Friday, May 11, 2012

MilSpouse Appreciation Day - Blog Hop 2012


Welcome to Our Crazy Life! 

I am Athena, mom to six kiddos and wife to one Soldier - who has recently returned from his second extended vacation to the Middle East (courtesy of the U.S. Army). 
The Soldier with his Army brats

The Soldier and I have been married for almost 20 years. We have one college girl, one high-schooler, one in junior high, two in grade school and one preschooler. We stay pretty busy between sports, dance, 4H and everything else. 

It's a crazy life, but I love it.  

I am a writer (writer just sounds so much better than facebook junkie). I just wish I had more time to do so. I may have to give up housework to devote more time to it. 

Okay, so I am not really a housework kind of girl - there are more important things in life.   

Some of my ramblings... 
I would love to know what you think! 
I live love to read. Most of my blog posts (if I am not griping about deployment) are devoted to free ebooks for Kindle. I will read two to three books a week, so I am saving the Soldier a pretty penny by not buying any. Maybe I can convince him to let me spend it on jewelry instead... 
BBC 100 Book Challenge
(make sure to double check prices as they change frequently!)
I do a book review from time to time (anything for free books!) and host an occasional giveaway. If you want to be notified when the giveaways are up or when a new free book is posted, feel free to like Our Crazy Life on facebook (it also helps my self esteem to have people like me...). 
My biggest passion is volunteering for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS). I can't even begin to tell you what a difference getting involved with a group of moms - who are experiencing the same things I am - did for me. I now have friends all over the world thanks to MOPS. Plus, I get to travel (sans kids) a couple of times of year for training and girl time. 

And yes, we have groups especially for Military moms that meet on installations all over the world! If you are a mommy, you need mommy time and MOPS can help! 

Note: If you are a mom, come back tomorrow for my latest giveaway -  a copy of "Mom Connection" with a bag of goodies - just in time for Mother's Day!

I have had a blast since I started blogging and have met several wonderful women and enjoy following their adventures in this crazy world we call Military life. When I need a laugh or a little perspective I check out Witty Little Secret (trust me, you will LOVE her), Household 6 Diva or Riding the Roller Coaster. 
I know what you are thinking, this is getting a little long for an introduction ;0)  
Anyway, I love to chat and would love to get you know you! I spend way too much time on facebook so come over and say hello.

And don't forget to link up!

  

Love, 

What I'm talking about , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

61 comments:

  1. UnknownMay 11, 2012 at 11:20 AM

    Hi! I discovered your blog via the Milspouse blog hop..You have a beautiful family! I love your blog and look forward to getting to know you via your blog. :) Hope your weekend is Lovely!

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 8:42 PM

      Thank you and have a wonderful Mother's Day - you deserve it!

      Delete
  2. HeatherMay 11, 2012 at 11:27 AM

    Hey Athena!

    I love your blog layout! The colors & designs are so cool. I am visiting from the hop & bookmarking your page for later. I am excited to explore your blog more!

    Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day! :)

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 8:44 PM

      Thanks Heather, but I can't take any credit for the design! Brea (see comment below) is the genius who fixed it all up for me. She is amazing!

      We have recently gone gluten free (pretty much grain free) due to auto immune issues. Would love to swap recipes!

      Delete
  3. UnknownMay 11, 2012 at 12:14 PM

    Hi Athena!

    First off, thank you for stopping by my blog today! I definitely appreciate you and all that you do!

    I've told you before how much I admire you for being able to take care of six children (I struggle with the two that I have most days) and standing by your husband's side for so long.. Jay was gone for 12 months and I can't imaging him being gone for as long as your husband was. You are definitely a super woman! This day is all about celebrating women like you!

    Happy MilSpouse Appreciation Day, doll!

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 8:45 PM

      Thanks Brea! I am very appreciative for you - especially when you fix everything I mess up :) Hope you had a wonderful day and Happy early Mother's Day (or St. Mother's Day, as my 4yo says - which is pretty much the truth!)

      Delete
  4. Nicole MarieMay 11, 2012 at 12:53 PM

    Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day!! And nice to meet you :)

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 8:47 PM

      Thanks! I had a great time visiting all the blogs today, but your beach picture has had me wishing I was someplace warm!

      Delete
  5. UnknownMay 11, 2012 at 1:33 PM

    What a gorgeous family. I'm looking forward to reading more on your blog.

    New follower. Nice to meet you through the Military Spouse Appreciation blog hop! I'm now following you. I hope you can visit my blog when you get a chance: http://www.athometake2.blogspot.com.

    Please stop by to check out my Weekend Blog Walk. I also co-host a Mom's Monday Mingle and Favorite Product Friday.

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 8:48 PM

      Thanks for stopping by! I really need to get back into the blogging world. It has been hit and miss since the Soldier came home.

      Delete
  6. KellyMay 11, 2012 at 1:44 PM

    Hi Athena! It's lovely to meet you. Your family is beautiful! You're a saint… most days I struggle to keep up with my only child, a 9 month old and all the housework. ;-) Glad I found you via the blog hop! Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day!!

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 8:49 PM

      It gets easier as they get older, or so they tell me. I think they might be lying :)

      Still hungry from your photo!!

      Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

      Delete
  7. AiringMyLaundryMay 11, 2012 at 1:45 PM

    You have a beautiful family.

    I'm about ready to go through another deployment :/

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 8:52 PM

      Thanks! And thanks for stopping by.

      Deployments Suck. I hate them. So sorry :(

      Delete
  8. erikaMay 11, 2012 at 1:51 PM

    Stopping by from the blog hop. :)
    Happy Milspouse Appreciation Day!!

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 8:53 PM

      Thanks for stopping! Hope you had a great day!

      Delete
  9. Mrs. DuhMay 11, 2012 at 3:09 PM

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! Married for twenty years? That's awesome! I welcome any great marriage tips you might have! : )

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 8:54 PM

      Well the endless months of schools, trainings, deployments, etc. make it easier for him to not get killed by me...

      It isn't always easy. Let's just say, he better be getting a huge rock for our anniversary!!

      Hope you had a great day :)

      Delete
  10. AmyMay 11, 2012 at 4:39 PM

    Stopping by to say hi! Being married for 20 years is amazing! Congrats!

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 8:55 PM

      Thanks so much for stopping! Funny thing is, 20 years feels like 5!

      Delete
  11. NicoleMay 11, 2012 at 4:44 PM

    LOVE free Kindle books! Any recommendations?!
    And your family is beautiful!

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 8:56 PM

      I try to keep my 'free' page updated, but the best bet is my facebook page. I spend way too much time on facebook! www.facebook.com/ourcrazylife

      Thanks so much for stopping by!

      Delete
  12. StaciaMay 11, 2012 at 4:52 PM

    Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day! So nice to meet you!

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  13. AndreaMay 11, 2012 at 5:44 PM

    You sound like an amazing woman... 20 years of marriage, 6 children, and Army life. I am in awe!

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 8:58 PM

      Really, I am not that amazing. I pretty much fake it as I go!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  14. Marcella{The Life After "Trust Me"}May 11, 2012 at 6:38 PM

    Thanks so much for your comment on my blog!
    I love what MOPS does for Moms!
    Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day to you too and I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day! :)

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 8:59 PM

      MOPS is my sanity. And I should be working on a talk for them instead of visiting all these blogs today. I am a great procrastinator. Should have listed that above :)

      Delete
  15. AnonymousMay 11, 2012 at 7:52 PM

    First, I love your name! Secondly, I love to read and write too! :)

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 9:00 PM

      Thanks Holly! I only wish I had more time to read and write and less housework :)

      Hope you enjoyed your first blog hop!

      Delete
  16. AnonymousMay 11, 2012 at 8:02 PM

    Happy MilSpouse Appreciation Day! I hope you have a wonderful Weekend! Thanks for stopping by over at my place!

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 9:02 PM

      Thank you!

      I love reading your blog (I will admit that I haven't been by in a while, kind of fell off the face of the earth when the Soldier redeployed...). I told the Soldier once that I was disappointed that he wasn't in the Navy, I want to call our brats squidlets!

      Delete
  17. Lyon Party of 4May 11, 2012 at 8:09 PM

    Thank you so much for stopping by today! I am so happy to have come across your blog! You are a true inspiration! Ok I need your advice in how to read books with kids. I only have 2 and you have 6 so now it's official it is possible. Maybe the wine at the end of the night makes me too tired to read..LOL! My hubs is about to deploy so having so many strong military wives around me will be best way to get through it! Thank you for sharing

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 9:04 PM

      I usually just ignore my children when I read... Wait, don't tell anyone I said that! I spend the majority of my time waiting. Waiting at school, at soccer practice, at dance class, at volleyball, at 4H. So I have lots of time to read.
      I can't wait until they can all drive themselves!!

      Delete
  18. UnknownMay 11, 2012 at 8:18 PM

    You have a beautiful family. I love MOPS and remember my time with them fondly. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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  19. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 9:00 PM

    My Soldier only wishes I was Wonder Woman!

    Thanks for visiting :)

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  20. A Beautiful LifeMay 11, 2012 at 9:28 PM

    how blessed are you to have all those lovely kiddos!! Thanks for stopping by today, Have a happy milspouse appreciation day and have a great Mother's Day this weekend! <3

    xoxo
    hillary

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  21. TheAlbrechtSquadMay 11, 2012 at 9:51 PM

    Hi Athena! So glad to meet you! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 10:58 PM

      Nice to meet you too! Have a great weekend :)

      Delete
  22. Mrs. HMay 11, 2012 at 10:29 PM

    Wow! I can only hope that our family is blessed as much as yours is with such awesome kids!
    I certainly can't wait to do MOPS with my munchkin! :) It's great to hear about you!
    ♥

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    1. AthenaMay 11, 2012 at 10:58 PM

      Aw, thanks! I hope you find a wonderful MOPS group. It was a huge lifesaver to me!

      Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

      Delete
  23. inesMay 12, 2012 at 2:31 AM

    happy milpouse appreciation day and thanks for stopping by :)

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  24. Kim KravitzMay 12, 2012 at 2:53 AM

    It's nice to "meet" you!! I'll definitely have to check out our local MOPS group. :) Happy Mother's Day!!

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  25. AnonymousMay 12, 2012 at 6:47 AM

    Happy Military Spouse Appreciation day and Happy Mother's Day!! Your family is beautiful! I can only hope that one day we can give Em a lot of siblings. Looking forward to following you and reading more!

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  26. KaraMay 12, 2012 at 6:59 AM

    Dang! I get fed up with my 2. There's no way I could handle all yours! You need more appreciation besides just today!! Happy hopping!

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  27. KaceMay 12, 2012 at 7:08 AM

    Beautiful big family! Love it. Happy Milspouse Appreciation Day to you.

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  28. KelleeLynMay 12, 2012 at 7:43 AM

    Thanks for stopping by for the hop! Hope you had a great day and that your mother's day is fabulous as well! I'm following now, can't wait to read your book reviews, I can be a book worm myself :)

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  29. JamieMay 12, 2012 at 8:40 AM

    Happy Mothers Day weekend! Visiting from the hop!

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  30. AllisonMay 12, 2012 at 8:47 AM

    Hey Athena! Your crazy life sounds awesome. I'm excited to start following you! Happy Mother's Day!

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  31. Julie DanielleMay 12, 2012 at 9:11 AM

    Nice to meet you! I just started going to MOPS this year and I love it!

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  32. UnknownMay 12, 2012 at 1:02 PM

    Happy (belated) Military Spouse Appreciation Day! Coming in from the blog-hop to say Hello and say "Nice to meet you!" I am a HUGE MOPS fan as well. My MOPS group, and the entire organization, were a life-saver during my hubs deployment. I also had the pleasure of reviewing 'Mom Connection', a great book that any military-mom can gain a lot of perspective from. Many blessings & happy Mothers Day - Leanne from MilitaryAvenue.com

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  33. NinaMay 12, 2012 at 1:50 PM

    Stopping by through the Blog Hop! Greetings from Alaska, and Happy (belated) Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

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  34. SarahMay 12, 2012 at 5:14 PM

    Your family is so cute! I love the picture! :)

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  35. AllieMay 15, 2012 at 12:06 PM

    Finally catching up on the blog hop! Happy Belated Military Spouse Appreciation Day! And thank you for stopping by my blog (:

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  36. AnonymousMay 16, 2012 at 12:52 PM

    Athena, thank you for stopping by my blog http://anchorsawayd.blogspot.com on Mil Spouse Appreciation Day. I wanted to tell you Happy belated Mil Spouse Appreciation Day as well. I love that there are still people out there who are bookworms like me ;) Hope you had a great Mama's Day as well.

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  37. Roller CoasterMay 18, 2012 at 1:34 PM

    Hi friend! Thank you so much for joining in on the blog hop! And sorry it took me so long to come and visit. Hope you had fun visiting the other ladies on the list and that you had a fabulous Mil Spouse Appreciation Day!!!

    xoxo
    Roller Coaster
    http://www.ridingtherollercoaster.com

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  38. MackMay 26, 2012 at 2:59 AM

    Hi! I am late posting but I am from the Blog Hop! I enjoyed reading your post about your family! Hope you had a wonderful MSAD and Mother's Day!! Amanda

    mickandmackarmyadventures.blogspot.com

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  39. Jessica LynnMay 29, 2012 at 6:29 AM

    Hi Athena! Thanks for stopping by my blog during the hop—sorry it took me so long to get over here...better late than never, though! I'm in awe that you're a mom of six—you don't look old enough to have six kids! And to go through an extended deployment? I hope your husband picks up on that hint to get you some jewelry, because you definitely deserve it!

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  40. KariJuly 11, 2012 at 7:48 AM

    Ooo you probably already know about ebookfling, but it's a great way to read kindle books for free! You can lend out books and borrow them...plus they send you emails about free kindle books every week. :)

    ReplyDelete

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