Friday, May 11, 2012

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. 
I've never taken much notice of this day because I was living the military wife and surrounded by military wives. Today, I miss them all and I am so happy to see their faces on Facebook.

Oh, it has been a strange path. This wandering, curving, one step forward two steps back kind of life. 

My husband and I married after he finished "A" school for the US Navy. He had already completed Army Basic Training and AIT for the National Guard and was in college when we met. At the time, the Navy was offering him something a little more than what the Army was offering and so he choose to beginning active duty service in the Navy. 

Then we got married.

photo.JPG

And we moved (a lot)
Bethesda, MD
Cherry Point, NC
Panama City Beach, FL
Bay St Louis, MS
San Diego, CA
Camp Pendleton, CA

And we had these amazing kids along the way.

photo.JPG

Today, my husband is in the National Guard. That transition is less than a year old and still very raw. My kids feel it, I feel it, and he feels it. There are still moments to enjoy, but just as many moments that would be easier within the confines of our old military life.adjusting to this new normal has been harder but we really enjoyed this time with Daddy.

Don't get me wrong. I have complained and gotten so mad at my husband and his military job, but it was our life. We ate, slept, and lived around the military lifestyle. We went to ball games, dance, gymnastics, and church if Daddy was there or not. I learned to rely on myself for everything very quickly. I also learned to love when chores were done for me (garbage day anyone?).

Pretty soon we will embark on a deployment from the National Guard point of view. I have no idea what to expect. We don't live very close to the Guard unit and so my neighbors and real-life family will be my support system. That will be so weird. 

If you are here and not a military spouse, please find a spouse in your area to thank. You may not understand her life, but she will be so grateful for you noticing her.

Linking up with Household 6 Diva and Riding the Roller Coaster
Go read more!

12 comments:

  1. Hey Amanda! First Happy Military Appreciation day!!! My husband will be transitioning to the guard or reserves in about two years so we will see how that goes. We are in deployment mode right now too! Have a great weekend and Mother's Day's! I looked forward to reading more posts!!! P.S. I like the name ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't expect the Guard to be an easy transition, it's still the military. LOL
      Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  2. Stopping by from the blog hop. :) We're a former Guard/current Reserve family, so I know how difficult it can be sometimes.

    Happy Milspouse Appreciation Day!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much. I read about the upcoming PT. Good luck to your husband!

      Delete
  3. Hi Amanda!

    I'm visiting from the MilSpouse Blog Hop! Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day to you!

    Your little ones are so cute! (I wasn't able to see the pictures that you put in the post, so I clicked the link.)

    It's so nice to meet you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for clicking over and see my munchkins. Looking forward to getting to know you more.

      Delete
  4. My Soldier is Guard, however he has been on active duty for the past two years with this last deployment. It is always an adjustment and not always fun.

    Happy MilSpouse Appreciation Day :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I may come and whine on your shoulder is this deployment gets tough! Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  5. My husband is Army Guard and we just finished our first deployment...in total he was gone for 17 months out of a 24 month time frame. It can be a challenge living essentially in two worlds and finding support when you don't live close to a military instillation is hard but I've found more support online than I knew possible. It's been such a blessing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy MilSpouse Appreciation & Mother's Day! My husband is in the National Guard, too (Air).

    Blessings!
    ~Heather

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting! Blessing to you and your hubby for sharing that small camper :)

      Delete
  7. I hope that you continue to write soon!!! I have something on my blog for you! Enjoy.

    ReplyDelete