I’ve alluded to the BIG announcement on Facebook and Twitter so if you follow me over there you know what I’m about to say.

Several months ago, SGT Daddy decided to NOT re-enlist to continue his career in the Army. Today, he officially started with ACAP (Army Career and Alumni Program) as part of our transition out of the army. Yes by the end of the year, we will no longer be an Army family.

The BIG Announcement is that as of today I will not be continuing with my ArmyHousehold6 blog. (boy this  was hard to write ) It is with a heavy heart that I no longer will be blogging here at ArmyHousehold6.com. This blog has been a MAJOR part of my life for the last 5.5 years. It has been my saving grace through basic training, issues with Tricare for our kids, promotions, TDY’s,  3 PCS moves and of course the year long deployment.

I have made so many wonderful and close friends because of my little blog here. I love you all. I’ve been given so many wonderful opportunities and have been honored to be part of something amazing.   I truly never expected when I started “this blogging thing. ” back in November 2004.

Now I’m not giving up on blogging,  (did you really think I would ?) I’ll continue to blog about everyday life over at tammymunson.com. I hope that you follow me over there.  I will continue to leave ArmyHousehold6.com up as an archive for other army wives, girlfriends and family members looking for information, resources,etc.

I’ll still be involved with the military community through my volunteer work with Soldiers Angels and continue to support our troops, military families and of course  the milblogging community. As always, I’ll still be available to anyone of my military family member who needs help. I will always here for you.

I’m sure many people want to know where we are going. We will be moving to North Carolina (near Camp LeJeune area ) so I can work in the corporate offices of Jane Wayne, LLC. SGT Daddy (his real name is Dan ) will be getting a position in that area as well.

xoxo-
Tammy aka ArmyHousehold6

Mike Rowe (from Dirty Jobs on Discovery Channel ) , along with top notch Ford experts, will inform you about simple, helpful steps to maintain your vehicle through a series of videos. I’ll post a new video every week. (and who doesn’t like to look and/or listen to Mike!)

Make sure to visit FordOwner.com ( this also links you to Lincoln and Mercury sites as well) for additional services and savings. Tell your friends and family to check-out this exciting new campaign and remember to follow Ford and Lincoln Mercury Service on Twitter at @FordCustService . and Facebook at Facebook.com/Ford .

I’ll post pics (and hopefully video) as soon as I can !

Tammy

This very same week last year– Kiersten graduated from elementary school, our awesome dog Jack died from contracting Parvo  and SGT Daddy was getting ready to leave for a year in Afghanistan. Talk about a roller coaster of emotions and it pretty much stayed that year for the next 12 months.

I remember thinking how in the world was I going to get thru the next year , what would happen, what would I do if the BIG IF happened, what would SGT Daddy go thru, how would each of us deal with the seperation, would we be ok after it was over. You know — all the normal quesition an Army wife has facing a 12 month deployment to Afghanistan.

During one of our early conversations, SGT Daddy and I both commented on how the Miley Cyrus’ song “The Climb” reminded us both of the deployement.  It still rings true today.  It wasn’t about how fast we got through or what was waiting on the other side. It was about the journey we were on.

How did I deal with this?

First of all, I have some amazing family and friends that were there through the good and the bad. I especially have to thank Alli and the rest of the  girls over at Blissfully Domestic. (too many to list and I don’t want to leave any of you out)

You guys were there for me when I needed you..  you listened to my vents, cried with me, prayed with me and celebrated with me too. I love each one of you!

Secondly, I managed to learn a few things from experienced Army wives that had been through this deployment jail before.  Everything is easier when you break it up into small more managable peices.

Break the deployment into small 3 month chunks — what can you look forward to during those chunks? When you reach that milestone, celebrate it! One thing we did was a weekly celebrations– if we got thru the week , the girls and I celebrated by going to Baskin Robbins every Sunday. (we will be continuing this tradition by the way SGT Daddy, you’ve been out-voted.)

Don’t count down but count UP! At first it seems like it sucks but after awhile you really see how far you’ve come.

So what did I learn on this journey?

I learned lot about myself and how strong I really am. I learned that if I had to I could do this all by myself, but I don’t want. I want SGT Daddy by my side forever and always. I learned that my husband truly loves me and doesn’t want to live without me either. (i knew this before but it cemented it for me)

I saw my girls deal with grown up topics and concepts. I saw them miss their Daddy terribly but also be strong for their Mama. I saw Kiersten start to turn into a lovely young woman with her mama’s attitude and sarcasm to match. I saw Becca grow by leaps and bounds academically and socially.

I saw our marriage go through a significant change as well. Some of the things that we both took for granted before he left , we no longer take for granted.

Lots of change happened this year.. but change is not always a bad thing. I know that as we look ahead to SGT Daddy’s homecoming and we get to be a family again.. there will be lots more change but we will be together and that is the only thing that matters.

SGT Daddy is NOT home yet but will be soon … I’ll be sure to post pictures once that happens !

The story is about the Bennett family , a Navy family , going through yet another adventure-filled year . Grace is an awesome military spouse who supports her husband’s career choice , makes many PCS moves,trying t and making new friends while trying to stay in touch with old friends. They have 3 children who are also dealing with regular military brat lifestyle issues – missing their dad, getting used to living without him while he’s on the ship, etc.

I thought the book was just absolutely fantastic and well-written. It really showed what our military lifestyle is like and not something that can be wrapped in a 30 minute television show. It showed the true realities of being a military family that not everything is hunky-dory. There is happiness, tears, worry, etc.  I really loved getting a peak inside of a Navy family and what they endure during their deployments, which  are just as difficult as the ones that us Army families go through yet a bit different.

I recommend everyone- military and civilians alike – pick up this book and read it.

Well my Canon Rebel XS DSLR camera arrived today and I love it! I never thought I would ever say that about a camera. I immediately took it out of the box and started snapping pics outside of the kids, neighborhood,etc.

This camera is amazing! I thought our Kodak Easy Share took some great pics but this one put it to shame!

Here is one of my first shots — pretty good for a newbie eh?

We decided to have dinner to catch up — We mutually agreed on Outback — since we all love it!

Of course the food was awesome as it usually is .. but the amazing thing was that it was like they never even left. I’d usually post a picture but we were so busy talking that I forgot to take any.  (we are so glad that they are here with us … once SGT Daddy is home we are ALL going out to dinner)

I think that is the thing about really good friends — that no matter how long you haven’t seen each other , it seems like it was yesterday. They are always there for you no matter where they are and what they are doing. You can trust them completely and  know that  have your best interests at heart.

SGT Daddy and I are so grateful for all the good friends that we have both here in our military family but also in our large internet family too.  (you know who you are ) As we endure this last phase of this deployment — We couldn’t have gotten through this deployment without you.

Over the next several weeks, as we near the end of this deployment– I’ll be focusing many of the posts on reflections of the last 11 months and of course looking ahead  to redeployment/reintergration.

I also got a special note from SGT Daddy via email –

Household6,

I just wanted to wish you a Happy Mother’s day! Your service as a Mother
brings due credit on yourself, *our  family, and Mothers as a
whole. For this we award you with a deploying husband, kids that don’t
listen and more work than you can shake a stick at! Never the less we
love you and I am very happy that you are the mother of my children!

V/R
SGT Daddy
2nd in command

I think I’ll keep him! : ) So I hope all the Mom’s that are readers had a wonderful day! I know I did just knowing this was the VERY last holiday/special occasion without my husband.