The Month of the Military Child- Me

April is the Month of the Military Child. While I have 3 awesome Military brats children I want to talk about me for a few.

My mom wore combat boots before it was cool, my mom worked in a man's world to provide for her children. I am proud of her. :)

My mom and dad were divorced when I was 4. We lived in a small town. Dad got custody. I never felt the move around bit. That never affected me. Being away from my mom did. She would drive for 6 hours from Jacksonville when she got leave to come see us. Sometimes every weekend sometimes we would not see her for long periods of time. I know why now, then not so much.
Saying goodbye is not easy for me, it still isn't. I learned to love the most important people to me from afar.

I was one of the lucky ones I guess. I moved once. From Pensacola are to San Diego. I really did not "feel" the military life until I got to San Diego. Not only was I in a culture shock but I finally got my mom back.... Only to be taken away again by duty. Duty aboard a ship for 6 month time periods.

I have an awesome step-dad that took care of us, fed us and spoiled us until the reality of mom being home set back in. Since it was something I was already semi used to it was not hard. It was the reality of life that nothing is forever. I thought I had my mom back forever. It was a situation where I as young and did not understand. I do now.

I have no complaints. I do wish that I lived with my mom more, I do wish she did not miss so much. I do think it has made me stronger. My Granny was is an awesome woman who taught me so much. I was very lucky for my situation.

After all, how many teenagers can tell you they got grounded by their mom from and aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Oman... Yep, THIS CHICK :)


When I was 18 I told Air Force recruiters that there was no way in hell was I signing up for the service. I had done my time. I wanted to have kids and I wanted to be there for them. My mom did 21 years, my dad 26. At that time I did 18 as a daughter. I did not want anymore.

12 months and 7 days after I got rid of my expired Military ID I had another in my hand. I hope my children get out of the military what I did.

I have no regrets. I am proud my mom wore combat boots, she did what she could to take care of her children. I never did without, I never knew what it was like to go without. I had great health care, awesome friends in two states who I am still friends with today. Our relationship seems like it never ended, we have grown wiser, had families and still laugh and love together.

In the end, I would do it all over. I would move, I would pack up and go. I have met amazing people that tops all the bad things. You learn to be creative with family time. You learn that special holidays are what you make of them :) It really is about family. It is about how my parents made it for me. Those memories are worth it all :)