The Booklet

I received a booklet in the mail the other day. It was from Miss Foundation an advocacy group that not only works to educate people on stillborn, infant and childhood death, they also provide a place for bereaved parents and grandparents to come together, share and get help with the grieving process.

I contacted the group not long after Lolly Pop Kid went to heaven in an attempt to cope with my own grief and to try to help Cinderella in any way I could. At the time, they sent me a packet filled with information about the subject. The booklet had lots of information and it listed so many names of Angel children. I never realized how many children die each year and how many other people were out there with the same feelings I had.

A couple days ago another issue of the booklet arrived in the mail. I did not pick it up and look at it until yesterday. As I was looking through it, I came upon a section titled recent losses. There I saw it. Lolly’s name printed with several other children. I have to admit it was like a stab in the gut. Not that I think I am over this, because I never will be, but I have managed to find a new “normal” way of living. I know that I still think about him everyday. I just do not feel sucker-punched as much as in the beginning.

I also read that October 15 was National Infant and Child Death Awareness and Prevention Day. I was unaware of this. I wish I would have know because I would have worked to get the word out to help other parents and family members that find themselves in this sad group.

We cannot bring Lolly back but at least we know there is help out there and it is comforting to know that our Lolly is not forgotten. Certainly not by us and not by people who did not even know him.

Love you and miss you big boy!

 

Cinderella's New Tattoo and Butterfly's Girly Bedroom

Cinderella got a new tattoo in honor of Lolly Pop Kid. The movie ‘Cars’ was everything to him so of course she got the Lighting McQueen car. Here is a pic of it. The artist drew it freehand and did a nice job. She already has Butterfly’s name tattooed on her back and it is only fitting Lolly is there too. I thought about getting one. I really have no idea what to get. I thought about his initial. Hmm maybe a lollypop with his initial intertwined. I am going to have to think about that one.

I also spoke with Butterfly yesterday and she was kind enough to send me a picture of her room. She told me she rearranged it all by herself and for the most part decorated it too. I love it. It is sooo pink. What little girl would not love this room? I especially love the pink butterfly curtains. Very appropriate if I don’t say so myself!

Also, notice the movie on the TV. Yes, it just happens to be ‘Cars’ and of course there is Lighting McQueen with his big, toothy smile. Just like our Lolly. We know he is still with us and many ways.

BTW, his tree has a brand new orange bloom. I look forward to watching the oranges grow.

Love you big boy. Thanks for sending the love from heaven.

Bachelorette Party Anyone?

With Cinderella getting married early next year I have become interested in different aspects of putting a wedding together. Not that I would want all that work, but looking at all the dresses, gowns, reception areas and such can be quite fun.

Cinderella will be having her bachelorette party in Las Vegas. I am not quite sure where Tango's bachelor party will be, but I am sure it will be a fun and exciting place. There is such a bevy of ideas and places to do and go. I ran across Redseven. Based in the UK, Redseven arranges Hen parties and Stagg weekends for brides and grooms. What is this you ask? Well Hen parties and Stag weekends are the European equivalent to Bachelorette and Bachelor parties except on a slightly higher scale. Instead of a one-night party, the occasion usually involves a weekend stay.

Redseven even will arrange a Hen party or Stag weekend almost anywhere in the world. The bride and groom and their guests will be treated to the best of hotels, restaurants and other accommodations. Redseven can tailor a party to exactly what the customer is looking for and they offer many different packages. They also can arrange Christmas parties, company parties and extreme sporting parties.

I do not think Cinderella and Tango will be going quite this far. I do think it serves as an interesting idea for bachelorette or bachelor party or as they are called in Europe, Hen parties and Stag weekends.

Sunday Brunch

Yesterday, family and friends came together and we planted Lolly's tree. The week before, I prayed for cooler weather and that prayer was answered. I was a little worried a major storm might interrupted the planting but that did not happen. The tree was a little bigger than I expected. I have a VW bug. The tree is about 5 feet tall and it actually fit in my car. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. LCpl Honda dug the hole in the yard. Everyone arrived and we feasted on sub sandwiches and potato salad. Grandma M brought a carrot cake. Lolly loved baby carrots. Everyone took turns shoveling dirt into the hole. Then Butterfly and my friend's daughter, Big Brown Eyes helped Lolly's dad Tango make a well around the tree. Finally, we made a circle around Lolly's tree and said a prayer and asked God to bless the tree.

It was a wonderful day.

After the planting, I gave everyone a picture of Lolly's name in the sand.

I am posting our group picture, although we took many pictures that day. The rest I have chosen to keep private. I am also posting a picture of my dad, Grandpa DingDon, one of Lolly's namesakes. No recipe today. Yesterday was simple, kind of like a picnic. Everyone knows how to make a picnic. Yes?

We love you sweet boy. Donovan. Our Lolly Pop Kid.

I had to add this drawing, done by Butterfly, Lolly's sissy.

ps. The drawing was lying on my kitchen table today and my cat decided to walk on it. The blue background was done with pastel chalk. I just spent a whole bunch of time in my bathroom trying to wash the blue color off of my cat's feet. Fun.

Yea, I think that is all I have to say about that...

I am not ok either

My daughter Cinderella wrote this awhile back because she can hardly bear people asking her if she is ok.

Are you okay?

 A piece of my heart is gone forever, I am not okay.

I may smile, laugh and make jokes, but I am not okay.

The pain in my heart hurts so badly and I am not okay.

It is hard for me to get out of bed everyday, I am not okay.

I am able to function everyday, but I am not okay.

Sometimes I want to end it all and I am not okay.

How can I go through life without him, I am not okay.

I am not the same person I once was, I am not okay.

Some people say I am strong, but that does not mean that I am okay.

I am really weak inside and I am not okay.

I want him back so badly and I am not okay.

I pray to the Lord to give me strength, but I am not okay.

 

Please stop asking if I am okay.

I am not ok either.

I can not fix anything.

I would if I could.

I can not change anybody.

People do as they choose.

I still want to scream some days.

And I do.

I wish I could go back in time.

But I can not.

I wish for my family to heal.

But I know they never will.

I still have tears everyday.

I am afraid of the day I don't.

I can not change anything.

No, I am not ok either.

The Perfect Dress For Mom

My daughter, Cinderella is getting married next January. I have been searching the Internet for a dress. I want something simple, yet elegant. I want to blend with the wedding party, but I do not want to match them. The wedding colors are watermelon and teal. I read somewhere that the Mother-of-the-Bride should look regal. I do not know about that. I just want to look nice and appropriate. Hippie Guy's wedding was very simple, preformed at Flower Child's mother's home, and I wore a simple, black dress. Cinderella's wedding will be at her church with a reception to follow. It will be an afternoon wedding. Corvette suggested I wear the dress I wore as Matron of Honor in my best friend's wedding. Ah, no.

So far, I found a few dresses I like. The first one is very simple but only comes in marine, a dark blue.

The second one comes in either a lighter blue color or a pale purple. I love the front of the dress but I am not sure of the back. There is not an option to view the back on the website.

 

 

 

The last one is as close to regal as I can find. The only drawback is this dress is knee length. I am not sure if I should wear knee length or floor length. I really like this dress. The color is called teal.

 

 

 

Since I need shoes I decided to visit Zappos.com. There is a wide selection of shoes for men, women, boys and girls. There is even a special section for bridal shoes. I like the 'Narrow your Choices' feature. You can search by styles, size, color, brand and even widths. I found a couple pairs of shoes that I like. I just can't wear really high heels anymore so these low-heeled sandals would do nicely. Especially since I intend to spend a good amount of time dancing at the reception!

 

sponsored post

Baptism

On Sunday, August 2nd I baptized my daughter Cinderella and granddaughter Butterfly. I was most honored and did so in memory of  my grandson, Lolly Pop Kid.

We are the thirteenth group in the video. It was a wonderful day. You have to wait a few seconds. But it is worth it.

I Can Hear God Knockin'

People keep asking me, "How are you doing?" I have a standard answer, "I'm ok." Period. That's it.

I just don't think they would understand if I blurted out, "I want to pull every hair out of my head!" or "I want to scream until no sound comes out." or my personal favorite "I want to throw a brick through a window." Which BTW is what I tell Cinderella to do, frequently.

I am not complaining, just getting through each day. The pain is still real and still there for everyone. My pain has so many different aspects everyday. Over the last few days I have been receiving a message from several different sources. What is the message? I will let you decide for yourself.

Written on July 23rd, one month after Lolly Pop Kid became an Angel. Read by me on July 24th. Posted on a MarineMom mailing list by a woman who just found out she has cancerous tumor.

Yesterday my son called me to see how my oncology visit went. As I was sharing with him that (this is true) my doctor is a CAN-CER-VIVOR too, and because of his illness he is death in one ear, and can barely hear. He wears a ponytail, and because he is death I could hardly understand a word he was saying... I was sharing his dry sense of humor(after I finally understood what he was saying) and how I never laughed so hard in my life as he drew pictures of "Arnie" and had me put my hand on my belly to be personally introduced to him. (SMile) And, I believed I named him correctly, because Arnie must have taken steroids to be so big. I must admit... I'm proud of his perservance to even think he can remotely knock me down. (SMile)

As I was sharing this with Glenn he asked me if I was okay. When I said with a SMile, "Glenn, I'm fine. I'm not worried at all!" He said, "OKay!" I then asked, "Do you believe me?" He then replied, "NO. Not at all, but I love you that much for trying to keep me from worrying." I said, "Is it working?" He said, "NO!" I then said, "Good, because now you know what you put me through when you went to Iraq and I would ask you what you were doing and you would tell me not to worry!"

Speechless he was!

Children need to always know that as mothers of those who serve, when they feed us the bull, the bull will come back and bite them everytime.

When I hung up the phone I SMiled. I believe I was able to teach Glenn a lesson in life he will never forget, but on the other hand I did mean it when I told him not to worry.(SMile)

That is the message I want to share with you today. Please don't spend the day worrying about your children. It's within the adversitities of their lives where they get to experience something wonderful and challenging, and when they get through it they are more than they ever thought they could be.

Many of you have written me about the challenges in life that you too are facing, and I want you to know that each and everyone of us are:

CAN-CER-VIVORS!

We each wake up and have to survive something. Doesn't have to be an illness. So, whatever it is you are going though today just know that I believe in you, and you CAN-CER-VIVE this!

And... if you need to chat, please e-mail me. I'm back to work today, and being that I'm my own boss, I promise I'll take a moment out of my day to remind you that there's nothing you can't do!

Onward by faith...

Grandma G!

Just a note: We have sinced learned the tumor is not cancerous and I now have a new friend!

 

A post from a mother whose 10-year-old daughter, Sydney is suffering from a terminal brain tumor on Monday, July 27, 2009

 

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

 I was first given this verse shortly after my car accident in 1993. I had been driving and my best friend was killed. As you can imagine, it was a very difficult time in my life...and this verse brought much comfort.

At that time, it helped me to understand that although my heart was suffering...I would someday be glorified because if it.

But over the years, as I read more verses of that chapter in Romans, it shed even more light on the subject of suffering...and I'd like to share it with you now. Let's look the verse again...along with verses 19-21:

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God."

Romans was written by Paul...who was no stranger to suffering. He often mentioned his sufferings, although not specifically identifying just what was the "thorn in his flesh" that he discusses in 2 Cor. 12. But this "thorn" was not taken away when he pleaded...as God had a greater plan for Paul..and that suffering was needed in order to conform Paul into His image.

Firstly, suffering is suffering...whether it be suffering for Christ's sake...or from your own infirmaties, or struggles of life. In my humble opinion, any form of suffering can be for Christ's sake, if we allow it to do it's intended purpose in our life.

Now that we have that established, let's dive into it a bit. Now, I am no scholar, but have studied a little and this is what I have found regarding this passage of scripture.

In verse 18, Paul says, "..our present sufferings"...the ancient Greek work used in this verse for "present" is "kairos" which means a specific period or season of time. It's different than "chronos" which means a undetermined space of time. So what Paul is saying is...this suffering will last only for a while...there will be an end...it will not go on forever.

He also speaks of a glory that will be revealed in those who suffer who are children of God. In the latter verses, he's talking about creation...that's US. It says the "creation was subjected to frustration...not by it's own choice, but by the will of the One (God) who subjected it..."

Simply put...God allowed it to happen. He looked at His creation (us) and decided to subject it to "frustration" or sufferings. Why!?!?! Why would this loving God look upon those He created and want them to suffer? It wasn't even suffering because of wrong choices on the part of creation...it was simply His will that this be allowed in their lives!!! WHY!?!

Here's why: "in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God."

Creation has to be purged of it's sin...creation has to go through the fire...has to be free of the bondages and impurities of sin, in order to be made into His image...and can then receive His glorious freedom...basically, the creation (us) will be rewarded in heaven for our brief sufferings here on earth!

Also, in my own thinking, when we (the creation) gives GOD glory through our weakness...through our suffering...it draws others to the Creator. Others see in us what they are so desperately in need of...a peace in all circumstances.

Here are Pauls own words about the thorn in his flesh...and how God is glorified in it:

"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor 12:7-10)

How many times have we asked God to heal Sydney? Countless times!!! I mean my own prayers are countless...now add in all of yours...and the others around the world...well, that's a lot of prayers.

How many times has God healed her as of yet? None that I am aware of. Oh, He's helped her improve or feel better and such...but not a complete healing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining...although there are times I do. There are times that I get so tired of this process, and I just beg for a healing....just want to scream!

What was God's answer to Paul? He said, "My grace is sufficient for you...". That has been God's answer to me, as well. I'm not saying that He's not going to heal Sydney. I'm simply saying that I just don't know what He's going to do...and the waiting really gets quite wearing.

But if I look at Paul's words, I can rejoice. For one, in the passage in Romans, it says that our suffering will end...it is only for a time...and that God has allowed it to mold us into His image...to prepare us for the glory in heaven that awaits us!

Then, in 2 Corinthians, he shows us that although we don't have the answer we want...although we may get weary, we should really be rejoicing in that suffering, because God's grace gives us the strength to endure it...and through our weakness, God's strength can be seen around the world!

I'm sorry if this was to lengthy today...but it is my heart. I was going to have a rough day today...I could tell when I woke up that my heart was heavy, with a little dose of "feeling sorry for myself". But then, remembered this study I had done...and felt the need to share it with you all.

Upon reading it, I was reminded to be joyful in all things...even when I don't feel like it...even with life doesn't seem fair...even when God doesn't answer my prayer in the way or time frame I wish...REJOICE...for there is a purpose! I am being prepared for His glory to be revealed in me...and while I await that revelation...His grace is more than enough to see me through!

God Bless ~ IVESTRONG

 

 

Thurday July 30th Posted on a website for grieving parents and grandparents

 

 Together We Walk the Stepping Stones

Come, take my hand, the road is long.
We must travel by stepping stones.
No, you're not alone. I've been there.
Don't fear the darkness. I'll be with you.

We must take one step at a time.
But remember, we may have to stop awhile.
It's a long way to the other side
And there are many obstacles.

We have many stones to cross.
Some are bigger than others.
Shock, denial, and anger to start.
Then comes guilt, despair, and loneliness.

It's a hard road to travel, but it must be done.
It's the only way to reach the other side.

Come, slip your hand in mind.
What? Oh, yes, it's strong.
I've held so many hands like yours.
Yes, mine was once small and weak like yours.

Once, you see, I had to take someone's hand
In order to take the first step.
Oops! You've stumbled. Go ahead and cry.
Don't be ashamed. I understand.

Let's wait here awhile so that you can get your breath.
When you're stronger, we'll go on, one step at a time.
There's no need to hurry.

Say, it's nice to hear you laugh.
Yes, I agree, the memories you shared are good.
Look, we're halfway there now.

I can see the other side.
It looks so warm and sunny.
On, have you noticed? We're nearing the last stone
And you're standing alone.
And look, your hand, you've let go of mine.
We've reached the other side.

But wait, look back, someone is standing there.
They are alone and want to cross the stepping stones.
I'd better go. They need my help.
What? Are you sure?
Why, yes, go ahead. I'll wait.

You know the way.
You've been there.
Yes, I agree. It's your turn, my friend . . .
To help someone else cross the stepping stones.

So today I received an email from my mom, Grandma M. What would we do without our mommies.

It's in the Valleys I Grow

 

Dear Lord,

Please continue to watch over our family and bless us each everyday. Please take good care of Lolly because we will be coming after him.

And that's all I have to say about that.


 

 

  

Today we sent our hearts to Heaven.

Two years ago today Lolly Pop Kid was born.  Today we celebrated his birthday without him.

Two years ago today our lives were a little fuller.   Today they are a lot emptier.

Two years ago today I became a grandma for the second time.  Today I feel stripped of that honor.

Two years ago today four people became a family.  Today that family is forever changed.

Two years ago today I touched vibrant red hair.  Twelve days ago I touched it for the last time.

One year ago today I watched Lolly eat a Lolly Pop. Today I watched Lolly's balloons go to heaven.

One year ago today I watched Lolly open gifts. Today we watched Lolly receive gifts in the sky.

Twenty years ago I watched two children play. Today I watched two adults, one consoling, one grieving.

Twenty years ago I sat with a friend and watched those children. Today I sat with a friend and watched those children.

For two years I watched two people love their son.  Today I watched two people love their son.

Two years ago today we celebrated a life.  Today we celebrated a life.

Today we sent our hearts to heaven.

We Have an Angel

I am writing this post to tell all that I probably won't be blogging for awhile.

On Tuesday my grandson, Lolly Pop Kid went to heaven. It was very sudden and unexpected. Our hearts are broken. We miss him so much. If you wish please say a prayer for his mommie, Cinderalla, his daddy, Tango and his sister Butterfly.

And that's all I have to say about that...

Rest in Peace our sweet Angel

Just a Fun Ole Friday

Well, today I don't have anything very profound to speak about, just some announcements and comments concerning my life.

First of all: Ta Da

I just ordered a new computer! Yes, I decided to take the plunge because:

#1 My computer is about 5 years old which makes it ancient in computer land.

#2 I am pretty sure my current computer has a few creepy crawlers because it does not always cooperate.

#3 New computer comes equipped with a wireless router so I can take that sucker in my bathroom/walk-in closet/"3rd" bedroom (those of you that have seen it know what I mean) if I so desire.

It should arrive either Monday or Tues. Here is a picture of my new favorite piece of electronics.

Ohh yes baby, it's red.

In other news, I have an update on the arrival date of Hippie Guy and Flower Child's twins. Looks like the second week of August if they don't decide to make an appearance earlier. All is well with mother and children and Hippie Guy no longer has a deer in the headlight look. So we are looking forward to the birth and the baby shower next weekend with family and friends.

Other great news is Sgt. Red should be arriving from the Sandbox in the next couple of weeks. This has been a long year deployment and his family especially Crafty will be glad to have him home. His detachment was successful in the training of Iraqi Army soldiers. Apparently the IA no longer have trouble handling their own weapons as they have quit shooting themselves in the foot so to speak. Congratulation Sgt Red and the rest of your team!

LCpl Honda had been out floating with the Navy for about a week now in preparation for his upcoming deployment. Haven't heard anything but I expected that.

So I saved the best news for last. Cinderella called the other night to tell me that she will be a college graduate on Oct 23, 2009!!! Way to go Cinderella. We are all so proud of you!!!! Look forward to seeing you in your cap and gown! (and beware, because I am sure you remember what you did to me at my graduation)  ;) She also told me that she bought Miley Cyrus tickets for Butterfly and will surprise her with those in Sept. So everyone SSHHHH!!! It's a secret!

I think that is about it except Happy Father's Day to all. Be seeing you on Sunday Dad!

I am going to leave with a joke that was sent to me by my SIL, Ocean Girl (yea sweetie, you got a bloggie name now!) It is about Forrest Gump and considering the name of this blog I just had to post it here. Enjoy All!

FORREST GUMP GOES TO HEAVEN.The day finally arrived.
Forrest Gump dies and goes to Heaven.

 

He is at the Pearly Gates, met by St. Peter himself.
However, the gates are closed,
and Forrest approaches the gatekeeper.

St. Peter said, 'Well, Forrest,
it is certainly good to see you.
We have heard a lot about you.
I must tell you, though,
that the place is filling up fast,
and we have been administering
an entrance examination for everyone.
The test is short, but you have to
pass it before you can get into Heaven.'

Forrest responds, 'It sure is
good to be here, St. Peter, sir.
But nobody ever told me about any entrance exam.
I sure hope that the test ain't too hard.
Life was a big enough test as it was.'

St. Peter continued, 'Yes, I
know, Forrest,
but the test is only three questions.
First:
What two days of the week begin with the letter T?
Second:
How many seconds are there in a year?
Third:
What is God's first name?'

Forrest leaves to think the questions over.
He returns the next day and sees St. Peter,
who waves him up, and says,
'Now that you have had a chance
to think the questions over,
tell me your answers'

Forrest replied, 'Well, the
first one --
which two days in the week begins with the letter 'T'?
Shucks, that one is easy.
That would be Today and Tomorrow.'

The Saint's eyes opened wide and
he exclaimed, 'Forrest,
that is not what I was thinking,
but you do have a point,
and I guess I did not specify,
so I will give you credit for that answer.
How about the next one?' asked St... Peter.

'How many seconds in a year?
Now that one is harder,' replied Forrest,
but I thunk and thunk about that,
and I guess the only answer can be twelve.'

Astounded, St. Peter said, 'Twelve?
Twelve? Forrest,
how in Heaven's name could you come
up with twelve seconds in a year?'

Forrest replied, 'Shucks, there's
got to be twelve:
January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd... '

'Hold it,' interrupts St. Peter.
'I see where you are going with this, and I see your point,
though that was not quite what I had in mind....
but I will have to give
you credit for that one, too.
Let us go on with the third and final question.
Can you tell me God's first name'?

'Sure,' Forrest replied,
'it's Andy.'

'Andy?' exclaimed an exasperated
and frustrated St Peter.

'Ok, I can understand how you
came up with your answers to my first two questions,
but just how in the world
did you come up with the name Andy
as the first name of God?'

'Shucks, that was the easiest
one of all,' Forrest replied. '
I learnt it from the song,
'ANDY WALKS WITH ME,
ANDY TALKS WITH ME,
ANDY TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN.'

St. Peter opened the Pearly Gates,
and said:
'RUN Forrest, RUN.'

Give me a sense of humor, Lord.
Give me the ability to understand a clean joke,
To get some humor out of life,
And to pass it on to other folks.

My Daughter, My Soldier

When my daughter Cinderella came to me shortly after graduating high school and said she was going to join the Army I was only a little surprised. A few years prior as we sat in a high school gym watching her brother LCpl Honda compete in wrestling she turned to me and said, "I am going to do that next year mom." I thought, well ok. Needless to say she made good on her comment and even went on to pin a few boys during her wrestling career.

The day came and she left for boot camp and never looked back. Her reasons for joining were she did not really want to attend college right away because she was concerned about finances and knew she would probably be able to attain a better education after serving with her GI Bill.

Her goals were to do the best job for her country. Now this was pre 9/11 when people were not receiving the accolades for joining and serving that they do today. Not that we were not proud, but I for one was naive thinking the world would remain calm and war was not a possibility in the near future. Boy was I wrong.

Cinderalla says like any other job there are pros and cons. She cites job security, guaranteed paycheck, free health and dental insurance as pros for joining the military. For Cinderella the honor of serving her country was by far the biggest pro. She didn't cite two many cons but did say that nobody likes their job all the time and there were times she had rough days. She said it was tough working long hours on four hours of sleep but understood the job requirements.

Cinderella left the military because she had a young daughter at the time and thought it best to be a full-time mother to her. Would she join again? "In a minute!" she said. But Cinderella has chosen motherhood first. I have to agree with that decision.

Although she would still like to serve she has taken away a lifetime of experiences that a lot of people can't say they have. Cinderella spent three and a half years active duty as an MP attaining the rank of specialist in the US Army and one year as a specialist in the Army National Guard.

Thank you for your service Spec. Cinderella. We are proud of you!

This is my second post at Parent's Zone and was a special request. I was glad to oblige.

Please join me in celebrating Women's History Month. It is to honor past and present women that served in the military. Since Cinderella is a veteran soldier I thought I would do my part to honor her and other military women. I am going to interview Cinderella on her experiences being in the Army so look for that soon.

While I was looking for more information on the subject I ran across the website for the The Women In Military Service For America Memorial. If you have ever been to Washington D.C. this is one memorial not to miss. We were able to see it when were in D.C. two years ago.


I also ran across this article about First Lady Michelle Obama visiting the memorial on March 3rd to help honor our women veterans. I am impressed by Mrs. Obama's dedication to all of our troops.


Excerpted from washingtonpost.com

As part of her continued campaign to focus on military families, first lady Michelle Obama visited the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery today, where she thanked women for their years of service in the U.S. military and said she was honored and "deeply moved" by her meetings with military families in recent years. Please read the rest of the article here.


I always try and thank our vets and active duty military. This month try and pay special attention to our women vets too.

Thanks again Cinderella. Your family is proud of you!

Writing Abound!

Well it seems my new found writing career so to speak is starting to go in new directions. I ran across this website Helium.com the other day and decided to sign up and give it a try. You can actually make money writing for Helium. You make money by people reading your articles and ad companies placing ads on your articles. There are also set rate articles that you can write and if your are lucky and get your article picked you get that rate. Some are as high as $133.00 per article. One retired school teacher has made $5,000 in just six months by writing an hour a day. I don't expect that to happen to me but any extra income will be welcome. There are many different categories and under each category are many titles. So you don't just make up your article you write under an all ready existing title. But you can submit title ideas and if the title is used you get a cut out of that too.

So wish me luck in this new endeavor.


LAW emailed my today and asked me to write an article for Parents Zone about my daughter and what it was like for her to be in the military. She let me know that this is Women in the Military Month. It just so happens that I wrote an essay about this when Cinderella was in the Army and I was in school. So hopefully I can find it and that will be on Parents Zone soon.

So much writing - so little time!

Congratulation to all of our women in the military and vets! Thank you!