Doing something new-- a Fundraiser for our Soldiers

Mission: Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and their families. Founded by the mother of two American soldiers, we have hundreds of thousands of volunteers assisting veterans, wounded and deployed personnel and their families in a variety of unique and effective ways. Soldiers’ Angels responds quickly to requests for support and provides individualized, immediate assistance.  It is a “one-on-one, get it done quickly” organization.  Our volunteer Angels at home adopt individual deployed troops and stay in touch throughout their deployment. Wounded soldiers and their families are asked what they need, and Soldiers’ Angels responds in a hundred different ways:  voice-activated computers; financial assistance for loved ones to stay with their wounded family member; phone cards to call relatives who can’t visit as often as they wish, etc.  Both the organization and the program have grown, but, unfortunately, the needs of our deployed soldiers and their families are growing even faster. This is especially true for our young men and women who are wounded. The government is providing first-class medical care for our wounded soldiers, but it will never be able to provide all of what they deserve and so many services desperately needed by their families.  Soldiers’ Angels works closely with the Department of Defense, the nation’s major veterans groups and a variety of other military support organizations to make sure these brave young men and women who are being helped.

This is a mission statement from a Website I came across-- Soldier's Angels.. 

I am excited and nervous I plan to do a jewelry fundraiser-- and donate a portion to them..

Many don't know how deeply I care about our Active soldiers and our Veterans-- this is just  small step in what I would like to become involved with 

Camden

Going to parks whether it be county—city or state had been a huge part of our life since we first met.

Camden State park has probably had the most meaning to us this park we have gone to since we first met. In the beginning it was dates to get to know each other- after we married it was something, we shared moments there. We have walked that park one end to another all seasons. We have seen the park in the spring with baby deer and coons – the summer with the leaves all lush. In the fall time we have walked trails and watched deer scamper off in the brightly colored leaves. We have walked thru huge snowbanks and took pictures of many herds of deer.

Camden has always been special to us- for years it was shared with our dog. There was a time we thought we would never have a family. While it broke our heart we still loved Camden and kept it as a part of our life.

Now we have kids and we have included them in our outings – things they will remember always. Camping trips-swimming in the ice cold pond, and walking trails. They don’t yet understand the meaning to us. I hope in time they will see it-the feeling of sharing something you loved so much and handing on to your kids.

While after my illness sharing Camden isn’t quite the same- I can’t walk the trails- swim in the pond. Things are different now—but still we are together and we are sharing Camden- the love of nature.

See Me

See me

I look in the mirror

Who do I see

Blue eyes looking back at me

Who is that

She wears many hats

But who  is she.

 In the mirror who

Looking back me

Often we get lost in the reflection

Breathe

Breathe in

Breathe out

I remind myself often

Breathe –let you mind open

Take time to feel the sun on your face

Let the sounds of the bird singing his song take you away

Breathe feel the world around you

Take it one step -focus on the positive

Take it one hour let yourself feel empowered

Take it one day each breath fills you

Breathe in

Lazy Sunday-trying to be kind to myself

I overdid it the last couple of days- we have been getting the camper ready for next weekend. Plus we went to Camden -kids played in the water and we grilled - Zach made some really scrumptious Venison steak--


Today I have a lot of pain- from the things I have done.I know in therapy they told me to not over exert . I am to get exercise to stay mobile and maintain independence and to use wheelchair for big outings.

I will be honest I struggle with having to let go and accept some of new limitations. I am very grateful for where I am as far as how sick I was and how close to death I was and almost never walking again... so I know I am fortunate..


I also know the advice I would give someone in my spot would be to follow the directions of the therapist.. embrace your life as it is ..

So I will try --I will allow my body the days it needs to take it easy and on big outings to use my wheelchair...

I know this was a second chance for me -- I need to use it appropriately---

Why is it being kind to oneself can me the hardest thing to do. 

Happy Fourth of July

As a kid the Fourth was mainly about the town potluck picnic-- ice cream--ball games and Fireworks. I didn't put a whole lot of thought into what freedom meant. I was born into freedom... I didn't know war time -- my ancestors already paved the way for us to be here. So I just took things for granted I lived in a safe home--parents who loved us-extended family to spend time with. I didn't know fear as some of the war torn countries do. I don't think it even truly hit me what the soldiers and families went through to keep us free. I was a kid who never had to fear those losses ..
But I always was grateful-- and knew some had less--we weren't rich but that never mattered.


As I got older met more people listened to more stories I understood better- I knew there was sacrifices made. I still couldn't wrap my mind around the commitment that it took to sign up and say I am willing to die for my country. I didn't get how a complete stranger would put their life on the line to keep me safe. I knew my dad did it-- cousins and Uncles that did it. but I was still young..

Thru high school I got a grasp and while I still don't understand the hate that drive some people I got to see there was an evil that needed to be stood up too.

While I am not good at speaking out on politics--and sometimes I keep thoughts to myself..

But I have always supported the men and women who fought for us.. and understood what our flag stood for--I will always honor that.

When 911 hit I think that really was when things rang the loudest in my heart... evil came to us.. people I knew were headed to war..

Now I can't listen to a patriotic song or story with out goosebumps and tears... So the 4th to me is means Freedom due to blood and lives lost for me and my family free.
I love our country and the symbols that stand for it..
I know there is so much controversy in this world- but my heart is still with the basic--we are free and men and women are keeping me free ..

Have a safe holiday- enjoy your family time-- that has been made possible my the things our flag stands for .

Knight in shining armor

To start this I love to read -at night I log onto my Kindle and read--yep in the dark hard on my eyes I know . Bruce will ask what I am reading -- he knows it is usually a Romance Novel of some form.

My favorites are Military Romance or some Alpha Bada@@ stepping in to save the day.
I teased Bruce last night he is my Alpha BA--- he laughs and says no never my style..
 Maybe he is right in a sense he isn't a man to use his fists and threats--but he is very much my BA.

When I met him I was 19-- had a few big crushes and one boyfriend---so dating world was new new ground yet...

I was asleep one night a a girlfriend begged me to come out for awhile -- so I agreed -- so I throw on my fake leather black pants-- and  some shirt to go with it....
We walked in and met up with friends us hers,, got to visiting -- I noticed him--I was shy -- he was sitting next to a girl-- we got talking and I asked if they were dating -- both assured me no--- Bruce gets up comes back and kicks the guy that sat down beside me out of the chair. He just gave the guy a look that I guess in guy speak was move it she is mine... Bruce never left my side that night -- kept my drink glass full ( was drinking sprite ) -- I was a cheap date

No one ever kicked a guy out of the way to lame claim as you wish on me.. I was awe struck-- he spent the evening telling me about being in the Marines -the places he has been -- and now he was in town driving semi .

In my eyes he seemed so worldly -- and I kept thinking -- he could have anyone why me.....That is a question that I asked myself often thru the years...

It was a quick romance met July 24th and married May 22nd.. it was a simple wedding but the happiest day of my life.
They say girls are attracted to men like their fathers - Bruce and my dad are different in many ways but there is a core value in them both--they are loyal to their family--protect their own always. They are good men--hard working -devoted .
Through the years we have been tested -- when we wanted to start a family we found out I had some problems that they had hoped an exploratory surgery would be able to clean up scar tissue-- or anything else that was causing issues. I still remember the night before surgery he whispered in my ear to please wake up and come back to him after the procedure.

Things didn't go well-- we tried fertility drugs -- nothing worked --

We were devastated-- Bruce's theory was to adapt and over come -- I struggled with that and fell into a depression--He assured me that if it was just the 2 of us forever he was happy. A lot if tough things had been said to me beings I was the cause of us not having kids--never by Bruce he was my Bad A@@ fighting for us-- but others -- there was you should leave him so he can have a chance to have children with someone---- or I would kill myself in your shoes.... tons of ugly things were said..
But my Knight continued to support me and vow he was happy with me--- often I felt I fell short of what he deserved but my guy just took control-- and battled my demon inside----

When time came we decided to adopt-- we knew it would change our lives and beings we were going thru the Special Needs adoption there were things that could or would be different then typical parenting ... yep we adopted 2 wonderful kids who both have had their challenges --due to the cards dealt from either Bio parents choice or due to issues during the pregnancy..
Bruce stood along side-- learned what needed to be learned to better meet the kids needs .

The day though when the world stood still was when he had his heart attack-- we knew he been struggling but his Dr then dismissed his symptoms-- so with the advice of a his cousin--we headed to Sioux Falls to the heart hosp.. when they ran the tests-- his heart was almost completely blocked -- the main artery was at 90%---
I was so scared-- and we were so close to have lost him-- turned out he had a couple of small ones and was leading up to the big one... he had Quadruple by pass---
The Dr acted like the procedure was no big deal everyone was so supportive -- I was in shock--He came through fine-- there was some heart damage but he was ok-- while he was in recovery- they let me come in he was pretty out of it and I stepped back to let him rest-- he grabbed my hand mumbled no don't --he was pale-- and hardly focused but he wanted me..
Now he is on disability-- doing ok-- he has congestive heart failure but he still battles on-- stands up for his family-- loves all fiercely
To me he is my Alpha Male-- Bad a@@-- and yes I still look at him and think you could of had anyone... but he is mine ---I love him just as fiercely back