The Phone Call

One year ago today, the caller ID on my phone said the caller was the fort my husband was at. Instantly, I knew something was wrong. Little did I know the difficult yet redeeming journey my family was about to embark on. 
 

The caller urgently asked me how my husband, who I hadn't seen in a week, was doing that morning prior to reporting for his duty. By the end of the call, all I understood was that there was something very wrong and they were trying their best to help him. 
 

About thirty minutes later, while hugging my boys goodbye I wondered if they would ever be able to hug their dad again. 
 

The three boys (one of whom was sick at the time) stayed with their amazing grandparents (who were also sick) so I could get on the road to meet my husband who was being life flighted to the hospital nearest the fort he was at.  Over the five-hour drive to the hospital, I spoke with multiple doctors and family members, cried, prayed, pumped milk for our 10-month-old, and processed through all five states of grief. It is solely by the grace of God that I arrived safely. 
 

I walked into his ICU room mere moments before they brought him in on a ventilator and freshly out from his thrombectomy to remove the clot that caused the stroke. 

Over this last year, there have been many challenges, but even more growth and healing. One aspect of that healing is that during a speech therapy session, James had the idea to start a YouTube channel to challenge himself with getting comfortable speaking again. Thus, that is where our channel for our little homestead was developed.  

Since beginning our YouTube channel, our hopes and dreams have grown a bit. We hope to inspire you to try something new even when it's uncomfortable and we hope that you will join us in this journey.