Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life

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How To Choose A Good College

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how to choose a good college

When I was looking for a college to attend, I did a lot of research. It was important to me to find the right place to go. It was a bit overwhelming looking at all of my choices.

I took a lot of time to look into the schools I thought I wanted to go to. I am glad I did as I was able to find the right place to get my education at.

Are you thinking about going to college? One of the best ways for a Military spouse to go to school would be to use MyCAA benefits. If you are married to an active duty service member or an activated reservist or guard member E-5 or below you can apply for these benefits. It can allow you to attend college without having to get student loans. I would have taken advantage of this if I had been a Military spouse during my college years.

Once you have decided that college is what you want to do, you will have to start the process of looking for the right school. While doing this you should narrow down the search to schools that:

  • Have a good program for what you want to study. You want a school that will allow you to study what you want to study. You also want to make sure that the school will work with you when it comes to how long it will take to get your degree.
  • In a location you are happy with. When I was picking out a college location was very important to me. I wanted to go to a school in a place I wanted to live. This narrowed down my choices quite a bit. A great option for Military spouses is distance learning. This way you don’t have to worry about where the college is physically located. This makes it easier for those who move around.
  • Rated High. You don’t want to go to a college that isn’t rated high overall. Even if they might have a good program, you want to be able to graduate from a school you will be proud of. Take a look at graduation rates, student satisfaction and length of time in business.
  • Works with Military families. When I was starting my college search I was not a Military spouse quite yet but if I had been this would have been really important to me. I would have wanted to find a place that could give me extra help and know what it is like to use the military benefits like MyCAA.

Although searching for a good college can seem a bit overwhelming it is such an important step in your career. One college that is worth looking into is Martinsburg College. They are a great school to get your education from because of what they can offer you.

  • Students who attend Martinsburg College have access to a sophisticated learning management system (LMS) which provides an interactive and rich educational experience and makes it simple to progress logically through the program.
  • There is a lot of support for students with many hours of support available each week for a student that might need some instructional help. They also have one-on-one and direct telephone or digital tutoring sessions.
  • Since they have been working with the Military community since 2004, they understand the needs of service members and their families.
  • They have a very high satisfaction rate with 95% of the students who take a survey expressing satisfaction with their experience.

If you are interested in learning more, visit the Facebook group that has been set up so Military spouses can learn more about Martinsburg.

This is a sponsored post by Quality Blue. All opinions are my own. 

Sunday Weekly Blog Post Wrap Up {3}

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Sunday weekly Blog Post Wrap Up

 

Every Sunday I will be highlighting my own posts and the great posts I found this past week out in blog land 🙂

 

It’s time for another Sunday Weekly Blog Post Wrap Up!

I hope you are having a good Mother’s Day! I am excited to be spending the day with my own mom who is visiting from California.

This week was a good one as I got to spend time with my parents.

 

Here is what I wrote about this week:

  • Monday~ I blogged about 5 Great Work at Home Job Ideas.
  • Wednesday~I talked about one of my favorite places, Disneyland!

 

Here were my favorite posts this week from around the internet:

 

What are your favorites from this week???

The 10 Best Things About Disneyland

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The 10 Best Things About Disneyland

 

I think I have been to Disneyland about 130 times. I came up with this number based on how many times I went growing up, I had a pass from ages 10-18, and how many times I have been since I moved out of Southern California. I love the place and it makes me sad that I can’t go as much as I used to. It was a huge part of my growing up years and I always love to take my kids when I can. The last time I was there was in February 2014 with my brother and sister-in-law.

The 10 Best Things About Disneyland

I have taken my boys when they were quite young, my oldest visited at 15 months the first time. I have also taken my now 10 and 8 year old when they were 8 and 6 and it was awesome. We could go on any of the rides, no strollers, no diapers, it was great! I can’t wait to take my littlest guy who has never been.

I have so many memories of the place. From my mom waking us up and telling us we were not going to school but in fact going to Disneyland, to going on rides over and over with no lines because we were on vacation and no one else was, to walking around with my best friend, to going on dates there with my high school boyfriend.

The 10 Best Things About Disneyland

Here is my list of the 10 best things about Disneyland

  • Main Street- You walk in and you just feel like you are in a different place. If it has been a while, it takes you right back to previous trips. On Main Street you can walk through the shops, buy some candy or stop for some coffee. There are a lot of cool things to look at and I love the turn of the centry feel to it.
  • Indiana Jones- I think this wins for my favorite ride. I was about 14 when they put it in. Every time I go on it I feel so good. No matter what issues I am dealing with, the ride takes them away. I know that sounds a little silly but it is true. I can just lose myself in the ride.
  • Splash Mountain- Another one of my favorite rides.  I have some memories of looking through a hole in a board to watch this one being built. I like that the ride is not short, it is the perfect length and it is a lot of fun to go down the drop.
  • Pirates of the Caribbean- I have a very hard time when this ride is closed. It is another one of my favorites. Growing up I always wanted to eat at the Blue Bayou because you always go by that on the ride. Ben and I finally did this in 2009 and it really didn’t seem like the food was worth the price but it was on my bucket list.
  • The Smells- I came across this Buzzfeed article and it is all so true. Every single one. Sometimes I will smell Disneyland in random places. “This smells like the Pirates of the Caribbean.”
  • People Watching– We used to do this in high school all the time. Disneyland is the best place to people watch. There are people visiting from all over the world. If you are at Disneyland and need a rest, sit down and people watch for a while.
  • Dusk- There is something about dusk at Disneyland that just reminds me about when I was a kid. It is this feeling that I just had the best day ever and things are coming to a close. It reminds me that we have to decide what rides we are going to go on before we go home.
  • The Food- By food, I mean snacks. From churros to ice cream bars to popcorn to a frozen lemonade. When we were in high school my friend and I would eat our way through Disneyland, back when I had a better metabolism..:)
  • The Railroad- You see it when you first get in. You can take it to other lands or you can ride around the whole park. We always like to go on it in the afternoons when we are a little tired and just want to take a little break. It is nice because while you are resting you are still on a ride.
  • The Magic-There is just something magical about Disneyland for me. Just the mix of the attractions, the people and the atmosphere. I hope that one day in the future I will be able to go more than once every few years.

The 10 Best Things About Disneyland

 

Are you a huge fan of Disneyland or Disneyworld???

 

 

Military Spouse BlogHop Friday May 8th, 2015

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Military spouse blog hop

In in honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day, I will be hosting a Military Spouse Blogger BlogHop with Alia from Yellow Ribbon Diary and Kathryn from Singing Through the Rain!

Join us on Friday May 8th to meet other awesome military spouses!

Here are the rules:
Starting at 11:00 am on Friday, I will put up the Linky. Kathryn and Alia will also have one, you can link up anywhere, or all three!

Just make sure you link to at least one 🙂

Post your introduction page!

Put fun facts about who you are, what you do, anything you want to include.

Then come over here and sign up on the link. Make sure to put your URL.

Then visit the other blogs that have linked up! Make sure you comment that you are from the hop!

Also, you can link back to us and share on social media to let others know about it.

Looking forward to getting to know more of you 🙂

5 Great Work at Home Job Ideas

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Work At Home job Ideas

Working from home is ideal for a lot of people.  There are different ways to do it but you have to find the job that is going to work for you and your situation. Someone who has three kids four and under at home will have to find something different than a mom of all school-aged kids or a woman without any children. If you are wanting a work from home job, ask yourself when you would work, how much you could work and what type of jobs sound good to you.

There are jobs that require that you be on the phone and there are jobs that require you to work at specific hours. Others can be done over the internet and can be done during any hour that works for you.

Here is a list of work at home jobs that you might want to consider if you are trying to find a way to make money from home:

  • Freelancing- this can be writing, graphic design, social media or any type of service you can provide for someone else that you do as an independent contractor. You would not be working for any company, you would probably get a 1099 at the end of the year for taxes. This will allow you to work on different projects and for different businesses. You can be as busy as you would like or just take a couple of jobs a month.
  • Blogging- There are a lot of bloggers out there making a full-time income, others are making a part-time income. It can be done and it is a good goal to work towards. You need an idea for your blog and to be able to put the time into it. The money won’t happen overnight but it is possible to work from home as a blogger.
  • Working for a company who hires at home workers- Some companies hire people from home to work for their companies. You would apply and then have a few weeks of training all from home. They might require you to work certain hours or schedule you based on each week. This type of job would be best for people who do not have little kids at home every day, all day long. It requires a lot of your attention as you might be answering customer service phone calls and would need a quiet house. One example of this is working for Apple. This article explains more.
  • Direct Sales- You have all heard of direct sales. Scentsy, Jamberry, 31 Bags, Young Living Essential Oils, Tastefully Simple, etc. With direct sales, you will be signing up with a company and selling the items. You would not be an employee but you would be considered an independent consultant. People could sign up under you and you would make part of your income based on their sales.
  • Selling Handmade Goods- If you are creative and can make something worth selling, this might be an option for you. It can be done on a part-time basis or you can step it up and make it a full-time job. You can sell online, at vendor fairs or even put your products in a local shop. The key is being able to make something that is worth buying and to know how to sell it. Having a business mindset will go a long way in this type of job.

What would you add to this list? What have you done to make money from home?

 

Why You Should Use A DSLR If You Love Taking Pictures

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Why You Should Use A DSLR If You Love Taking Pictures

 

Cameras. I have had many cameras over the years. I remember when I got my first digital one. It was a point and shoot, 2 megapixels. Yay! It was exciting at the time. After having to always take my film into the local drug store, waiting a week and then getting it back, I could see my photos instantly! It changed everything!

In 2008 I was able to get my first DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) after months of trying to play around with my point and shoot to get it to do what I wanted it to do. I wanted more control and I got that with the DSLR. I upgraded to a Canon 50D in 2009 and that is what I still use today.

Point and shoot cameras are great. They are lightweight, fit in your pocket, are not as expensive and are just easier to carry around. I think you can still get amazing pictures with a p&s but upgrading can make things easier.

If you are debating your first DSLR purchase, I am going to tell you to go for it. It will be a good thing and this is why:

canon 50d

  • DSLRs with kids make taking their photo much easier. They are faster cameras. You can catch things you can’t catch on a slower camera. With little kids you might only have a few seconds to capture the moment that you want.
  • DSLRs give you control. I would suggest that if you do invest in a DSLR that you also plan to take it off auto and use it manually. It is so nice to be able to use your camera in this way. Auto can be good for certain situations if you are just starting out but learning about f-stops, shutter speeds and what ISO means will really improve the way you look at photography.
  • DSLRS let you use different lenses. If you are ready to buy I suggest that you just buy the body you want and a 50mm 1.8 which you can get for under $100. You can then add to your collection based on your needs. Some lenses are good for close spaces and others are better if you want a bigger range of distance. If you get more into photography you might need different lenses for the pictures you are taking.
  • DSLRs will give you better photos overall. This doesn’t mean you can’t get fantastic photos with your point and shoot, you can, but it is easier to do so with a DSLR. This is nice for when you travel and want your pictures to come out looking nicer than they have in the past.
  • DSLRs are good for bloggers. Everyone knows that blogs have photos. Therefore, if you are a blogger it is nice to be able to take nice pictures to go along with your posts. A DSLR can help you get better photos and help your blogging as a result.

canon photography

Photography is an art that many people can take part in. You don’t have to be a professional. You don’t have to have a business. You just have to decide you want to take that next step and buy a better tool to take those photos with.

As far as what type of camera you should get? I have always loved Canons, others love Nikons. I don’t know that there is that much of a real difference between the two other than brand loyalty. Sony and Olympus also have some great cameras to choose from. I would take some time at a physical store trying out the cameras in your hands to see what is a good fit.

If you are looking for more information on how to take photos or how to make them better you can check out the Clickin Mom forum as it has been really helpful to me over the years. You can read others posts about photography, ask specific questions and get to know other photographers. They also have a lot of workshops and even a magazine. It’s great!

Do you have your eye on an DSLR? What kind?

 

* This post contains affiliate links!

Does Everything Really Happen For A Reason?

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Does Everything Really Happen For A Reason?

I am not sure that everything happens for a reason. I used to think that. That every little thing had a purpose. I don’t anymore.

I think some things can happen for a reason or that we can make good out of bad. I think it is lovely when people can do this from some pretty difficult situations.

When someone is going through a death, job loss, heartache or other type of bad situation, people do like to tell them, “It happened for a reason.” In some ways it is comforting to know that you are not going through a hard time just because and that there is a purpose.

I know for myself that when I try to make sense out of every little thing, I just get more frustrated and it becomes exhausting. If I ever went through a horrible loss, I wouldn’t want to hear, “It happened for a reason.” I am not sure what would comfort me, if anything, but I wouldn’t want to hear that.

I will be honest and say I don’t know how God works with us humans. I see evidence that he is behind some of the little things and I see evidence that he is not. It is hard to know which is correct and I am tired of trying to figure it out.

I want to live my life knowing that I do have someone to pray to, that I have family and friends to lean on and that I can make lemonade out of any lemons that come my way. I also don’t want to spend any more time trying to figure it all out. Trying to understand why a friend lost her husband at 42, why another friend could lose her baby and why a young family died because they drove under a bridge at the exact same time a concreate slap fell down crushing their car.

Sometimes life is random. Sometimes things suck just because. Sometime they do because someone messed up or did something they shouldn’t have. Sometimes we can find a different way to do things because of our mistakes.

I remember when we were looking for a house. I didn’t want to get too stressed over it. You do have to usually wait a month after you get an accepted offer. Anything can happen and you could lose the house. So when we were looking, I told myself that if one house didn’t work out, there was a better one out there.

We ended up putting an offer on a very pretty three bedroom home. It was in a nice neighborhood with a park and my kids could have walked to school. It didn’t work out. We had to start looking again. In the end we found another great house where my kids take the bus and we have to drive to the park. But I like this house a little more than I did the first one.

Is this a better house because the first one didn’t work out? I don’t know. I am not sure what life would have been like if we had gotten the other one. I would have different neighbors and we would have had different experiences with that school.

When the ABA therapists told me that my son probably went to the best public school for special needs in the city, I felt like we were in the right house. Could it be that God lead us to that house for that school? It is possible. Then again, I think about the people who prayed for the right home and didn’t end up with one. I am not sure how I feel about all that.

I wish I understood how it all worked. Why certain prayers get answered and why others don’t. Why two different people can pray for the exact same thing and have a different outcome. Somedays I yearn for answers, others I don’t think about it as much.

What do you think? Do you think everything has a purpose even if we can’t see it at the time or do you think life is more random than we think it is?

My Daddy is a Soldier Book Review

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books for military kids

I love it when Military spouses write books. They can bring reality to the subject they are writing about and have a good point of view on the subject.

I was given the chance to review the book, My Daddy is a Soldier. Written and Illustrated by Brittany Mayfield.

The book is written from the point of view of a child talking about their father who is a soldier. It talks about what he can do because he is one. The illustrations show a multicultural mix of soldiers which is nice to see.

books for military kids

This book is perfect for the Military child. Either those first learning to read or to be read to by a parent or older sibling.

The book is available in paperback on Amazon 🙂

 

 

* I was provided a free copy of the book for review!