Shelby Bateman

Today I had the honor of placing flags at the Beaufort National Cemetery Beaufort Nation alongside our little family for the second year in a row 🇺🇸

This year felt even more special having our Marine beside us as we took time to remember those who sacrificed everything for our country, while also honoring and praying for the loved ones they left behind.

Standing among the rows of flags with our children beside us was such a powerful reminder of why traditions like this matter. This will continue to be an important tradition for our military family, one rooted in gratitude, remembrance, prayer, and teaching our children the true meaning of service and sacrifice.

So incredibly thankful for the opportunity to show even the smallest act of kindness and appreciation to those who gave it all 🤍

MILITARY SPOUSE, are you heading into, or maybe currently swimming through a new season? 🤍

The Marine Corps Association is partnering with Next Generation Leaders for a Learn Forward 16 week cohort designed for military spouses of navigating transition, searching for direction, building confidence, or figuring out their next steps!

Military life asks a lot of us through different seasons. We pour into our spouses, children, homes, communities, and missions constantly, but it’s important to remember that investing in YOURSELF matters too! Taking time for your own growth is not taking away from those around you, sometimes it’s giving yourself the same care, effort, and support you so freely give everyone else!

If you’ve been needing a sign to try something new, step outside your comfort zone, or do something intentionally for YOU, here it is! Follow the link, check your calendar, and apply, because if there’s one thing military life has taught me, it’s that sometimes the seasons where we least expect growth are the ones that shape us the most 🤍

Lean Forward - Marine Corps Association Next Generation Leaders and the Marine Corps Association have partnered to offer the inaugural Military Spouse Coaching Cohort: a free, 16-week coaching

We had a great afternoon alongside the Travis Manion Foundation placing flags for Memorial Day at the Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, NC 🇺🇸

Always so grateful for the opportunity to honor, remember, and recognize those who served and sacrificed for our country!

Take a little trip down memory lane with me from an absolutely unforgettable Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year town hall week 🤍

So many moments, conversations, laughs, memories, and experiences packed into such a short amount of time. Truly grateful for every person who made this week what it was and for the opportunity to be surrounded by such incredible military spouses and leaders along the way!

📸 thank you again for making the photo ops so easy!
Photography by Trish Alegre-Smith
Shotsbyjamey

To be a dandelion kid means picking up with friends right where you left off 🤍
Blessed for our people around the world who continue to love our family across States, time zones, and Countries 🇺🇸 

📸 Samantha Kirk

One of my top contributions to this military family is definitely my elite level Tetris packing skills 😂🙌🏼

Always slightly astonished and honestly a little proud of how much of our life I can somehow fit into a Corolla 🤣

With all the hustle and bustle lately, I’ve definitely been caught slacking a little 🤦🏼‍♀️

When I volunteer as a facilitator with Camp Lejeune Leadership Seminar, the blue group likes to take part I. an exercise, you write a letter to yourselves to open a year later! It’s honestly such a sweet little bow on top of an amazing few days together. Last year I was encouraged to write one to myself, so I sat, reflected, and began to write. I tossed it into the pile with the other ladies and packed I them away until this month!

Normally, I gather addresses and send them out to open as close to the year mark as possible, hoping spouses can look back and see just how far they’ve come in 365 days. WELL…this month has been a little WILD 😂 Between the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year Town Hall and everything else unfolding, I’m just now rediscovering the pile of letters in my luggage, mine included!

I just open and read it, and more than anything I’m left feeling incredibly grateful! Grateful for every person who has loved, encouraged, supported, and walked alongside me and my family during this season. Maybe one day I’ll share what the letter says, but for now I’m simply giving thanks and praise to God and to this incredible community I’m blessed to be around 🤍

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