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1. What are some of your ideas for staying connected with family…you know, those people we moved thousands of miles away from? submitted by Live it. Love it (or not). Write About It.
I call my parents every day to check-in. I text and send pics and videos of our puppy. I blog. I try to keep up with things like Christmas cards and birthday cards. I never want to be so far out of the loop that I don't know what's going on with everyone. So far so good.


2. What’s the most romantic gift you have GIVEN? submitted by Painting My Canvas
I given a million gifts to my husband, but I don't know what I would call romantic. Tickets to Blink 182? A watch box? A framed picture of the Oregon coast? Deployment binder? Three Valentine's Day cards? A grill light and tools? This is sort of making me feel bad, like I need to try a little harder to be romantic. What even is a romantic gift?


3. Would you encourage your child, if they came to you and wanted to join the military? submitted by Perfectly Imperfect
I don't know that I could encourage my child to join the military, and I feel like a bad and selfish person because of that. But I know the heartache, the distance, the war and the deployment. I know the loss of life, limb and spirit. I know that this can break you, beyond repair. But I also know the pride, the patriotism, the strength and the homecoming. I know the unspoken acceptance, the close bonds and the life-long friendships. I know this can change you, for the better. So while I might not be able to encourage, I know I could support them. This life is an honorable choice.


4. What is your least favorite bill to pay and why? submitted by A Little of This, A Little of That
Ugh. The student loans. Dread. They are never ending and never depleting. If someone wins the lotto, can they spot me enough to pay off my exorbitant college education please?


5. What is the proudest moment you've had as a military spouse? submitted by Our Okinawa Life
Watching my husband's homecoming ceremony. I watched 250 soldiers return from a year-long deployment...there was something so humbling about that moment. My heart swelled with pride as "Proud To Be An American" filled the Special Events Center; the words have never rung more true for me. My eyes welled with tears of joy as I watched them march through smoke in formation, almost running at the end- the anticipation of reuniting with loved ones willing them to move faster. I was so grateful that all of those men, including my husband, were willing to support our country. To give up the simple things, to give up the comfort of family, to give up everything for the cause. And I was so thankful to whatever it was that kept them protected and safe- be it their training, their leadership or a higher power. As they uncased the unit flag, signifying that 1-8IN was home for good, I have never felt more proud to be an Army wife.