Army Household6

Have you heard about the latest ad by Motrin that has a lot of moms up in arms??

I have to admit  when all this reared its ugly head on Twitter … I couldn’t understand what everyone was so up in arms about. Initially I thought, I must be misssing something here. I mean I haven’t thought of “babywearing” (back then it was called carrying your baby) in at least 7 years.

I didn’t think it was offensive to moms everywhere. I don’t know .. Am I a bit out of touch since it has been so long? (Full Disclosure :Both my kids are in elementary school now )

The thing that struck a chord with me was the “official mom” label! I have seen some babywearing moms look down on non-babywearing moms for not wearing their child. Maybe they physically can’t, maybe they “bond” in other ways, maybe the child can’t be put in a sling,etc for medical reasons, maybe they don’t want to.. the list can go on and on.

Why must we look down on people for not doing what we do?  I’m sure we have all seen situations where ‘bad parenting’ is screaming out but this my friends is NOT it!

This “discussion” is just like the us vs them discussion that many mothers have been having for years. (childcare options, breastfeeding, vaccinations, homeschooling, etc)

It’s a PERSONAL choice that each family makes  for itself and ALL of us need to respect that choice. (wow this sounds a lot like my last political rant doesn’t it?)

Parenting is hard enough by itself … why do we have to make it more difficult???

So, what do you think ? Here is the link  again in case you missed it!  : )

Well last night our family attended the Military Family Appreciation Dinner at Walter Reed Med. Center (WRAMC). It is part of the a week long celebration celebrating Army families at Walter Reed and all over.

We were nominated as an Exceptional Military Family For Headquarters Company,  WRAMC Brigade by one of SGT Daddy’s friends, SGT Z. I’m was surprised that we were nominated as I know there are lots of other awesome Army families there in Headquarters Company. SGT Daddy and I were completely blown away that is was our family that received the honor. I

It was a wonderful event, very laid back for the Army LOL (lots of kids where there too) and the food was awesome. Even Becca ate the food and she’s super PICKY! We were seated with the several members of the Brigade Command Team, including the Brigade Commander COL Roberts, so I was a bit nervous that my kids were going to act up like little bratty kids. They did great and listened really well. I’m really very proud of them.  : )

The Army photographer took some pictures of us and I’ll be posting them as soon as I get them. While we were there, our whole family were also interviewed by the Pentagon channel during the event which was very cool. (I don’t have the link to video on the web yet but I’ll post it just as soon I do)

I thought that girls would be nervous by the camera but they LOVED it!  As soon as the camera and the lights went on, they were very chatty and interacted with the reporter from the Pentagon channel. They are such New Media Kids… wonder where they get it from?? As soon as the camera went off, they went back to being shy. (I wonder if we should start a video podcast for them?? hmmm )

After everything was over, the USO and Army MWR people passed out all our cool schwag! We got TONS of stuff like backpacks, stuffed animals for the kids, phone cards, t-shirts and even a $50 gift card to use at the PX. The thing I’m most excited was that I got our family was given a Commander’s coin.  : )

It was an awesome way to end an already wonderful day!

I know the election is over and we have a new president-elect, but I just came across the video (Hat tip : Spouse Buzz ) of the teacher talking about the elections, Obama and McCain. I understand talking to children about the political process and teaching them how it all works. I believe in teaching them all about the process. Heck, we did this with our own kids and had an indept conversation on the elections, why it was important to vote,etc. I am completely in favor of a “mock election” for them to cast their vote and to have an open, generic discussion about . I think it can be done in a very neutral, benign way.

This however is an example of WHAT NOT TO DO

The Cumberland school district in Fayetteville, NC (where this occured) has issued a written statement on their website as the Superintendent issued this video statement via YouTube

I’m thoroughly infuriated by this as a military parent! I can’t imagine what those kids were thinking and feeling especially that one girl whose father was a US Soldier. Military life can sometimes be hard enough and then you have to endure this at school! There was no need at all to bring up that point especially in the manner that the teacher was saying it.

This is just one more thing to add to the “pro ” pile for homeschooling both of our children next academic year. We were planning to homeschool our oldest due to some special needs and anxiety issues but I’m seriously considering both kids now.

I’ll be posting updates as we come across them… Let’s hear your thoughts, opinions,etc.

We just recently found out that we were nominated as an exceptional military family for Headquarters Company, Walter Reed Medical Center Brigade.  Thanks so much to SSG Z, SSG E and CPT L for the nomination.

The award dinner (as part of the Hospital’s Military Family Appreciation Week)  will be held on Thursday November 13 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The hospital newsletter, Stripes, is doing an article on all the winners.

I’m not usually one to toot my own horn, but I’m really excited about this. Of course , SGT Daddy told me that I would be the one giving the speech.

I’ll post an update about it next week as well as some pictures. (maybe even video)  : )

Ah its FINALLY Monday morning! Yes I know usually I’m dreading Mondays but after the full weekend we’ve had you would be glad it was Monday too!  : )

Halloween arrived with the usual chaotic mess.. kids ready to leave, parents weren’t.  : ) I guess I”m a “mean mommy” because I actually expected my kids to eat before they left the house. My kids didn’t agree with that philosophy so much. Any way, we had fun and the kids got way more candy than they should have!

The biggest hit of the night was the new game we bought for the Xbox 360… Disney’s Sing It! Now we’ve had both Rockband and Guitar Hero but this one was a lot of fun for the kids! Even some of the neighborhood adults got into the fun. It was funny seeing kids and adults rocking out to High School Musical, Hannah Montana & Camp Rock songs! : ) (video coming soon… pics can be seen here )

On Saturday night , we finally had Beck’s birthday party.. it was re-scheduled due to illness. It was a slumber party no less.  We ended up having about 5 kids here. (which was fine with SGT Daddy) We did crafts, played more Disney’s Sing It! (of course) and did makeovers.

Yes I was brave and let a bunch of 7 year olds do my makeover. (what I don’t do for my kids) It wasn’t too bad and I actually came out alive and unharmed ; ) The girls had a great time and finally “passed out” around midnight.

Apparently there was too much “partying” going on, because Beck was sick the next morning. So we just hung out at home pretty much all day and did nothing. Well , we did play Sing It! for a bit . I think I’m on my way to being addicted to that game… I LOVE IT! : )

Most of the weekend was a fun time except for Saturday afternoon when I found out some sad news about some of my extended family members (mother’s side) concerning alcohol and drugs. Prayers for them would be greatly appreciated.

I can’t believe we have 3 weeks to go and then we are Colorado-bound.. I’m excited yet nervous at the same time. Do any of you ever feel that way? I want to know how all of you deal with that.Leave a comment below and share your “tips”

I was recently interviewed by Debba Haupert of Girlfriendology about being Household6 and our military girlfriend relationships.I had so much doing the interview and I lived being interviewed for a change! : )  Debba has a ton of great information over there all about our girlfriends… so make sure to stop by her site!  : ) 

You can listen to it at  http://girlfriendology.com/1363/podcast-72-girlfriendology-interviews-tammy-munson/ or click the media player below.

PS. Also I’m going to be on Spouse Buzz Radio tonight (October 9) at 9pm ET talking about my newest JV project, Parent Zone . I’ll be joined by LAW (Parent Zone founder) and Some Soldier’s mom (Military Parent Blogger of the Year) So make sure that you tune in for that! 

I got to the event a bit early and was wowed at the site of the all the people that are here at the Washington Convention Center… soldiers, family members,etc. I haven’t made it down to the exhibitor floor yet as I stopped to watch the opening ceremony of conference. I have to say that was pretty cool.

Secretary of the Army Pete Geren was the keynote speaker. Sec. Geren spoke a lot about soldiers and their familes. He talked the strength of the Army were soldiers and families taking care of soldiers and families.

During the Press conference, GEN Casey talked about what they were going to do as an entity. THere was some brief discussion about what lies ahead. It seems that Gen Casey and the rest of the Army is going to focus on the Army families, among other things.

The thing i was most impressed with are the number of initiatives that they have proposed that will help all Army families, not just the Army spouse and the Army brats under 18. For we all now that the “Army family” extends beyond just that. It includes soldier’s parents, brothers and sisters

After the big press conference with Secretary Geren and GEN Casey, I ventured down to the Expo floor. I was completely wowed at the amount and caliber of the  vendors that were there not to mention the amount of “brass” that was there . Everytime I turned around I was bumping into some member of Senior Army Leadership.  : )

The highlight of the day was definitely meeting Mrs. Casey. I tried to ask a question during their presenation and didn’t get a chance. I approached her Aide about asking a couple of questions to her. We talked for a few minutes about being an Army wife, and some of things that she and GEN Casey talked about. I talked to her about the website that LAW and I have been working on and she was very interested in providing more support for parents of our single soldiers.

The day ended with a Bloggers’ Roundtable with several members of Army leadership, including MG MacDonald (Commanding General of MWR Command)  .  We talked about several key topics from casualty assistance to more support for parents of our single soldiers. We talked a great deal about doing more for our single soldiers and the Army is going to be creating some publications and information specifically for those parents of our single soldiers. Make sure to check out Parents Zone for more information.

Overall the theme of the day was that if the family isn’t ready, the unit isn’t ready. I wholeheartedly agree with this. We need to make sure that all soldiers and their families are truly ready for the mission, whatever the mission is.

I’ll be posting some of the pictures tomorrow along with a recap of day two, so stay tuned…

Yep I went over to the Covention Center in DC yesterday to pick up my press credentials with my personal asssistant (aka Rebecca). First of all that place is quite big(hope I don’t get lost)  and the AUSA folks were already doing a great job with navigation and getting things set up.

Lindy, the press coordinator, give us the low down on all that will be happening as well as a brief tour of the facilities. We couldn’t go down on the Exhibit floor yet as they were still constructing the exhibits and I had Rebecca with me.

I did take a picture of Miss Becky in the “official ” Conference room” I think she’ll be ready for the press conferences in a few years??

POOF! That’s where! I was attempting to fix some techie issues and I inadvertenly deleted ALL of September 2008 posts. That’s what happens when I start doing techie work at 1230 AM!

If you are looking for something in particular, please let me know and I’ll get the information to you right away.

On that note, I’m going to bed before I wipe out the site completely!

Yes I spent Saturday with a bunch of Marines…parents that is! As part of my duties with Military.com, I was asked to speak about blogging and some of the blogs that we have at military.com as well as other MilParent blogs that are out there. 

I have to say at first I felt a little nervous being around so much “Marine” stuff. I mean I’m definitely all Army! The attendees at the conference were amazing and certainly made this Army wife at home and very welcome. Every single one of attendees were a parent (or parents) of a actively serving military member. 

There were several new organizations that I found out about serving the needs of the milParents, so they can better support their son or daughter. I’ll be posting a few of those resources over at Parent Zone in the next few days. 

My boss, Vince Patton, and I even did a video segment on Talking with Hereos Radio Show. As soon as we get the video URL I’ll post it here!  : ) Our show will air LIVE on August 28, 2008

It was so great talking with those parents and how blogging can help them in a variety of ways. I’m so excited to see what kinds of things they start doing with their blogs.  :) 

A special thanks goes out to Mariann Jordan - Marine Parents United President - who made sure we had everything we needed as well as the rest of the event team! You all put on a great event!