Independence Day Weekend

So, it's Independence Day weekend.  The Fourth of July has special meaning for this family.  My DH is retired Army and has served in two wars, the Gulf War and Iraq.  And we don't take any freedoms for granted here.  There are certain days throughout the year that I know to leave DH alone because he is still battling his demons from the wars.  But then, there are days that I need to pay more attention to him, and it takes practice to walk that fine line and know the difference. 

Yesterday, even though he was really tired, he had to get up early because of the headache from the hydrocephalus.  Until they put another shunt in, the fluid builds up.  The only way to relieve the pressure is for him to sit up and let the fluid "drain".  So, poor DH had to wake up early to get rid of a headache.  Thank you Army and Iraq. 

So, what are we going to do this weekend.  Probably not much as it's rainy here in East Texas.  We practice safety here, so we're not even going to risk going to the lake.  We might bar-b-que!  Of course,  since this is Monster's "first" (we don't count last year because he was so little we didn't take him anywhere) Fourth of July, I am going to go get some fireworks.  Just a few to set off here in the yard, and since the ground is wet, we don't have to worry about dry grass.  I will probably craft this weekend and DH will most likely work on homework and extra credit for his classes.

Well, so now I've told you what I'm doing for the Fourth of July, what are your plans? Please leave a comment if you would like!

HUGZ

Rayovac Powers your Summer Promotion!

So, it's officially SUMMER!  Not my favorite season, but great for fishing and camping!  So, with that in mind, what are you going to do this Summer?  Me...Well, since Monster is over one year old now, we definitely have fishing and camping on the list.  And with the fishing and camping comes....BATTERIES!! Yep, you should always take some spare, you never know when that flashlight will accidentally be left on (has happened to me.)  So, now I found this great contest from Rayovac Batteries.  Yep, I've entered!  Even though we have a tent, it was bought when we were still childless and now need a bigger one.  So, from June 21 to July 20, all you have to do is go and answer the daily question.  Not that bad, huh? 

Also, you guys know I'm a fan of Twitter parties, and guess what??? There's a Twitter party coming up!  Here's the details: 
Rayovac Powers Your Vacation Summer Promotion Twitter Event
Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Time: 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. CST

Location: #rayovac

Follow: @Rayovac_Battery, @5minutesformom, @CirclePRMary
 
This twitter party is hosted by @5minutesformom and @Rayovac_Battery so come join in the fun for some great prizes ranging from a Summer supply of batteries from Rayovac Batteries to $50 Target Gift Cards.  I hope to see you there!
 
Marci

**The first 99 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Powers Your Summer Promotion won a prize package from Rayovac.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!!!  I truely hope all my dads out there have a wonderful day and get to relax all day.  With that said, I also want to remind you guys that there are dads that are not around for whatever reason, and we should think of them also.  Growing up on an Army base, it was a given that not all soldiers were home for all holidays.  So, when you're enjoying your Bar-B-Que today, or relaxing by the pool, or watching sports, remember that there are some that could not be with their kids today and to say a prayer for their continued safety. 

I am Thankful that my husband is retired!  He gets to see the moments with Monster that he missed with his grils.  The first steps, the wonder of his first day in his pool, the everyday learning that goes with having a toddler. 

I had already gotten my husband his Father's Day gift and card, but yesterday I asked him what he wanted anyway.  He looked at me with all seriousness and said, my Father's Day present is sitting in the high chair and that's all I want.  You see, this time last year, Monster was a month old and still very fragile, and we weren't sure about his future because he was premature, so there really wasn't a Father's Day celebration. 

So, my DH gets to sleep in today, his coffee is being made now for when he wakes up, and I'm keeping Monster quiet until he does wake up.

Even if you're not a father yet, or your father has passed, or you never knew him, please remember this special day, because you dads do a lot that we don't often say "Thank You" for!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

The Things You Miss

You never know what you've got until it's gone...isn't that what they say.  I'm feeling a big melancholy today because I realize that my DH isn't as strong as either of us would like to believe.  They now want him to walk with a cane to help with the unsteadiness, and I hope this is only temporary.  To think, less than five years ago we were carefree and doing everything.  Now, it's work a little, rest a lot.  I've always been on the frail side and pushed myself to the limits, but I know my limitations and when I get there.  It hurts me to watch DH try to go past his limitations and then hurt more later.  I'm angry that the VA will not admit that this is a WAR INJURY!  I'm angry that we have to fight to get the benefits that he deserves!  I'm angry that my youthful, energetic husband has to work hard just to do the little things.  It's not fair...he has a one year old little boy, we should be playing outside with him everyday and going to the lake and going to the park and fishing and all the other things that little boys should do with their daddy's.  Instead, Little Monster plays inside on the floor with his daddy. 

We're working around the limitations of this family, but still, why should we have to fight for the benefits for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from Iraq, the Traumatic Brain Injury, the effects of having a loved one that still has part of his soul thousands of miles away.  I miss the man I fell in love with, happy and carefree, who used to laugh often.  Now, it's different...the signs are subtle, and if you didn't know him before the war you wouldn't notice that much, but I KNOW.

I guess it's because it's that kind of day...it was beautiful and sunny outside and we really couldn't do anything.  Our goal for this week, even though it's a small goal, it to go to the park and maybe take the boat to the lake to just go out on the water.  I hope we can make that goal!