Family day trip to Catalina Island from Camp Pendleton

We were ready to kick back for the weekend, visit somewhere locally, and reconnect with some quality time together. Perhaps your family is like ours where our active duty military member has been continually deployed, and when he’s not deployed, he’s working extremely long days. Most of us stationed in Southern California know that Catalina is an island, […]

15 ways you know you live on a military base

We who have lived on base after base have many shared experiences. You know you live on a military base when… Your kids are blessed with immediate friends because every other house on your street has kids their age who attend the same school. You don’t have kids, but the neighborhood children still play in your […]

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 […]

8 ways to dig into your new duty station

You’ve moved and there’s so much to do. Most likely at the top of your list is unpacking and organizing the house, stocking the pantry and refrigerator, filing moving claims, and if you have kids, getting them registered for school and activities. It can seem overwhelming to say the least, but here are a few tips […]

7 tips for transitioning your kids back to school

It’s that time of year again – time to get the kids ready for school. Maybe you just PCS’d or you’ve been living at your duty station a while, but kids always start the year with new teachers and a new routine. Here are a few tips to help them in their transition process. Visit […]

Top 20 military phrases used by military families

You just can’t help yourself. After several years of hanging out with service members, you begin taking on certain sayings and catchphrases that are used in the military and integrating them into your own lingo. Ever find yourself using a few of these when talking to friends? “Roger that” – instead of “got it” or […]

How To Be A Happy Marine Corps Wife

Marine Corps wife?  This life was scary to me when I first encountered it. Sure it was fun to get dressed up for my first ball, but then came the reality of what being married to a Marine was really about. It’s about Semper Fi–Marines are always faithful to the each other, to the Corps, and […]

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. […]

How to safely road trip your next move

It’s time to move to your new duty station and you’re planning out your route. Maybe you’re looking to get there as fast as possible. Or perhaps you’re looking to take in the sights as you go. No matter your intention or destination, there are a few things that you should do before you leave. […]

21 tips for avoiding rental scams during your next PCS

The military has given you orders to relocate to a new duty station. Your first family mission? Find a new home. The enemy? Online scammers. The first place that most of us look for a new home is on the Internet. Unfortunately, that’s where scammers lurk. One of the latest schemes circling the market involves scammers […]

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 […]

An Open Letter to the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Michael P. Barrett

4.14.14 Update: The Marine Corps Times recently interviewed Sergeant Major Barrett regarding my open letter below. Discover my response to that article here. Sir, Let me start with stating that I have a lot of respect for you. I think you are without a doubt, one of the best Sergeant Majors this Corps has seen. […]