Hello!! Welcome to the 25th (!) week of the Saturday Sit-Down! This series is officially full until the end of the year, so we’re just going to keep on going into 2018. Whoop! I read recently that some bloggers feel like blogging has lots its sense of community, but I beg to differ. There are new writers coming on board all the time who are excited to tell stories and share what they know and what they’re good at! This series has shared so many diverse bloggers, and I’m excited to share a couple dozen more throughout the second half of the year. Big thanks for reading, commenting, and participating! <3
Meet Alex! She has been one of my true blue “blog friends” since I first picked back up with this gig in 2014. 🙂 I found her site, was immediately sucked in to her content, and have been faithfully following her ever since. I was so glad that she wanted to be a part of this series because she shares some content that is unlike any other bloggers this series has featured so far. She’s beautiful inside and out (and so is her family – sheesh!). Here’s Alex from Munchkins and the Military.
Q: In three sentences or less, tell us a little bit about who you are.
A: Aloha, friends of Erica! I’m Alex; a military wife and mama of three girls (and my sweet Caesar dog). Originally from Florida, I’ve been following my husband around the country with my hoard of craft supplies since college.
Q: When did you start your blog, and what do you blog about?
A: I started blogging about 5 years ago, while my husband John, was in Afghanistan. At first I was blogging my way through deployment by sharing information and tricks that I learned along the way. My blog now is similar in that I share recipes, DIYs/crafts, and bits about our life.
Q: You are so creative with all of your stickers that you’re able to make! When and why did you start creating these? What are three of your favorites that you’ve made?
A: After buying tons of planner stickers on Etsy, I started realizing that I wasn’t even using half of the stickers from the sheets/kits I was buying. I started making my own planner sticker sheets with exactly the type of stickers I wanted and needed
These would be my favorites, mainly because I love how the colors and patterns turned out: Valentines Planner Stickers (not super Valentiney), Purple Peacock Planner Stickers, and these from my favorite vacation.
Q: When do you find time to blog while also being a mom to your three young daughters?
A: Time has been sparse lately! With us recently moving, I haven’t gotten back on a great schedule. Previously, I would blog while the older girls were at school/preschool and the baby was playing around the house. Currently, I squeeze the time in while I can around the day. Usually just after breakfast, lunch, or dinner, while everyone is unwinding. After bedtime is an ideal time, but I’m usually too tired by then.
Q: What was your favorite and least favorite part about being stationed in Hawaii? What about your daughters? What was their favorite and least favorite?
A: Leaving Hawaii was the worst part about being stationed in Hawaii! Ha! But really, I’d say the cost of flights for a family of five to and from the island were probably my least favorite part. We hardly went home, because it was just so expensive. The cost of living in general is pretty high, but the military provides a cost of living allowance to help families get by. My family works for the airlines though, so there were plenty of visits from my parents and siblings.
Living in Hawaii was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. The temperature was right around 80 degrees all year. There was SO much good food to try. And of course, the stunning beaches. I’d never leave if it was an option.
I don’t think the girls had any complaints! They love their friends from school and the warm weather. We FaceTimed family a ton, so I really don’t think they missed out on getting to know the family anymore than they have in other places we’ve been stationed.
Q: I know you and your husband purchased your current home in Kentucky. Do you and your husband generally prefer to buy your homes, or would you rather rent or live on post? Why?
A: We lean towards wanting to buy at each duty station, but I’d say it honestly depends on the assignment. At our first duty station in Georgia, we rented at first, then bought a home. After that, we were in Missouri for less than 6 months, so we found a cheap rental off post to save money. Looking back, we should have bought a house in Hawaii. We could have made a killing off of equity there. I did love living on post though, since we were SO close to everything.
Here in Kentucky, we had a really hard time finding a rental. I honestly had no interest in buying here, since I don’t want to be attached to the area once we leave in a few years. Nothing ever goes according to plan though! Our hope is that we’ll have an easy time renting this place out when we leave, since there were so few rentals available to us.
In general, we’re very open to buying if the price and location are right. It just makes sense to us to pay our own mortgage instead of paying someone else’s.
Q: You seem like you’re such an involved, supportive military wife. What are some of your favorite ways to serve the military families around you and be involved with your husband’s career?
A: I have absolutely loved volunteering as an family readiness group leader for two of John’s units. Being involved with the FRG is such a fun way to get to know the families as well as find out what is going on within the unit. With him being an MP, we’d also visit the gates on holidays to deliver meals or Christmas cookies.
There was one time in particular that always stands out in my mind. The company had one platoon returning from training at NTC in California (or maybe JRTC in Louisiana?). Anyway, the FRG was there to greet the Soldiers with leis we had made. Months later, I saw one of the single Soldiers driving around with the lei hanging from his mirror. It definitely made me smile!
Q: Where should new readers start on your site?
Why I Always RSVP ‘Yes” to Kids Parties. This is my entire Hawaii category. I honestly can’t pick one Hawaiian post. Annnd… If you’re a dog parent, check this post out! It’s currently pretty popular and great for summer!
And just for fun…
- Sour or chocolate candy? Chocolate, always!
- Road trip or fly? I hate driving long distances! I’m a flyer!
- Big or small dogs? Big dog mama here! Open to having a medium dog eventually, but not a huge fan of little ones.
- Hand wash dishes or dishwasher? I am SO crazy about using the dishwasher! Sponges gross me out!
Don’t forget to follow Alex on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and/or BlogLovin!
In case you’re new to Whimsical September…
Hi! I’m Erica! I created the Saturday Sit-Down series in January 2017 as a way to give back to the blogging community and link readers with new bloggers whom they may share similar interests with. Click here to discover more bloggers that have been featured in the Saturday Sit-Down.
Want to be featured in this series?
I have openings starting in late 2017 and would love to feature you! Email me at WHIMSICALSEPTEMBER@YAHOO.COM to get in touch.
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Hi! I’m Erica, and I absolutely adore sharing my life on this website with you! I come here almost daily to blab about all of the things related to being a regular wife and mother in today’s ever-evolving society. I share about our new home, what’s on our kitchen table, what we’re hanging in our closets, where we’re traveling to next, my crazy 5 a.m. work outs, how I make time for girlfriends, our faith, and much more. We always have a lot of balls in the air and somewhat thrive on the chaos. I believe in the power of story-telling as a form of inspiration and entertainment, so I’m here to do both! I was born and raised in north Alabama and recently re-planted roots here again after my husband transitioned out of the Army (he is now in the Reserve and it’s going so well!) I’m a super proud mom to three little girls (ages 7, 4, and 1) who seem to be the stars of the show around here (for good reason – they’re pretty great!) I’m so glad you found me and are here reading! I hope we can get to know each other here on the blog as well as Facebook and/or Instagram. xoxo