Yay! Homecoming is here! Whether you are welcoming your service member home from their first or fifth deployment, you’ll want to make sure it’s special. For some military families, the end of deployment means a big ceremony and fuss. For others, it’s a low-fuss airport pickup. Sometimes, it’s a surprise and other times, it's [...]
The GIANT Holiday Gift Guide of Vet and MilSpouse Owned Businesses
Need ideas for the people on your gift list? Why not purchase from military families and veteran-owned companies? Every company on this listed was started by a military spouse or veteran! You’ll see that there is a huge variety of gifts—from handmade jewelry and painted glassware, to bags made from re-purposed military surplus supplies. [...]
47+ Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers That Will Make Christmas Magical
Christmas is a magical time for families, especially when you have small kids. Carefully choosing a few toddler stocking stuffers and placing them in our kids' stockings is one thing I'm looking forward to most this year. Stocking stuffers for toddlers are tiny treasures and sometimes they garner more attention than presents under [...]
11 Totally Epic Military Retirement Gift Ideas for Service Members
Inside: Ultimate guide to military retirement gift ideas that'll have service members feeling appreciated, honored. Funny, unique, personal gifts to forever cherish. Retirement! What a time to celebrate. Over the past twenty years (at least!) the honored service member has devoted their life to service. Now it’s time to party! But when [...]
My Favorite Things Family Gift Guide for 2019
I used to be a bit grinchy during past Christmastimes. It's hard to admit, but it's true: I didn’t love Christmas music, gift giving or holiday parties. I claimed “it just wasn’t my thing.” I realized that one of the big reasons I put up a lot of walls during the holidays was because I worried about feeling disappointed. [...]
7 Unforgettable Ways to Create a Memorable Courthouse Wedding
Courthouse weddings are common among military couples. The reasons for getting married by a Justice of the Peace have less to do with eloping and a lot more to do with unpredictable military schedules. Many couples get married in a courthouse before a deployment or right after Basic training because that’s the only time they know for [...]
30 Inspirational Mom Quotes That Every Mama Needs to Hear
All moms need encouragement and inspiration, and inspirational quotes for moms are a great way to boost mood and increase happiness. Because you are doing a great job even when you don't feel like it. You are doing a great job even when no one else tells you so. Hang in there mama! We are all in this together! (And psst...don't forget to [...]
47 Encouraging Phrases for Kids You Have to Try
Inside: When kids are feeling down, try one of these encouraging phrases for kids to connect your child to their inner greatness. My three year old has boundless amounts of energy some days. Some days I look at him and wish I could bottle up whatever special energy he has and sell it on eBay. I would post it on Facebook, and it [...]
One BIG Myth About Stopping Toddler Tantrums – Experts Fail to Mention
It happened again today as I was driving my daughter to preschool - another toddler tantrum. It was a beautiful chorus of wails and screaming in the back of the minivan about leaving her Huggie and Stuffy at home. We didn't even need music, as she was providing it free of charge. And if you saw me a couple of years ago when [...]
How to Stop Your Child From Whining – Immediately
I sat at the kitchen table, looking across the room as he struggled with the button on his pants. Using both hands to firmly grasp the button and hole, he attempted several times to secure his pants around his waist. I wanted him to stop whining and saying that he "couldn't do it." No luck. It’s hard to sit back and watch your child [...]