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!  : )

Today is Hunter’s 21st Birthday!! Please feel free to leave him some birthday wishes at his website! : )

If you’d like to send him a birthday card –

Hearts for Hunter
#2130
395 Sawdust Rd.
The Woodlands Tx, 77380

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!

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.

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)  : )

I’ve seen it as a visitor and I’ve also seen it as a patient.Warrior Care is just not for our active duty/reserve/Guard servicemembers .. it is also meant for their family members too. I was diagnosed with a super infection that was contained within in my arm. They took awesome care of me, even keeping me an extra day to make sure the antibiotics were working.

The Department of Defense and all the different military branches has declared November as Warrior Care Month. They are trying to bring awareness to all their various medical and non-medical services.The VA department has created a website that highlights some of the programs and resources out there no matter if the patient is one of our warriors or one of their family members.The focus however is always placed on our wounded warriors, for they have made great sacrifices for our freedom. .

Click here for their website, WarriorCare.mil

Speaking of Wounded Warriors and their families, if you would like to be part of the rapid reaction time to

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”

We have a lot of cool upcoming stuff here on Army Household6 :

Operation HASMO (Help a Service Member Out) has its own home now, complete with blog. Check it out: http://www.helpaservicememberout.org .

A really cool contest to celebrate Veteran’s Day and to win the book, Mrs Lieutenant : A Sharon Gold novel . The contest details will start on Monday so make sure to check it out. I’ll even have an interview that I did with the author, Phyllis Zimbler Miller.

Speaking of Veterans, did you know that November is Warrior Care Month? So, I’ll have a series of posts in November about our veterans, celebrating Veterans Day and taking care of our veterans and wounded warriors. I might even had a video interview or two with some special guests!  : )

WHEW! All that before we pack up and leave! Of course, during our “adventure” across the midwestern plains to Colorado, I’ll be blogging and Twittering our adventures (and probably misadventures as well)  : )

Have a fun and safe night tonight and don’t eat too much candy! : )

You can follow the rules HERE

The best part is that TOP 3 Companies voted on in the comments get the money that is donated! There are a lot of great organizations dedicated to helping our troops and their families like Homes for Our Troops, Soldiers’ Angels, Project ValourIT and many many more.

So get to it!

DId you know that AUSA has a Free holiday book for military kids??

The name of the book is It’s a Family Thanksgiving! A Celebration of an American Tradition for Children and Their Families. The distrubution of the book is being sponsored by Raytheon. The book is being sponsored by Raytheon in partnership with AUSA’s Family Programs and Harmony Hearth.

If you’d like to get one, all you have to do is send an email  to familyprograms@ausa.org with your mailing address. First come, first served. Only 2 copies per request.

You can find more information at AUSA’s Family Programs website