Wednesday, August 31, 2011

10 Day Blog Challenge, !0 Secrets!!!

10 Day YOU Challenge: 10 Secrets

I’ve decided to partake in this blog challenge to get my blog going again, and to allow new readers as well as those of you who have been around a while to get to know ME just a little better! 10 posts in 10 days – all about me (shouldn’t be too hard). You should try it too!
DAY 1-

1. My husband does almost ALL the cooking in our house, I guess this is not a secret if you have been over a few times, its kind of hilarious, but he is REALLY good at it.
2. Nate and I have been trying for a 3rd child. It has been a almost a year and a half, but I know that if it is meant to be, then it will happen, its just hard.
3. I am a texture eater...if something has a weird texture I WILL NOT eat it.
4. My bedroom is almost always a wreck, even when the rest of the house is spic and span! :)
5. I spent most of my life being really shy.
6. One of my biggest fears is turning out like my parents.
7. I am so conflicted about being a SAHM or working!
8. I don't feel like im living up to my full potential right now, and while that saddens me, I think its ok to take a break sometimes!
9. I remember EVERYTHING, and I am very intuitive, so don't lie to me, and then tell me another story later because I WILL figure it out!
10. I am obsessed with self help books!!

So there you have it, hope you enjoyed my "secrets" Stay Tuned for 9 Loves!

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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Random Fun Pictures I wanted to share! :)

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A new month, New Challenges, New Opportunities!!

I have been quite possibly the worst blogger in the history of blogging lately. Life really caught up to me, and the busier I got the less and less involved I was in the things that I had been doing. I justified this in my head by saying it was okay because the other stuff that I had going on were more important, but looking back, I think that taking some time for yourself and doing something you enjoy is an essential piece of creating a balance in life. I spent most of the summer doing things for other people, I helped my mother in law sort through clean, and prepare herself for a yard sale and potential move to be closer to us , I spent almost a whole month there...and now she is not even talking to us over some trivial B.S, i'll have to fill you in on that whole mess later, and I also took care of my 2 year old niece while my sister in law "got her life together." I have no regrets in doing the things that I did, but I do with I would not have let my own things go. My house is not organized in the least, my calendar is 3 months behind, my kids clothes have not been gone through, the toys not sorted, oh and I have not packed a single thing and there is talk of us having keys to our new house NEXT WEEK!!!! My whole family suffers when I let myself go like that. I should probably get it together!! I hope that no one reads this and thinks I am an absolute crazy person, but I cannot bring myself to pack, because I still do not believe this is happening. I feel like i'm living a dream. I drive by twice a day and just imagine what it will be like to be living there, I really hope to see some people outside so I can make friends, I think it would help solidify the whole thing. I tell just about everyone I cross paths with, i'm not sure why, I just do, some are really excited and some just look at me like i'm crazy or something, but i'm not, just really excited about the things that are happening in my life!!

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Thursday, August 25, 2011

My lips hurt real bad....

This cracks me up everytime I see it, and it was a looong day so I watched it about a million times, and since I still have not come up with a song for this weeks Whats Your Song Link-Up at Goodnight Moon, I thought I would share this. Enjoy! Perhaps you would like to link up too?

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Tricare goes Mobile!

If you are like me, busy, busy, busy, technology seems to be my saving grace some days. You can look up phone numbers on the go, keep in touch with friends, read a book, and even order a pizza. Ever wish you could manage your Tricare Benefits that way?? Well my friends, you are in luck! Check this out!

Health Info on the Go with New TriWest Mobile Website, App Delivering Mobile Support to Military Members, Families

PHOENIX (August 23, 2011) — You’re 2,000 miles from home, just about to board a flight. You need to see if your doctor referral was processed and all you have is your smartphone.

Tap… Tap… Scroll… Tap… Got it!

TriWest Healthcare Alliance has launched its mobile website and a mobile application, allowing TRICARE West Region beneficiaries to easily tap and scroll their way to their healthcare information, right from their smartphones and mobile devices.

TriWest manages the Department of Defense’s TRICARE health program for 2.9 million military families in the western United States.

Healthcare Info Goes Wherever You Go
Military families face distinct challenges in their daily lives, routinely managing family moves, household duties and the prospects of a loved one’s deployment.

Providing direct, mobile access to their healthcare information is one way TriWest hopes to reduce some of the burden on military members and families.

“We’re excited to unveil this technology to our customers, because it brings a whole new level of convenience to their busy lives,” said TriWest President and CEO David J. McIntyre, Jr. “Military families can now manage their health care right from their phone, while they’re traveling or at home with the kids—whenever they want or need to use it.”

Mobile Site
TriWest’s mobile website (m.TriWest.com) allows any beneficiary with a secure TriWest.com account to use their phone to:
• Receive real-time status of healthcare authorizations and referrals
• Check claims
• Pay fees or premiums

Mobile App
TriWest’s mobile app provides added features to smartphone and iPad® users, including:
• Compare TRICARE coverage plans
• Change plans based on life events, such as birth or adoption
• Create an address book for doctors
• View guidelines for getting care

The app can be downloaded for iPhone®/iPad and Android™ devices.

Learn more about TriWest mobile capabilities, including text alerts, at TriWest.com/GoMobile.

About TriWest
TriWest Healthcare Alliance partners with the Department of Defense to do "Whatever It Takes" to support the healthcare needs of 2.9 million members of America's military family. A Phoenix-based corporation, TriWest provides access to cost-effective, high-quality health care in the 21-state TRICARE West Region. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook or visit www.triwest.com for more information.

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Saturday, August 20, 2011

Barely Survive, or Survive, and Thrive?

I officially survived my little mans first week of Kindergarten. I am flat out exhausted, but we made it. As of now our routine consists of getting up at 6, leaving the house by 7 to get him to his school by 8:15. I am very grateful he is able to attend school in the district of our new neighborhood, so the drive is totally worth it, even when there is traffic that extends our drive to almost 2 hours in one direction...ugh, that was a bad day. Speaking of school, earlier this week Family of a Veteran posted an informational packet on PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), TBI (traumatic brain injury), Secondary PTSD in Children, Effective Communication Between Teachers & PTSD/TBI families, I downloaded the packet with full intention on taking it with my child on his first day so that is teacher would be aware of the challenges our home life sometimes presents. However, I didn't take it, I am still struggling to decide in what situation to talk about our challenges and to share my husbands disabilities, and in what situation to just let things be. I am terrified of my family being judged, not just my husband, but my son as well, and then I remembered, I blog, all someone has to do is google me and they know everything they could want to know and more, so it would probably be better for the information to come straight from me. I guess what it really comes down to is do I want my family to just survive, or to survive and thrive? Ultimately I decided that it would probably be in everyone's best interest to go forward with giving her the packet, just in case. We just never know in this life. If you or someone you know are interested in this packet, click HERE to request your copy, it could make all the difference in your child's education! :)

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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

You are not the only one!

There have been times in my life that I thought I might be better off if I wasn't here, like things were too hard to go on, and the people in my life would be better off without me. Times when I just couldn't get out of bed, days when all I could do was pull my covers further over my head and cry. I have always been able to work myself out of it, I think it has something to do with my experiences with suicide, but I can't count on two hands the number of people I know who couldn't. Those who attempted suicide, and some who were even successful. Most of the people I have known have been Veterans, a couple of spouses, but what I find interesting is that there is hardly an awareness brought to the ever increasing suicide rate of spouses. Military life is NOT easy for anyone, spouses included, and sometimes the weight we carry is too much, but this video put together by Her War Her Voice, and Not Alone serves as a reminder that we are not alone in this struggle, and if we just hold on for one more day, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

In addition to justwait.us, here are some other resources available, (thank you to Twenty- Something Misadventures for compiling them)Remember, you are strong, and you are not alone JUST WAIT!

Sealed Strength (sealedstrength.org) This is a great group of ladies who will pair you with a penpal. She will write you at least once a month and encourage you.
Defense Centers of Excellence (http://www.dcoe.health.mil/24-7help.aspx) Here is 24/7, free help. I haven't tried it, but they will provide free information and answers to anyone connected to the military who is in need.
Military Pathways (http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/programs/military/) They offer information and mental health/substance abuse screenings. Hotlines and resources are available.
Military OneSource (militaryonesource.com) Right on the front page is a line for immediate 24/7 help. Throughout the site are other resources.

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Friday, August 12, 2011

Veterans United Connect

The military lifestyle can feel like a giant cycle. Head to a new base, get settled in, make new friends and then leave them to start over somewhere new.

Permanent Changes of Station don’t take into account the many friendships and strong communities you may be leaving behind. It’s a part of the sacrifice and service military families make that many civilians never think about.

Social media have made keeping in contact with friends easier than in the days of long-distance phone calls, but they also have left a lot to be desired when it comes to finding specific people in the military community.

A new app, Veterans United Connect, aims to solve this problem for service members and their families by giving them a powerful way to reconnect that’s based on their history of military service, from boot camp to their current or last duty station and everywhere in between.

Finding Old Friends

Veterans United Connect uses the information from users’ service history to connect them with other veterans and families who served at the same place and time. By narrowing down the user base to only people in the military, finding old friends with common names is easier than ever.

Service members and spouses can also catch up on the happenings at their old bases and reminisce with friends and new folks who all share a common experience.

Making New Ones

Although the app is great for reconnecting with old acquaintances, it is also a great tool to connect with new and future communities.

Military members and spouses can use Veterans United Connect to learn more about a community, schools, housing and other important features before their PCS. Knowing some familiar faces on your first day can help ease the stress of moving to a new place and starting over.

“The goal is to foster even stronger ties and communication among a community that’s already given so much to our country,” said Rob Stretch, social media manager for Veterans United, the nation’s leading dedicated VA lender and financial sponsor of the application.

A pilot version of the application released in 2009 generated enough users and buzz to be featured in Stars & Stripes. The hope is that the new streamlined version released on July 25 will offer even more matches and have an expected 500,000 users by the end of this year.

Miranda Chapin

Communications Specialist

VA Mortgage Center.com

This is pretty Awesome! Checked it out myself, so if you happen to stop by add me! :)

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Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Tuesday Ramblings!

I leave for Colorado in Two Days, I can hardly believe it, its been almost a year since I was there last! I miss it like crazy, its just a whole different place, there is something so comforting about the mountains! I plan to take a lot of pictures, and just enjoy my mini vacation before mass craziness begins! Gubbs starts school on the 16th and I am already a wreck. I am scared for him, and excited, and nervous all at the same time. He almost has all of his supplies, and new clothes, we will finish up when I get back. Our house won't end up being ready until after he starts school, so I will have to drive him across town for the first couple weeks, but I am grateful that the school was willing to make an exception for us, and allow us to register from outside the district with a note from Military Warrior Support Foundation telling them that we have received a home. So far everyone I have met is so nice, all the staff at the school, some other moms from the neighborhood, and Moms I met online! I am really excited for this fresh start. Nate had an interview with a bank today, I am still waiting to see how it went, I know he will do well, everyone seems to love him! We tried out a new church this weekend, and I think we finally found the one for us. I am a firm believer in the fact that God puts us where we need to be at the exact moment that we need to be there, and this was one of those days. Going in to a new church is ALWAYS a bit uncomfortable, but this one wasn't like that, everyone was SOOO friendly from start to finish and even beyond that people were making contact and really making us feel welcome! The part that really affirmed that this was the place for us was when the Pastor pulled a couple on stage and then asked that all past and present Military come up too, we then prayed Psalm 91 over them for his upcoming deployment to Bahrain. A true "God moment". I do not think it was coincidence that this happened on a day that we were there. I really feel like God has placed calling on our lives to reach out and inspire and comfort people who have been where we were whether its leading into deployment, during deployment, or after.

For those of you who have not read this:

¹He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.²I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”³Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.⁴He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.⁵You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,⁶nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.⁷A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.⁸You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.⁹If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the Lord, who is my refuge—¹⁰then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.¹¹For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;¹²they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.¹³You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.¹⁴“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.¹⁵He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.¹⁶With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

My husband carried a bible with him everyday he was in Iraq, and written in the front cover were those exact words.I truly believe that despite the circumstances, he was still protected, and God is still carrying out his plans for us. Looking back I can see where I was being prepared for what was to come, breaking out of my shell, learning to stand up and use my voice, and even things like Nate and I fighting while he was deployed all added to the grand scheme of things.We needed to learn to communicate through anything, and we did, and we are stronger for it.

So, was Sunday a coincidence...not at all.
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Monday, August 01, 2011

Diabetes Education

How the Diabetes Dilemma Can Affect You

By Shari Lopatin

TriWest Healthcare Alliance

More than 8 percent of the entire U.S. population has diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

And another 79 million Americans are in danger of becoming diabetic. That’s more people than the entire country of France.

With such staggering numbers, what is causing this epidemic?

“Over the past decade, obesity has become recognized as a national health threat and a major public health challenge,” say the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on their website. “Obese adults are at an increased risk for many serious health conditions, including … Type 2 diabetes.”

Obesity and the Diabetes Dilemma

Over the past 20 years, obesity has increased dramatically throughout the U.S., according to the CDC. Thirty-three of the country’s 50 states had at least a quarter of their population obese in 2009. Only Colorado and Washington D.C. kept their obesity prevalence to less than 20 percent.

The ADA identifies people who are overweight or obese, and who don’t exercise regularly, at higher risk for developing diabetes. Therefore, as the country grows less active and collectively gains weight, more and more people will become diabetic.

Many other health problems can develop once a person becomes diabetic, including heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease and nerve system disease.

Prevent diabetes! Eat right and exercise

Here are some tips on preventing the onset of Type 2 diabetes, from the ADA:

· Make a grocery list when shopping and buy more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

· Purchase leaner meats—such as chicken and fish—and stick to lower-fat dairy products.

· Take a brisk walk every day (such as in the morning or after dinner).

· Join an exercise class, such as dance, aerobics, or weight-lifting.

· Gently stretch every night before bed.

For more healthy living tips, visit TriWest’s Healthy Living Portal at www.triwest.com/healthyliving.

*************************

IMPORTANT BOXED SIDEBAR:

Been diagnosed? Find help through TRICARE

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you may be eligible for Diabetes Self-Management Training. This TRICARE-covered program will offer you training and counseling in:

· Monitoring your own blood sugar levels

· Proper diet for diabetics

· Exercise for your condition

· An insulin treatment plan, if needed

· Skills for self-management of diabetes.

Want more information? Visit www.triwest.com/DiabetesSelfMgmt.

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Identity Crisis Number 4, 552

How many of you have identity crises everytime a major life change happens? Head on over to SpouseBuzz to read about mine! :)

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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

10 Day Blog Challenge, !0 Secrets!!!

10 Day YOU Challenge: 10 Secrets

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Random Fun Pictures I wanted to share! :)

A new month, New Challenges, New Opportunities!!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

My lips hurt real bad....

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Tricare goes Mobile!

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Barely Survive, or Survive, and Thrive?

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

You are not the only one!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Veterans United Connect

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Tuesday Ramblings!

Monday, August 01, 2011

Diabetes Education

Identity Crisis Number 4, 552

About Me

Forever my hero! The Love of my Life.

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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

10 Day YOU Challenge: 10 Secrets

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Friday, August 12, 2011

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Monday, August 01, 2011

About Me

Forever my hero! The Love of my Life.

Popular Posts

Share me with your friends!

Blog Archive

Cant find what your looking for? Look here!

Follow this blog with bloglovin