A Care Package For Me!

So by now I am more then used to care packages, and I think I am a pretty darn good care package sender.  However, I am usually not the one on the receiving end.  So on Thursday when a box showed up in the mail for me, and I opened it to find a pretty little care package I was super excited!  About a month or so ago I joined a group on Facebook called Operation Homefront's Wounded Warrior Wives , and then went to their website and signed up as well.  They send out care packages to all their new members in order to show some appreciation to the women who stand behind our nation's wounded.  It is so nice to find an organization that supports and represents us, cause I feel like to many times the caregivers and supporters can be pushed to the way side.  Anyways, the package came at such a good time.  I didn't necessarily have a bad week, but it was a long week.  For the first time since my husband was injured, I went back to work full-time (I was unemployed from Sept.26, 2010-Aug.22, 2011).  It is an adjustment trying to get back into the swing of things, especially when you're a preschool teacher.  It is very rewarding but definitely a demanding job.  So by Thursday night all I wanted to do was put on my PJs and mope around, so this little surprise perked me up and gave me the oomph I needed to get through Friday :)



This quote was inside the card, I absolutely love it and it totally made me tear up.  I hope this quote can sum up how my wounded warrior feels about my support of him!

♥ Because you love me I have much acheived, Had you despised me then I must have failed, But since I knew you trusted and believed, I could not disappoint you and so prevailed. - Paul Laurence Dunbar ♥

Military Ball

Last week the hubby came in town for our unit's welcome home ball.  It was so nice to get to go and see everyone.  especially since many it was the first time he had seen since being injured, and many others who will be PCSing soon and going separate ways.  It was a nice ball, we had over 900 people there!  It was packed.  One of the best parts of the evening was my husband being presented his Bronze Star in front of me and all his men.  Right before they presented the wounded warriors their awards, two of our Gold Star family members were there and were recognized.  It was so emotional and the entire time I tried looking up at the ceiling so tears would not come out.  So by the time they got to calling my husband up for his award I couldn't help but break into tears.  Just so many emotions filled me at that moment.  I even made one of the guys at our table cry! He looked at me and said "Thanks Angela, you made me shed one tear".  I can say, I am so thankful to have him there being awarded rather then being one of the Gold Star families.  My heart goes out to them always!  Overall, it was a great night and I will always remember it.  no matter where we all end up, this is the unit my husband was with for his first 4 years of service, and the friendships we have made with some of these people will last forever.  I am proud to have been a part of this unit!

The Bronze Star is awarded for bravery, acts if merit, or meritorious service.  It is the 4th highest combat award, and the 9th highest overall military award.  He was noted for the demeanor he maintained after being injured, which helped maintain his soldiers and allow first responders to act efficiently.  Also noted were his tactical competency, courage, both physical and mental toughness, and his dedication to duty (among other things)  I AM VERY PROUD OF HIM and believe that this award was much deserved:

A few pics from the ball:

On a side note, yesterday marked the one year anniversary that we lost a friend.  He gave the ultimate sacrifice and was gone at an age far too young.  Millet, I just want you to know that you meant a lot to the guys you served with.  I know the love they feel for you and how much you are missed.  I know you continue to shine down and watch over everyone, and I just want to thank you again for answering the call and laying your life on the line.  You are appreciated and will never be forgotten.

♥ It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protestor to burn the flag. ♥

The Halo Is Off!

So it's official, the halo ex fix is off my husband's right leg.  It was put on in November, and yesterday he got it removed.  They projected it would be on for 14 months, and it came off in 9 months.  He did such a good job making sure he ate his eggs, drank his milk, watched the number of sodas he drank (with the help of the "over bearing wife", but always in his best interest!) and the fact he isn't a smoker or much of a drinker helped too.  I am happy because that marked the last surgery he would have to have (I lost count long ago of how many surgeries he's had).  Plus it's a big step in recovery and being a step closer to getting the heck out of BAMC!  Not to mention it will make snuggling much easier, and I no longer will wake up with a big metal object crushing my leg!  Now if only they could get on top of making his other prosthetic legs (which is taking much longer then it should!).

I am so thankful to have this good news, because it was a saving grace for me.  I had a really rough week (partly due to some issues the WTB at BAMC has created, sorry for being vague but I don't want to go into deatils).  Plus the events of this past year are finally really catching up to me I think.  I have been at my stress thresh hold for almost a year now, and have just been trucking along.  However, I think operating under so much stress can only last so long before it all finally begins to spill over.  Apparently I am at that point.  The simplest things send me over that "thresh hold" and overwhelm me, making my emotions burst out uncontrollably.  I have cried almost every day, and one day I made a record of crying about 5 separate times!  I feel like I am some emotional basket case somedays.  Simple things (a song, a place, a random thought) can spark a 15 minute blubber fest of sobbing.  Undereye de-puffing creme has become my best friend in the mornings.  Then there is the fact that I can not even remember the last time I actual slept through an entire night.  Weeks or months, who knows.  At my doctor's appointment I was asked how long my sleep has been irregular, hmmm since last August when my husband deployed.  Wow, a year of poor sleep.  No wonder I have a coffee addiction!  My goal this weekend is to go buy brand new fluffy pillows and some melatonin, time to conquer this sleeping thing!

I need as much positive thoughts/energy sent my way.  A hope for nothing but good news from now on, for nothing but steps in the right direction for us.  Better sleeping, less stress, more laughing, less crying.  Because I am not sure this gal can operate in emotional overdrive much longer!  Which is why I am also glad football preseason has begun.  And since my Broncos are playing, I think it is time to wrap up this blog to focus on the game :)

♥ If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress. ♥

Hectic Week Ahead

So it has been 10 months since my husband was injured, I quit work, and left for TX.  I am finally going to be getting back to work full time in a few weeks, however my boss has asked me to do a few days here and there until then.  Then, I have been trying to get into the doctor for my yearly for a few weeks.  I had to reschedule due to the monthly visitor, and then I spent all morning trying to reschedule again to work around my work schedule.  Between two doctor's offices (my PCM and the OB office) it was nearly impossible.  Apparently doctor's offices are extremely busy this time of year!  Then, the fact my doctor's office and where I work are an hour-hour in a half away from each other, you can imagine how complicated making an appointment became.  So I am working Tursday-Thursday this week.  On Wednesday I have a doctor appointment in CO Springs in the morning then head to work in Denver right after. 

The hubby gets in town next Tuesday (YAY!) for a few days for our Military Ball.  So I also need to pick up his Class A top from alterations, make myself a hair appointment, and grab a few other things.  This ball has crept up on me, I keep thinking it's a few weeks away and it's next week! I am going to be busy all week, but I am happy.  This crazy, always on the go schedule is what I am used to.  So as long as I get my morning coffee every day, I should be good to go!  And hopefully my sleep is better this week, because this constant waking up and tossing and turning all night is getting old!

On a side note, I am highly annoyed with BAMC.  My husband got back there a few weeks ago and he has yet to see Ortho or workout at the CFI at all.  His physical therapist had a baby and they failed to assign him to someone else, so he hasn't gotten to do anything or see a prosthesis to get more legs.  Legs he should have already gotten.  His ex-fix is still on the right leg, and it should have came off weeks ago.  I do not understand what they do down there, cause from my point of view it looks a lot like nothing!  I am getting frustrated beyond belief at that place, and most of these issues (if not all) are a direct result of having a crappy case manager.  She is useless and has done nothing to help us.  We have had to find stuff out all on our own, and she tries to give us information we know is not accurate or correct.  I think it is about time they get on top of stuff, take the ex-fox off, get him his other prosthetic legs, and let him leave and do the MEB at Carson.  I am over the games they play there, and my patience is wearing thin.

♥ Our duty is to be useful, not according to our desires but according to our powers. ♥

What a View

Last Saturday I went down to Colorado Springs for a friend of mine's birthday get together.  As I was driving I couldn't help but to snap a picture.  Gotta love Colorado :)

Blog Day & First Date Day

So today is the one year mark since I started my blog.  It began as just a simple hobby to help pass the time while my husband was deployed, and turned into so much more. It became a great source to keep family and friends updated about my husband and I, as we began the journey of rehab and recovery.  And most importantly it became an outlet for me.  A way to express my thoughts and my feelings, and very therapeutic in many ways.  I am so happy I started blogging, and I plan to keep it up for a long time to come :)

Another reason today is special is because it is my husband and I's 3 year "first date anniversary".  Three years ago today, I went on a date with him while he was home on R&R from Iraq.  We had dinner at Olive Garden (which is why it is still one of our favorite date night places).  I remember being so nervous the whole time.  I thought he was just so handsome, and I didn't want him to think I was lame ;)  I even scared him with my highway driving.  Really it wasn't me, it was the fact that the only "vehicle" he had really been in the last several months was a tank!  Anyways, if on that date you would have asked me what I thought may come of it, I could have never imagined.  The last three years have been a roller coaster.  We have had plenty of ups and downs.  Moments that were amazing and moments that were very tough.  We have made it through both the obstacles of his injury and one's in our personal relationship.  I am happy we went on that date, and am happy to have him in my life.  So here's to us, and to hoping the next 3 years are even better!

And just because I think it's so sweet, here is my husband's facebook status from today...

"Few years ago i met a girl on mid tour that i dated a few times that was as nice, genuine, gorgeous and loyal as they come... two tours, some serious ups and downs and a leg later she has been my wife just over a year and is still the backbone of my life and support and stuck around through it all. thanks for taking a chance on some random pfc in the army then angela champion. love you"

♥The moment we choose to love we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others. That action is the testimony of love as the practice of freedom. ♥