Petraeus

Super cool story, here it goes....
So when we first got to WRAMC I was leaving some stuff in Chaz's room and heading down to see him in Recovery (after one of many surgeries). As I walk out, I literally almost bumped into Holly Petraeus. She said hi and I proceeded to tell her how impressed I am with her as a military spouse. Then she and I had a great conversation about military life. She then informed me of her new job with the consumer protection bureau and I told her what I do and that I won that fellowship with the FINRA this year. She then asked me for my email. I thought, um ok. She gave me hers and I gave her mine and never thought I'd hear from her and then 10 days later poof an email from her and she and I have been emailing back and forth since.

Then the last time I came up she emailed me to let me know she was bringing the British Ambassador's wife to meet us. So we met again and that time she met Chaz. Then emailed me to let me know she told her hubby to get over here to meet us. (I am seriously not making this stuff up!)

So Howard (guy from Executive Services) grabs me Wednesday when I returned to tell me I have to have Chaz and myself in Chaz's room today. Someone has requested to see us. I ask who, he says General Petraeus. Of I think he's fluffing it up and now today I find out he's not kidding.

General Petraeus walks in the room and says, "Finally I get to meet Team Allen." He then tells us his wife has not stopped talking about us. We got to visit with him for awhile. It was funny to see that you cannot rush a 4 star general. Then he coined us (Donna too) and signed Chaz's flag (pic later). He then says, "Where did my wife sign?" We look and realized she didn't sign. He says, "Good I've got one on her. I'll make sure she gets back over here." Then we took the picture with him and then asks if I have internet on my phone I said yes and then he says, "Email that to Holly now and make sure you tell her she forgot to sign the flag. She needs to come take a picture too."

Great story, huh?!

What We Now Know...

We will be in DC for the summer. The doctors are closely watching Chaz's elbow. Basically the elbow is holding everything up. But if we are patient we will be rewarded. The cadaver soon be ready and Chaz will have almost full function to right elbow again. His shoulder and wrist and hand are coming right along just fine. The nerve that goes to your pinky is damaged but he can still move his hand and can even grab a cup now.

When school is over I will bring the girls up here to live with us. For right now, we will stay at the Fisher House. I have already applied for the Army's ADA fully furnished apartments for families with soldiers with Chaz's types of injuries. The earliest we can get into those is May. I think we'll be here until January, but I am not a doctor. I don't want to be here that long, but that silly elbow likes to control the situation. The doctors said Chaz will be here for 4-6 months just for the elbow. His legs are moving right along and he'll have prosthetic legs soon. I have been told when we build our new home we need to build a leg room for all the legs he is going to have. Also we are waiting for Ft Campbell to finish establishing a program similar to the one here at WRAMC so we can finish our Army stuff there and move on with our new normal.

We will not be selling our home at this point. Our family needs to have a place to return to. I do not know all of the details, but I do know we have enough family and friends to support us and make everything work out. We cannot bring pets here so that will be another issue I will have to work out. Allegedly I will get to bring Chaz home on leave in June/ July. If so we will go to our home to see what else we need to do to stay in DC for the extended time. Eventually we will buy land and begin construction on our new home.

The other problem is WRAMC is closing down this summer/ fall. If Chaz was to be moved today we would go to Bethesda. But there's also a chance he'd go to Fort Belvoir, VA when this is all said and done. To be honest, the Army has no idea where they are sending us and this will definitely be interesting. Both facilities are set up like WRAMC and that's the important thing. Chaz will continue to receive the same level of care.

If we are here for the school year, the girls will either go to Fairfax County, VA or Montgomery County, MD schools. The Army will not allow Army dependents into DC schools. What does that tell you?!

Now you know as much as we do. Please pray that the right decisions will be made and Chaz will continue to heal as well as he has. One thing is for sure the Allens are going to have a great summer and we will be utilizing every opportunity we have to make this the best for us.

Thanks again for all of your prayers and support!!
=) Jessica

Team Allen Fund

Since I love to work with non-profits, I know how important it is that donors know where their money is going. The fund was originally started by our awesome friends so I could pay for all of my plane tickets. Well Hero Miles is now paying for all of those. So the next thing would be for our expenses while in DC. The Army is taking care of Chaz's needs, but you can imagine there are many things that we will still need. We do not have a timeline for how long we will be here. We should get one when Chaz gets to the outpatient stage. But we will still be here in DC for the outpatient phase.

When we finally get to come home we will have to build a new home. Our currently home is two stories. All of our bedrooms and bathrooms are upstairs. Although Chaz will be getting his "Lt. Dan" legs his life will be easier if we have a one story home. Therefore we will be building a new one in Clarksville. Chaz has 13 years in the Army and we have decided to finish out  his 20 with the Army. The Army is allowing to choose where we want to go and we have decided to return to Ft Campbell. Chaz should be reclassing (Civilians this is where he changes jobs) to something else besides Infantry. He will not deploy again (I don't care what I have to do) so I have zero problems with him staying in the Army. Plus I want him to stay in because I think he'll have better opportunities for advancements for amputees. The Army is working on some amazing things and Active Duty will be first in line for these things and I want the best for him. We've already done 13 years, what's a few more?! What happened to Chaz is not the Army's fault. It is just one of those things that we don't understand why it happens, but we will make the best out of it.

Now back to this house. I have never built a house, much less a ADA compliant home. I have no idea how much this will cost but the more money we can apply to it will be less we have to finance. Any funds from the Allen Fund will go to the construction of this home. I have just begun to skim the surface on this one. I am saving and working to put back as much money as possible for this home. I am aware of some of the grants, but I am a planner and I have to do everything by myself, therefore I am planning to save and save to afford our new home. If we are approved for the grants, then great we can put money towards our our other idea.

Any funds left from the Allen Fund will go to begin our non-profit. We've already discussed how we can pay this forward. We're thinking about a scholarship fund to start with. Then we'd like to open some type of center to help people. I love teaching people about finances and how to better themselves. Most importantly I like to put the power back in their hands and take it out of the companies who try to steal your money. Chaz loves computers. He is so incredible with them. He loves sharing this gift. He also likes to help people take back the power rather than being taken advantage of my big companies. We both love to help people and love to teach the things we are good at. We could better the world by sharing these skills.

Again thank you for your support. Your support helps us keep going. Chaz and I talk about the incredible support we have received every day. We are so thankful for each and every one of you. Your words, cards, prayers, all of it makes everyday easier. We hope you know that we are thrilled about the T-shirts. We think it's pretty cool, but we are at a loss for words. All we can say is thank you. You cannot imagine what it's like in our shoes. We could choose to dwell on the drama or celebrate the miracle. We appreciate each and every one of you and that you are lifting us up. God is going to see us through all of this. He hears each and every one of us and has the Allen family in his hands. We are happy to have each of you on our team to keep moving this miracle moving forward.
Thanks again!=) Jessica

Great Reading for Today!!!

People keep asking me how I do it....This is how I believe and this is how I get through each day. I remind myself with these words. I hope this will bring a smile to you today! I always remember we are God's children and if He is for us, then nothing can defeat us! Want to be lifted up, grab one of Joel's books! They are fabulous!!
Have a Great day!! =) Jessica

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”  (Romans 8:28, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
God has a plan to take every adversity and every hardship you go through and use it. He’s not going to beat you down and make your life miserable. No, God’s dream is to take that difficulty and supernaturally turn it around and use it to bring you good. He will use those tough times to bring you out stronger, more mature and prepared for promotion! Goodness, mercy and unfailing love are God’s plan for you!
You may not understand everything that’s going on in your life right now, but I encourage you to keep your head held high. Know that God is working in your life. Keep being faithful. Keep doing the right thing, knowing that in the end God is going to turn things around in your favor. If God is for you, who can be against you? No one. Greater is the One who is in you than anyone who can be against you. No matter what’s going on around you today, you can put your shoulders back and put a smile on your face because God is working things together for your good because He loves you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. Thank You for all You’ve done for me in my past and for what You are preparing for my future. Help me keep my eyes on You and stand strong as I look for Your goodness all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Countdown!!!

The week of March 20 cannot get here fast enough. I seriously don't know who is the most excited out of the four of us. The girls can't wait to see their Daddy, he can't wait to see them and Chaz and I both just can't wait to have everyone in the same room at the same time. Our family will be together, finally and I can finally have a week free of guilt.

I have carried so much guilt since I began my travels back and forth. I feel guilty that I am missing things with our girls. I have missed dance events, Girl Scouts and just the little everyday things we all take for granted. Then when I'm in TN, I feel guilty that I am not there for Chaz. But within a few days, I will be guilt free for a week and before I know it our family will be together and this will all be just a memory. I have never wanted to fast forward time, but I am ready to hit that button. I know Chaz does too. He and I are ready to get on with our new normal.

I am thankful for all of the deployments we've been through. I truly believe going through them has made all of this easier. The girls and I have been separated from Chaz time and time again. We've been apart for a few weeks to 18 months. So this separation is minor to us and best of all we can call him pretty much whenever we want and Deryn loves the fact that she can text her Daddy. It is wonderful to have the priviledge of communication back in your hands. We all take it for granted but when you can celebrate the little things the bigger things are even greater!

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the girls.
Deryn, "Daddy says I can exercise with him. I am so going to teach him some good stuff."

Ryann, "So does Daddy have to go back to big work (deployments) now that he's hurt?
" Me. "Nope he's all ours now." Ryann, "Good cause I am so tired of big work."

Thanks again for your prayers and support!!!
=) Jessica

Thanks!!!!

WOW!! Team Allen's facebook page is over 1000 likes, that is crazy. Chaz and I talked about it last night and we just don't know what to say. Thank you just doesn't seem like enough. We have been so blessed by your prayers, meals, cards, calls and even more. I wanted to take a few minutes to say thank you for being our cheerleaders. Thank you for buying the T-shirts. I cannot wait for Chaz to see them walking around in person. I told him how awesome it is and how words cannot describe how cool it is to see people walking around in a T-shirt designed to support your husband. But to be him and see people wearing shirts for you has to be sureal. Our girls think it is so cool that shirts were made just for their Daddy.

Thank you Demetria Hale for everything you've done! Our families met in the early 80s and she and I have stayed in touch with her over the years. She is the brainchild behind the site, T-shirts, banner, etc. She has done an amazing job and thank you just isn't enough! I know she knows how much we appreciate her. But we know we'll never be able to show her just how much! Who would have ever thought those little girls playing in the playhouse in Morrison TN would grow up and go through this journey together!?! We are so grateful for you! Thank you!!

All of our NEES, FT Campbell, ADE, GS, KD, KWC, WCHS, Mom's Club, WRAMC peeps you are all amazing!! You have made this all easier to go through. You have lifted us up and helped made the road smoother. We could not do this alone and who would want to. Thank you for going on this journey with us and thank you for your neverending support!!
Much love to you all!!
=) Jessica

Fisher House!!

I just got the best news!!! We have a room at the Fisher House!!! We were told it would be months before we would get in. I got a call today that we trumped everyone. (I really want to know who made that call). They said Chaz and I have sacrificed enough and this was the least that could be done for us. Kind of cool huh?! I really hope I don't meet the familes that they put us in front of!

Now we will have a home away from home that is closer to the hospital. Donna and Adam have given me a lovely place to stay, but now I can stop being a leech on them (I know you guys are reading this. You know how independent I am (big kiss here).

If you don't know about the Fisher House then go check them out. It is amazing! I was also told that the Fisher House will be keeping a close eye on me. They manager said he heard I do too much and that I don't know how to recieve. So whoever made the call, obviously knows me well.
Also when Chaz gets to leave his room I will be able to take him there. WAHOO!!!!! This is a huge victory for Team Allen!!!