For six and one half years there has been on going questions surrounding the death of a seven year old Michigan girl.

The mother, Donna Yost, has spent the last 288 days in jail while awaiting her trial, conviction and sentencing. Which occurred this past week.

The seven year old died from an overdose of prescription pain pills.

The question was how the child was able to get ahold of the pain pills and how did she come to take so many. Which eventually caused her death. The seven year old girl died in 1999.

The investigation led to the arrest and prosecution of her own mother. The theory of the prosecution is that the mother had the prescription pain killers... more

Well it is summer in full swing now in our town. The mosquitoes are out and dive bombing every human in sight. Every night Angela has begged me to get the itch cream.

Poor little kids can not play without being eaten by the blood bugs. I have been checking the products for safety before I use them on the kids. I have tried Deep Woods Off Spray and the new Wipes.

We have put out bug zappers and candles. We have put out the lawn torches. Now I am waiting to try the new Avon Bug Spray. The Skin So Soft has its reputation for being helpful with bugs.

I still think one of the best ways to protect the skin is to wear socks and cover as much of the sensitive areas of... more

We were working most of the day getting things ready for our "Memorial Day Yard Sale." By the late afternoon we were all cranky and tired. We were pricing boxes and my daughter was helping me.

She went to pick up a box and she spilled half of the stuff we had put in the box out. Before I could stop myself I called her stupid. I am not one for doing that. I guess from the stress of the day I was just ready to relax. I wanted everything done and done fast.

Mean while my daughter quit helping me and I do not blame her. She was... more

Well here we go with some new about Ricky Holland, the child killed with a hammer and stuffed into a trash bag and left on the side of the road. All of this believed to be done by his parents. One parent against the other and the dad finally takes police to where Ricky's little body is found.

Is it sad that the parents are in jail? "NO." They as adults made a decision to adopt this little boy. Then they made another decision to kill this little boy.

I wonder what Ricky felt like as the hammer came smashing down on his body. From the very hands that should have been protecting him and seeking help for him?

We have no room on this earth for people who murder their... more

Family ties are the strongest ropes in the world. There is nothing more durable and heart warming than the links that God places into each family unit.

Sometimes things change and the mommy and daddy just do not get along anymore. In those moments our kids feel like their world is ending. Everything is coming apart at the seams. They don't know who to blame or what to do to solve the problems.

Family Counseling is always a good idea at this time in life. For the kids and for the parents too. Parents should try everything before they... more

They have finally come out with a limited call phone for children. The famous "Dragon Fly" offered by Sprint has four buttons and an emergency button in the center.

Parents can choose which 4 numbers their child can call. Mom, Dad, Home or a Friend. Or Home, The Police, Fire Department and School. It could be a series of people from Grandma to his Pediatrician. But always in the center is the 911 button for any emergency any where at anytime.

However, this little fire fly is so popular that they are sold out across the country.... more

With the weather so beautiful out. I am sure our children are going to be out there playing in full force soon.

School is almost out for the year and summer is just around the next corner. So it might be nice to brush up on some of the basics of emergency home medical care.

One of the most common sources of injury usually happens to the skin. A child falls off a bike or runs into a toy in the yard and the next thing you know they appear before you with scrapes, cuts and bruises.

When this happens you want to make sure the abrasion is cleaned correctly to prevent infections. You also may want to apply a cold compress to a bruise to prevent swelling or apply pressure... more

The day was so beautiful I could not resist taking my daughter Angela to the park to play. It was one of those springy almost summer days where the sun is hot and the breeze is cool.

It makes you yawn because the air is so fresh and the day seems so dreamy. A bunch of people were there with all sorts of kids playing.

Other moms were like me sitting on the park bench soaking up the sun and watching as the kids went from slides to swings and back again.

Listening as the kids played near me. I was about bowled over by the language this little 3 year old boy was using.

I... more

It was a lazy day just full of sunshine. Perfect for a walk to the park. My daughter and her friend decided to take Devin (my grandson) off to the park to play.

He just loved it at the park like any little person. He was off to play on the swing set and to bounce on the ducks and elephant springs. He loved the slide and time went quickly by them.

The sky began getting darker and the girls decided it was time to begin the walk home. Of course Devin was having way to much fun to even think about coming home. (giggle)

So he threw his first major temper tantrum on my daughter... more

As new parents we tend to be very compassionate to our children. We have heard the horrible issues of why the kids were placed up for adoption. We have this over whelming desire to make the world right again for them.

That is such a positive goal but often we make parenting blunders that end up giving us regrets in the end.

We buy them all sorts of new things. Great toys. The coolest clothing. The neatest sneakers. Just about anything their little hearts desire.

Trying our best to paint the dream of a whole new world for our adopted child. A place where they are safe and they have all that they need. In a perfect world this may be the answer. But often it is... more