wivesofthearmedforces on LTK

wivesofthearmedforces

the day my husband went back to work after taking leave for our wedding in 2017, he came home with PCS orders for Del Rio, TX...the emotional chokehold this DIY tint has on me because it was one simple thing I could control while moving for the second time in 2 years

the little microderm tool is new, this is only my second time using it, but it packs a NICE exfoliating punch if you're looking to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, and sun damage ^affiliate

the day my husband went back to work after taking leave for our wedding in 2017, he came home with PCS orders for Del Rio, TX...the emotional chokehold this DIY tint has on me because it was one simple thing I could control while moving for the second time in 2 years the little microderm tool is new, this is only my second time using it, but it packs a NICE exfoliating punch if you're looking to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, and sun damage ^affiliate

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Mornings can be hectic, but when you are solo-parenting, it can feel like chaos from the moment you open your eyes. These are some tried-and-true items that can help you prep, plan, and make mornings feel a little easier... and provide you with some self-care in the process!

#LTKmomlife

Some days are harder than others on deployment, but these activities can give you a few seconds to breathe, prep a meal, or just reset for the rest of the day. You are doing a great job!

#LTKmomlife

Parenting while your spouse is deployed is hard and sometimes you need to pull out some activities to keep the kids busy while you take a breath. Here are some of our top favorites. You are doing great!

#LTKmomlife

25 minute incline walk + quick little core sesh this AM

I criiiiinge thinking about all the time I had years ago that I could've spent prioritizing my physical health, but post college sports, I was burned ALL the way out. Feels so good to be back at it + actually look forward to it every day (also helps that my Bible study called out that self-discipline is a fruit of the Holy Spirit 🤣) only a few days left to use that @lululemon @americanexpress credit, 10/10 recommend these leggings in the "no line" version! ^affiliate #lululemonambassador

If you’re a civilian with a military spouse bestie or family member, you might feel stuck about how to help them through a deployment season.   Military spouses are often carrying more than you see. They’re managing households alone. Filtering news headlines. Holding space for their own fear while staying strong for their kids. Missing their person constantly.

Just being available and understanding goes further than you think.

Here are a few meaningful ways to support them:

📱Send a simple “thinking of you” text.

🪖Avoid asking too many details. Understand that they may not be able to share operational details for security reasons.

💐 Respect their boundaries. Some days they may want to talk. Other days, they’re just surviving.

☕️ Drop off a meal, Venmo for coffee, or mail a small surprise.

🧘‍♀️ Offer to watch the kids so they can take a breath, go to the gym, or sit in silence.

🗓️ Remember important dates: halfway mark, birthdays, and holidays can feel extra heavy.

💌 Keep inviting them, even if they say no. Isolation is common during deployments.   Remember, you don’t have to fix it. You just have to show up. That means more to them than you will ever know. 🫶🏼

To the military spouse waking up today feeling the weight of what’s unfolding around the world—we see you.

You’re not alone in your worry, and you’re not the only one holding your breath.

We don’t need to fully understand the bigger picture to know that your family’s piece of it is deeply personal-and heavy. In a season marked by uncertainty, fear, and questions with no clear answers, please know this: our community is here to encourage you, stand with you, and help however we can.

If you haven’t yet:

1. Find your people and lean on them.

2. Check in on one another.

3. Make sure you’ve saved any important contacts (we have a highlight for that or comment “support” and we can send you a blog post with the info).

4. Protect your peace-whether that means turning off the news, setting boundaries with loved ones, or simply stepping away to breathe.

No one has to carry this alone.

^affiliate #clearstemambassador @clearstemskincare

PCSing overseas requires a lot of planning and patience. These are some tried-and-true items to help your experience run a little more smoothly, especially with kids!

#LTKmomlife

PCSing can be tough on a family. Whether you are moving across the country or across the world, you may be stuck living in a hotel for longer than you want. Here are some of our go-to items for living in limbo!

DITY moves, also known as PPM's, can be daunting, but with the right supplies and team, you can get it done right! Here are some of our go-tos to use when you are organizing and packing up your home!

^affiliate can she fit all of her toiletries + make up into this (just under) 11" bag for her 10 day trip in Europe?? YOU FREAKING BET.

Bump-friendly looks for a change of command this spring! Whether your spouse is a part of the ceremony or you are just attending as a guest, these looks are perfect for the event!

I used to be a boxed-wine drinking, reality TV show-binging, feel really sorry for myself milso in the days/nights my husband was gone. I'd go to bed way too late every night and wake up feeling sad + exhausted the next day ready to repeat the bad habits.

If you're in this cycle, I TOTALLY GET IT. But, you don't to stay in it if it's not serving you!

Here are three really simple things I do every single night my husband is gone to make my next day a little easier:

✨ I toss the day's laundry into the washing machine and use the delay start feature so I have a load of laundry washed and ready to be transferred when I wake up. I transfer it to the dryer first thing in the AM, and bring it with my upstairs when the kids do their shower/bath to fold.

✨ I treat myself to a calming, nurturing drink, because I always have more anxious energy going to bed when I'm alone. This ritual helps trigger my brain that it's time to wind down and sets me up for a more restful night of sleep so I'm ready to hit the ground running in the AM!

✨ I start the dishwasher, no matter how many or how few dishes we have from the day, it gets started before I head upstairs for the night. After I toss those clothes in the dryer in the AM, I empty this and then we're starting the day with full cupboards and a clean sink!

What are some of your hacks to make solo days easier?

Want to watch the Olympics without spending much (or anything at all)? We've got you!!!

✨ Using the military discount on @peacock brings the cost to only $6.99/month for 12 months of service!

✨ Setup a @shopmyexchange account and sign on to NBCOlympics.com or the NBC Sports app by selecting “Exchange” as your provider (if you're overseas + living on base, this should work for you too!)

✨ Overseas and off base? Watch with the AFN Now app!

✨ If you have the @americanexpress Platinum you have two options - use your digital streaming credit for a Peacock subscription or sign up for the Walmart+ perk and through that select Peacock as your complimentary streaming service!

Coverage starts today, so don't waste anytime getting your setup on lock! GO TEAM USA 🇺🇸

#USAAPartner As milsos, we can do a lot, but it’s when we have a community we can rely on that we truly thrive. Near or far, that emotional and mental support is worth more than gold.

Valentine’s Day reminds us that love isn’t always flowers. It’s the people and support systems that show up through every PCS. And when it comes to planning for our future and protecting our family’s legacy, @USAA shows up the same way with financial guidance and reliability we can trust.

Fear is reactive.

Anxiety keeps you mentally living in worst-case scenarios.

You’re always on alert, but rarely at ease.

Does this sound like you when you're home alone?!

We're flipping your mentality ASAP!!! Preparation is quieter. It happens before you need it. And that, is exactly how we will reduce that fear when your significant other is gone.

Here are some intentional habits to start with:

✨ Lock all doors and windows (garage access included... USE deadbolts, girlfriend)

✨ Home security systems are a great layer of added security to deter intruders: bonus if you have motion-sensor floodlights near points of entry

✨ Vary routines: don't park in the same spot, try to leave and come home at different times, even vary the pattern of lights you turn on and leave on in your home

✨ Don’t overshare online (and make sure if your kids are online they aren't either)

✨ Don’t answer the door, there's no reason you have to: use those convenience doorbell auto-responses on Ring doorbells + if you do happen to answer the door out of habit, don't panic, keep your answers brief and never imply you’re home alone

✨ Build relationships with neighbors: community eyes can be such a help, whether you left a garage door open accidentally and they text you to let you know or just the comfort of knowing they keeping tabs on anything suspicious happening in your neighborhood

I could go on and on about this topic, but want to hear YOUR best tips for the community on personal safety and how to rest more easily when your sig other is on the road, drop em below + comment "safe" for my top product picks for personal and home safety!

truly cannot beat clear blue skies, 72 degrees + an entire afternoon soaking it all up with the kids 🥰

finding a perfect balance between working, my husband's inconsistent work schedule + being present for the kids with their ever-changing schedules is impossible, but I do think figuring out our family's "order" really helped

this book was recommended to me by a mother I deeply respect + met on a brief 6 month stint at an assignment (THIS IS WHY YOU DONT SHUT YOURSELF OFF FROM MAKING FRIENDS EVEN IN TEMPORARY SEASONS) + it reallllly helped me understand the foundation that our family could flourish standing on

if your life feels chaotic because you know what needs to get done but you're not quite sure how to make it happen in a way that doesn't send you into a spiral, this book will hug your soul + give you practical strategies for moving forward...you have to be willing to dig deep + be thoughtful about your family's priorities and what you're willing to do (or give up) to honor them though ^affiliate

These books are great resources for my kids! #affiliate

As for the jars: ^affiliate

Solo parenting during deployment means dinner has to be fast, easy, and already figured out.

These are the freezer meal prep tools that make it possible to cook once and feed the family for weeks. From our favorite Lodge Dutch oven for big batches to Souper Cubes perfectly portioned freezer meals, these are the things that make deployment meal prep actually doable.

Linking everything we use here!

These bump-friendly outfit options are perfect for any casual military events this spring! These are flowy, bright, and comfortable!

#LTKmomlife

Here are some of our favorite formal dresses that can pair with a growing bump! Any of these would be comfortable, yet chic options to wear to a spring military formal!

#LTKmomlife #LTKSeasonal #LTKWedding

@clearstemskincare #clearstemambassador Jen brought this whenever she was here last and I tried it for the first time (one of my fave perks of girls trips amiright?! 🤣)

I was blown away because most toners immediately dry me out, and this beauty didn't! Just finished my first whole bottle + it's obvious to me on days I skip it because my skin is viably more dull. Restocking while they're doing a 23% off sale with our code “WIVES"

These are the comfiest pants of alllll time like literally could sleep in them. Stoked that they already fit (thanks to a lovely stretch) and now want a few more! ^affiliate

The random collection of travel mugs had me so overstimulated a few years ago so I swapped em all out for just a few of these + haven’t looked back. The biggest bonus is that they are leakproof!! ^affiliate

The ceramic griddle I have been 👀#affiliate

Packing lunches are a breeze with these lunch boxes for the kids! #affiliate

#LTKmomlife

My laundry essentials to help me stay ahead of laundry, especially when solo parenting! #affiliate

#LTKmomlife

These phones have been a game changer for my military kids! #affiliate

#LTKmomlife

Completely forgot to share these with you guys!! We grabbed them because the kids are very into card games but it's so hard for them to hold more than 3 cards at once. Love that they sell them in packs, we got the 2-pack for $9! ^affiliate

Label make & totes! Got the original
At Costco, but Home Depot has them in a variety of sizes and colors!

Our favorite travel must-haves for spring break, summer vacation, or PCS season.

#LTKmomlife