Articles by Kalina Hyche
12 results found.
Building an Emergency Fund when you're “Part-Time” Military
When people hear “part-time military,” they often picture one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer. Most National Guard members know that’s rarely reality.You’re balancing a civilian career, mi...
Raising Kids Who Understand Service (Without Making it Heavy)
The other day, one of my kids asked me why I had drill again. Not in a dramatic way. Not because they were upset. Just one of those random questions children ask while you’re trying to unload grocerie...
Military Life Doesn’t Come With a Manual, But It Does Come With Support
Military life is full of moments that shape us. Some are exciting, like arriving at a new duty station, welcoming a new family member, celebrating a promotion, or preparing for a new opportunity. Othe...
Wearing the Uniform on the Fourth of July
Okay, let me tell you this now like a big sister would, because nobody really explains this part of Guard life beforehand. Wearing the uniform on the Fourth of July feels a little emotional in the wei...
When Annual Training turns me into a Solo Parent
Let me just say this upfront, because I wish someone had said it to me like this. Annual Training will humble you real fast when it turns you into a solo parent. I don’t mean that in a dramatic way. I...
Memorial Day Feels Different When You Wear the Uniform
There’s a shift that happens when you put on the uniform. Memorial Day stops being just a long weekend. It stops being about sales, lake plans, or the unofficial start of summer. It becomes quieter. H...
The Best of Both Worlds…or Is It?
If you grew up on Hannah Montana, then you already know the line we were sold: “You get the best of both worlds…” Honestly? That’s exactly how the National Guard gets marketed: Civilian life and milit...
Inside Guard Life: Welcoming New Soldiers to the Unit in the New Year
New year, same cold, same 0430 alarms, same “who thought it was a good idea to schedule a PT test in January” energy. Every new year brings a few new faces into the unit. Fresh boots, nervous smiles, ...
Guard Life: Holiday Party – There Ain’t No Party Like It
Every year around this time, the same question starts floating through the group chat: “Are we doing a formal dinner this year, or is it another potluck situation?”If you’ve ever been part of a Nation...
Our Other Family Table: Thanksgiving with the Guard
When most people picture Thanksgiving, they imagine a table surrounded by relatives, food, and tradition. For National Guard families, there is often another table that feels just as important. It is ...
Rising from the Dead (a.k.a. Post-Drill Slumber) — It’s Back to Formation, Baby
October isn’t just pumpkin patches and cinnamon candles around here — it’s also the season of being violently yanked out of your cozy comfort zone by the sound of an early morning rucksack dump. That’...
Trunk-or-Treat Fun for Military Families: Candy and Community
The Magic of October NightsOctober always brings a special kind of magic. The air turns crisp, pumpkins sit proudly on porches, and kids dream up their Halloween costumes. For Guard families, the armo...
More For You
POW/MIA Recognition Day began with the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia. It was founded in 1966 to lobby the U.S. government and the United Nations for treatment of Prisoners of War in accordance with the Geneva Convention and information on servicemembers declared Missing in Action. Before their efforts, families received little to no information abo...
Creating the Perfect Cozy Fall Spot for Your Cat
When the crisp autumn air has arrived and leaves begin to fall, we as humans aren’t the only ones looking to get a little extra cozy. Our feline friends are natural-born heat seekers, and fall is the perfect time for them to master the art of lounging in a cozy and snug corner! Chasing the Autumn Sun:The angle of the sunlight changes when fall arrives, those bright spots on the floor shift making ...
How to Keep Pets Calm When Trick-or-Treaters Arrive
Halloween night is filled with spooky costumes, tasty treats, and neighborhood cheer. The air is crisp, leaves are falling, the neighborhood is decorated, and the bowl of candy is ready. Though, for our furry family members a constantly ringing doorbell, glowing costumes, and continuous strangers knocking can feel like a full blown home invasion. The unexpected noises and door repeatedly opening c...
