April 9, 2012

April is the month of the Military Child...those we bring into this lifestyle that we chose to live, without any choice or say on their part.  Even though we know how hard it is to be a part of the military family, the hardships that must be endured, we also realize the advantages it brings.  Nowhere else do children learn to adapt to different climates, cultures, beliefs, schools, communities, and missing parents.

On April 5th I was fortunate to attend the 2012 Military Child of the Year Award Gala.  I listened to the top military brass of all 5 services as they extolled the Military Children being honored.  To say that we as military families are raising amazing kids is an understatement.  I believe because we, as parents, volunteer showing our children how important it is to connect and make a difference in our communities no matter where we are or how long we will be there, that our children are following our lead.  The 5 Military Child of the Year are proof of what a good job we are doing!

Congratulations to each of them, especially the 

Coast Guard Military Child of the Year Alena Deveau!

The "Real" Forrest Gump, Sergeant Sammy Davis

February 13, 2012

The excitement if building....tonight at midnight voting begins for the 2012 Military Spouse of the Year!  Who will it be?

A year ago I was in that state of shock that I am sure our 2012 branch winners are feeling.  Not sure of what is expected or what is to come.  Honored that their peers have chosen them to represent their fellow military spouses, yet not sure if they can live up to the expectations.

Here I am a year later...excited about the road these spouses are about to embark on.  Knowing that they will exceed what they can't even imagine.

Now my plug...because above all, I am a Coast Guard spouse!  I know my successor, the 2012 Coast Guard Spouse of the Year Jennifer Bassett.  I have watched through the years her tireless work to initially help Coast Guard Spouses, then changing focus to help ALL Military Spouses.  Where she finds the hours in the day, I'll never know...she wholeheartedly supports her Active Duty husband and her three children, yet still finds time to call and advocate for military spouses to congressional leaders and those in offices that can further her causes.

I hope all that read my blog check out Jennifer's video and consider voting for her for the 2012 Military Spouse of the Year!  I know with her representing all Military Spouses, none of us will be sorry that she is speaking for us.

If Jennifer is who you want representing you, make sure you vote:

http://msoy.milspouse.com/vote.aspx?branch=USCG

January 6, 2012

Posting is long overdue, so with this new year I thought I would add a few thoughts.  As many of us do when we ring in the new year, we reflect back on the past one.  For my family we had a lot of changes happen.

Our son Ryan left home (again), this time to join the Air Force (following in his older brother's shoes).  We are thankful he has found a path in life that will give him many adventures while allowing him to do what he enjoys.

I completed my associate's degree, and even more exciting...was named the 2011 Coast Guard Spouse of the Year.  This has allowed me to meet many people that I may not have had the opportunity and advocate even more for my fellow Coast Guard spouses.

And then there was our biggest change, a change of scenery, a cross country move to the east coast...specifically to the Washington, DC area .  We are a west coast family, the farthest east we have ever lived was Kentucky and we rushed right back to the west coast as soon as we could.  However, I have found several positives in this move.  First and foremost it gets me closer to my two grandchildren.  We were able to spend an early Christmas with the entire family, as everyone made it to our house to celebrate.

Now to look forward to the new year!  Hopefully I'll get accepted into the Dental Hygiene program here, but until then I will continue to enjoy the area we are in and take advantage of seeing everything I can before we return to the west coast.  That means taking another trip to Walt Disney World, visiting Atlantic City, and of course at some point that trip to New York City.

I am looking forward to see who becomes the 2012 Coast Guard Spouse of the Year!  The luncheon will be this spring where I will get to meet him or her, along with all the other branch winners.

I will continue advocating for Coast Guard Spouses, especially considering the area I now live.  So with that, if anyone has any suggestions, concerns or comments of things they think should have more attention given to, or where we should put our efforts toward, please feel free to let me know