Thursday, November 10, 2011

veteran's day...



Veteran's Day is a very important day for Ben and I. It is a day where we get to remember even more those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives to serve us and their country and to those who are still serving! We have the amazing priviledge to honor them and give them our thanks for all they do and are doing.

I want to honor Ben first and for most. I am a lil biased! Ben has gone beyond the call of duty and has put in his full effort to everything he has done or asked to do and that goes to this day as well. He has been honored, awarded and in all of that remained humble! Ben continues to live that same life today and continues to fulfill the line in the Ranger Creed that he will "never surrendur!" I am so proud of him, always will be!

Ben has lost alot of buddies, wives have lost husbands, husbands have lost wives, kids have lost parents, parents have lost children...to much loss and some too soon but they are honored and will continue to be.

Please join us in continuing to honor every man and woman that has and still is serving us! They need it and don't need to be forgotten!

I wanted to list a few companies that are offering free things or specials in honor of Veterans Day...

Applebee’s - free meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Last year, Applebee’s served 1,024,000 million free meals to military veterans and active service members. Applebee’s is again offering a free meal to military veterans and active-duty service members on Veteran’s Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. There

Krispy Kreme ‘s Free Doughnut. Available only at participating Krispy Kreme stores. Offer available to all active-duty, retirees & veterans on Friday Nov 11th.

Famous Dave’s: Free Meal on TUESDAY, Nov. 8, 2011. They remain a strong supporter of military service and will provide a free meal to all personnel providing proof of service. Contact your local Famous Dave’s to confirm their participation. Go to www.famousdaves.com for more information.

Outback Steakhouses A week of Free Bloomin’ Onion and Cokes , Monday Nov. 7 to Friday, Nov. 11. Outback Steakhouse is honoring America’s military veterans by offering active duty military and veterans a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola product during the week leading up to Veteran’s Day.

Subway ‘s Free Six Inch Sub. Select Subway locations offer a FREE six inch sub to military veterans on Veteran’s Day. However, Subway restaurants are franchises, so this offer may not be available everywhere. **Please call ahead.

Chili’s - free meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of 6 meals.

Golden Corral ‘s Free meal, Monday Nov. 14: The 10th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner will be held on Monday, Nov 14, 2011 from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral Restaurants nationwide. The free thank you dinner is available to any person who has ever served in the United
States Military.

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants ‘s free lunch or dinner, Sunday Nov 13, 2011: McCormick & Schmick’s is celebrating their 13th annual Veteran’s Appreciation Event on Sunday, Nov 13th. Veterans will be able to choose a complimentary lunch or dinner entrĂ©e.

Home Depot and Lowes Military - Updates:
Home Depot and Lowes offer a 10% Military Discount Every day for all active duty personnel, reservists, national guard, retired military, and their families.

Big Gunz Clothing – Customers will receive 10% off their purchase and also Big Gunz will donate 10% to the Wounded Warrior Project. This sale starts Nov 10 and will go through Nov 14th.

***on the food offerings please check with your local spot as not all places are offering these items***

Monday, November 7, 2011

hard work and junk salvation...



We had a very busy weekend but a super fun weekend! I guess it really started when we again went to my lil brothers football game. Yes, I post on here all the time about going but we love it! Ben played football and I grew up to my dad coaching and brothers playing so it is in our blood! Not to mention since he won his first playoff game 41-0 that we are going to the state playoffs! His game will be here next Sat so we of course will be going. Ben and I went to REI this past Friday too and when were there we picked up one of those bleacher seats to see it it would work for Ben. Our bleachers stink...flat metal benches. Anyways, Ben lasted for about 20 min before it got uncomfortable and wiggly. My niece took the photo below before he got back into his wheelchair which has an great comfy cusion!


{handsome man}

Saturday I was invited by my friend Kim, who started following our blog just a few months after the accident, to go to "Junk Salvation" presented by the Funky Junk Sisters! Kim has gone the past few years and she got me in on the event! All I can say is that I was in heaven! I loved it! It wasn't like a bazzar or craft fair but more just updated shappy chic, vintage, retro, cool stuff! I am for sure going to have to go back when they do it again in May! I picked up a few things that I am going to have to invest some TLC to! Some things to do in this wretched cold weather!


{kim and i}

{so appropriate for ben's night stand}

{old letter from a sign}

{scored a $30 door}

{it sits here until i paint it and hang a christmas wreath in it}

Sunday we went to church and it was good. We were late...uhhggg...but I have a good excuse! There was a race going on and they of course ran through a round-a-bout which stopped all traffic and the cops would only let one car through at a time...me no likey! We got there and it was a good service. Ben of course sang loud again and it warms my heart!
We came home and rested for a bit and then took off for a baby shower! It was so fun because it was couples and I got to see alot of people I had not seen in awhile. Ben did as well and it was so good for him! We had a delicious dinner followed by gifts and tasty treats. At one point while opening gifts I leaned over to Ben and asked if he was ok and his whispered response was, "this is boring!" Ha, he said baby showers are for girls! I later told my friend and she laughed too...she tried to get her husband to help open presents but he wasn't really having it either! Let's just say Ben will prob want to escape the house if we ever have a baby shower (excuse me...when) but I might be able to lure him back for some good food!

Today was to be a full day but ended up being a chill day for the afternoon. We got up and I don't know what hit me but I was in cleaning mode! I swept, mopped, cleaned and a bunch more things! Ben had speech this am and then we got a call saying his OT was going to be canceled because his OT had a kidney stone removed on Sunday that he wasn't expecting. We ended up chilling and I did a bit more cleaning. At one point Ben and Diesel were passed out on the couch and I wish that I could have done the same thing!

I wanted to show you a few videos of one of Ben's last PT sessions. He has been working with a ne PT for about a month now and has really been working with Ben on his balance adn core strength. She started integrating an exercise ball and doing alot of new things. There was a point in Ben's therapies, not to long after the accident, that they were doing ball work with him but when they did it he was leaning against it with someone behind him, one in front and one on the side. Now he is sitting on the ball and balancing with one person! She also has been doing some things with it on Ben's back. His core is pretty much the weakest part of his body and as it gets stonger he can do alot more things! The things she is having him do used to be so super easy for him and his abs had no problem being strong...I can attest to that! Ben does stuff in small counts these days and in the video you might here him grunting because he is working SO hard!





I had a few other videos of Ben's walking with the railing outside but for some reason they wouldn't send from my phone! I did snap this photo as he was doing some shoulder stretching with the door frame and he looked so good! I am not talking about his balancing or his position but just his face and the way he looks! Kindof very close to who he was...i LOVE it! I thank the Lord always that Ben still has his handsome appearance and that the Lord saved him from having scars and any other facial issues! His muscles are weak in parts of his face which affects things but for the most part he still has his amazingly handsome face!



and I will end on this note...our snuggles tonight! Have I mentioned that I LOVE this man...


Thursday, November 3, 2011

first product review...

I was sent a lovely pair of sandals in the mail for me to wear and review! This is the first product review I have ever done and it was fun to get the package in the mail and do my own lil test!



I like these shoes! I had them sitting by my front door for a few days and everyone who has come through has mentioned how cute they are! I would probably pair them with some jeans so the bling pops out from underneath or with a cute sundress! They are comfy and fit really well to the foot! fibi & clo have some other lovely pairs to choose from as well!

fibi & clo is an exclusive direct sales company that offers sandals and accessories. They are based in Texas but they design the shoes in New York City. They sell the sandals for $45 at at-home parties and online only. fibi & clo has turned down offers by department stores and high end boutiques to carry their sandals. They have agreed to partner with AAFES because they respect the armed forces, also they have agreed to offer the sandals at a discounted price of $34.99. They are only offered online to members of the armed forces and their immediate family, and AAFES offers free shipping! The latest style to be featured online is the Turquoise Sun. You can
check out the shoes on their website: fibi & clo

No promotion code is needed for their shoes so head over to AAFES.COM and start looking at their cute products!


*No compensation was received for the writing of this post, and this post reflects my own personal opinions.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

anniversary days...



"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love never fails...but love will last forever" I Cor 13:4-8...

Thank you for all of your sweet anniversary comments on here, text messages, phone calls and facebook comments! It made our day even more special and we are truly blessed by y'all!

People asked me if Ben and I were going to go out and celebrate our anniversary by going to a show, out to dinner or what have you. We really didn't plan anything but it ended up being an eventful last few days! I didn't really want to plan anything because I was just so happy that we were together at home! Not in a hospital like the last two years but at home and lovin it! We were just fine with this!

Wednesday Ben had his massage scheduled for the afternoon and I decided that I would schedule one in as well. I hadn't had one in a few months so it was about time! There are not two massage therapists so we just went singly. I asked Ben who he wanted to go first and he said, "you, because you need it more!" I was fine with this. We brought his ipad so he could play games while I got mine. Oh my goodness...I was in pain! I knew going into it that it was going to be uncomfortable because they are not swedish massages yet deep tissue...in which I needed. Lets just say that she hit some very tight spots!
Ben was up next and she got him just as good as me! At one point the therapist and I were talking and Ben let us know that we were "cackling to much" and could we please just let him enjoy his massage like I got to enjoy mine...well la ti da! I was laughing...quitely of course!

Right after our massages we were going to meet up with some friends that we met at the VA in Cali because they were in town! I had told Ben earlier in the day that we were going to meet up with them and a few times that day he kept saying, "I wonder how Cale is doing?" Ben doesn't really remember alot of Cali but he remembers Cale and the few times we have seen them and been in contact with them since coming home! We looked drab and relaxed (or sore) after our massage but they accepted us! We went to the Rock pizza and that place is so good! Their brown sugar bread is to die for and yes Ben and I ate alot!




Thursday, actual anniversary, Ben had speech therapy in the morning and I hit the treadmill which was much needed! His physical therapist ended up canceling that afternoon so we did some work on reading, playing with Diesel and just hanging out. That evening my lil brother had his last football game which happened to be senior night and homecoming. They won, well better yet they laid the smack down! I think the score was 52-6! It was a good game and they are 2nd in their league so they are off to the play-offs this coming Friday! Ben is in his element when he is at these games! He loves it and is updating me on all the things that are going on!

Ben and I surprised each other with some gifts. You know that day my lil bro took him to lunch, well it was through a drive through and then to the mall to pick something out! Ben told my brother every thing he wanted to get and did the picking! It was so fun to hear all about it when he gave it to me! I have to say he upped me on the gifts this year...stinker! In the oast we haven't done anything big so I wasn't really expecting much which was fine because we were together! Well, he ended getting me a Coach purse, some lip gloss and another lil something! It was fun and it was perfect!
I made him a poster candy board letter! It was fun to make it for him! He got socks too because he needed them! Whenever he puts them on now though because he will know even more how much I love him!
Another thing that Ben surpised me with that actually came in the mail Wednesday was a card that he designed with his ST. He picked out the pics he wanted to use and also the words that he wanted to say! Super sweet and he kept it a secret for over 2 weeks and when it came he told me all about how he had made it!






{yeah i know we look like were 14}

**no time for photo editing tonight or just pure laziness!**

Friday we had the majority of off. We again chilled, spent time doing some therapy on our own and playing more and working with Diesel! Later that afternoon we had a neurology appointment on post. It was ok, I didn't get all of the answers I wanted or things I wanted to hear. Ben did great so that was good.

Saturday it was cleaning day for me! How this house goes to shambles with only me moving around beats me! One hour it is clean and the next, stuff all over! I don't like mess but sometimes it is so hard to keep up with it so this was a catch up morning! There was some football watching and naps in there for Ben! Later that afternoon we went to the nephews last soccer game. They lost but it was one of the best ones both boys had played all season!
Shortly after the game we headed over to our friends house to make grilled pizza and watch a movie. Well we got to watching the Stanford football game and we got hooked on it...so good! When a game goes into triple over time you have to watch to see the results! Ben got to hold sweet baby Z and he loved it!



Today, Sunday, we went to church and it was so good! I told Ben that Pastor B was going to be preaching and he wanted to go to the main service so he could see him! It was a really good service and belted out some songs! We got to see alot of people we haven't seen in some time and Pastor B! He loves Pastor B because before the accident when we were dating and shortly after we were married Ben would chat alot with him because he used to be a Navy Seal. They had alot in common even though their years of service were at completely differnt times! It was so good for him!
Later tonight we went to my sisters house for dinner and Starwars. The boys are going to be starwars people (can you tell i know nothing of starwars) for tomorrow so they have been getting caught up on the movies! It was cute because when we got there they all bolted out in their costumes. Ben was able to name off all the costumes as I stood there saying that looks so cool! Ben ended up falling asleep during the movie and since the last few days had been so busy we headed home to get some rest!

The last few days have been so good. No, they are not what we want them to be but they are good, we are alive, we have each other and we are happy. Thank you Lord for this...there is no one else to thank...He has allowed this and we are going to live our His plan EVEN though I would have it so differntly!
I got this from a lady whose husband was drastically injured overseas I think about 4 years ago. She has been caring for him ever since and he has not uttered a word to her and is not able to do what Ben has been blessed to be able to do. Their story reminds me everyday that we are blessed and have alot to be grateful for. It doesn't take this tragedy away or make my pain any less but it does make me alot more thankful..."OH MY GOSH, I can't believe I forgot...I want to wish you and Ben a very Happy Anniversary! Don't you think that anniversaries mean so much more now that you know that you almost didn't celebrate any more??? I hope you guys had a fabulous day and continue to have a fabulous night. Enjoy all those kisses from your man and dont' forget to give them back ten fold!" She is a huge blessing to me!

Just an update on Diesel...he is growing and as Ben always says, "just being a stinker like me!"

His paws at 9 weeks have doubled in size and I swear he has almost tripled in his whole body size!




"A kiss is a lovely trick, designed by nature, to stop words when speech becomes superfluous." Ingrid Bergmen

"In my wildest dreams, you always play the hero. In my darkest hour of night, you rescue me, you save my life." Bliss and Cerney

Thursday, October 27, 2011

four years of lovin...



Love is just a word until somebody comes along and gives it meaning...

It is October 27th so that means I have been married to an amazing man for 4 years! I cannot believe that it has been four years since we said I DO and that we would love and be with each other forever.

Four years ago the words, "In sickness and in health" were easy words to say and they rolled off the tip of my tongue. Throw sickness and tragedy into the life that I thought was so perfect and those words take on a whole new meaning.
I look at weddings and those words in a whole different way now.

I didn't know that two years shy of just our second wedding anniversary that Ben would be in a coma for 2 months at that point, now know where life was going to take us, if Ben was even going to live, me have a 10 inch scar down the middle of my stomach and a cast and scar on my left arm. Just barely two years of being with my man and suddenly it was all very differnt.

Ben and I cannot change where we are right now. If we had the "miracle brain injury pill" then things would be different. I can wish things were different but I cannot. What we can do is live out our lives to the fullest right here and right now. Things are not perfect, things are not always happy, things are not always grand but life is good. Ben and I have each other and that is all that matters! God saved both of us for a reason. We may not have the marriage that we want right now but we are happily married in the midst of sorrow and tragedy.

I am so grateful that this year Ben and I will not be in a hospital celebrating our anniversary! The first year we were in Atlanta with no words uttered by Ben, the second (our 3rd anniversary) we were in California and Ben was just able to softly say I Love You and this year we are home! We are in our own place and Ben is able to remember our anniversary and says very clearly and loudly every day, I LOVE YOU!
I thank the Lord for those words!

Ben, from the bottom of my heart I LOVE YOU! You belong to me and I to you! We have each other for the rest of our lives. I am honored to be your wife and love you like no other one person could! I want you all back more then you know! You are amazing and from the bottom of my heart I LOVE YOU more then you know!

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
And watch as the storm blows through
And I need you

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you
Gave me you

There’s more here than what we’re seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
And I’ll be the flattered fool
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo
{God Gave Me You-Blake Shelton}



Monday, October 24, 2011

fall, john wayne, goldfish...


{last weeks football game...we won!}

I have got to get my heart rate down! Ben took a fall this afternoon and it was the first time with me out of his sight and not able to catch him! We had just come home from Costco with my mom and I got Ben sitting on the couch and needed to get Diesel outside to go potty. When I was coming through the door I saw Ben finish his fall...and watching him crash to the ground. He saw me, looked up and said, "I needed to go to the bathroom!" He landed on his left bumm cheek and on his left arm. I got him sitting up and leaning back on the wall. He at least knew enough to use his walker! He stood by himself and took a few steps before going down! Oh, I failed to mention that he was within inches of smacking his head on the kitchen counter on his way down! Anyways, I told him not to move, called my brother and tried to calm my heart and my hands that were shaking. I could have helped Ben get up because he is pretty good at it but just in case something was hurt or not working right when he stood I wanted my brother there. Thankfully I caught my brother right before he was leaving the house! We got him up and to the bathroom. I asked Ben if it freaked him out and he said no. I asked him again and said you don't have to be strong in your answer but just tell me the truth. He said that he was not scared when he stood up and took a few steps but it is when he fell that he got scared.
All is well. I checked out his whole body when he walked, was in the shower and when he went to bed. Amazingly he doesn't have a scratch or bruise on him! After Ben was settled on his chair and Diesel was sittin on his lap he was talking to him and telling him how he needs to listen to his master just like he had to listen to his! Ha! I am thanking Jesus that is was not as worse as it could be!

Ok, on to John Wayne! Ever since I met Ben I have been well aware of his love for everything JW! I cannot count on my hands how many JW movies he has either! I like watching them once but over and over because there is nothing else to watch gets a lil dull! Ha, it is fun though, I must admit! Ben also has card board cut out of JW. I don't know how long he has had it but it's never really been on display anywhere.
Ben and his OT were working on some sitting the other day and shooting at the window. When I got home from the gym it was me that turned into the target until I had a bright idea...get the JW and use him for target practice. Since Ben was sitting down JW had to do the same thing! It was pretty fun to watch!






Ben and I watched one of nephews for a little bit yesterday and we had fun. T at one point said, "aunt kk, goldfish please!" Um, couldn't resist and of course he got a lil bowl full. Uncle Ben had to have some too since T was sitting right beside him! I love how my neices and nephs love on Ben. The see past his lack of speaking and ability to move less then others. They pray for him always and are always letting us know this. One prayer I will always remember came from L, "and Jesus, please heal the broken bones in Uncle Ben's head!" So sweet, love them!





Ben went back to the chiropractor this past week for more traction...


My sister and I at her boys soccer game...


I got to go hang with a few of my friends I hadn't seen in a long while...




and Ben got more sleep time in with Diesel...

...hopefully it will not be until next week until I post! Time just slips away from me and by the time I get to it, it's almost been a week! Man of man!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

balancing...




While Ben and I continue to work on balancing our schedule and lives, which can change at any moment, Ben and his therapists have been working on his balance skills. It has been fun to watch and now has turned into a competition between the therapists as to who can get Ben to stand and balance on his own the longest!

A few weeks ago Ben was barely standing over 1 minute. Then it was 1:30 and then moved up to 2:45. Last week we tried something new to see if it would help with his balance and that was using his snow board! Growing up Ben had a paper route and he would save his money to buy lift tickets to go boarding. He always wanted to take me up and teach me but the first winter when we were dating he was deployed, the next he went like one time because of his work schedule and the third we were in GA and got like a half inch of snow (first time in like 10 years) and everyone there freaked out! It was amazing to see that Ben still remembered how to sinch up his boots and strap himself to his board! He needed a bit of help but when he did he was able to tell his PT what to do! He has missed it!

You will see in the videos below that Ben has to work super hard just to get up off the couch. He fell and got back up! Please know that he is totally fine when he falls back and the couch is totally soft so he never gets hurt! The longest he stood on his board was 5:45!!!!! Go Ben go, go GOD go!! So proud of him!





The look of pride that Ben had on his face and the satisfaction of being on his board
was amazing! His face lit up, he tried to stand as straight as he could and when he started throwing some punches Ben was in his element! Although he was not on snow up on the mountain you could tell that just being in those boots and on that board was so good for him!

I have to say that today I got the report from him and his PT (I was working out at the gym...just trying to stay upright after my workout after being out of the gym for a month) that he balanced on his own this morning for 6 min!!! No snow board, no walker, no support...just Ben! Wowzers!! Ben got alot of praise, hugs and kisses!!











We are learing to balance and train Diesel too! He has been quite the amazing pup but there are those things that come with having a puppy! As are as his crate training goes he has an A+ in that department! We put him in at night and he goes all night without a peep! Thank you Diesel! Potty training is coming along. I am trying to get him to go in one place way in the back yard and he is working on it! Ben uses the yard alot of walking so we don't need droppings all over the place! We are starting to give him one word commands and he is slowly but surely getting it. I know it will not come over night but I know it will come!

Please continue to pray for Ben and his balance...and his mobility as a whole. He really needs this! He was getting his shower in today and he said, "I need to beat this brain injury soon because I have alot of things I need to do and accomplish!" He went on to list what they were and they were goals and dreams he had at the time of the accident. His mobility is huge and I really believe that when he gets control over that, that he will just thrive and bust the walls down and make huge gains.
So, please pray for balance, mobility and freedom from the things that hold Ben back!
I am praying that God will breath life into dead cells, weak bones, weak muscles and anything and everything that needs God's breath to heal his body!

We are blessed to have y'all in our lives and continually there to pray, encourage and cheer us on in this journey! We are grateful!


Please remember that family of Dan Dan Wheldon, Indy car driver. He passed away Sunday in a race. We had the privilege of meeting him last August when he came to visit the VA. He has a wife and 2 small boys that he was very proud of!