Jumping in here. I know a fair amount of couples that were involved in affairs, that did not end the marriage. I also know a fair amount of couples that one or both spouses had an affair, and the marriage ended. With that being said, the affair was not necessarily the defining moment when the marriage had ended. Many, many other issues were involved, the affair was just a part of the decision to divorce. I've seen strong marriages, have' weak moments," in difficult times. This does not = divorce whatsoever. Everyone's story is different. In my world having an affair is not automatic grounds for a divorce. When a divorce happens, many, many issues were involved long before the affair. Clear as mud? ;)

How about Ammon?

I just keep getting the same message about the camera possibly being temporarily unavailable.

I think the kids and I need an intervention. We have spent the last week staring at the backside of a giraffe! I dunno maybe they need to let Walter over to "help" things progress?;)

They are very common here (panhandle of Fl).

I have used this. My oldest had the whole kit...five children later I am down to just the blue books. I think they are great, and helped my children reading quickly. I made up games with the words in each section of the book, had them as spelling words, wrote on white boards, etc.

I conceived my fifth dc, while nursing my 11 mos ds. He was eating solid foods at this point. I also conceived my sixth dc, while nursing my 6 mos dd. I hadn't started my cycle, and she hadn't been introduced to solids, yet.

How would you pronounce this name? Is it like "pear", "peer", "purr" ?? Or maybe none of those are correct...Thank you, for your help!

My daughter is Annabel :) Of the choices you gave I would choose Anabelle.

I am looking for some insight on homeschoolers that have participated in ps sports. My son would like to play football again this fall, and he is too old for the youth league. From my understanding he can participate with the middle schoolers? Any other information about homeschooling in Fl, would be greatly appreciated!

Gout perhaps? Medication and dietary changes, if so.

Benjamin Kade? I have one myself :)

Voted!!

I am currently 6 mos into a year long deployment (also our 4th deployment). I have six children ages 11-2....so I can offer some suggestions that have worked for us:001_smile: This year I am using Calvert for school. I know this isn't a terribly popular curriculum on these boards, but it has worked great for us. It keeps us on track, everything is laid out for me and I know what has to accomplished for the day. We have a routine and our sports schedule is a bit lighter. I may be the odd one out on this too, lol. I like our schedule not so rushed when I am the only one taking kids places! Having a cleaning lady come once a week or even monthly is amazing. Take the kids to the park, a field trip, and come home to a clean house is re-energizing. I think Mrs. Mungo suggested this, is having a friend unrelated to the military. Someone you can vent to without repercussions. I call them a "safe" friend...this is a especially nice if you are inclined to have a glass of wine with them. ;) I have always ordered a book, new curriculum, something that I can look forward to arriving after my dh has left. We have done this with the kids as well. My dh ordered new lego sets for them before he left. It gave them something to do and work through some of their emotions after Dad left. We do lots of talking, but naturally the kids sometimes just like to work on something alone for a couple days. This has just been my experience. I can tell you that time has flown by. It is hard to believe that we are 6 mos into this tour! I always plan on getting in great shape during deployments. This helps time go by faster because I procrastinate on my running program!:tongue_smilie: I wish you the very best.

Jumping in here also! My dh has been active duty army for 9 1/2 years. We have moved 6 times and we are 6 mos. (halfway!!) into his 4th deployment. We homeschool for a plethora of reasons...mainly continuity in education, and flexibility. It also gives us the ability to spend more time together when dh is actually home. He is also frequently tdy...the few occasions he has been at school we have been able to tag along (white sandy beaches for us, class for him):D I suggest a housekeeper. With homeschooling six kids, this has been the number one sanity saver for me!

Thank you for the suggestions! I knew the hive would save me, lol:)

She also has a toddler and preschooler...hubby is deployed. I offered to help out and bring her supper tomorrow night...but not sure what to bring. She doesn't like mushrooms or beans and pasta is a no...So any thoughts on a healthy, diabetic friendly meal? Thank you in advance! Your suggestions are greatly appreciated:)

I would like to help as well. My heart aches for her.

I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.:grouphug:

At 4am my cell rings and it is my dh. However, when I answer the phone all I hear is a roaring, whooshing sound. My first thoughts are mabe he is the DD for the night and he "butt dialed" me. It is 4am though!! Finally, @30 minutes later, he calls me back. He says he saw all the missed calls and didn't want me to worry. He wasn't very clear but obviously shooken up. He told me that a man had found him on the beach!. My dh had laid down near the water and the waves were washing up right to his shoulders. A man found him, woke him up, asked him where he was staying and directed him back to his hotel (3 min walk). He has no recollection whatsoever of walking to the beach. The last thing he remebers is resting on his bad at around 7 in the evening. He was waiting to go to a movie with some friends. He says hie must have fallen asleep and that is all he remembers. When he was at the beach he still had his clothes on and in the pockets were his cell and room key. He has been suffering for the past month from cluster headaches...they are crippling and even a sip of alcohal will trigger them (so he has been the DD). I do know that he is under a huge amount of stress. His job is very intense and another deployment to prepare for. I have asked if one of his friends can stay with him for now...I had planned on coming to visit him with the kids in a week. Any thoughts or suggestions? Honestly, it scared the h*ll out of me. I will forever be grateful to the man that helped my husband out of the water.

Wow, thank you for the support. I am taking notes here, lol. A midweek break sounds helpful...definately taking a week off at the end of the month to go see dh. His hotel is located on the beach...he can see the water from his room. It will almost feel like a vacation...he has short school days and isn't allowed to bring homework back to his room (I am thinking this is a bonus, lol). My bitter feelings are not directed at my dh at all. They have to do with personal experiences with the military and feeling very "used". Also, coming from a small unit we have had a situation with a particular wife that thrives on drama. This has caused a lot of hurt feelings with wives and being the "old married wife with all the kids" ...I hear a lot of their concerns and issues. I really, really try to stay professional but my blood boils whenever I hear her name. I have shocked myself...I get over things quickly, can really get along with anyone....not in this situation. :banghead: Thank you again for everyones thoughts and suggestions. I am very grateful.

Thank you ladies! It is great to be able to post my frustrations a bit anonymously..definately helps knowing I am not alone. I had a long chat with my dh tonight and I am making some changes. I am learning I can't do everything alone. We have six children between the ages of 11 and 17mos. We are far from home so my help has been well none, lol. My dh is in a specialized unit with a lot of young wives and families. I really enjoy helping them out, being a friend, setting up playdates...but things can get complicated. My dh's superiors or either divorced or single. He was congratulated on "breaking the curse" because he was still married to his first wife and making his rank...nice. I hope this doesn't come off sounding arrogant. I am just feeling lonely in my current situation...It would be great to have other wives whose dh's are in the same position/situation... Fwiw, we are at a huge post but are a bit isolated. As far as my dh's arrangements he is staying in a hotel. He was moved to a second location and we definately will go stay with him for a good week to sneak in some family time! During his deployments and tdys that sort of thing we have skyped when it is available. However, that is not always possible. I have decided to go ahead and join a gym that offers free care for the kids. Also, I am having a housekeeper come weekly. I am very excited about this!! I am also looking to have a consistent sitter...mabe someone to come in a couple times a week. I hoping with these changes I can handle whatever the military throws at me without wanting to melt into a bumbling mess. Most importantly I can be the wife and mother I want and need to be.

To make a long story short..I am burnt out, bitter and just plain exhausted. My husband returned home from a 7 month tour in Nov. had to leave unexpectedly for school in March and won't graduate until June...he deploys this summer for one year. This will be his fourth deployment. He loves what he does and wouldn't ever take that from him. It just has been incredibly difficult for him, myself and the kids. Fortunately, he has been able to sneak home for a weekend. I took the kids to see him for a long weekend as well and plan on traveling at the end of the month again. We of course are trying to make the best of the situation it just is very tough emotionally. In fact I feel it is getting harder. FWIW, we are in a very small unit and my situation is very different from the other spouses at the moment. So I don't really have anyone to relate with at this time. Anyone else in this situation? Lay it on me, lol....I definately need to hear from other experienced spouses :)

This was taken before Christmas Eve service...with my dh blackberry. I was so excited..everyone is looking in the same direction!

I can completely relate...I have a seven year old ds who is bringing me to my knees. Eye rolling, making faces, absolute refusal to help with household chores. What happened to my beautiful, sweet, little boy? AHHHH it is maddening. So no advice, just wanted to offer :grouphug: