Mrs. Marine & the Tiny Troops

"Stalk Hop Friday" (Jan. 27)

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:05:00 PST

Blog hops are a great way to find new blogging friends!
The Linkys are open all week long so link-up any time!

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STALK ~~Follow~~ Us!
Co-Hosted by Mrs. Marine and Stacy!

Then Link-Up 5 ways! Follow Mrs. Marine & Stacy in every way you choose, leave a comment on each blog to let us know you did so we can Stalk you back!
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Link directly to your Blog post about "Stalk Hop Friday" or Friday Follow! It's a lot easier for others to leave a comment and follow you back if they have a specific post to comment on.

Follow my blog on GFC, then Link directly to your hop/follow/Friday blog post:

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Thanks for participating!
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Our New Kitty ~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Link-up

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:00:00 PST

This is our new kitty Aurora, she is 1 year old! We adopted her from the Humane Society a few weeks before Christmas!

Our other cat Ginger was not too sure about her at first... But after a few days she came around and they are now good friends!!!

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Ask Mrs. Marine - Moving to Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:00:00 PST

Dear Mrs. Marine,
My husband and I will be moving to Hawaii soon, I’m excited and a little nervous. We received our orders last week and are on the housing list already, but we are also thinking about moving off base. We have been through this situation before, deciding where we should live, on base, off base? In the process we have found that living off base, although can be somewhat of a hassle (looking for an affordable, close to base, & livable place) we have always saved way more money by doing this.
-Moving to Hawaii

Dear Moving,
That’s great that you are already on the housing list, that’s the first step once you get orders. Our last duty station we chose to live off base. After that experience, I personally prefer to live on base where I am surrounded by the Military community. However, everyone has their own preference.
Whether or not you will save money living off base depends a lot on the cost of living in that area. In Hawaii, it’s high, so you will want to try to shop at the Commissary instead of civilian grocery stores, which makes being close to the base essential.
You need to weigh all your options and make the decision that suites you and your husband best. Keep your eye on houses for rent and check things out once you arrive. Your household goods won’t arrive for a while so you have some time to decide.

Sincerely,

Ask Mrs. Marine (Advice from Me)

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:55:00 PST

I have a new project I'm working on!
There are a lot of online message boards, forums, groups, etc. etc. etc. out there. I have read them a lot, posted on them asking my own questions (which rarely get answered) and also answered posts as well. So many times I have seen old posts from months or sometimes, years prior with questions from someone wanting advice that never get answered...

With my past 10 years as a Military wife I have been through so much... I want to "give back" to help others. I am great at giving advice and I know there are a lot of you out there who need it. Military life is NOT easy!!!

Ask me anything, I'm happy to help! I have gotten emails and sometimes comments asking for advice every now and then over the years since I started this blog. Which I have always answered, I like to help when I can. I had to learn and figure it out as I went... I wished I had had someone to ask advice from...

I became a Military wife when I married my husband the day after he graduated Boot Camp on March 16, 2002. We have two children, he has deployed 8 times, we have moved 6 times and PCS'ed to 3 different duty stations...

With my experiences (that was just a quick summary) I feel I am qualified to give advice to others and I enjoy helping people.

~ You can post questions on my wall, send me a personal message on Facebook, or email me (mrsmarine79@aol.com), it's your choice.

"Where the Hell have you been, loca?"

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:24:00 PST

That's right, I just made a New Moon reference! I'm kind of a dork sometimes, what can I say...

Anyway, I have been absent from the blogging world for so long now I'm not quite sure where to begin... It has been so nice having my husband back home again!! We had our usual house full of people for Thanksgiving, no family, just a lot of friends. The kids made out like bandits for Christmas!!
A few weeks before Christmas we adopted a new cat from the Humane Society!! Her name is Aurora, she is a year old and so pretty and very sweet! Stay tuned to Wordless Wednesday for pictures!! Our two cats love to play together! Right now they are driving me crazy running around the house and knocking things over... Their little snots sometimes but quite entertaining!

I'm Back, I promise! Now the daunting task of trying to catch up with all of you!! Have a great weekend!!!

"Stalk Hop Friday" (30)

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:00:00 PST

Blog hops are a great way to find new blogging friends!
The Linkys are open all week long so link-up any time!

Please grab the Button, help make this hop big!

STALK ~~Follow~~ Us!
Co-Hosted by Mrs. Marine and Stacy!

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"Stalk Hop Friday" (23)

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:00:00 PST

Blog hops are a great way to find new blogging friends!
The Linkys are open all week long so link-up any time!

Please grab the Button, help make this hop big!

STALK ~~Follow~~ Us!
Co-Hosted by Mrs. Marine and Stacy!

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"Stalk Hop Friday" (16)

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:00:00 PST

Blog hops are a great way to find new blogging friends!
The Linkys are open all week long so link-up any time!

Please grab the Button, help make this hop big!

STALK ~~Follow~~ Us!
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10 Years in the Marine Corp ~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Link-up

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:00:00 PST

10 Years in the Marine Corp

9 Years 9 months we have been married

8 Deployments

7 Total number of Cats we have had over the years

6 The number on the house we once owned at our last duty station
5 Marine Corp Balls we have attended

4 States we have lived in
Originally from Colorado
3 Duty stations
California, Virginia, Hawaii
2 Beautiful, wonderful children

1 Devoted Wife, That's Me!

Link to your WW post on the Linky below!
Don't just leave a link and run, its rude. Leave a comment as well!

Visit my co-host Olivia Blue Music

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"Stalk Hop Friday" (Dec. 9)

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:00:00 PST

Blog hops are a great way to find new blogging friends!
The Linkys are open all week long so link-up any time!

Please grab the Button, help make this hop big!

STALK ~~Follow~~ Us!
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I'm Sorry I Abandoned You..

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:04:00 PST

I have great news!!
Our 8th deployment is over!!! Hubby got home two weeks ago!!

I'm sorry I have been MIA a lot the last few months... It wasn't intentional, however I do somewhat blame my recent addiction to Facebook games... LOL! I just haven't been in the writing mood, call it writer's block I guess. Also, with Hubby being home the last two weeks I haven't had as much free time on the computer either...
I will warn you, I probably wont get back to posting frequently until after the new year. Hubby is about to go on leave (time off work)!!! Also, the kids will be on Christmas break!!! We plan to do some fun family outing!!!

"Stalk Hop Friday" (Nov. 18)

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:00:00 PST

Blog hops are a great way to find new blogging friends!
The Linkys are open all week long so link-up any time!

Please grab the Button, help make this hop big!

STALK ~~Follow~~ Us!
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It's a bird, it's a plane, It's Super Boy ~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Link-up

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:00:00 PST

Kid-free Time.... Whatever will I do?

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:49:00 PST

Since Booboo started school two weeks ago I have had a lot of time to myself!!! Both my kids are in school full time...
It's so weird being home alone, so quiet, but nice. It's nice to be able to go to the grocery store and run errands by myself. I no longer have to worry about trying to find someone to watch Booboo when I have Dr. or Dentist appointments.
I haven't done anything fun "yet" with my new-found freedom.
Friday I'm going to see Breaking Dawn!!!! There is a 10:30 a.m. showing so I can go see it and be home in time for the kids to get home from school!!! Yes, I'm going by myself, not the first time I've done that. It's really kinda fun going to the movies by yourself. It's a little boring before the movie starts but once it does, it doesn't matter if someones with you or not because you don't talk during the movie anyway. I saw the last several Harry Potter movies by myself.

"Stalk Hop Friday" (Nov. 11)

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:00:00 PST

Blog hops are a great way to find new blogging friends!
The Linkys are open all week long so link-up any time!

Please grab the Button, help make this hop big!

STALK ~~Follow~~ Us!
Co-Hosted by Mrs. Marine and Stacy!

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Booboo's in Preschool!!! FINALLY

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:00:00 PST

Finally after many meetings, lots of paperwork, many months waiting and wondering; Booboo has an IEP (Individualized Education Program) and he is in an inclusion Preschool classroom. An inclusion class has some "Special Education" kids and some "neuro-typical" kids. His primary reason for getting Special Education services is his difficulty with social skills and that when he was observed in a classroom a few months ago he wouldn't speak, at all.

His first day of school was Halloween! Unfortunately he is going to a different school from Sissy. Her school didn't have an opening in there inclusion class. So, since I cant be in two places at once to get my kids too and from school, Booboo is riding the school bus, which he absolutely loves!! In fact yesterday he had an appointment after school so I picked him up and he was upset that I was there and he didn't get to ride the bus. LOL! He loves school and is doing great!
A complete 180 from being at the daycare center where he wasn't talking.... Once he gets to school in the morning it takes him a bit to warm up and then he doesn't stop talking!! However, just like his sister at that age, he talks so much and yet when I ask him about his day and what he did at school, the response is "I don't know"....??? I don't get it, it's like pulling teeth to get any information out of him about school...

Lightning McQueen & the Devil ~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Link-up

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:00:00 PST

Trick-Or-Treat! Better late than never.

"Stalk Hop Friday" (Nov. 4)

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:02:00 PDT

Blog hops are a great way to find new blogging friends!
The Linkys are open all week long so link-up any time!

Please grab the Button, help make this hop big!

STALK ~~Follow~~ Us!
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"Stalk Hop Friday" (Oct. 28)

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:18:00 PDT

Blog hops are a great way to find new blogging friends!
The Linkys are open all week long so link-up any time!

Please grab the Button, help make this hop big!

STALK ~~Follow~~ Us!
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Ginger and Booboo ~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Link-up

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:00:00 PDT

Link to your WW post on the Linky below!
Don't just leave a link and run, its rude. Leave a comment as well!

Visit my co-host Olivia Blue Music

For more Wednesday Link-ups check out my Blog Hop Directory!

Stalk me (I Follow back)! Link-Up and Follow 5-Ways all week long:

"Stalk Hop Friday" (Oct. 21)

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:00:00 PDT

Blog hops are a great way to find new blogging friends!
The Linkys are open all week long so link-up any time!

Please grab the Button, help make this hop big!

STALK ~~Follow~~ Us!
Co-Hosted by Mrs. Marine and Stacy!

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Captain "Booboo" Underpants! ~ Wordless Wednesday ~ Link-up

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:00:00 PDT

He's so proud of his Mater underwear!!

Link to your WW post on the Linky below!
Don't just leave a link and run, its rude. Leave a comment as well!

Visit my co-host Olivia Blue Music

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Sitting at Starbucks - Booboo's School Update

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:17:00 PDT

Yes, at Starbucks is when I find time to blog, LOL!
I have been MIA for so long now. I just haven't had much time. When I do have free time to myself, I just want to veg on the couch and not have to think...
I have not been visiting other blogs either and yet, there are those of you who still come visit me and read the rare posts I write. For that I thank you!! I love my loyal readers!
Hopefully soon I will have more time and I will get back on the "blogging wagon".

So, you ask, what am I doing at Starbucks? Well, Booboo is doing Group ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) Therapy which is at a place 45 minutes from home. I don't participate in the group, I just drop him off. It's 4 hours long. It's too far and gas is too expensive to drive back home so, I have time to waist. By myself, which is nice, so, here I am. AND I HAVE COFFEE!!!

Since we started the Group ABA I have pulled Booboo out of the day care center. He was there for 5 weeks total. He never said a word when I was not there and I felt the teachers there were unintentionally contributing to him not talking. I knew he would benefit more from the Group ABA than the day care center.

Tomorrow I FINALLY have a meeting with the Elementary school to find out there decision whether or not they find him eligible for the Special Education Preschool class. Hopefully they do. That would be the best thing for him; to be in a regular classroom 5 days a week.

"Art for Wounded Warriors" program looking for art from students

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:08:00 PDT

The National Museum of the Marine Corps is conducting its “Art for Wounded Warriors” program for the second year, after receiving overwhelming support from children and youth from across the country in its inaugural year. The “Art for Wounded Warriors” program, managed by the Museum’s Teacher-in-Residence, is again calling on young artists to submit art to decorate recovery facilities and brighten the days of our wounded Marines. The Teacher-in-Residence program is supported by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

“The wonderful support this program received in its first year was so heartening,” said Museum Director Lin Ezell. “We can’t wait to see what the young artists send us this year. It will surely help make the holidays much brighter for the wounded warriors recuperating in hospitals around the nation.”

This year, the Museum is working with the Wounded Warrior Regiment to distribute the artwork submitted by children to brighten the walls of hospitals from coast to coast. All children who enjoy drawing, painting or coloring are encouraged to show their support for America’s Marines by submitting their original works.

“The Museum’s call for artwork is a wonderful way to teach children about service to the nation as well as for children to express their gratitude and support for our Marines,” said James Hunniford, Teacher-in-Residence, National Museum of the Marine Corps. “Art is a fun, stimulating activity for both parents and teachers to do with children; especially for such a great cause. We hope this program helps our nation’s children understand that there is something they can do to help.”

Children who wish to participate should create a picture and write a supportive message on an 8 ½” x 11” piece of paper. Artists should also write their name, hometown and grade level on the back of their pictures. The Museum will accept drawings, paintings or colorings from children of all ages and abilities. All works of art must be submitted in a flat, rigid envelope postmarked by December 10, 2011. Artwork becomes the property of the Museum and cannot be returned.

“It’s always inspiring to see young artists’ creativity and commitment to support our wounded heroes,” said Lt. Gen. Robert R. Blackman, Jr., president & CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. “I can imagine how much it will mean to our recovering Marines to know that we are thinking about them and especially that young Americans hold them in their thoughts and want to brighten their day.”

All submissions for artwork should go to:
Children’s Artwork for Wounded Marines
Create your picture on an 8 ½” x 11” piece of paper.
Package your work in a flat, rigid envelope.
Submit your art by December 10, 2011.

Mail all submissions to:
The National Museum of the Marine Corps
Attn: Teacher- in- Residence
18900 Jefferson Davis Highway
Triangle, VA 22172-1938

"Stalk Hop Friday" (Oct. 14)

noreply@blogger.com (Mrs. Marine) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:00:00 PDT

Blog hops are a great way to find new blogging friends!
The Linkys are open all week long so link-up any time!

Please grab the Button, help make this hop big!

STALK ~~Follow~~ Us!
Co-Hosted by Mrs. Marine and Stacy!

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