Yesterday I had the privilege to attend the Memorial Service of a member of my Battalion. I had only met this individual once or twice so I can't say that I knew him well. During the ceremony I sat directly behind his mother and sister. As his fellow soldiers and friends walked to the front and talked about what a wonderful person he was I began to wonder what would be said if I was the one who's picture was standing before this crowd.
As a mother this was one of the hardest things to watch. How can you even imagine what it is like to bury your child? He was about to become a father to a little girl. He was great at this job and he loved it. It sounded like he had a perfect life. Then 8 weeks ago he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. 8 weeks! He went home, spent time with his family and then he was gone. He'll never know what it feels like to hold his first child in his arms. To look into her eyes as he walks her down the aisle on her wedding day. Never be able to grow old with the woman he has loved since high school. His life was cut so short.
Even though I didn't know this man I was overcome with emotion at all of these thoughts. For the sake of professionalism I kept my composure. However, when his mother walked up for the last salute ( this is at the end of a military memorial where you walk up to the front of the alter at the chapel and there are a pair of boots, a rifle with your dog tags and a helmet). His mother fell down sobbing and kissed his boots. It was all I could do to keep it together. A mother should never have to bury her child.
This will be a reminder for some time to come that every day is precious - so love the ones around you and make the most of every opportunity. You never know when your last day is.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Rough Road to Recovery
I am so thankful every day that our kids are able to have a full time stay at home parent. Children who have multiple babysitters/go to day care catch so many illnesses. I see it every day with the people I work with every day. We have been exceptionally blessed by few illnesses in the last two years for both of our monsters. However, right after spring break both of our kids came down with fevers, HORRIBLE hacking coughs, and now runny/stuffy noses. Both kids had low grade fevers for 5 days straight before broke down and made a Doctor's appointment. The only reason Baleigh has been to the DR since she was born was for shots earlier this year and a physical to get them approved for some Army activities. Thor has only been a handfull of times and they were all updating shots related.
The Doctor was super pleasant and the kids were really cooperative when she needed them to breathe a certain way or say "AAAGH". She explained that they both had viral bronchitis probably caught from another kid around them. She explained that antibiotics don't work for this kind of illness and that the kids would be contagious until their symptoms subsided in a couple of weeks.
Baleigh has been coughing so hard the past few days that she has vomited on a couple of occasions and Thor is walking around looking haggard due to the broken blood vessels in his eyes. He is so miserable and hates the taste of cough medicine so he won't take it.
Neither of them has been sleeping well and wake up coughing multiple times during the night. I haven't had this much sleep deprivation since OCS (or when we had two babies) lol. The worse part of it is when I have to leave for work. We usually have a pleasant good bye thing going on- I tell them I have to go and they run to the door with at least one stuffed animal each and I give good bye hugs and kisses to everyone and am on my way. The last week has been full of crying and clinging to my leg and begging me not to go because they will "miss me" or they "need me" to stay home. It breaks my heart and reminds me how blessed we have been to have such healthy kids on a consistent basis.
The Doctor was super pleasant and the kids were really cooperative when she needed them to breathe a certain way or say "AAAGH". She explained that they both had viral bronchitis probably caught from another kid around them. She explained that antibiotics don't work for this kind of illness and that the kids would be contagious until their symptoms subsided in a couple of weeks.
Baleigh has been coughing so hard the past few days that she has vomited on a couple of occasions and Thor is walking around looking haggard due to the broken blood vessels in his eyes. He is so miserable and hates the taste of cough medicine so he won't take it.
Neither of them has been sleeping well and wake up coughing multiple times during the night. I haven't had this much sleep deprivation since OCS (or when we had two babies) lol. The worse part of it is when I have to leave for work. We usually have a pleasant good bye thing going on- I tell them I have to go and they run to the door with at least one stuffed animal each and I give good bye hugs and kisses to everyone and am on my way. The last week has been full of crying and clinging to my leg and begging me not to go because they will "miss me" or they "need me" to stay home. It breaks my heart and reminds me how blessed we have been to have such healthy kids on a consistent basis.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Spring Break in Texas #2!
Last Monday Jake's younger brother Adam and his son Wylie came to visit for a few days. After a huge hassle with the rental car company Jake went down to Austin to pick them up in our trusty Prius.
Tuesday I met them at the park over lunch and from there we headed to a local Mexican restaurant. I have to say having a not-quite-two-year-old around made me love and appreciate how big my kids are getting. : ) I had forgotten how much work baby/toddlers are.
Highlights of the week were going to the 1st CAV Museum on post and letting the kids run around. Wylie was impressed with all the "tractor airplanes" aka helicopters.
We also went up to the Waco Zoo on St Patty's day for an all "green" day. We got to see many of the animals be very active and learn from their keepers alot about habitat preservation. The best part of the day was the Orangutan interaction. Thor is very interested in Orangutans right now so we spent a long time watching them.
On Friday morning we went to the Topsy Exotic Ranch and experienced a safari. We had taken the kids to one of these when we lived in Georgia and Baleigh was absolutely terrified of the animals. This time she loved throwing food out the window to the deer, and goats. Wylie was very excited to see a "drama llama" (one of his favorite stories) and have it eat out of his daddy's hand. He was also a big fan of the zebras. Jake let a Watusi (an African Bull with GIANT horns) give him a big ol' unexpected kiss. He wasn't a fan.
Friday afternoon we went down to Austin to try out the river walk - after making a pit stop at Galaxy Cupcakes in Georgetown. South X Southwest was going on so we didn't end up stopping as it was closing in on several midget's bed times. We found a hotel with vacancies - got two of their last three rooms and then headed out for some Tex-Mex food.
Early Saturday morning Jake took Adam and Wylie to the airport for their flight home and the Texas Nielsen's were home in Killeen by 9AM. We all crashed and took naps in the afternoon. I think that was my favorite part of Spring break 2011. Its always nice to have a weekend to recover from your vacation. : )
Tuesday I met them at the park over lunch and from there we headed to a local Mexican restaurant. I have to say having a not-quite-two-year-old around made me love and appreciate how big my kids are getting. : ) I had forgotten how much work baby/toddlers are.
On Friday morning we went to the Topsy Exotic Ranch and experienced a safari. We had taken the kids to one of these when we lived in Georgia and Baleigh was absolutely terrified of the animals. This time she loved throwing food out the window to the deer, and goats. Wylie was very excited to see a "drama llama" (one of his favorite stories) and have it eat out of his daddy's hand. He was also a big fan of the zebras. Jake let a Watusi (an African Bull with GIANT horns) give him a big ol' unexpected kiss. He wasn't a fan.
Friday afternoon we went down to Austin to try out the river walk - after making a pit stop at Galaxy Cupcakes in Georgetown. South X Southwest was going on so we didn't end up stopping as it was closing in on several midget's bed times. We found a hotel with vacancies - got two of their last three rooms and then headed out for some Tex-Mex food.
Early Saturday morning Jake took Adam and Wylie to the airport for their flight home and the Texas Nielsen's were home in Killeen by 9AM. We all crashed and took naps in the afternoon. I think that was my favorite part of Spring break 2011. Its always nice to have a weekend to recover from your vacation. : )
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Circus Gatti
Last night we went to Circus Gatti over in Belton. The kids and I have never been to a circus so we were so excited! We met friends Sarah and Erin there to enjoy the show. Prior to the actual event beginning elephant and pony rides were offered. I took the kids down to give it a shot. Thor wanted to ride an elephant and LOVED every second of it. I was so proud of him going up there all by himself and being so brave. Baleigh wanted to ride a pony. When we got to the ponies Thor wanted a ride too. He jumped on like a champ but Baleigh was a little hesitant. I explained that the pony wouldn't hurt her as long as she wasn't scared. Her whole body stiffened up when I picked her up to get on it though. The second she got in the saddle she grabbed onto that saddle horn and held on for dear life. After a few seconds she relaxed and was so empowered by the whole experience that she then thought she could get an elephant ride. I said no to that request- maybe next time.
The kids both got light sticks from one of the vendors as well. Thor chose a blue light saber and Bean got a princess like scepter that she LOVES! IT was a joy to get to watch them have so much fun. Every time we get an opportunity like this I feel like we can't pass it up. I want them to have a bank full of fun memories for next year when I'm not there to share their day to day lives.
The kids both got light sticks from one of the vendors as well. Thor chose a blue light saber and Bean got a princess like scepter that she LOVES! IT was a joy to get to watch them have so much fun. Every time we get an opportunity like this I feel like we can't pass it up. I want them to have a bank full of fun memories for next year when I'm not there to share their day to day lives.
This is Bean's version of the peace sign
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