Shelby Bateman

09/24/2026

Military Influencer Conference ready 💙

Taking it all in, making connections, and leaning into this amazing community.

If I look a little overwhelmed…it’s because I am. 😂 But please don’t let that stop you, if you see me, come say hi! I’d love to connect!

Here’s to an incredible few days! 🤍

09/21/2026

Military spouses!!

The President’s Military Spouse Commission is holding a meeting TODAY, Monday, September 21, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. ET, and it will be available to watch virtually!

The Commission was established to hear directly from military spouses, identify common concerns, and develop recommendations surrounding issues that impact military families, including housing, employment, healthcare, education and child care, and deployment-related support.

Whether or not these issues are affecting your family right now, I believe it’s important for us to stay informed about the conversations happening around military family quality of life.

You can watch directly through the official White House Military Spouse Commission page:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/military-spouse-commission/

Our experiences matter, our voices matter, and staying informed is one way we can continue showing up for our military community 🤍

Who is planning to watch?!

09/17/2026

I’m excited to share that I’ve officially completed the Mental Health Ally Program and received my Mental Health Ally Certificate of Completion from the Leadership Institute for Military Spouses by MSAN.

One of the things I value most about continuing to learn is being able to take that knowledge right back into the communities I serve.

This program strengthened my understanding of mental health, recognizing potential warning signs, reducing stigma, and knowing how to appropriately support and connect someone with additional help when needed.

Especially within the military community, I believe conversations surrounding mental health matter—and so does having people who feel better equipped to recognize when someone may need support.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue learning, growing, and becoming a better resource for the people around me. 🤍

Thank you, Military Spouse Advocacy Network, Leadership Institute for Military Spouses, and Psych Hub for making this opportunity available to military spouses!

09/16/2026

Wednesdays and Sundays are intentionally slower in our house. Schoolwork is light, schedules have a little more breathing room, and we prioritize faith, family, and friends. Because sometimes being intentional means purposely doing a little less!

Happy Wednesday 🩷

09/15/2026

Friends! Let’s see how high we can PROPEL Perhaps This Is It UP THE RANKS of the Amazon BESTSELLER list and take advantage of Amazon’s FREE promotion so more readers can experience this raw and real book!!

If you’d like to purchase here’s the link: https://mybook.to/perhapsthisisit

09/11/2026

I was in third grade on September 11, 2001. But I remember that day and the America I grew up in afterward.

I remember adults crying. I remember American flags everywhere. A country standing arm in arm. Waving goodbye to teachers who left to serve. Hugging friends whose families experienced unimaginable loss. Watching an entire generation answer the call in the years that followed.

Those horrible acts took thousands of innocent lives and forever changed countless families. But my earliest understanding of what it meant to be an American was also shaped by what followed: patriotism, unity, service, sacrifice, and Americans showing up for one another!

This summer, I spent time with about a dozen young adults who had recently graduated high school. As we talked about their plans for the future, something struck me: not one planned to serve in our military.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Military service is only one way to serve our country. But it made me wonder:

What are we teaching the generation coming behind us about what it means to be an American?

Patriotism, service, sacrifice, responsibility, and an understanding of the freedoms we’ve inherited cannot belong only to those families who have someone to wear the uniform. We have a responsibility to keep those values at the forefront and intentionally pass them on!

Twenty-five years later, I have children of my own. They weren’t there. They don’t remember that day or the America that emerged afterward.

But my children will know.

They will learn about the lives lost, the first responders who ran toward danger, those who answered the call to serve, and the families who sacrificed alongside them!

They will understand that the freedoms they enjoy were built, protected, and preserved by generations before them, and that they have a responsibility to carry those values forward!

Remembering September 11th will be part of that.

Because Never Forget cannot simply be something one generation says. It has to be something the next generation is taught.

We made a promise 25 years ago.

My house will continue to keep it.

September 11, 2001 🇺🇸
WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

09/08/2026

Lejeune and New River friends!

Registration for the Stronghold Pop-Up Pantry at Camp Lejeune opens today, September 8, at 8:00 AM!

Families can register here:
https://www.strongholdfoodpantry.org/supportoverview

Select "Pop-Up Pantry Support" and complete the registration form.

What families can expect:
Once a family submits the registration form:
They will receive an automatic message confirming that their registration was received.
A member of our team will call them to confirm their appointment.
During the call, we will review dietary needs, allergies, household size, and other information needed to prepare their groceries.
Families must speak with our team before their appointment is considered confirmed.

PLEASE BE SURE to answer calls from unfamiliar numbers and check their voicemail after registering.

A few additional reminders:
There are no rank restrictions.
Registration is for currently serving military members and their families experiencing a need.
Each registered family will receive approximately one week’s worth of groceries.

Space is limited, and registration may fill quickly.

09/03/2026

HAPPY WORLD BEARD DAY!

Praying for all the military spouses currently waiting for their military member’s beard to be released from government custody!

09/02/2026

MILITARY SPOUSES! If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity look no further! Behind the Camouflage: An MCA Initiative is looking for help with their events ACROSS THE GLOBE! Fill out the form if you’re interested. What an amazing opportunity to work along side a powerhouse team ❤️

Want to get involved with Behind the Camouflage? 💙

As BTC continues to grow, we’re building a network of volunteers to help with Spouse Summits, workshops, special events, outreach, and more in Marine Corps communities around the world.

Whether you love welcoming people, working behind the scenes, or simply want to be part of what we’re building, we’d love to hear from you!

Fill out our quick Volunteer Interest Form and we’ll reach out when opportunities come to your area. No commitment—just let us know you’re interested!

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/RkjFgtAA5V