Saturday, September 26, 2009

Really good article....encouraging for Army families..

FORT HOOD - General officers are trained to draw a red line.

Yet there will be times they will have to compromise.

"But there is one thing I won't compromise on," said Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, commanding general of III Corps and Fort Hood. "I refuse to compromise on taking care of the family. That's a red line I won't cross."

Lynch and his wife, Sarah, reflected recently on their tour at Fort Hood in advance of the change of command ceremony Tuesday where he will relinquish command to Maj. Gen. - soon to be Lt. Gen. - Robert Cone.

"When Sarah and I got here 15 months ago we decided we were going to focus on the family," Lynch said. "The environment today is the most difficult I've seen for the Army and it's because of what soldiers do and are trained to do. They fight our nation's wars."

Early in his tenure at Fort Hood, Lynch put a policy in place that sees soldiers home by 6 p.m. to be with family, except for Thursdays.

"We demand that everyone leave work at 3 p.m. on Thursdays for family time," Lynch said. "It's when kids get home from school. And we demand that soldiers only work on the weekend with my personal approval."

Fridays, Lynch said, soldiers have a place to go let their hair down.

"When we got back 15 months ago all the clubs were closed," Lynch said. "Now they are all open and vibrant. If you are at Club Hood at 4:30 p.m. on Fridays you will see the officers of the Corps there having a celebration. It's the celebration of our camaraderie."

The NCOs of the Corps meet at the Phantom Warrior Club. Certain hours at the clubs are planned for family activity. Beef and Burgundy night is Tuesday, Spaghetti night is Thursday and Surf and Turf is on Friday nights.

"We want our families to be able to come at a very reduced rate to enjoy a wonderful meal," Lynch said. "Those are the things you have to put in place to reduce stress."

Lynch said the post also schedules free concerts. All the outdoor pools were opened free of charge. Commissary and PX services were made family friendly. And the pharmacies on post fill 95 percent of their prescriptions in 30 minutes or less.

Lynch said family first is by deeds, not words.

"If you stand up and say, 'I care about the family,' but don't do anything, the youngsters see through that in about 30 seconds."

Resiliency Campus

Lynch often has said the Army has spent too much time fixing soldiers and families that it broke, rather than spending enough time keeping them from breaking.

Lynch set out to reverse the dynamics of that with his Resiliency Campus. It takes up a city block near the old 4th Infantry headquarters. The landscaped grounds have a former chapel and many buildings converted for use in programs that promote physical fitness, spiritual insight and emotional strength.

"We focus on building resiliency so when soldiers deploy they don't come back devastated," Lynch said. "Rather they will come back enriched."

Lynch said the Army had 147 suicides since the first of the year. Fort Hood makes up 10 percent of the Army, but has had only four suicides. Lynch said data on the divorce rate, domestic violence, sexual assault - all indicators of a stressed organization - have gone down at Fort Hood since the emphasis has focused on family and reducing stress.

"When I went to testify before the House Armed Services Committee, I told them it wasn't about suicide prevention, it's about stress reduction," Lynch said.

Deployments

Lynch said not every soldier who goes into combat comes back with post traumatic stress disorder. It's the same with the family. Not every family is broken as the result of deployment, he said.

Mrs. Lynch said the separation of deployment is stressful.

"But families learn to depend on one another," she said. "We are our own battle buddies together. We are there for each other no matter what."

Lynch said people come up to him at functions and tell him the more he deploys the easier it must get.

"It gets harder," he said. "And it's no easier for a general than it is for a private. There is emotional turmoil in the separation."

Lynch said his father-in-law was a master sergeant in World War II. When soldiers left for war, they were gone until the war was over.

"That could be four or five years," he said. "Now we are gone 12 to 15 months and back for 12 months on what they call dwell time, then gone again for 12 months."

Lynch said communications today is so different. Soldiers can communicate with families by video teleconference and cell calls.

Legacy

Lynch said what he and his wife will leave at Fort Hood is the people they have touched.

"What I'm hoping is that the soldiers and family members will have seen their lot in life improved," Lynch said. "It's not about how many buildings you erect."

Mrs. Lynch said she hears people at functions thank her husband for the family time he has given them.

Lynch said another part of the legacy is opening the post to the community. After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Fort Hood, like all military installations, circled the wagons.

"When we first came here it was behind bunkers. But I assessed it to see if there was a threat - a physical threat - and the answer was no," Lynch said. "So we removed the barricades and opened up the post and I think that has been welcomed by the community."

Future for Fort Hood

Lynch said the post would continue to thrive under his successor, Maj. Gen. Cone.

Lynch said the Cones have followed them into positions on four occasions. He said he believes Cone will continue many of his projects and the post will continue to thrive as in the past.

"We will continue to advocate Fort Hood as a robotics center of excellence," Lynch said.

He said vendors would continue to bring their equipment for soldier testing as a way of preparing certain products for combat.

"The 'Great Place' will only become greater under (Maj.) Gen. Cone."

Asked if there had been anything else he had wanted to do for Fort Hood, Lynch said he had no regrets other than the fact he and his wife are leaving.

"There's nothing I would have done different - nothing I would have worked harder on."

His next post is the U.S. Army Installation Command in Arlington, Va., where he will be responsible for 153 installations.

"At our new posting we will take what we have done at Fort Hood and Fort Stewart - and by we I mean Sarah and myself every step of the way - and apply it to the other installations.

How they met and married

Lynch said he was a young captain at Fort Hood in 1982 with a passion for softball when he met his future bride. He went to register his softball club with the City of Killeen Recreation Department.

"She was director of the department and since her secretary was gone that day she registered the ball club for me," Lynch said.

Lynch said he has a story he tells that when the two met, Sarah pursued him because she had all his contact information on his application form.

Mrs. Lynch's eyes twinkle and she laughs softly when she hears this.

"Now here's the real story," Lynch said. "I really fell in love with Sarah and spent $690 on flowers before she would consent to go out with me. Every time I turned around I sent flowers to her."

Lynch said her father told her, "whatever you do, don't marry a GI"

"That's because he was a master sergeant," Lynch said. "Her mom was in the Army as well in the Women's Army Corps."

Mrs. Lynch said the procession of roses and bouquets had tongues wagging at city hall.

"All the guys I worked with would ask me, 'what is going on, Sarah? We don't send flowers like this.'"

"It was absolutely wonderful. It's nice to be courted like this."

Lynch said it was the best $690 he ever spent. They met in March, she agreed to go out with him July 4, they were engaged in October and had a December wedding at Fort Hood.

"I'm glad to tell you I give all the glory to God and all the thanks to Sarah," Lynch said. "Since I've been commander at Fort Hood, the great things that have happened at the Great Place have been Sarah's ideas. I should put signs up that say 'Sarah's Idea,' or 'Brought to you by Sarah.'"

Mrs. Lynch demurred modestly.

"People come up to me with these ideas and I pass them along to Rick and he gets them done," she said.

Lynch leads by example. He said he and his wife attend the newcomer briefings on Wednesdays.

"I start the session walking down the aisle holding Sarah's hand," Lynch said. "I tell them my most important title is not lieutenant general or commander of Fort Hood. My most important title is Sarah's husband. My second most important title is father of Susan and Lucas.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

My Sample blog submitted to AWN I am so proud of it I am posting it here :D

I was lucky enough to grow up in a Military family my dad was in the Air Force. Now that my husband has joined the Army, I find myself thankful for having that life experience to pull from. When my husband "Pachenko" decided to join the Army I was excited especially since I suggested it years ago when we first met lol I just love those I told you so moments. We currently live in Montana we moved here from New York State a little over three years ago I was looking for a community, the small town feeling that I lost when my dad retired. I love living in Montana and up until Pachenko brought the idea to the family discussion table I would of said we would of lived in Montana forever. I look at Military life as a adventure the chance to travel, explore the USA and abroad to meet new people and learn new things.

When we were sure that Pachenko was definitely joining, we informed our family and friends. The announcement was met with mixed reviews our families were both very supportive as I mentioned my father is retired Air Force but so is Pachenkos stepfather. However, our friends were Leary even my co-workers were it is amazing how something so honorable can bring out such negativity. One of the questions that came from friends was “why would you want to go get yourself killed for?" now seriously no one in their right mind signs up to get killed intentionally. I just don't understand some people’s views on the military. When did being honorable and wanting to serve, defend and protect our country become such a bad thing?

Another thing I hear directed at me is “what are you going to do?" "How are you going to handle taking care of the kids while he's gone?" after I laugh to myself I can't help but think these people really don't know me at all. I will be fine, I will do what I have done every day of my parenting life. I will take care of my daughters, I will pay the bills, cook meals, wash laundry, read bedtime stories, watch every ELMO movie ever made, have play dates, lunch with a girlfriend, go to the park, take the kids to school, plan Holidays, sleepovers and write lots of to do lists. Why is it assumed that as women we can't handle our husbands being gone? My husband and I are partners in our marriage neither one of us is in charge. I don't slave over the stove baking cookies all day while he works and balances the check book we are not stereotypical Ward and June Cleaver. We both work inside and outside our home to make our family work. I know how to run the household because not knowing how to do these things is not being a responsible parent.

My husband said to me that he is not worried about me not being able to handle things while he is gone it was a proud moment for me. I like the fact that my husband knows that I can take care of our daughters and myself if he were not around. I have always felt that it takes a special type of woman to be a military wife you have to be emotionally strong, independent, secure, confident, faithful and patient.

My husband is leaving on the 21st of September he will miss Halloween, Thanksgiving and Easter luckily he will be home for Christmas. He will miss a couple birthdays 4 to be exact but even though he won't be there physically we know we are loved and he is doing what he needs to do for our family. I have joined some groups on Cafe mom and met some very nice military wives. I also started blogging more on my BlogSpot so that way I have a place to say whatever is on my mind.

I have been talking to a military wife who has no prior military life experience. She asked me "How can you be so calm? I am going crazy" Well my answer was simple I look at my husband’s time away as something we have to go through to get to the good stuff find the positives job security, medical insurance, travel, housing and the military family. I also am a firm believer in HOBBIES I honestly can say I have never been bored a day in my life I look forward to having nothing to do so I can do the things I love to do. Example Cuddling with my twins, reading, blogging, photography, texting a friend, writing a letter, scrapbooking, watching a movie, reading a stack of magazines, relaxing or playing a board game with the kids...

Something that I preach about is ORGANIZATION! I suggest to any parent make TO DO LISTS they are great I have a running to do list everyday if I don't get something done I move it onto the next day. I also have specific to do lists

1. What I want to get done before my husband gets back from AIT

2. What items I want to move with us if we PSC (in the USA) example we get orders to the hottest place on earth do I really need to take 100 sweaters I bought while living in Montana? lol probably not

3. What I want to take with us if we PSC (overseas) Do I really want to bring the dresser that weighs a ton but is falling a part? Nope

4. What I want to do or see in our hometown before we PSC. There is always someplace you think back on and say " I wish we would of went ____ before we moved.

After reading every possible article, blog and post I could find on military life, surviving deployment and being a military wife I thought of a couple things to add to the list

1. Discuss everything with your husband go over finances, important paper work, make wills and do a power of attorney.

2. Get organized have two calendars 1 for your appointments and 1 for all the bills you need to take care.

3. Have hobbies, interests if you don't take time out for yourself you might begin to feel resentful of your spouse.

4. If you need something don't be afraid to ask for help.

I am looking forward to this new adventure in our lives I know we will become stronger as individuals and as a family. I am a proud Army wife and a strong capable mother. I hope my daughters enjoy growing up in a military family as much as I did. I think that as a parent it is important to teach our kids not only by books but also by life lessons and experiences. It is never too late to learn something new and I am always up to a new challenge. I have always felt it is important to give back to the community I hope that people can read my blog and use some tidbit of information from it but also I am looking forward to hearing from other military wives to see how they are coping. I have always said life is like a roller coaster ride ups, downs, twists and turns you never know what is around the next corner it is one wild ride...hope that you follow along it's bound to be a interesting ride.


Tuesday, September 8, 2009

My life tidbits, wisdom and advice..this is how our family rolls

As I mentioned I am the mother of seven daughters Kathryn Diana 16yrs, Julianna Grace 14yrs, Sophia Caroline 12yrs, Helen Elizabeth 6yrs, Olivia Anne 4yrs and 2 1/2 year old twins Charolette Rae and Madeline Belle. Now to go through the normal questions I get asked when people hear I have 7 girls
1. YES they are all biologically mine
2. YES I know how they are made
3. YES it can be expensive
4. NO I don't belong to (fill in whatever religious group)
5. NO I was not trying for a boy
6. NO I am not planning on having anymore
7. How do I stay SANE? Meet my BFF ORGANIZATION it should be every parents best friend lol
Lists I have a dozen going at a time..Of course I have my daily to do list if I don't get something done I move it to the next day..
then I have my Specific lists..
What I want to do before Pachenko gets back from boot camp LIST
What I want to do here in Montana before we move LIST if we move east coast or overseas
What I want to move with us if we PCS stateside LIST move, give away or trash
What I want to move with us if we PCS overseas LIST move, give away or trash
BUDGET LIST
GROCERY LIST
SPECIFIC DAUGHTERS LIST
WANT LIST
NEED LIST
DREAMS AND GOALS LIST

I would love to say my home is completely organized but I don't lie so I can't say it lol..
However for the first time in my life my house is not in chaos...as a family we keep it clean. I am PRO-CHORES or PRO-RESPONSIBILITIES in kids. My daughters are more responsible then your average children. Example 1. My oldest daughter Kathryn has been working at the same job for 2 years next month. Example 2. My daughter Julianna has been working at the same job for a year next month. They both work for McDonald's now I give props to MCDS for giving teenagers jobs not just in the summer but year round.
Kathryn and Julianna each pay $50.00 a month in rent, their cell phone bills, pay for most of their school stuff as well as all fun activities.
WHY? because when they are adults I don't want them having no idea of what is waiting for them jobs, bills, responsibilities and keeping a house...
WHY do I know I am doing the right thing for my daughters? simple when my daughters went school shopping they wanted to go to the mall..we live in Montana the mall is 2 hours away they paid for a tank of gas then spent about 3 hours shopping when all was said and done we loaded back into the car. here is the script..
( ME) "so what did you buy?"
(GIRLS) they look at me "can we go to walmart?"
(ME) lol "ok I go why?"
(GIRLS) " everything is too expensive here"

Lesson learned- when kids are spending their own money they shop smarter..
now they did manage to pick up a few things that they couldn't live without from the mall.

Also Julianna was complaining about her friend who had his phone taken away because he went over mom and dads minutes..SCRIPT..
(ME) Well why did they take it away?
(JULIANNA) He went over the minutes
(ME) Well if he pays his bill why is he in trouble?
(JULIANNA) He doesn't pay his bill his parents do!
(ME) OH
(JULIANNA) Mom I am glad you make me pay my bill that way I have unlimited texting
(ME) lol that's because you text 10,000 text messages a month

Last but not least..
Grocery shopping if I send my daughter into the store for milk or whatever I know how much it's going to cost..SCRIPT...
(ME) Run in and grab a container of sour cream
(JULIANNA) ok...
phone ringing..
(ME) YES JULIANNA?
(JULIANNA) mom you didn't give me enough money!!
(ME) YES I did..
BACK IN CAR
(JULIANNA) The sour cream cost $2.20 you only gave me $2.00
(ME) Did you read the labels and buy the one on sale?
(JULIANNA) NO!!!!
(ME) Well the store brand was on sale for $1.50

Lesson learned...They read sales labels and look for coupons..lol

Life isn't easy, cheap or free...if you want things you have to work for them and earn it. Shop sales, look for deals and use coupons..put your savings away for a rainy day..

BORED..ME? NEVER....LOL


I don't know about other people but I can honestly say I have never been bored a day in my life ..I don't understand bored ..I look forward to quiet time to do the things I enjoy doing..cuddling with my girls, watching movies with Pachenko, reading, blogging, texting, playing canasta, photography and more cuddling with the babies...
I like my own company..I am perfectly capable of entertaining myself..I don't need constant attention, chatter or activities..I also don't get people who can't stay home..I like my home it's comfortable, cozy, inviting, relaxing and peaceful..I love being there..
My favorite time of day is at night when everyone goes to sleep..I am sitting here dipping pretzels into Strawberry cheesecake ice cream (thanks Nana) my wonderful Nana got me addicted to dipping pretzels in sherbert as a kid..lol I love it..anyways dipping pretzels, watching Biker Boyz good movie and blogging...aww this is the life Smoke says "you wanna slow your roll" good advice slow down, relax and enjoy your quiet time. This is my time to enjoy the quiet and think without anyone bugging me...I should be heading to bed so much to do tomorrow..

COUNT DOWN....BYE BYE PACHENKO


WELL WE HAVE BEEN MARKING THE DAYS OFF UNTIL PACHENKO LEAVES AND WE ARE DOWN TO 13 DAYS...WOW IT'S GONE BY SO FAST...THE BLONDIE HOLDING THE POSTER IS MISS HELEN 6YRS OLD ..SHE KEPT ASKING HOW MANY SLEEPIES UNTIL HER DADDY WENT TO SOLDIER SCHOOL..SO I HIT THE DOLLAR STORE AND WE MADE THIS WAY BACK WHEN WE HAD 40 DAYS TO GO...NOW WE HAVE ONLY 13 DAYS...
TIMES FLYING WE ARE GETTING ALL THE LAST MINUTE THINGS DONE...

Thursday, September 3, 2009

DEADBEAT FATHER ABOUT TO GET HIS FINALLY...REVENGE IS SWEET


HEY FRIENDS HERE'S A UPDATE...I GOT A LETTER TODAY WILL POST A PHOTO OF IT THE LETTER IS FROM MT STATE CHILD SUPPORT OFFICE SOUTH CAROLINA HAS ACCEPTED MY CHILD SUPPORT ORDER AND HAS SERVED CARL WITH A NOTICE TO APPEAR FOR CONTEMPT & FAILURE TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT ALSO SEEMS THE IDIOT AFTER ALL THIS TIME HAS GONE AND GOT HIMSELF HIS 1ST DRIVERS LICENSE AT THE RIPE AGE OF 36 NOW I KNOW HE IS CRAZY HE OWES $34,000 THE FIRST THING TO GO BESIDES HIS PHYSICAL FREEDOM CAN WE SAY BYE BYE LICENSE LOL

I LOVE IT..I MIGHT ACTUALLY START SAYING NICE THINGS ABOUT THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

ROFLMAO...

DEADBEAT FATHER CARL D MEDICK

THE PUSUIT OF CARL D. MEDICK DEADBEAT FATHER IN SOUTH CAROLINA I am not going to go into all the wonderful details ...but my exhusband owes me $32,400 in back child support and he's fled to 2 different states in a attempt to not pay he is currently hiding in South Carolina...he has not see our dds for 7 yrs this time and prior to a short 6 months of random visits he didn't see them for 5 yrs before that.. they are only 16 and 14 1/2 yrs old so you do the math on that...
anyways I need help here please someone knows him or knows someone who knows him I just need to pin down a location on him..

I've decided that enough is enough and I am going to SPAM every possible South Carolina official with photos and letters...These children who aren't getting child support have faces and names it's about time WE demand what is rightfully ours...

I am tired of men and women walking away from their responsibilities...something has to be done..
I AM DOING THIS FOR MY DAUGHTERS...I HOPE SOMEONE GOOGLES HIS NAME OR HE GOOGLES HIS OWN NAME BECAUSE NOW EVERY WORD I PRINT ABOUT HIM SHOWS UP IN GOOGLE SEARCH...IF I HAVE TO USE SHAMING TO GET HIM TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE I WILL..
SO IF YOU KNOW CARL OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO DOES KNOW HIM TELL HIM HE HAS 2 DAUGHTERS WHO DESERVE BETTER FROM HIM...AND ONE WAY OR ANOTHER HE WILL PAY EVERY PENNY HE OWES THEM..
All I am saying Carl Medick you better become invisible because I am coming for you.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

YOu shouldn't fear the REAPER you should fear the REPO MAN

Seriously my life can only get better I pray...Pachenko got laid off in December and went back to school we struggled and struggled..Pachenko decided to join the Army yeah finally ..he leaves Sept 21st..So yeah I've had to pick and choose what bill to pay and how much to pay on a bill..it hasn't been fun..when my phone rings I feel sick..so with less then 20 days to go before Pachenko leaves the REPO MAN comes knocking ..he didn't come with a tow truck so I took that as a good sign he said to contact the car company and that he would be back on Friday...well I call the car company..and the lady is just so not understanding..I set up arrangements I just need until Tuesday a lousy 6 days from now and she SAYS NOOOOOOO!!! I need to make a payment before the REPO guy comes back on Friday..not only do I need to pay rent, water, the pawn shop for my wedding ring & laptop that are in pawn and now the car...I need to stretch $400 into $1,200 in 2 days...
Well thanks to my awesome mother in law..I don't have to fear the repo man this month...now I just need to make it to Pachenkos first payday and I will be back on my way to financial stability

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

My Montana Home...

The other day I drove Kate and Julie to Missoula it's 2 hours away from where we live..we drive HWY 93 through Lakeside, Elmo, Polson, Ronan and Pablo..and some other places but the point is it's a scenic drive and reminded me how very much I just love living here in Montana...There is such breath taking beauty ...
A little geographical history I was born in Hershey, Pennsylvania did a couple years on a AFB in Massachusetts but mostly raised in Upstate New York in a city where 90% of the people were Italian and the other 10% were Air Force families. Since I am a proud military brat I love to travel and look on military life as a great adventure. I have traveled extensively in across the USA having also lived in Florida. As I mentioned I like to travel and adventure which is how our family ended up in Montana. Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to move to Montana to be a cowgirl to live out under the Big Sky..I wanted a slower environment, small town community the kind of community feel you get growing up military.
Even though we will move away from Montana we will be back I love it here and consider it a wonderful place to live.