A Toast to My Husband

This goes out to my amazing husband who, with precious little prior experience, has adeptly and maturely managed our last two weeks of hospitals, doctors, medications, catheters, botched IVs, blood samples, stool samples, urine samples, crazy logistics, unrivaled exhaustion, people drama, ghastly symptoms, insurance mazes, parental gut-instinct, and endless, heartrending shrieks from his little daughter like a *champion.* You amaze me every day, Honey. We could not have a better man in our lives.  

Thanks.

On Reintegration

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. - I Peter 5:10

* * *

I was so afraid of reintegration.  Sometimes, for many people, it goes quite horribly and you hear all about those stories.

We tried very hard to stay close, emotionally.  We did everything that the books and counselors and briefings tell you to do.  We were pretty systematic and utterly obedient.  And ultimately, our reintegration went really well!  The first week was beyond honeymoon-ish, the second week was definitely above normal, in terms of morale and tolerance for each others' flaws, and by the third week things were mixed - but not badly.  We worked through it, and life is starting to feel pretty... normal again.

I mean, Husband still flinches and struggles in certain regards, because of what he experienced - and I'm quick to tense and accuse him of not understanding or not appreciating all I did/am doing.  We've talked to a counselor, once, and that helped.  We're having to be intentional about our reactions, maybe more than usual.  But, still.  We're not derailing, y'know?

I feel like God is simply helping us.  And we're trying to focus on the positive.  A LOT.  And have tons of fun.  I'm kinda bad at creating fun; I'm better at creating productivity.  (Well, kinda.  Not if my days lately are any indication, heh.)

But, we celebrated Christmas (in February) together! 

We went to the aquarium; Little One loved it so much, she couldn't scream loudly enough.

We went out to eat, and at more-expensive-than-normal restaurants, and outdoor ethnic markets  

We discovered Horchata, and Sierra Trading Post, and took long drives just to talk, while Little One napped in the back seat.  

Husband made all our food decorative again.  Even Spaghetti.  And he helps me use up the produce, (like cabbage.  how on earth do you use up a whole cabbage?!) before it starts rotting.  

And he made wee omelettes and oatmeal for Little One, every morning.  And I slept in.  

And she promptly started nursing exactly HALF as often, immediately.  It really was emotional.  And she started obediently sleeping through the night, as soon as we set her on our knees and told her she needed to.  Wow.  The impact of two, united parents is crazy.

Life is so much better with him home.  SO much better.  Everything is sweeter.  And more doable.  It's a little surreal for both of us to function with, like, almost no fear at all.  He got a little creeped out the first time we walked down the street, to buy groceries.  And when the neighbor's dog thudded against the wall.  And when they test the sirens on base.  I'm overly sensitive, and easily hurt/offended, and when we do have a fight, it feels like the end of the world.  Little One often cries when he leaves now, and signs/calls for "Dada!" over and over.  

But, we're doing this.  And it's not so horrible.  And I thank God.  I'm not arrogant enough to think we created this on our own.  

Wow.

Dearest Husband, 

Shopping the Valentines' displays twelve hours BEFORE everyone else in the world picked up their own floral gifts was sheer brilliance. I've never seen such fresh, gorgeous flowers! You are the sweetest and dearest *ever.*

Also, doing said shopping secretly, with your wiggly daughter in your arms, when I thought you were at home babysitting her, was both brilliant and brave. Way to be super-competent AND romantic. 

There is no man on earth better than you. Love you so.

XO,

~ Your Girl

Because I don't say it enough...

Dear Husband: Thank you for always making time for me - even when you have to sacrifice sleep to do so. You are truly the best husband on earth. I miss you so, and can't wait 'til our talks aren't over the internet anymore  XO. ~ Your Girl

It's on the internet

Three BESTS from this week's websurfing: 

(Disclaimer:  By "websurfing," I mean browsing Facebook and IMing my very-cleverest friends who actually websurf, and find this stuff - thanks, guys!)

Best Cooking Find:  Awesome instructions to make one chicken stretch six days!

Best Short Film:  Can I be infatuated with a YouTube video?  Absolutely worth the sixteen-minute length.  I watched it twice.  (Actually, being honest - thrice.)

Best Couple's Blog:  Pithy perspective, and constant humor, amidst the reality of marriage.  Definitely read their Story and Ten-Top-Things, too!