Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life

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4 Tips For Your Next Short-Term Move

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of CORT for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine.

4 Tips For Your Next Short-Term Move


Short-term moves can happen in military life. Not every military family stays put for three to four years. Maybe there is a special school that your service member needs to go to; maybe it just makes more sense to move home for the time he will be deployed, whatever the reason, a short-term move can come with its only complications.

 


Here are four tips to help you through a short-term move:

It’s okay to unpack

Living out of suitcases stops being fun after about a week. If you can, unpack in your temporary home. Make the place your own, as much as you can. Decorate the walls, put up a few photos, add those personal touches. No, you can’t do all the things you would want to do if you were going to live there for a few years, but you can still make the place a beautiful place to live, even for a few short months.

Use CORT For Furniture Rental

While there are some things you will want in your home, it can be much easier to rent furniture on a temporary basis, put your regular items in storage, and enjoy what works for your temporary home. It is one thing to buy a new couch to fit a home you will be in for three years and another when you will only be there for a few months.

Here is a little bit more about what CORT Furniture Rental can do for you:

  • CORT can offer you furniture rentals piece by piece or even at a room at a time.

  • CORT has 156 showrooms across the United States.

  • With CORT you can get your furniture in as little as 48 business hours.

  • CORT also offers housewares packages for your kitchen, bathroom, and the bedroom.

  • CORT makes moving more manageable, especially if you need furniture during a short-term move. ​

You can still make friends

It can be tempting not to want to put yourself out there when you know you will be moving again soon but don’t be afraid to make friends. Even if you are only able to be friends in person for a few months, you can carry on your friendship online and through phone calls for the rest of your lives. And you never know when you might end up at the same duty station again.

Make a bucket list

Make a bucket list of all the things you want to do during your time at your short-term location. This way, you won’t be moving away without seeing what you wanted to see. If you need ideas, you can always check out a tour book, talk to people who live there or read about the area online.


Please visit CORT Furniture Rental for more information and to help plan your next move.

Moving is never easy and can be a bit overwhelming when you know you are going to be someplace for a limited amount of time. These tips for a short-term move should help you the next time you have to do so.

 

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What You Need To Know About Ordering Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Accessories and Supplies

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What You Need To Know About Ordering Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Accessories and Supplies

This is a sponsored post by the Breastfeeding Shop. 

What You Need To Know About Ordering Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Accessories and Supplies

If you don’t already know, you can receive one breast pump at no cost through your TRICARE benefit, for every birth event. A birth event would be giving birth to a baby or an adoption. This started in 2014 and allows military spouses and service members to be able to have a new breast pump for each baby that they have.

Learn How To Order A Breast Pump That Is Covered By TRICARE, if you would like more information on the breast pump part of this benefit. You can order your pump easily through The Breastfeeding Shop’s website, or app.

If you have ever used a breast pump before, or are planning to, you might be curious about accessories and supplies and how TRICARE works as far as those go.

TRICARE does cover the following supplies, up to 36 months after the birth event:

  • Standard power adapters
  • Tubing and tubing adaptors
  • Locking rings
  • Bottles and bottle caps
  • Shield/splash protectors
  • Storage bags

You will also be able to get two breast pump kits per birth event.

What You Need To Know About Ordering Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Accessories and Supplies

If you are interested in ordering accessories or supplies, you can easily do that through The Breastfeeding Shop’s website. They have an Accessory Resupply Order Form that makes ordering easy to do.

You will need to upload a prescription if you did not order your breast pump through them, or if your previous prescription does not state supplies or accessories. It is very important that your prescription says this. If your original one does not, you will need to get another one.

You can also put down your physician’s name and information, and The Breastfeeding Shop will be able to contact them directly. However, this will take more time than if you can upload the prescription yourself.

You can specify which brand of supplies you need. The Breastfeeding Shop also offers two types of storage bags, the Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags or the Kiinde Twist Pouches Breastmilk Storage Bags. You can also order a mix of the two.

What You Need To Know About Ordering Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Accessories and Supplies

Make sure to also visit some of my past blog posts with the Breastfeeding Shop to learn more about what they offer and how they can help you receive your TRICARE breast pump benefit:

 The Breastfeeding Shop Has a New App and it is Amazing

How to Decide What Breast Pump is The Best One For You And Your Baby

FAQs About Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Through The Breastfeeding Shop

And here is the Accessory Resupply Order Form if you are in need of ordering them 🙂

How To Order A Breast Pump That Is Covered By TRICARE

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How To Order A Breast Pump That Is Covered By TRICARE

This is a sponsored post by the Breastfeeding Shop. 

Did you know that you can order a breast pump that is covered 100% by TRICARE? This started in 2014, and yes it is true. For every one birth event you have, you can receive one breast pump.

How To Order A Breast Pump That Is Covered By TRICARE

Here is how you can do so with the Breastfeeding Shop:

A birth event is considered either giving birth or adopting with plans to breastfeed. This benefit is for all types of TRICARE, and all types of military service. That means it doesn’t matter if the sponsor is active duty, National Guard, Reserves, or Retired. They all qualify.

You can receive your breast pump before or after delivery. Most moms like to do so before, so they can have the breast pump ready to go when the baby comes.

The Breastfeeding Shop offers top rated breast pumps and makes it easy to order using your TRICARE benefit. Here are the steps you need to take to do so:

How To Order A Breast Pump That Is Covered By TRICARE

1. Your prescription

You will need to get your prescription from your doctor, who will need to be an authorized TRICARE provider. This means a doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or a nurse midwife. The Breastfeeding Shop can contact them for you, but this will take a bit longer to do so than getting the prescription from them yourself. You can also have your doctor fax over your prescription to The Breastfeeding Shop. The fax number is 866-430-7882, and you would need to note that is what you will be doing in the comments section when filling out the online order form.

2. Find the right breast pump

You will need to decide on which breast pump is right for you. Currently, there are eight choices on The Breastfeeding Shop’s order form. You can also choose “other” and then call them at 866-255-6779. They do work with most of the major manufacturers.

3. Fill out the order form

You will need to then fill out the order form on The Breastfeeding Shop’s website. This is a simple process and won’t take you very long. You can also do this on The Breastfeeding Shop’s app. Make sure you fill out the form as completely as you can. Please note that there is a different order form if you live in Pennsylvania. If you would like, you can also order by phone.

4. The breast pump will be shipped to you

The breast pump you have chosen will be shipped directly to you. In a lot of cases, you will have it the next day if you live in the United States. Shipping will take longer if you are stationed overseas. If you do need your breast pump ASAP, they do offer same day shipping.

How To Order A Breast Pump That Is Covered By TRICARE

What else do you need to know?

The coverage from TRICARE is not limited to a specific manufacturer, brand or model number. The TRICARE benefit also covers the following breast pump accessories: standard power adaptors, tubing, and tubing adapters locking rings, bottles, bottle caps, shield/splash protectors, storage bags, and up to two breast pump kits per birth event.

You can receive your breast pump and accessories before delivery or up to three years, or 36 months after the birth event. That date is either your baby’s birth date or their adoption date.

If you would like more information on The Breastfeeding Shop, makes sure to visit their website as well as some of my other posts on what they have to offer:

FAQs About Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Through The Breastfeeding Shop

The Breastfeeding Shop Has a New App and it is Amazing

How to Decide What Breast Pump is The Best One For You And Your Baby

 

Sometimes They Miss So Much

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Sometimes They Miss So Much

This is a sponsored conversation on behalf of Holt’s Cigar Company via SoFluential Media. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sometimes They Miss So Much

When my husband joined the military, we already had children. A little boy. One of the reasons I went back and forth on it for so long was that I knew that when my husband joined the military, it would mean he would miss some of my son’s life. And that we would not be able to pick and choose what we would miss and what he would be home for.

In the last 12.5 years, he has missed his fair share of moments with our boys. He missed my 2nd little boy’s birth, and almost his entire first year due to a deployment extension. He has missed the first day of school, the last day of school, first words, and other milestones along the way.

As a military family, we know this is a part of the deal, but sometimes it makes me sad for him. I have been here for everything, and for him, some of our children’s growing up was done over emails, texts, and video chats. This can be frustrating for both of us, and I can only imagine what it must be like to not be able to see your children for months at a time while you are serving your country.

Military fathers sacrifice so much during their time in the military. Having to say goodbye to not only their spouse but also their children. We as a country can never really thank them enough for that sacrifice.

Sometimes They Miss So Much

As spouses, we can send them all the videos and photos in the world, but once they come home and you see your children run into their arms, you know that the missing is over and the bonding can resume. That your husband can be an in-person father once again.

This father’s day, there are many ways to show you care to the military fathers in your life. From cooking them a special dinner to buying them the right father’s day gift. One company that has some fantastic things for Dads is Holt’s Cigar Company. They have gifts that would be perfect for Father’s Day, a graduation, and even the birth of a child.

And…best of all, they have a 10% military discount, to help you save money as you are picking out a present for your favorite dad.

Military life isn’t easy, especially when you are far away from your family. A nice gift can be the perfect way to show them your love and Holt’s Cigar Company can help you find something they will love.

How You Can Prepare For A Summer Baby

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How You Can Prepare For A Summer Baby

This is a sponsored post!

 

How You Can Prepare For A Summer Baby

If you have ever been pregnant over the summer, you know how difficult it can be to get through those hot and humid months not quite feeling like yourself. If your baby is due in the summer, you probably have a lot of planning to go along with trying to stay cool during those months.

Here are a few ways to prepare if you are expecting a summer baby:

1.  Drink your water

You need to be drinking enough water so you stay hydrated during this time. Not only is this good for you as a pregnant woman, but it also helps you prepare for breastfeeding and how you need always to be hydrated when you are feeding your baby in that way.

You don’t want to suffer from dehydration. That can cause you to go into premature labor or cause other issues that you don’t want to be dealing with. Always carry a water bottle around with you and make sure you are drinking enough every day.

2. Stock up on onesies

When your baby comes, the weather is still going to be quite warm if not overly hot. You don’t want your baby to overheat. The best way to do this is to make sure you have a lot of onesies available as well as cotton clothing. That type of clothing is cooler and is perfect for those hot months.

When you are putting your baby to bed, you can still put them in sleepers or swaddle them in blankests, but you want to make sure they are not overheating. While having a baby in the summer means you don’t have to worry about them being too cold, you also don’t want them to get too hot.

3. Make sure your AC works

If you have a working air conditioner, make sure it is in good working order before the baby comes. Have a company come out to double check that it is working the way it should. You want to be able to keep your home at a comfortable level. If you live somewhere that gets very hot and humid, your home might be the only place you can be where you and your new baby will feel comfortable.

If you do not have AC, make sure you have enough working fans for your rooms. A baby who is too hot will have trouble sleeping, and you don’t want that to happen during those early months. It is also not safe for a baby to overheat.

4. Get your breast pump 

You will need to make sure you have all your supplies for baby ready to go, including your breast pump. You can receive a no-cost breast pump through your TRICARE benefit. You will be able to pick the one that will work best for you and your baby and The Breastfeeding Shop will help you do so. They make it easy and you can order from their website, from their amazing app, or even give them a call to do so. You will need to have a prescription from your doctor or allow the Breastfeeding Shop to get that for you.

5. Set up for the new baby

You want to have everything set up for the new baby before they come and you want to do this with summer in mind. What will you be doing each day after the baby is born? Will you be at home or do you plan to go places? Do you have a cool place in your home to breastfeed and use your breast pump?

Think about all of these things as you are getting everything ready. What might be a nice spot in the dead of winter could be too warm for you to sit in the middle of summer. You want to be comfortable and stay cool.

As you are getting ready for your baby, make sure to learn about your TRICARE breast pump benefit and order yours in enough time to be ready for your new family member.

Here is a little bit more about The Breastfeeding Shop and what they can offer you. 

FAQs About Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Through The Breastfeeding Shop

The Breastfeeding Shop Has a New App, and it is Amazing

Which Breast Pump Is Best For You?

Top Five Tips For Increasing Milk Production

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Top Five Tips For Increasing Milk Production

Top Five Tips For Increasing Milk Production

This is a sponsored post by the Breastfeeding Shop. 

Breastfeeding was something I knew I always wanted to do with my babies. However, getting started with breastfeeding wasn’t easy for me, especially with my oldest son. I had a lot of concerns about if he was getting enough of my milk. If only I could go back in time, I would have made things a little easier for myself through the process.

There are things you can do as a new mom to help increase your milk supply. This helps the breastfeeding relationship as well as making sure your baby is getting all the nutrition they need.

1. Nurse your baby often

Make sure you are nursing your baby often. Breast milk is digested quickly and the more you nurse, the more milk you will make. Feeding on-demand vs a rigid schedule is the best way to go. That way you are meeting your baby’s needs as much as you can. If your baby is going through a growth spurt, they will want to nurse even more, and that is okay too.

2. Double check your latch

Sometimes our milk supply issues are due to a bad latch. When your baby is not latching on the breast correctly, they are not getting all of the milk that they should. If you have a question about your latch, you should go and see a lactation consultant. They will be able to check on your latch or help you with other breastfeeding questions.

3. Drink water, eat healthy foods

When you are nursing you want to make sure you are drinking enough water, as well as eating a healthy diet. Doing both of those things will help your milk production if you are struggling. Keep a water bottle within reach when you are nursing or pumping and try to have a lot of healthy snacks available for you as you go about your day.

4. Use your breast pump

Pumping in between feeding sessions can help with your milk supply. While you are pumping, you will be making more milk, and that will increase how much milk you should be making. Make sure that you have taken advantage of your TRICARE benefit regarding breast pumps. You are eligible for one breast pump for every birth event. Head over to The Breastfeeding Shop to find your breast pump and start the process. They make ordering your breast pump pretty easy too.

5. Get enough rest

While this is much easier said than done, especially with a newborn, make sure you are getting as much rest as you can. Say no to unnecessary commitments while you are trying to build up your milk supply. See if you can hire a babysitter for your older kids and if your spouse is home, make sure they are helping you with everything that needs to get done. Try to sleep when you can and take the time to rest as much as possible.

Interested in more information about your TRICARE benefit breast pump and The Breastfeeding Shop? Check out these blog posts too:

The Easy Way To Order Your No Cost Breast Pump

How to Decide What Breast Pump is The Best One For You And Your Baby

FAQs About Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Through The Breastfeeding Shop

 

The Easy Way To Order Your No Cost Breast Pump

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The Easy Way To Order Your No Cost Breast Pump

If you don’t already know, you can receive a no cost breast pump through your TRICARE benefit. Any military woman service member or spouse can receive one for each birth event she has. This is a fantastic benefit that makes sure that all of these moms have access to a breast pump to help them with feeding their baby.

The Easy Way To Order Your No Cost Breast Pump

This is a sponsored post by The Breastfeeding Shop!

The Breastfeeding Shop is a company that you can work with to receive your breast pump, and they make ordering your breast pump super easy. They have a new order form and I wanted to walk you through the steps you have to take in order to place your order.

You can do so on their website or on the app. If you don’t want to fill out the order form you can also call them to place your order.

Here is a video of me filling out the order form. As you can see all the information is laid out well and I was able to complete the form in about five minutes.

Here is what you will be asked about:

1. Insurance provider

Find TRICARE or TRICARE Overseas.

2. Select your breast pump

You have a lot of options on what breast pump to pick. Make sure to read Which Breast Pump Is Best For You? You can also talk to friends about breast pumps they have used and loved. If you don’t see what you want, pick “other” and call 866-255-6779.

3. Name, phone number, email, and address

Please put your current information here.

4. Your birthday

They want to know your date of birth.

5. Due Date of your baby

This is your baby’s due date. If your baby is already born, make sure to put their birth date there.

6. Insurance number

This would be your service member’s social security number, or your own if you are the service member.

7. Seconardy insurance

If you happen to have secondary insurance.

8. Physician’s name

Your doctor’s name.

9. Physician’s phone number

Your doctor’s phone number.

10. How you will submit your prescription

There are a few different ways you can submit your prescription to The Breastfeeding Shop. You can upload it, email it, fax it, or have them contact the doctor for you. If you choose for them to do that, know that it will take longer for you to receive your breast pump.

11. Important info

You will check if you agree here.

12. Privacy notice, etc

You just need to acknowledge that you have received this information.

13. Signature

You can use your mouse or your finger to sign.

14. Comments

If you need to leave any comments.

You can also read more about this amazing TRICARE benefit and what you need to know in order to receive yours:

FAQs About Your TRICARE Benefit Breast Pump Through The Breastfeeding Shop

The Breastfeeding Shop Has a New App and it is Amazing

How to Decide What Breast Pump is The Best One For You And Your Baby

 

Let Brave Crate Get You Through A Deployment

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Let Brave Crate Get You Through A Deployment

I was provided a free box for review! 

When you are going through a deployment, you have to take the time to relax and breathe; you have to. If you don’t, you will go crazy. And although this can be hard to do, especially if you are in the midst of solo parenting or a busy schedule, making time for you is important.

There is a brand new box, just for military spouses going through a deployment! I got the chance to review a box, and I have to say, this military spouse monthly box is pretty cool.

Brave Crate is a deployment “care” package for military spouses that is launching this spring! Each month you can receive 4-6 full sized products that have been specifically selected to help you stay productive and positive in the upcoming months of deployment.

Brave Crate includes tools and treats to help motivated military spouses focus on personal development, wellness and growing their marriage. They also like to call Brave Crate a deployment “dare” package- because along with the goodies inside, each Brave Crate includes carefully crafted challenges to help motivated military spouses make the most of every day during deployment.

So not only is this box a wonderful thing to have every month, but this monthly box will also give you something to focus on. This can be so helpful during a deployment when you are feeling a little lost and are unsure of what you can do to refocus.

Here is what I got in my Brave Crate: 

Let Brave Crate Get You Through A Deployment

The whole box! How fun to get this in the mail during a deployment!

 

Let Brave Crate Get You Through A Deployment

Mural of Flavor by Penzeys Spices!

 

Let Brave Crate Get You Through A Deployment

My dare 🙂

 

Let Brave Crate Get You Through A Deployment

How Many Days Can Be Extraordinary? A book by Dan Zadra to help inspire us!

 

Let Brave Crate Get You Through A Deployment

Good Earth: Sweet & Spicy Good Night Tea

 

Let Brave Crate Get You Through A Deployment

Turmeric & Tangerine Face Scrub

 

Let Brave Crate Get You Through A Deployment

Vice Lipstick Limited by Urban Decay

 

Let Brave Crate Get You Through A Deployment

A chocolate treat from chuao chocolate

Please head over to www.bravecrates.com where you can get invited to their launch. This means that you will be the first to know when they open for orders and get the best deal EVER on a Brave Crate. You can also like them on Facebook!