10 fun fall activities for the family

1. Fun with apples Check and see if there is a local apple farm in your area. Don’t let the little ones stop you from going; most farms have pre-picked apples that you can purchase and you can still enjoy a scenic walk through the orchards. After you’ve arrived home, plan a fun-filled event with […]

Do’s and don’ts for successfully celebrating the birth of America

Independence Day is a day to be celebrated with our colors flying proudly. Most of us choose to celebrate our nation’s birthday gathered around friends and family, decked out in red, white, and blue and watching brilliant displays of fireworks dance across the sky. But sometimes the best holiday intentions can lead to disastrous outcomes. […]

Getting to the real meaning of Memorial Day

It’s May – Military Appreciation Month – and Memorial Day is upon us. There’s no doubt in my mind that these two events coincide in the same month because of the continued sacrifices made by our service members and the families of our service members. My kids have grown up for months on end with […]

Twelve monthly resolutions to help military families thrive

Ditch the traditional resolutions and lend a hand to the military community instead. New Year’s Resolutions are complicated. I know I’m not alone in making them and not following through. So, this year I decided to do things a little differently. This year, my resolutions aren’t about me, but instead benefit our military community. Hopefully, […]

Honoring grief during the holidays

Especially this time of year, it’s important to help family and friends remember those they’ve lost. Oftentimes, it feels as though we in the military community are more conscious of the delicate nature of life and the reality of death because we regularly face separations and hardships. The highs and lows seem more vivid, and […]

How I Ditched the Christmas Cards and Adopted a Family Instead

Christmas has come and gone and I still feel a twinge of guilt when I look at the Christmas cards we’ve received from friends.You see, I haven’t participated in this annual tradition for the last couple of years. I guess it all started because I was being cheap.Initially I began looking at our network of […]

How to host a service member for the holidays

Many of us look forward to spending time with family and friends during the holidays. But sometimes it’s just not that easy for our troops to do the same if they’re stationed thousands of miles away, can’t afford the plane ticket home, or are in the middle of training. Thankfully, there are a lot of […]

Marine Corps Birthday Ball do’s and don’ts

The Marine Corps ball is one of the most anticipated events of the year, and it’s just around the corner. If you’ve never been to a ball or it’s been a while since you’ve attended, here’s a rundown of what to expect. Dress to impress The Ball celebrates the birthday of our Corps, which fittingly […]

How to enjoy the holidays by slowing down

I was walking through Target with my 8-year-old son when he turned and looked at me with true confusion in his eyes. He asked me why there was so much Christmas and holiday décor on display when we hadn’t even made it through Halloween yet. I smiled as I walked alongside him and did my […]

Military Families: Going Home for the Holidays is Hectic

I’ve been reflecting on our yearly holiday journey. It’s always an adventure getting ready for the Holiday drive home. If you’re lucky enough to live close to see your family on a regular basis, then count yourself lucky. Sometimes the journey to see our family can be filled with lots of potholes. Twice every year, we load up […]

A Holiday Guide When Shopping for Young Kids: What Not To Do

It’s that time of year — the holidays are quickly approaching and many of you are already salivating at all the Black Friday deals that will be coming up this year. I put together a collection of gifts, in the typical Pathetic Picture Style, that we have received from one of my relatives… okay it’s […]

Remembering My Kid’s Halloween: More Trick than Treat

Halloween has always been a fun time for my husband and myself because we love to dress up and go to parties. I was so excited when I had kids because I could get them to dress up and involve them in the fun. The first five years: Boy doesn’t want to dress up. It […]