26 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDS ON YOUR NEXT VIDEO CALL Try these on for size: 3-minute TED Talks: everyone joins the Zoom with a 3ish minute powerpoint, then everyone shares and rates the talks.The winner gets a small prize, like a gift card, or everyone Venmo’s them $10. Unbox a shared activity: grab a subscription to a mystery box, like Hunt a Killer or Finders Seekers, then do the activity together each week until you solve the mystery 25 SUMMER CARE PACKAGE IDEAS Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime! Sand, sun, ice cream cones, pool parties It’s a great season to share with someone! Even if your loved one is far away, you can send a little bit of summer fun to them in a cardboard box.Here are 25 care package ideas for

inspiration. And if

27 CANDY SWAPS THAT WON'T MELT IN CARE PACKAGES Granola bars. If your loved one loves candy bars, granola bars are a snack swap that will keep them (mostly) satisfied. (Because, let’s be real, Hershey bars are delicious.) If you’re very worried about the melt factor, send granola bars that aren’t loaded with GIGANTIC LIST OF FREE MILITARY CARE PACKAGES FOR SERVICE No matter why you’re interested, I created this list of organizations (both for-profit companies and non-profits) that send care packages to troops. Some of them you’ll be able to volunteer at; others you can’t. All of them take names and addresses to send service members packages abroad. Please remember that I am not

affiliated with any

27 TESTED, MAILABLE RECIPES FOR CARE PACKAGES Recipes for mason jar cakes, cookies, granola, dried fruit, snacks, breakfast bars, and other baked goods that can be mailed in care

packages.

WHAT YOU CAN DO DURING A COMMUNICATIONS BLACKOUT Stay away from the news. Or at least, be a careful consumer of the news. Especially when your spouse is deployed, especially when they’re deployed to an area of conflict, it is so, so, so easy to keep your ear tuned to the news. But it can also make the time during a communications blackout excruciating. It is so, so, so easy to

“read tea

LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP BLUES: 4 SPICY IDEAS FOR YOUR Here are some game ideas you can try: • Two Truths, One Lie – Take turns by telling each other one lie and two true information about yourself. Then, allow the other to guess which one is the lie and explain why. • Last Letter – This game only requires you to be a

quick thinker.

OMBUDSMAN 101: A VITAL RESOURCE FOR NAVY FAMILIES But, your Ombudsman can direct you to resources to find childcare or transportation, to get financial assistance, or to find housing. The bottom line is that there are tons of resources out there for our Navy families – so many that most spouses haven’t even heard of many of them, let alone taken advantage of them. 5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T DATE SOMEONE IN THE MILITARY 4. Don’t date him/her just because of an impending deployment. Deployments put a lot of pressure on everything– you, your military member, the relationship. The time leading up to a deployment can feel like a pressure cooker and it can also feel very, very romantic. Deployments can also be tough for people in the most exclusive THE HUGE LIST OF FREE STUFF FOR NEW MILITARY MOMS AND MOMS TRICARE offers free meetings with a breastfeeding counselor after the birth of your child in a few ways: as an inpatient maternity stay, as a follow-up outpatient visit, or as a well-child care visit. In fact, you can get up to six outpatient sessions with a specialist completely

free to you as a

26 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDS ON YOUR NEXT VIDEO CALL Try these on for size: 3-minute TED Talks: everyone joins the Zoom with a 3ish minute powerpoint, then everyone shares and rates the talks.The winner gets a small prize, like a gift card, or everyone Venmo’s them $10. Unbox a shared activity: grab a subscription to a mystery box, like Hunt a Killer or Finders Seekers, then do the activity together each week until you solve the mystery 25 SUMMER CARE PACKAGE IDEAS Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime! Sand, sun, ice cream cones, pool parties It’s a great season to share with someone! Even if your loved one is far away, you can send a little bit of summer fun to them in a cardboard box.Here are 25 care package ideas for

inspiration. And if

27 CANDY SWAPS THAT WON'T MELT IN CARE PACKAGES Granola bars. If your loved one loves candy bars, granola bars are a snack swap that will keep them (mostly) satisfied. (Because, let’s be real, Hershey bars are delicious.) If you’re very worried about the melt factor, send granola bars that aren’t loaded with GIGANTIC LIST OF FREE MILITARY CARE PACKAGES FOR SERVICE No matter why you’re interested, I created this list of organizations (both for-profit companies and non-profits) that send care packages to troops. Some of them you’ll be able to volunteer at; others you can’t. All of them take names and addresses to send service members packages abroad. Please remember that I am not

affiliated with any

27 TESTED, MAILABLE RECIPES FOR CARE PACKAGES Recipes for mason jar cakes, cookies, granola, dried fruit, snacks, breakfast bars, and other baked goods that can be mailed in care

packages.

WHAT YOU CAN DO DURING A COMMUNICATIONS BLACKOUT Stay away from the news. Or at least, be a careful consumer of the news. Especially when your spouse is deployed, especially when they’re deployed to an area of conflict, it is so, so, so easy to keep your ear tuned to the news. But it can also make the time during a communications blackout excruciating. It is so, so, so easy to

“read tea

LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP BLUES: 4 SPICY IDEAS FOR YOUR Here are some game ideas you can try: • Two Truths, One Lie – Take turns by telling each other one lie and two true information about yourself. Then, allow the other to guess which one is the lie and explain why. • Last Letter – This game only requires you to be a

quick thinker.

OMBUDSMAN 101: A VITAL RESOURCE FOR NAVY FAMILIES But, your Ombudsman can direct you to resources to find childcare or transportation, to get financial assistance, or to find housing. The bottom line is that there are tons of resources out there for our Navy families – so many that most spouses haven’t even heard of many of them, let alone taken advantage of them. 5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T DATE SOMEONE IN THE MILITARY 4. Don’t date him/her just because of an impending deployment. Deployments put a lot of pressure on everything– you, your military member, the relationship. The time leading up to a deployment can feel like a pressure cooker and it can also feel very, very romantic. Deployments can also be tough for people in the most exclusive THE HUGE LIST OF FREE STUFF FOR NEW MILITARY MOMS AND MOMS TRICARE offers free meetings with a breastfeeding counselor after the birth of your child in a few ways: as an inpatient maternity stay, as a follow-up outpatient visit, or as a well-child care visit. In fact, you can get up to six outpatient sessions with a specialist completely

free to you as a

27 TESTED, MAILABLE RECIPES FOR CARE PACKAGES Recipes for mason jar cakes, cookies, granola, dried fruit, snacks, breakfast bars, and other baked goods that can be mailed in care

packages.

THE GIGANTIC LIST OF MOVIES PERFECT FOR WATCHING DURING Suggested by other milspouses and milsos “Twilight SagaSsshhhh!” -Edith “10 Things I hate about you and Dirty Dancing are my two guilty pleasures.” -Heather from Only Passionate Curiosity “Little Women, Love Actually, Harry Potter, most comedic movies to keep me laughing.And usually movies I had watched first before we met. Then I don’t connect it to a date or something 9 SURPRISING WAYS YOU MIGHT BE VIOLATING OPSEC AND PERSEC 7. Stop sharing when you see a violation. Sometimes when a military spouse accidentally (or intentionally) violates OPSEC or PERSEC, the offending post or action is commented on, screenshot, shared usually by other folks in the military community, and usually while people are decrying something in that post or picture. PERFECT HOMECOMING OUTFITS: 10 MILITARY SPOUSES TELL ALL 3. Bring an extra outfit. So I’ll be honest I wore one shirt and packed my actual shirt and wore a tank under because I kiddo wrangled at the time and knew I would sweat/get drooled on- Lauren F. 4. Wear the right mindset. Comfortable and realistic. Homecoming is a chaotic and unpredictable event. EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A BRILLIANT BIRTHDAY CARE PACKAGE Birthday Celebration. Long Distance Birthday. Colorful Birthday Box. Balloons and Cake Box (Etsy) Party in a Box. Birthday Banner. Happy 22nd! Baseball Birthday. Lucky I’m in Love. THE HUGE LIST OF FREE STUFF FOR NEW MILITARY MOMS AND MOMS TRICARE offers free meetings with a breastfeeding counselor after the birth of your child in a few ways: as an inpatient maternity stay, as a follow-up outpatient visit, or as a well-child care visit. In fact, you can get up to six outpatient sessions with a specialist completely

free to you as a

3 PROGRAMS TO USE DURING DEPLOYMENT (THAT ACTUALLY WORK!) There are tons of programs run by nonprofits, businesses, and organizations that are specifically designed to support and help deployed service members and their families during deployment.Today, I’m highlighting the three that John and I found. I didn’t really use many programs or organizations while John was deployed. 17 ST. PATRICK'S DAY CARE PACKAGE IDEAS Care Packages: (Root) Beer Pong – I sent this care package to John when he was deployed to Afghanistan. Complete with cheesy puns, a six pack of root beer, and red solo cups, it was fun to put together and send. It’s also the first care package I created where I 5 BIBLE VERSES AND A PRAYER FOR DEPLOYMENT Walk by his side and calm any fear. Be his companion and guide his thoughts. Encircle him with your light and keep him from harm. And when his service is ended, lead him safely home again. For you, O God, are our shelter in every storm and our refuge in times of danger. 10 FAB WAYS TO CELEBRATE AN LDR ANNIVERSARY LDR doesn't have to = boring. Long-distance relationships can be tough even on the most mundane of days. But throw an anniversary into the mix–a day that society says should be special, exciting, and celebrated together–and suddenly, a tough day can easily turn

tragic.

26 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDS ON YOUR NEXT VIDEO CALL Try these on for size: 3-minute TED Talks: everyone joins the Zoom with a 3ish minute powerpoint, then everyone shares and rates the talks.The winner gets a small prize, like a gift card, or everyone Venmo’s them $10. Unbox a shared activity: grab a subscription to a mystery box, like Hunt a Killer or Finders Seekers, then do the activity together each week until you solve the mystery 25 SUMMER CARE PACKAGE IDEAS Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime! Sand, sun, ice cream cones, pool parties It’s a great season to share with someone! Even if your loved one is far away, you can send a little bit of summer fun to them in a cardboard box.Here are 25 care package ideas for

inspiration. And if

27 CANDY SWAPS THAT WON'T MELT IN CARE PACKAGES Granola bars. If your loved one loves candy bars, granola bars are a snack swap that will keep them (mostly) satisfied. (Because, let’s be real, Hershey bars are delicious.) If you’re very worried about the melt factor, send granola bars that aren’t loaded with GIGANTIC LIST OF FREE MILITARY CARE PACKAGES FOR SERVICE No matter why you’re interested, I created this list of organizations (both for-profit companies and non-profits) that send care packages to troops. Some of them you’ll be able to volunteer at; others you can’t. All of them take names and addresses to send service members packages abroad. Please remember that I am not

affiliated with any

OPEN WHEN LETTERS AND IDEAS Open When letters are a great way to keep in touch with your loved one and send a little instant encouragement. They’re also fantastic for deployments that may be difficult to get mail to (like submarines or special ops) or situations that don’t have ready internet access.. If you haven’t sent an Open When letter, it’s as simple or involved as you want it to be. 9 SURPRISING WAYS YOU MIGHT BE VIOLATING OPSEC AND PERSEC 7. Stop sharing when you see a violation. Sometimes when a military spouse accidentally (or intentionally) violates OPSEC or PERSEC, the offending post or action is commented on, screenshot, shared usually by other folks in the military community, and usually while people are decrying something in that post or picture. 5 BIBLE VERSES AND A PRAYER FOR DEPLOYMENT Walk by his side and calm any fear. Be his companion and guide his thoughts. Encircle him with your light and keep him from harm. And when his service is ended, lead him safely home again. For you, O God, are our shelter in every storm and our refuge in times of danger. OMBUDSMAN 101: A VITAL RESOURCE FOR NAVY FAMILIES But, your Ombudsman can direct you to resources to find childcare or transportation, to get financial assistance, or to find housing. The bottom line is that there are tons of resources out there for our Navy families – so many that most spouses haven’t even heard of many of them, let alone taken advantage of them. 5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T DATE SOMEONE IN THE MILITARY 4. Don’t date him/her just because of an impending deployment. Deployments put a lot of pressure on everything– you, your military member, the relationship. The time leading up to a deployment can feel like a pressure cooker and it can also feel very, very romantic. Deployments can also be tough for people in the most exclusive THE HUGE LIST OF FREE STUFF FOR NEW MILITARY MOMS AND MOMS TRICARE offers free meetings with a breastfeeding counselor after the birth of your child in a few ways: as an inpatient maternity stay, as a follow-up outpatient visit, or as a well-child care visit. In fact, you can get up to six outpatient sessions with a specialist completely

free to you as a

26 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDS ON YOUR NEXT VIDEO CALL Try these on for size: 3-minute TED Talks: everyone joins the Zoom with a 3ish minute powerpoint, then everyone shares and rates the talks.The winner gets a small prize, like a gift card, or everyone Venmo’s them $10. Unbox a shared activity: grab a subscription to a mystery box, like Hunt a Killer or Finders Seekers, then do the activity together each week until you solve the mystery 25 SUMMER CARE PACKAGE IDEAS Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime! Sand, sun, ice cream cones, pool parties It’s a great season to share with someone! Even if your loved one is far away, you can send a little bit of summer fun to them in a cardboard box.Here are 25 care package ideas for

inspiration. And if

27 CANDY SWAPS THAT WON'T MELT IN CARE PACKAGES Granola bars. If your loved one loves candy bars, granola bars are a snack swap that will keep them (mostly) satisfied. (Because, let’s be real, Hershey bars are delicious.) If you’re very worried about the melt factor, send granola bars that aren’t loaded with GIGANTIC LIST OF FREE MILITARY CARE PACKAGES FOR SERVICE No matter why you’re interested, I created this list of organizations (both for-profit companies and non-profits) that send care packages to troops. Some of them you’ll be able to volunteer at; others you can’t. All of them take names and addresses to send service members packages abroad. Please remember that I am not

affiliated with any

OPEN WHEN LETTERS AND IDEAS Open When letters are a great way to keep in touch with your loved one and send a little instant encouragement. They’re also fantastic for deployments that may be difficult to get mail to (like submarines or special ops) or situations that don’t have ready internet access.. If you haven’t sent an Open When letter, it’s as simple or involved as you want it to be. 9 SURPRISING WAYS YOU MIGHT BE VIOLATING OPSEC AND PERSEC 7. Stop sharing when you see a violation. Sometimes when a military spouse accidentally (or intentionally) violates OPSEC or PERSEC, the offending post or action is commented on, screenshot, shared usually by other folks in the military community, and usually while people are decrying something in that post or picture. 5 BIBLE VERSES AND A PRAYER FOR DEPLOYMENT Walk by his side and calm any fear. Be his companion and guide his thoughts. Encircle him with your light and keep him from harm. And when his service is ended, lead him safely home again. For you, O God, are our shelter in every storm and our refuge in times of danger. OMBUDSMAN 101: A VITAL RESOURCE FOR NAVY FAMILIES But, your Ombudsman can direct you to resources to find childcare or transportation, to get financial assistance, or to find housing. The bottom line is that there are tons of resources out there for our Navy families – so many that most spouses haven’t even heard of many of them, let alone taken advantage of them. 5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T DATE SOMEONE IN THE MILITARY 4. Don’t date him/her just because of an impending deployment. Deployments put a lot of pressure on everything– you, your military member, the relationship. The time leading up to a deployment can feel like a pressure cooker and it can also feel very, very romantic. Deployments can also be tough for people in the most exclusive THE HUGE LIST OF FREE STUFF FOR NEW MILITARY MOMS AND MOMS TRICARE offers free meetings with a breastfeeding counselor after the birth of your child in a few ways: as an inpatient maternity stay, as a follow-up outpatient visit, or as a well-child care visit. In fact, you can get up to six outpatient sessions with a specialist completely

free to you as a

10 WAYS TO BE PATRIOTIC IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 It’s patriotic to be silly, after all, if it means that you stay at home. 5. Stay home. The most vulnerable among us will be hurt the greatest– both financially and bodily. If you can donate money to your local food bank, do it. If you are able to call the elderly you 72 FOODS FOR HEALTHY CARE PACKAGES Updated 2021. It’s so tempting to want to send unhealthy food– cookies, candy, you name it. (Guilty as charged!) When I was sending care packages to John while he was deployed, he specifically requested healthier foods for one simple reason: healthy foods weren’t rotated often at the DFAC (military cafeteria) and he missed having a variety

to choose from.

5 BIBLE VERSES AND A PRAYER FOR DEPLOYMENT Walk by his side and calm any fear. Be his companion and guide his thoughts. Encircle him with your light and keep him from harm. And when his service is ended, lead him safely home again. For you, O God, are our shelter in every storm and our refuge in times of danger. 5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T DATE SOMEONE IN THE MILITARY 4. Don’t date him/her just because of an impending deployment. Deployments put a lot of pressure on everything– you, your military member, the relationship. The time leading up to a deployment can feel like a pressure cooker and it can also feel very, very romantic. Deployments can also be tough for people in the most exclusive 150+ AWESOME CARE PACKAGE IDEAS AND ITEMS A bunch of care package ideas for you. Here’s a list of more than 150 care package ideas to choose from and it’s a great jumping-off point if you’re not sure how to get started. This list is broad and could be used for anyone sending a care package– to a college student, military personnel, or a missionary– so make sure that you

know

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A BRILLIANT BIRTHDAY CARE PACKAGE Birthday Celebration. Long Distance Birthday. Colorful Birthday Box. Balloons and Cake Box (Etsy) Party in a Box. Birthday Banner. Happy 22nd! Baseball Birthday. Lucky I’m in Love. 17 THINGS MILITARY SPOUSES WANT YOU TO KNOW 9. I’m better because of this life. “The military lifestyle changed me into a better, stronger person.” -Trista from A Purpose Driven Wife. 10. You should say hi. “We may move a lot, but we do like making new friends. And it’s OK to get to know us, we are pretty awesome people!” -Sybil from Mamas and Coffee. 11. THE EASIEST WAY TO DRY BLUEBERRIES EVER! Directions: Rinse blueberries and let air dry (or pat dry with a paper towel.) Spread blueberries on a cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Bake blueberries in oven for 3 hours at 225 degrees. Remove 51 OPEN WHEN LETTER TOPICS FOR NEW MOMS Include a note written by New Momma’s partner. you watched your baby hit a milestone without your partner there to witness it. Include a small note pad for New Momma to write down every detail. you missed a milestone. your feet hurt. Include a small foot cream or shoe insert with your note. you just need a break. 10 FAB WAYS TO CELEBRATE AN LDR ANNIVERSARY LDR doesn't have to = boring. Long-distance relationships can be tough even on the most mundane of days. But throw an anniversary into the mix–a day that society says should be special, exciting, and celebrated together–and suddenly, a tough day can easily turn

tragic.

26 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDS ON YOUR NEXT VIDEO CALL Try these on for size: 3-minute TED Talks: everyone joins the Zoom with a 3ish minute powerpoint, then everyone shares and rates the talks.The winner gets a small prize, like a gift card, or everyone Venmo’s them $10. Unbox a shared activity: grab a subscription to a mystery box, like Hunt a Killer or Finders Seekers, then do the activity together each week until you solve the mystery 27 CANDY SWAPS THAT WON'T MELT IN CARE PACKAGES Granola bars. If your loved one loves candy bars, granola bars are a snack swap that will keep them (mostly) satisfied. (Because, let’s be real, Hershey bars are delicious.) If you’re very worried about the melt factor, send granola bars that aren’t loaded with 25 SUMMER CARE PACKAGE IDEAS Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime! Sand, sun, ice cream cones, pool parties It’s a great season to share with someone! Even if your loved one is far away, you can send a little bit of summer fun to them in a cardboard box.Here are 25 care package ideas for

inspiration. And if

GIGANTIC LIST OF FREE MILITARY CARE PACKAGES FOR SERVICE No matter why you’re interested, I created this list of organizations (both for-profit companies and non-profits) that send care packages to troops. Some of them you’ll be able to volunteer at; others you can’t. All of them take names and addresses to send service members packages abroad. Please remember that I am not

affiliated with any

OPEN WHEN LETTERS AND IDEAS Open When letters are a great way to keep in touch with your loved one and send a little instant encouragement. They’re also fantastic for deployments that may be difficult to get mail to (like submarines or special ops) or situations that don’t have ready internet access.. If you haven’t sent an Open When letter, it’s as simple or involved as you want it to be. WHAT YOU CAN DO DURING A COMMUNICATIONS BLACKOUT Stay away from the news. Or at least, be a careful consumer of the news. Especially when your spouse is deployed, especially when they’re deployed to an area of conflict, it is so, so, so easy to keep your ear tuned to the news. But it can also make the time during a communications blackout excruciating. It is so, so, so easy to

“read tea

150+ AWESOME CARE PACKAGE IDEAS AND ITEMS A bunch of care package ideas for you. Here’s a list of more than 150 care package ideas to choose from and it’s a great jumping-off point if you’re not sure how to get started. This list is broad and could be used for anyone sending a care package– to a college student, military personnel, or a missionary– so make sure that you

know

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A BRILLIANT BIRTHDAY CARE PACKAGE Birthday Celebration. Long Distance Birthday. Colorful Birthday Box. Balloons and Cake Box (Etsy) Party in a Box. Birthday Banner. Happy 22nd! Baseball Birthday. Lucky I’m in Love. 5 BIBLE VERSES AND A PRAYER FOR DEPLOYMENT Walk by his side and calm any fear. Be his companion and guide his thoughts. Encircle him with your light and keep him from harm. And when his service is ended, lead him safely home again. For you, O God, are our shelter in every storm and our refuge in times of danger. 5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T DATE SOMEONE IN THE MILITARY 4. Don’t date him/her just because of an impending deployment. Deployments put a lot of pressure on everything– you, your military member, the relationship. The time leading up to a deployment can feel like a pressure cooker and it can also feel very, very romantic. Deployments can also be tough for people in the most exclusive 26 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDS ON YOUR NEXT VIDEO CALL Try these on for size: 3-minute TED Talks: everyone joins the Zoom with a 3ish minute powerpoint, then everyone shares and rates the talks.The winner gets a small prize, like a gift card, or everyone Venmo’s them $10. Unbox a shared activity: grab a subscription to a mystery box, like Hunt a Killer or Finders Seekers, then do the activity together each week until you solve the mystery 27 CANDY SWAPS THAT WON'T MELT IN CARE PACKAGES Granola bars. If your loved one loves candy bars, granola bars are a snack swap that will keep them (mostly) satisfied. (Because, let’s be real, Hershey bars are delicious.) If you’re very worried about the melt factor, send granola bars that aren’t loaded with 25 SUMMER CARE PACKAGE IDEAS Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime! Sand, sun, ice cream cones, pool parties It’s a great season to share with someone! Even if your loved one is far away, you can send a little bit of summer fun to them in a cardboard box.Here are 25 care package ideas for

inspiration. And if

GIGANTIC LIST OF FREE MILITARY CARE PACKAGES FOR SERVICE No matter why you’re interested, I created this list of organizations (both for-profit companies and non-profits) that send care packages to troops. Some of them you’ll be able to volunteer at; others you can’t. All of them take names and addresses to send service members packages abroad. Please remember that I am not

affiliated with any

OPEN WHEN LETTERS AND IDEAS Open When letters are a great way to keep in touch with your loved one and send a little instant encouragement. They’re also fantastic for deployments that may be difficult to get mail to (like submarines or special ops) or situations that don’t have ready internet access.. If you haven’t sent an Open When letter, it’s as simple or involved as you want it to be. WHAT YOU CAN DO DURING A COMMUNICATIONS BLACKOUT Stay away from the news. Or at least, be a careful consumer of the news. Especially when your spouse is deployed, especially when they’re deployed to an area of conflict, it is so, so, so easy to keep your ear tuned to the news. But it can also make the time during a communications blackout excruciating. It is so, so, so easy to

“read tea

150+ AWESOME CARE PACKAGE IDEAS AND ITEMS A bunch of care package ideas for you. Here’s a list of more than 150 care package ideas to choose from and it’s a great jumping-off point if you’re not sure how to get started. This list is broad and could be used for anyone sending a care package– to a college student, military personnel, or a missionary– so make sure that you

know

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A BRILLIANT BIRTHDAY CARE PACKAGE Birthday Celebration. Long Distance Birthday. Colorful Birthday Box. Balloons and Cake Box (Etsy) Party in a Box. Birthday Banner. Happy 22nd! Baseball Birthday. Lucky I’m in Love. 5 BIBLE VERSES AND A PRAYER FOR DEPLOYMENT Walk by his side and calm any fear. Be his companion and guide his thoughts. Encircle him with your light and keep him from harm. And when his service is ended, lead him safely home again. For you, O God, are our shelter in every storm and our refuge in times of danger. 5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T DATE SOMEONE IN THE MILITARY 4. Don’t date him/her just because of an impending deployment. Deployments put a lot of pressure on everything– you, your military member, the relationship. The time leading up to a deployment can feel like a pressure cooker and it can also feel very, very romantic. Deployments can also be tough for people in the most exclusive START HERE - JO, MY GOSH!, LLC Start Here - Jo, My Gosh!, LLC. Hi I’m Jo, and I’m so glad that you’re here! Military life is an adventure. It can be full of frustrations and worries, but it’s also overflowing with opportunities and joy. And while it seems like everything can change in an instant, there is 150+ AWESOME CARE PACKAGE IDEAS AND ITEMS A bunch of care package ideas for you. Here’s a list of more than 150 care package ideas to choose from and it’s a great jumping-off point if you’re not sure how to get started. This list is broad and could be used for anyone sending a care package– to a college student, military personnel, or a missionary– so make sure that you

know

5 BIBLE VERSES AND A PRAYER FOR DEPLOYMENT Walk by his side and calm any fear. Be his companion and guide his thoughts. Encircle him with your light and keep him from harm. And when his service is ended, lead him safely home again. For you, O God, are our shelter in every storm and our refuge in times of danger. 50+ QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR SPOUSE BEFORE A DEPLOYMENT It’s very important to ask your service member how they want to be sent off for deployment. Some people prefer to do a kiss-and-ride type goodbye: drop your person and their stuff, drive away. It prevents a long, drawn out farewell and allows everyone to focus on the mission at hand. Others prefer to have their family there for some or all of EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A BRILLIANT BIRTHDAY CARE PACKAGE Birthday Celebration. Long Distance Birthday. Colorful Birthday Box. Balloons and Cake Box (Etsy) Party in a Box. Birthday Banner. Happy 22nd! Baseball Birthday. Lucky I’m in Love. THE EASIEST WAY TO DRY BLUEBERRIES EVER! Directions: Rinse blueberries and let air dry (or pat dry with a paper towel.) Spread blueberries on a cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Bake blueberries in oven for 3 hours at 225 degrees. Remove 17 THINGS MILITARY SPOUSES WANT YOU TO KNOW 9. I’m better because of this life. “The military lifestyle changed me into a better, stronger person.” -Trista from A Purpose Driven Wife. 10. You should say hi. “We may move a lot, but we do like making new friends. And it’s OK to get to know us, we are pretty awesome people!” -Sybil from Mamas and Coffee. 11. 51 OPEN WHEN LETTER TOPICS FOR NEW MOMS Include a note written by New Momma’s partner. you watched your baby hit a milestone without your partner there to witness it. Include a small note pad for New Momma to write down every detail. you missed a milestone. your feet hurt. Include a small foot cream or shoe insert with your note. you just need a break. 10 FAB WAYS TO CELEBRATE AN LDR ANNIVERSARY LDR doesn't have to = boring. Long-distance relationships can be tough even on the most mundane of days. But throw an anniversary into the mix–a day that society says should be special, exciting, and celebrated together–and suddenly, a tough day can easily turn

tragic.

THE HUGE LIST OF FREE STUFF FOR NEW MILITARY MOMS AND MOMS TRICARE offers free meetings with a breastfeeding counselor after the birth of your child in a few ways: as an inpatient maternity stay, as a follow-up outpatient visit, or as a well-child care visit. In fact, you can get up to six outpatient sessions with a specialist completely

free to you as a

26 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDS ON YOUR NEXT VIDEO CALL Try these on for size: 3-minute TED Talks: everyone joins the Zoom with a 3ish minute powerpoint, then everyone shares and rates the talks.The winner gets a small prize, like a gift card, or everyone Venmo’s them $10. Unbox a shared activity: grab a subscription to a mystery box, like Hunt a Killer or Finders Seekers, then do the activity together each week until you solve the mystery 25 SUMMER CARE PACKAGE IDEAS Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime! Sand, sun, ice cream cones, pool parties It’s a great season to share with someone! Even if your loved one is far away, you can send a little bit of summer fun to them in a cardboard box.Here are 25 care package ideas for

inspiration. And if

GIGANTIC LIST OF FREE MILITARY CARE PACKAGES FOR SERVICE No matter why you’re interested, I created this list of organizations (both for-profit companies and non-profits) that send care packages to troops. Some of them you’ll be able to volunteer at; others you can’t. All of them take names and addresses to send service members packages abroad. Please remember that I am not

affiliated with any

27 CANDY SWAPS THAT WON'T MELT IN CARE PACKAGES Granola bars. If your loved one loves candy bars, granola bars are a snack swap that will keep them (mostly) satisfied. (Because, let’s be real, Hershey bars are delicious.) If you’re very worried about the melt factor, send granola bars that aren’t loaded with WHAT YOU CAN DO DURING A COMMUNICATIONS BLACKOUT Stay away from the news. Or at least, be a careful consumer of the news. Especially when your spouse is deployed, especially when they’re deployed to an area of conflict, it is so, so, so easy to keep your ear tuned to the news. But it can also make the time during a communications blackout excruciating. It is so, so, so easy to

“read tea

5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T DATE SOMEONE IN THE MILITARY 4. Don’t date him/her just because of an impending deployment. Deployments put a lot of pressure on everything– you, your military member, the relationship. The time leading up to a deployment can feel like a pressure cooker and it can also feel very, very romantic. Deployments can also be tough for people in the most exclusive EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A BRILLIANT BIRTHDAY CARE PACKAGE Birthday Celebration. Long Distance Birthday. Colorful Birthday Box. Balloons and Cake Box (Etsy) Party in a Box. Birthday Banner. Happy 22nd! Baseball Birthday. Lucky I’m in Love. OMBUDSMAN 101: A VITAL RESOURCE FOR NAVY FAMILIES But, your Ombudsman can direct you to resources to find childcare or transportation, to get financial assistance, or to find housing. The bottom line is that there are tons of resources out there for our Navy families – so many that most spouses haven’t even heard of many of them, let alone taken advantage of them. 3 PROGRAMS TO USE DURING DEPLOYMENT (THAT ACTUALLY WORK!) There are tons of programs run by nonprofits, businesses, and organizations that are specifically designed to support and help deployed service members and their families during deployment.Today, I’m highlighting the three that John and I found. I didn’t really use many programs or organizations while John was deployed. THE HUGE LIST OF FREE STUFF FOR NEW MILITARY MOMS AND MOMS TRICARE offers free meetings with a breastfeeding counselor after the birth of your child in a few ways: as an inpatient maternity stay, as a follow-up outpatient visit, or as a well-child care visit. In fact, you can get up to six outpatient sessions with a specialist completely

free to you as a

26 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDS ON YOUR NEXT VIDEO CALL Try these on for size: 3-minute TED Talks: everyone joins the Zoom with a 3ish minute powerpoint, then everyone shares and rates the talks.The winner gets a small prize, like a gift card, or everyone Venmo’s them $10. Unbox a shared activity: grab a subscription to a mystery box, like Hunt a Killer or Finders Seekers, then do the activity together each week until you solve the mystery 25 SUMMER CARE PACKAGE IDEAS Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime! Sand, sun, ice cream cones, pool parties It’s a great season to share with someone! Even if your loved one is far away, you can send a little bit of summer fun to them in a cardboard box.Here are 25 care package ideas for

inspiration. And if

GIGANTIC LIST OF FREE MILITARY CARE PACKAGES FOR SERVICE No matter why you’re interested, I created this list of organizations (both for-profit companies and non-profits) that send care packages to troops. Some of them you’ll be able to volunteer at; others you can’t. All of them take names and addresses to send service members packages abroad. Please remember that I am not

affiliated with any

27 CANDY SWAPS THAT WON'T MELT IN CARE PACKAGES Granola bars. If your loved one loves candy bars, granola bars are a snack swap that will keep them (mostly) satisfied. (Because, let’s be real, Hershey bars are delicious.) If you’re very worried about the melt factor, send granola bars that aren’t loaded with WHAT YOU CAN DO DURING A COMMUNICATIONS BLACKOUT Stay away from the news. Or at least, be a careful consumer of the news. Especially when your spouse is deployed, especially when they’re deployed to an area of conflict, it is so, so, so easy to keep your ear tuned to the news. But it can also make the time during a communications blackout excruciating. It is so, so, so easy to

“read tea

5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T DATE SOMEONE IN THE MILITARY 4. Don’t date him/her just because of an impending deployment. Deployments put a lot of pressure on everything– you, your military member, the relationship. The time leading up to a deployment can feel like a pressure cooker and it can also feel very, very romantic. Deployments can also be tough for people in the most exclusive EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A BRILLIANT BIRTHDAY CARE PACKAGE Birthday Celebration. Long Distance Birthday. Colorful Birthday Box. Balloons and Cake Box (Etsy) Party in a Box. Birthday Banner. Happy 22nd! Baseball Birthday. Lucky I’m in Love. OMBUDSMAN 101: A VITAL RESOURCE FOR NAVY FAMILIES But, your Ombudsman can direct you to resources to find childcare or transportation, to get financial assistance, or to find housing. The bottom line is that there are tons of resources out there for our Navy families – so many that most spouses haven’t even heard of many of them, let alone taken advantage of them. 3 PROGRAMS TO USE DURING DEPLOYMENT (THAT ACTUALLY WORK!) There are tons of programs run by nonprofits, businesses, and organizations that are specifically designed to support and help deployed service members and their families during deployment.Today, I’m highlighting the three that John and I found. I didn’t really use many programs or organizations while John was deployed. THE HUGE LIST OF FREE STUFF FOR NEW MILITARY MOMS AND MOMS TRICARE offers free meetings with a breastfeeding counselor after the birth of your child in a few ways: as an inpatient maternity stay, as a follow-up outpatient visit, or as a well-child care visit. In fact, you can get up to six outpatient sessions with a specialist completely

free to you as a

5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T DATE SOMEONE IN THE MILITARY 4. Don’t date him/her just because of an impending deployment. Deployments put a lot of pressure on everything– you, your military member, the relationship. The time leading up to a deployment can feel like a pressure cooker and it can also feel very, very romantic. Deployments can also be tough for people in the most exclusive PERFECT HOMECOMING OUTFITS: 10 MILITARY SPOUSES TELL ALL 3. Bring an extra outfit. So I’ll be honest I wore one shirt and packed my actual shirt and wore a tank under because I kiddo wrangled at the time and knew I would sweat/get drooled on- Lauren F. 4. Wear the right mindset. Comfortable and realistic. Homecoming is a chaotic and unpredictable event. THE GIGANTIC LIST OF MOVIES PERFECT FOR WATCHING DURING Suggested by other milspouses and milsos “Twilight SagaSsshhhh!” -Edith “10 Things I hate about you and Dirty Dancing are my two guilty pleasures.” -Heather from Only Passionate Curiosity “Little Women, Love Actually, Harry Potter, most comedic movies to keep me laughing.And usually movies I had watched first before we met. Then I don’t connect it to a date or something EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A BRILLIANT BIRTHDAY CARE PACKAGE Birthday Celebration. Long Distance Birthday. Colorful Birthday Box. Balloons and Cake Box (Etsy) Party in a Box. Birthday Banner. Happy 22nd! Baseball Birthday. Lucky I’m in Love. THE HUGE LIST OF FREE STUFF FOR NEW MILITARY MOMS AND MOMS TRICARE offers free meetings with a breastfeeding counselor after the birth of your child in a few ways: as an inpatient maternity stay, as a follow-up outpatient visit, or as a well-child care visit. In fact, you can get up to six outpatient sessions with a specialist completely

free to you as a

3 PROGRAMS TO USE DURING DEPLOYMENT (THAT ACTUALLY WORK!) There are tons of programs run by nonprofits, businesses, and organizations that are specifically designed to support and help deployed service members and their families during deployment.Today, I’m highlighting the three that John and I found. I didn’t really use many programs or organizations while John was deployed. 17 ST. PATRICK'S DAY CARE PACKAGE IDEAS Care Packages: (Root) Beer Pong – I sent this care package to John when he was deployed to Afghanistan. Complete with cheesy puns, a six pack of root beer, and red solo cups, it was fun to put together and send. It’s also the first care package I created where I 51 OPEN WHEN LETTER TOPICS FOR NEW MOMS Include a note written by New Momma’s partner. you watched your baby hit a milestone without your partner there to witness it. Include a small note pad for New Momma to write down every detail. you missed a milestone. your feet hurt. Include a small foot cream or shoe insert with your note. you just need a break. WHAT TROOPS REALLY WANT IN A CARE PACKAGE I’m happy to be a guest blogger and to tell you about some of my experiences as well as to give you all an insight of what troops really want in a care package. I grew up in a military family, with my mom previously serving in the Air Force, and my two older brothers now currently serving as EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A PATRIOTIC 4TH OF JULY CARE PACKAGE Gifts and Recipes. US Flag Candy Bags. Flag Candy Pouches. Flag Candy Treat Bags with Printable. 4th of July Mini Candy Bar Wrappers Printable. Full-Sized Candy Bar Wrappers Printable. Red, White & Blue Cookie Bark. Fingerprint Flag Cards. Patriotic Smores Mix Recipe. 26 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDS ON YOUR NEXT VIDEO CALL Try these on for size: 3-minute TED Talks: everyone joins the Zoom with a 3ish minute powerpoint, then everyone shares and rates the talks.The winner gets a small prize, like a gift card, or everyone Venmo’s them $10. Unbox a shared activity: grab a subscription to a mystery box, like Hunt a Killer or Finders Seekers, then do the activity together each week until you solve the mystery 25 SUMMER CARE PACKAGE IDEAS Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime! Sand, sun, ice cream cones, pool parties It’s a great season to share with someone! Even if your loved one is far away, you can send a little bit of summer fun to them in a cardboard box.Here are 25 care package ideas for

inspiration. And if

GIGANTIC LIST OF FREE MILITARY CARE PACKAGES FOR SERVICE No matter why you’re interested, I created this list of organizations (both for-profit companies and non-profits) that send care packages to troops. Some of them you’ll be able to volunteer at; others you can’t. All of them take names and addresses to send service members packages abroad. Please remember that I am not

affiliated with any

WHAT YOU CAN DO DURING A COMMUNICATIONS BLACKOUT Stay away from the news. Or at least, be a careful consumer of the news. Especially when your spouse is deployed, especially when they’re deployed to an area of conflict, it is so, so, so easy to keep your ear tuned to the news. But it can also make the time during a communications blackout excruciating. It is so, so, so easy to

“read tea

27 CANDY SWAPS THAT WON'T MELT IN CARE PACKAGESCANDY THAT WON T MELTCANDY THAT WON T MELT Granola bars. If your loved one loves candy bars, granola bars are a snack swap that will keep them (mostly) satisfied. (Because, let’s be real, Hershey bars are delicious.) If you’re very worried about the melt factor, send granola bars that aren’t loaded with 17 IRISH BLESSINGS PERFECT FOR MILITARY FAMILIES 4. An Irish blessing for when you need some good news. “May the most you wish for be the least you get.”. 5. An Irish blessing for when deployment feels overwhelming. “May love and laughter light your days and warm your hearth and home.”. 6. An Irish blessing for when you’re feeling far away from your loved ones. EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A BRILLIANT BIRTHDAY CARE PACKAGE21ST BIRTHDAY CARE PACKAGEHAPPY BIRTHDAY CARE PACKAGETHINGS TO PUT IN A CARE PACKAGE Birthday Celebration. Long Distance Birthday. Colorful Birthday Box. Balloons and Cake Box (Etsy) Party in a Box. Birthday Banner. Happy 22nd! Baseball Birthday. Lucky I’m in Love. OMBUDSMAN 101: A VITAL RESOURCE FOR NAVY FAMILIES But, your Ombudsman can direct you to resources to find childcare or transportation, to get financial assistance, or to find housing. The bottom line is that there are tons of resources out there for our Navy families – so many that most spouses haven’t even heard of many of them, let alone taken advantage of them. WHAT TROOPS REALLY WANT IN A CARE PACKAGE I’m happy to be a guest blogger and to tell you about some of my experiences as well as to give you all an insight of what troops really want in a care package. I grew up in a military family, with my mom previously serving in the Air Force, and my two older brothers now currently serving as HOW TO WRAP THE INSIDE OF A BOX On the inside of the box, spread your Elmer’s Glue. (Rubber cement dries too quickly.) 3. Flip your box over, press onto the wrapping paper and let dry. Place books or other heavier items on the edges of the box if they seem to be lifting up. 4. Once the box 26 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDS ON YOUR NEXT VIDEO CALL Try these on for size: 3-minute TED Talks: everyone joins the Zoom with a 3ish minute powerpoint, then everyone shares and rates the talks.The winner gets a small prize, like a gift card, or everyone Venmo’s them $10. Unbox a shared activity: grab a subscription to a mystery box, like Hunt a Killer or Finders Seekers, then do the activity together each week until you solve the mystery 25 SUMMER CARE PACKAGE IDEAS Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime! Sand, sun, ice cream cones, pool parties It’s a great season to share with someone! Even if your loved one is far away, you can send a little bit of summer fun to them in a cardboard box.Here are 25 care package ideas for

inspiration. And if

GIGANTIC LIST OF FREE MILITARY CARE PACKAGES FOR SERVICE No matter why you’re interested, I created this list of organizations (both for-profit companies and non-profits) that send care packages to troops. Some of them you’ll be able to volunteer at; others you can’t. All of them take names and addresses to send service members packages abroad. Please remember that I am not

affiliated with any

WHAT YOU CAN DO DURING A COMMUNICATIONS BLACKOUT Stay away from the news. Or at least, be a careful consumer of the news. Especially when your spouse is deployed, especially when they’re deployed to an area of conflict, it is so, so, so easy to keep your ear tuned to the news. But it can also make the time during a communications blackout excruciating. It is so, so, so easy to

“read tea

27 CANDY SWAPS THAT WON'T MELT IN CARE PACKAGESCANDY THAT WON T MELTCANDY THAT WON T MELT Granola bars. If your loved one loves candy bars, granola bars are a snack swap that will keep them (mostly) satisfied. (Because, let’s be real, Hershey bars are delicious.) If you’re very worried about the melt factor, send granola bars that aren’t loaded with 17 IRISH BLESSINGS PERFECT FOR MILITARY FAMILIES 4. An Irish blessing for when you need some good news. “May the most you wish for be the least you get.”. 5. An Irish blessing for when deployment feels overwhelming. “May love and laughter light your days and warm your hearth and home.”. 6. An Irish blessing for when you’re feeling far away from your loved ones. EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A BRILLIANT BIRTHDAY CARE PACKAGE21ST BIRTHDAY CARE PACKAGEHAPPY BIRTHDAY CARE PACKAGETHINGS TO PUT IN A CARE PACKAGE Birthday Celebration. Long Distance Birthday. Colorful Birthday Box. Balloons and Cake Box (Etsy) Party in a Box. Birthday Banner. Happy 22nd! Baseball Birthday. Lucky I’m in Love. OMBUDSMAN 101: A VITAL RESOURCE FOR NAVY FAMILIES But, your Ombudsman can direct you to resources to find childcare or transportation, to get financial assistance, or to find housing. The bottom line is that there are tons of resources out there for our Navy families – so many that most spouses haven’t even heard of many of them, let alone taken advantage of them. WHAT TROOPS REALLY WANT IN A CARE PACKAGE I’m happy to be a guest blogger and to tell you about some of my experiences as well as to give you all an insight of what troops really want in a care package. I grew up in a military family, with my mom previously serving in the Air Force, and my two older brothers now currently serving as HOW TO WRAP THE INSIDE OF A BOX On the inside of the box, spread your Elmer’s Glue. (Rubber cement dries too quickly.) 3. Flip your box over, press onto the wrapping paper and let dry. Place books or other heavier items on the edges of the box if they seem to be lifting up. 4. Once the box EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A BRILLIANT BIRTHDAY CARE PACKAGE Birthday Celebration. Long Distance Birthday. Colorful Birthday Box. Balloons and Cake Box (Etsy) Party in a Box. Birthday Banner. Happy 22nd! Baseball Birthday. Lucky I’m in Love. 17 IRISH BLESSINGS PERFECT FOR MILITARY FAMILIES 4. An Irish blessing for when you need some good news. “May the most you wish for be the least you get.”. 5. An Irish blessing for when deployment feels overwhelming. “May love and laughter light your days and warm your hearth and home.”. 6. An Irish blessing for when you’re feeling far away from your loved ones. 150+ AWESOME CARE PACKAGE IDEAS AND ITEMS A bunch of care package ideas for you. Here’s a list of more than 150 care package ideas to choose from and it’s a great jumping-off point if you’re not sure how to get started. This list is broad and could be used for anyone sending a care package– to a college student, military personnel, or a missionary– so make sure that you

know

OPEN WHEN LETTERS AND IDEAS Open When letters are a great way to keep in touch with your loved one and send a little instant encouragement. They’re also fantastic for deployments that may be difficult to get mail to (like submarines or special ops) or situations that don’t have ready internet access.. If you haven’t sent an Open When letter, it’s as simple or involved as you want it to be. 5 BIBLE VERSES AND A PRAYER FOR DEPLOYMENT Walk by his side and calm any fear. Be his companion and guide his thoughts. Encircle him with your light and keep him from harm. And when his service is ended, lead him safely home again. For you, O God, are our shelter in every storm and our refuge in times of danger. WHAT TROOPS REALLY WANT IN A CARE PACKAGE I’m happy to be a guest blogger and to tell you about some of my experiences as well as to give you all an insight of what troops really want in a care package. I grew up in a military family, with my mom previously serving in the Air Force, and my two older brothers now currently serving as PERFECT HOMECOMING OUTFITS: 10 MILITARY SPOUSES TELL ALL 3. Bring an extra outfit. So I’ll be honest I wore one shirt and packed my actual shirt and wore a tank under because I kiddo wrangled at the time and knew I would sweat/get drooled on- Lauren F. 4. Wear the right mindset. Comfortable and realistic. Homecoming is a chaotic and unpredictable event. HOW TO WRAP THE INSIDE OF A BOX On the inside of the box, spread your Elmer’s Glue. (Rubber cement dries too quickly.) 3. Flip your box over, press onto the wrapping paper and let dry. Place books or other heavier items on the edges of the box if they seem to be lifting up. 4. Once the box 5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T DATE SOMEONE IN THE MILITARY 4. Don’t date him/her just because of an impending deployment. Deployments put a lot of pressure on everything– you, your military member, the relationship. The time leading up to a deployment can feel like a pressure cooker and it can also feel very, very romantic. Deployments can also be tough for people in the most exclusive THE HUGE LIST OF FREE STUFF FOR NEW MILITARY MOMS AND MOMS TRICARE offers free meetings with a breastfeeding counselor after the birth of your child in a few ways: as an inpatient maternity stay, as a follow-up outpatient visit, or as a well-child care visit. In fact, you can get up to six outpatient sessions with a specialist completely

free to you as a

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May 15

CAN YOU SEND HAND SANITIZER IN A CARE PACKAGE?

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I don't think I've thought about hand sanitizer ever in my life as much as I have in the last two months. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitizer is all that's on everyone's minds. (Okay, okay. People are also thinking about paper towels and toilet paper.)For military families with deployed loved ones, another wrinkle to the pandemic chaos is an unsettling worry. Do their deployed loved ones have the supplies they need to stay safe?While I wish I could answer that question, I can't. What individual deployed groups have and don't have is subject to constant change, making it Keep

Reading...

by Jo deployment happy

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May 14

11 TIPS TO HANDLE SURPRISE DEPLOYMENT EXTENSIONS LIKE A PRO

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by Meg FlanaganOh, man! That countdown was getting so, so, so close to zero. And then you're hit with an unexpected deployment extension.Like you weren’t just barely hanging on to your sanity already. No, you’re getting the military spouse gauntlet: surviving an extra undetermined amount of time before homecoming is even tentatively scheduled.Cool. Everything’s fine. Except we all know it’s NOT fine. Not even a little bit or at all. This sucks, plain and simple.But there really isn’t a way around or over this. You can only go through it. Buckle up for a wild ride, one which Keep

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by Jo deployment military

May 14

5 CARE PACKAGE ALTERNATIVES DURING QUARANTINE

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Fact: I never had to deal with deployment during a quarantine and a world-wide pandemic.Another fact: No one has since World War I.Unless you're 100 years old, you've never done this either. We're all flying blind. And that's a little scary as we try to navigate what all of this is and what it means for our lives.Some things can't be changed. They're immutable, even in the face of a pandemic. But other things--like care packages-- can be adapted so you're putting yourself at the least amount of risk possible.Unless you live somewhere that is completely untouched by COVID-19, Keep Reading... by Jo deployment happy

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May 12

HOW TO MAKE VIDEO CHATS (ACTUALLY!) FUN

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This is an unsponsored guest post.Hi, my name is Alex and I am one of the founders of pop.in.What is pop.in, you may ask? Pop.in is an app that brings friends, family, and loved ones together, from as near as down the street or as far away as around the globe, to play "game night" style games (more on that below) while on group video. When we built pop.in, our goal was to create a community that allows people who are separated by time and distance, like those in the military and their loved ones, to connect in unique and engaging ways.The need for connection has become even more Keep Reading... by Jo deployment military

May 11

HERE’S HOW TO GIVE YOUR MILKIDS CLOSURE THIS SCHOOL YEAR

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by Meg FlanaganWhen I walked out of my school on March 12, I had zero inklings that it would be my last day teaching for the school year. My teaching table is still covered with lessons for the week on March 16. Everything is neatly organized by group and topic, collated and stapled. Ready to go.And that’s where they’ll be when I walk back into my classroom, whenever that might be.I’m feeling at loose ends with how this school year “ended.” And if I’m feeling this way as a grown-up, I can imagine that the kids are feeling just as weird right now.Nothing will be the “same” as Keep Reading...

by Jo military

May 6

6 ON-POINT GIFTS FOR MILITARY SPOUSES

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This post is sponsored by Nakturnal. All opinions and work are my own.There's something wonderful about surprising a friend with a gift. Whether it's for Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Mother's Day, or "just because," a little happy mail lets someone know you're thinking of them and brightens their day. (And you all know how I feel about the power of the mail!)I've collected a few of my favorite gift ideas for military spouses. They're all owned by women (yay!) and most are military spouse or veteran-owned. (Double yay!)Take a look and let me know in the comments-- What Keep Reading... by Jo military sponsors

May 4

HERE’S HOW TO DEAL WITH LONG OR EXTENDED DEPLOYMENTS

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by Meg FlanaganI’ve been around the military since way back 2008, right when the big Afghanistan troop surge was getting ready to kick off. Right when a lot of units and individual troops were staring down 9-16 month deployments on a regular basis. Long deployments suck. Really and truly they are awful.But you can deal with long deployments by doing a few crucial things in your prep and execution.Whether you were expecting this one to be longer than normal or it was a “fun surprise” that was just recently announced, it’s time to get into survival mode. Once you’ve got these key Keep Reading... by Jo deployment military

April 24

22 EASY WAYS TO KEEP MILITARY KIDS OCCUPIED DURING LOCKDOWN

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by Meg FlanaganIt’s been 84 years since we first entered self-isolation. Or at least that’s how it feels.Already, my kids have burned through all the things I panic-purchased just prior this whole isolation thing kicked off. In my naivete, I thought that, surely, to young kids can’t possibly finish through 17 workbooks, several dozen crafts, and all the coloring pages that Michaels had to offer.How wrong I was.Which brings us to here, today, when I’m attempting to keep my own sanity while successfully keeping my children entertained. Oh, and also working while homeschooling. Keep

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April 24

HERE’S HOW TO SNAG $650 IN GOODIES FOR YOUR MILITARY CHILD

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This post is sponsored by Blue Star Families. All opinions and work are my own.Deployment wrecks sleep habits.For anyone who has experienced the deployment of a loved one, you know this is true.Maybe you miss sleeping alongside your person.Maybe you're up all night with worries and a racing mind.Maybe it's the nightmares.Maybe you're trying to stay awake later--or wake up earlier-- to get a chance to speak with your loved one.Or maybe it's something else.When John was deployed, my sleep was a mess. And I'm normally a champion deep sleeper. I struggled, y'all. Keep Reading...

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April 10

DO I REALLY NEED TO TEACH MY MILITARY CHILD DURING THE SCHOOL SHUT

DOWN?

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by Meg FlanaganKids are loving this super-extended break from “traditional” school. No alarms or homework? Yes, please!Parents? Not so much.We still have our jobs to do, albeit remotely, while also having children home 24/7. Right now, you’re probably missing the battles over homework just as much as I am. Ah... the good old days: when kids left to go to a separate school building while we also went to a work building, meeting back at home for sports practice carpool and a quick bite before music lessons.Unfortunately, it seems that we are going to be stuck in this moment of Keep Reading...

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CHECK OUT THESE READER FAVORITES! 10 HARRY POTTER THEMED CARE PACKAGES 10 MUST-HAVE APPS FOR MILITARY SPOUSES 102 “OPEN WHEN” LETTER TOPICS 102 PUNS FOR CARE PACKAGES

WELCOME, WELCOME!

Hi, I'm Jo! Maybe you feel like I did when I fell in love with my sailor-- kind of confused. Kind of overwhelmed. But really excited and happy. It doesn't matter if you're dating or married, loving someone in the military is wonderful... and sometimes hard. We're in this

together.

DON’T FORGET TO READ * Can You Send Hand Sanitizer in a Care Package? * 11 Tips to Handle Surprise Deployment Extensions Like a Pro * 5 Care Package Alternatives During Quarantine

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