Civilian Friends and Military Friends

Now that I have been a working mom I have had the opportunity to broaden our range of friends. I work with a few amazing people that are so genuine and are NOT living, no never have lived, the military lifestyle.

I have many things in common with my civilian friends except for the fact of the military life.

Have any of you ever tried to have a get together or party and invited both civilians and non civilians? How did it go?

I can tell you that at our DS's birthday party; my civilian friends and their families felt out of place. They never admitted it, but you could tell. The Marines felt out of place as well. Us women, civi or not, can spark a conversation with anyone, but the men had a harder time! The Marines felt lost and out of the loop and the civilians seemed like they felt intimidated. I never ask them, nor did I want to.

Has anyone else have this issue? Did I make sense?

I told my hubby, "I think I want to have a BBQ with my civilian friends only!" It was just an awkward mess at DS's birthday.  I felt like I had to spend my time in different parts of the house because that's exactly how it was! Military families in the kitchen and front patio; civilian families in the living room!

Maybe my guests don't talk to strangers! Haha. I'm not sure!

Changes

Changes are always for the better. When I was writing as SAHM and Marine Wife I was having fun, but also I couldn't keep up with the demand of giveaways and trying to reach numbers. It was too much time spending away from my family. I would find myself up all hours of the night to get the "perfect" post. I'm sorry for not being the best at giveaways, the best blogger, or even the best "blog" friend.

I no longer am a SAHM as you may now have recognized. In fact, I tried, I really did, to want to be a SAHM. My family knew me better than I knew myself. I like working. Yes, I'm a work-a-holic. Did I want to admit that now that I am a mom? NO! I didn't. I didn't want to face people telling me that I would miss many things in your child's life by being a way from them. Oh and DAYCARE. The world will end by putting your child in daycare? I turned out okay and I went to daycare starting at just a few weeks old. I think it may have even been beneficial to my social life. I've met wonderful people through day care.

I am a corporate girl. Hospitality and hotels are my passion. People are my passion. My son and family are my passion. I can balance all of this. I can multi-task. I just have had to learn to rekindle my "SAHM" relationship with my son in another way. It means more mommy and me time in the evenings and the weekends. It means, only MOMMY puts DS to bed!

Back to the daycare concern. I love our daycare. Which our son loves as well. It's a military daycare. So, yeah we can't cloth diaper there but I do still try to save the environment by using a biodegradable diaper. His daycare more or less has a curriculum concept than "baby-sitting". Our son is speaking more and more clearly everyday. I am a huge advocate of daycare/learning centers for little ones. Even if  you don't work a child should be in a group environment for their social skills at least a couple days a week. Our son is an only child right now so his social development from his peers is beneficial to his growth.

With that being said you will see me "around" the blog sphere more often. I probably wont be posting every day or even every other day. I will post when I have time. Working outside of home, owning my own business, and being a wife, and mom, may have me bogged down but I will be around.

I will not be focusing on giveaways. Like I said, I had fun while doing it, but I don't have time for it. If it comes across me without intentionally looking for one, I will do it. But seeking out businesses and vendors took a lot of work!

Enjoy my family friendly posts!

Cio for now!

Military Monday

Hey...I think I have been doing a decent job lately making an effort to link back up with my weekly link ups.


Oh where do I start with my weekend! We had a GREAT anniversary. We spent time as a family ALL day Saturday. We went shopping in Hershey, had a yummy and filing dinner at Red Robin, and came home to have movie night! Everything went well except for movie night. We were hoping to watch an On Demand Movie but the service happened to be down! AHH....so we put DS to bed (we were going to let him stay up late for our special night), I fell asleep on the sofa, and hubby probably just ended up watching sports center! Oh well, at least we had a nice afternoon.

Have you checked out my online baby boutique? It's called Milies! I sell everything from Cloth Diapers to Blankets to BabyLegs! www.miliesboutique.com

A Special Anniversary!

You know you are a military wife when: You're husband has been gone for the past TWO wedding Anniversaries due to a deployment (OR unaccompanied tour in Japan!).

This is a very special Anniversary! SIX Years for us. It has gone by super fast! You know what the BEST part is so far about today? DS slept in until 8am! This RARELY happens! Thank you baby boy for a great anniversary present for mommy and daddy!

A short background on the anniversary couple:

*We are high school sweat hearts
*Cheerleader/football play (yes we were THAT couple)
*I stayed with him KNOWING he was going to join the military
*HERE we are six years later! Love you Hubby!

 

Look at how YOUNG we are!

What I Wore Wednesday/All Dressed Up !!

Woohoo. I did a LOT of participation for this weeks WIWW & All Dressed Up! Once again I'm linking up with No Model Lady and The Pleated Poppy!!

 Dress: Ross Dress for Less (Ralph Lauren)

 Sandals: Lucky Brand @ Macys

 Look at that cutie next to me!

 Shirt: Gap Outlet

Leggings: Probably Old Navy (I have tons of leggings)

 MOTHER's Day!!!

Dress: Kohls

Necklace: Don't remember (its old)

Hat: I honestly can't remember....maybe Target a few years ago!

Twitter Hop Tuesday

TWEET TWEET!! Let's follow eachother! Link up with Real Mom Reviews first! Okay?




I hope you all had a FABULOUS Monday. Tweet tweet!

Okay!! I posted this not realizing I forgot to add MY Twitter Link: HAHA @SAHMUSMC

Military Monday Blog Hop

Just another Monday.....a Military Monday! Link up all you military spouses, military families, and military supporters! That's right you don't have to be military to join in on the fun!


Have you checked out my baby boutique online? www.miliesboutique.com

Mother's Day-FREE Shipping

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MAMA'S! FREE shipping for orders place today ONLY for Milies Baby Boutique!!! www.miliesboutique.com

Milies carries "Simply the Finest Designers and Products for Baby & Mom"! From cloth diapers to BabyLegs! This baby boutique just opened up last month! Check it out!

Sunday Social

Because tomorrow I will be spending with my family I am choosing not to blog until the evening. So about about some socializing time! I will follow up later and make sure to follow you back when I get back to blog land!

Spring, Summers, and ANONYMOUS Plant!

On my days off (weekends) I spend my time of course with my familia but also with my love of gardening. I do the best I can with base housing.

I just LOVE Gerber Daisies!

OKAY! These BIG GREEN LEAFY Plants! Does ANYONE know what they are? AMY, my dear Amy...do YOU know?

Mother's Day Weekend

My official 3rd Mother's Day is tomorrow! DS was just a month old on my first mother's day! Isn't he precious!

2009 WOW How time flies. Look at my baby!

I feel so blessed to be a Mommy and that I've been able to spend all my THREE Mother's Day with my son. This year is EXTRA special as Daddy will FINALLY get to be here for a Mother's Day.

I'm not sure what our big plans are (or little plans) but for me; as long as they are with my "men" I am completely content!

Oh AND I have been notified by the Exchange that our NEW sectional sofa should be here today OR tomorrow! What an AWESOME Mama's day gift. After all we have been waiting for about 3 weeks for this HUGE sofa!

Mommies out in Cyber World...HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO YOU!! Have a FANTASTIC day with your family!

Circle of Moms Top Military Moms Blogs!

Okay! So I heard about this and decided to add my blog. I should right? Afterall I am a military wifey and mommy! Can you help me get some votes! You are all so fabulous!


 

Sicky baby

My poor baby boy is sick. I'm pretty sure he has a respiratory infection. We will be taking a trip to the doctors tomorrow. Got to love base medical! Actually, ours isn't that bad here. The office crew are really helpful and the nurses are so sweet.

They will take good care of the Bman I just know it! Hopefully he feels better soon that way I can get back to work.

Oh and have you checked out my NEW business? I have an online baby boutique! www.miliesboutique.com

What I Wore Wednesday / All Dressed Up

Yay...um...no excuse for not linking up last week! Sorry No Model Lady and The Pleated Poppy!

Okay...Here's my week (in clothes)!

(A very blah attire)

(My Birthday outfit)!!

(Today's outfit)

Okay your turn to link up now!

Milies...a Baby Boutique

Were have I been? I know! Opening up my own online retail baby boutique! Yes, that's right I am a new small business owner. I have been slowly adding inventory to my store, Milies, and there's more to come!

Please check it out. I carry some fabulous products for baby and soon I will carry products for mommy too! Brands include: Charlie Banana, Happy Heinys, Aden+Anais, and much more!

FREE shipping on orders over $30 and a flat $5 shipping for orders under $30. Watch my blog for coupon codes!

Right now I am offering a 5% off coupon code to my friends! SPNG5OFF

Take a look new.... inventory will be added at the end of this month!

Here's a little sneak peak! Thank you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Me!

Today I turned a QUARTER century old. Oh my. I remember joking with hubby a couple years ago about him turning 25 and now here I am in his shoes. Wow how time flies!

So you ask "What did Kara do today for her birthday?" Oh it was such a FABULOUS day. My work celebrated with me with a cake for everyone to share, a card, and some balloons. I feel extremely lucky to have the opportunity to work where I do because my coworkers and superiors are AMAZING people that I know will be there for me professionally and personally.

After work I went and got my ONE hour deep tissue massage (a gift from Hubby). The lady did an outstanding job. I feel like a new woman! Stress and pain free (For now at least).

I got home and dinner was made, smiles to be found, and dessert to be had! Coldstone Ice Cream Cookie Dough Cake! YUMMY!

Thank you hubby and DS for giving me to best birthday I have had in a while!

Oh and my Facebook was filled with Bday wishes from my friends and family.

Inchbug Winner!

Comment number 24 Annie!! Please email me at sahmusmcwife@yahoo.com in order to get your personalized Orbit Label!!

Military Monday Blog Hop

Okay. I guess I didn't do this last week. SORRY!

Link up and have fun! You do not need to be a military spouse to join in!

A Beautiful Weekend

I don't know about you all but we had AMAZING weather here in Central PA pretty much ALL weekend.

I am also sad to say that I got lost trying to locate "The Great Cloth Diaper Change" as I drove around FOREVER in a "foreign" town only to get more lost and had to call my hubby to mapquest where I was! I was SO bummed that we missed it. As soon as we got home we changed his cloth diaper in "spirit"! Sorry Candy and "Real Mom Reviews"! I really wanted to meet the two of you. Okay, okay. Next time. How about a mom's meet up ladies! Next time I will also get your phone numbers. Oh boy. I was so frustrated and upset about it when I got home. Hubby knew and backed off from me for a while.

Easter turned out to be such a great day. Bman and I went outside to play in the morning and it was already in the 60's. Then once lunch time hit it was in the low 70s. We had TOO much food and dessert but it was ever so yummy. We also did an Easter Eggs hunt. I hope everyone had a great weekend like we did!

The look on his face was priceless!

 HAPPY EASTER!

The Great Cloth Diaper Change



I'm sure all of my bloggy and Facebook friends are now aware of The Great Cloth Diaper Change event that is happening ALL across America this Saturday. PLUS I get to meet some new mamas in my area (well somewhat my area)!

Here's the rundown for my non cloth diapering ladies (This information is from http://www.greatclothdiaperchange.com/ ):

Help Put Cloth Diapers in the Record Books


"Cloth diapers have come a long way in past 10 years, and it’s time to stand up and be noticed. Celebrate Earth Day, by joining the North American and International cloth diaper community on April 23rd, 2011 at 9AM PDT to set the world record for the most cloth diapers changed simultaneously.

There are many ways to participate so please take a few minutes to explore the site to find a location near you or offer to host a location of your own. ( http://www.greatclothdiaperchange.com/ )The more babies participating the better, so every cloth diapered bum counts. Can’t attend an event near you? Consider getting involved in your local cloth diaper community by learning more about organizations like the RDIA and RDA.

We can’t wait to put cloth diapers into the record books!"

Okay! So all you CD mamas and non CD mamas I hope you have fun on Saturday! I know I will thanks to Candy at Diaper Parties!