3rd Annual Macy's Salutes Our Military Fashion Show

AWC > Fort Bragg > 3rd Annual Macy's Salutes Our Military Fashion Show

(L to R) Val, Stephanie, Dayna, LT
 Clark, LT Clark, CourtneyY

First and foremost, I would like to give a big thank you to Macy's for giving us the opportunity to participate in this event! It was a wonderful experience that I will never forget! I would also like to thank Jennifer Stewart, the founder of Army Wives Club for giving me the opportunity to do this!

The Lt. Dan Band comes to Fayetteville, NC!

AWC > Fort Bragg > The Lt. Dan Band come to Fayetteville, NC

Gary Sinise(pictured right)

On Friday, September, 13, my husband and I had the opportunity to see the AMAZING Lt. Dan Band.  We bought VIP tickets to the concert because this concert was special.  It was a benefit concert for 2 American Heroes, MSG John Masson (Army) and SSGT Thomas McRea (Marines).  It was also a wonderful opportunity for my husband and me to have a date night.

Reintegration: The Road Back After Korea - Part 1 - The Beginning

AWC > Military Life > Reintegration:  The Road Back After Korea

As most or all of you know, my husband spent the last year at Camp Hovey in South Korea.  As most people would be, I was so excited for my husband's homecoming that I forgot, that one of hardest part was yet to come.

A hardship tour is a lot different from a deployment in a lot of respects because during deployment there are reintegration meetings and FRG's are there to assist you with anything that you might need right before a deployment ends.  However, during a hardship tour you don't have any of that.

The Homecoming That Almost Never Was

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AWC > Welcome Home > The Homecoming That Almost Never Was

A few weeks before my husband came home, I decided to seek out a homecoming photographer who could document the moment.  My husband had been deployed before – to Iraq in 2008.  When he returned home, I had my camera ready with full intentions of getting some good photos of his homecoming ceremony.  However, too busy with being in the moment, I got none.  That makes me sad because if someday I do not have the ability to remember the first homecoming I ever had, I have absolutely no photos of that special day.

Army Wife Courtney Y's Welcome Home U.S. Army Style

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AWC > Welcome Home > Courtney Y's Welcome Home U.S. Army Style

I dont even know where to begin on this, talk about a roller coaster ride!

My husbands homecoming date was June 6th at 23:20(11:20pm).  I counted down the days, hours, minutes and seconds for about a MONTH!  On Wednesday the 5th, my husband was headed for the airport at Osan Airbase in South Korea.    I was on edge, full of butterflies and incredibly nervous!  I didn't sleep that night because my husband was 14 hrs ahead and I wanted to make sure that everything went smoothly.  I don't know what difference it makes, it was all out of my control anyway! He arrived at Osan airbase where his flight was SUPPOSED to leave at 09:30 local time, which is about 20:30(8:30pm) my time.

My Battle with PPD: Part 2

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AWC > Pregnancy > My Battle with PPD - Part 2

Note: First and most importantly before I start this highly sensitive blog, I want to make sure that everyone understands that I am no medical expert!  The opinions and views expressed in this blog are solely my own and are not intended to diagnose PPD.  Please contact your medical doctor for any advice or diagnosis of this topic.  

In Part I of my My Battle with PPD, I let you into my very personal experience with PPD. Once I had an official diagnosis of PPD, at first I felt like I was under a microscope. I felt like I was being really careful about what Isaid to doctors because I didn't want anyone to think that I was a bad mother or that I couldn't take care of my daughter. Those were all very real emotions for me, and I was almost felt like that is what was happening even though it wasn't happening like that at all. My doctor was amazing and very understanding of what I was feeling. In my experience, PPD is something that I find many people don't want to talk about or have a negative perception of. PPD is NOT something to be ashamed of, nor is it a bad thing, its your bodies natural response to having a baby. PPD is unpredictable, easy to recognize by a medical professional and is 100% curable.

Half My Heart is in Korea: Surviving a Hardship Tour During Pregnancy Part 2

AWC > Half My Heart is in Korea: Surviving a Hardship Tour During Pregnancy Part 2

Pic 1: Our First Night Alone w/out Daddy

When I last left off, my husband had just left to go to Korea.  My life was upside down!    I couldn't believe how much even a newborn baby understand when your emotionally drained.  The first night we were alone, I felt as if i couldn't let her more than even an inch away.  In picture 1, we were getting ready for our first night without daddy with us.  Even thought I tried to look strong for him, I was a complete wreck inside!

Half My Heart is in Korea: Surviving a Hardship Tour During Pregnancy Part 1

AWC > Military Life > Half My Heart is in Korea: Surviving a Hardship Tour During Pregnancy Part 1 by Courtney

In my introduction, I mentioned that when I was 3 months pregnant my husband got orders to Korea. My husband and I moved here to Fort Bragg, NC in January 2010, where he was stationed with the 44th Medical Brigade.

We were here for a little over 2 years when one day my husband logged into his AKO to check his requisition.  It said that he was on orders.  My heart sank, I just knew it was Korea.  The previous months before my husband and I had often talked about volunteering to take a different base to get us out for Fort Bragg.  We waited a little while and then we finally received word that in fact, he was to report to Korea in April 2012.  Another hard blow, my due date was May 19, 2012.  What in the heck was I going to do!?!??! I couldn't even imagine having this baby by myself!

Introducing Courtney

Introductions > Courtney

Hey all!!! My name is Courtney Youngs and I've been an Army wife for going on 4 years this October.  My experience with army life has been an interesting one and I often refer to our journey as  a crazy ride.  Before I start blogging and telling you about my experiences, I'd like to tell you about myself so you can understand where I'm coming from and who I am as an individual, not just an Army Wife! :)