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Army Wife and Survivor Strong Chick Michelle

2013
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Strong Chick Michelle

 

I met Michelle on Saturday at the “Operation Homefront Star Spangled Babies” Shower. I can’t stop thinking about her. I was meant to be there that day and meet her. The first thing that so impressed me about Michelle was she was at the event VOLUNTEERING. She is such an inspiration. And in the brief time talking with her I knew we had a bond. Here she is, amazing Strong Chick, Army Wife and survivor in so many ways.

Hey Debbie,

It was truly wonderful meeting you at the OHOK baby shower on Saturday. I feel so honored that you wanted my story so here it is. It is going to be a little all over the place so I apologize. Since my husband deployed my brain no longer works lol.

In 1998 I gave birth to a healthy and beautiful baby boy. Trevor weighed 9 lbs 5 ozs and was as strong as a 3 month old! For almost 2 and a half years Trevor was the healthiest toughest little boy that many had ever met.

One day he started to complain about a sore throat so I made a doctors appt and was told he had a simple sore throat and handed an antibiotic. Trevor continued to get weaker by the day. He didn’t want to eat slept way too much and just didn’t look right. I took him back to the doctor and was told he “may” have strep. No blood work was done, nothing more than a throat swab and more antibiotics. Two days later I noticed the glands in his neck seemed to be swollen. At this point I was no longer content with the antibiotics and took him to Children’s Hospital in San Diego, CA.

Within thirty minutes they had blood work done and iv fluids started for dehydration. We were admitted and I was so happy something was being done. The next morning I was woken up by the pediatrician to earth shattering news. My son had Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and they needed to start treatment immediately.

I couldn’t begin to grasp what I was just told. How could this be true? I was a good mom! Sadly what I found out was this disease had nothing to do with how he was raised or what I could do for him.

The next year was a complete nightmare between chemo and radiation Trevor was so weak. We couldn’t leave the hospital because he literally had no immune system left. Everyone who visited had to wear a sterile suit and mask so they didn’t bring outside germs in. 13 months after he was diagnosed we received the best news possible…
Trevor was in remission!

Life resumed for 8 months until a random blood test revealed that Trevor’s Leukemia was back. We all settled in for another long hard fight but knew we would beat it again. Sadly the chemotherapy and radiation wasn’t helping this time and the only thing that could help would be a bone marrow transplant. To our horror we discovered than none of the family was a match. We went to the registry and couldn’t find a suitable match that was available to us.

We did what we could and basically just had to make and keep him as comfortable as possible. On November 15th, 2003 Trevor passed away in my arms.

Shortly before my 30th birthday I went in for my yearly gyno appt and within a week I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I underwent a lumpectomy and 2 rounds of chemo and after 8 months I was cancer free!

It made me really take a look at my life and realize how unhappy I was with my marriage. I had been married to my children’s father for almost 10 years and couldn’t imagine being a single mom. However my husband was a very abusive man and I knew if I didn’t leave soon I never would. So one night after an “episode” I grabbed up my 2 boys and we left with nothing. i got us a little apartment an we started life over slowly.
Just one month after my divorce was finalized I noticed an all too familiar feeling in my right breast. I made a doctors appt and once again I was told I had breast cancer. This time I was a single mom and didn’t know anyone since I was new to Oklahoma. I put on my big girl panties and started the fight. A few months later I met a man online through a cancer support group and we started to talk everyday. He was a CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia) survivor and understood when I said things like “Im having a cancer day”. Months went by and we continued to chat online then moved to the phone and he was just amazing. I learned he had always wanted kids but wasnt able due to his chemo earlier in life. Then the good news came, he was being stationed in Oklahoma! So I took a chance and flew to Virginia to road trip with him back to Oklahoma. The connection was instant and I knew I wanted to be with this man for the rest of my life. When we got back to Oklahoma we started dating officially. I thought he was insane for wanting to date a single mom with stage 2 cancer but I was super glad! 6 months later he proposed to me and I excitedly agreed. With one clause, I wouldn’t marry him till I was cancer free. He still stuck around!
On April 17th, 2013 I celebrated my 2 year cancer free date. On May 26th, 2013 I also celebrate my 2 year wedding anniversary.

I found out recently I am a carrier fo the BRCA2 gene and so I have opted for a double mastectomy. the way I look at it is I would rather hold a grandbaby someday than have boobs.

I know this is all over the place and I do apologize. If there is anything else I can answer for you I will.

A quick background

I am a very proud Army wife with 2 little boys ages 8 & 9. I am a stay at home wife and mom but keep myself very busy with lots of volunteer work.

Thank you again for the opportunity and interest in my story.

Michell

Filed Under: Inspirational Stories, Leukemia & Lymphoma, Strong Chick Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , 4 Comments

Operation Homefront Star Spangled Babies

2013
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star spangled babies

Military moms with new baby one pieces from Happy First

Happy Military Monday!

This past Saturday Happy First had the privilege of being a sponsor for the Oklahoma Operation Homefront “Star Spangled Babies” baby shower for military families. As you may know, Operation Homefront is one of the charities we support with our Strong Chick sales. Operation Homefront is a leading national charity providing emergency financial and other support to families of service members and wounded heroes. Who knew the friends I would make from this Strong Chick tee idea? Carol Herrick, Executive Director of Operation Homefront Oklahoma and Arkansas, and I instantly bonded when we met. She is amazing, I am so in awe of her. She has been telling me about the Baby Showers for quite some time so I just had to get involved!

Often, military parents-to-be live far from their extended families and supports systems due to deployments and relocation. Like many new parents, they may have questions, concerns and fears. Star Spangled Babies showers connects new parents with other new military parents, provides resources and education, furnishes new baby essentials and celebrates and showers the new families with appreciation for their service and sacrifice to our country. (I got this info from their brochure-so well said!) I think almost every Field Office of Operation Homefront has these showers in their state. star spangled babies 2

The event was in Norman, OK (good excuse to run to Norman, my old college town, University of Oklahoma) and 100 ladies were invited. The tables were beautifully decorated red, white and blue. Each table had a hostess that got to know the moms and connected them with each other. It was so festive, it was a real baby shower for each and every woman. They got so many great gifts from donors (like an Oprah giveaway!) and had fun and games and prizes. It was a great way for them to have some stress relief and meet other new moms or expecting moms, all facing the same challenges of being a military family. I realized how spoiled I was when I had small children, I had a helpful extended family, many friends nearby and a husband that was home most of the time. I can’t imagine how hard they have it with husbands being deployed and being away from family.

The speakers were great-one was a lady from Verizon and talked about all the high tech apps and ways technology can help with new babies. I took notes, things were sure different when my kids were little! Now they have baby monitors that monitor everything and you can see your baby when you are in the other room. There is even an app for nursing moms to keep track of feedings! Then there is skype to talk to your spouse overseas. They also talked about an app called Mom Maps, for moms to find out about events nearby, so helpful if in a new town.

After lunch we had a speaker that talked about stress management and had us close our eyes and she walked us through how to destress. Yes, I almost fell asleep! She talked about the benefits of deep breathing, yoga, etc.

My favorite part was at the end when Carol passed around a piggy bank and everyone filled it with loose change and then one mom got to take it home. Carol had tears in her eyes when she said the first year they did this, the winner didn’t know how she was going to get home because she didn’t have the money, and then she won the piggy bank and it got her home!

We have so much to be thankful for and I am so thankful for the sacrifices these wonderful families have made in serving our country:  it was such an honor to participate and meet these wonderful women.

Happy First at Star Spangled Babies

P.S. We want to design a baby one piece with a portion going to military families. We are having a contest on our Happy First facebook page to design the next one piece-would love your ideas on cute sayings, designs, whatever!

 

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Inspiring Others through Multiple Sclerosis

2013
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ms jersey  I have met the most incredible, inspiring people through Happy First! Mary Bene and I think we first met when I did a Happy First Trunk show at one of our favorite shoe stores, The Glass Slipper. Then we became friends on facebook. The other day I mentioned on my facebook page I was sad that Lilly Pulitzer died, and Mary said she was really sad about Annette Funicello. I didn’t even know that Annette had Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I knew Mary was a very inspiring, upbeat person dealing with MS and so I asked her to share her story. And she was delighted to! She believes it is her mission to shed a light on MS. So here is her story.

Where do I begin to tell my story of how my MS life?  After a year of going thru many doctor’s visits and a multitude of why my walking was rapidly going downhill, I was diagnosed with MS in 2003.  Instead of sitting back and not doing anything, I got moving and got involved.  I also began my MS therapy drug on December 24, 2003 which is daily injection and hopes to slow the progression of my course of MS. survivor

I was able to keep up my exercise thanks to my elliptical trainer I have in my home.  I attended a newly diagnosed program sponsored by the OK Chapter of the National MS Society.  After that program, I became very involved in the Chapter.  I have participated in walks, ridden in the annual Bike MS, and initiated a couple of out of the box fundraisers for the Chapter.  I was instrumental in getting a specialty license plate for MS in Oklahoma.

I been awarded so many wonderful opportunities since being diagnosed and have met so many wonderful people that I wouldn’t otherwise know.  If I had to give that up and not have MS, I don’t think I would.  I know that my journey with MS can change at any time.  I am thankful for those who have gone before me and the knowledge they have passed on to me which is another form of movement.

Stop moving?  I will keep moving and keep fighting for all of us with MS.  That’s why I bike, raise money, and talk up MS whenever given the opportunity.

To all who donate money to find a cure for MS, I thank you.  You are making a difference in the lives of so many people.

Mary Benes

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Lilly Pulitzer-Spreading happiness with her clothing

2013
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lillywallpaperquote

Yesterday 3 famous and incredible women passed away-Margaret Thatcher, Annette Funicello, and Lilly Pulitzer. All 3 of these women pursued their passion and touched the world. I posted on facebook yesterday how sad I was about Lilly Pulitzer, a designer I have admired most of my life.

I want to tell you about Lilly Pulitzer. She has been such an inspiration to me because her line is so happy and uplifting and fresh. And her story so inspires me.

Lilly was born in 1931 and grew up in a wealthy family in New York and met Pete Pulitzer, the grandson of newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer, whose bequest to Columbia University established the Pulitzer Prize. They eloped and moved to Palm Beach Florida. They were known for throwing fun dinner parties at their home. They had 3 kids in quick succession. After her 3rd child, Lilly had a nervous breakdown and ended up in a mental hospital in New York where all the “fashionable”, upscale ladies went to have their breakdowns. Her doctor said, “You’re not happy because you’re not doing anything” and she replied that she didn’t know how to do anything because she grew up with a nanny and a mother that did everything for her. Her doctor said she had to go out and find something to do. So she took an unconventional path, as most women in the 1950′s stayed at home. She became an entrepreneur and opened up a juice stand (her husband owned citrus groves). It was a small juice and fruit bar in Palm Beach where her friends would come and laugh and talk and have fun. By the end of each day Lilly was covered in pulp and fruit juice so she decided to have some shift dresses made with bright fruit colors so the splashes and mess wouldn’t show. Her dresses started selling faster than the fruit!

Her tropical print dresses became a sensation in the 1960′s when the then first lady Jacqueline Kennedy wore one of Lilly’s sleeveless shift dresses in a Life magazine photo spread. Jacqueline Kennedy had attended boarding school with Lilly. Her line of dresses extended to swimsuits, country club attire, children’s clothing, home decor and a little bit of menswear. I have been to her stores, they are so fresh, fun and uplifting. People like Lilly have inspired me with my Happy First business. I love what she said about her business-”We focus on the best, fun and happy things, and people want that. Being happy never goes out of style.”

I loved that she helped her friends too. If one of them needed something to do, she opened up a store in her friend’s town. She was all about spreading happiness and finding purpose!

I had been wanting Lilly’s book “Essentially Lilly a guide to colorful entertaining” for a while and just hadn’t gotten around to buying it and then my friend Jana surprised me with it a few years ago. It is so fun, it tells her story and has beautiful styles and pictures and entertaining ideas and recipes. When I read her book it just gets me so excited for summer, entertaining outside and being with friends.

Lilly Pulitzer’s styles remind me of growing up in the 60′s and also remind me of my mom. My mom is not doing well at all right now, we don’t know how long she has. So I guess seeing Lilly and Annette pass away is just making me nostalgic.

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Celebrate April & Ideas & Inspiration to help Pursue your Passion

2013
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Happy April 1st

(click on the ecard to share with others!)

Happy April 1st! I can’t believe it is April already but so excited. I just love Spring! And we are about to get our April showers tonight, so I quickly did some planting. I planted arugula, spinach, watercress, carrots and 2 kinds of lettuce. Last night I looked at Pinterest to get some ideas, then got overwhelmed and just planted! Sometimes I want to do things perfectly and obsess instead of just doing it. Usually I just end up charging ahead. So I threw some seeds in some rows and hope they grow ok! I usually don’t plant from seed-I usually buy little plants at the herb festivals in April. So I am branching out (pun) a little and trying some new things. I do want to have a huge vegetable garden soon. We have enough room here out on our acreage, but it will take some planning-would like to do raised beds and then we will have to fence everything (we have deer, raccoons, possums, snakes, you name it) and then also figure out the irrigation. So maybe it will be in place by next spring. My sister in law is a Master Gardener, so I will enlist her help. Here’s what I threw out there today!

seeds

Oh my gosh, I am on an ADD rampage now, haven’t blogged in a while-hope you can follow this! I am always thinking of ideas to write about but have gotten really bogged down with life lately. I am truly smushed in the sandwich generation right now. Just call me peanut butter. I have one in college and one in high school-and even thought they are not little any more, you still have challenges, just different from when they were little. And then my mom is in Dallas (4 hours away) in very poor health and so I am hopping in the car once more in the morning to help my sister with her.

Luckily I have an online business so I will just take my ideas and technology with me. So excited about some new things coming up for Spring with Happy First. Can’t wait to tell ya’ll!

I just want to say, I truly don’t know how people get bored in life. There are not enough hours in the day for me. I think I got gypped on the hours somewhere! There is so much I want to learn and do. I know I sound like a PollyAnna but I just love life and I love learning. And I want to encourage others to find what makes them happy and just do it.

One of my latest fun things I am doing-I really want to get good at graphic design. Some of you know my story, I started out in fashion design in college then switched to accounting because I was good with numbers and thought I would find a job more easily in accounting. Well, I did it, got my CPA and a good job but I didn’t like accounting all that much! So finally I am pursuing my passion of design and fashion, making friends, spreading happiness. I want you to know that you are never too old to pursue something new! I have even thought about going back to college (while still running my business) and getting a graphic design degree. But I really don’t need all those unneccessary classes and taking all that time. So I decided to learn on my own. Last year I took some short classes at our local community college and that was great and all, but I wanted more. So I just signed up with Lynda.com – it is so great, they have videos on everything, from mircrosoft excel to photoshop to photography to how to learn instagram to time management! So I thought I would share. I am really enjoying it. I just want to encourage you all to pursue what you love and find different sources to do this.

Oh and this is so cool, I have been thinking about writing about this for days and then just ran across this story today from a great blog-YogaSpy- I follow- a man running his first marathon at 89 (he is now still running at 102!)-what an incredible story-just goes to show you are never too old!

So I know this isn’t perfectly written, but I have decided I just need to write from the heart. If I wait til all conditions are perfect, it won’t get done!

Happy April 1st!

What would you like to learn or do?

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Strong Chick Former Sgt USMC Lauri Rottmayer

2013
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strong chick

 

Meet Strong Chick Lauri Rottmayer, I am so excited to introduce you all to her! She is amazing!

Here’s Lauri’s story-

I’m Lauri Rottmayer, former Sergeant, USMC. I joined the Marine Corps when I had just turned 18. In fact, I was even part of the birthday celebration of October birthdays in bootcamp and I adore cake. I breezed through high school in three years. After I graduated, I took a year off to try and figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. I decided I wanted to join the military. I went to the Air Force recruiter who told me that there wasn’t really any room for me and I’d have to wait.

My uncle, a Captain in the Marine Corps, caught wind of what I was doing and told me there was no other branch of the service to belong to but the Marines and so I decided to go and see that recruiter. Who was thrilled to see me and signed me right up.

I was selected in bootcamp to go into signals intelligence and after I graduated was sent to NTTC Cory Station in Pensacola, Florida where I met my husband whom I’ve been married to for almost 34 years. We got married at the age of 18 after only knowing each other for 3 months because the military doesn’t guarantee to keep you together but if you’re married, there’s a little bit better chance they will.

Our first duty station was at Camp LeJeune, NC which is where I earned my secondary MOS of Marksmanship Training Instructor. Turns out, I was a pretty good shot and was even chosen to shoot on the rifle and pistol team!

Fast forward all these years, we’ve been all over the world, and for the bulk of my recent adult life I’ve been involved in pageantry. I entered my first pageant at the age of 37 and won the title of Mrs. Congeniality. During this time frame I also competed as a bodybuilder for the first time. I loved the muscle and being strong so, after competing in pageants for three years, I decided to direct them.

I love the International system where I was the Oklahoma director for five years. It is a community service platform based pageant that put me in touch with the most amazing, strong women who were doing incredible things in their communities for causes they were passionate about. USMC Lauri Strong Chick

I gave up my directorship when we had plans to move to Saudi Arabia. When the move was cancelled, we spent the next year doing a variety of projects. We lived in our house, an apartment, an RV and a cabin. Now we have just struck out in a whole new direction and moved to Sallisaw, Oklahoma. With him at my side and the world as our oyster, I can’t believe how excited I am!I’m glad I’m a strong chick because I feel like it helped to lay the ground work for everything I’ve done in my life. I know that one I want my granddaughter to learn is that women can be strong and it’s okay. I plan to show her that by example.

Thanks, Lauri! Check out Lauri’s blog-Rott-i-Tude (wow, she has some real strong chick pics!) and website, Laurirottmayer.com.

Lauri has a quote on the cover of her facebook page that she said is very important to her- “The secret of happiness is freedom. The secret of freedom is courage.” -Thucydides

 

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Coping with Cancer from a Caregiver’s Perspective

2013
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Mesothelioma

My vision for Happy First is to be a place where people can come and connect with each other and be inspired. Through one of my blog posts in particular- My Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Survivor Story I have seen people encourage and help one another in going through cancer.  I am so thrilled that Cameron and Heather Von St. James found Happy First and asked to share their story with you all. The perspective from a caregiver is often overlooked. Here is their story; I know it will touch and encourage others  and also create awareness.

Being a Cancer Caregiver is Hard: How I Coped With My Wife’s Diagnosis

My wife has said more than once that she has no idea what I went through when she was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Despite talking about it once, it’s a difficult thing to understand when you experience a struggle like this from different perspectives. Neither one of us had any idea that three months after our daughter was born we would be dealing with cancer. We had no idea that our joy would end and anger and confusion and fear would replace it. I watched tears run down Heather’s cheeks when her doctor told her she had cancer. All I could do was wonder how we would get through this. 

The anger is something I remember vividly. I used a lot of profanity for a while. I finally got my act together and made sure I was strong for my wife. I needed to be her rock. I made it happen, but it wasn’t easy. I had a long list of things to do that I didn’t think I could handle. Aside from the regular things I had to do such as work and caring for my wife and daughter, I had travel arrangements to make, treatment decisions, and doctor’s appointments to deal with. It didn’t take long before I started accepting all the generous offers of help that our friends and family approached me with. We were so very lucky to have that help and support during this difficult time. It helped me to prioritize our lives. I was still overwhelmed, but much less so. 

The most difficult time in all of this was immediately following Heather’s surgery in Boston. She needed time to recover before she began her next phase of mesothelioma treatment: chemotherapy and radiation. Fortunately, her parents were already watching Lily for us in South Dakota, so Heather hopped on a flight and spent the next two months with them recovering. Because I had to stay behind to work, I was only able to see my family once in those two months.  I missed Heather and Lily so much.

I visited them one weekend, and spent 11 hours driving each way. I left on Friday after work, drove through a snowstorm, and did it all over again on Sunday so that I didn’t miss any work. It was a long, grueling trip from only a few precious hours of time with them, but it was worth it to see my family. 

This was such a difficult time for me, but I don’t regret the decision to stay home and work. I had to help our family the best way that I could. Since we were so fortunate to have her parents help with her recovery and with Lily, we were able to make this decision. It was difficult, but it was necessary. It was the best decision for our family at the time, which is the only reason I don’t regret it. That was six years ago. Heather is healthy and happy now, and I am wiser from all that I learned throughout her cancer experience. I learned that I have to accept help to get things done. I learned that we were lucky to have all that we did in that department. I hope that my experience can help even one person with their own experience with cancer.

A little about Cameron-

“Cameron is husband to Heather Von St. James, survivor advocate for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, and father to Lily Rose. He, along with Heather and young Lily, had their worlds turned upside down when Heather was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, just 3 1/2 months after the birth of his only child. When faced with the very real possibility of raising Lily on his own, he fought alongside Heather in her battle with mesothelioma. It was his determination and refusal to compromise on doctors or treatments that led them to Boston to receive radical surgery from esteemed mesothelioma surgeon, David Sugarbaker. Heather continues to thrive 6 years later. Von St. James family

Through out the next few years, while being a caregiver to Heather and dad to Lily, Cameron returned to school full time to finish his degree. He worked full time, went to school full time and graduated with high honors at the top of his class in June of 2010 with a Bachelors of Science in Information Technology. He was soon offered a position at US Bank as Network Analyst and continues to pursue his career.

Like Heather, Cameron is passionate about bringing awareness to mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos exposure. It is his hope that sharing his story will help others those battling cancer and their caregivers who provide them care and guidance in their journey.”

If you would like to connect with Heather, check out her facebook page.

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Strong Chick Military Mom Virginia May

2013
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Strong Chick Virginia May

 

It’s Military Monday at Happy First!

Meet one of our Strong Chick Military Moms-Virginia May.

Here is her story. She is awesome!

Strong Chick Virginia May

I have several family members that have served in various branches of the military:

John Caldwell- maternal grandfather, Army WWII
Claude Williams- father, Oklahoma Army National Guard
James May- husband, Air Force for 8 years. Serving in Germany four of those, where my stepson was born.
Marvin Beaver- step father in law, Army
James May Sr. – father in law, retired Navy
Wally May,-nephew, Navy currently stationed in San Diego

Although knowing that each of these men in my life served their country, it did not have the meaning to me as when my own son joined.

SPC Kendall Tallon E-4 graduated from Thunderbird Youth Academy in December 2010.  The following January, at age 17, I signed for him to join the Oklahoma Army National Guard. This past August he changed units and volunteered to deploy sooner than planned with the 120th Engineer Battalion and is now in Afghanistan for 9 months.

When my son went to basic combat training I searched the internet for support. I found the Broken Arrow blue star Mothers Chapter 5 located at 81st and Lynn Lane in Broken Arrow. I started volunteering in February 2011 when my son left. I was able to become an official member when my son graduated basic in April 2011.

I remember the first time that I volunteered and we were packing boxes for deployed soldiers. We packed items such as food, snacks, toilet paper, condiments like salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, etc. I was immediately humbled at how we take for granted the little things from home. I feel like I am closer to my son while he is away from home serving our country by volunteering weekly at Blue Star Mothers.

I am currently the 2nd Vice President of the Broken Arrow Chapter 5 in charge of fundraising. We support all branches of the military. This is a group of wonderful ladies who are so supportive. We come together for our children and each other. They are my rock and this experience would be much harder without all of them.

Right after my son deployed with his new group from Florida, we sent an additional 96 boxes to those troops. We didn’t have names for the individuals yet, so each box was addressed to my son.  I can only imagine that he felt like Santa giving out those boxes and the instant camaraderie that was made amongst some of those soldiers.

To send a box to a soldier it takes approximately $50. These funds come directly from the Blue Star Mothers and their fundraising efforts. The major fundraisers of this chapter are a BuncoRama, Golf Tournament and a Softball Tournament.

I am grateful for all of the military and their families for the sacrifices made.

p.s. (this is debbie) When you purchase a strong chick tee or cap, you can choose which charity you want our contribution to go to, and Blue Star Moms is one of the charities! Blue Star Moms is funded by the money from the fundraisers and donations from the community.

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Strong Chick Airman First Class Jenny Adamus

2012
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Meet Strong Chick Jenny Adamus, her story is so inspiring! She defines what Happy First is all about, following your passion…..

My story….

Hmmmm. Where do I start? Well, statistically I am a true freak of nature. I am adopted. My parents divorced when I was 7ish. My mom remarried a man that was in the Army and we ended up moving to Ft. Hood Texas all the way from Oshkosh Wisconsin. I was in 5th grade. This move to an Army base was the beginning of something much greater than I could ever understand as a kid.

At seventeen years old I got pregnant with my first child, Meghan. I dropped out of high school and got my GED. I couldn’t even fit my enormous, 8 month pregnant belly in the desk. It was pretty embarrassing. I gave birth 1/3/95. While unmarried and still living with my mom and step-dad, I went to a one year vocational nursing program. I got pregnant with my 2nd kiddo Cade in 1999. I married his Daddy, a man in the Army, I met at Ft. Hood.

I continued nursing as an LPN/LVN until my 3rd and final child Elisabeth was born in 2001. At this time, my husband Brian and I had moved to Oklahoma and decided it would better (and cheaper) if I stayed home with the kiddos. I loved every moment being home with my babies, but something was missing. I got depressed and extremely overweight. I started thinking hard about what my future would hold. What my dreams were. Were they still possible? Was this all there was for me? This is when I started thinking about how much I loved the military. I realized how much I loved everything that it stood for. I started talking about it frequently with my husband.

Years passed and at least once a year, if not more, I would talk to Brian about this desire to be in uniform. Finally, in 2009, Brian told me basically to shut up and do something about it. He told me to find a local recruiter and find out if joining the military was even possible at my age. I was 32. I found an Air Force recruiter in Tulsa OK, enlisted in the United Air Force on November 3rd, 2009, and left for Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base May 2010. I was 33 years old. It was the hardest thing I had ever done my entire life. I asked myself every day, for the first few weeks, “What on earth did I get myself into?” I was still overweight, completely out of shape, and miserable away from my husband and kiddos. I cried every night in private. I was in pain constantly. Yet, I reminded myself where I was and how bad I wanted it. I prayed every night, thanking God for EVERYTHING, and asking him to keep my babies safe and healthy, and for him to keep me mentally and physically together.

July 2010 I graduated AF Basic Training and left for 6 more weeks for Tech school. After it was all said and done I was an Airman 1st Class in the United States Air Force National Guard. I am currently at the 138th FW in Tulsa Oklahoma. I wear my uniform with a pride that many don’t understand. Many were negative to me regarding my dream. “How could you leave your family?” or “What if you get deployed?” God, my husband, and children were 100% behind my dreams. That’s all that mattered. This November, 2012, I will have already been in 3 years. I can’t believe how fast it is going. I still thank God every time I am in my uniform. It is truly because of Him that I became who I am today. I am so glad that I decided to follow my dream. I know now that when I am a little old lady, sitting on my porch, I will have no “what ifs?” No regrets! I am so blessed.

This is my story. Thanks for listening! Jenny Adamus age 36

Filed Under: Inspirational Stories, Strong Chick Tagged With: , , , , 1 Comment

Happy October 1st & a Hodgkin’s Survivor Military Strong Chick

2012
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Happy October 1st

 

 

Happy October 1st my friends! The months just fly by-the first always sneaks up on me! And here I am late getting this out today, but I think it happened for a reason because of the comment that just appeared on the Military Wife Strong Chick (featuring Latife) blog post. I am just blown away. I cannot believe all the strong people I have been introduced to because of having Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and founding the Happy First clothing line. Also, I wanted to refer back to My Hodgkin’s story, because I want you all to see other people’s stories and if you know someone going through it, maybe my blog post and everyone’s comments can be an encouragement.

I was going to tell you about all the cute new stuff we have (and it is! check it out) but I thought sharing other’s stories are more important today!

So be Happy to be Here and remember this is a new month to make a difference in your life and others’!

We are still looking for some more Military Strong Chicks out there to tell their story as a part of an upcoming project, so please contact me either via my blog or site or facebook with your story.

Oh, one more thing, we are now on Pinterest, please follow us! happy first bat

Ok, couldn’t resist, here is one cute new thing, go check out the rest…..

Filed Under: Happy First ecard, Happy First of the Month!, Inspirational Stories, Leukemia & Lymphoma Tagged With: , , , , , Leave a Comment
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