Coming Back After Being on the Bench for a Bit

Today is a big day for me and the rest of the team for MilitaryAvenue! I am able to return from a short time away due to medical issues.  I seriously missed my communication with you our friends on MilitaryAvenue, whether on the site, Facebook or twitter! After being in top health for so many years of flying I never considered the possibility and impact of multiple surgeries, long hospital stays and pain medications. Although, the pain meds have created some great moments of humor for the family, friends and me! Always trying to find a bright spot from a bad thing can be a challenge and I use humor best to help me.  This time I think the "crowd" laughed at me as hard as I laughed at myself while sitting on the bench. The fact that they thought I should avoid writing on the scoreboard said a lot! :) Click on the image of a chat we had one morning to see why I was banned from writing "live" on the site for a while!

But more seriously, I want to say thank you to three groups of folks! I am blessed with a deep faith and despite facing a serious illness I knew I was in God's Hands and I had friends praying for me around the world! From familiar combat zones to South America to all four corners of the US they were there praying for me and wishing me the best. They also held up my bride of 38 years who had to watch through all of this and change bandages, dressings, keep me on schedule for meds, appointments, driving long distances to see specialists, answering the phone a million times, etc, etc. It is not easy to be a caregiver and she excelled (and continues to excel) and kept me smiling too!

The next group I want to say thank you to is the medical staffs that saw me and cared for me! They were there when I needed something and they explained a lot to this guy with a pilot mind set who always wanted to know the status of the "781" (aircraft maintenance records). They took the time to respond to our questions (we always had a list and my care giver kept a small notebook for that very purpose) and explained in terms we could understand the steps we were going to be going through. Yep, we met some folks along the way who might consider a career change but 99% were there for us! I think of specifics such as Dr Green, who announced to me and my bride, that she was a "brat" when we were in a small crisis and she leaned over the table to tell me everything was ok and that I was in good hands! I felt an angel's presence and just relaxed in a way that was not humanly possible.

Two nurses, Joanne and Nancee who worked on the floor where I stayed and made me smile with their kindness! My dietary needs were met but I was having some issues.  One night I asked for a yogurt or a pudding to help me feel better. They brought me one of each and every night after that I knew they had saved me one for a late snack when I needed them! Nurse Becky from one the surgeon's offices was always available to answer the phone and help schedule appointments. She knew we had a long drive and tried to facilitate multiple appointments, labs, xrays, etc. to make it as convenient as possible; knowing that a two plus hour car ride with a post op foot and leg were not easy. Then we met PA Donna who started the whole recovery period by removing staples, drains, etc and gave us an hour of her time to explain everything, in detail what Deb had to do when we got home. These folks are the exact reason why the University of Michigan hospital is ranked so high in the country! They show it every day with their care!

The last group is the team at MilitaryAvenue that kept up with my "duties" while I was on the bench! When you are a small military family company and one member of the team takes a break the rest really have to cover for you! They did and with not a complaint from anyone! In fact, they just pushed ahead harder knowing I was on the disabled list for a bit. One of the other team-members also took some time off to have a baby! Our timing was not exactly the best but what a beautiful grandson we have added during all of this too.

Thank you to our fans and friends! Hope you are having a great start of the fall season and many blessings to all of our service members and their families!

Emotions Run Amuck

Wow, my middle-child started kindergarten this week. Oh dear, sweet *C*. He went from the 'baby' of the family to the middle-child this month after his baby-brother, *L*, was born... and now he is a big kindergartner, getting on the bus and out of my view for 8 hours each day. My emotions have run amuck!

*C* lives in a dream world. I'm not sure if it is the age or the personality but the phrase "Stay on Task" echoes through our house when there are things to be done. It is easy to find him in another part of the house, doing something unrelated to what needs to be happening, after asking him to get his shoes one, help set the table, find soccer clothes... etc etc. Sometimes, if the TV is on, or Legos are being turned into other worlds he has to be spoken to a few times to turn his attention to the speaker. Until he makes eye-contact I really don't think he hears me.

I love him. I love how very different he is then his older brothers, *J* and *E*. I often wonder how this "dream world personality" will influence who he is over the years. Will he out grow it? Will it make him more of a dreamer then his brother *E*, who lives by the rules (classic-first child personality ... his older brother *J* is about 9 years older so in many ways *E* is a first child too). I worry about *C*'s ability to stay on task while in school now. I want him to WOW his teachers. I want them to love him for who he is. So we'll see how this year plays out. Maybe kindergarten will do wonders and with a class room full of 5- and 6-year olders he will take the next step to growing-up; listening, learning, loving the routine.

In the mean time *C*'s wings are spreading. I was so very ready for the school year to start... but as I put him on the bus on Monday, my heart-dropped. He was SO ready! So Very Excited to be getting on the bus and starting a new chapter in life. The bus driver had to call him back so that this momma could get a picture. I hope this enthusiasm remains for years and years to come.

I'm not necessarily ready for him to grow up. Kindergarten now, what's next? Middle School? College? I am watching time zoom by with his older brothers ... So I know what is in store. Maybe it is time for me to sit down, play with legos, and enter his imaginary world for a few moments, before it is gone.

- Leanne from MilitaryAvenue.com

• Remembering when his brother, *E*, started kindergarten: Little Wings
• And really... wasn't this just yesterday? Sitting Back and Taking a DEEP breath

Wordless Wednesday: School Starts Tomorrow!

... and there was much rejoicing.


- Leanne from MilitaryAvenue.com

Your Opinions Matter!

Did you know that as a military-spouse your opinions really do matter! I know sometimes I feel like the Army feels they own my husband and 'our family mission' is definitely not the Army's mission... particularly after they have had him for 8 days in the field and then he is working phone calls at the dinner table within 2 hours of being home. Can we JUST have a meal together as a family. Let the boys tell him about their week, enjoy a sip of wine with his wife, coo over his newborn baby who would like some attention, too?! (Ok, so there really is nothing much relaxing about our dinner table. But in the chaos I find peace.) But I digress...

Back to the fact that our opinion matters... I got my Don't Ask Don't Tell Survey in the mail yesterday. I try to be non-partisan so I won't tell you HOW I'm going to fill it out. But I will tell you I will fill it out. How about you? If you get it take the time to share your opinion. I really think if they didn't want our opinion they wouldn't ask:

• ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Feedback Sought From Spouses

There are other places to share your opinions too. If you are a part of the Navy, Fleet & Family Services wants your opinion (Navy: Take Our Survey - Have a Voice). If you are a Facebook Fan of MilitaryAvenue we want your opinion (More Posts or Less?). There are all sorts of places to express yourself in a positive light, in a productive fashion!

Don't gripe about 'not mattering'! It is your responsibility to share your opinion with those that can make the change, especially when they seek out your opinion!

- Leanne from MilitaryAvenue.com

Taking Care of Yourself!

I have noticed a stream of articles out from the Military community about how important it was for the caregiver, the military spouse, the one holding down the home-front to take care of herself! (or himself!) It's not a new story. We've all known how important it is ... but as military-spouses we know how HARD it can be to do. It is so easy to put the needs of others before our own.

I can't stress it enough! If YOU are not taking care of yourself the whole family will suffer. Yes, you are that important. I have found this to be true in so many cycles of my life. Right now the cycle I'm in includes a newborn. A beautiful boy who relies completely on me for his nutritional needs, who finds great comfort in my arms, who can go from a drunken-sleep slumber to alert and upset in 10 seconds flat if I dare put him down. At 2 weeks old he doesn't understand that sometimes Mom needs to help older brothers or (aghast!) take care of herself!

So yesterday when I decided I NEEDED a shower (for my sake and the sake of those within a two-mile radius of me...) Baby *L* just didn't get the memo. Each time I put him down he screamed bloody murder. I'd pick him back up. Nurse him. He'd fall asleep in less then a minute and I'd put him back down. We did this little 'cycle' for 30 minutes when I decided I needed just 10 minutes; 10 minutes at the most and then I'd feel so much better and able to handle his cuddling-needs. (Yes I was starting to stress over this little 'game' he was playing. And getting frustrated at an infant does nothing to help the situation!)

So I laid him down in a safe place in the bathroom (Yay for 2 week olders that can't roll around) on a soft blanket. He really enjoyed the first 3 minutes. I think the sound of the shower was soothing. But when the crying and wailing started back up I KNEW he was ok. I knew he was safe. I knew he would survive. So I continued my shower knowing sometimes I need me time!

Don't feel guilty about your me-time! Whether you are torn because of your children's needs, the stress of a deployment, or taking care of a wounded-warrior, an ailing parent, or any number of other reasons. Take at *least* 10 to 15 minutes a day to better prepare yourself for the needs of others. I also walk daily - stroller in hand and young ones on bikes in front of me. We go for that walk because *I* need it.

What do you do for stress relief? Does it clear your mind and better prepare you for what is ahead? Here are some great resources to get you on the right track!

• Taking Care of Yourself is NOT Selfish
• Taking Care of Yourself When Your Spouse Has a Combat Stress Injury
• Caring for Yourself While Helping Support Your Service Member
• Ah the sweet relief of a bike ride
• The Importance of Friendship during Deployment

- Leanne from MilitaryAvenue.com

Moments made and not forgotten

Sweet Baby Boy Love

2 weeks old and already has stolen my heart!

Sleepy 10am naps in a baby swing

Smiley gas bubbles

Nursing moments, minutes turn to hours, that I hold so very dearly

Arms and legs moving on their own accord

Tiny Toes for 'This Little Piggy'

Little hands grasping my fingers with all their might

My husband interacting with his youngest son, the product of an unfailing love

Sweet little pajamas on, swaddled up in a blanket

Bedtime snuggling on my chest

I may be sleep deprived, bleary-eyed, and a bit out of sorts ... but there is nothing that can describe this kind of love!


- Leanne from MilitaryAvenue.com

Tasty Tuesday Dress Me Up Salsa Pico De Gallo

Salsa is a staple at our house, and has been for years. Tell me... WHO can live without tortilla chips and salsa? Or quesadillas with salsa? The occasional late night nachos with salsa? You get the picture. I used to have a truck load pumped into the house... back 'er up and fill the tank. Well, not really, but if felt like that. I would wipe out a whole shelf in the commissary each time I went.
So, naturally after canning a gazillion tomatoes the light bulb went off as to how to use these red beauties and the first thought: Salsa.
There are several recipes for this mainstay, here is my first thought, true blue, lip smacking good salsa experience. I call it "Dress Up" as I do not like to add the onions to a large amount as the flavor can take over, the same holds true with the garlic. So, I get to play in the kitchen before serving this to company, or to Dale and I as we head downstairs to watch a movie and 'mange mange mange'.
Dress Me Up Salsa Pico De Gallo
Makes 4 cups
1 quart jar of canned tomatoes, drained
2 jalapeno peppers,seeds removed, minced
1/4 c cucumber, peeled, seeds removed, chopped
1 banana pepper, seeds removed, chopped
1/4 c lime juice
1/4 loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1/4 t chili powder
1/2 t salt
1/8 t black pepper

Drain the tomatoes and save the liquid for a soup, or to add to other vegetables later. Combine all ingredients in a pint jar and refrigerate for later! Just before using, if desired, add 1 T finely chopped red or white onion, and 1/8 t garlic powder, or 1 clove of minced garlic.
I think you will find this a repeatable recipe!