The History of *Army Wives Do It With Hooah*

It all began on myspace about 5yrs ago... I was bored and lonely during my husbands 3rd deployment so I decided to look up army wives groups on myspace. ((You know, when myspace was cool and all lol))

So I found this one group that seemed to be pretty active called "Doin' it with Hooah". The girl who made the group didn't mod it in any way and just kinda let it grow on it's own. I lurked for a bit to get a feel of the group and the members and honestly, they scared me.

They were honest, blunt and to the point. They gave advice and debated and joked around. I gradually started posting and getting to know them... and the main posters are still "good internet friends" to this day. I even know 2 personally in real life, like we hang out and stuff =)

Then one day, our group was invaded by trolls and we couldn't do anything about it because the mod had given up on the group. The trolls had html codes to mess up our group and it all went to crap. So, we left the group and I made a new one and later another... "We do it with Hooah" and then "Hooah - we do it with Pride". They became dead though because myspace died.

So when all migrated to Facebook I decided to start a new one, but this time a page that could be seen by all. Our first page on Facebook, which had the same name (AWDIWH) didn't go as I planned... it was like a Facebook version of the mean girls club! It was crazy. I was disappointed. So I deleted it and started a fresh one, the one that is on Facebook now.

It has really come a long way from the original group on myspace. I wanted to help others and have a place where we could be free to say what we please, talk about any and every thing from army stuff to what color we paint our nails lol... it really got better when I started doing "inboxes" - where people send me in questions and I post them anonymously so that their identity was kept hidden. It must have been a good idea b/c it became a popular thing that other pages started doing as well. I like that I started a page "trend" lol...

We vent and laugh and give advice... the fans aren't afraid to voice their opinions or say how they feel b/c they know I'm not ban crazy like a lot of army/military support pages... I don't like to censor, ban or delete... and the page went really well when I made rules for it. My rules aren't strict, they just simple common sense and small things to help the page run smoothly.

I have gotten so many emails/messages about how the page has helped someone and that is why I keep doing it. Helping others makes me feel great.

I hope everyone enjoys the page as much as I enjoy it. =)

Here is a photo album on my page that shows some "love" for AWDIWH
Photo Album - AWDIWH love

Weird things I do -

We all have things we do that are odd or funny to others... well, last night I was telling the hubs about one thing I do and he looked at me like I was weird!

Is it weird that...
-when I play Angry Birds and the little thing you have to destroy is on the verge of tipping over, that I lean to the side a little hoping it will help make it tip completely?
-when I watch The Twilight Saga New Moon that I keep thinking maybe Bella will changer her mind and give it up to Jacob?
-when I call my grandma of fifty million years that I also say "Hey grandma, it's Jamie" ... like she doesn't know my voice by now?

Those are just a few... lol.. what are some weird things you do?

Happy 32nd Birthday to Me!

When I was younger I use to think - "OMG that woman is 30? She is old!" - Well, now I'm past 30yrs old and I don't feel old at all! Getting older has been great to tell the truth and I wouldn't choose to be in my teens again for anything in the world...

When you're a teenager, most of the time, you are trying to find yourself while fitting in... Lord knows you think you know everything under the sun and can't nobody tell you any different.

I feel so bad for the kids growing up now more than when I was younger...there wasn't so much emphasis on looks... being beautiful and skinny... there wasn't so much hate going around when I was younger either.. Now we see kids as young as 5th graders having eating problems b/c they think they are too fat or don't look thin enough like their fave movie star/singer.... girls hate on girls so much that we have 6th graders calling other girls whores and sluts! That didn't happen when I was a kid.

Now that I'm older, none of that applies to me. If someone were to call me a whore or a slut I'll chuckle and say "I wish!" or "Wanna watch?" - I've always got something to come back with... Someone could call me ugly or fat and that's okay... b/c as I grew with age, I grew in my love for myself... I'm confident enough that what others say doesn't bother me...

I've got great kids and a sexy, loving husband who provides very well... some of the best friends ever... an interesting lifestyle where I get to travel and meet new people all the time... and SMALLER BOOBS! - I'm living great =)

The only thing that could make me happier right now is finding a job... but I'll settle for looking at my lovely flowers that my Scentsy got me for my birthday...

Making a Blog on Blogger -

I had someone ask me to show them how to do a blog on blogger. They liked how I had mine set up but didn't know where to start. So here are some screenshots I did that will hopefully help a little bit.

Make sure to click on each picture to see them correctly. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and I'll answer them if I can lol =)

Happy Blogging!

MyCAA - Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts

...also known as "Military Spouse Tuition Assistance"

The Department of Defense's expanded Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program (MyCAA) will provide up to $4,000 of financial assistance for military spouses who are pursuing associate degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to employment in portable career fields.

The MyCAA program covers the costs of associate degree programs and career training that leads to licensing, certifications and/or credentials in high-demand and high-growth industries.

There is a yearly cap on the available funds of $2,000. Additionally, military spouses must finish their program of study within three years from the start date of the first course.

To officially confirm your eligibility for the MyCAA program, start by opening up a MyCAA account by visiting the online MyCAA portal Web site. Once your spouse's DEERS benefit eligibility has been verified and approved, you can create your Career and Training plan. This plan involves identifying a career path, selecting a school or vocational program and outlining the courses you will need to take in order to meet your career goals. Your Career and Training plan will need be approved prior to receiving your funds.

Who is eligible?
Spouses of active duty service members in pay grades E1-E5, W1-W2, and O1-O2, as well as the spouses of activated Guard and Reserve members within those ranks. Spouses of Guard and Reserve members must be able to start and complete their courses while their sponsor is on Title 10 orders.

What does it cover?
A MyCAA account covers tuition for associate degree programs and vocational training courses that lead to licensing and/or industry certifications. This includes state certifications for teachers, medical professionals and other occupations requiring recognized certifications; licensing exams and related prep courses; Continuing Education Unit (CEU) classes including those offered through professional associations; and degree programs leading to employment in Portable Career Fields. MyCAA also pays for high school Completion courses, GED tests and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

Read more and get links at Military OneSource -

Hope this helps some =)

Odd Girl Out

Today has been a movie day for me...one movie I watched was on Lifetime Movie Network. The movie was "Odd Girl Out" - in this movie a girl who was a part of the popular crowd in high school was targeted by her "friends" because they thought she was hitting on a boy one of the other girls liked.

They spread rumors about her and had people in school calling her a slut and a whore, they talked about her weight and hair in the bathroom when they knew she was in one of the stalls, they made websites about her and harassed her on instant messenger.

The one girl kept trying to act like she was still her best friend and basically told her everything was fine and she was over-reacting... she told her that her birthday party had been moved up a week and this girl got all dressed up to show up and nobody be there.

This girl, who was a straight A student and overall good kid, began ditching school to avoid her bullies...her grades began to suffer and she was in a bad mood at home all the time. The day she heard them in the bathroom talking about her hair, she went home and chopped it all off... the night she showed up to the party and nobody was there, she overdosed on pills. Her mom was at a loss because she didn't know what to do to help her... the school wouldn't take action because the bullying wasn't "violent"...

Finally at the end, this young girl stood up for herself and was better for it. Watching this movie and seeing the heartbreak this girl endured and the pain the mother had because she couldn't help her daughter tore me up.. As a mother now, I can't imagine having my own child go through something like that and seeing them in emotional pain like this girl was.

I was thinking back to my high school years and I really can't remember if I picked on anyone.. I'm sure I called someone a bitch or maybe even a slut out of jealousy a time or two, but I wasn't a "bully bully"... but even thinking back and knowing I may have hurt a girl in high school makes me feel bad... and I'm sorry.

If you haven't seen this movie, I suggest it... brought tears to my eyes and enlightenment to my heart..

Breast Reduction - Part 11 *1 month Check up*

Yesterday was my 4 week check up (although not technically 4wks until the 9th) and it went well =) The doctor says I'm healing great, except for one area under the left side that is taking a little longer. I have been given the "go ahead" to start using ScarGuard and tape for my scars now. (Heads up to any who will have this done, ScarGuard is a tad expensive lol) - Click here for more info on ScarGuard -

I FINALLY remembered to ask my doctor exactly what size I was (I know I was a little bigger than DDD) and exactly how much he had taken off each breast. So, my size was actually an "F" and he took just under 3lbs from each breast. That is about 6lbs total!! Holy Moly!!

Now, as far as how I've been feeling... I'm still swollen, but it has come down a lot and I'm still a little bit sore. Not unbearable and nothing like it was 2wks ago. There is no bleeding or oozing (except a tiny bit under the left side where it is taking longer to heal).

Looks? Well, the right side is still bruised and is more swollen than the left side. It seems that overall the surgery was more traumatic for the right side. The shape is still a bit "footballish" because of the swelling, but my doctor tells me that this will change as they continue heal. They will fall into their normal shape as the swelling continues to go down and the scars continue to heal.

I have some days where I feel great when it comes to my energy levels and then there are days where I do the dishes and feel exhausted. I have to keep reminding myself it hasn't been that long and I still need time to recoop lol... plus I think my thyroid meds are whacky...AGAIN.. ugh...

Oh! I can also go without a bra now!! What a relief too...wearing one for almost 4wks straight (except for cleaning the area and bandaging it back up again) was hell. I like being "free" lol

My next appt is in 6wks... so let's break down the timeline...

June 2011 - I had my doctor put in the referral request for the plastic surgeon.. it took about 2wks for Tricare to approve it but I had to wait until August to set up my first appointment because I was going to be gone in July.

August 3, 2011 - My very first appointment with the surgeon, my consultation appointment. He said I was a great candidate and he put in my referral for the actual surgery itself. It took 2wk for Tricare to approve the surgery.

August 31, 2011 - My pre-op appointment! I signed some papers and got my meds and after care instructions.

September 9, 2011 - The day I had my surgery.

September 14, 2011 - My first post-op appointment

September 21, 2011 - My second post-op appointment

October 5, 2011 - My third post-op appointment, the one month mark


So, it took me about 3months to actually get my surgery done once the first referral was submitted to Tricare. It may have been shorter because they could have gotten me in the surgeons office for my first appointment in July, but I wasn't gonna be home lol.... Not a bad timeline though. =)

Power Of Attorney - do you know what you need?

When our spouses deploy there are things that come up that we need to take care of for our home, family, or just specifically our spouse.

Is your name on all of your family accounts, your vehicle title and your insurance? If not, you will need a power of attorney while your spouse is deployed, otherwise you could find yourself powerless to conduct business transactions on behalf of your family.

Also, most posts will not let you do anything through DEERS without a power of attorney (here at Stewart they want a DEERS specific POA) while your spouse is away. JAG will not help you on behalf of your spouse if you don't have a power of attorney specifically for JAGs legal assistance. Some tax places let you file taxes with a special poa and some require one specifically for taxes.

When you get your POAs when your spouse deploys, make sure you make copies of them for the appropriate places... such as the bank, your car company, insurance company...

Power Of Attorney's I have had AND needed -
General POA
Special POA
DEERS POA
JAG POA
Taxes POA
Housing POA

To find out what POAs are available to you, have your spouse contact your local military legal office. Recently, the lawyers have been asking soldiers things like "are you sure you want to give her a financial poa?" , "how long have you known her?", "are you being forced to get this poa?"... don't take offense to these questions. They are simply trying to look out for the soldier because so many have been wiped out financially by their wives. All your spouse has to do is tell them, "This is my wife, I trust her with my finances and I want her to have this POA".

Make sure you're prepared =)

I ♥ Halloween!

Halloween has always been a fun time for me. My birthday is a few days before Halloween so my mother would always throw me a birthday/halloween party for my birthday... everyone would dress up (even my mom) and we would play all kinds of games and just "wild out"... I miss that...

Here is my mom at one of my Birthday Parties, she made a great witch!:

Besides being close to my birthday, I love horror movies!! October is the month when a whole bunch of channels do horror movie marathons and play some of my old faves..."Halloween", "Friday the 13th", "Pumpkin Head", "Hocus Pocus"...so many more...

Last Halloween was so much fun! I dressed up with the kids... we did something at the Battalion and had a blast... there was face painting, crafts, food, costume contests...which my boys won 2nd place in =)

Mario and Luigi:

Alexis was a princess...so fitting lol:

Here are some pics from the FRG function at Battalion:

On Halloween night was when the real fun started!! We went "Trick or Treating" with some friends and then we handed out candy... I'm all about scary stuff so I was having so much fun scaring the kids lol... some of them were scared to come up to the table and get candy and one little kid actually growled!! Too funny!

More pics (I'm the white face):

I can't wait for Halloween this year!! I'm thinking of being a wicked witch since Alexis is going as Dorothy... but if I am, I'm gonna be a sexy wicked witch to show of my new, smaller boobies ;)