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, 

"Married Mom, Solo Parent" Review & Giveaway

I know I have been MIA again and I apologize. I haven't any great or exciting excuses either. Life is crazy with six kids. It just is. No matter how I plan or organize or dream otherwise. Between the dance recitals and the 18 year old falling and breaking her nose and four children sharing the stomach bug with the Soldier and I the week before Christmas, I just haven't had time for anything except coping. 

Yes, I am showering and even leaving the house, just in case you were wondering.

I have kinda been keeping up on my free ebook page. If you have missed it with the new format, you can find it here.

If you have ever been by before, you will know I love to read. I enjoy doing book reviews and sharing them with my faithful readers by giving them away. However, I tend to lean toward fiction. Give me a good book (preferably set in Scotland or Ireland) that I can immerse myself in for a few hours - and escape the dirty house and whining children - and I am happy.

I am not as excited about parenting or 'self help' books. I dread picking up a book where some woman (who is perfect and so are her children, I know because she spends half the book telling us so) preaches to me on what I am doing wrong and how she wants me to fix it, or on the other side - a book where I may have to look deep inside and admit that I need to change and do things differently (gasp!). 

That is probably the main reason this book sat on my dresser for longer than I will admit...

From the publisher: Bookstore shelves are full of parenting resources for moms who are newly divorced or widowed. But where do moms turn if they feel like a single parent--but they’re not? Whether he is away on business, deployed in the military, or obsessing over a computer game, dad may not be available for a variety of reasons. Moms who parent in this situation still need help and don’t necessarily relate to the advice given in divorce recovery or single parenting resources.

Married Mom, Solo Parent is a common-sense, down-to-earth look at the struggles wives and mothers face when their husband is not actively involved in family life. Writing from her own experience as a married single mom, Carla Anne Coroy will help wives and mothers sort through their questions, such as: Can I do this alone? How do I raise kids to honor their father? How do I give my children a healthy perspective of marriage if they never see one in action? With practical suggestions, anecdotes, and biblical teaching, this book will encourage moms to see their position as a high calling, to find healing for their worries and frustrations, and to tap into God’s strength for help in facing the daily challenge of being a married mom, solo parent.

Read a sample here.

The Soldier and I have been married for almost 20 years, but he hasn't been a Soldier for all of them. In fact, he had a pretty successful job when he joined the National Guard and living the military life has been a major adjustment for all of us. One thing that didn't change a whole lot was him being gone. In his civilian career, he would be gone for weeks or months at a time working on projects. In fact, he missed the last four months of my last pregnancy, just coming home in time for the delivery. While I got big and round and parented five children, he was taking ferries all over Alaska and eating out with his coworkers every night. At that point, I really wanted to trade places... 

I agreed to review this book because a) I love to read; b) I thought it would be a great giveaway for my MilSpouse friends. I had no idea that I was 'chosen' to review this book because I needed it so desperately. 

Through the good, the bad and the ugly, Carla Anne Coroy takes you through step by step and asks (and answers!) the really tough questions that we are all afraid to ask. She isn't the perfect woman telling you what you should be doing, but the one willing to share her story - mistakes, hurts and all. 

With chapters like "Emotional Divorce", "Those Should Be His Chores!", "Discipline Divided" and "Give Me a Break", you will learn biblical ways to face the emotions and struggles that come with being a "Married Mom, Solo Parent". I really appreciated how everything Carla Anne tackles is backed by scripture (and not preachy). 

This book hit me hard. Carla Anne answered questions and addressed hurts I didn't even know I had. I went through emotions that I have been stuffing for a long time. I will be reading it again - this time with a highlighter - and taking notes. There are even chapters I will be reading with the Soldier.

If your husband is in the military and deploying or training for long periods of time or he works away from home a lot or even if he has just 'checked out' of his roles as husband and father, this book is for you. You won't regret reading it and you may just finish with a new perspective and a changed attitude. I did. 

Don't miss Carla Anne Coroy's website. You can even download a free journal and study guide. (I love free.) 

Now for the giveaway!

  

How to enter:

1. Main entry - Leave a comment letting me know you want to win! 
Note: If you just can't wait for the contest to end to get your own copy of this book, you can still be a winner. Go ahead and enter and if your name is chosen, forward me your receipt from Amazon or other retailer and I will send you an $10 Amazon gift card instead! 
P.S. I would love it if you would shop through my link ;)  Click here for the Kindle version of "Married Mom, Solo Parent" and start reading it now!

Bonus entries - You must leave a separate comment for each in order for it to count!

2. Like "Our Crazy Life" on Facebook (or if you already do, leave a comment letting me know!)

3. Share this post on Facebook - or any other Social Networking Site using the "Share the Love" buttons below the post. One Bonus entry per 'share', make sure to leave a comment for each entry! (P.S. You can share 1x a day for each site!)

4. Follow me on Google Friend Connect (or if you already do, leave a comment letting me know!)

5. Add my button to your blog (Worth two entries, leave two comments!)
 
6. Like Carla Anne Coroy on Facebook.

Make sure you leave a way to contact you, either by having your reply-to email address set or by leaving your email address in your posts.

Contest will end Thursday, 1/26/2012, at 10:00 pm CST and the winner will be chosen by a random number generator.

The winner will be mailed a copy of Carla Ann Coroy's "Married Mom, Solo Parent" via media mail.

*Fine Print: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. The opinions expressed are all mine and I was not required to give a positive review.

Linking up for Military Monday at Semper Wifey's!

"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,

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In 9/23/11

*Don't miss my current book giveaway. Win a copy of Irene Hannon's Deadly Pursuit. An ex-Navy Seal, a little romance, what else could you ask for? 

 

I love Fridays because I get to spend time reading my fellow MilSpouse's blogs to see all the witty and creative answers. You  know, the ones that I only think of after I hit post... 

If you are MilSpouse, come over and join in the fun at Wife of a Sailor.

1) My favorite thing that happened this week was the fact that I survived it. It has been a rough week.

2) Find a penny, pick it up and all day long you’ll be using hand sanitizer to kill the germs that you picked up with the penny. (Um, mom of six here.)

3) Autumn is officially here and my favorite part of the season is that NCIS has started back up. Okay fine, I like the changing leaves too, but here in Montana we don’t get the pretty leaves. We get snow one day in September or October and the next day, the leaves are all dead and falling off.

4) One of the things I’d like to do before winter arrives is move someplace warmer. I so don’t want to do another winter here! I am thinking Aruba…

5) I –might– be willing to participate in MilSpouse Secret Santa. Totally depends on where the Soldier is in his homecoming/recovery status.

Have a great weekend!

Love,

Dear Deployment, I Hate You

I am sure that the whole world has conspired against me to drive me crazy. For all my friends who are reading this and are pretty sure I crossed that bridge a long time ago, be nice or I won't share my meds with you...

If a 400 day deployment for the Soldier wasn't enough, I mean, I am sure it is, right? Hello, 400 days! Who thought this up?

Well now the Army, in it's infinite wisdom, has delayed the homecoming. The Soldier is at a U.S. Military Installation, living in barracks (i.e. not at home) on a medical hold. And in the mean time, the kiddos get to watch the news and see that everyone else's daddy has come home.

Today, they had the nerve to ask him if he had the support system in place to send him home for recovery. I mean really, what do they think I have been doing for the past 400 days? Lets just say, hypothetically, if they don't send him home soon, his support system may to take off for an island and spend the next 400 days sipping drinks with little umbrellas.

And it isn't just the Soldier and the Army. There are six kids here hurrying the crazy train along.

The oldest decided to stay home to go to college. First of all, depriving me of my party moment outside her dorm room and secondly, I now have an 18 year old who thinks she is an adult and can do whatever she wants and come home whenever she wants and not pay for anything. For all of my sweet friends who have preschoolers, save enough now for out of state school. It is worth it.

Because one teenager isn't enough, we also have a 15 year old and 13 year old. It's fun. Yes, that is sarcasm. They have jobs and sports and classes and it could be a full time job just driving them around. When you add in the temper tantrums (yes, they start having these again as teenagers) and the crying fits (these too), it makes it so much more fun. Yes, that is more sarcasm.

The 10 and 11 year olds are working double time to see me admitted. They are convinced that I have have it out for them and that when daddy comes home, it will be all better. It might, but I won't be here to see it. Maybe I can get them to bring me pictures in my private room. In the little Soldier's defense, it has got to be hard to be the only boy while the big Soldier is gone, but I thought little boys were supposed to love their mothers. He would sign the commitment papers if he could.

My sweet preschooler turned 4 last month and has spent the last 400 days (give or take a few) sleeping in bed with me. It doesn't matter where she starts out, she has this internal clock that wakes her up at 3 am and tells her to climb in bed with mommy. So that mommy, who has just fallen asleep after 4 hours of looking at the ceiling (or facebook...), doesn't get any sleep. Mommy is so much more fun in the morning when she hasn't had more than 3 hours continuous sleep for 400 days...

If I could, I would take a nap, but instead I will be driving a child to work, two to dance lessons and one to a volleyball game - ALL at the same time. It's a good thing that I am not in the asylum yet, I am too busy being Houdini in my SUV and making it all work.

Is it Friday yet?

Linking up with Crafty Camo Lover for this week's MilSpouse Roundup!

Love,

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In 9-9-11

Once again, it is time for a new edition of MilSpouse Friday, where you learn things you didn't know you wanted to know about me and I spend half a day doing nothing but reading about my fellow MilSpouses. It's a great way to spend a Friday!

 

If you are a MilSpouse, come over to Wife of a Sailor and join in the fun.

1) My plans for Labor Day included getting the house clean for the Soldier’s homecoming, but what really happened was a whole lot of napping.

2) Call me crazy, but sometimes I just need to dance to the Backyardigans with the 4 year old. (Come on, you know you want to...)

3) One of the funniest things I’ve seen lately is our new kitten (who weighs about ½ lb) stealing the 75lb dog’s food bowl. 

4) It’s strange, but other people’s children drive me crazy while our six are perfectly fine with me!

5) One, two, buckle my shoe… three, four SHUT THE DOOR!  Hey, I’m a mom, I have that line down. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

MilSpouse Friday 7-8-11

It's Friday and time for another episode of MilSpouse Friday Fill-in. Five random things that you are dying to know about me, but didn't know it!

If you are a MilSpouse, come over and link up at Wife of a Sailor's awesome blog. 

If you are stopping by for the latest free and bargain Kindle downloads, please click here.

1) Does your Significant Other read your blog?  Why is this a good or a bad thing? submitted by Mrs. Alana’s Miscellany

He does, it is one way he gets a glimpse into life here while he is so far away. Not a bad thing, as I don’t have secrets from him and try not to embarrass him too often.

2) What is one item in your house that holds the most sentimental value and why? submitted by The Albrecht Squad

Tough question… I am not really sure. We have wonderful pictures and scrapbooks that belonged to my grandmother and great grandmother. They mean a lot to me, I love history and knowing where we came from is fascinating. I also have my father’s saddle, which he had made over 30 years ago and that is very special to me.

Sourth Uist Scotland liv.ac.uk/~agmclen

3) When it comes to water fun in the summer do you prefer the beach, the pool, a lake, or the sprinklers? submitted by The Tervo Times

I would love the beach, but we live too far away. My favorite spot is Dash Point in the Seattle area. I miss living there. Someday though, I want to walk on the beaches of Ireland and Scotland where my great-great grandmother and grandfather would have walked.

4) What is the one special thing that you do for yourself to get you through the first week of a deployment? submitted by A Creed and a Psalm

Nothing special. I am usually just trying to survive six overly emotional children while trying not to be a mess myself.

5) What is your biggest guilty pleasure website? submitted by Christine’s Little Blog

I guess Facebook. I don’t do much more on the internet other than check Facebook, work and read email. My life is soooooo exciting!

Linking up with Mowenackie for today's MilSpouse Weekly Roundup!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Love,

MilSpouse Friday Fill-in 7/1/11

Can you believe it is July already? I do appreciate that time is speeding up for deployment, but at this rate, I won't have time to clean the house before the Soldier comes home!

I want to say thank you to those who entered my last contest and say congratulations to Melanie who is the winner of My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren! I love giving things away :) 

Well, since it is Friday, it is time for MilSpouse Friday Fill-in, hosted by Wife of a Sailor. I really enjoy reading about and getting to know everyone. If you are a fellow MilSpouse, come and join us!

1) Have you ever considered joining the military and what do you think of dual military couples? submitted by Project Army Wife

I almost joined the Air Force when I was in college, but that was pre-military days for my hubby. I know it was a divine intervention that I found out I was pregnant with #2 days before I was supposed to sign and go to MEPS. God knew that I would have died…

2) What is your idea of a perfect Sunday afternoon? submitted by A Few of My Favorite Things

A nice nap after church – preferably with the Soldier, but lately with a 3 year old that can’t stay still for more than 30 seconds - with the windows open and a nice breeze blowing through.

3) What do you usually do for the 4th of July holiday? submitted by Anchor’s Away

We usually go to the parade, eat (a major past time for our family) and then finish up by burning $100 setting off fireworks.

4) If they could make an Olympic event JUST for you that you know you’d medal in, what would it be? submitted by Pants are Confusing

I would so Gold Medal in Facebooking. Or Napping (see #2). Two of my best sports!

5) What have you been doing to get yourself bathing suit ready for the summer? submitted by Not Just an Army Wife

I hate bathing suits. And since I can’t be out in the sun a whole lot, it gives me a great excuse to not wear a bathing suit…

Have a wonderful July 4th!

Love,

MilSpouse Appreciation Day 2011

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day and I want to take a minute and say thank you to all the wonderful military spouses out there! It is not an easy job to support a Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine, in fact, some days it is the hardest thing we will ever do.

I am very proud to be a part of such a wonderful and strong group of women and men. I am thankful for the support and community I have found in the MilSpouse world. Thank you. You are appreciated. 

In honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Wife of a Sailor has compiled a great list of "You Might be a MilSpouse If..." Come over and share a laugh and leave a comment to say "Thank You" to a wonderful group of MilSpouses.

 Linking up with Personalized Sketches and Sentiments for today's MilSpouse Weekly Roundup!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

MilSpouse Weekly Round Up

I finally get to host the MilSpouse Weekly Round Up! This was all started by Riding the Roller Coaster and even if I don't remember to link up every week, I love to read through everyone's posts.

The wonderful thing about this meme, is that you don't have to write anything! Just pick a post from the last week and link it up. Then spend some time visiting the other MilSpouses on the list.

So just a little about Our Crazy Life... 

I am Athena, aka mama2six. 

Together with my Soldier, we have six amazing Army Brats. 

The Soldier is currently on an extended vacation in the Middle East, courtesy of the U.S. Army.

He is about half way through his 400 day tour.

We have been married for almost 19 years. It doesn't seem possible, especially since I am still 29! 

Our oldest child just celebrated her 18th birthday and will be graduating this Spring. As of today, we have three teenagers. Prayers are greatly appreciated! 

I love to read and spend a good part of my time posting free ebooks for Kindle. For my latest list, click here.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Grab the button and link up your post.

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 Don't forget to stop over at Churchy & Her Sailor next week to link up.  Have a great weekend!
Love,