Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day 

First of all, I couldn't even imagine having to go through what so many brave men and women endure willingly for the sake of our freedom. I get fidgety and stabbity when Hubby has to be away from me for more than three days so I could not imagine months and I won't pretend that I could because I couldn't. My heart goes out to all those brave men and women who wake up, put a smile on their faces for their kid's sake, take care of business every day, and momentarily fill the role of two parents while their spouse is away serving our country. You are brave, you are strong, you are amazing and you deserve more than just one day appreciating you. 

It got me thinking, how can I help? I didn't want to be like....ok...thanks guys and go on about my day. It just didn't feel right so I came up with a quick list on ways that we all can help out and truly show our appreciation. 

1. Mother's Day is coming up, and if you know a mom whose Husband is away stop and pick her up some flowers. If her kids are at an age where she is comfortable with you watching them offer to take them to the park while she relaxes for a while. When you're out pick up a Mother's Day card then let her kids write in it for her. You can give up one day for all the many days she sacrifices for your family's freedom. If she has no plans go out to dinner together someplace kid friendly or bribe your Hubby to watch all the kids while ya'll go get dinner somewhere really nice, dress to the nines and have a glass of wine together, dessert is a must.

2. Check out this PDF from Blue Star Families, Operation Appreciation. This is an awesome program that gives you great tips on getting the whole family involved in sending an appreciation card to all of our military families out there and when you send the card to them they sort it and ship it out. This is a really great program and they help you with everything, including tips on how to get the letter started if you're drawing up a blank, just remember even a simple Thank You can make a difference.

3. Volunteer. There are so many opportunities to help military spouses from pitching in for a girl scout fundraiser or helping fix up a home for a person whose spouse is serving. Check out your local message boards, newspapers, and also visit Serv.gov which links you to LOTS of other local opportunities to volunteer your time at. 

4. Visit Operation Homefront. This is an awesome website that lists specific needs from military families. This site allows you to donate money for a certain need ( everything from helping a mom with a power bill to helping a vet with the funds to build a wheelchair ramp), ways to volunteer, and ways for you to give other than cash. This really is a great site and any way you can help shows your support. 

5. Sometimes you can't be the one they talk to because you just can't relate and that's ok. There are lots of websites out there for military families to discuss topics, find out information, and get together in only a way that others who are in their situation can do. Show them Military OneSource which is a great site that has LOTS of articles, information on new military programs, and counseling options available, also  NAMMAS.org which is the "Support bra for military moms and spouses", just to name a few. 

6. Remember that at the end of the day sometimes these brave men and women just need someone to talk to so give her your number and be willing to listen anytime, day or night. They carry the world on their shoulders, offer to take some of that burden off for a little while. 

In conclusion, to every military spouse out there I say thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you a million times over and if you have any other ideas PLEASE feel free to post them here, show us how to help.

Hey guys

First, Hubby let me sleep in while he watched the baby, and then I went to work and worked with some awesome ladies who always make me smile and laugh so I was like:

Then I found out that some of my other co-workers ( who we all dislike so it's not that big of a deal ) were talking bad about myself and my job performance ( basically they're jealous because I can cut my hours back and they have to work like slaves to our company). So then I was like:

Then I get leave work and head to Starbucks where I swear the conversation goes like this at the drive thru: 

Me: Uhm yea I need to get a medium blonde roast with two shots of vanilla and cream and sugar please.

Him: Uh....what size was that?

Me: Medium.

Him: What? 

Me: MMMEEEEEEEDIUUUUUUUMMMMMM

Him: OH you mean grande

Me: I mean medium. 

Him: $2.90 please pull forward

Here's the thing, I usually order it the stupid way it's "suppose" to be but I forgot this time that Starbucks thinks their so stinking special that they don't get to be called medium and small they get fancy frou frou names ( Italian I think....yet they began at a farmers market in Seattle, can you say pretentious!??) So I took my coffee that the dude probably spit in and headed home. I ate dinner and then I got to thinking. I haven't written a blog post in quite a while. I felt really, really, bad. I felt like I let you guys down.

So then I began to write something funny, informative, and awesome but I didn't get far and then I thought I shouldn't just not write anything so I figured I would let you guys in on the whole thing. I think I'm still sort of out of it, and it's hard. I feel like things are still crazy ( in a mostly good way) in my personal life and super crazy ( mostly in a bad way) with the world right now. I think I have a lot of praying to do, and I just hope that I can get back to writing and sharing my little world with you guys: the awesome people who still read this blog and continue to support me through this weird time. I heart your faces and you don't know what it means to me that you're here...reading this. If it wasn't so expensive and sort of creepy I would go to each of your homes and give you a huge hug.

Just another day

I got a message from my mom today:
 

"So I had these really pretty, purple flowers and as you may have noticed I said had...well [Her Korean Neighbor] sees them, picks all my flowers, puts salt on them and then eats them. Apparently they use these flowers in Korea for medicine so now the only flowers I had in my yard are now gone ... a little Korean woman stole them to eat..."

I can't make this stuff up. 

House Party, let me sing thy praise...

Have you guys heard about this awesome website called 

House Party ?

Before I go on talking about it I just wanted to assure you guys that I was not paid for this. This is all me baby and on my own free will. 

 House Party is this really awesome site that wrangles up free products, coupons, party favors, sometimes even decorations and games from all types of brands. They ship these parties in a box free to people like you and I to host and share, and all you have to do is submit an application.

When you submit an application you have to wait and see if you've been chosen.The application consists of a few questions, and a few things that you agree upon: honoring their "party pact", inviting guests, sharing the product, etc, etc. If you are selected as a host they send you an email which you need to click on ASAP. This will send you back to the website where you have to quickly type in all of the people who you want to invite's email addresses. If you do it quick enough and if there are enough spots you get to host a party!

Hosting a party is awesome. It's like a Christmas where you get free goodies and get to celebrate and enjoy with your friends.....just like Christmas...ok bad example but you get what I'm saying. It's awesome! The whole reason I decided to write about them is because I was chosen to host a BIC Soleil Fun & Flirty House Party. Woohoo! This will actually be the third party that I've gotten to host.

My guests and I will be among the first to receive their new Shave and Trim Disposable Razor each plus there will be coupons, masks, tiaras, a card game, posters and an apron inside the party pack. Did I mention this is all free? It's free to sign up, free to apply, free shipping to you, and all you have to do is share the news, invite the friends, and host an awesome party for their product. 

One of the great things about this website is that it's not just for women or only beauty brands, it's all sorts of companies from food to toys, games, alcohol and everything in between. There is something for everyone. My party is scheduled for June 1 and rest assured that I will take LOTS of pics and tell you guys how it went. 

So go on and check out their site, apply for a few parties and cross your fingers. It's really fun so spread the news and get your friends to try it out too, if you don't get chosen to host one maybe they will and you'll get to go or better yet steal their box when it comes in the mail. HA! Just kidding.