IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY

[@carolwhisenhunt7504]

Bless you and Aaron. Katie, you rob people of blessings when you don't let them help you. That is pride. I know you must keep children safe but if you trust certain people let them help you. Much love.

[@RowesRising]

You are right about that. My neighbor was so tickled to spend time with the kids. She said the toddler eventually warmed up and he talked her ear off. It was a blessing all around. 🌻🌻🌻

[@GardeningWarrior]

hearing you tell about the issues you are all facing is just making my heart so full. Bless you all.

[@tiffanygossett3447]

Hi Katie! Remember…It’s okay to ask for help and I am glad your neighbor was able to be there for your family! Keeping you all in my prayers 🙏🏾😘

[@RowesRising]

Thank you Tiffany🥰 I’m getting better at it. It’s been a journey to feel worthy of others help. 🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@kittyrichards9915]

You are worthy.

[@nanceyward4760]

I pray he feels better, GOD bless you both.

[@RowesRising]

Thank you. He’s slowly on the mend.🌻

[@jessicatounkara8753]

It breaks my heart to hear the medical issues you both have. My dad was always at the doctor and in and out of the hospital. I know how you feel. Hugs.

[@RowesRising]

Thank you. We are both pretty resilient but it does get hard sometimes. 🌻🌻🌻

[@jessicatounkara8753]

@@RowesRising . Take as many shortcuts as you can. Rotisserie chicken, kids helping etc to make things easier.

[@rhondab6581]

Good morning Katie and family. My heart was aching for you when you was talking about it's just you and Aaron. I've been down that road too. I truly hope Aaron starts feeling better soon and I will be keeping y'all in my thoughts and prayers 🙏🙏🙏❤️

[@RowesRising]

Thank you Rhonda🥰 He is taking it slow. 🌻

[@sharonswisher7274]

Hugs. Look to your village and ask for help. Reciprocations are always welcome among the village. Prayers always for your family and the veterans.

[@RowesRising]

I have great neighbors on all sides and I think that’s one way God has blessed us in this season. 🌻🌻🌻

[@JamieLC82]

I’m not trying to over step my bounds here but you both would probably benefit to get somewhere it’s much warmer and mild winters. Just to help with inflammation. You are a rock star! You shouldn’t stress to ask for help. Girl, we all have our moments that we need it. I do understand your thoughts. I found out that I might have to have surgery in the future and it will be a 6-8 weeks recovery. The very thought of that freaks me out. I know the world will still go on but…🤪I do pray that Aaron will get better and that you will have strength daily to push through and accomplish what needs to be done!❤️🙏

[@RowesRising]

You aren’t at all and I appreciate the like mindedness. We are trying!! We talked about listing our home in spring and moving elsewhere- it’s always the fall time- hunting season then he’s bad all winter. We agree we need to be south or somewhere tropical. We have been exploring our options and the military moves us one more time so we want to make it count- taking this winter to rest and sort our next steps. Thank you for being supportive and kind🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@jenmv3483]

I feel like early this year you guys were out in San Diego county? We are specifically in Oceanside 92058. There is a military hospital here. And it was 80 degrees today, wore shorts. Hope all works out for you. 😉

[@RowesRising]

That sounds amazing!! We were on the Oregon Coast earlier this year. We haven’t been to California at all even though the border is 15 minutes from us. 😅🌻🌻🌻

[@eva8643]

I hope your husband is feeling better now! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, wishing you all the best. Love from Germany 💚

[@RowesRising]

Thank you Eva. 🌻🌻🌻He is in a lot of pain still, moving slowly with a walking cane.

[@eva8643]

@@RowesRising I wish him a speedy recovery!

[@letsstartahomestead]

I am also medically retired from the army. I’m so sorry you guys have some many health issues to deal with praying God brings you all healing and wisdom in how move forward with your health journey. Please keep asking for help! We are called to help carry each others burdens let people help you carry yours!

[@RowesRising]

Thank you. I’m getting better with asking for help. I always felt like I was a burden to my parents so it’s made it hard to “impose” on people- that’s what it feels like😅

[@Imjetta7]

It’s good to ask for help. You have to let others get blessings for serving. God Bless you all.

[@RowesRising]

I see that now. I have been so blinded by independence and it was detrimental to our stress. So much easier to have helpers. 🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@kellyestes5482]

I can understand your husband’s highs and lows. I was a military dependent for 40 years, my dad retired and then my husband. I really miss being around a military community. I personally went from a very active life to bedridden now awaiting my 6th, 7th and 8th spine surgery. I am also retired on Disability. It’s devastating when you loved to work. Sending heathy healing thoughts to your family.

[@RowesRising]

Is been tough since we moved here because it’s a guard base and it’s not like an active base at all. Everyone here has their extended families because they all grew up here. It’s not like other AD bases where you have a bunch of families in the same situation as us. These Guard folks “deploy” to different states for training or they go TDY but call it a “Deployment.” Meanwhile, my husband has been to war. It’s not easy for him to relate to people that haven’t been to war or had war time experience. It was hard for us to relate and fit in with guard folks who all grew up together in this community and had already had long established relationships. He chose to palace chase so he wouldn’t have to deploy to the Middle East again. But had a hard time fitting in so we just don’t have much of a community, although we have tried. I miss being a part of an active duty community. We had friends in the same situation and we supported each others families. The spouses had groups and organizations that helped fill the gaps of community. We don’t have that kind of military experience here. But we have considered moving to an active duty military based town on a coast somewhere. 🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@meeganjae72]

Hugs and prayers for you both. Hopefully, Aaron is doing better by now.

[@RowesRising]

Thank you. 🥰He’s shuffling around and can get up and down by himself. Hopefully he’s good because I’m headed out of town and he’s in charge. 🌻🌻🌻

[@hildemoonen3587]

I hope Aaron feels better soon! I know how he feels, I had 4 back surgeries and it didn’t had the results it should have so now I am disabled for 14 years already and I am only 42 …. Always dealing with so much pain is hard and exhausting but you know that. Hope he feels better 😘😘

[@RowesRising]

Hilde that is awful!! I’m so sorry I didn’t know you had such struggles with your back. Our hope is he can get strong enough to build core strength so there is less back trouble- the problem is everytime he starts to feel better it hits him again and he can’t get ahead of himself. He says “it’s just a set back- we’ll get through it.” One foot in front of the other. I have him in bed on a comfrey poultice and heating pad along his spine- it helps me with my different joint issues so I hope it helps him. Have you tried comfrey? It is an amazing herb that helps joints and bones. I was amazed how much it’s helped me using a poultice on pain areas. Can make salves etc too.

[@suecathcart4687]

Sending you huge hugs from the UK - you have to remember to ask for help - people don't know you need it unless you ask xxx

[@RowesRising]

That’s us true! It’s not like they are lining up to volunteer- I have to ask😅

[@suecathcart4687]

I often refuse help so I tend to not offer - but I would help anyone @@RowesRising

[@emmalouise7837]

My mum was a single mother who had no help for 20+ years, she had 3 kids (2 with special needs and the other with an eating disorder). She died last May and never had a night off from us. It's important to get help when you both need it and never feel guilty for it. I'm glad that you had help. The fact that you help others is great, it always comes back to you when you are most in need. I'm sending love to you Aaron and your children and I hope that he is doing better. I apologise for this rather long comment. ❤

[@RowesRising]

I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother. Thank you for the kind words. 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@bettypierce5323]

Praying for Aaron and you. I know you’re strong, but it’s ok to ask for help. There are still good people out there.

[@RowesRising]

Thank you. You are right, there are. 🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@olfahumbrecht3728]

Oh le pauvre!!! Je lui souhaite plein de bonne chose et surtout un bon repos avec un rétablissement. Courage à toute la famille💕😍💕

[@talithamatthews8183]

Hope your hubby is feeling better! I totally get not having help. 6 kids and it has always been just me and hubby. Very hard to break out of the habit of not asking for help when you are so use to doing it in your own. Have you all tried acupuncture? My husband and I currently go for various reasons and it makes a world of difference.

[@RowesRising]

Thank you Talitha. I have done acupuncture and he needs to try it. I have heard some folks get a lot of relief from it. I used it in pregnancy 🌻🌻🌻

[@TheDevotedDisciple]

My daughter is 41 and she's had 5 back surgeries in the last 2 years! She's been trying to get on disability in the same amount of time (she's been unemployed since Sept of 2021 because she's lost so much time in and out of the hospital, physical therapy, etc). She's also been in the emergency room numerous times as well. I understand everything you're going through! I hope Aston feels better soon!

[@RowesRising]

Thank you so much. I hope she gets her disability. We are a few months out from Aaron getting his so we are just hunkering down and trying g to survive these winter heating and grocery bills. We thought he would get a job to make ends meet but he can’t in this physical condition. And I can’t work outside the home because im the caregiver of all of us so I’m hustling with YT as much as I can. I have been selling elderberry syrup and doing what I can to hustle some extra cash when I can. 🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@GardeningWarrior]

prayers for you my dear. God will give you strength to get you and your family through. I have been afraid to use my preps because what if I need it in the future? I rotate through my preps and my home-canned items but I make sure as soon as I am able, I replace it.

[@RowesRising]

Same here. We’ll replace once we have an income again. 🌻🌻🌻

[@heathermoses6183]

I'm praying for you guys. It's crazy how much we have in common. My husband and I are both a mess too. It's been practically a life-long struggle for me but now he's having health issues and it's tearing me up. We've never really had a support system either, pretty much always been on our own with a few exceptions. It shouldn't be that way especially as believers. Girl, I'm in central VA, get y'alls butts out here so we can be there for each other! 😊❤

[@RowesRising]

We’ll have to get in touch when we visit VA sometime. Not sure we will settle there but we have family there 🌻🌻🌻

[@heathermoses6183]

@@RowesRising I would love that! And I just want to say, you are doing an amazing job taking care of your family. Your strength to get through the hard times inspires me to press on.

[@nancymicklatcher117]

I can see you trying so hard to hold it together. ❤️Wish I could take your kids for you.

[@RowesRising]

Thank you Nancy🌻🌻🌻

[@cozetteoconnor1289]

Praying for you, I know its so tough 😢 ♥️🙏

[@RowesRising]

Thank you Cozette.🌻🌻🌻

[@sandrapowell6941]

Praying for you and Aaron!❤

[@RowesRising]

Thank you Sandra🌻🌻🌻

[@Kathryn-o5f]

I’m so sorry you all have to go through this. It’s not fair. ❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@RowesRising]

One step at a time. Keep rising. 🌻🌻🌻

[@angelaminutolo5112]

I know exactly what you are talking about,we ( hubby and I) have a special needs daughter and he was very ill a couple months ago,he almost died from septic shock,I had to call my 2 older daughters to come and help because I had no one else to help.They ended up quitting their jobs and moving in with us so I could be with my hubby while he was in the hospital and nursing home for 2 months

[@RowesRising]

Angela I am so sorry to hear that. How is he doing now? My mother nearly died from septic shock too- she was hospitalized for many weeks. She passed away a few years later from an unrelated brain aneurysm😢

[@angelaminutolo5112]

@@RowesRising he is doing better,but he had to have 2 emergency surgeries,1 on his kidney to place a stent and then a spinal surgery where they shaved down his spine and put in 40 staples,it's still a slow go.I will continue to pray for your family.I hope your hubby gets to feeling better soon

[@RowesRising]

@angelaminutolo5112 wow that sounds like a lot. Praying for him.

[@Mel-vu9ss]

I wish there was some way I could help y’all when Aaron needs to go to the Dr. 😢 Praying for you guys.

[@RowesRising]

Thank you Mel. You are very kind to be thinking of us. 🌻🌻🌻

[@judithbutler9695]

Typical military wife! Courage under fire…..the two of you🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🏼🌟

[@RowesRising]

Thank you🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@jaimekarliss9213]

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11 Just when you think He forgot about you, He will show up in a BIG way! Blessings to you🙏🏻❤️

[@RowesRising]

Thank you Jaime🌻🌻🌻🌻 Yes He does!!

[@tinafry6769]

Sending prayers 🙏🙏🙏

[@tinafry6769]

He’s up. Thank you Jesus. Blessings. Your food haul was great- remember 7 people which is a lot and u made it.

[@RowesRising]

Thank you Tina! It’s slow going. He’s still in bed flat on his back. Those shots helped but he’s is so much pain still. 🌻🌻🌻

[@nancymicklatcher117]

Does Aaron have a chiropractor? A good one who knows their patient's unique history and issues is worth their weight in gold!

[@RowesRising]

He does have a chiro and was there Thursday- he got worse after that visit. He couldn’t get his hip back in. Too much inflammation.

[@karolinaglavic37]

Stay strong.❤

[@nicoleturner5808]

Have you ever made pumpkin pie with canned coconut milk? It is pretty good. I have made sweet potato pies using it also. I hope everything improves for you and your family. 🙏 Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

[@RowesRising]

Yes!! I do every year and they make sweetened condensed coconut milk I use. I believe I shared a DF pie recipe for thanksgiving of years past. This year it will be GF 🌻🌻🌻

[@baillysmom]

Just remember you're not alone in having no village. I think people feel like that's out of the norm. But few people I know actually have that. We didn't, a lot of single parents don't. It wasn't until our kids were old enough to be home alone that we had any options but to take our kids everywhere with us. You're not alone in being alone.

[@RowesRising]

Thank you Staci. My mom was a single mother with 7 kids. It was rough- she left us alone a lot at half the age of my oldest. I cannot fathom leaving my children. I think age 12 is the legal age they can be left alone? We don’t have long. I babysat my baby nephew when I was 12 and I can’t imagine leaving a 12 year old in charge of my kids😅

[@baillysmom]

Isn't that funny. I grew up in a house with 6 kids and remember my parents leaving us at a young age, just don't answer the door and tell them they can't come to the phone if they get a phone call. I was babysitting other people's children at 8. And my church friend and I babysat her 4 younger siblings while her parents went out of town for 3 days when her and I were 12 years old. When our kids were 8, 10, and 12 we went to the grocery store without them, it was the first "date" we had in I don't even know how many years, maybe 6 or 7.

[@MFV77]

Dear Katie…. I was wondering if you have an email. I shared long ago through comments that my DIL, who is stationed at JBLM in WA state ( active duty Army), has had massive back problems since falling while rock climbing in college. She was frequently nearly paralyzed by back pain…. Long, long story short, she found major relief last year when an Army PA gave her a sort of acupuncture in her ear cartilage…. Inserted little metal balls. Life changing! Since Aaron is military, I’m supposing he’d have access to the same treatment. I’d be happy to get more details for you. PS… I’m an AF vet, too.

[@RowesRising]

Thank you so much for sharing that. My email is [e-mail] I will definitely mention that to him. I have an acupuncturist TCM practitioner. We will give it a try. Alternative treatments are OOP for us and we are without income so he won’t go. We are also in an insurance He is in bed resting. And I’m making him a comfrey poultice to hopefully help.

[@MFV77]

​@@RowesRisingThanks! I will email you. Praying, my dear. Have a blessed day!

[@marykappesser5145]

I'm so sorry for all that is happening now. Just take One day at a time.

[@RowesRising]

Thank you Mary🥰One day at a time. This is just a minor set back. It gives us both time to slow down and re evaluate our life. What changes we need to make to accommodate healing. Lots of rest🌻🌻🌻

[@lovebug8720]

Have you ever restart the garage store organic food? I used to buy it until they told me that it's actually truly not organic. Is still has Pasta salads on that? I went to a farmer's market deemed an organic market and I asked the people I said so you all put no pest aside's and on this it's grown organically.but it is grown organically just a little bit less pesticides like wow. So if it has pa Pesticide. i'd just decided to buy the other because I figured it was So much higher to buy organic so I just figured. I would save my money and buy the regular if it has Chemicals. on it as well.

[@chase7139]

I've been cutting back on costs because we need a new car (used spending less than 4k) and we want to buy it outright so we don't have a loan taking from our monthly funds. I've been RELYING on grocery outlet and discount grocery stores. It's hard when you want to eat a clean organic lifestyle but I've cut costs by getting the conventional food like butter and milk and eggs and use that tor baking goods I'm making for the first time and for others that I gift for this season. I'm deff taking advantage of those bogo sales on butter. If you see Snacks that don't seem that they have the best ingredients but it fits in your diet stock up on them to save money and have convenience and maybe it will push you to make home made to kind of break up the not so much wanted gold fish crackers. The balance is hard but when you are on this much of a restrictive budget for 7 people it's not really possible to get organic. Take advantage of your local farms for produce, but also remember non organic apples are better than no apples and it's okay for a small period in your life. One week I had family in town and I bought the same food I normally do in conventional I had 7 people in my house and no lie I spent $60 for meals and snacks my jaw dropped because half of the food I got would have costed me $80 in organic. Don't forget aldi, also base your meals around sales.

[@RowesRising]

Thank you so much for sharing those tips!! We have been buying 10-15lbs of conventional potatoes which we weren’t eating much of this past year. Those have helped with quick frugal meals. I’m goin to do next weeks no organic at all and see how that work out for us and do a comparison. We just ran out of honey and typically I’d go buy it- but I e had to tell the family the only option is sugar- they are going to learn to not be so boushie😅

[@chase7139]

@RowesRising love to hear it. Potatoes are the best. We make tons of potato wedges, potato broccoli cheddar soup, stew, home fries and whole foods has the best price for organic 5lb bag i think its 5.29 and go on sale sometimes, i only stop there if i need peppers so if i dont need peppers im not getting organic potatoes anywhere else. They also have the best price for organic peppers, a family pack 2lb for $7, occasionally they go on sale for $5.70, and people with prime will get them for $5.29. When that happens I'll stock up and can them up. Sweet potatoes aren't on the dirty dozen so I don't bother with those (or onions), and they are sale right now everywhere. Costco has the best price on honey. Lol your kids are boujee, that is so funny! So nice, though. I wouldn't touch honey until I was like 18.

[@RowesRising]

@chase7139 lol that’s how you spell it!! Yes they wouldn’t eat the non organic apples I got because the skins were so thick with impossible to remove wax. Boujee 🤣🤣🤣I guess if they get hungry enough they will have to.

[@TheDevotedDisciple]

Meijer (a Michigan based store) is having a Thanksgiving sale on sweet potatoes for 25 cents/ pound! Russet potatoes are on sale too!

[@RowesRising]

That’s a great deal!!

[@rhondahanson4696]

Back pain 😩 must make Playing golf impossible!

[@RowesRising]

He hasn’t played golf since October 20th when he initially threw his back out. It was feeling better last Thursday, but then he stepped out of a sand bunker at work and it went out again. 🥴He’s pretty torn up about not getting to play.

[@janicedavis3668]

I wish you could find a good church and let God's people just love on you

[@shervin6711]

Yes, some things I may go " non organic" due to costs. Especially since some things ( sweet/potatoes) are actually on sale in our area. I don't love it, but hopefully occasionally we should be fine...big picture. I was thinking of trying Azure sweet potatoes since I LOVE their onions/ yellow potatoes! Have you tried them? Also their delcata squash.

[@RowesRising]

I haven’t tried them from azure. I should though. Maybe they have a better deal😅

[@KellyL236]

I bought a 20lb box of Azure yams last month and they are fantastic. Also bought a 50lb box of russet potatoes. The box of potatoes is much larger and better quality than the 5lb bags from them. All were great condition. I made sure to let them dry from any condensation from the refrigerated truck and I’m storing them in a small room in our basement that stays dark and cold. So far so good.

[@shervin6711]

@@KellyL236 Thank you for the feedback!

[@RowesRising]

@KellyL236 I’ve had their 50lb bag of potatoes but I want to try the sweet potatoes too. Thanks for sharing.🌻🌻🌻

[@donnawisner1481]

Hope Aron is feeling a bit better. Noticed he had on sandals. Probably should wear something more stable so he doesnt trip or fall. Thoughts with you both!!

[@RowesRising]

I agree- he was getting worse by the second and he couldn’t push his foot into shoes and I was struggling to dress him- he’s a heavy muscular guy and his legs were dense weight he couldn’t lift without excruciating pain. So he said just put my sandals on and let’s go. He’s still flat on his back in bed today. Thank you😅

[@donnawisner1481]

@@RowesRising so sorry. I wasn't criticizing. That makes sense though. I hope you can get your support system going. That's really important as you know. Prayers to you guys

[@RowesRising]

@donnawisner1481 I didn’t think you were. 😅 I had the same concerns about the sandals.

[@nancywilbur3463]

It is hard to ask for help, but you NEED TO ASK! People see You are a caring person and would they would love to help you out. There are times when pride need to take a back seat. I hope you can distress your lives soon.

[@RowesRising]

Thank you Nancy. We are taking this winter to rest and recoup. Aaron will be cross training to build his strength back so hopefully he can live without so much pain. We are hopeful!!🌻🌻🌻

[@debimorsette1685]

Kroger (Fred Meyer) has sweet potatoes for .39 a pound on digital coupons this week.

[@RowesRising]

Thank you!! I will definitely look out for the deals😅

[@Mel-vu9ss]

@@RowesRisingKatie sweet potatoes store so well too. If you can grab this deal she told you about grab a bunch.

[@darcyrobb3692]

Always check flyers so to get the best deals’ I would never pay $9 for sweet potatoes! Also remember cranberries for deserts aren’t necessary nor are drink mixes so could of gone without & helped your budget.

[@douglassilva2226]

🇧🇷 Desejo melhoras para sua família

[@gardengrowinmawmaw8642]

Girl, you need to come back home so you can afford to live! Food Lion has Sweet potatoes for 29 cents a pound. Not organic, but cheap.

[@donnalindsey611]

🤔

[@BootsandBountyHomestead]

Girl...Kroger had them sweet potatoes for 39¢ a lb! Aldi had cranberries for 99¢ for 13oz bag. They've been on sale the last 3 weeks too. You gotta shop around and look at those weekly ads for your local stores!!!😂 They come out on Wednesdays!

[@RowesRising]

Oh bless I’m the worst shopper for sales- I need to do better. I feel like maybe they got wrung up wrong😑

[@carolwhisenhunt7504]

150.

[@RowesRising]

So close!!

[@barbaral1486]

$200

[@lindapoe4124]

$120

[@RowesRising]

Wow you were so close!

[@BrendaJBarNett]

$175

[@RowesRising]

Close! Felt like it. 😩

[@kjking66]

Check the prices lol wow $9 there are sales everywhere. Ppl dont need to keep complaining just shop smarter.

[@RowesRising]

I didn’t check the price until I got home- I just assumed and that’s never good😅

[@kjking66]

@@RowesRising the produce did look great!

[@deborahstewart2322]

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