MIA

I hate to admit it, but this blog has been the last thing on my list for the last several months. Life got harder than ever when the Soldier came home, especially after being released from active duty while still being treated medically. It has meant no paycheck for him since terminal leave ended in December.

I have gone back to work, the first time for a 'paying job' since 1995. I am working as a contractor for the Air Force in the chapel. It is interesting working with lots of officers, but they are a great bunch and I enjoy what I do.

I am also going back to school in a couple of weeks. The thought of having to balance 15 credits with work and kids and trying to rebuild a marriage is super scary. If you are a praying person, keep our family on your list.

If you are new here, thanks to my sweet friend, Lori at Witty Little Secret, here are a few posts that share a bit about us and what I used to post on here - before all hell broke loose - aka Reintegration and Warrior Transition Unit.

All about us - from the MilSpouse Appreciation Day Bloghop 2012
Just Another Day Without the Soldier 
A Few Things I Hate About Deployment

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to send an email, I promise to answer, it just won't be right away :)

Why I Hate Goodbyes...

The Soldier left again today. This time it’s only for a week, but since he has only been home since November, it was kind of like picking off a scab.

Watching him pull out his uniform and pack his bags was a lot for the kids to deal with and when you are four, a week might as well be 18 months again. But the Army doesn’t think about these things, they can’t, they have a mission to accomplish.

I hate dropping him off at the airport and I can’t help but wonder which husband I will pick up in a week. Maybe I will get the one who is part of our family back, not the one who just observes from the outside.

War changes a person in ways you can’t even comprehend at the time and nothing can - or will - prepare you for it.

And whether I admit it or not, it has changed me. We have all been through hell.

Some days, I wish I could stop and rewind time.

Love,

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, 

What's Your Song? "Sweet Afton"

Yesterday, the Soldier finally got his first post-deployment surgery. It began the long process of repairing his feet so he can continue to serve (um, and walk). He will be at home for the next four weeks (driving me crazy) until he can drive and go back to work. Poor guy is miserable and didn't sleep well last night, but he is looking forward to being pain free.

Since I now need a nap (and in honor of Robert Burn's birthday yesterday), my song for today is "Sweet Afton", sung by one of my favorite tenors, John McDermott.


Excuse me while I go curl up and snooze on the couch a while :)

Link up with Goodnight Moon for this week's What's Your Song?

Love,

And life goes on...

It has been two weeks since the Soldier came home and I figured it was time for a quick update. Life will never be 'normal' again.

What is normal anyway?

The last two weeks have been filled with lots of running and craziness. Sadly, we had to put our dog, Rex, down, the we went out of town to visit friends who are moving far away and for me to see a new specialist. We came home to Nutcracker Madness for the 10 year-old.

Life is never dull with six kids...

The Soldier should be having the first of his surgeries before Christmas. For now, he is on duty at the Vet Center. He has a great case manager at the Air Force base, who is coordinating everything. After all of the mess with the Army, I am very thankful he was able to come home. 

I am so ready for a vacation! Preferably on a beach...

*If you are looking for the latest free ebooks, there is now a permanent link across the top bar. I am trying to update them weekly. 

I am linking up today for what is the last MilSpouse Weekly Roundup. I have made some great friends thanks to the Roundup and I am sad to see it go.

Come over to Troop Petrie to join in. 

Love,

Today is the day...

After a very long deployment, the Soldier should be home tonight!

Everyone is very excited and I am desperately trying to finish cleaning things that haven't been cleaned since R&R. Who has time for housework?

Life is about to get interesting. The Soldier is facing two surgeries and months of recovery. We would love your prayers.

I am just going to pretend that I have a 7th child for a while :)

So please forgive me if I am not a consistent blogger for a few weeks. I promise I will be back!

*Quick shout out to my amazing friend Lori on being featured in Reader's Digest! Check out her blog, Witty Little Secret. She makes me laugh, cry and feel better about myself on a regular basis.

Love,

Lest We Forget...

I am proud to come from a long line of men who have served their country with pride. I am who I am today because of their influence and sacrifices.

My grandfather went as a very young man to clean up Hiroshima, he and many others suffered physical ailments that plagued them for the rest of their lives. He also worked on modifications for airplanes that saved the lives of many men - and would have made him a rich man in the civilian world!

My father was drafted into a war that no one understood. His duty included guarding the bodies of the fallen. Daddy came back to a country that didn't recognize or appreciate his sacrifice. He died when I was a teenager from agent orange exposure. I wish he could have been here to meet his grandchildren.

My husband, lovingly referred to as "the Soldier" on the blog, is the most amazing man I know. He joined the National Guard in his 'old age' (okay, he's not that old) and has since served two tours in Iraq. I can't wait for him to come home.

There are many more in my family tree:

My great, great grandfather George Howe was in the fife and drum corps as a boy and was imprisoned at Andersonville during the Civil War.

My great Uncle Will was a decorated veteran of the Spanish American War.

My Uncles Daniel & Andrew both served in the Army.

Both of my husband's grandfathers served in WWII.

My brother-in-law spent many years in the Marine Corp and just made Major in the Air Force (yes, we forgave him...)

As a Military Wife, I do know that they are not the only ones who serve.

My grandmother is a strong woman who traveled across barren land, in a convoy - with small children - to be with my grandpa in Alaska.

My mother took care of my father for many years while he was ill and finished raising three children alone after he died. 

My children sacrifice on a daily basis. They don't have their daddy at birthdays or ball games or holidays. And they do so with pride.

Today we remember and honor those who give so much.
I am thankful for all of you. 

Love,

What's Your Song? "Kiss Me in the Car"

Well, since I got to see the Soldier this past week, I let him pick today's song. We've been married for a long time and this is one of those songs that we have added to the list of fun favorites. 

Love,

Semi Wordless Wednesday 11-2-11

So last week, I was flying off to Seattle to see doctors and finally, after five months...

to see the Soldier again!

Thanks to the Army, this has been the never-ending deployment and we really don't know when he will be home.

And of course, 

a Halloween pic of the kiddos!

Linking up!

Love,

Just another day without the Soldier...

Last year when we said goodbye to the Soldier, I never anticipated that we would be going into a second year of holidays without him. Yet, last night I carved pumpkins with the kids while the Soldier watched on Skype. I am not much of a Halloween person (a little too much work and sugar for me), but Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming up fast with no clue when they will send him home.

On Saturday, I said goodbye for the fourth time. Once when he left last year in September, once when I flew to New Orleans for his four day pass and once again in May when he was home on leave. The first three times were hard enough, but we always had a date to anticipate his homecoming.

How do you tell six children - when they keep asking when daddy will be home - that we have no idea?

The Soldier has been on U.S. soil, for two months, in Army limbo. While the doctors and case managers and everyone else and their brother argue where and when the Army is going to fix what they broke. He has been denied leave and had surgeries scheduled and then cancelled. All while he sits and we wonder.

This isn't my first rodeo and I know it takes time for papers to process and orders to come through, but this is bordering on craziness. And he isn't the only one. There are dozens of other Soldiers, returning home from war, being kept from their families by red tape.

He has told me stories of wheel chairs too small for Soldiers, chow halls not handicapped accessible and other Soldiers having to take care of those who have had surgeries and are sent back to the barracks to recover. And in their brand new, 53 million dollar barracks, the Soldier has changed rooms three times for issues like no cold water in the shower and his fire alarm going off for three days (while the work order got passed along to several different people). What a joke.

I am tired of saying goodbye.

I am tired of the Army.

I am just so tired and ready for this to be over.



Love,

Semi Wordless Wednesday #WW - Seattle!

First, I want to say a big thank you to Brea at Utterly Chaotic Designs for my new look! She was wonderful (I am not easy to work with) and has the best prices on the web (trust me, I looked). And she has an amazing military discount.

Not all of the pages are up and going yet, I promise to get everything done soon...

But I am leaving in the morning for Seattle!

Photo borrowed from Wikipedia :)

Unfortunately, it is only for a few days and it is to see a new specialist - but I will get to see my Soldier!! He is still on a medical hold and trying hard to get sent to a Community Based Warrior Transition Unit, so he can have his surgeries at home.

Don't miss my current contests while you are here. Enter to win a copy of Susan May Warren's Baby, It's Cold Outside and Laurie Alice Eakes A Necessary Deception.

October's list still has some free books on it (please check prices before you download, so there aren't any surprises!) and I promise a new list the first week of November.

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

Love,

What's Your Song? Linkup - 19 Years

I am so excited that I am finally linking up with Goodnight Moon for "What's YOUR Song?" I always have great plans, but forget each week. Blame it on deployment brain...

This past week, the Soldier and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary. He - of course - wasn't home, but at least he is in the states and we are counting down this deployment in weeks and not months anymore. It has been a long year!

When we were dating, I lived about 90 miles away (in the middle of nowhere) and the Soldier spent a good part of his time driving his old, beat up Nova out after work to visit for few hours and then drive back to town.

Happy 19th Anniversary to my amazing Soldier. I love you! 

Love,

Military Friday 4/15/11

Yay! I made it to another Friday and for that, I am thankful. I think I will celebrate by sleeping in and doing nothing all weekend :)

I need to take a minute and wish a Happy Birthday to the most wonderful man. Today is my Soldier's 41st birthday (I married an older man, way older...). We have been together for almost 20 years and celebrated our 18th anniversary this past September. He is a wonderful husband and an amazing father. I am very proud of him and thankful for the blessing he is. I can't imagine life without him.

I love you baby. Come home soon. 

Have you entered my contest yet? I am giving away Amazon.com gift certificates so you won't want to miss it! Head on over to enter now. (Giveaway ends 4/17.) 

For my Kindle friends, the latest list of free downloads is here. Don't forget to like "Our Crazy Life" on facebook to be notified as soon as I find a new one.

And now for the MilSpouse Friday Fill In. If you are a MilSpouse, head on over to Wife of a Sailor to link up! 

1) With PCS moves happening every few years, do you take the time to paint and decorate your home? submitted by Life as Mrs. JPT

 

The Soldier is National Guard, so we don't PCS. However, we moved a lot for his civilian career - seven states in 4 years. We bought this house almost 10 years ago. I still haven’t painted… 

2) If you could live in any home on a television series, what would it be? submitted by Standing By Him

The house in “Good Luck Charlie” on the Disney Channel. It is a Craftsman and I love the size of it (we live in a very small place), plus the fridge is a really cool chalkboard. Don’t judge me, I have children and I am forced to watch things that I should never have to...

3) What inspired you to start your blog?  submitted by Pink Combat Boots

I needed an outlet to write about life and our upcoming deployment. I know my IRL friends get a little tired of it, so this is a way that they can tune me out. I am so thankful for the MilSpouse community. I have enjoyed getting to know many of you and you never seem to tire of my deployment rants. Or at least you don't complain about it!

4) What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen on base? submitted by Adventures in Life

We live near an Air Force Base and they have a giant red horse statue on the main road. I have heard that it used to be anatomically correct, but some higher up’s wife didn’t like it and they ‘fixed’ the poor thing. 

5) Which historical figure (politician, writer, artist, scientist, actor, etc…) would you like to have dinner with?  submitted by Army of Two

This is a hard one, there are so many. I think I would have to go with Michael Collins. I am obsessed with history and especially love reading about and studying the Irish fight for independence.  

This week's MilSpouse Weekly Round Up is hosted by
Churchy & Her Sailor. Stop by to link up. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,