10 More Carepackage Ideas

When you're loved one is deployed, you want to be sure they have as much of home as possible. My previous post CarePackage Ideas gave tons of unique ideas of what to put into carepackages to send your loved ones. In case  you have used all the previous, here are some more ideas!!

1.) Night At The Pizzeria 

This is a great package to remind them of home. Include pizza themed items such as parmasean packets (like you get with pizza at restaurants),pizza flavored combos, pizza pringles, and non regrigerated microwave pastas/sandwiches. You can decorate the box with pizza stickers!

2.) Movie Night

This is one of my favorite carepackages to send. It allows your loved one to escape for just a little bit. Include: Movies on a flashdrive/harddrive or DVDs, popcorn (prepopped or microvable), popcorn seasonings, and small boxes or packages of candy. You could decorate the box with different movie and film themed stickers or print out movie posters and glue them on the package.

3.) Star Wars 

Is your spouse a Star Wars fan? This is the perfect package for them! Include the star wars movies, glow sticks, collapsible light sabers, cookies (come to the dark side, we have cookies!), and any other Star Wars trinkets you wish to include.

4.) Taste of Home

Include homemade cookies, fudge, breads, cake in a jar and any other homemade goodies that will survive the trip over. Be sure to wrap every item very well!

5.) Warm Night

Include a blanket, hand warmers,microwave soup, thick socks, a new PT cap (to sleep in), and hot cocoa mix.

6.) Under the Sea

This is a fun package to send. Include goldfish snacks, sweedish fish, go fish card game, fishing game, candy octopus, Little Mermaid  movie, JAWS movie, and small toy fish, jellyfish, octopus, etc.

7.) Game Night 

Include cards, board games, and electronic (handheld) games. Also include any other games or snacks that you choose.

8.) A Good Night's Sleep

Include pillows, blanket, ear plugs, sleep masks (the things that cover your eyes while sleeping) and another other sleep related items.

9.) Fright Night

This is a fun package for horror lovers. Include lots and lots of scary movies and popcorn. You can also include red silly putty (for blood) and decorate the package with movie posters for their favorite scary movies.

10.) Date Night

This will be good for those rough nights apart. Include romance movies (or romantic comedies), popcorn, a picture of you all dressed, one of your shirts with you perfume on it, Another cute idea is to send a video of yourself talking to your spouse. It'll be something he or she can watch over and over whenever he or she misses you most .

10 Things For Military Spouses to Always Remember

My time being associated with the military has taught me a lot. I've seen all sorts of military wives and experienced all sorts of things. Throughout this I've learned some very important things. So I've decided to share them with you. These are things that I feel are very important for any military spouse to remember.

1.) You're more than just a milso. 
It's ok to identify as more than just a military spouse or so-and-so's wife. You have your own identity.  You need your own interests that will keep you busy during those long field trainings and deployments. Don't solely think of yourself as a milso. You'll lose who you are in the process.

2.) You're NEVER alone.
Sometimes it may feel as though you are, but you're not alone. There is always someone who's going through something similar to what you are, you just have to find them. There are facebook pages and your FRG, that are always giving support. I know my followers on my Tumblr are always willing to listen and help.

3.) There are so many resources within your reach. Use them.
There are so many scholarships and grants available for the spouses of servicemen and women, you have access to help finding a job, and so so much more.

4.) Hurry Up and Wait. The motto of the miltary.
The military is known for never doing anything on time, and always changing plans. Just be patient. There's nothing you can do about it.

5.) Be Flexible 
Things are constantly changing in the military. You may be forced to pack up and move on a whim, your spouse may work late, and new training schedules may pop up unannounced. You've just got to learn to be flexible and deal with it.

6.) DEPLOYMENTS END! They may not seem like it, but they do.

7.) Friends and family may not understand what you're going through, but that's ok. 
This can be hard, especially on those who are new to the military lifestyle. You may get told "well you signed up for it". I know I have been multiple times. These comments usually aren't meant to be hurtful.

8.) Embrace every duty station. 
Although your duty station may be less than pleasurable, make the best of it. You may never get the opportunity to visit again. Try local restaurants and visit local museums, hiking trails, etc.

9.) This too shall pass. 
When you hit that bump in the road that you don't think you'll overcome, like in the middle of a deployment, just remember it'll end. Eventually.

10.) A general POA won't cover everything. 
There are tons of different power of attorneys out there. Ones for your cars, banks, and housing. Be sure you have the correct ones. It's better to be over prepared, than under prepared.

6 Things Never to Talk About On Military Spouse Pages

Social Media is a big part of today's world. This allows there to be many different "support" groups for military spouses. These groups allow wives in the same area, or sometimes far apart, get to know those that are facing similar issues and understand the difficulty the military can bring within a family. While these groups can be quite helpful, they can also be drama filled. So I've learned what topics you probably shouldn't discuss in these forums.

Pay Day

Don't ask what day your spouses paycheck will come through, even if there is a holiday. Most often this is seen as a "dependa" thing to do, why else would you be asking? Those reading your question and responding rudely don't care that you have bills that are due or that you need to go to the grocery store to feed your family. You know all the things that a responsible spouse would do?

Rank

I agree with this one. No one cares what the rank of your spouse is, so what's the point in bringing it up?

Admit that you're human and make mistakes.

The way people act in these groups, you will be thrown under the bus and told you're a terrible wife and mother. After all, we're never meant to make mistakes, right?

Your Opinion

Never state your opinion in these groups, regardless of the topic. There will always be someone who disagrees with you, and will try to start all kinds of drama.

Marital Issues

Be sure never to say that you are having issues with your marriage. You're with a military man and he's "protecting your country. Why can't you be happy with him?" Or perhaps "you'll cause problems that he can take on the front line."

Anything Name Brand

It doesn't matter if it's name brand shoes or a purse, never talk about it. You'll be accused of being a "dependa" despite the fact you saved up all year to buy it.

25 Things Military Spouses Learn While Their Significant Other is Deployed

Every military spouse who has experienced deployment has learned a vast number of things. Here are what some spouses say were the biggest things they learned.

1. "I learned how to be patient. Obviously with deployment you have to wait for your husband to come home."
2. "While my husband was deployed, I learned not to take the little things for granted, like a five minute phone call. You never know when you'll be able to talk again."
3. "I learned that things that may seem minor while they're home, become big things during deployment. I can't remember how many times I got a short email or Facebook message that simply said I'm ok. I love you."
4. "You never realize how strong you are until you have no choice but to be."
5. "You learn that it's okay to cry. It doesn't mean you're weak, it means you're human."
6. "Murphy's Law will definitely take effect. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. But it's ok. You'll make it through it."
7. "I'm stronger than I ever thought I could be."
8. "I found my independent side that I forgot I had." 
9. "I found that to keep myself sane, I have to rely on God. He will bring you through it." 
10. "How to not only do the jobs a mother would do, but also the jobs a daddy would. I learned how to do yard work and do car repairs." 
11. "That the distance and stress of deployment can make or break you. You have to allow it to strengthen your relationship. Focus on the good, not the bad. Remember, they miss you as much as you miss them."
12. "I learned that in order for me to make it through the deployment, I needed to have a close knit group of friends and family. They helped me through so much."
13.  "The time may seem to be going by slowly, but before you know it you'll look back and think Man, it's been that long already?"
14. "I learned how much my family relies on my husband to do things. I've realized how blessed I am to have him in my life. I've learned how to appreciate the little things he does for us."
15. " I learned to be patient. Not only with waiting for my husband to come back, but with my friends and family. They try to understand, but they don't because they've never been through it." 
16. "The second he leaves, all hell breaks loose. But that's ok. I know I can handle it."
17. "It's ok to cry! It doesn't mean you're not strong. It means you care." 
18. "I've learned to draw near to God and focus on my relationship with Him. He will help you through it." 
19. "Take advantage of the time apart. Go back to school, start a new work out, run a marathon. Just set goals for yourself. It'll help the time pass more quickly."
20. "Homecoming is the most amazing day you'll ever experience."
21. "The first time I saw him after deployment, all the problems I had experienced went away."
22. "The day I saw his formation walk out onto the field after 10 months apart, I realized how lucky I am to have such an amazing man."
23. "The first kiss is the greatest feeling in the world."
24. "The hours leading up to homecoming are the most anxiety filled I experienced. But I couldn't have been happier."
25. "The first kiss and hug after 9 months apart made all the distance and lonely nights worth it. He was finally home to me."

What are some things you learned while your loved one was deployed?

12 Things Not To Say To A Military Spouse

We've all been there. You're spouse is deployed and those around you just don't understand what this time entails. We've all had the stupidest things said to us. So I've compiled a list of 12 things that should NEVER be said to any military spouse.

12.) Now you can do whatever you want.

First of all, my husband doesn't keep me from doing anything I want to do. If there's something that he doesn't like me doing, there's probably a reason and I shouldn't do it when he's not here either.

11.) Quit whining, it's only 9 months. 

This absolutely grinds my gears. It's only nine months? When you go nine months without your husband, with limited communication and the fear he may not make it home, then we can talk.

10.) He'll be back before you know it. 

This has been said to me on the day my husband has left. Yeah... Nine months is before I know it... not. Even if you keep busy, it's still a long time to be apart.

9.) Where exactly is he?

I can't tell you that. It's called OPSEC. I'd rather my husband and those he's with, make it home safe and sound. Not hinder that in order to feed your curiosity.

8.) I totally understand how you feel. I hate when my husband leaves for the weekend. 

No. Just no. A weekend? That's 2-3 days apart that your husband will be staying in a safe hotel or house. My husband leaves for 9 months at a time, staying in a war zone. That's roughly 270 days apart. That's not even remotely close to the same thing. So you don't understand, so please don't say you do.

7.) At least he's making a ton of money!

First of all, yes he's making more money but it's not a ton of money. No amount of money could replace how I'd feel to have my husband at home, safe and sound.

6.) At least you can Skype! You'll be fine. 

I don't think people understand that the internet our troops have while deployed absolutely sucks. So most of the time you stare at a pixelated picture of your spouse. And Skype doesn't come close to actual physical contact.

5.) Aren't you afraid he'll cheat? 

No! Absolutely not! My marriage is built on trust. If you don't trust your spouse to be away from you, maybe you shouldn't be together.

4.) Is it hard to be faithful? I couldn't go without sex for that long.

If that's all you're thinking about, maybe your marriage relies on the wrong things. It's not difficult whatsoever. I love my husband way too much to do that to him.

3.) Don't you miss him? 

YES! Of course I do. What kind of question is that?

2.) Aren't you afraid he'll die?

This is probably the dumbest question I've ever been asked. That is the biggest fear of any military spouse. We don't need to reminded of it.

1.) I don't see how you do it. I never could.

And that's why you never will. It takes a strong person to do what I do. To stay faithful and unconditionally love someone who has to leave for months on end. But you will also never understand how rewarding it is and how strong my marriage is because of it.