Please Think Before Post or Talk.

I regularly visit a site for military families. I find so much comfort and support from the all the spouses there. One of the things I like most is that we have male and female spouses so you tend to get a good round view of things.

Sometimes things can get heated. You get those Democrats in there with those Republicans and it can get down right juicy. We like to debate. It’s healthy and enlightens us all. My favorite part is that they post links to different stories and you get both sides. So I learn a great deal.

One of the members posted that she had seen Michael Moore’s latest and wanted to know who else would be seeing it. Lets just say many, many, many members of this site do not love Michael Moore and they let it be known that in no way would they give a dime to him.

Personally I think he is an ass. A spoiled child who turns to lies and fits when he does not get the attention he feels he needs.

Anyway the original poster of the thread turned around and made a comment so hurtful that I am still in shock. Her comment was along the lines of how military families(those of us on this board) continue to support the person (President Bush) who poses the greatest threat to us. And that maybe our views would be different if our loved ones came home in a coffin.”
The thing is, is that reading all her prior posts not once did she say if she liked the film or not. Only that ” It was shocking, maddening and tear-jerking” and “The audience applauded at the end and this is in a pro-Bush part of the country A must see no matter what political party you prefer.”

Yet she felt compelled to make such a horrible comment. I wonder if the families of those who where killed today in the Iraq and Israel have had their views at all changed?

I know people tend to say things on the internet that maybe they wouldn’t say if they were face to face with each other when frustrated, but I have to ask…please think before you post or speak to someone. In person, or on the Internet, words can be so devastating, and once it is out you can’t take them back.

She hasn’t been back. Honestly I would be floored if she did come back. There was no doubt from the responses that her mean spirited comments were not appreciated.

One thing about it still baffles me. She was a member of a board for military families. So she was in some way affiliated with some one in the military. How could she make this comment to us? She must have known how painful it would have been to read. As a military spouse I think it is my place to always help others like me. Some days WE are all we have. Never should we hurt each other.

So much Violence

Please tell my heart it can beat again. Breath Gail just breath.

Today is such a stressful day and I until things are settled in Iraq it will continue. I was doing fine till I saw the news updates. Thank god read it on line and the girls can’t hear it.

I was talking on the phone with "The Food Whore" and this pops upReport: Marine Seized and my heart stops beating then I see Israeli Army Base in Gaza Attacked and I just stop breathing for a sec. Without warning I just started crying.

At first it think it was out of relief that it wasn't a base in Saudi where Rob is then out of pure sorrow for the families of these servicemen. I know there is nothing that I can say that will remove the pain they will now endure. I wish there was.

I pray nightly for peace in Iraq. I pray that the people get to see how wonderful freedom is, that their children will grow and be happy and not live in fear.

At the same time I pray that for my children. I pray their father stays safe and returns to us unharmed. I pray that the tears, nightmares, and sleepwalking that have taken over what use to be peaceful night in our house will soon end.

I pray for the safe return of my friend’s husbands in Iraq and the Middle East. They have been gone a long time and the stress on them and their families has been tremendous.

I’m afraid things are going to so much harder the next few weeks for us all. The closer June 30th gets the move violent it will get.

My MIL

My MIL has NO idea that her son will not be home in 6 months. I thought he told her when we found out he was extended. But I found out yesterday that she didn’t know when she said, “ thank god he will be home in 6 months”.

I emailed him about it so now I will just have to sit and wait. I think he expected his uncle to tell her but I doubt he will. I won’t be the one telling her if at all possible. I was the one who had to tell the girls. I just can’t handle the reaction.

I love my MIL dearly; she is a very loving and giving woman who has had a horrible adult life. She gave everything she had to raise my dh right and she did in a time when it was extremely rare for women to leave their lousy husbands and take their child to a new state and start over.

My FIL was a nice man later in his life when I met him. He told me many times that he regretted the way he treated my MIL and his son earlier in his life. He died young because of his lifestyle and I thank my MIL everyday for taking my dh out of that life. He is who he is today because of the sacrifices she made for him.

The thought of having to tell her he was extended another year is just too much. I’m still dealing with it myself. I won’t be able to do it.

Say a prayer dh or his uncle are able to tell her.

Alabama Sports Festival

The girls competed in the Alabama Sports Festival this past weekend. I was so proud of them. They have worked hard. Alyssa received a Silver medal in Forms and Sparring and Lindsey received a Silver Medal in forms and a Bronze in sparring.

Here are some pictures. The first one is Alyssa getting her silver medal in Sparring. She didn’t want to take a lot of pictures with my digital because the flash is really bright. So when I get the 35mm pictures developed I’ll post more.


Alyssa Silver
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This is Lindsey doing her form. She was really working it.

Lin doing forms
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Lin again forms
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Here is Lindsey waiting for her score. She was worried but she did very well.


Waiting for score

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This is probably going to be lin’s last year competing in sparring. She is a lot smaller then the other girls in her age and belt class and she just had a hell of a time getting in there to make any contact. In her last match the girl hit her once in the chest and knocked her 2 feet. So we called it. I don’t want her getting hurt.

Poor kid got Rob’s family’s short genes!

We're Back

We had a great trip. My parents spoiled the girls. They swam every day till they were water logged.

I sat back with my friend Cheryl (she came with us) and my mom and played Canasta till we couldn’t see straight. It was a lot of fun.

The best part was the trip only cost me about $200.00 and the included the gas.

I also achieved a milestone…I drove the whole way. All 14 hours to and from. Cheryl offered to drive some but I really wanted to see if I could do it myself. Whenever Rob and I go on trips he only lets me drive for a few hours while he sleeps.

It’s a great feeling knowing I could do it if I had too. Just made me feel so much more independent, stronger in some strange way. Before the trip I had felt so weak and reliant on others.

Beating chest I am now the strong Army wife who can do it if she has too. (ha,ha) I think I need more sleep! :O)

Anyway, here is a picture of the beach were my brother and his family live. It was a beautiful day but way to windy at the beach. Needles to say we didn’t stay long.

It’s always fun to go on vacation but it is great to be home!



Jupiter Beach
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Were Off!

Well we are off to Florida! Günter is all taken care of and the house has a sitter. I’ll try to update you when we get there. Be good while we are gone!

Say a prayer for us to have a safe trip!

Toddlers
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12 is Good!

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Pool
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Latest Pictures

I decided to get my film developed and I feel in love with these pictures. I have more...consider that a warning...tonight’s posts are picture heavy. All of my girls...they made me smile today. They are truly blessings and I thank god for them everyday!


Alyssa
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Lin
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Sisters
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Laughter
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Aching

Today isn’t a great day. The girls are fine they have friends over and are enjoying their summer in the pool like all kids should be able too!

Today I woke up with this horrible ache in my heart. I miss him so much today. It isn’t a special anniversary of any kind for us.

I can’t explain it any other way except I ache.

Wake Up Call

Rob was my wake up call this morning. I loved waking up to his voice. Of course I miss him more now then ever what I wouldn’t do for one of his hugs right now! He called to let me know he was ok. Thank god because Gunmen in Riyadh open fire on Americans was the first story I saw when I logged on the computer this morning.

Hugs and prayers to all the spouses of service men & women far from home and prayers for their loved ones safe return!

Poems

I was cleaning out my files on my computer and found some of my favorite little poems. I hope you enjoy them.

Mommy Brain
By Carlotta Stankiewicz

If you've left the crayons to melt in the car, and forgotten just where the car keys are, there's a perfectly good way to explain: You see, you've come down with "Mommy Brain."

When you're not sure where the past 8 hours went, Or whether the phone bill check's been sent, If you've left the laundry drying in the rain, It's just---you guessed it---Mommy Brain.

If you find yourself chatting for hours on end about diaper prices with your cyber friends, you've just caught a particularly virulent strain of that affliction known as Mommy Brain.

If you left your bags at the grocery store Or completely forgot what you went there for, If you called the cat by your baby's name, You can bet that Mommy Brain's to blame.

And if you know the words to "Goodnight Moon" by heart, Or you study your sleeping babe like a work of art, If you're always surprised by how time is flying, And the thought of that first birthday starts you crying... It's unavoidable girls, and I feel your pain, For I, too, suffer from Mommy Brain. But I'll admit one thing---of this, I'm sure: I hope they never find a cure.

Walk a Little Slower Daddy!
Authour Unknown

"Walk a little slower daddy," said a child so small.
"I'm following in your footsteps and I don't want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast,
Sometimes they're hard to see;
So walk a little slower, Daddy, for you are leading me.

Someday when I'm all grown up,
You're what I want to be;
Then I will have a little child who'll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right,
And know that I was true;
So, walk a little slower, Daddy,
For I must follow you.