Hello, My Name Is…
Hello, readers! I’m LaVaughn, one of the newest experience bloggers at Army Wife Network. This initial post provides you a chance to get to know where I come from and how I journeyed to where I am today.
VALUES
I learned all I know about patriotism and serving our great country from my father who served in the United States Marine Corps. He was active duty for several years, transitioned to the Reserve by the time I was born, and decided to separate a few years later. I lived in the same house until I moved out of state for college, so I never identified myself as a military brat. However, military life standards and practices were ingrained in me growing up. I grew to have a great respect for our country and the military, as my dad made certain my siblings and I stood for the National Anthem with our hands over our hearts. When we played military he ran drills through our homemade obstacle course in the woods, chanted cadences during car rides, practiced gun drills with toy rifles, and even as we were lectured standing at attention when we were in trouble. It was (mostly!) fun.
EDUCATION
I grew up in rural Michigan, my parents homeschooled me most of my life, and my love for my Heavenly Father guided me in all I did. Upon high school graduation, I attended the local community college so I could work and save money to later transfer to Cedarville University in Ohio. There, I further studied Communication Arts, Bible, and Theatre, later obtained a certification in Teaching English as a Second Language, and engaged in many extra-curricular activities. I also studied American Sign Language in high school and at community college and have found many creative ways to use this skill throughout my life.
MEETING THE ONE
I did not attend a Christian university for my “M.R.S. degree,” and I never intentionally sought out a future military spouse. But, lo and behold, my senior year, I met my future husband who was an Army ROTC cadet at the university! We were participating in a campus event—he was recruiting for his Officers’ Christian Fellowship organization, and I was recruiting for my American Sign Language organization across the way. I noticed his group was gifting chocolate for those who could do 10 push-ups. I really wanted that chocolate, and I could totally do 10 push-ups! So, I marched over, got down, and gave them 10! This certain handsome cadet did the push-ups with me, counting us off. As I confidently ate my chocolate, we chatted a bit. And the rest is history! Well, sort of…
We remained friends upon our graduation, his commissioning in 2004, and through some big life transitions. When he took off for his first deployment to Iraq in 2005, I told my future husband I would stand by him and be waiting when he came back. I was later there for his homecoming, and he proposed the day after! Life threw us some curveballs, however, so after more life transitions, including a broken engagement and another deployment, we finally reached the alter in 2011! I left my job as a college admissions counselor and Assistant Director of Admissions at Cedarville University and moved states away to join my husband.
ARMY WIFE LIFE
I hit the ground running as an Army wife. My husband took company command the month before we married, so I began leading the FRG as an Army fiancée! I had the best experience, and God blessed me with an amazing team of Army wives to support me. I also joined Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) and participated in as many military-related events as possible. I truly praise God for a wonderful first year as an Army wife, as it set the tone and gave me a genuine taste of the things military life has to extend to us. I have now always tried to stay active in these organizations wherever we go. 
DUTY STATIONS
We have since been stationed at quite the variety of installations, each with diverse surroundings, weather, cultural experiences, and an array of fascinating things to offer our family. As is it happens in military life, we have been pulled away from a couple of beloved installations to unwillingly go kicking and screaming to the new one the Army assigned to us. Nevertheless, every single installation we have been assigned to, whether we wanted it or not in the beginning, we have grown to love and are always sad to leave. Each location encompasses a special place in our hearts, and we hold cherished memories of each.
FAMILY
The most treasured piece for me to leave behind are my children’s fingerprints throughout each home. God has abundantly blessed us with four beautifully amazing children, currently aged 7 years all the way down to seven months. We have had these precious souls in the middle of the dry, desolate desert, all the way overseas, and back to the U.S., surrounded by lush palm trees. Though difficult to leave, we feel privileged to have experienced so many places to call home.
Life is extremely busy as I homeschool two children (on purpose; not just because of COVID!) while balancing the neediness of the other two littles! Our school years have changed as each addition and child’s needs change, but I am learning to just go along with the crazy with which God has entrusted me, and journey on.
JOURNEYING ON
I am excited for this creative outlet to write and to share our military adventures and life lessons with you. I welcome you to join the crazy and journey with us! Stay tuned for more in the months to follow. In the meantime, reach out to me if you are interested or have questions about what I have shared here. I would love to hear from you! Comment below, or find me on Facebook.
