Jennifer Lambert

Raising Servant Leaders

Best and Worst of Robins AFB

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I grew up in Georgia.

I met my husband when he was at his first duty station in Warner Robins.

Most of my extended family still live in Georgia.

The Best of Robins AFB

Location.

Close to Atlanta and close to Florida and close to Savannah. Perfect for spontaneous weekend trips! The state offers beaches, rivers and lakes, plains, hills, and mountains. Something for everyone to enjoy!

Affordable.

Georgia is one of the most affordable states to raise a family. Houses are cheaper and yards are bigger. You don’t need much winter gear.

HOPE Scholarship

Students with a B average or higher can go to an in-state college or university with the HOPE Georgia Lottery Scholarship program. I did!

 

Other than a little bit of isolation since Robins is in the middle of the state and the closest city is Macon…it’s pretty fantastic to live in Georgia! The people are friendly and the food is amazing.

The Worst of Robins AFB

It’s humid.

The weather is really mild in winter, but summers are really hot, humid, and buggy.

It ices.

No one can drive in bad weather. Georgia isn’t prepared for the rare snowstorm or annual icy days. Even if it rains really hard, it’s terrible to drive. Hurricane season dumps lots of rain on the state!

 

 

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Best and Worst of Lackland AFB

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Lackland AFB was our second duty station.

We lived there only two years. I’d love to go back and explore San Antonio.

We had recently gotten married. I was pregnant. It was the first time I’d ever lived outside the state of Georgia. My husband’s parents both passed away within a year. My husband almost got decimated in budget cuts and had to change his career field from Communications to Medical Lab at Wilford Hall.

It was a stressful two years for us.

We didn’t get to enjoy our time there as much as we would have liked.

It’s Texas. I really like all there is to do and see. We began homeschooling in Texas and it is soooo homeschool friendly!

The Best of Lackland AFB

Great food.

I adore Tex-Mex and Mexican food. It’s the one style of cuisine I can’t seem to master in my kitchen, so authentic food in the San Antonio area was great!

Fun festivals.

There’s always a fun festival or event to attend in downtown San Antonio or the surrounding areas.

Travel.

So many day trips and places to see in the Lone Star State. So much great history and culture and art. Camping and other fun outdoorsy things.

Military-friendly.

Texas has lots of military installations. Most people are really patriotic and respect the military community.

The Worst of Lackland AFB

It’s really hot.

In summer, the temps are stifling and no wonder everyone had a siesta and went out at sundown! So A/C bills can run high. But you don’t need winter gear or clothes!

Texas is big.

It takes forever to get out of the state if you’re driving somewhere.

Traffic

San Antonio is a growing town and traffic in some areas can be rough at certain times. Plan accordingly.

Critters.

You have to be careful and watch kids and pets and keep your yard clear of snakes and other stinging, biting things.

Have you ever lived in Texas? What did you love or dislike?

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Best and Worst of Hill AFB

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We never wanted or expected to live in Utah.

It was a culture shock, but we made the best of it, as military families have to do.

We lived there for four years.

My husband deployed a few months after we arrived. On our anniversary. I spent the first winter of my life alone with four kids. Our cat died and the basement flooded while he was deployed.

The Best of Hill AFB

Outdoors Activities

We’re not so much into winter, but I hear the skiing is wonderful. I did like how sunny winters are and it doesn’t feel very cold. We enjoyed hiking, fishing, and camping. We explored national and state parks. It is beautiful there!

Affordable Housing

We rented a humongous house with a huge back yard and there were lots of nice houses for sale. There were new ones being built all over! We knew many who chose to retire there.

Deals for Families

Since Utah is known for large families, there are many deals for kids and families. Lots of museums and other attractions have family passes or free admission for kids. There were lots of consignment sales and thrift stores.

The Worst of Hill AFB

Religious Discrimination

The Mormon Tabernacle is in Salt Lake City. Many LDS military members put Hill AFB on their wish list to make their pilgrimage.

I wasn’t so surprised to be treated differently because we’re not Mormon, but I was surprised to learn that even non-Utah Mormons are given the cold shoulder.

And separation of church and state? Not so much in Utah. There were blanks on even gymnastics forms for my kids as to which ward we belonged. It came up way too often in conversation for our comfort.

Once my daughter reached age 12, she was excluded from activities in our neighborhood. This is the age that kids are more indoctrinated into their church. At the high school, kids even take classes at their ward for their mission.

Our kids couldn’t even play with any other children in the neighborhood on Sundays. Mormons take their Sabbath Day seriously.

Alcohol Laws

The alcohol rules and laws are very weird in Utah. I’ve never felt so like an incompetent child as going to a restaurant and being told I can’t have a cocktail without ordering food first. I grew up in the South, so Blue Laws aren’t news to me, but Utah alcohol sales laws baffle me. Liquor stores close at dinnertime, even on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Smell

During dry, warm days…the brine shrimp in the Great Salt Lake cast a disgusting rotten fishy smell over the whole valley.

Air Quality

The Inversion in late winter makes going outdoors unpleasant. Those with breathing problems should stay inside.

 

Have you lived in Utah? What did you like or dislike?

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Oahu with Kids

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We lived on O’ahu for three years. Living in Hawai’i isn’t the same as a vacation there. But every single day, there’s a rainbow!

My husband was stationed at Hickam AFB. We lived on base. It was mostly magical. The kids still call it home and we all long to go back.

The thing about living in paradise is that you’re living in paradise. It’s not a vacation every day. Dishes and laundry still have to get done. We homeschooled. Everything is expensive. Gas and food prices are high. Traffic is terrible. You have to watch out for centipedes.

But you can go to the beach whenever you want. There are lots of lovely parks and gardens and hiking opportunities. Those are FREE!

O’ahu is a great place for families!

Attractions in Kaneohe

The Windward Coast is a tropical paradise.

  • Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
  • Bellows Air Force Station
  • Sea Life Park
  • Hanauma Bay
  • Kualoa Ranch – Lots of movies and shows filmed there like Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, Lost, and Hawaii Five-O. There are ATV tours.
  • Kane’one Sandbar

North Shore Attractions

The beaches on the North Shore are best for families to visit during summer months. The waves get huge mid-November through March and host the famous Triple Crown of Surfing Championships.

There’s TONS to do on the North Shore of Oahu!

  • Matsumoto’s Shave Ice
  • Shrimp Trucks
  • Ted’s Bakery
  • Haleiwa Joe’s
  • Uncle Bo’s
  • Ray’s Chicken
  • Art Galleries
  • Surf Shops
  • Puu O Mahaka State Monument
  • Waimea Beach and Falls
  • Turtle Beach
  • Sharks Cove

Honolulu Attractions

Honolulu is the Hawaii state capital and of course, there are lots of fun things to do in the big city!

  • Honolulu Zoo
  • Waikiki Aquarium
  • Discovery Center Children’s Museum
  • Pearl Harbor
  • Pacific Aviation Museum
  • Diamond Head
  • Ko’olina
  • Bishop Museum
  • Friday Night Fireworks on Waikiki Beach (FREE)
  • Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden (FREE)

We loved living on Oahu for three years, exploring most of what the island had to offer. Some things we didn’t get to see or do since we had very little children. We’d love to go back!

We also traveled to Mau’i, Kaua’i, Ni’ihau, and The Big Island.

Hawaii Coffee Company



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Honolulu with Kids

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Honolulu Attractions

Honolulu is the Hawaii state capital and of course, there are lots of fun things to do in the big city!

  • Honolulu Zoo
  • Waikiki Aquarium
  • Discovery Center Children’s Museum
  • Pearl Harbor
  • Pacific Aviation Museum
  • Diamond Head
  • Ko’olina
  • Bishop Museum
  • Friday Night Fireworks on Waikiki Beach (FREE)
  • Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden (FREE)

Honolulu Zoo

This is a nice zoo with mammal, birds, and reptiles. There are also lovely gardens to enjoy.

There’s a great children’s area with a petting zoo and playground.

We loved the exhibits you can climb inside for closer looks!

General Admission
$14.00 – Adult 13+
$6.00 – Children 3-12 yrs.

Kama’aina/U.S. military*
$8.00 – Adult 13+
$4.00 – Children 3-12 yrs.
* I.D. required for kama’aina/U.S. military rates.
FREE – Children 2 and under

Waikiki Aquarium

A lovely Hawaiian aquarium with coral life, monk seals, aquaculture, seahorses, and jellyfish.

We loved viewing the shallow aquariums and experiencing the touch pools.

General Admission
$12.00 – Adult 13+
$5.00 – Children 4-12 yrs.

Kama’aina/U.S. military*
$8.00 – Adult 13+
* I.D. required for kama’aina/U.S. military rates.
FREE – Children 3 and under

Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center

A fun children’s museum featuring the temporary special exhibits and permanent exhibits like the human body, busy town, world cultures, farming, rainforest, and Hawaiian habitats.

General Admission
$12.00

Kama’aina/U.S. military*
$10.00
* I.D. required for kama’aina/U.S. military rates.
FREE – Children under 1 

Friday Night Fireworks in Waikiki!

Every Friday night around 8 PM, Hawaiian Hilton Village sets off a fireworks show – and it’s FREE! It’s great to plan a picnic, watch the sunset, and then view the fireworks!

Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden

Portions of this garden were once the property and favorite picnic grounds of Queen Lili`uokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii.  She later donated her land to the City and County of Honolulu to be used for the public’s enjoyment.  This developing garden is devoted to native Hawaiian plants. It’s FREE!

Diamond Head

This is a great hike with gorgeous views!

$5.00 per car or $1 per person for pedestrians. CASH ONLY. NO PETS.

The 0.8 mile hike from trailhead to the summit is steep and strenuous, gaining 560 feet as it ascends from the crater floor. It was hard for us with little ones!

Pearl Harbor Historic Sites and Memorials

  • USS Arizona Memorial
  • Battleship Missouri Memorial
  • USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park

Kids have to be over 8 years old to go on tours, but most of the smaller memorials are accessible to military ID holders.

We took my parents on the private tour of the USS Arizona for military members and it was something we’ll never forget!

Pacific Aviation Museum

Over 70 years of Pacific aviation history. Full access to 50+ aircraft and all exhibits, including WWII Hangars 37 & 79, MiG Alley, historical videos, the Museum Store, Laniakea Café and the award winning Pearl Harbor documentary East Wind, Rain.

General Admission
Adult: $25
Child (Ages 4-12): $12
Kama’aina & Military Admission
Adults:  $15
Child(Ages 4-12):  $10
FREE – Children under 4

My daughter is a history buff and went to a Tuskegee Airman presentation and book signing.

Bishop Museum

Hawaiian cultural heritage and natural history, a planetarium and science museum.

We also loved the Farm Festival in July.

General Admission
Adult: $22.95
Child, ages 4-12: $14.95

Kama’aina/Military Admission
Adult: $14.95
Child: $10.95
FREE – Children under 3

Ko’olina

Kapolei has great quite lagoons and kid-friendly beaches. It’s just a short drive from Honolulu.

Whale watching is another great activity in this area. We saw honu, dolphins, a few spouts, and some fins.

Ko’Olina is a romantic location for couples to stay or dine or visit. The marina offers lots of options for fishing, snorkeling, and whale watching. Ko’Olina also has the Aulani Disney Spa and Resort now.

The area around Honolulu offers so much for families!

We loved living on Oahu for three years, exploring most of what the island had to offer. Some things we didn’t get to see or do since we had very little children. We’d love to go back!

We also traveled to Mau’i, Kaua’i, Ni’ihau, and The Big Island.



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Is Your Cat Experiencing One of the Big 3 Cat Concerns?

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With International Cat Day happening on August 8, and Happy Healthy Cat Month in September, now is the perfect time to address the “cat in the room”—and that’s your feline friend’s diet. I’ll be the first to admit my own cat’s diet isn’t “purr”fect.
Sinéad, and especially, my boy Rubeus, can be picky eaters, or ignore their water bowl even when it’s placed right next to their food. I struggled to understand how I could address these issues. But then I realized I wasn’t alone—my cat was just experiencing one of the three most common cat concerns: picky eating, weight gain, and urinary tract issues.
I learned about the Big 3 by partnering with Weruva —a luxurious, natural pet food dubbed “people food for cats,” which is launching a full line of gluten, grain, and carrageenan-FREE cat food in honor of International Cat Day.
Look at this fun Weruva package for my fur babies and Skittles for me!
It’s called B.F.F. OMG! (that stands for Best Feline Friend, Oh My Gravy!), and it’s all about preventing these Big 3 Cat Concerns.

If your cat has any of these, you might want to consider changing their diet:

Is your cat picky?

Picky eating is usually a problem with texture, since cats are carnivores whose tongues and teeth are perfectly designed for meat-eating. It’s easy to see why a cat might dislike something without real shreds of meat. Would you eat a steak with the texture of tapioca? Weruva’s food features these shreds of real meat right off the bone, which is why my cats took to it like a duck to water (or a cat to gravy)!

Got a fat cat?

The problem is in the kibble. It’s filled with unnecessary carbs, which are almost impossible for cats to process (they don’t produce amylase, an enzyme which helps humans digest their food). Weruva’s B.F.F. OMG! has no kibble to worry about because it’s 100% real meats in their true form.

UT-why?

Urinary tract issues often stem from dehydration—even if you’re giving your cat plenty of water. In the wild, cats stay hydrated through the food they eat instead of what they drink. Cats are used to “eating” their water—but most wet foods don’t have nearly enough hydration to keep them satisfied. All of the products in Weruva’s B.F.F. OMG! line are over 85% hydration, which satisfies my cat’s hydration needs. We’ve had UTI and crystals issues with our boy cats and it’s so upsetting to see my fur babies in pain. I know this food will help prevent any more urinary system issues!
I love Weruva products because they are considered “people food for pets.” It really does smell great, just like all the online reviews say!
The new line of B.F.F. OMG! cans and pouches feature proteins like boneless and skinless white chicken breast, salmon, beef, duck, lamb and more. All recipes are grain, gluten, and carrageenan-FREE. And if you are a BPA-free home, check out the pouches because they are are BPA-free. Best of all, my kitties love it!
Health isn’t just for humans! I’m glad I took the time to learn how to feed my BFFs properly. Even better, in the process, I found my kitty’s new favorite food.
She especially likes Weruva’s Chicken and Shrimp flavor, which you can read about at Weruva. You can also explore the whole B.F.F. OMG! lineup there, and find a flavor your cat will “paw”sitively adore, at Chewy.com.

Has your cat experienced one of the Big 3 Cat Concerns? Share your experience in the comments!

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Stella and Dot Apparel

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**I was compensated for this post, which contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Style in a snap. It all comes together with Stella & Dot’s new tops.

That’s right, Stella & Dot launched apparel today! You can now shop the WHOLE look with Stella & Dot!

Sign-up to be a Stella & Dot Stylist Today!

These new tops will also help Independent Stylists offer their shoppers the full package – making selling Stella & Dot items that much more rewarding! Stylists will earn 15% commission on all apparel sales.

Style in a Snap: Shop Stella & Dot’s entire look here!

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North Shore with Kids

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North Shore Attractions

The beaches on the North Shore are best for families to visit during summer months. The waves get huge mid-November through March and host the famous Triple Crown of Surfing Championships.

There’s TONS to do on the North Shore of Oahu!

  • Matsumoto’s Shave Ice
  • Shrimp Trucks
  • Ted’s Bakery
  • Haleiwa Joe’s
  • Uncle Bo’s
  • Ray’s Chicken
  • Art Galleries
  • Surf Shops
  • Puu O Mahaka State Monument

There are several pretty and safe beach spots for kids!

We loved visiting new beaches year-round.

  • Waimea Beach and Nature Park
  • Turtle Beach – great for honu viewing!
  • Sharks Cove – great for snorkeling!

Polynesian Cultural Center

It’s an absolute tourist trap, but a must-do! We all loved it.

Kids receive a “Passport to Polynesia” booklet which includes:

  • Spaces to collect stamps from each island village to show they completed the games or activities
  • A schedule of the day’s activities geared toward the family experience
  • Space to write down the greetings for each island
  • A fun illustration and the name of each island’s games or activities to help the keiki remember it when they return home.

We learned about all the Polynesian Islands. Each island exhibit showcases games, dances, costumes, art, and more about that island’s culture.

  • Aotearoa (New Zealand)
  • Fiji
  • Hawaii
  • Rapa Nui
  • Samoa
  • Tahiti
  • Tonga

General Admission
Adult: $59.95
Child: $47.96
Under 4 FREE

Ali’i Luau and General Admission Package
Adult: $114.95
Child: $91.96
Under 4 FREE

The canoe parade showcasing each island with its representatives dancing in traditional dress was stunning.

We had great seats for the show.

We gorged ourselves at the Ali’i Luau Buffet & Dinner Show.

Dole Plantation

Originally operated as a fruit stand beginning in 1950, Dole Plantation opened to the public as Hawaii’s “Pineapple Experience” in 1989.

The Gardens are lovely. The Maze is fun. The Pineapple Express Train Tour is not to be missed!

Combo tickets for all three tours (best deal):
Adult 22.00
Child $18.00
Kama‘aina/Military $20.00

The North Shore of Oahu is a must-see!

We loved living on Oahu for three years, exploring most of what the island had to offer. Some things we didn’t get to see or do since we had very little children. We’d love to go back!

We also traveled to Mau’i, Kaua’i, Ni’ihau, and The Big Island.



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In Borrowed Houses Book Review

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I understand borrowed houses.

As a military wife, I’ve lived in my share of borrowed houses.

Every house is a new beginning.

We work hard to make the house a home.

We’ve thankfully never lived anywhere dangerous, and certainly nowhere during a war.

We have lived in some unique locales where we had to adapt to the culture, try to blend in for safety and comfort, and sometimes, we just long for the next move.

I’ve lived in houses with broken floor tiles, wonky kitchen cabinets, unreliable electricity that would pop the fuse if I ran the oven and a countertop appliance at the same time. We’ve lived in homes with large backyards and no yards at all.

We’ve never lived near family, so it’s important to try to make friends with everyone we meet.

We do have to bloom where we are planted.

I love how real Frances Fuller is in telling her story of this house.

Her faith is inspiring because she shares her thoughts and doubts. She shares her failings. She recalls arguments with her husband.

She exudes love and grace and mercy despite all the negativity surrounding her.

In spite of the war raging about her, there are heartwarming stories of people coming together to celebrate, live life together, share food, and love. So much love.

When she mentions her friends, I find myself wondering about them when I lie in bed late at night. Where are they now? Are they safe?

There are a few unanswered questions in the book, just like there isn’t always closure in life.

Frances Fuller has an incredible testimony and it is convicting to me that I have ever complained or will continue to complain…when I am so, so blessed with comfort and safety.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book In Borrowed Houses: A true story of love and faith amidst war in Lebanon by Frances Fuller.

Purchase now:

In Borrowed Houses: A true story of love and faith amidst war in Lebanon by Frances Fuller

 

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Back to School Savings with Little Passports

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**The links in this post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.

Exclusive Little Passports Offer

Back to School savings start now!

I am excited to announce that we have early access to the Little Passports Back to School Sale.

Shop 4 days early and save 15% on all subscriptions from 7/31 until 8/14 with promo code: BTS15.

 

This promotion is valid online only at www.littlepassports.com. To redeem enter code BTS15 at checkout. Offer valid on new subscriptions only and cannot be combined with any other offers and/or applied retroactively to previously placed orders. Offer applies only to the first month on a Monthly Plan. Offer not valid on non-subscription items. Offer excludes shipping and taxes.  Offer valid on July 31, 2017 through August 14, 2017 at 11:59PM EST.

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