so hard to make everything perfect inside this home, I'm not sure you really can, but we can do our best to use this home to pay it forward and continue to honor those who gave so much for us. Speaking of those who gave so much for us, I came across this while on Facebook today and I want to ask you all to take a minute and vote. English River Outfitters is a Veterans Resort "Designed by Veterans for Veterans." They are a resort that will give a memorable outdoor recreation experience for the disabled veteran, veterans, their families, friends and supporters: It recognizes what our Veterans have contributed to and sacrificed for our Nation. The Vice Presisdent of English River Outfitters, Robert William Briggs , tragically past away Tuesday, June 28, 2011 in Washington County IA from injuries received on April 16, 2005 for which he received the Purple Heart Award, while serving his country in Iraq. English River Outfitters needs YOUR help! They are currently in the running to receive a grant from the Pepsi Refresh Program to aid in their programs, now I don't know about you, but I cannot think of an easier way to honor not only those who are returning from war, but also Robert Briggs, I know it would mean a lot to him and his family to see this program grow! Here...i'll make it easy for you! Go here, and vote! You can Vote EVERYDAY!

That being said, my song this week for Goodnight-moon's What's Your Song? Link- Up, is one that was written in honor of SGT Amanda Pinson who was killed in Iraq a few years back.
"Never take for granted a Hero's LOVE...."

10 Day Blog Challenge Day 3, 8 FEARS!

2011-09-07T08:14:00.000-04:00

I know this was "supposed" to be ten days in a row, so I fail there, but I have a good excuse...which I will fill you all in on later! So here goes...8 FEARS.

1. Losing my husband...I am terrified of that, every time he goes to the doctor they find something else, there is only so much one person's body can take right? And then there is the ever growing population of suicides, which are very common among those facing the challenges my husband does. I try to encourage him in every way possible, but what if it isn't enough? Just something I think about.

2. I fear turning in to my parents. Now don't get me wrong, I love my Dad dearly but he is not very good at making us feel like part of his life, he recently got a new girlfriend and is moving her in, and I didn't even know he had a girlfriend. I hate not feeling like i'm part of his world, and I never ever want to do that to my kids. As far as my mother goes, she lies all the time, and of course the obvious she left us and wanted nothing to do with me until I was like 17, and then I tried multiple times to let her back in and she ruined it every time, she is simply not the type of person I want in my life. I don't want to be that, I want my children to be proud of me, and to always feel like they matter.

3. Ok, this one is kind of funny, but kind of not. Sometimes I sneeze a LOT of times in a row, and you know how you close your eyes when you sneeze, well what if I go into a sneezing fit on the highway or something, or maybe a bridge and drive off the bridge or get into or cause an accident?

4. Ok, this one is kind of funny too, but I fear getting into an accident in my car with a full bladder and it exploding and I die.

5. I am starting to think I fear dying?? I have never really thought much about that until now.

6. I have a fear of flying in airplanes, I keep saying I want to become a pilot so maybe I won't be so scared! I have tried everything to try to ease that fear, but nothing seems to be working, every time I hear the little ding noises I am afraid it is going to say, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to crash, or something along those lines. So then curiosity sets in and I wonder what WOULD they say?

7. Being Late, I hate it, I fear walking into a room last and not having time to get settled before whatever it is I am doing. This drives my husband nuts because I have to leave early, but it really bothers me.

8. I fear never losing all this weight I have gained, ugh.

10 Day Blog Challenge Day 2, 9 Loves!

2011-09-01T07:00:00.000-04:00

1. Sonic Sweet Tea, I Love Love Love it! I sometimes refer to it as heaven in a glass.
2. My life, I LOVE it, things are just starting to go so well for us, and I am beyond grateful!
3. I love Teenage Girl shows, Secret Life, Teen Mom, I- Carly, no clue why but I could watch shows like that all day everyday!
4. I Love the way my kids smell, I could just sniff them all day...weird I know.
5. I Love music! I wish I could sing, or play an instrument, guess ill just settle for listening.
6. I LOVE to travel, even though I hate planes, and long car rides...I know sounds ridiculous, but once I get over the getting there part I enjoy it!
7. I LOVE Mascara, I never leave without at least mascara on!
8. I LOVE having my back scratched by my husband before bed...I know im spoiled, I almost can't go to sleep with out it!
9. I LOVE bread, mmmmmmmm!!

10 Day Blog Challenge, !0 Secrets!!!

2011-08-31T08:59:00.001-04:00

10 Day YOU Challenge: 10 Secrets

I’ve decided to partake in this blog challenge to get my blog going again, and to allow new readers as well as those of you who have been around a while to get to know ME just a little better! 10 posts in 10 days – all about me (shouldn’t be too hard). You should try it too!
DAY 1-

1. My husband does almost ALL the cooking in our house, I guess this is not a secret if you have been over a few times, its kind of hilarious, but he is REALLY good at it.
2. Nate and I have been trying for a 3rd child. It has been a almost a year and a half, but I know that if it is meant to be, then it will happen, its just hard.
3. I am a texture eater...if something has a weird texture I WILL NOT eat it.
4. My bedroom is almost always a wreck, even when the rest of the house is spic and span! :)
5. I spent most of my life being really shy.
6. One of my biggest fears is turning out like my parents.
7. I am so conflicted about being a SAHM or working!
8. I don't feel like im living up to my full potential right now, and while that saddens me, I think its ok to take a break sometimes!
9. I remember EVERYTHING, and I am very intuitive, so don't lie to me, and then tell me another story later because I WILL figure it out!
10. I am obsessed with self help books!!

So there you have it, hope you enjoyed my "secrets" Stay Tuned for 9 Loves!

Random Fun Pictures I wanted to share! :)

2011-08-30T13:38:00.000-04:00

A new month, New Challenges, New Opportunities!!

2011-08-30T13:34:00.000-04:00

I have been quite possibly the worst blogger in the history of blogging lately. Life really caught up to me, and the busier I got the less and less involved I was in the things that I had been doing. I justified this in my head by saying it was okay because the other stuff that I had going on were more important, but looking back, I think that taking some time for yourself and doing something you enjoy is an essential piece of creating a balance in life. I spent most of the summer doing things for other people, I helped my mother in law sort through clean, and prepare herself for a yard sale and potential move to be closer to us , I spent almost a whole month there...and now she is not even talking to us over some trivial B.S, i'll have to fill you in on that whole mess later, and I also took care of my 2 year old niece while my sister in law "got her life together." I have no regrets in doing the things that I did, but I do with I would not have let my own things go. My house is not organized in the least, my calendar is 3 months behind, my kids clothes have not been gone through, the toys not sorted, oh and I have not packed a single thing and there is talk of us having keys to our new house NEXT WEEK!!!! My whole family suffers when I let myself go like that. I should probably get it together!! I hope that no one reads this and thinks I am an absolute crazy person, but I cannot bring myself to pack, because I still do not believe this is happening. I feel like i'm living a dream. I drive by twice a day and just imagine what it will be like to be living there, I really hope to see some people outside so I can make friends, I think it would help solidify the whole thing. I tell just about everyone I cross paths with, i'm not sure why, I just do, some are really excited and some just look at me like i'm crazy or something, but i'm not, just really excited about the things that are happening in my life!!

My lips hurt real bad....

2011-08-25T16:16:00.000-04:00

This cracks me up everytime I see it, and it was a looong day so I watched it about a million times, and since I still have not come up with a song for this weeks Whats Your Song Link-Up at Goodnight Moon, I thought I would share this. Enjoy! Perhaps you would like to link up too?

Tricare goes Mobile!

2011-08-24T09:56:00.001-04:00

If you are like me, busy, busy, busy, technology seems to be my saving grace some days. You can look up phone numbers on the go, keep in touch with friends, read a book, and even order a pizza. Ever wish you could manage your Tricare Benefits that way?? Well my friends, you are in luck! Check this out!

Health Info on the Go with New TriWest Mobile Website, App Delivering Mobile Support to Military Members, Families

PHOENIX (August 23, 2011) — You’re 2,000 miles from home, just about to board a flight. You need to see if your doctor referral was processed and all you have is your smartphone.

Tap… Tap… Scroll… Tap… Got it!

TriWest Healthcare Alliance has launched its mobile website and a mobile application, allowing TRICARE West Region beneficiaries to easily tap and scroll their way to their healthcare information, right from their smartphones and mobile devices.

TriWest manages the Department of Defense’s TRICARE health program for 2.9 million military families in the western United States.

Healthcare Info Goes Wherever You Go
Military families face distinct challenges in their daily lives, routinely managing family moves, household duties and the prospects of a loved one’s deployment.

Providing direct, mobile access to their healthcare information is one way TriWest hopes to reduce some of the burden on military members and families.

“We’re excited to unveil this technology to our customers, because it brings a whole new level of convenience to their busy lives,” said TriWest President and CEO David J. McIntyre, Jr. “Military families can now manage their health care right from their phone, while they’re traveling or at home with the kids—whenever they want or need to use it.”

Mobile Site
TriWest’s mobile website (m.TriWest.com) allows any beneficiary with a secure TriWest.com account to use their phone to:
• Receive real-time status of healthcare authorizations and referrals
• Check claims
• Pay fees or premiums

Mobile App
TriWest’s mobile app provides added features to smartphone and iPad® users, including:
• Compare TRICARE coverage plans
• Change plans based on life events, such as birth or adoption
• Create an address book for doctors
• View guidelines for getting care

The app can be downloaded for iPhone®/iPad and Android™ devices.

Learn more about TriWest mobile capabilities, including text alerts, at TriWest.com/GoMobile.

About TriWest
TriWest Healthcare Alliance partners with the Department of Defense to do "Whatever It Takes" to support the healthcare needs of 2.9 million members of America's military family. A Phoenix-based corporation, TriWest provides access to cost-effective, high-quality health care in the 21-state TRICARE West Region. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook or visit www.triwest.com for more information.

Barely Survive, or Survive, and Thrive?

2011-08-20T07:38:00.000-04:00

I officially survived my little mans first week of Kindergarten. I am flat out exhausted, but we made it. As of now our routine consists of getting up at 6, leaving the house by 7 to get him to his school by 8:15. I am very grateful he is able to attend school in the district of our new neighborhood, so the drive is totally worth it, even when there is traffic that extends our drive to almost 2 hours in one direction...ugh, that was a bad day. Speaking of school, earlier this week Family of a Veteran posted an informational packet on PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), TBI (traumatic brain injury), Secondary PTSD in Children, Effective Communication Between Teachers & PTSD/TBI families, I downloaded the packet with full intention on taking it with my child on his first day so that is teacher would be aware of the challenges our home life sometimes presents. However, I didn't take it, I am still struggling to decide in what situation to talk about our challenges and to share my husbands disabilities, and in what situation to just let things be. I am terrified of my family being judged, not just my husband, but my son as well, and then I remembered, I blog, all someone has to do is google me and they know everything they could want to know and more, so it would probably be better for the information to come straight from me. I guess what it really comes down to is do I want my family to just survive, or to survive and thrive? Ultimately I decided that it would probably be in everyone's best interest to go forward with giving her the packet, just in case. We just never know in this life. If you or someone you know are interested in this packet, click HERE to request your copy, it could make all the difference in your child's education! :)

You are not the only one!

2011-08-17T19:50:00.000-04:00

There have been times in my life that I thought I might be better off if I wasn't here, like things were too hard to go on, and the people in my life would be better off without me. Times when I just couldn't get out of bed, days when all I could do was pull my covers further over my head and cry. I have always been able to work myself out of it, I think it has something to do with my experiences with suicide, but I can't count on two hands the number of people I know who couldn't. Those who attempted suicide, and some who were even successful. Most of the people I have known have been Veterans, a couple of spouses, but what I find interesting is that there is hardly an awareness brought to the ever increasing suicide rate of spouses. Military life is NOT easy for anyone, spouses included, and sometimes the weight we carry is too much, but this video put together by Her War Her Voice, and Not Alone serves as a reminder that we are not alone in this struggle, and if we just hold on for one more day, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

In addition to justwait.us, here are some other resources available, (thank you to Twenty- Something Misadventures for compiling them)Remember, you are strong, and you are not alone JUST WAIT!

Sealed Strength (sealedstrength.org) This is a great group of ladies who will pair you with a penpal. She will write you at least once a month and encourage you.
Defense Centers of Excellence (http://www.dcoe.health.mil/24-7help.aspx) Here is 24/7, free help. I haven't tried it, but they will provide free information and answers to anyone connected to the military who is in need.
Military Pathways (http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/programs/military/) They offer information and mental health/substance abuse screenings. Hotlines and resources are available.
Military OneSource (militaryonesource.com) Right on the front page is a line for immediate 24/7 help. Throughout the site are other resources.

Veterans United Connect

2011-08-12T10:25:00.002-04:00

The military lifestyle can feel like a giant cycle. Head to a new base, get settled in, make new friends and then leave them to start over somewhere new.

Permanent Changes of Station don’t take into account the many friendships and strong communities you may be leaving behind. It’s a part of the sacrifice and service military families make that many civilians never think about.

Social media have made keeping in contact with friends easier than in the days of long-distance phone calls, but they also have left a lot to be desired when it comes to finding specific people in the military community.

A new app, Veterans United Connect, aims to solve this problem for service members and their families by giving them a powerful way to reconnect that’s based on their history of military service, from boot camp to their current or last duty station and everywhere in between.

Finding Old Friends

Veterans United Connect uses the information from users’ service history to connect them with other veterans and families who served at the same place and time. By narrowing down the user base to only people in the military, finding old friends with common names is easier than ever.

Service members and spouses can also catch up on the happenings at their old bases and reminisce with friends and new folks who all share a common experience.

Making New Ones

Although the app is great for reconnecting with old acquaintances, it is also a great tool to connect with new and future communities.

Military members and spouses can use Veterans United Connect to learn more about a community, schools, housing and other important features before their PCS. Knowing some familiar faces on your first day can help ease the stress of moving to a new place and starting over.

“The goal is to foster even stronger ties and communication among a community that’s already given so much to our country,” said Rob Stretch, social media manager for Veterans United, the nation’s leading dedicated VA lender and financial sponsor of the application.

A pilot version of the application released in 2009 generated enough users and buzz to be featured in Stars & Stripes. The hope is that the new streamlined version released on July 25 will offer even more matches and have an expected 500,000 users by the end of this year.

Miranda Chapin

Communications Specialist

VA Mortgage Center.com

This is pretty Awesome! Checked it out myself, so if you happen to stop by add me! :)

Tuesday Ramblings!

2011-08-02T15:09:00.000-04:00

I leave for Colorado in Two Days, I can hardly believe it, its been almost a year since I was there last! I miss it like crazy, its just a whole different place, there is something so comforting about the mountains! I plan to take a lot of pictures, and just enjoy my mini vacation before mass craziness begins! Gubbs starts school on the 16th and I am already a wreck. I am scared for him, and excited, and nervous all at the same time. He almost has all of his supplies, and new clothes, we will finish up when I get back. Our house won't end up being ready until after he starts school, so I will have to drive him across town for the first couple weeks, but I am grateful that the school was willing to make an exception for us, and allow us to register from outside the district with a note from Military Warrior Support Foundation telling them that we have received a home. So far everyone I have met is so nice, all the staff at the school, some other moms from the neighborhood, and Moms I met online! I am really excited for this fresh start. Nate had an interview with a bank today, I am still waiting to see how it went, I know he will do well, everyone seems to love him! We tried out a new church this weekend, and I think we finally found the one for us. I am a firm believer in the fact that God puts us where we need to be at the exact moment that we need to be there, and this was one of those days. Going in to a new church is ALWAYS a bit uncomfortable, but this one wasn't like that, everyone was SOOO friendly from start to finish and even beyond that people were making contact and really making us feel welcome! The part that really affirmed that this was the place for us was when the Pastor pulled a couple on stage and then asked that all past and present Military come up too, we then prayed Psalm 91 over them for his upcoming deployment to Bahrain. A true "God moment". I do not think it was coincidence that this happened on a day that we were there. I really feel like God has placed calling on our lives to reach out and inspire and comfort people who have been where we were whether its leading into deployment, during deployment, or after.

For those of you who have not read this:

¹He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.²I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”³Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.⁴He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.⁵You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,⁶nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.⁷A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.⁸You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.⁹If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the Lord, who is my refuge—¹⁰then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.¹¹For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;¹²they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.¹³You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.¹⁴“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.¹⁵He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.¹⁶With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

My husband carried a bible with him everyday he was in Iraq, and written in the front cover were those exact words.I truly believe that despite the circumstances, he was still protected, and God is still carrying out his plans for us. Looking back I can see where I was being prepared for what was to come, breaking out of my shell, learning to stand up and use my voice, and even things like Nate and I fighting while he was deployed all added to the grand scheme of things.We needed to learn to communicate through anything, and we did, and we are stronger for it.

So, was Sunday a coincidence...not at all.

Diabetes Education

2011-08-01T21:32:00.000-04:00

How the Diabetes Dilemma Can Affect You

By Shari Lopatin

TriWest Healthcare Alliance

More than 8 percent of the entire U.S. population has diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

And another 79 million Americans are in danger of becoming diabetic. That’s more people than the entire country of France.

With such staggering numbers, what is causing this epidemic?

“Over the past decade, obesity has become recognized as a national health threat and a major public health challenge,” say the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on their website. “Obese adults are at an increased risk for many serious health conditions, including … Type 2 diabetes.”

Obesity and the Diabetes Dilemma

Over the past 20 years, obesity has increased dramatically throughout the U.S., according to the CDC. Thirty-three of the country’s 50 states had at least a quarter of their population obese in 2009. Only Colorado and Washington D.C. kept their obesity prevalence to less than 20 percent.

The ADA identifies people who are overweight or obese, and who don’t exercise regularly, at higher risk for developing diabetes. Therefore, as the country grows less active and collectively gains weight, more and more people will become diabetic.

Many other health problems can develop once a person becomes diabetic, including heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease and nerve system disease.

Prevent diabetes! Eat right and exercise

Here are some tips on preventing the onset of Type 2 diabetes, from the ADA:

· Make a grocery list when shopping and buy more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

· Purchase leaner meats—such as chicken and fish—and stick to lower-fat dairy products.

· Take a brisk walk every day (such as in the morning or after dinner).

· Join an exercise class, such as dance, aerobics, or weight-lifting.

· Gently stretch every night before bed.

For more healthy living tips, visit TriWest’s Healthy Living Portal at www.triwest.com/healthyliving.

*************************

IMPORTANT BOXED SIDEBAR:

Been diagnosed? Find help through TRICARE

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you may be eligible for Diabetes Self-Management Training. This TRICARE-covered program will offer you training and counseling in:

· Monitoring your own blood sugar levels

· Proper diet for diabetics

· Exercise for your condition

· An insulin treatment plan, if needed

· Skills for self-management of diabetes.

Want more information? Visit www.triwest.com/DiabetesSelfMgmt.

Identity Crisis Number 4, 552

2011-08-01T13:16:00.000-04:00

How many of you have identity crises everytime a major life change happens? Head on over to SpouseBuzz to read about mine! :)

Senor Fancy Pants!

2011-07-29T15:26:00.000-04:00

My husband is now moving on to the secnd phase of Wounded Warrior Project's TRACK Program, the externship phase. In honor of this, Mens Warehouse donated suits for them to wear to their interviews!He got to speak about his experience to the others that were in the room! I am so proud of him, he hasmanaged to mainatain a 4.0 in school. Take that drs who said he couldn't handle school!! I am SOOOOOO porud of him!! :)

It never goes away...

2011-07-29T09:26:00.000-04:00

This weekend was my husbands 30th Birthday, his mom came down from where she lives to watch the kids so we could go on a date! Woohoo, that is a rare but necessary occasion in our house. He decided that he wanted to go to a brazilian steakhouse, I had never heard of it, but his friends had told him all about it and basically you go there and they cut meat right off a stick on to a plate. So we went, we walked in they gave us a choice of tables, Nate recon'ed the room to pick the table where he could best see all the exits and anyone coming at us, one of the tables next to us was watching and honestly that was probably the only reason I really realized that we do this EVERYTIME we go out. When all this started this was a huge deal to me, but now, its normal, we have learned to deal with it, and its not a big deal. As dinner went on Nate decided to have a beer, upon taking a gulp he licked his lips trying to get the taste again, and just stopped what he was doing. When I asked him what was wrong he told me he was remembering a time when he drank that beer before he deployed and that it probably was the last time he drank it, it instantly took him back there. He then proceeded to explain to me that this is what happens to him when he has his "episodes" that sights, sounds, smells, tastes, sometimes nothing at all takes him back to moments he may or may not want to remember and that he can't stop it, and sometimes, its a whole body, or out of body experience. Its worse for him when things calm down and he doesn't have to think, when everything else shuts down, this is why he doesn't sleep. He watches TV, listens to music, reads, anything he can to keep his mind from wandering. I have read all this in books, seen it on TV, had my friends tell me how and why this happens, but I never REALLY TRUELY understood until that night, my husbands Birthday, a night that was supposed to be all about him! I am grateful that he is now able to talk about these things with me because these are the things that would cause fights in the past, but instead now, we are able to work through them together and instead of destroying our marriage it is strengthening it.

Im Drowining in my life...again

2011-07-28T09:07:00.000-04:00

Every so often this thing happens, I get sooo caught up in busy that I barely realize whats going on and when I get the chance to finally slow down, I start to crash. I cling on to the things that kept me so busy in hopes that it will reignite or something, but the truth is, I just need to embrace it. I had been working on a Suicide prevention project that I am very passionate about, but I couldn''t ever get totally involved like I intended to. When it first started it was school, and once school was out I had a break so I though that was my chance, well I ended up on the New York Trip, and then I went out to my Mother In Laws house to help her out, while I was there I had a bit of down time, and I thought for sure that was my chance, but life had other ideas. I was barely hanging on to this, and it took someone else telling me for me to truly realize, and after coming to that realization I realized that it wasn't just that project, but a million others that I had started. I think I forget i'm human, or just ignore it! I can't do everything, but I think I can. I think I can fix everybody, that I have ALL the answers, and that i'll be fine if I never take a break or do anything for my self. The truth is though, i'm tired, and with so much change in our lives right now I need to just step back and regroup. I am going to be brave and take the 3 kids to the beach today, this scares me to death because I am out numbered, but the more I go the easier it has to get right? I hope so.

Milspouse Friday Fill-In! :)

2011-07-22T11:10:00.000-04:00

I found this on another friends blog and I thought it was a great way to link up with other bloggers and get to know each other a bit! If you are a Milspouse and want to Participate head on over to Wife of A Sailor, and Link-Up! Happy Friday!

1. Do you eat raw cookie dough?
YUM, need I say more? I could eat cookie dough until i'm sick, and still be ok with the fact that I ate it! My husband makes fun of me because even why I buy break and bake dough I eat some...and its not so easy to hide it then! haha

2. When you get online for the first time of the day… what site do you immediately head to?
Unfortunately, facebook. Its an awful awful thing!

3. What was your favorite pet as a child and why?
We had a border collie named Gypsy, best dog ever! She was so loyal, and did really cool tricks when she was younger!

4. If you had a snail that could magically grant wishes, what would you name it?
Wow, I never thought I would be asked this....but i'd call him JACKPOT! haha, okay you caught me I googled it and stole it from someone else.

5. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?
I stopped buying them because they are such a waste of time when I can just buy a bag of tootsie rolls since that is what I am after anyways, but when I did it them it was only long enough to be able to bite through it!

This is MY outlet, and NO one is going to take it from me.

2011-07-21T16:30:00.000-04:00

I feel like I haven't blogged in FOREVER, and that probably has a lot more to do with the way I feel today than I think. In all the changes I have been through in the last few years, this is the one thing that has been constant for me. I have had to leave my friends, areas I knew very well, to go to places where I had no one, and knew nothing. My blog is someone, er something that I can say whatever I want to, and though I know people can read it and judge, my BLOG itself, does not judge me. The point i'm trying to make is that this is my outlet, and I have been holding in all of what you are about to read....
I think the last time I blogged was right after New York, I felt like I could take on the world after that, I was going to come back, write my novel, get it published, bam, the world would hear this story I fight to tell. Of course I still had a week of summer break before classes started so I volunteered to help my mother-in law go through her things and get ready to move to be closer to us. Now, her and I had not had what you would call the "ideal" relationship, but who does? We tend to butt heads a lot more than I would like, but I decided I was going to do the "Kristle Thing" and go down to where she lives and help her out. It was rough, emotions were running high as she sorted through things that were reminders of her life with my husbands Dad, (the divorced a few years ago) anyways, she hasn't been able to move on, he has, in fact he is re-married. I'm not sure how I feel about all that, its not really my place to feel any of that, I know that I don't agree with some decisions that were made, but they were choices that THEY made, and when you make a choice, YOU live with your consequences.We kept the things that carried little to no emotional ties to their "old" life, and made it a goal to have a yard sale on the weekend. We even had Nate's sister get her things from the house, she had not lived there in 6 months so I didnt think it would be a huge deal, but she was really pissed about it, which made the emotion s come out even more. I felt like the bad guy, because I feel like if I weren't there pushing that her stuff would have stayed in that house until the day her mom was actually leaving, and even then she may not have taken it. I offered to sell her things at the yard sale, so really all she had to do was tell me what she wanted to keep and what she didn't. Our yardsale ended up getting rained out the first day, and the second and had an issue with the sister again now this is the same sister who 3 years ago stole pain pills from me and switched them with Asprin. One of my largest regrets in life was not calling the police that day, I should have because her behavior has snowballed since then, and I promised myself after that I would never turn my back again, and I didn't. I felt like the bad guy once again because I snapped on her when I found her trying once again to take pills. I don't think I have yelled at her like that before so i'm sure it came as a shock. So long story short, we now have her daughter , who is 1 month older than mine, for who knows how long, so she can get her life together. I know I will catch hell for posting this, but I really don't care at this point because its all TRUE and it might hurt, but she made HER CHOICE, and she must pay HER price. So here I sit, I finally got the girls to nap, 3 hours after I intended to, and its going to bite me in the ass later because they won't want to go to sleep. Guess I can't have my cake and eat it too. I'm certain that things will calm down, but i'm a planner, and not knowing whats next kills me. What kills me even more is not being taken seriously, and that is EXACTLY how I feel in this situation. This happened so that Riley's mommy could get her life together to be the best possible mommy for her little girl, but I have yet to see progress, she can't even call her daughter every night, or respond when I send her messages with pictures about what we are doing. Is that my responsibility too? I don't know, I don't know what my responsibilities or expectations are in this situation, but all I can do is my absolute best. I got in "trouble" yesterday for mentioning it in one of my facebook comments, maybe that isn't the place to say things, but it wasn't like I posted a status about her and how I REALLY feel about all this, I merely answered the question, "How did you end up with TWO 2 year olds," with "She is my niece, Nates sister is having addiction issues...AGAIN." The audience were MY friends, those I seek for support, and a few were even around the first time this happened, and helped me to identify the pills that my pain pills had been replaced with after my C-section. What makes it even worse is that when its stuff about Nate or the kids, or myself, nothing is ever said and when I ask if anyone saw it they usually say no, so why this time, why something that is ALL the way down in a conversation that was not even mainstream, I just don't understand. I am not going to hide this, everyone has hid it for so long. It dates back to when I had Kynlee and we were lied to about why she and the baby had to come along, i'm not going to hide ANYTHING to protect her. Like I said, you make your own choices and you pay the price. Everyone is so worried about how she feels, and her depression, and what if she can't get another job, none of that has anything to do with me saying ANYTHING on fb or anywhere else, it has to do with HER and HER CHOICES.Whew, I feel better already! I guess i'm just super overwhelmed...One thing I absolutely want to stress is that I am NOT trying to be hateful, we are doing this because we love this little girl, and her Mama, and we want her to get the help she needs, but at the same time I am human and and have my own feelings and emotions, and I will protect myself, and my immediate family first.I am not one to enable anyone, and if you have been reading a while you know that about me. I do think that different approaches work for different people, and I would believe that in this case too except for the fact that EVERYONE has ALWAYS given her everything she wanted/needed, she NEVER had to hit rock bottom and know what it is like to suffer from her own choices. I think at 27 years old, it is time to pay your own bills, make your own choices, suffer YOUR OWN consequences, and deal with the fact that life is NOT easy no matter who you are!

Six Tips to Save Your Child from Drowning

2011-07-17T22:08:00.000-04:00

As the primary caregiver of 3 small children, two of my own and a niece, safety is always on the forefront of my mind. Living in Florida, there is always lots of water around, so this article really hit close to home. Let this weeks article serve as a reminder about the importance of water safety.

Six Tips to Save Your Child from Drowning

By Shari Lopatin

TriWest Healthcare Alliance

Three children die every day from drowning.

It’s the leading cause of death from an injury for children ages 1-4 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Mid-summer is prime time for water fun, but it can also be deadly, if parents aren’t careful.

The Red Cross Summer Water Safety Guide states more than 90 percent of families with young children will spend time in the water this summer. And almost half of them plan to swim in places with no lifeguard.

What does this mean?

You need to take responsibility for your children’s safety around water. Here are six tips from the Red Cross and the CDC to keep your children safe:

1. Learn CPR. Seconds count if your child falls into the water. You could be the life-saving support until paramedics arrive. Contact your local Red Cross chapter or your local fire department to learn when CPR classes are available.

2. Supervise your children constantly around water. NEVER leave the supervision to an older child, and avoid distractions yourself when watching your kids. This includes around bathtubs, swimming pools and natural bodies of water—such as the ocean or a lake.

3. Secure pools with proper barriers. Install a four-sided fence around your pool. It should have self-closing AND self-latching gates.

4. Always wear life jackets. Even if your kids know how to swim, they should always wear life jackets around natural bodies of water, such as the ocean or lake. For younger or inexperienced swimmers, they should wear life jackets around ALL water, even pools.

5. Make sure everyone in your home knows how to swim. Have young kids? Enroll them in age-appropriate swim courses. And if you still need to learn, sign up for classes immediately.

6. Have lifesaving equipment available nearby. This includes reaching or throwing equipment (such as a lifesaver and rope), a cell phone, lifejackets and a first aid kit.

For more important water safety tips, visit www.triwest.com/watersafety.

Girls For A Change NEEDS your help!

2011-06-30T13:35:00.000-04:00

The following is a post sponsored by Yahoo! Every time someone clicks here to make Yahoo! their homepage, they're showing their support for Girls For A Change.
I was selected for this opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Growing up without my mother directly in my life, I had to find other ways to learn the things that girls generally learn from their mother, I learned a lot from my father, but there are just SOME things a man cannot teach you! So, I turned to mothers of my friends, teachers, coaches, and others in the community. Each of these played a very important role in the person that I am, teaching me things like confidence, problem solving skills, and a unique care for others.Being 25years old, I still turn to some of these amazing women to help guide me, and through my journey they have stood by my side and helped me develop my voice, and use it to help others. That is the EXACT type of thing that Girls For A Change is doing. “Girls For A Change (GFC) is a national organization that empowers girls to create social change. We invite young women to design, lead, fund and implement social change projects that tackle issues girls face in their own neighborhoods. GFC empowers girls for personal and social transformation. The program inspires girls to have the voice, ability and problem solving capacity to speak up, be decision makers, create visionary change and realize their full potential."
Without being empowered and inspired at some point in our lives, where would we be? I know I would be no where. I am continually inspired by the women in my life, whether it is caregivers of wounded warriors, photographers, worship leaders. I take a little from each of them to develop my own ideals, and goals, and hopefully to continue to inspire and empower those who look up to me. It is a very important, never ending cycle and I cannot stress the importance of this kind of a program in the life of a young woman.
You are probably wondering why I am telling you all this, well, its because Girls For a Change NEEDS you! It is SUPER easy!! Here is what you do: Click HERE and follow the instructions to make Yahoo! your browser's homepage by July 1! By doing this you can help raise up to $10,000 for Girls For A Change! It can't get much easier than that!

My Latest SpouseBUZZ Article, the start of my book!

2011-06-23T21:10:00.000-04:00

Being the Wife of a Wounded Warrior, I have been blessed with some truly, for lack of a better term, unique experiences. All things, good and bad, have contributed to the person that I am today. This past weekend Wounded Warrior Project and The Writers Guild Foundation hosted myself and 39 other Caregivers of Wounded Warriors. They encouraged us to share our story, to open the hearts and minds of the world, and more importantly, to heal. Coincidence? I don’t think so.

Throughout this whole experience, the one thing that has been a constant is my life is writing. It has been something I turned to when I couldn’t take the pressure, something I turned to when I was happy. It has been my catch-all. It was not until this weekend that I truly realized that I could do more with it. I can share my story on a bigger level. This weekend, surrounded by some of the most incredible people I have ever met, I let go of some of the hurt that was stored inside me, freed the anger and resentment and took a step forward. Today, I will begin another chapter, both figuratively and literally, as I continue to pour my heart onto the pages of what will someday be MY STORY. I would like to share with you a small preview of what is to come, the start of my story. As you read this, keep in mind that while your experiences may differ from mine, everyone has a story, and only you can decide how it ends.

Sometimes, I think I just need to talk. There are days I bring up my husband being injured in conversations about Tupperware. I think I do that because I want someone to ask, I want to tell someone. To cry, to laugh, just to get it all out. I want people to ask if I am okay so I can say…… NO, I am NOT okay. Would you be okay if your husband went away and the Army sent you another man in his place? Would you be happy that no matter what you do he will never be the same? Or that this man that was once so much the pride and joy of the Army that they kept him away for 75% of your marriage is now merely a number being swept under the rug by a government fearful of its own reputation? It’s not okay that he didn’t get a retirement ceremony, or even an award like other Soldiers who retire. This wasn’t his choice, or mine. It is not okay that he is still having nightmares and bouts of rage after being on 17 meds a day. Its not okay that I have nowhere to turn, no one to tell. It’s not okay that at 25 years old every ounce of intimacy has been sucked from my marriage. Can I say there wasn’t sex? No, but it was merely to TAKE back what he believed was HIS.

It’s not okay that my kids will never know the father I chose for them. What did I do to deserve this? Some days I cant take it, and to throw the rest of the world at me too makes it unbearable. I secretly hope for something else to happen, some other drama so I can forget about it all, even just for a moment. I crave any bit of “normal” I can get. I know I am not the one who got hurt, I’m sure its much worse for him, but I am hurt nonetheless. I stay awake at night to make sure he is still breathing, or that he hasn’t tried to hurt himself. If I fall asleep and he hurts himself, it will be MY fault. What if he can’t hold out to see my kids grow up, graduate or get married? How can I encourage him to fight the fight? It’s not okay that my 5 year-old makes excuses for his dad’s erratic and unpredictable behavior. Its not okay that I never know when he is going to flip, at any second he could slam on the brakes in the interstate, break a window, punch a wall, or better yet, my face. How can I love him? How can I devote my life to this man? I can’t, and THAT is NOT okay. Everywhere I go I am afraid, afraid everyone is going to try to hurt me, to try to take away my life like he did. If I can’t trust the man I love, whom can I trust? I wish I knew.

Was it all worth the price so many of us have paid? As selfish as it sounds, sometimes I think it might have been easier if he didn’t come home at all.

You can find this Article and more ar: http://spousebuzz.com/blog/2011/06/its-not-okay.html#ixzz1Q9Sc8iqp
SpouseBUZZ.com

This is Home! What's Your Song? Link-Up!

2011-06-23T14:58:00.000-04:00

For those of you who have been following for a while, you know how important it is to me, to have stability, to have a piece of happiness, and normal for my children. If you have been following you also know, that we were recently awarded a MORTGAGE FREE Home, through a Non Profit Organization called Military Warrior Support Foundation, and if you are new here, now you know too! I finally have pictures, and while you enjoy them, I want for you to listen to this song called THIS IS HOME, by Switchfoot. Its perfect because MWSF did NOT just give us a house, but a home, and a home is so much more than just a place to live! :)

Have an amazing song you want to share? Head on over to Goodnight Moon, and Link-Up Too!

The best blog EVER....thats a fact! From the Bloopers Reel

2011-06-21T16:39:00.001-04:00

Once upon a time there was a camera crew in my room, not not like that, really i swear, we were just filming a documentary, crap that sounds bad too, im about to lick it, the mic I mean...yeah maybe I shouldnt have said we were in the bedroom...okay enough of that...im just typing nonsesne, nonsense, nonsense. When I am all done I will put this all up on my blog, it will be the blog of the day everyone will probably love it, if they don't they can take their selves to another blog...yes I said it LEAVE. Kristen just said she had to poop I thought it was funny, then she said she had to throw up...oh crap...maybe the coffeee smores combo wan not a great idea afterall. We should have gone with split pea soup, or celery, maybe a little loaf of bread, or a taco perhaps, maybe tomorrow we will make better decisions. I am trying so hard not laugh right now, but this is hilarious. I am a natural laugher, probably a good thing im a natural at laughing and not other things. A spotlight video on you tube is zombies vs gamers, can you imagine, that would be crazy, I wonder who would win, both are crazy itense...I think the gamer would throw the controler at the zombie and that would be the end of the story. I suppose ill continue along the journey of fake blogging...the urge has now left Kristen...woohoo for no longer having to poop! Sometimes we take for granted the simple things...I think i'm delirious. Sowwy Riwey...sowwy Kwistoo, ummmm not sure whats happening on my bed but ill pretend i didn't hear it...it may ruin lives, or perhaps my bed. I feel like car dancing in my chair, left right, left right, slight wiggle of the head..raise the roof! ummm wow these people must think i'm nuts! Truth is I am! Put put put....don't worry thats my chair I mean car taking me across town. Burping is the solution to coffee smore's situations. That reminds me of the time I had sulfur burps....oh it was soooo horrible. I wonder how my chair car would honk?? Do we even want to know? I am dying right nowwww.....on a serious note, my shit bucket is feeling awfully light these days so thats great! Perhaps my hula hoop is just mine, and ill never ever share! My mouse is white, sometimes when I eat here it gets stuff on it, its really gross. mr clean magic eraser fixes everything...really it does. Gosh what a day, pretty sure I havent laughed this hard in like years, yeah years. I am running out of things to say but for the sake of me becoming a start ill keep going, maybe one day you'll invite me to your house to blog about the nothings going on in your house..it will be spectacular.

Meals and Moves: Together Counts!

2011-06-21T11:18:00.000-04:00

Meals and Moves: Together Counts!

By Shari Lopatin

TriWest Healthcare Alliance

“For the first time in our history, American children may face a shorter expected lifespan than their parents.”

That quote, taken directly from the Partnership for a Healthier America’s website, explains the essence of a growing obesity problem across the U.S. The partnership—which is headed by First Lady Michelle Obama—says that obesity rates have tripled in the past 30 years.

Obese and overweight children are more likely to suffer academic, social and financial burdens throughout life. So, what can you do, to prevent this from happening to your children?

Together Counts!

TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the company which administers TRICARE in 21 western states, believes that together, we can make a difference. That’s why TriWest joined forces with Together Counts, a nationwide program that inspires active and healthy living. As part of Together Counts, we challenge you:

Eat at least ONE healthy meal each week.

Do at least ONE family activity each week.

That’s it – Just one! It can be as simple as cooking dinner together, then going for a walk. Or if you have kids, let them choose a fun activity. A picnic and a game of Frisbee at the park? A barbeque followed by a few hours in the pool?

Because, what it all boils down to is, we are a nation that needs to move again.

What causes obesity?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity now affects 17 percent of all U.S. kids and teenagers.

The CDC listed these as the most common causes of obesity:

· Energy imbalance. This means eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity to burn them off.

· Genetics, which also affects metabolism (how fast one digests food), behavior (staying up late and sleeping in), environment (nowhere and no time to exercise), culture, and socioeconomic status.

· One’s behaviors and environment play the largest roles in causing obesity. These also represent the best areas for prevention and treatment.

Want more information?

It’s easy to find! Learn more about Together Counts, and how you can help, by visiting www.TogetherCounts.com. Find more healthy living tips on TriWest’s Healthy Living Portal, at www.triwest.com/HealthyLiving.

Design a Discover Card Contest Deadline Apporaching! Get your designs in, and support our Troops!!

2011-06-21T08:00:00.003-04:00

Are you an Artist, do you know one? I have a really awesome opportunity for you! How would you like to see your artwork on a Discover card AND Support The Troops at the same time!

As part of its ongoing support of military families, Discover is offering its fans the opportunity to design a new patriotic-themed Discover card starting June 21, 2011. Fans will vote on submitted designs and ultimately decide the winning card design that will appear on Discover’s patriotic-themed card. To enter the contest, fans must use Discover’s digital drawing tool, “Graffiti” at Facebook.com/Discover and submit by July 4, 2011.

For every ten votes received on contest entries and for every submitted design, Discover pledges to make a $1 donation (up to $125,000), to Operation Homefront an organization that provides assistance to families of service members and wounded warriors. Discover cardmembers and fans will also have the opportunity to donate to Operation Homefront if they choose.

The contest opens for design entry submissions via Facebook.com/Discover beginning June 21st through July 4th. Starting July 5, 2011 fans can vote for their favorite card design through July 24, leading up to the winning design announcement on the 25^th of July.

Supporting our Troops can not be much easier! Please take advantage of this incredible opportunity!

Whats Your Song?

2011-06-09T14:22:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone! Sooo glad you are here! Can you believe it is already Thursday? It happens faster and faster every week! I chose this song for this weeks Whats Your Song Link-Up with Amber from Goodnight Moon because I have had a really rough week, but regardless, I am blessed Beyond Measure. When I step back to see the whole picture things don't seem so bad anymore! Enjoy! Want to Lin Up too? Go Check out What's Your Song Link Up!

Sometimes, I just want you to HEAR me

2011-06-03T09:44:00.001-04:00

Hear, is the title of a poem, by a twitter friend of mine, Amalie Flynn from Wife and War. This poem is very beautifully captures the emotions that so many Wives of Wounded Warriors are feeling. Including me. Go check out Wife and War to read the poem.
I started crying within the first sentence, I knew immediately that she knew what I was feeling and that made EVERYTHING better, at least for that moment. I love my husband more than anything in this world, don't get me wrong, but sometimes, I want people to look beyond him, and see me. To know that he didn't get where he is all alone. Some people GET that, but MOST don't. Sometimes, I think I read to far into things, but when people share MY blog, and talk about JUST Nate and how HE has overcome so much, and people need to read about HIM. THAT bothers me. When people share OUR Documentary, and talk about Nate being so strong for going through so much and defeating his disabilities, and they nothing about me, nothing about the kids....THAT bothers me.

Invisible Scars from Francine Rzeznick on Vimeo.

Nothing about that says THIS IS ABOUT NATE, its about US. So many times. I have been pushed lower and lower, so that he can rise above his challenges, I take the hit, so he doesn't have to, but no one sees that. It bothers me when my husband is taking part in a program, that takes him in KNOWING he has a family, but expects that none of this effected us. We didn't get injured in war, we don't have all the health issues he has, we must be FINE. HELLO, if you are going to take in Soldiers that have families, you have to know that the dynamics are completely different than that of a single Soldier, WE ARE his support system, WE ARE what keeps him going, so trying to encourage him to do EVERYTHING without his family, not the best idea you ever had. I get that some things are just for the Warriors, but if thats the case then these organizations need to just say that, i'm so tired of places saying one thing and doing another. I also understand that not every spouse is going to feel the same way as me, some are not effected, some married their warrior after injuries. Some have kids, some don't, some work, some don't. Bottom line is, the dynamics are all different, but would you NOT help one Warrior because you don't have a group of them? NO, so why should it be any different for spouses? I get that I didn't go to War, and I am not the dictionary definition of a Hero, but that doesn't make me, or any other spouse any less important. The thing is, if you can help just ONE Spouse, that spouse can in turn encourage other spouses to seek the help as well, if it wasn't ALL about money, that wouldn't be a problem. Saying you help the Warrior and Families is completely different than actually helping the Warrior AND his Family. Just Saying. Well now that I got that off my chest..LOL I am just really having a rough time lately. I finally got off my butt and tried to find a therapist, that was a FAIL, it turned into a session about guess who? My husband, and his PTSD, and things I should know about PTSD, and you know quite o'l me, I didn't say anything I just got madder and madder until I left. I did that because I REALLY REALLY needed to talk to someone. So I come home and call the Wounded Warrior Project Resource Center to find out if there is anything they know of that can help, they refer me to Military One Source, and I am back at square one. Discouraging, but not discouraging enough, I am stubborn.

What's Your Song Link-Up Week 15

2011-06-02T12:49:00.000-04:00

This week, for Goodnight Moons Whats Your Song? Link-Up, I present you with the most beautiful man on the face of the planet....next to my husband of course.

Want to Participate in the Whats Your Song? Link-up? Go here, and check it out. I promise you will not regret it!

Crazy Being Home....

2011-06-01T17:35:00.001-04:00

Recently I had the absolute honor of meeting one of my favorite Country Singers, Mark Wills. Now, those of you who know me know that I am not that impressed with celebrities, I will not chase someone down to get their autograph, nor will I wait in line for more than 10 minutes to get tickets to see someone live, but when I found out that Mark Wills was going to be at the 2011 milblog conference, I was stoked. I know, I know you are thinking, "this girl totally just contradicted herself." Not exactly. Mark Wills and I have something in common, a passion for supporting our Troops. While at the conference, Mark Debuted his newest song "Crazy Being Home," and as I sat there in the audience, tears falling from my eyes, surrounded by the most amazing group of Military Spouses, I was so touched by these lyrics:

He almost forgot how to drive over here
While he tried to survive a year over there
Some young punk just cut him off
And ran him off of the road
He just turned 22 last week
In the back of a striker, somewhere in Tikrit
He never thought he'd live to be this old
It’s crazy being home
It’s crazy being home
He stepped off a plane
Feels like yesterday
They were waving flags and signs with his names
They said they were proud of what he done
If they only knew what he had became
The girl that he loved she swore she would wait
But he came home to a cold empty place
Got a burger today got a new cell phone
It’s crazy being home
The stars all look the same
He still answers to his name
It’s ok something it just ain’t right

He tried to fight for what he love
But his young eyes have seen too much
Till you will be where he has been
You wouldn’t understand
I hope you will never have to my friend
He got the call he's back on a plane
To where he belong might sound insane
But his brothers are there they can’t find this alone
So they dropped them right there in the blood red sand
His best friends is locked and and loaded in his hands
And the sergeant yells boys it's time to go
And he thought it’s crazy being home
It’s crazy being home
It’s crazy being home
It’s crazy being home

Having not been there myself, I will never FULLY understand the things that our brave men and women go through, but I have seen firsthand the effects on the family, and I believe whole heartedly that with increased awareness, and education, we can ALL help provide them the support they need! You can help get the word out to your family and friends about the "Crazy Being Home" Awareness Campaign. Join us in supporting our service men and women and their families. GO HERE to learn more how you can get involved and win some prizes.

Its Ok To Be The Example

2011-06-01T10:43:00.000-04:00

Whenever deployment used to come up in conversation, I would tend to shy away. I would always try to change the subject entirely, or I would nervously say, “uhh it was rough.” It took me a while to open up to people about my husband’s injuries, particularly to those who were anywhere in the dreaded deployment cycle, I pretty much avoided anyone military. I hated being the epitome of what could happen, I hated being the example. I used to spend hours wallowing in my own self- pity, waiting for someone to step up and change things for me. I didn’t think I had the power to make anything better. I hit rock bottom. I was so angry, and so resentful, and so bitter towards everything. I pushed my husband away because after all, in my mind this was his fault. Our marriage was crumbling because of me, not because of PTSD, or because of any other issue my husband had, but because of me. When my husband was medically retired he gave up, we expected that. What we didn’t expect was for me to give up too. I gave up on everything, and when I did, someone was there telling me to dig deep and peel myself off the floor, she led by example. She led me to the light, and together we started creating solutions, looking past what was wrong, and focusing on what was good. Things really turned around. Things changed not just for me, but for everyone around me as well. That’s when I began to realize that maybe I could lead too. I started to open up, and I came to realize that there were so many spouses just like me, so many hurting and confused spouses. There were many spouses that didn’t want to be the example either. I found my place among the other spouses as their voice, as their go-to girl, the one who they could come to anytime, day or night. I enjoyed helping them in every possible way that I could, what I didn’t realize is that they were helping me. They helped me work through my issues by talking to them about my experiences in order to ease theirs, they helped me to realize that no matter how bad you think things are, there are always worse things, and the most important lesson I learned from all of this, is that we learn from examples, both good and bad. Simply knowing that changed my life. Being the example isn’t always pleasant, there are those who prey on the insecurities you expose, and try to drag you down every chance they get, but at the end of the day, its ok to be the example, someone has to.

Thinking of Quitting? This New TRICARE Benefit Could Help!

2011-05-26T16:12:00.000-04:00

Thinking of Quitting? This New TRICARE Benefit Could Help!

By Shari Lopatin and Diane Mayer

TriWest Healthcare Alliance

Have you ever thought of quitting smoking, but just didn’t feel ready—yet? Or perhaps, you want to quit, but don’t know where to start.

After all, kicking that habit isn’t exactly easy.

That’s why TRICARE now offers a new counseling benefit for smoking cessation. You don’t need to have a smoking-related illness to use the benefit. You just need to receive the counseling from a TRICARE-authorized provider who’s properly licensed or certified for this type of counseling.

The only restriction is this: the smoking cessation counseling benefit is NOT available for Medicare-eligible beneficiaries.

Need a reason to seek more information? Try this: According to the American Lung Association, your lungs will start growing healthier almost immediately after quitting.

Check out any of these resources for more on the counseling benefit, or for help to quit smoking:

· TriWest’s tobacco cessation page: www.triwest.com/tobacco

· TriWest Tobacco Quitline: 1-866-244-6870

· TRICARE Tobacco Free: www.tricare.mil/tobaccofree

· DoD-sponsored website: www.ucanquit2.org

· Center for Disease Control and Prevention: www.smokefree.gov

That’s Beautiful … beautiful every time. (Song Link-Up)

2011-05-26T15:04:00.000-04:00

This week I chose Beautiful Every Time by Lee Brice, I am such a country music lover, and the lyrics just grab me! Take a listen! :)

Thank you Crafty Hippo Designs!

2011-05-26T14:51:00.002-04:00

We all know change is good, that getting a new outfit, new hair, or a pedicure is life changing, but who knew that getting a "facelift" could be so empowering! No I didn't have surgery..I'm talking about my blog silly's! Doesn't it look amazing? I wish I could say that I did it, unfortunately, I am not that cool! Back in April there was this really awesome "Event" called the Ultimate Blog Party! This "Party" had all kinds of things going on, some of which were giveaways, using many different interfaces, well, I decided I was going to be cool and join twitter so that I would have a greater chance at winning. It sounded logical at the time, but I don't know twitter AT all, i've learned a bit since then, but I really had no idea. So here it is almost a whole month later, i'm playing around on twitter and I see where Crafty Hippo Designs sent me a message congratulating me on winning a blog makeover....ooops. Well Crafty Hippo Designs is so amazing that when I emailed them a month later, they were still willing to do my makeover for me, not only that, she put up with me and my HTML illiterate self through it all. So this is a GIGANTIC THANK YOU to Crafty Hippo Designs! If you have not been to the site, check it out, you will not regret it!

Holy Tornadoes!!

2011-05-24T10:11:00.000-04:00

Something that has been weighing on my mind a lot lately is the ability for people to look past so many things that are going on in the world, and just continue like it never happened. I'll admit, i'm guilty too, but it shouldn't be that way, so today instead of filling your minds with pointless ramble, or putting the focus on my life, I thought, I would post some information on how YOU can help the Victims of the horrible Tornados that have destroyed parts of the midwest. You don't have to have a lot, and you don't have to be there to help! Lets pull together and make an already devastating situation at least a little better!

The American Red Cross has opened shelters in Missouri and Minnesota. The shelter in Joplin is located at Missouri Southern State University, and the Red Cross is working to provide transportation to the shelter for those in need. The Red Cross is also distributing food, cleanup supplies and comfort kits, and sending health workers to provide immediate care.

Text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 donation, or visit the website to donate, give blood or volunteer.

AmeriCares has sent disaster-relief personnel to Joplin, and it's working with Access Family Care Clinic to help victims. This expands AmeriCares' tornado relief operation, which has been assisting various Southern states as they recover from their own recent tornado outbreak. Disaster-response team with Convoy of Hope is heading to Joplin with a truckload of water, snacks and ready-to-eat meals. It is coordinating with local officials to determine what additional supplies should follow and at what locations they can provide essential supplies.

Those wanting to help can text the word "CONVOY" to 50555 to make a $10 donation. You can also donate online or by calling 1-417-823-8998.

The Heart of Missouri United Way has established the Tornado Relief Fund to help victims.

Text "JOPLIN" to 864833 to make a $10 donation, or call 1-573-443-4523.

Heart to Heart International has sent volunteer medical professionals and their mobile medical clinic to the devastated communities in Kansas and Missouri.

Heart to Heart also sends hygiene kits for people displaced by the storms, and their care kit assembly instructions can be found here.

You can donate or sign up to be a volunteer online or by phone at 1-913-764-5200.

The Salvation Army has mobilized four feeding kitchens in impacted areas of Joplin. It is also providing relief to other cities that were hit by the weekend tornadoes in Missouri, Minnesota, Kansas and Oklahoma.

The Salvation Army's disaster-relief efforts in Joplin can be supported by texting "JOPLIN" to 80888 to make a $10 donation. You can also donate through their website or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

World Vision is now expanding its tornado relief to include the Joplin area. It has sent a team there to determine the most urgent needs.

Text"'TORNADO" to 20222 to give a $10 donation. You can also donate online or call 1-888-511-6443 to support World Vision's effort.

http://www.redcross.org/

Winners Announced!

2011-05-23T11:36:00.000-04:00

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Good morning everyone! Hope your weekend was amazing, mine certainly was! Who is ready to find out who won The Voice Library Giveaway???

Before I announce the winners I want to thank everyone who entered, your support means the world to me, and of course I love to give you all amazing things!

So without further ado, the winners of The Voice Library $50 gift card Giveaway are:
Rhianna
Chelsea
Theresa

Ladies, be watching your email for details on how to redeem your prize!

I am looking forward to seeing how you ladies use your prize!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Stressed Out? Breathe Out

2011-05-19T14:40:00.001-04:00

This article submission could not have come at a better time, after pacing the parking garage for two hours, trying to call my husband, the locksmith, anyone, and everyone I could, I was at my breaking point, I know its not THAT big of a deal, but Thursdays are very stressful for me. Wednesday night's i'm in class until 10pm, only to have to finish homework afterwards, and turn around and be in a 4 hour drawing class at 8am, not exactly ideal, but i'm not complaining! Anyways, I was virtually in tears at this point, and as I sat down in the parking garage, all alone, looking like a creeper, this article came to my email,....God Poke? I think so.....

Stressed Out? Breathe Out

By Brian P. Smith

TriWest Healthcare Alliance

You’re watching the phone, waiting to hear if you got that job. You’re sitting in the audience as your daughter starts her first piano recital. You’re waiting for the daily email from your deployed spouse.

You’re walking through the mall, still trying to get used to crowds after deployment.

These can all be stressful situations. Stress is a part of everyday life for Service members, veterans and families dealing with multiple deployments, homecomings and all the other demands of a military life.

Take a deep breath….

When you are stressed, do you ever focus on your breathing?

Most of the time, it’s an automatic process. Slowing down and concentrating on your breathing can help you react in stressful situations. During stress and times of anger, the body’s first reaction is to inhale and hold your breath. Breathing out slowly helps take the body out of the “fight or flight” mode.

The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DcoE, www.dcoe.health.mil) work to promote the resilience and recovery of military members and their families. Their research shows that breathing exercises can help decrease the body's “fight or flight” response to stress. Certain types of breathing exercises can also help control anger and anxiety.

There’s an app for that

Your smartphone can help you learn these exercises and improve control over your body’s reactions to stress. The National Center for Telehealth and Technology is a part of the DCoE that develops technology. They’ve created tools to help you to manage your breathing (along with handy phone apps to track your mood and teach you about post-traumatic stress). Visit www.t2health.org/apps to learn more about their tools and apps.

Pace yourself

Find more tips just like this on triwest.com. The Behavioral Health Resource Center (triwest.com/BH) is an online library with articles about stress, parenting, relationships and other issues. You can read articles on a wide range of topics, find links to the latest relevant information and take self-assessments when it’s convenient for you.

Who's ready to WIN something???

2011-05-17T09:58:00.002-04:00

So, who has heard of THE VOICE LIBRARY? Anyone? Neither had I, but this is one of the coolest things I have ever seen! So, what is THE VOICE LIBRARY you ask? They are a premier voice archive service, basically a place where you can go and record a message to anyone, anywhere, and they even store it for you! Now, I know if you are anything like me, you can think of a million and one things that you can use this for. Sending stories to grandparents, Deployed Loved ones, or in my case, hearing my husband tell the story of how we met over and over. THE VOICE LIBRARY is an incredibly flexible tool you can use to capture, store and share the voices and stories that mean the most to you. Over time, these stories and clips create the collected soundtrack of your family’s life. Here's a little about how it works:

So, on behalf of THE VOICE LIBRARY, I want to give a few of you the opportunity to try this amazing service absolutely FREE! That's right friends I said FREE!

Here's what you have to do:

First check out their website HERE.

NEXT, search for and follow The Voice Library on Facebook leave a comment on their page letting them know that "Forgetthedognotthebaby" sent you, THEN come back here and leave me your email address so I can contact you if you win! Too easy right?

Want an extra entry?

Share this on facebook or twitter with a link back to this post! Ill make it easy for you, this will be posted on the Forgetthedognotthebaby Fan Page, as well as my Twitter handle @itsjustKristle, all you have to do is share/retweet!

Giveaway ends Sunday May 22nd at MIDNIGHT!

Three Lucky Winners Will be announced Monday May 23rd!

Good Luck! :)

Kristle

The video of the home presentation!

2011-05-16T21:21:00.003-04:00

I cant figure out how to embed it, but here is the link in case you are interested! http://on.fb.me/izpD8O I am grateful beyond words right now, still, it all feels like a dream, and I hope that one day I can help give the same gift that was given to me!

NO MORE!

2011-05-16T09:26:00.003-04:00

Join Her War, Her Voice! and Not Alone in our rally cry. Help us scream from the top of the mountain, "You are not alone." Looking for a way to speak? Here's how:

We are looking for mixed media to reach out to our fellow fighters. We all hav...e distinct voices and we all have strengths to express our fight. Our love. And our stories. We are asking you to join us by letting us know how YOU handled these feelings. Send us your thoughts, your words, your art... If you are willing to talk to us over the phone or Skype, we'd be honored to use your voice. We cannot afford to lose ourselves or another behind this wall of silence. We need you to help us tear it down. It's time that our brothers and sisters learn that they are loved. They are seen. And they are understood.

This will be our battle cry. Across ranks. Across branches. For us. By us.

If you are interested in joining our battle cry, email your contributions to melissa@herwarhervoice.com
If you ever wanted to stand and make your voice heard, this is your chance. Join us.

Please, spread this far and wide and help us rally in a firm stance. No more.

No More....

2011-05-16T09:26:00.002-04:00

We have fantastic, beautiful submissions coming in for our united stand against suicide in our community. If you have any photography, art, or music you would like to submit, please send it my way. Please help us spread the word and take a stand.No More! melissa@herwarhervoice.com

We all know pain. We all know loss. And every time we hear we have lost another spouse or veteran to suicide, we grieve to our core and we are frightened. Because we know what it feels like to be alone and in pain. To feel lost and misunderstood. To b...e the only ones searching for a way out, and to be so dog tired that we just want to quit. But if you are reading this, you know differently. Join Her War, Her Voice! and Not Alone in our rally cry. Help us scream from the top of the mountain, "You are not alone." Looking for a way to speak? Here's how: We are looking for mixed media to reach out to our fellow fighters. We all have distinct voices and we all have strengths to express our fight. Our love. And our stories. We are asking you to join us by letting us know how YOU handled these feelings. Send us your thoughts, your words, your art... If you are willing to talk to us over the phone or Skype, we'd be honored to use your voice. We cannot afford to lose ourselves or another behind this wall of silence. We need you to help us tear it down. It's time that our brothers and sisters learn that they are loved. They are seen. And they are understood. This will be our battle cry. Across ranks. Across branches. For us. By us. If you are interested in joining our battle cry, email your contributions to melissa@herwarhervoice.com If you ever wanted to stand and make your voice heard, this is your chance. Join us. Please, spread this far and wide and help us rally in a firm stance. No more.

Nates Reaction Video, and some Other Media Links.

2011-05-14T11:12:00.001-04:00

Business Wire- http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110513006068/en/Wounded-Vets-Receive-Keys-Jacksonville-Homes-Chase

Fort Mill Times-http://www.fortmilltimes.com/2011/05/13/1557028/wounded-vets-receive-keys-to-jacksonville.html

Reuters.com-http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/13/idUS240901+13-May-2011+BW20110513

Can't wait to see the video of the whole thing! :)

Wait...What just happened?

2011-05-14T10:59:00.000-04:00

In hopes that this long post doesn't bore you, i'm inserting videos and things to make it REAL for you! So this last week, was crazy busy, between the normal everyday things, midterms, and trying to manage events that Nate was supposed to be at, it was completely overwhelming, from Saturday to Saturday has been Non-Stop. Last Friday Nate went and had dinner with his Hero, Tim Tebow, talk about seeing a man so happy he could burst! I'm convinced that if given the opportunity he would leave me for Tebow, his list of things he loves are as follows: Food, Tim Tebow, His Wife. Hahaha. He went out and bought a new suit and everything! Saturday was the Tim Tebow Foundation Charity Golf Tournament, I took the kids out for a little bit, didn't bring the stroller, biggest mistake of my life, it took us two hours to get to where Nate was, so we missed seeing his opportunity to tee off for Tim Tebow, but if you can imagine, he was on cloud 9, I heard he choked and hit the ball like 50 feet, but lets not tell him I told you! Sunday was Mothers Day, we had a neighborhood barbeque to celebrate, although lately we have a barbeque every time on of us parks our car right, so it was not out of the ordinary, but amazing nonetheless. I absolutely love being surrounded by friends that love and support us no matter what! I think I stayed up a little too late Monday, so I found myself putting my finishing touches on my midterm THAT morning....ooops, I think I still did well though! Monday night I worked my tail off getting the rest of my midterms and homework done because we had known for a while that Tuesday night was a little social event, and since we had been asked to represent Military Warrior Support Foundation at The Players Championship on Wednesday, we were invited to that too! The neighbors watched our babies on Tuesday night, they are incredible, I haven't had this much one on one time with Nate since probably before we had kids. Anyways, we went to Pussers for some drinks and appetizers, and had a chance to mingle with people from Birdies for The Brave, Chase, Military Warrior Support Foundation, and some others i'm probably forgetting. It was a lot to take it. We also got to meet some other families who had been helped by Military Warrior Support Foundation, as well as the family that they were giving a home to on Wednesday night. Now, those of you who have been reading a while know that we applied for a home last year, and we were unable to qualify because we owned a home, and it would have caused more stress in our lives than the stress it would relieve. Yea, I might have been upset, but that's life, and they only want whats best for their families. So, we applied again just a couple months ago when they had posted a home just up the road from where we are now, unfortunately, we STILL owned our home, it closed yesterday! Oddly we weren't really disappointed this time because instead of dropping us off the face of the earth MWSF decided to include us in helping surprise the family who was receiving the home, and unless you are the most cold-hearted individual in America, anyone would be proud to help with such an amazing gift! I was soo excited to part of that! Wednesday morning, we took part in a little Military Appreciation event, at the Patriots Outpost at TPC Sawgrass, Daris Rucker thanks our Military by singing the National Anthem,

they had the 82nd Airborne division choir which was amazing, i'm such a music fan, they sang a James Taylor song, which always gets me, I LOVE HIM.

I could have watched that ALL day! My Day was already made at that point, and then they TOPPED it by giving my husband a Brand New Dell Laptop...i'm going to steal it...he just doesn't know it yet. So at this point the pieces were coming together, we came out to help surprise the Sayo's and we got something too? Incredible! Who just gives away laptops, I mean really, that's kind of a Big Deal! That ceremony was over at 12 so I had to rush out of there to be at school at 1 for my black and white 2 midterm, i'm sure I was running off complete fumes by this point. I could not concentrate at all, I wanted everyone to know that this warrior and his family was getting a home, and it was going to be amazing and they should all watch the golf channel because it might be on there, it didn't feel like midterm day at all! So I take my midterm, leave, I ditched my Wednesday night class.... and try to meet up with my husband at Mayport. Well those of you who know PAM, my GPS know that she fails me ALL the time, this was NO exception. I ended up in some place im sure was another state because there was NO water! When I finally got turned around it took me to a ferry, and there was NO way I was about to drive my car up on a boat. I was soooo frustrated that I almost just went home, but the fact that Darius Rucker was going to be there kept me going! When I got to the course we had to go straight to the stage and get ready for the presentation, Patricia Sayo had no idea, I was so excited to see her reaction, I couldn't see his since we were behind them. There was Military everywhere, Every branch was represented! It was beautiful, they even had a flyover.
Now if you all are anything like me, you get lost in this stuff, it makes me so proud to be an American, so proud to be part of the Military Family, I just get so emotional! So after that Wounded Warrior Project was presented a 10,000 dollar check, and they began to prepare for the presentation of the house. Jim Furyk who is like a really amazing golfer according to my sources, was the presenter. He had both the guys come up next to him, and he told them how they are heroes, and to be completely honest I was watching Patricia to get her reaction so I missed the rest LOL, anyways, he says something along the lines of the real reason we are here is to award a warrior a mortgage free home, now remember, we KNOW its Anthony, so we are anticipating reactions from both him and his family, so Mr. Furyk hands Anthony the key to his brand new home, and instantly Patricia is crying, i'm hugging her, telling her i'm so excited and everything, and Nate is hugging Anthony, and then just as Nate goes to sit back down, he says, but wait, we have a surprise for you too, and whips out another Key, I was still so caught up in excitement for the Sayo's that I didn't even hear that part, I looked up and Nate had a key in his hand too, and the waterworks began, pretty sure my mascara ruined everyone's white shirts, and I almost fell out of my chair! The amazing individuals from Chase and MWSF were all right there to hug me, and to add an extra bang, they started planning this 5 months ago, can you believe that, they did an amazing job of planning, and keeping the secret. I am still in dream mode, I feel like any second i'm going to wake up. I don't know if they know just how much this means to me and my family, and I don't know that I will ever find a way to appropriately thank them, but I do know this much, the gift does not stop here!

This(Song Link-Up)

2011-05-13T13:48:00.000-04:00

It has been an incredibly emotional, and exhausting week,( Ill post details soon.) I chose a Darius Rucker song this week because I absolutely Love him, and this song is our life to a T, this may not be THE "ideal" life, but we wouldn't change a single thing. Enjoy, and be sure to stop by Goodnight Moon, to check out everyone else's songs, and show them some love! :)

Oh an here are a few pics from his performance at TPC Sawgrass on Wednesday, i'm not obsessed with his booty, but I was behind him, so its all I could get haha!

The Famous documentary!

2011-05-07T16:24:00.000-04:00

Invisible Scars from Francine Rzeznick on Vimeo.

TRICARE Program for Dependents to Age 26

2011-05-05T13:34:00.000-04:00

TRICARE Program for Dependents to Age 26

Brian P. Smith

TriWest Healthcare Alliance

What are the TRICARE choices for a college student who turns 23? What about for 21-year-olds who lost their eligibility due to age? These young adults now have an option for TRICARE coverage.

TRICARE Young Adult

TRICARE Young Adult is medical and pharmacy coverage for dependents. An eligible enrollee has a TRICARE-eligible sponsor, is unmarried, is not yet 26 years old and is not eligible for their own employer-sponsored healthcare coverage. Each enrollee pays a monthly premium ($186). Eligibility, coverage, cost and enrollment information is at triwest.com/TYA.

Coverage

TRICARE Young Adult currently provides the same coverage as TRICARE Standard. The sponsor’s status will determine the catastrophic cap, deductible and cost shares. Dental coverage is not included.

Cost

A payment covering the first three monthly premiums ($558 total) is required with the initial enrollment. Automatic recurring monthly payments by credit/debit card or electronic fund transfer are required. You can set up recurring payments on the enrollment application.

Premiums may not be paid via sponsor’s allotment. TRICARE Young Adult Premiums cannot be combined or paid with the sponsor’s other TRICARE premium or fee. Bill payments set up and made through a bank will not be accepted.

Enrollment

1. Download and fill out the TRICARE Young Adult Application (www.tricare.mil/TYA).

2. Choose a coverage start date–either the first day of the next month (or the first date of a month up to 90 days in the future) or a date in the past (retroactive or continuous coverage).

· Submit (see step 4) the enrollment form, with premium payment, to your regional TRICARE contractor before May 31, and you can request a May 1or June 1 start date for coverage. Beginning June 1, you have to submit the application and payment the by the last day of the month before coverage starts.

· The first date of a month up to 90 days in the future.

3. Print the application. The young adult enrollee must sign and date the application.

4. Submit the signed application along with premium payment. For West Region beneficiaries, submit to TriWest:

· Fax: 1-866-259-0419; Mail: TriWest Healthcare Alliance, PO Box 43315, Phoenix, AZ 85080-3315; or submit at a TRICARE Service Center.

· For other regions, visit www.tricare.mil/TYA for your region’s contact information.

Coverage retroactive to January 1, 2011 (or the first date of eligibility if after January 1, 2011) is available during initial enrollment. If purchasing retroactive coverage, you will have to pay the monthly premiums dating back to the start of your retroactive coverage in addition to the initial three-month premium payment. Retroactive coverage will not be available for enrollments after September 30, 2011.

In October 2011, a TRICARE Young Adult Prime option will be available. Enrollment into this option will also require a monthly premium.

Want to stay updated with TRICARE Young Adult information? Follow TriWest at www.facebook.com/TriWest, for all things TRICARE–including the Young Adult program.

U.S. Military Veteran Gives Returning Iraq and Afghanistan Soldiers a Chance to ‘Earn their Stripes’

2011-05-04T09:11:00.000-04:00

Everyone needs to at least look in to this opportunity, whether you are a veteran, family member, military supporter, this opportunity could change the life of a Veteran!

U.S. Military Veteran Gives Returning Iraq and Afghanistan Soldiers a Chance to ‘Earn their Stripes’ Jack Child, Founder of YELLOW DAWG STRIPING, Launches Operation Stripes for Veterans Franchise Giveaway Promotion

GOFFSTOWN, New Hampshire- With unemployment rates for Iraq and Afghanistan military veterans significantly higher than the national average, one U.S. military veteran is making it his personal mission to give back to his comrades.

Starting April 4, 2011, Jack Child, the founder of YELLOW DAWG STRIPING, a leading pavement marking franchise, will launch a social media Facebook campaign – Operation Stripes for Veterans - that will offer one honorably discharged U.S. military Iraq or Afghanistan veteran the chance to become a small-business owner of a YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise. YELLOW DAWG STRIPING works with businesses to create clean, crisp lines and traffic markings to enhance safety, comply with laws and make parking lots more attractive.

“As a U.S. military veteran myself, I understand firsthand the hardships and challenges veterans can face as they transition into civilian life,” said Child, a former Army soldier and Air Force pilot. “We hope to relieve the burden of transition for at least one returning serviceman (or woman) and feel that it is equally as important to bring awareness to the high rate of unemployment among the Iraq/Afghanistan veterans in our country. It is the least we can do as a franchise system to show our troops the support they deserve.”

The Facebook promotion allows honorably discharged Iraq and Afghanistan U.S. military veterans to upload a 250 words or less essay and/or video testimonial to the YELLOW DAWG STRIPING Facebook fan page explaining why they want to become a small-business owner. Each contestant is encouraged to share his or her video with friends and family on the social media platform to obtain as many ‘Like’ votes by May 20, 2011, Armed Forces Day. The top 10 videos with the most ‘Like’ votes will be reviewed and considered by a panel of seven judges, and the winner will be announced on Memorial Day, May 30, 2011.

In addition to waiving the $7,500 franchise fee, YELLOW DAWG STRIPING will provide a customized enclosed equipment trailer worth $5,500, hands-on training, business support systems and miscellaneous tools and uniforms. Several select vendors have also donated to the giveaway. GRACO has donated a LineLazer IV 3900, state-of-the-art line striping machine worth $8,640. The Sherwin-Williams Company has donated premium traffic paint valued at $2,100. Dan Zurcher, a pavement marking industry expert and author, has provided a stencil starter kit valued at $1,500. And, Cygnus Business Media is granting two exposition packages to the 2012 National Pavement Expo inMemphis, Tennessee, worth $1,250. The total retail value of the giveaway exceeds $28,000 in value.

“Our vendors have been highly supportive of our franchise giveaway campaign and we couldn’t thank them more for their kind contributions,” added Child. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to give away the YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise opportunity.”

Panel representatives include Child and his business partner, Brian Hayes, Dan Zurcher, Allan Heydorn, Editor of Pavement Magazine, representatives of the Sherwin-Williams company and Graco, and Mark Murphy, an Army veteran and owner of Southern New Hampshire’s YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise, who is also a YELLOW DAWG instructor.

In 1975, Child joined the United States Army and afterward attended college on the GI Bill. He was commissioned into the Air Force and served seven years as an Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot responsible for flying C-141s. Having received numerous commendations for his hard work and dedication, including the Air Medal, Child transitioned into civilian life as a pilot and captain for a major airline. It wasn’t until he lost his medical certificate that he decided to pursue entrepreneurship. After dabbling in his own start-up commodity-based business, Jack realized that driveway sealcoating was a highly fragmented industry with no real branding or standardization practices. He founded BLACK DAWG SEALCOAT, quickly grew it to 13 locations serving nine states and added complementary franchise concepts that include YELLOW DAWG STRIPING, BLUE DAWG POWER WASH, and RED DAWG INFARED, all operating under the BLACK DAWG Franchise Group umbrella.

“I wanted to bring uniformity and professionalism to an industry that lacks standardization,” said Child. “Today’s customers have come to expect interactions with highly skilled crews that are neat, friendly and professional. We pride ourselves on knowing that our customers feel secure that the job will be done the right way, the first time.”

YELLOW DAWG STRIPING offers new business investors the opportunity to start small and grow their business with other BLACK DAWG franchise concepts at 50 percent off the franchise fee. The home-based business opportunity is also a perfect add-on for individuals seeking to diversify their portfolio as well as take advantage of, and capitalize on, cross marketing and sales of a multi-brand concept. An ideal YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise owner is an individual who likes to work outdoors, understands adherence to standards, is mission driven and wants to grow a business and eventually run it, not work it. BLACK DAWG Franchise Group also offers a 30 percent discount on its franchise fees for any honorably discharged U.S. military veteran.

For more information on YELLOW DAWG STRIPING visit www.YellowDawgStriping.com <http://www.yellowdawgstriping.com/> . For franchise opportunities please visit:www.FranchiseDawg.com <http://www.franchisedawg.com/> or call 1-800-998-DAWG (3294). For the Facebook contest visit: www.Facebook.com/YellowDawgStriping<http://www.facebook.com/YellowDawgStriping> .

About BLACK DAWG Franchise GroupBLACK DAWG SEALCOAT was founded in 2005 by Jack Child, a U.S. Army and Air Force military veteran. BLACK DAWG began offering line striping services in 2006, and demand quickly outpaced capacity. To better manage the line striping needs of customers, BLACK DAWG formed YELLOW DAWG STRIPING in 2009. Today, YELLOW DAWG STRIPING has six units operating in eight states with 50 new locations planned to open during the next four years. YELLOW DAWG STRIPING prides itself on its professional attitude and behavior while performing jobs and treats clients’ property with respect and the utmost care. The company works with a high degree of environmental consciousness and in accordance with all safety procedures. Additional BLACK DAWG Franchise Group concepts include BLUE DAWG POWER WASH and RED DAWG INFARED. For more information, please visit www.FranchiseDawg.com <http://www.franchisedawg.com/> or visit us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YellowDawgStriping<http://www.facebook.com/YellowDawgStriping> .

Touched....

2011-05-03T21:38:00.000-04:00

Tonight, I spent the evening talking to an amazing person, Linda Freedman. I met her via twitter, she is a Troop Supporter through and through, and an inspiration to so many. This is an article she wrote for HeroBracelets.org about her involvement with AdoptaPlatoon.org.

The weekday morning began like so many others. Finishing my coffee while getting ready to go to work, I was only half listening to a morning news show on television. I thought I heard a woman say, adopt a soldierâ€. Adopt a soldier? People adopt children and some people adopt pets, but soldiers? OK, I was intrigued! I had been looking for a way to help our soldiers. I sat down and watched the rest of the interview.
A woman was talking about AdoptaPlatoon.org, a non-profit organization that matches volunteers (supporters) with our soldiers. She explained that although mail call is the high point in a soldierâ€™s day, unfortunately some soldiers do not have the support of loved ones at home while they are serving our country. They can only watch while other soldiers rejoice in news from home and open care packages filled with necessities and treats. Having witnessed this in his own unit, one soldier asked his mother if she would send a few cards and goodies to nine soldiers in his unit who waited every day for mail, only to receive none. His mother Ida Hagg, an 11th grade school teacher, wanted these eighteen, nineteen and twenty year old soldiers to experience the joy of receiving letters and packages from home, too. She decided to ask a few other mothers if they would each â€œadoptâ€ one of the soldiers and soon the soldiers began to receive letters and goodies from their â€œmomsâ€. This seemingly small gesture made a profound difference in the morale of these formerly forgotten soldiers. So much of a difference in fact, that their sergeant felt compelled to write and thank the soldierâ€™s mother and her helpers on their behalf. He then asked her if she would expand her efforts to include more soldiers. By enlisting the help of clubs, schools, churches, businesses and civic organizations, more soldiers were adopted. In less than two years, the number of adopted soldiers increased from 10 to 10,000. This simple act of lovingkindness blossomed into the phenomenon that has become AdoptaPlatoon, aptly named by its first â€œadoptedâ€ soldiers.
As I continued to watch, I learned that becoming a supporter of AdoptaPlatoon, or AAP is simple. After filling out an application online at www.adoptaplatoon.org, an AAP volunteer interviews the applicant by telephone. Once approved as a supporter, a Soldier Delivery Letter arrives via e-mail containing the name of your soldier and where to write to him or her. I filled out the application, was interviewed and approved. After I received my soldierâ€™s information, I was expected to write a letter once a week and send out a package once a month.
I couldnâ€™t wait to write my first letter to my soldier. I checked my e-mail every day, sometimes twice or three times, while I waited to receive my Soldier Delivery Letter. Being a mother, it reminded me of waiting through a pregnancy, only for a shorter duration! Who will my soldier be? What branch of service? How old? Male or female? My family and co-workers were also swept up in the excitement and anticipation and asked me every day if I had heard anything yet.One day, on my second e-mail check, there it was – my â€œSoldier Delivery Letterâ€! My soldierâ€™s name was Jason! Included in the e-mail were Jasonâ€™s mailing address in Iraq, his birthday and a â€œwish listâ€ of items. I called everyone and proudly announced, â€œItâ€™s a boy! And heâ€™s a Marine!â€
And so my journey with AdoptaPlatoon began. It was finally time to write my first letter to Jason, my adopted soldier.
At the risk of embarrassing myself, though at the same time injecting some humor into my story, I must confess that I was extremely naÃ¯ve about all things military. The extent of my personal military knowledge was that my father was in the Air Force in World War II, long before I was born. I always thought that when you â€œjoined upâ€ everything was provided for you. I had a lot to learn – and I was about to learn it.
OK, so how do you write a letter to someone you donâ€™t know? The AAP guidelines suggest that you begin your letter by telling your soldier that you received his or her name through AdoptaPlatoon and assure your soldier that you will not share any of his or her personal information. I started with that and then wrote a paragraph describing myself and my family and a little about my town. I included the events of a typical day in my life and asked him to describe a typical day for him. I closed by thanking him for working so hard to keep us free and that I would send out a package very soon.
Walking proudly into the post office with $20.00 in hand, I was ready to pay any amount necessary to get my first letter to my Marine in Iraq. I placed my letter on the counter and inquired about the postage. The woman behind the counter smiled and informed me that one first class stamp would get my letter to Iraq. Really? Well, in that case, with $20.00 in available funds and looking ahead to future letter writing – I bought a book of stamps. Empowered by my new postal knowledge (and not wearing my glasses) I proudly peeled off a stamp from the sheet and put it on my letter – upside down! Who cares? I had accomplished what I had waited so long to do â€“ I mailed my first letter to my adopted soldier.
An AAP supporter writes to his or her soldier in the spirit of patriotism and support. Your soldier may not be able to write to you for long periods of time, or may not be able to write to you at all. You join AdoptaPlatoon in order to support the soldier, not the other way around. Mail delivery time varies and it may take two weeks or more for mail to reach your soldier. If your mail is not returned to you in a few weeks, you should assume that your soldier has received it. Of course, I hoped that Jason would be able to write back to me, but I also accepted the possibility that I might never receive a letter from him. Either way, I would continue to write to him and send care packages for as long as he was deployed.
A week passed and it was time to write a second letter. This was a little more challenging. My first letter was still en route to Jason. It would take at least another week to reach him. In my second letter I wrote about the day-to-day events of my week, what the weather here had been like, what types of books I like to read and a few funny stories I had heard. I ended my letter with a wish for his safety and my gratitude for his bravery. I also included my e-mail address in case he had access to the Internet. I mailed my letter and continued to wait, which I was quickly learning is the hardest part of supporting a soldier.
Having mastered international letter mailing, I was eager to send out a package. The AAP guidelines suggest using a Flat Rate Box, available at the post office. I returned to the post office, located the custom forms, grabbed a Flat Rate Box and waited in line to pay for it. The same postal employee who helped me with my letter spotted me in line and informed me that the Flat Rate Boxes are free. Ohâ€¦Two steps forward and one step back. But I was learning! Now I had a box and it needed to be filled.
In a flash I was off to the store, shopping for items to make Jasonâ€™s life in Iraq a little easier. I bought a travel pillow, some toiletries, batteries, stationery supplies and non-perishable snack foods. In fact, I came home with more than enough to fill the box. Gathering supplies was fun, but as I chose each item, I thought about Jason, so far away. I had only minimal information about him. I wondered if he was in danger. The news from Iraq affected me personally now. I didnâ€™t know Jasonâ€™s location in Iraq and every mention of casualties worried me. When the broadcasts included Marine casualties, it was even worse. How do the soldiersâ€™ families cope with this uncertainty every day? I hoped that by easing the life of these soldiers, their loved ones might be comforted, too. I packed the box and sent it off with a prayer for Jasonâ€™s safety.
One Saturday, almost one month to the day of mailing my first letter, I received a letter from Jason. I felt like a kid at Christmas, opening a present. His letter was a gift to me, actually. When I became a supporter I didnâ€™t know if Jason would be able to write to me. But he did. I grabbed my glasses and ripped it open. In his letter he told me how much he appreciated my patriotism and support and said it meant even more to him, coming from someone who didnâ€™t even know him. He said that sometimes soldiers feel forgotten and then a letter like mine arrives and it makes them feel really good and they fight even harder. Wow! I did all that with a letter?
Jason, twenty years old, was the driver of a humvee in a Mobile Assault Platoon, or MAP. They provided security escorts and carried out searches and assaults. While providing security for the supply trucks along the main supply routes, they also searched for mines and IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) that were placed by the insurgents and disposed of them when they found them. IEDs were particularly dangerous since they can be detonated remotely. I wondered how the soldiers could ever get used to that! Can you ever get used to that?
He also described the types of weapons he used and what they were capable of in great detail. Our lives were so different! I have never even fired a handgun. I re-read this part of his letter several times. This was the real thing, not the Hollywood version of war that until now had been my only reference. He also mentioned how much he loved to pass out candy to the Iraqi children. This helped to balance the harshness of war.
After reading about his life in Iraq, I understood the magnitude of what he was doing. I wrote back immediately and thanked him for his very detailed letter. I included some funny stories about my friends and family and interesting things in the news. I ended my letter with my appreciation of his personal sacrifice and with my familyâ€™s wish for his safety.
As I wrote about these ordinary things, I was struck by how complacent we are about our freedom and security. Every night I sleep peacefully and then wake up and move through my day, secure in the fact that I am – and will be – safe. There is a lot of talk lately about stepping out of oneâ€™s â€œcomfort zoneâ€. Jason had certainly stepped out of his. What about my own comfort zone? I doubt that I have even been to the edge of it. By opening up my life to include an unknown soldier, I also opened the door to a world that I only vaguely knew anything about. In corresponding with Jason, I learned how it felt for him to face danger- real danger- day after day and to be willing to face it again and again because the end result is worth everything it takes out of you. It may even take your life. How many of us can say that?
I now looked at life through new eyes. Most television ads seemed like glamorous vignettes for absurd and unnecessary â€œcreature comfortsâ€. Our soldiers are living far from home and loved ones for extensive periods of time (sometimes years) without many of the things we take for granted or feel we are entitled to have. When a co-worker recently told me that she found a great pair of designer shoes at a trendy store for half price, I excitedly told her about my own recent successful shopping trip. Toothbrushes were on sale at Stop & Shop, 10 for $10.00. I bought 20 of them to send to the troops! Letâ€™s just say I got â€œa lookâ€.
More time passed and I continued to write letters to Jason, hoping that I might receive another one. In one of my letters I suggested that since there was such a large difference in our ages, maybe he would like to think of me as an â€œauntieâ€ he didnâ€™t know he had, instead of a friend. I also sent out another package to him. A few more weeks passed without receiving a letter from him.
Again, on a Saturday, I received a letter from Jason. I was so happy to hear from him and know that he was safe. He had been sleeping on the ground recently and said that he couldnâ€™t wait to sleep in his own bed again. He thanked me, his â€œAuntie Lindaâ€, for the package I sent and said that the travel pillow was much more comfortable to sleep on than his own bunched up clothing. He signed it, â€œyour nephew, Jasonâ€. I was becoming quite attached to my â€œadoptedâ€ Marine. Was it just me, or does this happen to all supporters?
The next time I heard from Jason was through an e-mail and it included a few pictures of him. Now I had a face to go with his letters. He was back at a base for a brief period of time and we were able to communicate more often. I told him that I had framed his picture and put it on my desk at work, next to my kidsâ€™ pictures. I proudly showed Jasonâ€™s picture to everyone who had asked about him and had sent their good wishes to him through my letters.
In another e-mail, he wrote that at times he found it hard to put the horror of what he saw behind him and being able to write to me about these things was a great comfort to him. He knew his parents worried about him and he didnâ€™t want to upset them. He missed his family and friends very much and was looking forward to going to school.
After that, he was out on patrol again and I heard nothing from him for quite some time. His picture on my desk reminded me everyday that there are many young soldiers like Jason who volunteer to fight for freedom and who may someday even make the ultimate sacrifice.
There was enough time to send one more package to Jason before he prepared to return home. I wanted it to be a special one. I wrote a letter that said, â€œSince I just found out that Iâ€™m your â€œAuntieâ€, it occurred to me that there have been many birthdays and holidays that I have missed sharing with you.â€ Keeping the family theme in mind, I bought things that he needed and fun things, too. I made copies of photos of â€œhisâ€ family and friends and I even included photos of our pets. I put them into a little photo album and included an explanation of each photo to go with it. Then I wrapped everything I bought, even toiletries, in birthday or holiday wrapping paper and tied them with ribbons. I even gave him socks for Christmas along with a toy. The box was huge! He received it just before his mail cut off date. The e-mail he sent me after he was received it was long and full of gratitude for all I had done for him while he was in Iraq. He said it was great to return from a long, difficult patrol and read my e-mails of support. Receiving the box full of presents was just like celebrating Christmas in the summer.
Jason is home now and fulfilling his dream of attending school. He continues to write to his â€œauntieâ€ and his â€œauntieâ€ enjoys hearing how her â€œnephewâ€ is doing.
There are so many soldiers like Jason who would also enjoy receiving the simple things that remind them of home, like magazines and snacks and extra socks. I am not a wealthy person. The cost of a stamp brings immeasurable comfort to a soldier. Itâ€™s not the length of the letter you write that is important – itâ€™s the sincerity of it. If you donâ€™t think youâ€™re a great letter writer, send funny cards and articles from magazines and newspapers. Filling a care package doesnâ€™t necessarily mean spending a lot of money. I shop for specials and â€œtwo for oneâ€ sales. Youâ€™ll be surprised how quickly you can fill a care package. And stores always have cardboard boxes available for free. I use my bottle and can deposit money toward postage costs.
Adopting a soldier can also be a group effort. Let your friends and family help. That way you can support a soldier and share the fun with others. There are many continuously running support campaigns on the AdoptaPlatoon website where you can help in ways that match your talents and time.
As word of AdoptaPlatoon spreads among the soldiers, their requests to be matched with supporters have far exceeded the current number of supporters. Whenever possible, AAP supporters are volunteering to be matched with more than one soldier. I am currently supporting five soldiers. The soldiers who have been able to communicate with me have been a wonderful gift. And the ones who have not been able to contact me remind me of my pledge to them â€“ my continued support whether or not they can ever respond.
Jason will always be special to me because I learned so much about the process of adopting and supporting a soldier by supporting him. Matt, the second soldier I was matched with, provided me with an excellent overview of Iraq and a history of the Camp where he was stationed. He has a great sense of humor, too. He will be leaving Iraq soon.
I am currently supporting Cassidy, a young married sergeant and the first female soldier I have been matched with. We have been able communicate often through cards and letters and e-mail. She has sent me some wonderful pictures, too. I also support a young married infantryman. The only information I have for him is where to write to him and that he goes out on long patrols. I donâ€™t even have his first name. I was told in my Soldier Delivery Letter that it might be quite some time before I hear from him. As of this writing, several months have passed and I have not heard from him yet. I continue to send letters and packages to him and I hope that he is enjoying them. Three others soldiers are relatively new matches for me (at the time of this writing). I have heard from John, a married sergeant at a Forward Operating Base, but I have not yet heard from the other two.
Although AdoptaPlatoon began as a way to support soldiers who are alone, supporting married soldiers gives them another connection to home. Some of the soldiers I support write to me about things that are disturbing to them, even if only in mostly general terms. They are grateful to have someone other than family members to listen to their concerns.
My adopted soldiers, whether presently supported by me or supported by me in the past, have each taught me something about personal sacrifice and spirit. They have truly given me so much more than I can ever give them. They face the tremendous challenges of each day with courage, determination and fortitude. I can never match that with a letter or a package.
While cleaning out the garage last week, I found an old bumper sticker that suggested we should practice random acts of kindness. Please do. Join www.adoptaplatoon.org. One person can make a difference. You can be that person.
A soldier is waiting.

Talking to her this evening, and seeing the passion she has for helping our trroops re-inspired me. I know first hand what a little support from a perfect stranger can mean, take a few minutes out of your day, and get involved.

Documentary Cover

2011-05-03T14:54:00.000-04:00

This is the cover for the documentary that was done on my family. I am looking forward to seeing it! :) the film crew are all such incredible people, I know they did an amazing job telling our story. If you happen to Live near Hamden, Conneticut, and don't know already, not sure thats possible, but im going to say it anyways, they are having a Screening Saturday at 8pm Echlin 101275 Mount Carmel Ave.Hamden, Connecticut. It would be worth your time to check it out!

Drop the "D"

2011-05-03T12:30:00.000-04:00

As some of you know this past weekend I attended the 2011 Milblog Conference. One of the Panels was made up of filmmakers who have made films for contribution to the GI Film Festival later this month, ill put the links up to those in a bit. During the conversation a very concerned person came up to the mic and expressed that in an effort to remove the stigma associated with PTSD, it is no longer to be said as PTSD, but instead PTS. Now don't get me wrong, I want to remove the stigma just as much as the next person, but im really curious what that is actually going to do. The name of has been changed over and over throughout the years,(Soldier’s Heart, Shell Shock, War Neurosis, Combat Fatigue) and although we have made some progress, the stigma is still there, i'm not sure dropping a letter is what is going to do it. In my opinion we have progressed in reducing the stigma because more and more people are becoming aware of what is going on with our service members upon return from war, and more and more service members are talking about their experiences. There are many reasons people have come up with as to why the D should be dropped. Its like the D is something to be ashamed of, PTSD is never something to be ashamed of, taking the D away will not change that, it DOES NOT matter what it is called it IS the same thing.

Symptoms of PTSD: Re-experiencing the traumatic event

Intrusive, upsetting memories of the event
Flashbacks (acting or feeling like the event is happening again)
Nightmares (either of the event or of other frightening things)
Feelings of intense distress when reminded of the trauma
Intense physical reactions to reminders of the event (e.g. pounding heart, rapid breathing, nausea, muscle tension, sweating)

Symptoms of PTSD: Avoidance and numbing

Avoiding activities, places, thoughts, or feelings that remind you of the trauma
Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma
Loss of interest in activities and life in general
Feeling detached from others and emotionally numb
Sense of a limited future (you don’t expect to live a normal life span, get married, have a career)

Symptoms of PTSD: Increased anxiety and emotional arousal

Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Irritability or outbursts of anger
Difficulty concentrating
Hypervigilance (on constant “red alert”)
Feeling jumpy and easily startled

Can we take away symptoms when we take away the D please...thanks. I have seen everything from it will help SM's get jobs, to it shouldn't be a disorder because it is normal. Now those of us who have been through medical retirements, and VA ratings know that if something is "normal" it doesn't get acknowledged, if it is a symptom it does not get rated, so how many soldiers would then not get rated? Maybe my mind is just running to far from me, but has anyone been diagnosed with service connected PTS yet?? I want to hear your thoughts.

Crazy Being Home

2011-05-01T16:42:00.000-04:00

This weekend at the 2011 Milblog Conference I had the amazing opportunity of meeting Mark Wills, and seeing him debut his new song Crazy Being Home. The song made me cry, I can never imagine the things that these amazing men and women have been through, and it means a lot for someone to take the time to honor them in such a beautiful way!

Release Stress with this Everyday Activity

2011-05-01T15:41:00.000-04:00

Release Stress with this Everyday Activity

By Shari Lopatin

TriWest Healthcare Alliance

The next time you’re laughing with your friends at a funny joke, you’re helping your heart—literally.

Your body’s arteries—the blood vessels which carry oxygen-filled blood from the heart to the rest of your body—respond to laughter in a positive way, according to a Harvard Health Letter published in November 2010. In fact, laughter could improve blood flow and long-term, overall health.

Studies are also showing how laughter not only improves your mental well-being, but makes your heart smile too.

Heart Disease Patients Laugh Less?

In 2000, the University of Maryland Medical Center published the first study stating that laughter may help prevent heart disease. In it, researchers found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh, in any situation, than people of the same age without heart disease.

Those with heart disease were actually less likely to recognize humor at all. They also tended to display more anger and hostility in general.

Laughter and Stress Reduction

Psychology experts commonly agree that laughter and humor are great ways to help reduce stress. According to a 2005 report published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, stress can cause one’s blood pressure to rise. High blood pressure is at least twice as strong a predictor of death as smoking or high cholesterol.

That’s why relieving stress on a regular basis is important to keeping one’s blood pressure down.

“Humor is absolutely a coping strategy for dealing with stress and adversity,” said Dr. Blake Chaffee, a psychologist and the vice president of Integrated Health Care Services at TriWest Healthcare Alliance. “If you can see the humor in something, you can mitigate the stress and the negative effects it has on you.”

Chaffee said if not dealt with, stress can put people at an increased risk of:

· Heart disease

· Sleep problems

· Digestive problems

· Depression

· Obesity

Need Additional Help De-Stressing?

If the stresses of life are getting to you, and you find yourself struggling to cope, you may be eligible for the TRICARE Assistance Program, or TRIAP. This program offers non-medical, but professional counseling via chat, phone, or the Web. With an Internet-connected computer and a Webcam, you can talk to licensed therapists about issues such as stress or relationship problems. These discussions are completely non-reportable (unless required by law) and are available 24/7/365—so you can make an appointment that works with your schedule.

Think you want more information? Curious to if you’re eligible? Visit www.triwest.com/OnlineCare.