Deployment: What 2012 Will Bring to a Military Wife, Family

I surprised my husband right after Christmas with an impromptu trip to New Jersey to see his family.  He was so excited, this trip was special to him, we were saying goodbye to 2011 and looking forward to 2012. Unfortunately, 2012 holds deployments in our future, for both Brian and his twin.  Richie was flying [...]

MacDill Enlisted Spouses Remember a “New Angel”

During my membership of the MacDill Enlisted Spouses Club, one of our young members, Lindsey Paxton, was diagnosed with brain cancer. We all felt we needed to do something, to let her know how affected we were and just how much we cared. We all gathered together (some of us crafty and some of us [...]

Former College Student, Now Army Wife After 9/11: I Get It …

Today is September 11, 2011. Ten years ago I was standing in my dorm room at the University of Florida, getting ready for my first class of the day, with the Today Show on in the background. I watched in disbelief as the first plane flew into the first tower. Like many Americans my first [...]

An Army Spouse on “Dusting Off My Perspective”

I spent a good few hours this morning making ribbon and fabric rosettes for a headband for a dear friend of mines soon to be born daughter. I logged into Facebook to post the pictures for her, so I could pack them up for their long journey to Europe. Just as I posted them to [...]

Army Dad Works to Reconnect after Deployment

I think my greatest fear about my husband’s redeployment earlier this year was how our young children would adjust to their father being in the home. They knew their Daddy, naturally, however they weren’t quite used to him being in our home. Memories of his previous redeployment flashed in my head like a horrible nightmare [...]

Which old Witch? The Wicked Witch: Bin Laden Is No More

It was a normal Sunday night in the Dorr household, the children were asleep, and after having spent quality time together, I headed to watch television in bed whilst Brian turned on his Xbox. I wasn’t watching for more than a few minutes when the announcement that President Obama was going to speak, unexpectedly, came through. Earlier [...]

“My Daddy Come Home”

I woke up thinking – it was finally happening. It was the day I get my family back!  My house buzzed with activity – all my friends and their children – as we did last minute cleaning preparing for my husband’s return. Then came word, his last connection from Bangor, Maine was delayed. For a moment, it felt [...]

You Know You Are a Military Spouse When …

You know you’re a military spouse when: You’ve mowed more lawns than your husband because he’s never there to do it himself. You use an “L” shaped flashlight with the red lens during power outages because it’s the only one you can ever find in the house. You know that it’s normal to set fire [...]

Bittersweet Goodbyes: “You Know How to Do This”

A friend of mine, Rachel, asked me to take pictures of her husband leaving.  Her request was nice actually; she stated she knew it might be difficult for me emotionally as my husband is still gone.  I told her not to worry and that I would be happy to oblige.  I met them at the [...]

A Reality Check – Fallen Heroes

There is one thing that few military spouses will discuss with you. It looms over every conversation. I think we are afraid if we speak it, that it will be true.  We all fear that the black car will pull into our driveway, and two men in uniform will knock on our door.   Since we [...]