Friday, May 8, 2015

Proud Military Spouse {a link-up}

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. This is the first year I've been a spouse instead of a girlfriend or fiancée for this day, so I'm pretty excited!

I am linking up with Amanda from Somewhere over the Camo and Jen from Marathons and Dog Tags for the "Proud Military Spouse" link-up! How fun!


I've been married for almost a year now, and it's been so much fun! Dan and I were together for over five years before tying the knot (thanks, USAFA), so I've learned quite a bit about this military journey along the way... but I learn more each and every day! 


Amanda and Jen listed some questions to answer for the link-up, and I'm so excited!

1. Tell us about yourself and your blog. Well, I'm Janelle, and I'm a newlywed to Dan. I am a former 8th grade teacher, and now I have a home based business making crafts and selling them through my Etsy shop. We have two cats and a dog - OH, and we have a baby on the way! We currently live in Dayton, OH while Dan gets his Master's degree in Applied Physics at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), but we are moving to Wichita Falls, TX next spring for him to begin Euro Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training, and we couldn't be more excited about that! My blog started as a platform to keep family up to date on what we're up to since we live far away from them, but it turned into so much more. Shortly after starting this blog, I found the amazing (and huge) military spouse community, and I began reaching out to other significant others of America's warriors. It's been so fun connecting with others and even meeting some of them.

2. What branch of the military are you affiliated with? While Dan originally enlisted in the US Army way back in 2006, he switched a couple years later (and before we met) and is now an officer in the greatest Air Force in the world... so we are a proud Air Force family!

3. What is one thing you enjoy about the military lifestyle? I love a lot of things and TRY to focus on the positives. I love all the uniforms my husband gets to wear... I love going to balls... I love traveling for free via Space A... I love making new friends all over the world... I love the possibility of living in really cool places... heck, I even love those giant green onesies (aka flight suits).

4. What advice would you give other military spouses who are new? The biggest adjustment I had to make was my flexibility, and while it's commonly said that flexibility is the key to air power, I think flexibility is also the key to a military marriage. After all, plans are going to change last minute. You're bound to get orders to an undesirable location someday. Training, TDYs, and deployments can and will interfere with life... but making the most of the time you do have together and being flexible about when that is will make all the difference. Each experience in life is what you make it - so have a positive outlook, and enjoy the ride!

Check out the rest of the wonderful ladies who posted in the link-up at the bottom of this post!

How would YOU answer questions 3 and 4? I am always looking for more uplifting stories and advice!


    

10 comments:

  1. Have a wonderful military spouse appreciation day!

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  2. Oh my goodness YES to flexibility!! I had to completely let go of my need to plan everything and realize that things constantly change and that is okay.

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  3. I firmly believe flexibility it critical!! :) Thank you so much for linking up with us today! Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day!! :)

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  4. I love the uniforms too. Especially the blues.

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  5. Love it! Thanks for linking up with us. It is so true that flexibility is key when it comes to the military! Happy FIRST Military Spouse Appreciation Day lady!

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  6. I love that you mentioned the uniforms :) I didn't even think about that but it is definitely one of my favorite things seeing my hubby come home in them. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Oh Balls are my favorite!! So nice to meet you!

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  8. Loving reading all the difference advice being shared..! Flexibility is always important and one we easily forget! Nice to meet you!

    www.jewelswandering.com

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  9. I completely agree that flexibility is SO important. I am still learning that, admittedly. I have days where I just want to rip every hair out trying to figure out how I can also make my career work around my husband's. I'm so happy I found you through this link-up! I hope you have a great weekend :)

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  10. Letting go of my need to control everything has been my biggest challenge as a new military spouse. It's really frustrating to know there's nothing I can do about anything in our life. I have no control over his work schedule or where we're living or when we can go home to visit family or any of that. It's been an adjustment.

    www.highheelsandcombatboots.com

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