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... 

How to Help a Mom During Deployment

Building Community - Army Style

Beating the Deployment Blues

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... 

My latest free book post

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, 

"The Husband Project" Especially for Military Wives

Are you looking for ways to better connect with your Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine? 

Join us for an online book study of The Husband Project by Kathi Lipp. 

Is your hubby deployed? We have special ideas just for you! 

We even have tons of fabulous prizes to give away each day.

Get ready for:
•29 Days of focusing on your husband
•20 Different Authors offering advice and practical tips
•Over 100 books, gifts and goodies as giveaways
•A whole lot of people praying for you and your man 

Official kickoff on October 10th!   

You won't want to miss it! Get ready for the project:

 
-Get your own copy of "The Husband Project". While you don’t need the book to join in the fun,  it certainly will give you great ideas and inspiration when you feel like giving up!

• You can order it from Kathi's site (use the code milmops for a special discount) 
• Amazon (I got mine on Kindle for $9.87)
• Local bookstore (and I’ve heard from several women that they are available on bases around the world.)

-Sign up for the blog and receive updates as we count down to launching the project.

-Find a couple of friends to hold you accountable. You are going to be much more successful if you team up with a friend or two to cheer you on. Besides, everything is better with a friend!

-Let your friends know! This book club is open to everyone, but is especially geared to all military wives and those women serving in the military – whether they are a part of MOPS or not. We want to be an encouragement to every wife.

I can't wait to get started! 

Love,

Semi Wordless Wednesday 7-27-11

Guess where I am going to be next week? Staying at the beautiful (and newly remodeled) Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville for MOPS International Convention 2011!

It is going to be a blast spending time with all the mommies - I really love my job!

If you are going to be there, I want to meet you! Follow @Area30MOPS for info regarding the Tweet Up happening Friday after General Session II.

See you there!

Linking up for Semi Wordless Wednesday with Flip Flops & Pearls:




Love,

Snowed in at the Blizzard Bloghop!

Well, even if there isn't any snow on the ground, who says I can't enjoy a virtual blizzard with a few hundred of my favorite bloggers?

When you are done here, come on over and visit Ann Marie at Household Six Diva to join in on the fun!

Welcome to Our Crazy Life! 

The Soldier with his Army brats

I am Athena, mom to six crazy kiddos and wife to one Soldier who is  currently on an extended vacation to the Middle East (courtesy of the U.S. Army). Soldierboy and I celebrated our 18th Anniversary this past fall. We have two high-schoolers, one junior high-schooler, two gradeschoolers and one preschooler. We stay pretty busy between sports, 4H (yes, we live in Hicktown) and everything else. It is a crazy life, but I love it.

I am a writer (it 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. 

How to Help a Mom During Deployment

Building Community - Army Style

Beating the Deployment Blues

I would love to hear what you think! 

I love to read. Most of my blog posts (if I am not griping about deployment) are devoted to free ebooks for Kindle (or reading app). I will read two to three books a week, so I am saving Soldierboy a pretty penny by not buying any. Maybe I can convince him to let me spend it on jewelry instead... 

My latest free book post

BBC 100 Book Challenge
(make sure to double check prices as they change frequently!)

I also do a book review from time to time (anything for free books!) and host an occasional giveaway. In fact, I will have one starting this Saturday for a copy of Fatal Judgment by Irene Hannon. 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. I am currently packing for five days in Denver with some of my besties :) If you are a mommy, you need mommy time and MOPS can help! 

I started blogging about a year ago and I have had so much fun! I 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 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 to much time on facebook so come over and say hello.

Love,

My First Blog Award!

So a quick update... I am back from spending four precious days with my Soldier. I promise a post with pictures soon - just as soon as I catch up on some sleep and housework!

While I was gone, I was given an award from Rachel at Flying High: Life of an Air Force Wife. I appreciate that someone, other than the close friends I threaten, read my blog :)  Thanks Rachel! 

 

Here are the rules:
1. Thank and link back to who gave you the award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass it along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy.
4. Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award.

My 7 things (these might be cheesy, it has been a long week!):

1. I love old movies. Especially anything with Cary Grant. "Indiscreet" is one of my favorites along with "Mr. Blanding's Builds His Dream Home". I don't think much good comes out of Hollywood anymore, so I tend to stick to the Classics.

2. Neither my friends, husband or children appreciate my taste in music. My favorites include John McDermott and The Irish Tenors. I can listen to Scotch & Irish music all day long, but they also sing so much more, including some Broadway tunes. One of my new favorites is "For Good" done by Anthony Kearns of The Irish Tenors.

3. I enjoy writing. I even had my first 'published for money' article in MomSense magazine this summer. I hope to have more, but that would require time to write and edit and I haven't had much of that lately. I have also written for Army Wife Network and Faith Deployed.

4. I am an avid reader. I finally got a kindle(!) and unfortunately, haven't been able to do much reading on it yet. I usually devour a book in a matter of hours, so I appreciate the freebies that the publishers put out on Amazon.com. I especially enjoy reading Historical Fiction. Some of my favorite authors are Tricia Goyer, Elisa Morgan, Julie Barnhill and Liz Curtis Higgs. Amazing, talented women!

5. I have lived all over the US - including New Orleans, LA (my fav) and Seattle, WA (a close 2nd). I tell people that I married a man who was supposed to get me out of this one-horse town and he brought me back. I hope we can retire someplace warm and with a bit more culture. Being back in Louisiana last week has made me homesick... 

6. I don't really like holidays (or maybe it is just the commercialization of them). Yes, it is great to experience them through my kids and their excitement, but I am not into big productions and would much rather live a simple life and just enjoy being with my family. Don't expect any blow up Santa in my front yard...

7. I love volunteering for Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS). I have been involved for over ten years and can't imagine not being a part of it. I don't know of any other group or organization that celebrates motherhood at this level and helps equip women to be the best mom they can be. I am proud to be a part of "no mom alone". 

Passing this award along... 

1. Wifey @ Wife of a Sailor. I really appreciate her Friday Fill-In each week that helps me connect with other MilSpouses.

2. Wife on a Roller Coaster @ Riding the Roller Coaster 

3. Jenn @  Day to Day with Jenn 

4. Lynn @ The Ladybug Chronicles  

5. Amber @ Fully Engaged (I know she hasn't posted in a while, but you will have to forgive her. They have been busy building a house while living with her in-laws...) 

6. Say What? (she also has a great home school blog too!)

7. Ivymama @ Ivy Six-Pack is a wonderful real life friend too. Pray for her and her husband as my six kiddos and I descend on them for Thanksgiving :)

So there you go! Hopefully you won't find me frightfully dull after reading my list! Thanks again Rachel. 

Come back soon for the promised pictures of New Orleans and if you have kiddos, I will be having a contest starting on Thursday! We will be away a copy of "What's in the Bible?" by the creator of Veggie Tales. (In fact, if you are one of my few (but loyal) readers, share this post on facebook for an extra entry for the contest! Be sure to leave a comment letting me know you shared it!)

Hope you had a blessed weekend! 

Love,

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #19

It has been a long week - I am so thankful it is Friday! We are about 40 days into this deployment (only 360 to go), but it feels like much longer. In a few short days, I will be flying off to meet Soldier boy in our favorite city (New Orleans!) for his 4 day pass (before he heads to the sandbox). I can't wait to see him, but I hate the thought of saying goodbye all over again.

Just a quick reminder. If you are one of my many Facebook friends and read through Networked Blogs, I am going to stop publishing to my personal page soon. Please come 'like' my page at "Our Crazy Life" to keep getting updates.  

If you came over looking for a book list this week, I haven't had time this week to even look! However, there are still a few free ones from my last post if you missed those. (Make sure to check the price first, they change often!)

Once again, thanks to Wifey at Wife of a Sailor for doing this every week. If you are a MilSpouse blogger, come over and join the fun!

Questions for this week:  

1. What’s the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you? 
This is a tough one, because there have been so many. The one thing that sticks out in my mind is the anonymous card with cash I got in the mail when Soldier boy was off at training and our daughter fractured her skull. I don't know who sent it and the post mark wasn't anything I recognized, but it was something that we desperately needed at the time. If my 'angel' is reading this, thank you :) 

2. If you are having a hard time going to sleep, what do you do to help yourself?
I never sleep. Not when Soldier boy is home, not when he is gone. I try to play soothing music at night, but I am not sure it helps or makes it worse. I have tried reading, but I hate to put a good book down, so then I stay up even later. Could be all the caffeine in my system or the stress of having six children... I am looking forward to everyone's answers. Maybe I will find something that works!

3. Name something that makes you wish you were a kid again.
Disney World :)  I don't mind being an adult, but I wish I didn't have to be the responsible person all the time. I don't want to pay bills or clean house or cook... I would love to have a summer off... I would like to be brutally honest like my kids sometimes. Like the next time someone says, "How are you doing?" - I would really like to tell them, in detail, how much deployments suck - instead of saying, "fine". 

4. What is something you never believed until you experienced it?
Two things...
a. How much you could really, truly love another human being - then I became a mother. It is impossible to explain to anyone who isn't a parent.
b. The relationships and sisterhood that I have gained through MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). I can't begin to express how thankful I am for these women. Love you girls!

5. What can’t you say “no” to?
Chocolate, especially dark chocolate. But it has to be the real stuff, not the junk that is all over right now for Halloween. M & M's do not count, they are for potty training toddlers. I love that the commissary has Belgium & German chocolates. So yummy! 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

      

MilSpouse Weekly Roundup is hosted by Army Dogs this week! Come join in the fun :)

Pre-Deployment - AKA His brain has left the building...

If you are a military spouse, you totally understand that their brains forward deploy long before they even get on the plane :)

Check out my new article on pre-deployment at Army Wife Network!

Love,