The Story of a True American Hero, His Princess, and Their Struggle with TBI/PTSD.

Friday, September 30, 2011

A room with a view.


Every morning, I roll out of bed, grab some coffee or juice depending on how I am feeling and I sit down with my laptop and catch up on news, friends, drama, whatever comes across my screen, and I prepare myself for the day. It generally consists of going through what needs to be done immediately, getting my son ready for school, getting my daughter and I ready to walk my son to school, whatever needs to be done TODAY, and a little deeper reflection on who I am, who I want to be, things like that. Recently since moving in to our home, I have struggled a bit with negativity. Not mine, but that of people who always have something to say. I have to admit, it took me down for a little bit, it consumed almost a whole morning routine worth of thought. Maybe I would just remove myself from the online world,stop sharing my story altogether, give up all of the things I have been doing, and move on with our lives as "regular" people. Didn't last long. With a view like this how could it?


The whole inspiration of our life as a nation flows out from the waving folds of this banner.  ~Author Unknown


That is the truth, and anytime i'm feeling down all I need to do is go to my "Room with a view." For us, a patriotic family to the core, the flag means sooo much. Not only does it represent freedom, patriotism, sacrifice, tradition, all the things that we think about when we see our beautiful flag flying, but now flying proudly in front of our new home, it represents so much more! It represents a brand new start for us. It represents Military Warrior Support Foundation and their desire to thank my husband for his sacrifices. It represents the hope that this gift gave my husband, and the feeling that he is still worth something. It proudly represents those who were wounded, and those who gave their lives fighting for our great nation. It represents those who are still fighting, and the families they leave behind. It represents our family, and yours. It gives us so much of a teaching opportunity with our children. Its the encouragement I needed at the start of my day to do everything I can to help those whose shoes I have been in. The encouragement to reach out and use my God-Given Gifts to help others. If a little negativity from people who can't understand all this is the price I have to pay, i'll take it. We have been given a fresh start..again, i'm going to do it right this time.
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Thursday, September 29, 2011

What's Your Song?





For this weeks What's Your Song? Link-Up, I couldn't help but post something that kind of expresses how I feel right now, my family and I are so overjoyed, and refreshed, and we have our whole lives ahead of us to take on the world! Okay, maybe not the world,  but we certainly have goals to meet , and to-do's to get done! I hope that you all are having a great week, and I hope that you will take a minute and head on over to Goodnight Moon, and Link-Up too, or just have fun checking out everyone else's songs! I am so excited to be back, and can't wait to share everything with you! So without further adieu, my song for this week; Fisher-Beautiful Life.





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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Sometimes, we just have to take a moment...

I feel like its been forever since I sat here and put my thoughts to the screen, almost a month if you want to get technical. It felt good to be honest, to step back for a bit and re-evaluate what I am doing, and who I am, to focus on what comes first, my family. The last few months have been jam packed with excitement, starting with Labor Day weekend! We spent the weekend at Walt Disney World's Fort Wilderness Campground, a very generous couple from TN donated the cabin to us, and friends from their community stepped up with other things to make the trip even more magical! Here are some pictures for you to enjoy!













I have to admit when I first saw the castle all lit up with fireworks, I bawled like a baby. This was my first time too, and I was completely overwhelmed with happiness for my kids, gratitude because we could have never afforded this trip without our new friends, and pride, for my husband who did so amazing. We didn't have a single issue aside from a few headaches, which is pretty much a daily thing anyways, so I was really pleased. Upon returning from Disney, we got back in to the groove of Nate going to school, and we finally got the phone call we had been waiting for ALL summer! Our house would be ready for us on the 16th!! I had not even dreamed of packing, so it was time to start busting tail, or I would pay for it later. I didn't actually start packing until that weekend....oops. I work well under pressure. It seems like that week flew, I got everything packed to the point that I good, and we started recruiting people to help us out! Finally our day got here, I cried like 19 times that day, I cried when I got up, knowing this would probably be the last time I would sleep at the old house, not that I would miss it, I cried as I stalked it on the way to take Nate to school, and again when we picked him up. I managed to maintain my composure during the handover, but I had another breakdown later that night. Who knew this would be sooo overwhelming? Its such a great feeling to know that its ours, Its a feeling I cant even begin to describe. My gratitude for Military Warrior Support Foundation and their supporters is overflowing, im not sure I will ever be able to properly thank them. We are one blessed family that is for sure!! Here are a few pictures of the progress we have been making!! Ill post more as we go.





Its really starting to come together, and we will find our place here eventually and really be able to reach out and give back, its just going to take some time, and I am ok with that.
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Thursday, September 08, 2011

Never Take For Granted a Hero's Love, Whats Your Song Link-Up.


Happy Thursday Everyone!! 
I know if you are anything like me, by Thursday you are just ready for the day to be over already and for the weekend to get here! This week has been quite the week for me, we returned from a weekend long Disney escapade, and full of the madness of unpacking from that we  found  out our move date is September 16th woohooo! We are so grateful for all the opportunities we have been given in our lives, and this morning when I drove my son to school and I continued on my daily drive by stalking of our house, I was reminded once again.




Now  many of you might be saying "So what, or I don't get it, but if you have been following for a while, you know that this flag pole is the newest addition to our new house. I cannot express how much it meant to me to see this waving proudly in what is going to be our new front yard. Getting a 100% Mortgage FREE home, from Military Warrior Support Foundation is Incredible, but the fact that they took the time to pay attention to the small things meant even more. How will we ever thank the organization, the donors, the people who worked so hard to make everything perfect inside this home,  I'm not sure you really can, but we can do our best to use this home to pay it forward and continue to honor those who gave so much for us. Speaking of those who gave so much for us, I came across this while on Facebook today and I want to ask you all to take a minute and vote. English River Outfitters is a Veterans Resort "Designed by Veterans for Veterans." They are a resort that will give a memorable outdoor recreation experience for the disabled veteran, veterans, their families, friends and supporters: It recognizes what our Veterans have contributed to and sacrificed for our Nation. The Vice Presisdent of English River Outfitters, Robert William Briggs , tragically  past away Tuesday, June 28, 2011 in Washington County IA from injuries received on April 16, 2005 for which he received the Purple Heart Award, while serving his country in Iraq. English River Outfitters needs YOUR help! They are currently in the running to receive a grant from the Pepsi Refresh Program to aid in their programs, now I don't know about you, but I cannot think of an easier way to honor not only those who are returning from war, but also Robert Briggs, I know it would mean a lot to him and his family to see this program grow! Here...i'll make it easy for you! Go here, and vote! You can Vote EVERYDAY!

 


That being said, my song this week for Goodnight-moon's What's Your Song? Link- Up, is one that was written in honor of SGT Amanda Pinson who was killed in Iraq a few years back.  
 "Never take for granted a Hero's LOVE...."


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Wednesday, September 07, 2011

10 Day Blog Challenge Day 3, 8 FEARS!

I know this was "supposed" to be ten days in a row, so I fail there, but I have a good excuse...which I will fill you all in on later! So here goes...8 FEARS.

1. Losing my husband...I am terrified of that, every time he goes to the doctor they find something else, there is only so much one person's body can take right? And then there is the ever growing population of suicides, which are very common among those facing the challenges my husband does. I try to encourage him in every way possible, but what if it isn't enough? Just something I think about.

2. I fear turning in to my parents. Now don't get me wrong, I love my Dad dearly but he is not very good at making us feel like part of his life, he recently got a new girlfriend and is moving her in, and I didn't even know he had a girlfriend. I hate not feeling like i'm part of his world, and I never ever want to do that to my kids. As far as my mother goes, she lies all the time, and of course the obvious she left us and wanted nothing to do with me until I was like 17, and then I tried multiple times to let her back in and she ruined it every time, she is simply not the type of person I want in my life. I don't want to be that, I want my children to be proud of me, and to always feel like they matter.

3. Ok, this one is kind of funny, but kind of not. Sometimes I sneeze a LOT of times in a row, and you know how you close your eyes when you sneeze, well what if I go into a sneezing fit on the highway or something, or maybe a bridge and drive off the bridge or get into or cause an accident?

4. Ok, this one is kind of funny too, but I fear getting into an accident in my car with a full bladder and it exploding and I die.

5. I am starting to think I fear dying?? I have never really thought much about that until now.

6. I have a fear of flying in airplanes, I keep saying I want to become a pilot so maybe I won't be so scared! I have tried everything to try to ease that fear, but nothing seems to be working, every time I hear the little ding noises I am afraid it is going to say, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to crash, or something along those lines. So then curiosity sets in and I wonder what WOULD they say?

7. Being Late, I hate it, I fear walking into a room last and not having time to get settled before whatever it is I am doing. This drives my husband nuts because I have to leave early, but it really bothers me.

8. I fear never losing all this weight I have gained, ugh.







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Thursday, September 01, 2011

10 Day Blog Challenge Day 2, 9 Loves!


1. Sonic Sweet Tea, I Love Love Love it! I sometimes refer to it as heaven in a glass.
2. My life, I LOVE it, things are just starting to go so well for us, and I am beyond grateful!
3. I love Teenage Girl shows, Secret Life, Teen Mom, I- Carly, no clue why but I could watch shows like that all day everyday!
4. I Love the way my kids smell, I could just sniff them all day...weird I know.
5. I Love music! I wish I could sing, or play an instrument, guess ill just settle for listening.
6. I LOVE to travel, even though I hate planes, and long car rides...I know sounds ridiculous, but once I get over the getting there part I enjoy it!
7. I LOVE Mascara, I never leave without at least mascara on! 
8. I LOVE having my back scratched by my husband before bed...I know im spoiled, I almost can't go to sleep with out it!
9. I LOVE bread, mmmmmmmm!!



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