The night after I started writing my last blog, we had our first ER trip in NC - followed by two rounds of the stomach bug, pink eye, ear infections and a busted lip.
And, it just so happened to be the week I cut out wine and coffee from my diet for one of those jump on the health bandwagon cleanses. Don’t worry friends, I haven’t hurt anyone and I don’t hate the world. We are still happy wanna-be southerners here!
But I’m not going to lie, it was a little stressful. Ok, a lot stressful. I am still adjusting to our new area and luckily our ER trip wasn’t a true emergency because I had a big mom/military spouse fail. I wasn’t sure of the closest hospital, I did not have emergency numbers posted or saved on my phone and I didn’t have my neighbors’ numbers.
The base is 40 minutes away which means my husband was not close by for guidance. And let’s be realistic, these things only happen when my Marine is away. So, the PCS lesson learned this year: get all emergency information compiled and ready before you have an actual emergency.
Once my kids were both sick, I also came down with something. Then my husband caught it and had a toothache which turned into two root canals! Yep, when it rains, it pours friends.
At the time, the days were pretty rough and very long but we survived. I think we had a record five doctor appointments in one week so I am thankful for Tricare these days (did I just say that?). I definitely did not have some of my best mommy moments. I was pretty miserable but the beauty of having young kids is that they still love me despite those ugly moments and, hopefully, won’t remember the days when I may have lost my cool or when we didn’t get out of our pajamas and watched more Disney channel than should be allowed in one day.
The crazy roller coaster of illnesses got the best of me and I needed a break. Instead of holding it in, I admitted it to my husband, but he already knew and he had a plan.
As soon as we all recovered, we had a great weekend. My husband took the baby monitor away from me and I had 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep. The next morning I had fresh coffee made for me, an empty house and a solo grocery trip. It was heaven. The next day we visited the beach, had a pizza picnic and went to a concert in the park. Now, it’s Monday morning and I feel refreshed and ready to tackle this crazy life.
Whether it be deployments or just another day at home with the kids, the bad days can be pretty bad. But there is always a good day that follows. My Marine is always coming and going so I may not be able to take advantage of his help all the time.
Fortunately this time he was home and, unlike in the past, I accepted his offer of solo recovery time for me, away from the kids. Parenthood away from family and friends can be isolating at times. I have learned you can’t be afraid to ask for help - whether it be from your military family or your spouse. We all need a break now and then. We aren’t super heroes, even though at times it feels like we have to be.
