Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life

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Mission BBQ and Giving Back to the Military Community

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Mission BBQ and Giving Back to the Military Community

Mission BBQ and Giving Back to the Military Community

Have you heard of the restaurant, Mission BBQ? We just got one here in the Fort Campbell area last year and I was excited to try their yummy food. I have heard such good things about them over the years. As I walked in the first thing I noticed was their decor. On the wall was everything you can imagine honoring the military as well as others who serve their community.

Mission BBQ and Giving Back to the Military Community

I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and enjoyed my meal immensely.

Mission BBQ first opened on September 11, 2011, by two friends who were passionate about BBQ, being patriotic, and running a business with meaning and purpose.

This from their, “Our Story” section of their website says it all:

“We believe there is nothing more American than BBQ. And nobody more American than the brave men and women who have sworn to protect and serve Our Communities and Our Country. We do what we do for the love of our soldiers, firefighters, police officers, first responders—all our loved ones in service.”

Mission BBQ and Giving Back to the Military Community

 

When you go to a Mission BBQ, you can have a good meal, in a patriotic dining room. If you happen to be there at noon, you can be apart of the daily salute to our country as everyone stops to sing the National Anthem.

There are quite a few choices of what to eat when you go to Mission BBQ. You can enjoy brisket, pulled pork, turkey, pulled chicken, sausage, sides, and more. They even have a kid’s menu for the younger ones.

Mission BBQ and Giving Back to the Military Community

 

 

You can also get food delivered to parties of five or more and can find Mission BBQ in 13 states at the moment.

Mission BBQ is also known for giving back to their communities which is such a nice thing to hear these days. They have military appreciation nights where all the sales from the night are donated to a variety of organizations. These have been organizations such as the USO, the Navy Seal Foundation, and Wreaths Across America.

They truly give back to the military community!

Have you ever been to a Mission BBQ? You can search for one near you and plan to visit as soon as you can 🙂

 

Don’t Miss The Costco Military Hour Event On March 24th

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Don’t Miss The Costco Military Hour Event On March 24th

This is a sponsored post! 

 

Raise your hand if you like Costco? I know I do! Costco was one of the places we had to go when we visited home while living in Germany. You can always find something fun to buy and you gotta love the free samples.

I wanted to let you guys know about the Costco Military Hour event coming up March 24th from 8 am to 9:30 am!

What is Costco Military Hour?

The Military Hour is for you and your family to shop together before the doors open to the general public. You will be able to mix and mingle with your local military community, enjoy free samples, exciting product demos, and delicious snacks. The first 100 attendees will receive swag bags filled with goodies!

Sound like fun?

You will need to be a Costco member to attend but if not, no worries.

You can purchase your Costco Membership Activation Certificate today at this link https://hosted-pages.id.me/costcomilitaryhour‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ Take advantage of an exclusive new membership offer for military members who join Costco as new members.

This event will take place at 117 of the warehouses across the U.S. You will need your military ID or your registration confirmation to show at the door at the selected Costco location.

Please visit https://shophourevent.com/ to RSVP to a location near you.‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Can Anyone Make it as a Military Spouse?

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Can Anyone Make it as a Military Spouse?

I have often believed that no matter who you are, where you came from, as long as you love your service member, you can get through anything. When my civilian friends tell me they could never do what I do, I want to tell them they could if they had married a service member too.

There have even been times in the past, before my husband joined the military, when I didn’t think I could do it either.

But, can anyone really be a military spouse? Can anyone who marries someone who serves figure out a way to make this work?

When most people get married, they assume they will be married until death do us part. Who wants to go into a marriage with divorce as the goal? But the truth is, not all marriages last, and not all marriages can survive the military.

Can anyone make it as a military spouse? That depends.

Some people can get through anything the military life brings them. This should be the goal. Working through the stressful situations, working on their marriage, and trying to figure out a way to get through it all.

Some military spouses married their service member years before they joined up. In these cases, life gets thrown entirely on its head when they join. Everything changes and that can be such an adjustment for the service member, military spouse, and children.

For others, marrying the love of their life meant becoming a military spouse on their wedding day, unsure of the adventures, or struggles they might run into in the future. Their new marriage is thrown together with the newness of military life.

In either case, the military spouse can feel like her world is falling apart, that they can’t make it through that deployment, that they are not quite cut out for this life.

I have felt this way myself. I would get to a place where I just didn’t see how I could keep doing this. Where everything was a little too much. Where I didn’t want to do the military life anymore.

But then, I remembered that I did indeed marry a soldier, even if he wasn’t actively serving at the time. I reminded myself that this is a part of who my husband is and that in the end, I can stand by him through whatever I need to. That my love for him and my want for us to be together will be more important than any lonely night or hardship the military comes my way.

 

That being said, this isn’t the case for everyone.

For some, this life isn’t something they can keep doing. They hit a wall for whatever reason. Sometimes they hit this wall because there has been betrayal in the marriage. Can you truly trust someone across the miles when they have cheated before? Sometimes there is abuse, or the couple cannot work out their difficulties.

The truth is, we don’t always know what other people are going through, we don’t know what happens in their marriage, and we don’t know what they have been through in the past. Compassion is a must.

While going into this life believing you can make it through is a must, know that if you were not able to, that if things did get too difficult, that if you are no longer a military spouse, that you have a right to do what is best for you. That you did what you could, and that no one should be judging you for doing what is best for your own family.

What do you think? Can anyone make it as a military spouse?

Gaining Independence as a Dependent Military Spouse

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Gaining Independence as a Dependent Military Spouse

From the military’s point of view, the spouse and the children of a service member are considered military dependents. This word, “dependent” isn’t always easy to take. The word means we are dependent on someone else, on something else. That we might not get a say, even if we want one. Decisions will be made that affect us profoundly, that we have no control over.

Gaining Independence as a Dependent Military Spouse

And while we understand this is what the military calls us, through our years as a military spouse, we gain independence. We gain this skill when we go months at a time without our spouse by our side. We gain it when we have to move away from our comfort zone. We gain independence because we have to and because there is no other choice to do so.

The military pushes you to be independent

When your spouse leaves for the first time, whether they are gone for a short training exercise, basic training, or their first deployment, you will be pushed into independence in ways you otherwise wouldn’t be. Even simple things such as taking out the trash, buying the groceries, and putting the kids to bed will all fall to you. You will learn how to do what you need to do to keep things going in your home, your job, and with your kids.

Gaining Independence as a Dependent Military Spouse

The military life teaches you more than you thought possible

While you know you will have to be more independent in this life, what you learn from the time apart might even surprise you. Military spouses are often stronger and can deal with more than they think they can. Through being forced into a more independent role, you will learn more than you ever could have imagined.

That independence will help you in all areas of your life

The independence you gain from living the military spouse life will help you in all areas of your life. You will find that you can get through different hurdles you didn’t think that you could. You will become a little more confident in your parenting abilities. That your independence will even help you on your career path.

Gaining Independence as a Dependent Military Spouse

That gaining that independence can hurt sometimes, even if it is a good thing

Some military spouses go straight from their parent’s house to their first home with their servicemember. They might not have ever lived on their own before then. This new world can be quite scary and having to step out of your comfort zone doesn’t always feel good. There will be times over your years as a military spouse when gaining that independence might hurt, but that is all apart of the growing experience.

Being independent is a good thing. That skill will take you far. Even though the military calls you a dependent, know that you will become more independent over the years and that by doing so you can help achieve any goal you might have.

How have you become more independent during your time as a military spouse? 

What You Can Do to Avoid Drama in Your Milspouse Life

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What You Can Do to Avoid Drama in Your Milspouse LifeWhat You Can Do to Avoid Drama in Your Milspouse Life

Drama. It’s everywhere, isn’t? You want to stay away but you can’t. You want to get out there and make friends, but you don’t want the drama that comes with that. The truth is, drama is everywhere, but you don’t have to let the frustration take over your experiences. You don’t have to make the drama the center of your world.

Here is what you can do to stay away from the drama beyond staying in your home with the doors locked. (Because sometimes that seems like the best plan.)

Walk away

It’s simple. If you see drama, walk away. You don’t have to be a part of the drama if it doesn’t concern you or something you are a part of. Sometimes when we get bored, drama sounds exciting, and we want to be a part of it, even if the situation isn’t our business. Just walk away.

Be choosy

When you are making friends, be choosy. If you meet someone and they seem to be all about the drama, keep your distance. You can still be nice to people and not get involved in their drama. You might have to work with people you don’t always get along with, that is life, but if you can set up boundaries for yourself, you will be better off. Keep in mind that most people who gossip about other people will probably turn around and do the same to you in the future.

What You Can Do to Avoid Drama in Your Milspouse Life

Be kind

If you can be kind to others, the kindness will spread. People are less likely to be rude and disrespectful when other people around them are being kind. This doesn’t mean you have to take it when other people are rude to you. You don’t have to put up with that, but you can also be kind in your responses to the way you handle those people. Being kind is a good trait to model for your kids as well. In their friendships and relationships with others.

Don’t engage

A lot of drama comes from engaging with others about the issue is. Pick your battles. Is it worth getting into a fight with the person down the street? Should you go after someone you met at the FRG meeting? When you have to live around other people, try to keep the peace. Of course, this isn’t always possible but check yourself before you engage someone else about their behavior and make sure letting go wouldn’t be the better thing to do.

Don’t be a rumor mill

Don’t spread rumors and make things worse, especially about other people. If someone tells you something in confidence, keep that to yourself. You don’t need to be sharing secrets if someone asked you not to. That is how you can break a friendship. If you hear something about someone you know, don’t assume the rumor is true. What you heard could have been made up by someone else.

Be the bigger person

At the end of the day, be the bigger person. Don’t go off on someone that annoyed you in a Facebook group. Let things go. You don’t even have to respond to their behavior. If you get involved in a situation with someone on your military community, try to be the bigger person. Seek advice from good friends on what you should do. Don’t feel like you have to get revenge on everyone who has wronged you. Hating other people will bring you down. So be the bigger person. That will make your life easier.

Talk things out

If you do run into a situation with someone else, talk things out. See if you can come to an understanding. Sometimes the drama is because two or more people don’t understand one another. And if you could talk things out, the situation can get cleared up, without a lot of drama.

At the end of the day, remember, you can’t make everyone like you, and you can’t please the whole world. You got to be you, and you also need to live in peace in your community. Yes, there is going to be drama, but you don’t have to be a part of that drama. Do what you can to stay away and live a better military spouse life.

Have you experienced milspouse drama? What did you do about it?

14 Memes for Your Milspouse Life

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14 Memes for Your Milspouse Life

14 Memes for Your Milspouse Life

Whether you are getting ready for your 3rd PCS or just started your 1st deployment, milspouse life is unique and comes with its own challenges. Some days will be easier than others. Some years will be easier than others. Here are some milspouse memes to help you through…:)

milspouse memes

If you have ever been through a deployment before, you have probably been through these stages. #4 can be the hardest but #5 makes you feel like the strongest person in the world.

milspouse memes

One of the best feelings is to be reunited with a good friend! Good thing the military world is so small.

 

milspouse memes

Yes, yes it can 🙁 Just remember, deployments don’t last forever.

 

milspouse memes

Having your own battle buddy on the homefront will make any deployment a bit easier. You two know what missing your spouse is like and how hard solo parenting can be.

 

milspouse memes

Seriously! Deployments don’t go by too fast…they usually go at a snail’s pace. So never say that to someone about their deployment.

 

milspouse memes

Yep, they wouldn’t happen any other weekend…of course not. Gotta love the drill weekend.

 

milspouse memes

Would the military please make up its mind??? You just want to know where you will be living!

 

milspouse memes

Just keep at it, friends will come, even if it takes a while.

 

milspouse memes

Truth! Remember this! It will save you some heartache and frustration.

 

milspouse memes

Basically, be a good person 🙂

 

milspouse memes

If you need help, ask for you. Some couples need a little extra help to get through the time after a deployment.

 

milspouse memes

Yes. Never stop the love! Keep it flowing, even across the ocean. Say it as often as you can.

 

 

milspouse memes

Yes, be kind. You never know who just say goodbye to their husband. We might all be dealing with something.

 

milspouse memes

Each day down is another day closer. You got this! You really do!

What’s your favorite milspouse meme???

 

8 Things You Won’t Have To Do If Your Spouse Is Deployed

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8 Things You Won't Have To Do If Your Spouse Is Deployed

8 Things You Won’t Have To Do If Your Spouse Is Deployed

Deployments are no fun, any military spouse can tell you that. However, when they happen, which they usually do, there are things you simply won’t have to do because your spouse is gone. I am not going to say these are benefits, but if on a bad deployment day you are feeling pretty lonely, take a look and remember what you don’t have to do because your spouse is deployed.

1. Share the TV- How many times are you dying to catch up on Grey’s but you can’t because your husband wants to watch something else? Well, during a deployment you don’t have to worry about that. You can watch all of your shows, even the ones he makes fun of. Binge-watching can be very therapeutic during a deployment as well.

2. Shave- If your husband is deployed, you don’t have to shave. Well maybe you should shave sometimes but you don’t have to do this chore as often and no one will ever know. Unless it is summertime, then you probably do want to shave.

3. Share the bed- As much as I miss my husband when he is gone, I love having the bed to myself. Maybe I would feel differently if we didn’t have a queen bed but I like having all that space. Of course, at night, when the house is quiet and he is gone, I would rather him be there. But if he has to be deployed, I am going to enjoy having that extra space each night.

4. Clean dirty uniforms- Between the uniforms and his regular clothes, when your spouse deploys you are going to have a lot less laundry to do. This will free up some time from your schedule. You won’t have to wash those dirty uniforms straight from the field. No sand in your washing machine. That might be a nice break.

5. Cook what you don’t like- Cooking will change for you when he deploys. Depending on your children and how old they are, you might be able to get away with not cooking much at all. And you won’t have to cook anything you don’t like. You can also cook what you do like that he might not. My husband is not a big fan of breakfast for dinner so I tend to make that when he is gone. The kids love it!

6. Spend as much on food- Speaking of food, your grocery budget can go down a bit once they are deployment. You also might be able to go longer between shopping trips. See how much food you need to buy each week and go from there. You don’t want to buy too much and end up with some of your food going bad.

7. Share a bathroom- Your bathroom is all for you. No more mess from anyone other than you, unless you let your children use it. But being the only person who uses your bathroom will make the room a bit of a relaxing space for you. Buy some candles and bubble bath and make your bathroom your retreat.

8. Wake up too early- When you have small children you never get to sleep in. When your husband is in the Army and has to wake up for PT, you never get to sleep in. When they are deployed, you might actually be able to catch some extra zzzs without your spouse waking you up trying to find his PT gear.

Are you going through a deployment right now? What haven’t you had to do since your spouse has been gone?

Share a Cup~A Coffee Date with my Veteran

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The Folger Coffee Company. The opinions and text are all mine.

Share a Cup~A Coffee Date with my Veteran

My husband and I are big coffee drinkers.

 

https://ifttt.com/myrecipes/personal
We have spent many mornings and afternoons drinking coffee together, talking about our day or whatever else is on our minds. There is something about that cup of awesomeness that makes for sitting down, relaxing and enjoying one another.

I have always enjoyed hearing about his time as an active duty soldier. I remember when he told me about the group of guys he was deployed with during his first trip to Iraq. How going through the long 15-month deployment bonded them together, just like it did us spouses back at home. How in some ways they became family and would always have that bond. He has shared some stories about funny things that happened during that deployment, in the middle of the stressfulness that comes with being in a war zone.

After four deployments, having that time to talk together is so nice. Time to talk about us, the kids and everything we have been through. We also enjoy talking about the future, our jobs and what we hope to accomplish in the next few years.

Since we spent so much time apart during his active duty years, we never want to take time together now for granted. As our kids are getting older, spending that quality time together gets even easier. We can sit out on the porch and talk or just sit and enjoy each other’s company.

My husband left the active duty military in the summer of 2014. Sometimes it is hard to believe it has been almost 2.5 years since that day. During that time he and I have tried to figure out what our post-Army world is going to look like. He wants to find his place in this civilian world and we need to figure out how we can both make a living in order to raise our boys.

Leaving the military is never easy and can take a lot of planning and discussing. During our coffee talks, we bring up where we see our family in the next few years, what are goals are and the best way to get to them. Being able to talk like that helps me know that we are on the same page and that we are working towards the same things.

Thinking about where we have been and where we are going is exciting. Life can be funny and you never really know how everything is going to work out. I am enjoying being on this road of life with my husband and going through everything we go through together.

Veterans Day

With Veterans Day approaching, we need to be going beyond a simple thank you to our Veterans. Sometimes Veterans can be a little uncomfortable with hearing, “Thank you for your service,” over and over again. We need to be recognizing them and listening to their stories, no matter when they served. We should also be sharing stories of the Veterans we know in our own lives. They all have a story to tell. About how they came to be a service member and what they are doing now that the Military part of their lives is over. Asking a veteran about their time in service is a great way to show that you care.

Folgers and Walmart have the opportunity to inspire shoppers to go beyond the customary “thank you” by illuminating Veterans in the local community and encouraging meaningful moments that bring people together.

Share a Cup~A Coffee Date with my Veteran
 

Folgers and Walmart have a very special “Share a Cup & a Story” promotion going on right now. They want you to take the time to listen to the Veterans in your life. To spend some time listening to their stories and to hear what they have to say. We can all learn a lot from what the Veterans in our lives and community share with us.

I am excited to be working on this post for Folgers and to share a little bit about me and my Veteran.

Walmart is the place to shop for Folgers coffee!

Share a Cup~A Coffee Date with my Veteran
Walmart has quite the selection of Folgers coffee!

The other day we went to Walmart and I bought “Classic Roast.” One of our favorites. We always make sure we never run out of coffee and Walmart is a great help with that. You can find Folgers coffee at your local Walmart in the coffee aisle.

Head on over to Walmart and learn more about the Share a Cup & a Story program!

Do you share stories with your veteran over coffee? What is your favorite morning drink?

Share a Cup~A Coffee Date with my Veteran
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