Dymphna's Song

10 Toys to Bring on a PCS Move

Stephanie — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

I have moved 15 times in 17 years. We spent eight years of our life overseas and we have traveled more than what is probably average. So, we’ve learned to be mobile and travel light. Two things I always have my children bring along: a change of clothes and all the toys they need to keep them busy for the whole trip.

Now imagine moving to Okinawa, Japan. This was our first move. The entire trip was well over 24 hrs. straight. We lived in lodging for several weeks and often that’s how it is for military going overseas. We are often without a home for a month or two during a move. Sometimes it’s that way even moving from state to state for varying reasons. The toys my child decides to bring will be his main toys for weeks not just the travel time. So I decided to share with you today my son’s toy list for moving time!

10 Toys to bring on a PCS move:

1. Lego mini figures.

This is really important for a 10 y/o boy. We can’t bring all the block pieces. That would be a disaster. But the mini figures are the fun part anyway …right? He has a mini figure box and gets to choose which ones he brings. He can fill it with as many as it holds.

This box is great for his Lego mini figures.

2. The Kindle Fire

We are phasing out the DS altogether and have found that the kindle offers an unlimited number of resources without taking up additional space. Plus, it’s so much more affordable than other tablets. In addition you can get tons of books and games for free. So it’s well worth the money! I recently bought Oz: The Complete Collection (All 14 Oz Books, with Illustrated Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and Exclusive Bonus Features)
for $.99! That’s all fourteen original books plus extra features for just $.99. And you find deals like that all the time. And I like it because I have control of balancing fun games with educational games and books and still have fun games there also for keeping busy.

3. A plain little notebook and something to scribble with.

Simple and easy. My child still likes to doodle. Not much of a color-er or artist like my big kids were, but he likes to have a place to write his thoughts and ideas.

4. A little tinker tool box.

Just a little box with small screwdrivers and little things to tinker with. This kid likes to take stuff apart and put it back together. So I let him do just that with small broken toys or whatever is available. Sometimes I buy junk at thrift stores and let him work with it. So bringing tools is a must!

5. Small puzzles or a tangram.

Another good thing to bring along is some kind of game that it will take him a while to solve. It is perfect for keeping his mind engaged when he can’t be moving his muscles. At least he can move his brain muscle. It has to be difficult enough to take him a while to solve. I have found that he’ll keep working on it long after solved to keep it memorized.

6. Travel chess.

My child loves chess and has played it since he was 6 years old. He learned it by playing against the computer. Chess is always a good game to bring along.

7. Playing or trading cards.

Cards games are great also. They don’t require space and can be played anywhere! We recently go poker chips which he loves playing with. Not that promote gambling in any way, it’s just for fun.

8. Origami.

This is one we never brought before. But it will be in our next travel bag. All you have to bring are small papers and instructions. My son likes it too! We use the book Fun with Easy Origami: 32 Projects and 24 Sheets of Origami Paper.
You can read my full Review on it HERE.

9. Hotwheels or matchbox cars.

He is out growing these to a degree and doesn’t play with them as much anymore. So I doubt they will go in our bag in the future. However, a sandwich sized ziplock full always made a perfect addition to the back pack in the past so I had to include them in my list.

10. Baseball gloves and ball.

Well it takes more space to bring these but it’s worth it. Having something for physical movement to pull out like a game of catch is a must. You just can’t expect 10 y/o boys to be sitting all the time!

Linked up for Top Ten Tuesdays

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Fr. Emil Kapaun- Servant of God, Peacemaker, Chaplain

Stephanie — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

A Shepherd in Combat Boots. What a special call. I wonder why any man would choose to be a priest for soldiers.

Here is the reason Fr. Emil Kapaun gave:

When I was ordained, I was determined to ‘spend myself ’ for God. I was determined to do that cheerfully, no matter in what circumstances I would be placed or how hard a life I would be asked to lead. This is why I volunteered for the army and that is why today I would a thousand times rather be working, deprived of all ordinary comforts, being a true ‘Father’ to all my people, then to be living in a nice, comfortable place but with my conscience telling me that I am an obstacle to many.~ Fr. Emil Kapaun 1944 to his bishop

He wrote this to his Bishop in 1944 just before entering the Army in WWII. He was asking to be removed from his hometown parish in Pilsen, Kansas. He understood that it was hard for some of the people who had known him all his life to accept him as their spiritual leader.

He felt called to be a chaplain (entered the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps in 1944) and served as one in Japan, 1948. In 1950 he was sent to Korea and later that year was captured and entered a prisoner of war camp. Fr. Kapaun is remembered for his self giving service to the other men in the camp. He took care of them and risked his life many times to bring them food and water. He encouraged the men, administered the sacraments and cared for their needs. He was often punished by his Chinese captors simply because of the strength of his character and the hope he brought to the other men. I believe that Fr. Kapaun would have thought of them as his children because from what I have read about him he took his priestly vocation to heart and wanted to be a “true father” to them. He did so until he got too sick and was confined to a “hospital” where he died.

Something very cool is that you can actually listen to one of Fr. Kapaun’s sermons. It’s in his own words in his actual voice as he speaks of peace. The sermon is about 5 min.

We felt that Brian’s song Prisoner of Jesus was a perfect tribute to Fr. Kapaun. We made this video after a pilgrimage to his home town Pilsen, Kansas:

Today Fr. Emil Kapaun receives the Medal of Honor.

This has been a long time coming. I am so filled with joy today to see Chaplain Kapaun receive the medal of honor. Now we just need to work on his Cause for Sainthood. Fr.Kapaun has been given the official title of Servant of God by the church. We often ask for his prayers from heaven for our specific needs and we named our homeschool after him: Fr. Emil J. Kapaun Home Study School. He has been very inspiring to this Army family.

You can read more about Fr. Emil Kapaun in the long awaited book The Miracle of Fr. Emil Kapaun. Another book you may like is A Shepherd in Combat Boots: Chaplain Emil Kapaun of the 1st Cavalry Division.

Fr. Kapaun is the last chaplain featured here on Harrington Harmonies as part of:

April: Month of the Military Child

Stephanie — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:55:00 +0000

April is the month of the military child.

Thank God for military children. It’s easy to understand that soldiers and service members make sacrifices for your freedom. But do you think about how their children make sacrifice for your freedom too? I know it sounds a bit harsh but it is true.

The month of April is set aside to acknowledge the military child. Having three of my own gives me special insight to what these kids experience and endure. Just to name a few off hand they move a lot, are often separated from American culture and are plunged into a world not their own…so they have a more global understanding of the world, and they endure lengthy separations from one of the people who means the most to them: mom or dad.

A word about military teens.

Military teens have special needs and concerns. I want to recognize their unique struggles. From trying to finding that special group of friends to finishing high school credits (when every place you live has different requirements) these kids have unique challenges they must face. Being a teen is tough anyway but being a military one can be even tougher. These kids become better people for it. It’s not easy but they learn to be adaptable, self sufficient, and in addition they have well rounded experiences.

Ways to help military kids with deployment.

For military families separation is a regular part of their experience whether it be due to TDY’s , unaccompanied assignment, or deployment. Military families whom stick together are very close. The family unit being a place of security for children is on a whole new level. Even school or other structured activities, such as sports, may not be a good support system due to “being the new kid”. Without the help of extended family it’s a lot for a military spouse to face.The military community does a very good job of supporting one another for which I am very grateful! But we still have extra care we need to give our military kids so it’s important that when changes occur we do our best to be present to them in their time of separation.

Here are a few simple ways to lessen the pain children feel when they can’t be with their dad or mom who is deployed or other important person, such as a sibling who’s just moved out, friend they miss or grandparent that they can’t visit:

Tokens as a means of staying connected.

These are wonderful for kids. It can be anything that will remind them of the person they miss. They can make contact with this token whenever they miss daddy (or the person they long for). It can be a stuffed animal, something they carry in their pocket or a picture. Whatever reminds them of dad. It’s especially helpful if it comes from dad.

Communication.

This is essential but often limited. Letters, care packages, games long distance, Skype, and emails are important. Your child can always write or draw something when they need to and it can be sent later.

Schedules.

Try to resist the urge to let kids stay up longer or “do whatever” now that things are getting changed up. I know it hard. Keep the normal flow of life going, especially for children who aren’t school age. This helps them feel safe if one thing such as their routine is predictable and remains the same.

Keep it cool.

Watch the news after kids go to bed and be careful about what others may say around them not thinking about your personal circumstances. They may get wind of news they may relate to dads location or situation and then fear can set in, maybe really even about unwarranted things. So talk to them, play games and spend the time it requires to find out what they may be thinking. They may have fears you don’t realize.

Dealing with nightmares, bed wetting, ticks and other undesirable effects of stress.

One unexpected thing I experienced when my husband deployed was regular nightmares. I was very disturbed by this but later have realized it is simply my subconscious dealing with change and unknowns. Kids also deal with a range of unexpected fears and emotions that can also surface physically or subconsciously. Realize that these are stress related and that nothing is wrong with your child. Be compassionate and don’t get mad at them for having difficulty. In my experience, it’s better to ignore or down play when these unwanted things happen. Remember, your child doesn’t want them either! Comfort them if needed. Usually they lessen as time goes on or disappear all together once the stress related situation subsides. But if you’re concerned seek a doctor, children’s counselor, or other professional (see below). As for bedtime, often kids will need the extra security at night. I suggest having them “camp out” in your room on the floor. This is usually enough to help them feel secure. And in case they need to be with you the entire deployment, a “camp out” attitude is much easier to transition from when it’s time to reintegrate when dad comes home.

More than mom- your support system.

Military spouses are often experiencing their own form of separation at the same time as their children, so mom (or Dad) need to think outside their own ability to be everything for their kids. It’s just not humanly possible- so asking for help and seeking alternatives is a real sign of strength and resiliency.

Counselors and Therapists
“Thinking outside the Box”-Aroma therapy, oils or other forms of relaxation can help kids.
Take full advantage of support programs and other morale building events that come your way!
Utilize ALL your resources. Military programs and activities are there for you…so use them.

Still have one more chaplain to feature: Fr. Emil Kapaun.

This post linked for: Thankful Thursday, Spirit Led Homeschooling: Beautiful Family Friday, & Time Warp Wife

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