What topics do you write about on your blog?

I write about everything from my journey through deployment to PCS, AIT, and I also do many Vlog tutorials as well as Vlog diaries. Readers also get to enter some great giveaways and learn about new military discounts.

Share a favorite post of yours.

That Little Thing Called OPSEC….I did a video vlog about the importance of that thing many spouses seem to forget about called OPSEC. It was my birthday when I did the video so I felt I made something that can be kind of blah more fun.

Tell us a little bit about your military spouse journey.

My husband is a former Marine (although he will quickly tell you their is no such thing as as a former Marine hehe. He is currently as you can tell serving in the US Army and on his 2nd deployment in the Army 3rd in total. My husband has been in 12 years and I have been a military spouse for 5 years.

What are the challenges of being a military spouse?

If you let them deployments will break you. Having to be totally independent can be a challenge if your not used to doing certain things. Many things can be a challenge if you don’t attempt to make the best of them.

What are the best parts of being a military spouse?

My husband and I are culture nuts. We love experiencing everything food, art, architecture, but the reality is we wouldn’t always be able to afford those things if it were not for the Army giving us the opportunity to travel. I would have to say the ability to live places I normally wouldn’t and the chance to broaden my horizons and make new friends are awesome parts of the military life.

What is the most interesting, unusual, or funny thing that has happened to you as a result of being a military spouse?

I would have to say that I am an extremely shy person and since living this life I have opened up tremendously. I have become a go to person for wives arriving at duty stations I have lived at and I absolutely proud of myself being able to open up to that extent.

To what extent have blogging and social networking affected the military spouse experience?

I have received numerous emails from former spouses and veteran spouses who say that they wish the wealth of information they see on the net was available to them when they were new to the Army life, because it would have made navigating the waters easier. I also think the power of networking sites has made it easier to make friends before you even arrive at a new duty station. I can speak first hand on what a great feeling it was , to move all the way here to Hawaii and have a few friends already waiting for me.

If someone you care about was about to marry a military servicemember, what one piece of advice would you give?

Be patient and supportive. Know that your spouse loves you but that unfortunately in the Army world you come 2nd but in your spouses heart you come first. I tell all spouses always be ready for anything in the Army life.

What topics do you write about on your blog?

I write about all sorts of things. My Christian faith, Avon, life as an Army wife, food and recipes, relationships… I’ve been known to even post about a simple do-it-yourself project, as well. I write about the things I’m interested in, the things I know about.

Share a favorite post of yours:

One of my favorite posts is entitled Don’t Stop Arguing, which is about my advice to couples to keep arguing, but do it right, because “A complete lack of arguments usually indicates a shallow relationship.”

Tell us a little bit about your military spouse journey.

My husband and I have been best friends for ten years, having met first in junior high. We did not start dating until after he had already been deployed to Iraq twice. When we started dating, he transferred to Fort Hood, which was closer to me, and we got married about a year later (October ‘09)! As a new military spouse, it’s hard to come to terms with the fact that my husband has three years left on his contract, meaning that I’m sure to have to go through a deployment or two, if not more, with him. It will be a completely different experience for us now that we are married! As of now, he has been serving in the US Army for five years.

What are the best and most challenging parts of the Military Spouse Experience?

The challenge of the Army is to remain flexible. The Army is constantly changing its mind about schedules, plans, and everything else, and it’s a struggle to roll with the punches. As I wrote recently in my blog, my husband’s leave packet did not get approved until about a week before our wedding. Though we had payments put down on the wedding and honeymoon, we didn’t know for sure that he would be able to even show up until the day his packet finally got approved!

If someone you care about was about to marry a military servicemember, what one piece of advice would you give?

If one of my friends were on the verge of marrying into the military, I would advise them first, to be flexible, and second, to rely on God. There are many times that I’ve had to remind myself that the parts of being an Army wife that are too tough for me to handle are the parts that I need to let God handle. He can get me through what I don’t have the strength to get through on my own.

What topics do you write about on your blog?

I’m a mish mash of teaching, travel, politics, pouting, military life, and my never ending love for Texas. If it happens in my life, it goes on the blog! I try to keep it “real” rather than branded. While I have much respect for the niche blogs, I view my blog as a diary rather than a website. So, when you come, expect the unexpected!

Share a favorite post of yours:

I think this post, Life as a Military Wife, really speaks to how different our lives really are. Sometimes it’s hard for others to understand our feelings, our acronyms, and our general way of life, so this post gives a glimpse into just how different it is.

Tell us a little bit about your military spouse journey.

I am married to an Air Force officer, and have been for almost 4 years. He has been active duty for almost 3 years. We are currently stationed overseas and waiting for our next assignment, which will most likely be overseas as well. Luckily, we have only had long TDYs and no deployments. However, we are expecting a deployment in the near future, but hopefully we can get by with a 6 month!

What are the best parts of being a military spouse?

For me, the best part has been the opportunity to see the world. In the last 3 years we have been able to visit 20 countries, a feat I never thought would have been possible. The Air Force has opened up the world to us, and has given us so many opportunities to see new places. With these experiences, and the diverse nature of the military, I feel like I have been able to broaden my horizons significantly.

To what extent have blogging and social networking affected the military spouse experience?

The mil-spouse blog community has been a great support system throughout this journey. I have met new people and gained some real life friends along the way. It has been a blessing to have friends around the world that have been through it all already, and can offer great advice. Honestly, I feel like the mil-spouse blogging community has enabled me to feel prepared for a possible deployment. I have seen so many make it through the process, that I know I can do it as well. I know that no matter where I might be stationed, I am still connected to other people who understand!

If someone you care about was about to marry a military servicemember, what one piece of advice would you give?

Be flexible! We have no control over assignments, duty hours, deployments, or just about anything else! The title of “dependent” may not be politically correct, but it is certainly accurate. You have to be able to put yourself aside and learn to go with the flow of your husband’s career. Can you still have a career? Sure! Can you still have input? Sure! However, the life of a military spouse is anything but typical. The more flexible and patient you are, the more successful you will be!

I wrote a post of advice just for those moving overseas which can be very helpful.

Lorrie Nichols, who blogs at The Journal of an Army Wife, answered our questions about her life as an Army Wife.

What topics do you write about on your blog?

I generally write about what is going on in life at the moment.  A big part of that is the journey my husband and I are on while he is getting his commission.

Share a favorite post of yours:

Just a Small Setback, I wrote it today after I got the news my husband is coming home from OCS early.  This is just a small setback for us, a bump in the road, but not the end of the road for our journey.

Tell us a little bit about your military spouse journey.

Mike is in the Army National Guard.  He hasn’t been deployed, yet.  He served in the Air Guard for six years, then spent several years as a civilian, and joined the Army Guard last October.  We have been married for 2 1/2 years, but I have only been a military spouse for about 4 months.

What are the challenges of being a military spouse?

Military time doesn’t necessarily coincide with real world time.  It seems we hurry up to get things done, then spend a lot of time waiting.  I don’t always feel like I know what is going on, and when I do, it seems to change.

What are the best parts of being a military spouse?

The pride I feel in my husband and my country.  The people my husband serves with seem like family.

To what extent have blogging and social networking affected the military spouse experience?

It allows you to communicate with people that are going through similar experiences.  I feel so much less lonely.  These are also a way to have some questions answered by people who have lived what you are going through.

If someone you care about was about to marry a military servicemember, what one piece of advice would you give?

Be patient.  The military certainly won’t do things like you would like them to, but it does get done in the end.  Get to know, love, and trust the people that your spouse is with, they are your biggest support and resource.

Thank you, Lorrie!  Please check out Lorrie’s blog where she shares her life as a military spouse, including her husband’s path to getting his commission.  Want to see your interview here, just drop me an e-mail: candace [at] armywiveslives [dot] com!