Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life

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How You Can Get A Breast Pump Through TRICARE for $0

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How You Can Get A Breast Pump Through TRICARE for $0

This is a sponsored post by the Breastfeeding Shop. 

How You Can Get A Breast Pump Through TRICARE for $0

We had two of our three children after my husband joined the Military. With these two boys, we had TRICARE Prime which comes with some benefits. Since I have had my boys, TRICARE has added a fantastic benefit that everyone who can take advantage of should. You can receive a breast pump through TRICARE for $0.

“Wait? A $0 breast pump just because I had a baby?” 

Yes! Since 2014, TRICARE will allow any female who has either given birth to a baby or adopted one to receive a $0 breast pump. This will encourage more moms to breastfeed and enjoy the benefits of breast milk. With a pump, they can help increase their milk supply, or be able to continue breastfeeding even after they return to work.

This benefit is valid for any type of TRICARE. This means that as a National Guard spouse I would be able to get the $0 breast pump too if I ever had another baby.

TRICARE will also pay for certain breast pump accessories such as tubing, bottles, and storage bags. This will allow you to have everything you need to start using your breast pump.

How You Can Get A Breast Pump Through TRICARE for $0

“But wait, I can get this pump, but how do I do so? Do I have to fill out a form?”

The good news is you can head on over to the Breastfeeding Shop, and they will help you receive your $0 breast pump. This is what you need to do:

  1. Get your prescription from your doctor. This must be from a TRICARE authorized provider. Your prescription should show that you can get either a basic manual or standard electric pump. The Breastfeeding Shop can also contact your physician directly, but the process will be faster if you can get that prescription yourself.
  2. Pick out the right pump. At the Breastfeeding Shop, there are quite a few pumps you can choose from. Read the reviews, talk to friends, and decide on the right pump for you and your baby.
  3. Fill out the Insurance Form at the Breastfeeding Shop and submit. Once they confirm your insurance, they will ship you your breast pump and breast pump accessories.
  4. Receive your breast pump and accessories, learn how to use your pump, and get started with the benefits of using a breast pump with your baby.

“That sounds awesome, can I do this before I have my baby? Or do I have to wait until they are born?”

You can do this before your baby comes. That way, you can have everything ready to go when they arrive. Of course, if you have already had your baby, you can still use this benefit too.

Head on over to the Breastfeeding Shop to see what breast pumps they have to offer and to get started. They would be happy to help if you have any extra questions and will work hard to make sure you can get your $0 breast pump in a timely manner.

Have you received your TRICARE breast pump benefit yet?

6 Ways to Travel With Kids and Not Lose Your Mind

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6 Ways to Travel With Kids and Not Lose Your Mind

6 Ways to Travel With Kids and Not Lose Your Mind

I collaborated with Expedia.com to share my travel experiences to help get the word out about the Expedia Military Offer. The military offer provides complimentary Expedia+ Gold Status to anyone that signs up by verifying their military status. It’s available to active duty, veterans, military spouses, and dependents. Expedia + Gold Status is valued at $10,000 and includes benefits like bonus points, complimentary upgrades, and exclusive amenities. Visit the Expedia Military Offer page to sign up.

This past summer I took my three boys from our home in Tennessee to my parent’s house in Southern California. We spent three weeks with them, making memories and enjoying family. I was so glad that I decided to take the trip even though the idea of flying alone with my three boys made me nervous.

I have done it several times before, but they were a lot younger. This time the flight would be four hours and then an hour drive to and from the airport. When I got home, I thought back to that trip as well as other trips I had taken with them and figured out how I got through the travels without losing my mind.

1. Make sure to organize and prepare

The number one thing I do when I travel with my kids is to get organized before we leave. This trip, each child had their own backpack with anything they would want to play with on the plane, an extra change of clothes, snacks, and an empty water bottle. Doing this freed up space in my own bag and made them responsible for some of their things.

I also make plans for the trip. How long will we be traveling? What will they need? What about food? Snacks are a big deal. When you have snacks, you have something to give your child when you need them to think about something else besides being in the car or plane.

6 Ways to Travel With Kids and Not Lose Your Mind

2. Traveling will not be as difficult as you think

I always get so nervous and anxious about traveling with my kids, but in the end, the trip is usually never as bad as I expected it would be. Sure, we might run into issues and frustrations but overall, we get to where we need to go and do so all in one piece.

I try to remind myself of this before we leave for our trip. I think about the good times we have had in the past and all the fun memories we will make while we are on our travels. That helps my mood and keeps my anxiety low.

3. Let people help you

When I flew over to Germany to join my husband, I had my 18-month-old with me, and luckily I sat next to a nice woman with four boys of her own. She offered to keep an eye on him when I went to the bathroom. When you are traveling with kids, people might try to help you, and it is a good idea to let them.

4. Ask for help

In some cases, you will have to ask people to help you. One of my boys has autism so before every flight, I tell the flight attendants, and they allow us to board before regular boarding begins. This helps my son out to be able to find the right seat without being rushed to do so.

If you feel stuck, ask a flight attendant or someone working at a desk for help. Depending on the situation, you might want to ask the people who are around you to help. Most people would be happy to help you out during your travels.

6 Ways to Travel With Kids and Not Lose Your Mind

5. Let some rules go

When traveling with children, you will have to let go of some of the rules you might normally have in your home. The middle of a flight isn’t the best time to enforce the “one hour a day” rule for screen time. Your children should be able to understand that you are not at home, that you are on vacation, and that things will be different.

6. Keep your sense of humor

Remember to keep your sense of humor during your trip. You will need it. If you take everything too seriously, you are going to stress yourself out. You want to get from your home to your destination without losing your mind and having a sense of humor about the situation will go a long way.

If you are frustrated by a delayed flight, try to make things fun and turn the waiting into a game. If you have a crying child, know that you are not alone and that plenty of people have flown with a crying child. Do what you can to calm them down and make it to your next stop.

What To Get Your Husband When They Are Coming Home From a Deployment

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What To Get Your Husband When They Are Coming Home From a Deployment

What To Get Your Husband When They Are Coming Home From a Deployment

I was provided a free box for review!

Every time my husband has come home from a deployment or even a training, I have always bought him a few things to enjoy. Usually, that consists of anything he has asked to have on hand, beer, and his favorite candy. I also make sure to have all his favorite foods available to make that first week.

There is something about having your spouse home from a war zone that makes you want to make sure that they are taken care of and have what they need as well as some things that they want.

This past June my husband was at AT with the National Guard. He was gone three weeks and while he was gone I received a Men’s Health Box to review. This was perfect! I knew my husband would love using a lot of the stuff that came in the box when he got home from three weeks of Army training.

I was going to buy a few of the products anyway so I was glad to see them in the box as I knew they would be helpful.

I received the Best of Grooming Box which is filled with the best of the best products for men’s grooming hand-picked by the experts at Men’s Health.

This is what was included:

The Men's Health Box

These products were so helpful for someone coming home from the field or from a deployment overseas. This box would also be a good gift, whether it is Father’s Day or their birthday. You could get one for your husband, your father, or even your son.

The Men's Health Box

My husband told me that he loved getting these products and that this box is perfect for those coming back from the field or overseas.

How do these boxes work?

The Best of Grooming Box is a one-time box that you can purchase for $49.99. You order right on the website. They also have a Men’s Health Subscription Box where you can receive one box every three months. If your spouse enjoys the Best of Grooming Box you should consider this subscription box in the future.

But wait, I would want to ship this to my husband when he is still overseas. Can they do that?

Yes they do! They ship to APO/FPO/DPO addresses as well as the US, Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada.

Men's Health Box

So, whether you want to get this box as a gift or to welcome home your husband from his long deployment, head on over to the Men’s Health Box and learn more about this box! Use the code soldierswife20 for 20% off your first Men’s Health Box.

Let’s Go To Prince Edward Island With Liz Johnson’s On Love’s Gentle Shore

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Let's Go To Prince Edward Island With Liz Johnson's On Love's Gentle Shore

Let’s Go To Prince Edward Island With Liz Johnson’s On Love’s Gentle Shore

I was provided a free copy of this book for review! There are affiliate links in this post. 

I love to read. I don’t have a particular favorite genre. Just depends on my mood and what books I am into at the moment. There is, however, something about a love story that gets me. Whether it is a historical fiction about a lost love or a modern story about childhood friends who find each other again.

I wanted to tell you about a recent book release that I think you will enjoy. On Love’s Gentle Shore is the third book in Liz Johnson’s Prince Edward Island Dreams series. You can also read about The Red Door Inn and Where Two Hearts Meet.

These sweet books take us to Prince Edward Island in Canada while we walk alongside the main character as she tries to understand and figure out a current problem she is dealing with. I have never been to Prince Edward Island, but that place is definitely on my travel bucket list.

On Love’s Gentle Shore is about a woman named Natalie who has moved away from the island to start a new life in Nashville. She is now back on the island to marry her fiancé Russell, but everything is a lot more complicated now that she is back. For one thing, she sees her childhood best friend Justin after all this time and can’t seem to make sense of her feelings about him.

What I loved about this book is that Natalie isn’t perfect. She struggles with her past and even her future. She is trying to figure everything out. I also love that the main characters from the previous books are also interacting with Natalie. We get to see what they have been up to and since we already know their backstory, these secondary characters are a little more real to us than they would be otherwise.

Having read all three of these books, I think this one is my favorite.

Liz Johnson writes about love and such and is a New York Times bestselling author of Inspirational Romantic Suspense and Contemporary Romance. To learn more, visit her website. You can also read the other books I have reviewed of hers in the past.

You can purchase the On Love’s Gentle Shore on Amazon 🙂

The Camo Bus Is Traveling the U.S. in Honor of Our Military Heroes

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The Camo Bus Is Traveling the U.S. in Honor of Our Military Heroes

This is a sponsored post by Megabus.com.

The Camo Bus Is Traveling the U.S. in Honor of Our Military Heroes

Giving back to the military community can be done in so many different ways. Since it is May, the month of Memorial Day, giving back to the fallen and the disabled is always on our minds. We Americans can never repay the men and women who have lost their lives for our amazing country.

As you think about Memorial Day and ways you can give this summer, here is a company that is giving back. Megabus, the company that offers express bus service to more than 100 cities in North America, is going to be giving back to the military community in a big way.

megabus

What is Megabus doing?

Megabus will be donating $1 to Folds of Honor for every passenger that will be riding the Camo bus during the month of May. They will be doing this up to $5,000. The Camo bus will be traveling across the US this May to honor our military heroes.

What is Folds of Honor?

Folds of Honor is an amazing organization that provides scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. Their motto is, “Honor their sacrifice. Educate their legacy.” Although we can never replay what these men and women have lost, helping their children achieve their educational dreams is a way to give back and help them in the future.

megabus

Who is Megabus?

Megabus.com has donated nearly $100K to military organizations and has served more than 50 million customers since they launched in April of 2006. Megabus maintains the highest (satisfactory) safety compliance rating with the Federal Motor Carrier Saftey Administration. They are also approved by TSX, an independent safety rating organization. Megabus currently operates service to and from more than 100 major cities in North America and 23 hubs.

What can you do?

Head on over to Megabus.com and take a look at where Megabus goes. See if you can plan a last minute trip to see your sister, friend, or just a quick getaway with your spouse. If you can ride the Camo bus, know you will be helping to give back to those who we are remembering this Memorial Day. This last week of May, the Camo bus will be traveling on the East Coast.

You can also share and let others know about the Camo bus and what Megabus.com is doing to help out the military community.

I am so thankful for businesses like Megabus and organizations like Folds of Honor who are truly giving back to the military community in creative and helpful ways. You can visit their website and follow them on social media at Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of megabus.com. The opinions and text are all mine.

Why Colorado Springs is a Fantastic Place to Live

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Stationed in COlorado

Why Colorado Springs is a Fantastic Place to Live

This is a sponsored post by Susanna Haynie of Your Colorado Springs House.
A wonderful resource for those who are moving to the Colorado Springs area. 

Colorado is a fantastic place to live, and there are those who yearn for the opportunity to go there. From the perfect climate and fresh mountain air, Colorado Springs is a treasure and delightful place to make a home.

Fit and Active

With nearly 300 days of sun, you can’t help but get active when you live here. After all, you are living in a place where other people come to visit and wish they could live here too.

PCSing to Fort Carson

You think we are all about snow?

Be prepared for some funky weather: 70 mph winds when the weather changes, thundersnow, snow in north Colorado Springs, the sun at Fort Carson. Hail as big as golf balls, wildfires, and floods. Most of it hits quickly and briefly. We’ve had days where you could observe four seasons in one day.

Wildlife

Every state has their own wildlife, but living with the wildlife and “meeting” it is different. We have bears, mountain lions, deer, elk, coyotes, and rattlers. Don’t be scared just be careful!

Living High

Cannabis

Yup, It’s Legal: While Colorado has legalized marijuana, it is not a free-for-all pot party out here, and it doesn’t mean all of Colorado is in a state of being “high,” and certainly not all the time!

Altitude

Altitude sickness: At an elevation of 6271 ft. in Colorado Springs proper, the real high that you need to watch out for is the altitude. Altitude Sickness is real and can be debilitating while your body adjusts. Take it easy for the first few weeks to acclimate.

US air force

Colorado Springs loves their military

The city is surrounded on three sides by Fort Carson, NORAD, the Air Force Academy, Schriever AFB, and Peterson Air Force Base. Combined, the military is the largest employer in Colorado Springs, accounting for 20% of the jobs. You will find that our citizens have a deep love and appreciation for the men and women in uniform. This expresses itself in many events benefitting military organizations aiding veterans, military members, and families.

EFMPs

If you are a special needs family moving to Colorado Springs, you will have support. Start your research BEFORE you arrive to ensure a smooth transition. If you need a starting point, contact Susanna, a knowledgeable Colorado realtor.

Schools

Our state ranks 11th in the nation in reading and writing performance, and Colorado Springs “owns” three of the top 10 Colorado school districts. Impressive, you say? I agree.

Colorado can be a great place to call home, even if it is just for the two to four years the military sends you there.

Colorado Springs

About the author

Susanna Haynie, settled in Colorado Springs after immigrating to the US from Germany and has been an active duty spouse for 21 years. There is a special place in her heart for all our EFMP families as she has experienced the PCSing with a special needs child herself and all the challenges it may bring.

Susanna is readily equipped to start you off with her own Colorado Springs guides and email series, she‘ll take you from “Where do I start?” to “I got this!” To get signed up with her guides, connect with her via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoSpringsLife, email her: susanna@co-regroup.com or visit her blog at www.yourcoloradospringshouse.com.

Save Money and Plan a Fantastic Summer With This Website

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Save Money and Plan a Fantastic Summer With This Website

This is a sponsored post! All opinions are my own!

Summer! We are just weeks away from school being out, heading to the pool, and relaxing a bit without having to worry about school. I am excited about summer this year. I know it is going to be a good one.

Not having an unlimited budget for summer, I have to figure out how we are going to spend our time and our money. We do plan to buy a pool pass, we will have summer sports to go to, and we will be taking a trip to California too. As I try to figure out a budget for things, I am thankful for military discounts and coupons.

groupon coupons

One of the best places to find good coupons is Groupon. This website has so many to choose from. They have over 70,000 coupons from more than 9,000 stores. You should be able to find what you want, no matter what you are planning to do.

This summer, make sure to use Groupon Coupons to help plan your summer. Here are some ideas!

Work on those home projects you have been putting off with Home Depot. You can also get a new patio set. We love to bbq and eat outside before the heat of summer sets in and have been thinking of updating our set too.

Do you have a military ball coming up? Nordstroms has some coupons to help you find the right dress.

Going on a trip and need a rental car? You can find a good deal with Hertz to keep your summer travel costs low.

If you need a hotel, look at Hotels.com for a good coupon to help with the costs of lodging on your trip. Whether you are going down to Florida to relax at the beach or headed to Colorado for some outdoor fun, you will want to find a good rate on your hotel room.

I would love to buy some new summer clothes to stay cool this year, especially since I have lost weight since last summer. Kohl’s is one of my favorite places to shop. You can find Groupon Coupons to help with you or your family’s summer wardrobe.

Groupon coupons

You can also find coupons for Verizon, Shutterfly, Walmart, and more. Take some time to look through and get your summer planning off to a great start.

How have you used Groupon Coupons in the past?

 

Where Milspouses Can Buy Glasses for a Fun in the Sun Summer

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Where Milspouses Can Buy Glasses for a Fun in the Sun SummerWhere Milspouses Can Buy Glasses for a Fun in the Sun Summer

This is a sponsored post! All opinions are my own!

It’s May! Yay! That means summer is almost here. Towards the end of the month, our local pools will open, and we will be buying our pool passes. For the last couple of years, our family has gotten pool passes to enjoy the local pools here in town. We love to swim and be in the water.

Having the pass, we can go for an hour or all day. It doesn’t matter. The boys love to play in the water, and I think this year my six-year-old will be brave enough to go on the slide. I also love to bring a book, and although I do get in the water too, I also enjoy watching the boys while diving into a book. Last year was the first year I felt confident in all of their swimming abilities to be able to do this, so if you are not there yet, you will be eventually.

At our pool, we also have adult only swim for about 10 minutes every hour. This clears the kids out of the pool, and you have to be over 18 to be in during this time. My boys like to steal my chair or have some snacks, and sometimes I will try to get a few laps in.

When I am not at the pool, I wear glasses. I started wearing them when I was about 17 years old. I don’t usually wear my contacts anymore, and I don’t like wearing them when I am in the water. They feel weird on my eyes and I am just not a fan. So I bring my glasses and take them off when I am in the water.

But being that the sun is bright and we are out enjoying the summer, I need sunglasses. As I don’t wear contacts, I can’t just buy a pair and wear them like other people do and I am not a fan of the clip on ones. So what is the solution? Prescription sunglasses! That way I can shield my eyes from the sun and still see where I am going, which is so important with these three boys. I can wear them at the pool, when I got to the park, or anywhere one would want to wear sunglasses.

Where to buy prescription sunglasses

Tricare, unfortunately, does not give us money for glasses, either regular or sunglasses but that doesn’t mean we have to break the bank when we buy them. Discountglasses.com is an excellent choice for glasses. You order online with your prescription after picking out the perfect pair for the summer, or any time of year.

Check out some of what they have to offer…

discountglasses

These purple glasses caught my eye!

purple glasses

Love the style of these!

sunglassesThey have quite a few to choose from in their women’s prescription sunglasses section.

With DiscountGlasses.com, you can look through their selection of classic, fashion or sports frame styles. You can also search by color, frame, and top brands.

You will need to either enter your prescription, give them a copy of your prescription, or give them your eye doctor’s information so they can get the prescription that way.

They also offer free return shipping if you are not happy with your glasses. That way, if the frames you picked out are not going to work for you, you can return them and pick out something else.

They offer free shipping in the US and Canada as well as APOs, FPOs, and DPOs. As they are passionate about the military, they will also not add any extra shipping surcharges for shipping to the military overseas.

So whether you need glasses or contacts, check out this great company that supports the military.

You can also use the code, BLOGDCLDG10 which is good for 10% off on DiscountGlasses.com or DiscountContactLenses.com. Some exceptions apply