Thoughts From a Mom of Twins

2009-08-25T08:54:00.001-07:00

Teaching Our Children Healthy Eating Habits
We are a fast paced society dependent on fast and convenient food. We have alternatives to this in our children's school lunches that may be beneficial to the health of our society.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2089933/teaching_our_children_healthy_eating.html

Grandpa and Grandma are great!!

2009-07-15T10:55:00.000-07:00

I will come back to the Disney trip later. Right now I want to say my appreciation to my In-laws for taking my kids for a week. As hard as it was to let them go as Brookelyn went this time too, it has been great to get some things done without them.
It is a lot easier to go through their things and re arrange their rooms when they are not in them trying to keep everything that you put aside. I am trying not to let them become pack rats like their Mom (who is getting better about that). I am actually going to be able to clean my own room and get rid of some of the stuff that I have packed away.
I was able to go to the JCPenney outlet without kids to keep track of.
I will be able to go to the grocery store without having kids tagging along wanting everything in sight.
I am looking forward to getting my kids back, as I do not like to see their beds empty; but for now, I am happy to be without them for a few days.

The next chapter...

2009-07-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

After seeing the princesses and Mickey/Minnie Mouse', we then explored the park and rode some rides. There is a little area in the back of the Magic Kingdom where your kids can play on slides, and explore a play house. The kids really enjoyed it. The kids really enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean (of course who wouldn't), Peter Pan's flight, Its a Small World (not my favorite, but great for kids, especially young ones). I can't say enough about Disney parks as they are very family friendly that even kids as young as newborn can ride many of the rides. The cast members are so helpful to the guests.

We are not even fans of parades, but their "Celebrate a Dream Come True parade" was great. It really captured our kids, especially the 2 year old. She just loved it.

The evening of our first day there, we enjoyed the "extra magic hours" at EPCOT --those are hours that only guests of Disney Resorts can enjoy, so the lines are much shorter and the characters that come out are hilarious. One of the evenings had Goofy chasing Donald and Donald hiding from Goofy.

Our second day we joined my parents and went back to EPCOT. That is where the more technological advanced rides are. This was considered the park of the future at its inception. There are a couple of space themed rides there. One of those is Mission:Space which gives you the sensation of lift off in a rocket. The G forces are quite amazing. Go orange!!

Another one is Spaceship:Earth. It is a slow moving ride that takes you through the technology of the past 2oo years to present/future. It is an interactive ride. Brookelyn fell asleep on it.

There is also a ride there called Test Track where you ride a car through a testing ground like landscape with it ending with a 70 mph curve (it broke down while we were on the ride the first time--so they gave us another ride).

There is another one about the movie: Finding Nemo. Mykids just LOVED that one as Nemo is one of their favorite characters.

Finally, the ride that my kids and husband keep mentioning is SOARIN'. It is a simulation ride of a hang glider that flies over California and it almost feels like the real thing as you can feel wind in your face, turbulance from airplanes, etc... . I won't tell all as I don't want to give it away.

EPCOT also has the best fireworks and we could see those from our hotel balcony.

more to come.......

To continue.....

2009-06-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

We hadn't even made it to the house of mouse yet, so after our enjoyment with the princesses, it was time to move on to Mickey, the world's most famous Mouse. The bonus was that Mickey and Minnie were together. Once again --SCORE-- one less line to wait in.

Again, I will say that despite being with children all day, they seemed thrilled to see three more.

Here they are signing our girls autograph books. We would send Brianna and Bethany in first to get their books signed, then we would send Brookelyn in since she did not have an autograph book this trip ( we are saying this trip because one day we do hope to go back when she is a little older).

A cute thing that happened with Minnie and Mickey is that both characters would get down to eye level with Brookelyn and wiggle their noses at her. She thought that was so cute. So, not only do they cater to those kids that are in between, but also to the very young.

Brookelyn had a ball with all the characters.

Once again, I applaud Disney for finding great people to work in the character costumes for the enjoyment of little kids of the world.

My Dream Come True...

2009-06-17T22:26:00.000-07:00

Finally, the moment had arrived. I was there, with my family, at THE Walt Disney World Theme park in Orlando Florida (actually Lake Buena Vista). For our first day in the parks we chose the Magic Kingdom, of course. It is the most kid friendly as far as I could tell. The night before we tried to plan a strategy as our daughters wanted to see the princesses, so we studied the map and in the morning after a leisurely ride on the monorail we arrived at the gate. As soon as our bags were searched and our tickets were read by the ticket eating machine, we made a beeline for ToonTown where a certain Mouse pair are rumored to hang out. On our way to the House of Mouse, we stopped at the venue where we saw a sign for princesses and fairies. We found out that the wait was about 60 minutes (princesses) and 100 minutes (fairies)and there were three princesses at the end of the line. Well, kill three birds with one stone means two less lines to stand in, so we got in line for the princesses

We decided to do something special for them and bought them autograph books for their character sightings, so autograph books and three daughters in hand, we got in the princess line. The actual wait was closer to about 40 minutes and at the end of the lines were the three princesses that they wanted to see the most -- Cinderella, Belle, and Aurora (Sleeping Beauty for those of you non-princess people). I had tears in my eyes as I looked at my 5 year old daughters' faces. They were faces of awe. I will never forget that reaction as a mom, seeing it all through their eyes was so amazing. I was so impressed how each princess treated each little girl like she was the only one in the room. She spent time with them and made each one feel special.

I do have a funny story to tell relating to the princesses. My youngest visited Cinderella and when she was done, she was ready to move on to Belle, though there was another family with her at the time. We removed our child from the other family's photo and when it was her turn to visit Belle, she brought her sisters with her and Belle made the comment that "oh, hello again, and you brought your sisters with you.". By the time that we got to Princess Aurora, they were calling My daughter by name.
Cinderella was the first princess that they were able to see.

Better Late than Never

2009-06-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

I know, I know it has been over three weeks since we have returned from the happiest place on earth . Can I go back now? We had a wonderful time as a family and it truly was a happy time for all of us. I will spend the next few blog posts sharing our experiences and a few of our pictures.

We checked into our resort, yes we spent the extra money to stay in the Disney resorts, and it was well worth it. We checked into the Caribbean Beach Resort and were immediatly immersed into the laid back Disney life and Disney hospitality that I had only read about in books. As a resort guest, you get free parking and VIP treatment at the parks when you enter. You get the "friendly wave" at the parking gates. That was one of the best things of all.

The view from our room was better than I expected (see picture) and the room itself was awesome. Not only was I not expecting a corner room, but I was not expecting a room overlooking the garden courtyard. Since we chose a standard view room, I thought I would probably get parking lot view, not the garden view as shown in the above picture. This was taken from our balcony outside our room. We also had more windows because we were on a corner as well.

The resort is made up of three "islands" --Jamaica, Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, Trinidad North and Trinidad South. These islands all surround a man made water inlet which has beaches by each island. Each island also has a pool and you are not allowed to swim in the lake water. There is a main pool and food court between the islands of Martinique and Trinidad North which has a gift shop, restaurant, concierge services, and several food selections including pizza, salads, sandwiches, etc... . We stayed on the "island" of Aruba.

Stay Tuned for more of our trip of a lifetime.

3 more days

2009-04-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

5 more days

2009-04-27T15:00:00.000-07:00

I guess it depends on how you count. I prefer the method with the fewest days. If I count today and Saturday, it would be 6 days. If I don't count either Saturday or today, it would be 4 days. We leave really early on Saturday, so how many days is it really?

By the way, my island choices are Barbados, Martinique, Aruba, Jamaica. It is suggested that if you have children to take Martinique because it is nearest to the play area and beaches. Barbados is noisy because it is nearest to the custom house where you check in and find the restaurants. Hopefully, if I get to choose, I can get a quiet room overlooking the garden (our choice is either garden or parking lot in our standard room).

9 more days

2009-04-23T12:22:00.000-07:00

Well, we have finally reached the mark of below the double digits. Yippee. Vacation cannot come soon enough. We will stop first in Mobile Alabama (if we get there in time for the church service) for a service at Christ Fellowship Baptist Church. It will be our breath of fresh air before we arrive at Pensacola Christian College. Then on Monday I hope to spend an entire day at the beach. Ahh, the thought of wiggling my toes in the warm white Pensacola sand and feeling the sun and hearing the ocean waves. That is the one part of living in the Midwest is the sound of ocean waves (though we lived 6 hours away from the Pacific, still it was nice to know that it was not too far) that I miss.
I am not sure what we will do on Tuesday yet as I do want to do a little sight seeing. Wednesday is the graduation from PCC and the college events surrounding it.
Then on Thursday we leave for beautiful Orlando, Florida. Home of the Happiest Place on Earth -- Walt Disney World.
Hmm, which island should we choose (if we get to choose) in our Caribbean beach resort? Now that is the question.

16 more days.

2009-04-16T14:16:00.000-07:00

17 days to go

2009-04-15T15:13:00.001-07:00

18 more days to vacation.

2009-04-14T19:32:00.000-07:00

Tea Anyone?

2009-04-14T18:22:00.000-07:00

There was this great opportunity here in Rockford and I took advantage of it. As you all know, I am a very political person and I make every attempt I can to be involved.

In 1773 there was this great American event called the Boston Tea Party where, any American should know, is where the colonists dressed as Indians and went aboard the English ship in Boston Harbor and threw all the tea overboard in protest of the high taxes that the English King George III had put on the American colonies.

In our country today we have high taxes. Our own government wants to tax us more and more for their new programs to rob from the rich to feed the poor. Today, here in Rockford, we said "enough is enough". We had a tea party here and it was great fun. We met by the river and walked along one of the busiest streets in town, where they collected all our tea in a barrel (the environmentalists asked them not to dump it in the river and they complied) to symbolize the dumping the tea in Boston Harbor those two hundred thirty six years ago.

We then walked to city hall and chanted "no more taxes" hoping for the mayor to show his face, but we learned that he was out of town, oh well, better luck next time. There were several waving people in the upper windows of city hall. Then we marched back by the newspaper offices and chanted "tell the truth". No one was anywhere visible. I wonder what they will print tomorrow!

I was amazed how much support we got from passersby. So many horns honking, thumbs up, and cheers from them. Even the police were having a good time with our PEACEFUL protest. Our local Senator and our U.S Representative showed up to show their support. Thank you, Senator Syverson and Rep. Manzullo for what you do for us and the cause.

Above are a couple of pictures that I took of the event. To see more you can also visit the website (above).

In Continuum .....

2009-04-11T22:46:00.000-07:00

This is a continuation of the previous post about the school.

Because we have school choice, a friend and I studied, toured, prayed over what choices we should put on our request form. I narrowed it down to 4. These were the top 4 choices in the city that were within 10 minutes from me. Because of my central location, I am near several and thankfully 90% of the schools that would qualify in the 10 minute diameter from me are in the top 10 in academic scale for this particular city (which does not say much, unfortunately, but I think it is getting a little better slowly).
Anyway, back in February my kids and I toured three schools in anticipation of this day. We toured 1 school that had uniforms, a large Hispanic population, around 600 students, and a very nice large playground; we toured another school that was really small (my neighborhood school), in a nice seemingly quite neighborhood, high test scores, and a special education class (which does not matter too much to my needs); and we toured a school that is the most coveted school in the city and is really hard to get into. The grades there are the highest with exception of the gifted school, the atmosphere seemed to be really great, and the library was awesome.
We were awarded the first school that we toured, the great big one that I mentioned first (I hope this is not too confusing for you to follow, I am trying to keep all names etc... private). Being awarded this school was a great blessing from God as I mentioned in my previous post. I am excited about the uniforms, as it will make dressing my kids easier and less expensive. It will also help reinforce our modesty rules because as I read the information packet that I wasa given I found that the clothes have to have complete coverage as well as the skirts have to be the same length on all girls--to the end of the fingertips when standing/kneeling.
Another thing that I really liked was that the principal is observing all recess times as well as the classes only go out a grade at a time so there is not a 5th grader (for example purposes only) picking on a 1st grader. I really liked that. The school also seemed really secure and the staff was the friendliest of all three schools that I observed. It is only 7 minutes away (which may come in to be very important as every minute counts for me in the morning). And finally, the kids favorite part -- the gym has a climbing wall. The bonus is -- one of my kids' friends will also be attending Kindergarten there, so there will be a familiar face though they may not see each other often as they are in different grades.
I am really looking forward to seeing school plays, school band performances, and all the stuff that comes with the public education as well as just being home and being Mommy for a while and seeing what that is truly like. I am looking forward to picking them up and doing homework with them, while asking them about their day. I have been teaching them for two years now and I am just exhausted, stressed, and missing the formative toddler years of my youngest.
Now please pray along with us as we use this opportunity that God has given us to be a small light, but a light none the less, in the public school system.

Finally Over!!

2009-04-06T20:27:00.001-07:00

After two long months of preparing, praying, and wondering, it is all finally over. Today was school registration day. I was up and at em (okay, maybe not at em, but I was up), at 7:00 and out the door by 7:35 this morning. I arrived at school registration office at 7:45. I can count at least three ways that God worked for me specifically today. The first is my number -- 11.
The registration was not scheduled to start until 9:00. I had put it all in God's hands, but still a little nervous as what if all the schools on my list are full and I have to scramble for another school that I know nothing about. As I sat down, I found the list of "closed" schools and found that only one from my list was closed to 1st grade. I thought "so far, so good, still three to go".
As time got closer the more nervous I got as I heard through converstions in the room that the majority of the parents in the first 10 parents there were looking for 1st grade and at least two of my schools were on most of their lists.
Finally, 8:45, the time came. About 10 minutes later my number was called, my required ID papers were approved, and my paperwork was issued. I hurriedly filled it out, keep in mind that unlike most of the other parents there I had to fill out paperwork for two children. I also had to find the same school for two kids in the same grade.
As I made my way through the registration tables, everything was great until I got to the last table before the meeting with the specialist who would issue the school. A small snag was found in my paperwork. I did not have the right form of ID and it was missed back at the first step. Thankfully and Providentially, she let me through anyway after I persuaded her that I called in February and was only informed of two forms of ID, not specific ID (the sign in the office confirmed what I told her). That is the second way that God worked.
The third way is the most miraculous in my mind (though they are all miraculous works). I waited for my name to be called for my school assignment. Finally the big moment and I went back to the desk for my meeting with my assigned specialist. She looked at my requests and said that my first choice was full (it had filled up at person #5). So that is two of my choices full. That was the best school in the city that everyone wanted and I just had it on my list as I figured that I could ask and the least they could do is say "no".
She looked at my second choice and said "I think that one is full too." My spirits sunk as I thought, "now what #4 is only on the list as a fall back school.". The specialist said, "well, let's see what we have at school #2" as she poked at her computer. "We do have two seats available in school #2," she said, much to my elated joy. I replied, "I will take them." So either God opened up those two seats for my kids, or she had gotten them confused with another school. Either way, I saw him intervene on my behalf, clearly. Praise the Lord for his mighty power and Providential work even in the little things like where I school my kids.
This is also the school that my kids liked after our school tours and one of their friends will be in Kindergarten at the same school, so they would have a familiar face. God is so good. Now it is over with and there is so much peace in my mind and heart.
In a future post I will describe the reasons why I like this school and the more I read, the more I like it.

That time of year again.

2009-03-20T22:52:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year again -- March Madness. You either love it or hate it. I remember as kid, I hated the NCAA basketball tournament because it took place of my favorite shows that were on in the evening. Now I love it because every year a group of us fill out our brackets and are glued to the tv for several hours watching the games to see if our "teams" make it to the end. I am not interested all year in college basketball until this point, then break out the brackets, pens, chips and pop and away I go, cheering for teams that I have never even heard of.
I pulled out my trusty old Gonzaga t shirt last night to cheer those Bulldogs on to victory.
For those of you who hate sports, just bear with the rest of us until this madness is over.

GO ZAGS!!

The School Journey

2009-02-11T15:26:00.000-08:00

This year a new school journey may begin for my beloved kiddos.
It is such an agonizing decision to be made and I have spent many nights in tears over it and I am sure many more will come.

Some of you all ready know this, but this year has been so stressful for me trying to get the girls school done, keep the house clean, as well as the other duties that come with being a home maker. I don't feel as though I am making much of a home for my family in this present situation. I want to be able to just invite people in without having people make an appointment two days in advance to come over and in the present situation, it would be impossible to not be embarrassed.

I know that private school is not an option due to financial/doctrinal issues, so our options are to continue the present homeschooling program (which is stressful to me) or to send the girls to the "dreaded" public school.
Why does the public school scare me so much? Is it because growing up I was taught that those public school kids are bad and I am better because I went to "Christian" Baptist School? Is it because they teach the kids the religion of secular humanism and evolution? I am not really sure. I am trying to discern the truth in those statements and find the realities.
I have begun my week with tours of two public schools and they were not at all scary or anywhere near what I imagined in my little kid dreams. I found them to be a place of learning, peace, calm, and structured routine. I was actually very impressed. My kids seemed to enjoy the environment as well.

Could it be that God may want us to have a ministry of some kind to the public schools? Could opportunity present itself through our children that might otherwise not be available. Children can really thrive even in the not so ideal environment if they are being taught the correct doctrinal/moral system at home. If they are grounded in the Word of God and its teachings, it can be a place of opportunity.
I look forward to this possible endeavor and exploring the many possibilities with my kids (even though I am still trying to have an open mind to homeschooling in the Fall) and making my home a more peaceful environment where I can just be mom.

Last but not least....

2009-02-04T14:10:00.000-08:00

Utah: An elderly Mormon visits his doctor and asks if he'll live to be a hundred.
"Do you smoke or drink?" asks the doctor.
"Those have never and will never touch my lips," says the man.
"Do you gamble, drive fast cars, and fool around with women?"
"Nope, don't believe in doing any of that, either."
"Well then," says the doctor, "what do you want to live to be a hundred for?"

Vermont: What did the guy from Burlington say to the Pillsbury Dough Boy? "Hey, nice tan."

Virginia: You have seen the ad "Virginia is for lovers," well there is an elderly couple sitting chairs. The little old man comments, "In my day, Virginia was for people who were just friends."

Washington: In Seattle you haven't had enough coffee until you can thread a sewing machine while it is still running.

West Virginia: What is the West Virginia state flower? The satellite dish.

Wisconsin: Sven notices his neighbor has a sign in his yard -- "Boat for sale."
"Ole," he says, "you don't own a boat. All you got is your old tractor and your combine."
"Yup," said Ole. "And they're boat for sale."
(personally I thought the one for North Dakota is the one that fit Wisconsin to a tee).
Here is my take on Wisconsin (having lived there for a few years), What is a three course meal in Wisconsin? Cheese, brats, and a six pack.

Wyoming: Why are cowboys' hats turned up on the sides? So that three people can fit in the pickup.

Another day of jokes. Hey, 50 states takes a long time.

2009-02-03T12:14:00.000-08:00

You can tell there is nothing going on in my blog world when all I can find for several days is state jokes, so here goes...

Ohio: How do you know you are from Ohio? You own only three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup.

Oklahoma: How can you tell if an Oklahoman is married? There's dried chewing tobacco on both sides of his pickup truck.

Oregon: Howard dies and waits in line for judgment. He notices that some souls go right into Heaven, while Satan throws others into a burning pit. But every so often, instead of hurling a poor soul into the fire, the devil tosses him aside. Curious, Howard aska Satan, "Excuse me, but why are you tossinghim aside instead of flinging them into hell with the others?"
"They're from Oregon," Satan replies. "They're too wet to burn."

Pennsylvania: What do you call an Amish guy with his hand in a horse's mouth? a mechanic.

Rhode Island: There is nothing for Rhode Island, maybe because it might as well be part of Connecticut.

South Carolina: While fishing off Myrtle Beach, a Yankee tourist capsized his boat. Petrified he yelled to an old guy standing on the shore, "Are there any gators around here?!"
"Naw", the man hollared back, "They ain't been around for years."
Feeling safe, the tourist started swimming towards shore. Halfway there, he asked the guy, "How'd you get rid of the gators?"
"We didn't do anything," the old guy said, "The sharks got 'em."

South Dakota: A tough old badlands rancher once told his grandson that the secret to long life was to sprinkle a little gunpowder on his oatmeal every morning. The grandson did this religiously, and he lived to be 93. When he died, he left 14 children, 28 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren --- and a 25 foot hole in the wall of the crematorium.

Tennessee: Do you know what you get when you play a country tune backward? You get your job back, your house back, your wife back, your dog back ... (that is only the oldest joke in the book).

Texas: Kinky Friedman, entertainer and former Texas gubernatorial candidate, explains how to speak Texanese: 'Y'all is singular. All y'all is plural. All y'all's is plural possessive. "

I will finish next time.

oops, forgot one in order.

2009-02-02T12:48:00.000-08:00

Nebraska: A farmer was standing beside the road when a man drove up in his car. The farmer says to the man, "Just keep driving. When something changes, you'll know you're out of Nebraska.

2009-02-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

Okay, I think I have lost my one reader.

Massachusetts: Lewis Black on Boston traffic: "The last person to get across town in under three hours was yelling 'the British are coming! The British are coming!'"

Michigan: What do you call 40 guys watching the Super Bowl on television? The Detroit Lions.

Minnesota: What are the four seasons in Minnesota? Almost winter, winter, still winter, and construction.

Mississippi: How do you know whey you're staying in a Mississippi hotel? When you call the front desk and say, "I've gotta leak in my sink," and the person at the front desk says, "Go ahead."

Missouri: A man from Kansas City walks into a bar and asks, "Wanna hear a joke about people from St. Louis?"
The bartender says, "Listen, pal, I'm from St. Louis, and I won't appreciate it. The man sitting next to you is 265 pounds, and he's from St. Louis too. And the bouncer, that huge guy over there, is also from St. Louis. So do you still want to tell that joke?"
"No, "says the guy from Kansas City. "Not if I have to explain it three times. "

Montana: Four women are driving across the country together, each one from a different state: Idaho, Nebraska, Montana, and California. Shortly after the trip begins, the woman from Idaho pulls potatoes from her bag and throws them out the window. "What are you doing?" asks the Nebraskan.
"We have so many of these things in Idaho, I'm sick of looking at them."
A moment later, the gal from Nebraska pulls ears of corn out of her bag and tosses them out the window. "What are you doing?" asks the gal from Montana.
"We have so many of these things in Nebraska, I'm sick of looking at them."
Inspired, the Montanan opens the car door and kicks the Californian out.

Nevada: Las Vegas: All the amenities of modern society in a habitat unfit to grow a tomato. (Jason Love)

New Hampshire: The state motto is "Live Free or Die," which appears on license plates made by prisoners. (Jon Stewart)

New Jersey: As you know, the bear hunting in New Jersey is a little bit different. First they shoot the bear and then they bury it in a construction site.

New Mexico: Traveling outside Taos, a man comes upon a Native American lying in the middle of the road with his ear pressed against the blacktop. "What are you doing?" asks the man.
The tribesman replies, "Woman, late 30s, three kids, one barking dog in a late model, four-door station wagon, traveling at 65 mph."
"Amazing! You can tell all of that just by listening to the ground?"
"No," says the Native American. "They ran over me five minutes ago."

New York: I moved to New York City for my health. I'm paranoid, and it was the only place where my fears were justified. (Anita Weiss)

North Carolina: On his first trip to Boston, the North Carlinian met a girl at a bar and asked her, "Do you go to Harvard?"
The girl responded, "Yale."
"Okay. DO YOU GO TO HARVARD?!"

North Dakota: What's a seven course meal in North Dakota? A hamburger and a six pack.

jokes continued ...

2009-01-29T15:13:00.000-08:00

Here is the next installation of 50 jokes for 50 states. Da Da Da Da....... .....

Kansas: What do a jack knifed semi in Ohio, a guy getting a divorce in Alabama, and a tornado in Kansas have in common? They're all fixin' to lose a trailer.

Kentucky: How do you know the toothbrush was invented in Kentucky? If it'd been invented anywhere else, it would have been called a teethbrush.

Louisiana: What differentiates a zoo in Louisiana from other zoos? The Louisiana zoo has a description of the animal of the front of the cage, along with a recipe.

Maine: After surveying property along the Maine and New Hampshire border, some engineers decided that the boundaries needed to be changed. So they stopped to tell a farmer that he was no longer in Maine, but in New Hampshire. "Good", said the farmer, " I couldn't take another one of those Maine winters."

Maryland: An admiral is standing by a candy machine at the Naval Academy in Annapolis when he stops a plebe walking by. "Sailor, do you have change for a dollar?" "Sure buddy", says the plebe, rooting around his pocket.
"That's no way to address an officer! Now let's try it again. Do you have change for a dollar?"
The plebe snaps to attention and barks, "No sir!"

50 jokes for 50 states continued

2009-01-28T12:02:00.000-08:00

Delaware: A DuPont chemist walks into a pharmacy and asks the pharmacist, "Do you have any acetylsalicylic acid?"
"you mean aspirin?" says the pharmacist.
"That's it, I can never remember that word."

Florida: My parents didn't want to move to Florida, but they turned 60 and that's the law (Jerry Seinfeld)

Georgia: How do you know when you live in Georgia? When all the directions start with "Go down Peachtree..." and include the phrase "When you see the Waffle House...".

Hawaii: There was an old woman who lived in a shoe... and also had a time share in Hawaii.
(there is a picture showing an old woman sitting on a flip flop on the beach).

Idaho: Want to join a militia? Idaho's your state. Here are some terms to learn: Commander --Whoever starts the unit.
Second in Command --- His best friend.
Auxialiary Commander -- His wife.
Captain -- New guy.
Militia Headquarters -- The basement of whoever has the fax machine.
Squad -- Guys in the ambulance who come out when a militia member accidently shoots himself during training.

Illinois: This is how Chicago got started. A bunch of people in New York said, "Gee, I'm enjoying the crime and the poverty, but it just isn't cold enough (Richard Jeni)
Here is mine: The state where our Governors make license plates. -- I actually heard this one somewhere, but I can't remember where to give that person the credit, but it is so true, so I couldn't resist.

Indiana: (this is a comic with a picture of a guy in a bar with a shirt that says "I Love Gary". The guy next to him at the counter is looking at him funny. The comment on the bottom is "It is not what you think... I'm from Indiana.")

Iowa: What do they call 100 John Deere's circling a McDonald's in Iowa? Prom night.

50 jokes for 50 states

2009-01-27T11:00:00.001-08:00

I found this also in Reader's Digest. I thought it was hilarious (some anyway). I will do several a day until I get to all 50.

Alabama: When a visitor to a twon in Alabama spotted a dog attacking a boy, he grabbed the animal and throttled it with his bare hands. An impressed reporter saw the incident adn told him the next day's headline would scream "Valiant Local Man Saves Child by Killing Vicious Animal."
"I'm not from this town," said the hero.
"Then," the reporter said, "it will say 'Alabama Man Saves Child by Killing Dog.'"
"Actually," said the man, "I'm from New Hampshire."
"In that case," the reporter grumbled, "the headline will be 'Yankee Kills Family Pet.'"

Alaska: An Alaskan was on trial in Anchorage. The prosecutor leaned menacingly toward him and asked, "Where were you on the night of April to October?"

Arizona: It's so hot in Arizona, cows are giving evaporated milk and the trees are whistling for dogs.

Arkansas: An Arkansas state trooper pulls over a pick up truck on I-40. He says to the driver, "Got any ID?"
The driver asks, " 'bout what?"

California: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the FBI, and the CIA want to see who is best at catchint perps. So a rabbit is realeased into the forest, and each of them has to catch it.
The CIA goes in. They place animal informants throughout the forest. They question all plant and mineral witnesses. After months of extensive investigation, they conclude that rabbits to not exist.
The FBI goes in. After two weeks with no leads, they burn the forest, killing everything in it, including the rabbit.
The LAPD goes in. They come out two hours later, dragging a bruised mountain lion behind them. The mountain lion is yelling, "Okay! Okay! I'm a rabbit! I'm a rabbit!"

Colorado: How do you know you're in the presence of a real Coloradan? He carries his $3000 mountain bike on top of his $500 car.

Connecticut: What's the difference between Massachusetts and Connecticut? The Kennedy's don't own Connecticut.

that's it for today. Stay tuned for the next few.

Lord of the IKEA?

2009-01-26T13:58:00.000-08:00

As my only reader knows, I am a huge fan of the Lord of the Rings and IKEA, I thought this was quite funny. See if you can guess. This came from Reader's Digest.

IKEA product or Lord of the Rings character?

1. Faramir 2. Freden 3. Grundtal 4. Boromir 5. Molger 6. Galdor 7. Freda 8. Agerum 9. Babord 10. Frodo 11. Grima 12. Akurum 13. Brunkrissla 14. Sultan Hogbo

Oh the Crazy Day!!

2009-01-09T13:42:00.000-08:00

I don't know what started it all, but it was justa very crazy day. I started to wonder if I should have gotten out of bed this morning. Now that I think of it, maybe I will go crawl back in.
I got up later than I intended, oh big surprise, which usually leads to a shorter day to do the stuff that I need to get done.
I went do do some errands that I wanted to get done before the snow started to fall, when you have three girls, toilet paper is an important thing to have around. I have one child who either hates cold or her car seat, not sure which at this point. If it is cold, I truly understand as I am not too fond either. If it is the car seat, I can't say that I enjoy the seatbelt, but I am so used to it that I really don't notice it anymore.
Anyway, where I am going with this is that we were in the car on one of our busiest streets here in town and the baby was crying uncontrollably. I had all ready yelled at her to be quiet and that did not work (when am I going to learn that it does not work to yell?). I had tried one of her favorite toys and that did not work either. FInally, I was stopped at a light and I figured "maybe her hands are cold" so I turned to put her mittens on her and apparently my foot left the brake pedal as I bumped the car in front of me.
I felt so embarrassed. When we pulled into a parking lot and looked it all over, I was so relieved that there seemed to be no damage to either vehicle, just a little wounded pride on my part. I apologized profusely to the poor man in the other vehicle while I was very thankful for bumpers on cars. Thankfully I don't think he is going to report it as he did say that there is nothing to report.
I think God was giving me a wake up call that I was being very selfish this morning in how I was treating my baby and now I am very thankful for that little reminder.
I expected my husband to be upset, but he said that he had done the same thing before. I didn't feel quite so bad then.

To Have and To Hold

2009-01-06T20:18:00.000-08:00

Well, my only sibling got married last Saturday. Yes, poor guy went through with it.
It was a very beautiful wedding that not only married two people, but also married two cultures. He is a Caucasian American and she is Mexican American. There are many cultural issues that I was not aware of for weddings.

Did you know that the groom's family in the Mexican culture pays for all the wedding expenses? I didn't either. What a great idea. That would prove how much he really loves her.

In Mexican culture a wedding is a time to celebrate, so break out the sangria and tortillas as there will be a PARTY!! It is a huge event in the family's life so everyone and their friends are invited. The invitation goes out and they bring visitors to the weddings so it makes it hard to plan and many times there are large elaborate decorations and large elaborate dinners.
So was the case. ( I will post pictures as proof as soon as I get them, but they are in my mom's camera, so who knows how long that will be, hopefully soon).

They had this elaborate canopy that was decorate with lights, ribbon, greenery, icicle lights, and beaded jeweled crystals. The railings on the front of the altar were also decorated with greenery, lights, Christmas tree bulbs, ribbon, and a silver garland that made things just shimmer. They covered the floor with a cotton cloth to look like a snowy winter wonderland.
In the aisles were light strand on each side of the pews all the way up the aisle to light up the aisles, tall vases filled with the crystal jewel strands, a glow stick, and a piece of silver greenery. I had the priviledge of helping decorate for this happy occasion.
The reception place was also decorated. There were supposed to be two receptions, and I decorated for the first one. This one was supposed to be cake and punch. Well, I decorated and got the punch ready in the fountain and had the fountain running. There was no cake to be found. Come to find out, the bride's mom had forgotten to pick up the cake at the store, so there was a reception with no cake, hilarious.

Usually there is a large dinner afterward. The bride's mom owns a restaurant, so they catered it and we had Horchata (a rice milk with vanilla and cinnamon), a "pollo" dish which is interepreted as chicken. Along with the chicken were Mexican rice and refried beans served with tortillas. Nothing like a nice warm tortilla with chicken and beans in it. Yummy!! I had several.

When it was time to depart, of course the groom could not wait and my cousin yelled out "Have fun", much to the embarrassment of my brother, the groom, who stood there red faced.
I had not shed a tear during the whole ceremony, I laughed when the pastor told them that they had kissed long enough, but I could not hold back any longer when it was time to go and he told me that he loved me and thanked me for everything I had done. That was such a special moment that it brings tears to my eyes today, even though they are well on their way to their cruise for their honeymoon.

HOME

2009-01-06T10:56:00.002-08:00

AAHHH, my own bed, my husband, and my kids. Not on the slow moving train anymore. YIPPEE!!

If it could go wrong on this train trip, it did. We started out being bussed from Portland OR (I from Pasco, WA) to Spokane WA so we could catch the train that was waiting for us t here as it would have started out at 10 hours late. They were trying to get the train back on schedule as many trains had been up to 22 hours late going across the Northern half of the country due to adverse weather conditions (supposedly and I beg to differ that not all were weather related).
Somewhere between Williston ND and Stanley ND, the baggage car froze up, so we ended up stopping for about 2 hours while they unfroze it. The problem with that is that they initially did not tell us anything. We were just stopped at 2:00 am in the middle of the black night in the middle of the open prairie leaning sideways. We could not find any train personnell anywhere and no one answered the call lights. There is no emergency number for the train, so there was this eerie feeling in the pit of the stomach as though something isn't quite right.
Before this, we were stuck behind a freight train that had some engine trouble, so we were waiting there for an hour while they changed the engine on the freight train.
Station stops seemed like they took longer than the scheduled time, so every little thing added time onto the train ride.
By the time we reached the Wisconsin state line we were 7.45 hours late (apparently picking up that 15 minutes in the twin cities helped a little) and I knew that I would not make the last bus to the destination city from Chicago and had to prepare to either have my ride pick me up in Chicago at 12:30ish AM or come to a different destination to pick me up. We chose the latter and I am so glad I did. I was happily in bed before the train ever reached Chicago.
Needless to say, I did call the train company this morning just to let them know that it would be nice if they would communicate with their passengers a little better because we are in their hands while we travel that mode of transportation.
I still think it is a fun way to travel if you are patient and have the time and are aware that you may be late (my total wait time was 14.75 hours -- 7 going west bound and 7.45 going east bound).

HOMER\

2009-01-06T10:56:00.001-08:00

Popcorn and Preaching?

2009-01-01T23:51:00.000-08:00

I know you are wondering how those go together. So was I. I told my dh and he just gave me a knowing laugh.
I visited my parent's church for their New Years Eve service and we did the normal Baptist thing and ate and ate, had preaching (if you could call it that), games, and testimony time.
Then they did this "popcorn preaching" thing where the "preacher boys" got up and preached 5 minute sermons. In about three instances, they were given a verse that night and given 15 seconds to look at it, then 3 minutes to preach on it. Maybe I am just an ignoramus woman, but tell me how much study can really be gotten in 15 seconds?
How much true change can take place in a 5 minute sermon, or would any life changing decisions just be made all on the basis of emotion? Have I just gotten so used to the meat of the Word and the long sermons that a short sermon of that nature just does not seem quite right?
I grieve that preaching is sometimes thought of as entertainment or not taken seriously. Preaching is a very serious undertaking and should not be taken lightly.
Tonight my dad made the comment that he thought the "preaching" was really good last night. I made the comment that not much studying could have taken place for those sermons. He replied that he got the same things out of those verses that they did. Does this prove how simple minded people can be or am I just being overly critical?
One of the verses from the book of Colossians mentioned the elect of God and I just wanted to shout out "Do you really know what that verse is talking about", especially when you read the context of the verse.
One of the sermons, the preacher asked the same question that I have for numbers oriented churches. "If you have 3000 people saved this year (as the church claims), where are they? Why are they not being discipled? Why are they not in church? Someone finally had the guts to ask that question. The answer that can be given is that no one is taking the time to do it.
Tell me, what is better -- living a life that pleases God and people can see Him in us and taking time to witness when the opportunity is presented before us; or going from house to house in our culture today and/or shoving the Bible down the throats of complete strangers just so that you can say that you "got someone saved" and having that high number on the record books.
It grieves that so many of these "saved" people may have made the decision to get people of their doorstep, or because they felt manipulated into a decision, or were pushed down an aisle and have no real concept of what true salvation is --repentance and declaring Jesus Christ Lord of your life. Forever changing and walking with Him.

The Long Wait and the Train Ride

2008-12-29T14:46:00.001-08:00

My train for Washington was scheduled to leave from Chicago's Union Station at 2:15pm on Saturday, the 27th of December. So, DH and I went into Chicago on the "L" from our hotel (see previous post), ate lunch at the station, then went to my gate only to find out that there was a delay on the train, and we didn't know how long it was. What started out as a 45 minute wait became 6 hours. DH waited as long as he could as he had to catch his train back to where we parked the car at Cumberland to get back home in time for dinner as Grandpa and Grandma were watching the girls for us overnight.
I waited and waited some more with very little encouraging news from Amtrak.
Finally at about 6:00 they announced that our train was here, the whoops and applause was great. We waited in line for another hour and finally at 7:45 our train pulled out of the station. I have never waited that long at a train station before but I guess I would rather wait at the beginning of the trip at the station than somewhere along the line stuck somewhere.
I finally made it in to my destination at 1:05 pm today (Monday, the 29th) 7.5 hours late.

A Night in Chicago

2008-12-29T14:40:00.002-08:00

On Saturday I was scheduled to leave for the West C0ast for my brother's wedding, so on Friday, my husband took me into Chicago for the night.
We stayed on the outskirts and took the CTA, otherwise known as the "L" into downtown and went to our new favorite restaurant --The Cheesecake Factory -- that sits under the well known landmark --The John Hancock Building.
After dinner we walked along the famous "Magnificant Mile" or Michigan Ave. It is a high end shopping district and is home to stores such as Tiffany and Co., Nordstrom, Apple, and American Girl Place, to Millenium Park and watached the ice skaters at the new outdoor ice skating rink. Then we walked around the park.
Unfortunately it was Winter so it was dark, so we weren't really able to see much except for the lights on the "crown fountain" and the "cloud gate" otherwise known as the giant bean. That is a place that I would love to go back to in the Spring when all the flowers are in bloom and the fountain is actually on.
We then caught our train back to our hotel.

A Night in Chicago

2008-12-29T14:40:00.001-08:00

promised pictures

2008-12-18T13:35:00.001-08:00

I know it is hard to see the colors exactly, but I had 5 different colors of beads, all pastel colors, that they could choose from along with silver colored metal beads. They each picked out a charm, a heart, daisy, butterfly, etc... , and put it together to suit their personal tastes. I then showed them how to crimp the clasps on.

Clockwise from left to right:

picture number 1 is the younger girls, Bethany, Melanie, Emma, and Brianna, displaying their work. They made theirs on elastic strings so as to make it easier to get on and off for someone as young as 4 1/2.

picture number 2 is two sisters, Megan and Rachel, comparing their handiwork. One is elastic and the other is wire.

picture number 3 is 5 of the older girls,Allie, Morgan, Lindsay, Hallie, and Shelby, wearing their pieces. It is always fun to wear what you did yourself.

picture number 4 is two of the girls, Chandra and Jessica, from the older group showing off their

Girls night out.

2008-12-15T13:43:00.000-08:00

As some know, I am developing a new hobby. It is jewelry making. I hope to one day sell it as I love to make it. It is such a stress release. You might ask "how much stress can a stay at home mom have?" You would probably be very surprised. We have not only our schooling to do, but a house to attempt to keep neat as well as cooking and the other household duties to maintain as well.

I recently had the priviledge of having 13 girls between the ages of 5 - 15 in my home (including my two), on December 4th for a bracelet making workshop. I prepared the beads, stations, etc.... ahead of time to make it run smoothly. I was nervous as it is the first time that I had attempted something like this. I loved listening to the girl talk around the table as they were trying to compare thier handy work.

I made a snack called brownie lollipops and those went over like marshmallows in a smore's. I think it became quite the snack and I plan on giving out a couple copies of the recipe as well as making them again sometime.

Thanks to Kristie for taking some pictures which I will post as soon as she e mails me them over. I plan on doing it again in the Spring. Maybe we will try something more ambitious, such as a necklace.

Funny Vacation Story

2008-12-01T21:57:00.000-08:00

As most of my readers know, I have three little girls. We went to Michigan for Thanksgiving to spend it with Grandpa and Grandma. Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Anouk went as well.
One evening my two 5 year olds were upstairs in the old house talking to Uncle Jeremy. They happened to glance at the book he was reading. They told him the man on the cover of the book was John Calvin (one of the early Reformers). Jeremy turned his book over and surprisingly said, "yes it is, how did you know that"? To that they replied, "My daddy has that book, and we can't read it yet, but we will someday. Brianna will borrow daddy's and I will borrow yours."

A couple of days later, Grandpa and Grandma took the same two children to see Christmas lights. One of the displays had Santa and his reindeer. She asked them if they knew who it was. They had no idea who Santa is.

So my kids know who John Calvin is and not Santa Claus at age 5. Imagine that!!

Life is good

2008-11-17T14:53:00.000-08:00

Well, lots of wonderful things have happened.
I have lost 32 pounds and bought a size 12 jean a couple of weeks ago, we got new carpet ( I guess I can't say new as we did not have carpet before), and my husband got the John Calvin commentary set half off. I have discovered the joys of the Whole Foods Market with its cashew butter and pumpkin and flax seed granola cereal. I just wish the closest one was not 51 miles and the prices were a little lower.

New Era

2008-11-05T08:59:00.000-08:00

Well, a new era has dawned in America. I grieve for the masses who went into this wanting so much to have a change that they really have no idea what they have truly voted for. I grieved as I watched the mezmerized masses in Grant Park in Chicago as their "messiah" graced their presence. America was a "shining city on a hill" to quote Reagan. We were the beacon of hope to the world, now I fear that that the beacon's light has gone out we will become just like all the rest.
I do thank my God for his Sovereignty and we as Christians can go into this knowing that He is our Messiah and He is in control and has not left His throne. He didn't wring His hands in heaven last night wondering what would happen in America. He knew from before the world began which brings comfort and peace to me in these turbulant times.
I will be praying for President Bush as he finishes his term as president and I will be praying for President Obama as he begins his term and that God will give him the wisdom to govern our great land and that God will have mercy on our country and still allow us to shine brightly to the world.

Ode to my country as I know it.

2008-11-03T22:04:00.000-08:00

It is the eve (or should I say early morning of) an all important election that will decide the future of our great country.
Are we a country that truly wants "change we can believe in" or what we know -- "the straight talk express." In less than 24 hours we should know what the future of our country will be.
I love my country and I feel truly blessed to have been born in what I believe to be the greatest country on earth. As I sit here, I pray for the future of it. I pray for the future of the unborn, the future of the elderly, the future of our marriages, and the future of my money.
What Senator Barack Obama wants and sees as his America is one where there will be many more people dependent on the government to solve their problems. A wonderful utopia where there are no classes and bread is given to the masses. It is a Socialist society that has been proven not to work in Europe. Where will the Canadians go for health care if we socialize ours? Hmm, that is an interesting question. If he cannot even solve the problems in Illinois, how can we expect him to solve the problems in the whole country. Sure, he is articulate and can mezmerize you and bring in the masses and the money, but can he and his policies protect you from a terrorist attack? Can his beliefs that the Constitution is wrong and the Justices of the Supreme Court should not govern by the Constitution, but should be able to do what they want from the bench satisfy you. What about his friends --Bill Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, Tony Rezko, and the other shady characters in his past? Shouldn't those concern you?
John McCain, though not a perfect person either, has a proven record, though I don't agree with all his past accomplishments in the Senate. He has protected life, whether it be unborn or whether it be aged. He has personally fought and suffered for our country more than an average person will ever know. The battle scars that he bears for us -- all Americans -- are true to the sacrifices he has made for his beloved country. He has always been a proponent of tax cuts and lowering taxes for EVERYONE and not handing people something that they have not worked for.
If you don't pay taxes, you should not get money from those who do. The harder you work for your money, the more money you deserve. If you read this and are an American citizen who will be voting later, I plead with you to THINK before you vote. I ask you to check the record of each person on the ballot. It takes more than fancy speech to run a country. Hitler was articulate and mezmerizing and look what happened in Germany. Consider your choices wisely. Voting is a priviledge and should not be taken lightly.
Not only do I ask you to vote for the future of the free market economy and the future of the unborn, but think of your own children and grandchildren. Do you want to leave them with a welfare state with a Socialist mindset? Or would you rather leave them with a prosperous Capitalistic country that is successful and ready for the future?

The prodigal has returned

2008-11-03T22:00:00.000-08:00

Wow, it has been quite some time since I have posted on my blog. So many things have happened. One of my friends has remarried, we have journeyed our "long distance" trip to the Wisconsin Dells for our annual Fall vacation, and we have had an eventful evening of Trick or Treating fun -- and not so much fun as spraining my ankle and falling on my face in front of others. As my friend Robin would say" Welcome to the dorks anonymous club". Our sidewalks are not known to be the greatest.
I hope I did not chase any readers away in my long absence.

From the mouths of babes...

2008-09-15T20:43:00.001-07:00

Here is a funny thing that one of my kids said today.

I was going through their math book and saw that they are having a "test" tomorrow. When I was doing the pre-day planning this afternoon, I said, "Ok, they have a test tomorrow". One of my girls said "Mom, will the test hurt?"
Wait until they get to college, then they will truly understand the "pain" of a test.

I thought that spoke for itself.
One of the girls has allergy tests a couple of weeks ago, which is drawing blood, so in their little minds, tests hurt.

2008-09-12T14:44:00.000-07:00

Well, we started school last week and it seems to be going well. There are times that I feel as though I want to tear all my hair out trying to teach 2 5 year olds how to write certain numbers and letters. It can be somewhat difficult.
So far I think they might be learning something. It seems as though each day their letter and number writing does get a little bit easier.
First time homeschool mom and first time schoolers can be somewhat interesting. My degree is not for this age group and there is a reason for that, but the teaching aspect is the same none the less.
I did realize that I forgot to take a picture of their first day. I cannot believe that I did, but I did. My husband cannot believe that I forgot either.

We'll see how this year goes as to whether or not it has been a success.

Go Sarah Go

2008-09-10T19:11:00.000-07:00

Here is my two cents.

I was not sure about John McCain. He appeared to be the better of two bads initially. I personally thought my candidate of choice (Mitt Romney) was better back in February. Maybe he still would have been in certain areas of leadership.
I became more convinced that John McCain was the person that he claimed to be when he was interviewed by Pastor Rick Warren at Saddleback Church in California. I thought he gave the better answers. He was clear and concise and shared his view points on certain important issues to Conservatives, such as myself.
I had decided at that point that I was going to vote for him and of course hoping that he would choose a good Conservative running mate and not do his "maverick" thing of choosing someone who would help gain those more moderate voters who would probably vote Democrat anyway (like Joe Lieberman for example) --though he did give a good speech at the RNC convention last week.
I certainly did not expect who John McCain did pick to be his running mate. I had heard her name once or twice thrown around on Conservative talk shows, but she was not on the short list for them.
After hearing Sarah speak, I am convinced that she can do the job. I am also convinced by some of her testimony as shared by the pastor of her church (that she grew up in and attends when she is at home in Wasilla, AK) that she is a woman who is trying to follow God's direction in her life -- though she has made mistakes as have we all.
John McCain not only did meet expectations, but he did far better. He did choose a Maverick like himself -- in Sarah Palin.

2008-09-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry, more politics. It is in my blood, what can I say?

I am glad that both party conventions are over and we can move on to the real stuff -- the debates and negative campaigning (just kidding on the last one).

I think all of our (the Republicans, duh) speeches were just "too hot for the Dems to handle". I am not a HUGE McCain fan, but his choice of Sarah Palin for VP was just over the top for me. By choosing her he has shown a choice for Conservative values and after hearing both speeches the past couple of days, I love the reform idea. We do need LOTS of reform in the Congress and the White House.

Happy 9 weeks until the elections.

New McCain campaign slogan

2008-08-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

For those of you who hate politics, this post is not for you.
I, personally, like it to a point. By November, I will be ready to get the election behind me as the negativity and ads will get to me by then.
You also know that I am a Republican by choice. My first allegience is to God and those things that are Biblically sound -- such as pro life and pro marriage between one male and one female. My pocketbook comes in also as I do not like to pay high taxes and I am in one of the highest taxed states here. I also like to choose my own healthcare program and do not need the government telling me that I can't own a gun. That is usually the political party that stands behind all of those things. I also have to vote my conscience in what I believe that would best honor God.

I am also not an Obama kool-aid drinker. He believes in nothing more than a Communist Utopia. He wants everyone equal even though he owns a multi million dollar home that he had to have help buying. He wants higher taxes for what he calls the rich (if you make over 150,000 --does that include himself and many of his colleauges in Congress). Apparently in his lack of experience he fails to realize that it is the rich who pay the most taxes in this country.
He is also very extreme in his abortion beliefs -- abortion after the baby is born by letting it die.
He has no experience and has done nothing for the state of Illinois. There is no such thing as the Land of Lincoln.
Because of the Republican party he can stand where he stands today as a presidential candidate. It was the Republican party under the great Abraham Lincoln that freed the slaves in 1862 and 1863.

After hearing Hillary's speech last night. I got all fired up. Here is the new campaign slogan.
NO WAY, NO HOW, NO BAMA. Go McCain. Never thought I would hear myself say that one. I want the bumper sticker.

New Lifestyle

2008-08-26T22:34:00.000-07:00

As some of you know (okay, maybe only one), I have been trying to figure out for the past few weeks what was causing the eczema and coughing of one of my children. A friend suggested that it could be allergies (I had never thought of that) and she suggested that I take her off of milk for a couple of weeks and see what happens. She left me with a couple pints of rice milk to try.

Lo and behold, suddenly my child does not cough all night, something that she has not done in several weeks. Her coughing had kept us all up for nights on end and it was nice to finally get a night sleep. For almost two weeks this went on and when I would allow her to indulge in cheese, ice cream etc... she would then cough at night. Her eczema started clearing up also.

Things then got out of control after we re-introduced dairy and I did not know what to do next so I called the doctor and he suggested the blood test.
We finally had a blood test last Friday and we found out that sure enough, she is allergic to milk and egg whites. Now life will get easier for us as now we know what not to give her. It is a mild allergy, so having either of those two items will not kill her, but she will just get the uncomfort that comes with it. It does not mean that she cannot have ice cream with Grandma, but it means that if sherbet or sorbet is an option, she should have that instead.

The egg whites is going to be a little harder to do as there are eggs in a lot of things. There will be some lifestyle changes that will need to be made feeding my allergic child and I may need some guidance on that one.

Update on the Update.

2008-08-26T22:18:00.001-07:00

We finally got the infamous car home. He picked it up on Saturday morning and got it as far as a mechanic about half way to the house from the dealership.
He looked at it over Monday and found it to only be a cadyllic converter flush was needed (that dumb eco friendly unnecessary part anyway). Cost us a measly $58.00. Thankfully, after my husband talked them down at the dealership $200 on the price of the car and we still came out ahead.
Now that the car runs well, and my husband made it the 25 miles one way to work, we priced it on Kelley Blue Book and it is valued over twice what we paid.
I definitely think that car dealership knew it had a problem and didn't want to fix it and wanted it off their lot. They could have made a lot more on it if they would have just fixed it up. How much more time, effort, and money would that have truly taken. And, they would have made their customers happy and kept their reputation in tact.
If it lasts a few months, or even a year, this hassle will be but a happy memory as we tootle along in our new van-- that hopefully won't be a hassle as this little car was.
If I could drive it, I would show it off to my two readers, but since it is a manual transmission, I have to just look at it from a distance (until my husband has the patience to put up with me behind the wheel so I can practice on it).

Update on car

2008-08-21T08:03:00.000-07:00

As I said in the previous post, I HATE buying a car.
We went to bring the car home on Wednesday and it still would not run as expected. I know it is a 4 cylinder 5 speed manual, but it is supposed to go over 35 mph. It shuddered and made a funny hissing noise, which he said was not there before (he probably had the "great" stereo so loud that he didn't notice). We have spent so much time and gas going to and from this dealership that we just want to be done with it.
We are hoping now that either a good hearted dealership manager (who is obviously crooked) or the threat of bad publicity will get him to reconsider the previous "no" to taking the car back completely and letting us walk away from it as though no sale ever occurred.
If we do have to bring the car home, the newspapers, news medias, and better business bureau (that one will find out anyway) will know about as well as all of our friends.
My husband told the sales person that the car should not have even been on the lot and the sales person agreed and said that he should not have sold it to him. I know that we cannot trust that particular dealership (of which I will mention if we do not get this resolved our way--customer is always right?) to buy a car from them in the future.
There are so many more reputable dearlerships that we can buy from and take our business to those places.

A Car Story

2008-08-19T11:09:00.000-07:00

One thing I despise is shopping for cars. I don't like dealing with the dealers, used car issues, and all that goes with it. I have never owned a brand new car and I probably never will. I would be happy with horse and buggy and just feeding the horse and oiling the buggy (not really but sometimes it sounds cheaper and easier -- the Amish have it made when it comes to gas and hassles).

My husband has a 1994 Saturn that we both just really like, but it has started having some major problems of late. It has started making very loud (okay, has been making loud noises for a long time now) noises and running very rough. He took the car in to a shop and they told him that he needs the water pump and some other thing replaced. Well, one of those two items is going to cost too much more than it was worth for us, so on Saturday we decided to put it up for sale (it will appear on Craig's list soon) and look around for something to replace it. Hopefully we can find someone who knows what they are doing and can fix it themselves. To make a long story a little shorter, he found something he really liked (he kept raving about the stereo -- he likes that loud). He ended up buying a 5 speed Kia Sephia. Well, he did not even make it home. A little over half way from the dealership his clutch went out.

Thankfully the dealer was willing to work with him and told him that he basically had two options (because he had signed on the dotted line for a car that is "as is"), those were: they would pay for half of the repair work and we pay the other half; or we can use the full amount of what we payed for the car as a down payment on something else on the lot. We thought the deal was more than fair. They could have said, "too bad, so sad, your loss".

We tried the second option first and a couple of things looked appealing (one being a cadillac catera --never thought I would like a cadillac, and a camero --gas hog). He test drove another Saturn, but the price said it all. There was so much wrong with it that it would not have been worth it. We were just not comfortable with anything from that lot, so we will just be paying for the repairs on his little car and bringing it home (hopefully it will make it this time).

What we have decided to do is this:
1. sell the Saturn SL1 (anyone like cars and knows how to fix them by themselves enjoy) and apply to payment of Kia.
2. sell the old Oldsmobile that is rotting in the garage and apply to payment of Kia.
--meanwhile making a couple of extra payments on it to get it paid off sooner.
3. sell minivan -- Pontiac Montana -- and replace it with newer model (if we are going to have payments, we might as well have payments on our family vehicle.
4. Money from van, go towards down payment (or full payment) of new car for husband. Then of course, sell Kia and apply towards one of the two "new" cars.
We just figured that this was the wiser choice. It is amazing when the options have been considered through prayer, peace is found.
Hopefully all this will all go through in the next few months as I would LOVE to drive a new van to Disney World in the Spring.
Anyone want to buy a Saturn? okay, how about a 1978 Oldsmobile? no? Okay, how about a Pontiac Montana, loaded?

Swimsuits (girls only)

2008-08-11T13:26:00.000-07:00

I was checking out swimsuits online and after a discussion about them with some other ladies, a website was brought to my attention. I will post it later in this entry.
I am trying hard to be an example of modesty to my girls. I am trying to teach them by my own actions and clothing what is modest. They are quick to point out other ladies' immodesty with pointed fingers and have to be reminded that we are not to judge other people, but only concentrate on what we wear to be honoring to God.
I am looking for a new 2 piece swimsuit --don't worry, I am not going to show my fat belly to the world. It is a tankini, not a bikini. The top that I ordered is a little lower than it appeared in the pictures on the store website so I am debating of sending it back and getting a different one or keeping it and trying the style on me. I am going to let my husband be the judge to see if he would be comfortable with me wearing it in public.
This has always been a hard spot for me because of my Independent Fundamental Baptist (you might as well call it Amish) background. Sometimes the rebellious roots come out in my new found liberation from the legalistic oppression and I could not resist. Our shirts could not be lower than 4 fingers from the base of the neck (which is not a bad standard to have -- but extremely hard to find in this day and age). We also wore coulottes ( I have seen them illustrated extremely as "sugar britches" --Ann Marie posted about those a couple of months back) that had to be 36 inches around each leg. Here is where the double standard falls. Why did it matter what a girls' swimsuit looks like if we were not to "mix bathe"? Of course, I never went mixed "bathing" until I was married. Do they mean mixed swimming? If it was all girls, why was skinny dipping not okay? If there is any lusting going on with all girls, then there are other issues that need to be addressed.
Anyway, to the subject in point. A friend of mine mentioned the burquini (for the modern muslim woman), which is not bad, but a little extreme for me. Definitely hides all those flaws, flab, and cellulite though.
One that really got my attention is the Fundamental Baptist Swimwear . (this is the title that I gave it) If you type Amish swimwear in the subject line this is what comes up. Too funny, actually sad to think that parents would put their kids in these and that full grown adult women would actually wear them. I loved the line in one of the blogs that said that the husbands can pick out swim clothes for their wives that would be modest. Of course you know that in that culture, the woman has no say anyway.
Another line said (this one was against the swimwear) that there is nothing about what was modest for men to wear (what about women against speedos, yuck!) What about suits for the modest man (gunnysacks and burlap bag clothes lines). I think women should start selling modest swimsuits for men.
One of the comments used the verse Deuteronomy 22:5 Read the comment for yourself. I can't tell you how many times I heard that verse has been taken out of context and construed to make it say what the person in the pulpit wanted it to say.
My husband and I jsut had a discussion about this verse last night. We have come to the conclusion that it is referring to cross dressers and others who get their jollys by looking like the opposite sex. Our conclusion is backed up by people like R.C. Sproul who says in his notes in the Reformation Study Bible (ESV)that verse should be translated as people who wear the clothes of the opposite sex for religious purposes, such as bestiality and homosexuality. It was meant for the culture of the time. John MacArthur says in his study Bible that it was referring to cross dressers and transvestites.
Oh wait, did I say NKJV and ESV? It is the version that is my problem. I didn't use the KJV. Oh, oops that is for another post.

2008-08-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

Our library, like most libraries, had a summer reading program.
For every 5 books they read (or in their case, I read to them), they got a prize. There were sports drinking bottles, balls, blowup balls, stickers, coupons for fun stuff like pizza and ice cream, etc... . My kids reached every prize and then some. You got a total of 30 books which resulted in 6 prizes plus the invitation to Magic Waters water park for the program finishers party.
That was held on Friday, August 8th. We decided to go and a good time was had by all. Initially my plan was to keep the baby home and just let Daddy take the other two so I didn't have to show myself in my pesky swimsuit. I will use any excuse to not have to use that thing. I ordered a new one, but until that one comes, I have this other one.
Anyway, Brookelyn (the baby) "earned" her tickets too, so we decided that she would probably enjoy the evening as well. So all 5 of us made our way to the waterpark, while I was trying to figure out how to work it so that I can keep my cover-up on.
Then I thought "okay, I am going, I will just stay in my swimsuit cover-up and just stay with Brookelyn and he can take them to the slides." I looked around and saw people that are bigger than me and decided "what is the big deal. No one is looking at me anyway. I have looked worse at the Dells before" and decided to go ahead and go with them. My husband offered to keep Brookelyn for the first part and I took them on some of the slides, then he took them in the lazy river and I took Brookelyn on a tube as well.
We ended up on the big slides with the girls not wanting to leave, slowly trying bigger slides throughout the night. I kept telling them that "this is the last one". And they would go down and ask for one more time.
Finally at about 8:45 and it was starting to get chilly, we did call it a night.
Thank you public library for a great party. My 5 year olds loved it.

Success

2008-08-10T14:56:00.000-07:00

Raccoon update

2008-08-04T20:43:00.000-07:00

The raccoons have left the building. Thankfully they left on their own without the expense of a trapper.
That happened last time too, except we still had the trapper come in that case.
Since the raccoons left, we had a roofer friend of ours come and patch the place where the raccoons lived for that short time.
Good riddance coons.

2008-08-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

Well, another year has come and gone. Another birthday has past.
Not really a big deal, right? Nothing wrong with 32, right? It doesn't seem possible, but it is.

My family was so sweet. 5 year olds are funny about birthdays. My husband was trying to keep everything as secret and quiet as possible. While I went to a mom's night out, he took them to the store to buy my birthday gifts.
On the morning of my birthday, daddy was away at his accountablity group, one of my 5 year olds walked up to me and said, "mommy, daddy hid your birthday gifts in his closet."
I replied, "he did, huh?". So I wouldn't ruin his fun, I did not look in his closet.
Later, one of them said, "don't look behind the 'cucumbers'," while pointing to the romaine lettuce.
I said, "we don't have any cucumbers". I looked behind the lettuce and there was a cake in a bag. OOps.
After my husband returned, one of them told me "mom, we went to Target and got your gift."
I told my husband that if we keep going here, they are going to tell me what I am getting and ruin the fun.

We did open my birthday gifts later that afternoon and I got a couple of nice things from the girls and a Target gift card which I will SOOOO use.

That night he had arranged for "Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Anouk" to come over to babysit the kids while he took me out to the suburbs of Chicago for dinner.
He had pre arranged for a dinner at Ruth's Chris steakhouse at 5:30 that night.
That was the best steak I had ever had. There was free valet parking which we did not do because my husband's reasoning was he was not going to have someone else park our messy minivan.
The servers were in suits and ties and once you were seated, you had personal service from your server. They did not serve anyone else the entire time you were there. It was great.
I wish I would have taken a picture of our steaks. We did take a picture outside the restaurant which I will post later (along with the raccoons that I promised a few days ago).
To top off the evening, my husband put up with a walk through IKEA.

Wonderful Addition to the family --God's family.

2008-07-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was washing the stove and Bethany came to me and said, "Mommy, I want to repent." I looked her in shocked amazement and said, "ok, do you know what repenting of your sins means?"
She replied, "not really."
I said "Well, why don't we talk to Daddy when he comes home and he can help you with that."
My idea was Jason would want to be there if she truly wanted to. I also thought that if she remembered to ask, it was likely and truly the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Coming from the background that I come from -- decisionism and immediate baptism-- I wanted to be careful how it was done. I wanted to be careful what was said and all that. I wanted it all to come from her, and not from me. All to the Glory of God, not to me.

We had dinner and I took a walk. After I got back, Bethany told Daddy, "Daddy, I want to repent of my sins." He looked at her about the same way I did and put his video game away.
He started asking her questions like What is sin? Have you sinned? Give me an example of how you sinned. She was able to answer all of them. He then asked her , " who saved you?"
she replied "God",
Jason "who is His Son?"
Bethany "His Son."
Jason "who is His Son, who died on the cross?"
Bethany "God".
Me "What is His name?"
Bethany "I don't know."
Jason "yes you do."
Bethany "Oh, Jesus". He died on the cross and rose froM THE DEAD." (she yelled the last part)
Brookelyn was getting distracting, so we went upstairs and put her in her crib and Brianna came along too.
We got in their room and talked some more. Asked some of the same questions as well as explaining what repent means. We wanted to make sure she was truly ready. The Bible says, "Become as a little child...". She is 5.
When Jason was sure she understood, he said, "What do you have to do?"
Bethany "pray and tell Jesus I want to repent and ask Him to forgive me and trust Jesus."
Jason said, "do you want to do that?"
She answered, "yes"
Brianna said "I am not ready, Daddy." Of which in a way were relieved. She is her own person this way and not just following Bethany. We pray she will come to the same on her own in the near future.
We sent Brianna out of the room while Daddy prayed. He then told her that he could not pray for her as she had to pray on her own. Bethany said, " you prayed on your own Daddy, and Mommy prayed on her own, because your parents could not pray for you, right?"
We replied, "right"
She then bowed her head and prayed a sweet little prayer and we believe trusted in Christ for salvation.
What a glorious moment when we can see and hear our children come to Him. It brings tears to my eyes as I write this.
What a wonderful addition to the family of God. Now we will start the teachings of baptism and hopefully in a few years we can see her follow Christ in baptism.

Raccoons

2008-07-25T15:32:00.000-07:00

If anyone remembers the story about how we had raccoons in our attic, dejavu. Here we go again. This time they are not in our attic, but in our soffits (our eaves). There are at least three of them. They are cute little critters in their own sort of way.
I just don't want them to stay there too much longer. I have an appointment with a trapper on Tuesday to put up some traps to get rid of them for good. I will keep everyone posted on how that goes.
It does cost a pretty penny to take care of all this though, I will say. I will post pictures of the little critters.
In the meantime, I have three new pets.

baby contest

2008-07-14T15:16:00.000-07:00

I have been urged by more than one person to enter my baby in a baby photo contest. All it takes is votes.
VOTE FOR BROOKELYN

Here is the site. All you have to do is click and it will take you right to her.

https://www.greatamericanphotocontest.com/voter1/index.aspx?referid=EmailFriends&p=648647&x=.jpg

Here is the second picture that I have entered. Please vote for Brookelyn.

https://www.greatamericanphotocontest.com/voter1/index.aspx?referid=EmailFriends&p=648661&x=.jpg

Thanks and enjoy.

2008-07-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

Well, the time has come for my kids to visit Grandma and Grandpa by themselves. Amidst the tears they left this afternoon for a week of fun and games with Grandma and some evenings of fishing with Grandpa.
On Friday, after a wonderful meal, thank you Jeremy for grilling the meat and Anouk for making the beans and organizing everything, we took the family to our newly discovered spot to view the city's 4th of July fireworks. It was another great show and we did not have to pay a dime. Wonderful !!
Yesterday we went galavanting off to Chicago to give the parents the great Chicago train experience. Dad is not fond of big cities and hates driving through them, so we thought it might be nice to show them how wonderful the transporation system is and how great Chicago is once you learn the loops.
Jeremy, Anouk, our girls, us, the Grandparents, and Uncle Josh enjoyed the nice uneventful train ride, followed by a wonderful lunch at the Cheesecake Factory in downtown Chicago--actually in the basement of the John Hancock Center.
We then took a bus to the Lincoln Park Zoo, a FREE zoo right in the park district along Lake Michigan. We could not have asked for better weather. The beaches were crowded with half naked bodies worshipping the sun. We found it to be a wonderful zoo and look forward to going back and seeing more of it sometime soon.
After that we went back to Michigan Avenue, also known as the Magnificent Mile. It has all the upscale shops like American Girl, Bloomingdales, Macy's, 5th Avenue, Apple, Niketown, etc... , and walked a short distance on it.
Finally to top off the day we ended up at Navy Pier and had lunch and enjoyed the cool breeze off the lake for a little while.
We then hopped back on our bus, to get to our train, to get to our van, to get home, and in the end, I think it was a success.

Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones

2008-06-25T16:07:00.000-07:00

That is actually the title of the book that the girls and I read this morning.
For some reason, my girls have been obsessed with dinosaurs lately and I really don't know why. We have never talked about them. I wonder if they are learning about them from the kids they play with.
We have been going to the library to get books/movies recently and I saw that book on the shelf and thought "we could read that book and then go to the local natural history museum and look at the real dinosaur bones on display.
So a couple of days ago I asked my husband if he could take half a day today so we could all go to the Burpee Museum of Natural History and enjoy their free day.
He did and we had a great time. They kept asking if everything was real. The common answer was, "they were once".
We saw Jane, our local baby t-rex, and Homer, the "new" dinosaur -- a juvenile triceratops. Here are a couple pictures of the kids at the museum. Both of them are of them standing in front of Jane, but you really can't see her.

American Girl doll pictures

2008-06-19T09:41:00.001-07:00

I have been asked to post pictures from the girls trip to Chicago when they went to pick out their American Girl dolls. Here are pictures of them with the dolls.
The first picture is actually a mistake. It is of Brookelyn playing at the mall play area. I accidently put the wrong picture and don't know how to delet it.

It is an intimidating choice. You walk into the store and there are dolls everywhere (once you get on the doll floors). For a child picking out a doll, it is a very difficult choice, but they didmake their choices fairly quickly.
This is Bethany with her doll. She picked Kit Kitteredge -- from the historical doll collection. I believe she represents the 1930-1940 era.
This is Brianna with her doll. They don't have a doll with a missing tooth, but she picked out one close enough. She picked one of the "Just like me" dolls. Long blonde-brown hair and brown eyes. I really think she looks like her. She named her Mia (which is also the name of the doll of the year). She chose the name herself.
This is both girls later with their dolls in the pajamas that Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Anouk bought them for their bitrhday. It had been a long day and they were both struggling so hard to keep their eyes open long enough to open and change their dolls clothes.

Chicago, Chicago, My Kind of town .....

2008-06-14T22:33:00.000-07:00

It has been a very busy couple of weeks. We ended our time of busyness with a trip into Chicago. We have been looking forward to this trip for some time as we have been planning it for a couple of weeks. We wanted to take our kids in to the city to pick out their birthday gifts.
So, this morning we hopped into the van to catch an early afternoon train into the city, after picking up our brother and sister in law. This was an experience that we have not had the courage to do ourselves in the past 7 years that we have lived near Chicago. We have always taken our car in and paid for parking or something dumb like that.
We caught the train and had an enjoyable ride that included trains and buses and ended up downtown where we had to walk a few blocks to eat at a fabulous restaurant under the John Hancock building-- The Cheesecake factory. We had a delicious meal and followed it with a slice of cheesecake of course, white chocolate caramel macadamia nut cheesecake. yummy!
Then we made our way to our next stop, The American Girl Place to let the girls pick out their new dolls. Yes, we have officially entered the realm of the American girl, no turning back now. I had been putting off this adventure because of the fear of expensive teas and brunches that the future may hold, but I was looking forward to the experience of the rite of passage for most 5 year old girls -- a bright face of a new doll. A doll that they can cuddle, dress, and learn how to care for. The looks on their faces when we told them that they got to pick out their own new doll for their birthdays was priceless. It brought tears to the eyes of one mom who can't believe that her babies are 5. It was also overwhelming for the girls to pick out their own among so many. They also learned that they got to pick out one outfit for their new doll courtesy of Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Anouk. In less time than I thought it was going to take, we left with two brand new dolls, two new outfits, two happy children, and lighter wallets. Happiness on our children's faces was worth every penny.
After that we hopped on the city bus and went to Navy Pier -- a place of interest on the waterfront of Chicago. While there we watched a juggler, took a walk on the pier while enjoying the breeze on an otherwise hot day, and finally I enjoyed a carousel ride. As we were leaving the girls were entranced by the dancing fountain outside of Navy Pier and had to play in it and it being a hot day, we could not refuse. Thankfully, their clothes dried quickly.
The train was not as overwhelming as is seems and it is a journey that I would love to take every couple of months. There are so many things to do, museums, parks, shopping, beaches, etc.... I love living so close where we can enjoy the sights and sounds of the city, but far enough away where we don't deal with the traffic on a daily basis.

Globalization

2008-06-02T07:26:00.000-07:00

There has been this talk in political America about a word called Globalization.

Here is a definition that I received from that same neighbor that sent me all that other good stuff that I included here the past few days.

Question: What is the truest definition of globalization?
Answer:
Princess Diana's Death

Question: How come?
Answer: An English princess with an Egyptian boyfriend crashes in a French tunnel, driving a German car with a Dutch engine driven by a Belgian who was drunk on Scottish whisky (check the bottle before you change the spelling) (emphasis not mine as I am not touching a bottle of Scottish whisky. I will take the writer's word for it). followed closely by Italian paparazzi, on Japanese motorcycles; treated by an American doctor using Brazilian medicines.
This is sent to you by an American using Bill Gates' technology, and you're probably reading this on your computer, that uses Taiwanese chips, and a Korean monitor, assembled by Bangledeshi workers in a Singapore plant, transported by Indian lorry-drivers, hijacked by Indonesians, unloaded by Sicilian longshoremen, and trucked by you by Mexican illegals. ... .

That my friends, is globalization.

Father-Daughter Talk

2008-05-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

This is another one of those papers that were given to me by my neighbor. She works for a local Conservative Republican Congressman.

A young woman was about to finish her first year at college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in favor of higher taxes to support more government programs, in other words, redistribution of wealth. She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.

One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth as she indicated so to her father.

Her father responded by asking how she was doing in school. Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.

Her father listened and then asked, "How is your friend Audrey doing?" She replied, "Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties and lots of times she does not even show up to classes because she is too hung over."

Her wise father asked his daughter, "Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct 1. 0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. Taht way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA."

The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, "That's a crazy idea, how would that be fair! I've worked really hard for my grades? I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next nothing toward her degree. She played while worked my tail off!"

The father slowly smiled, winked, and said gently, "Welcome to the Republican party."

If anyone has a better explanation of the difference between Republican and Democrat I'm all ears.

(However, lately, they are closer to one and the same. November will be interesting. There will be a lot of holding of noses on the side of the Republicans who do not care too much for the candidate. I do hope, however, that unless an alternative comes up, that the majority of the Conservative Republicans --like myself-- will choose the lesser of two evils and vote for the Republican. John McCain beats a Barack Obama any old day.)

Rules

2008-05-27T14:59:00.000-07:00

This was attached to the application for dating.

Daddy's rules for Dating
Your dad's rules for your boyfriend (or for you if you are a guy).

Rule 1: If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up.

Rule 2: You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off my daughter's body, I will remove them.

Rule 3: I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants 10 sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely to your waist.

Rule 4: I'm sure you hve been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a "barrier method" of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

Rule 5: It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and the other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information that I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need to hear from you on this issue is: "early".

Rule 6: I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.

Rule 7: As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process than can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?

Rule 8: The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, mid riffs, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong sexual or romantic themes are to be avoided; movies which feature chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.

Rule 9: Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a pot bellied, balding, middle aged dimwitted has been; but on issues related to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.

Rule 10: Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over a rice paddy near Hanoi. When my Agent Orange starts acting up, the voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit the car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daugher home safely and early, then return to your car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face in the window is mine.

Dating Application

2008-05-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

I got this one from my neighbor and had to post it.

APPLICATION FOR PERMISSION TO DATE MY DAUGHTER
NOTE: This application will be incomplete and rejected unless accompanied by a complete financial statement, job history, lineage, and current medical report from your doctor.

Name ___________________________ Date of Birth _________________
Height ________ Weight _________ IQ _________ GPA __________
Social Security # ___________________ Driver's License # _____________
Boy Scout Rank and Badges ________________________________
Home Address __________________ City/State ______________ Zip _______
Do you have parents? ___yes ___ no
Is one male and the other female? ___yes ___ no
If no, please explain __________________________________________________
Number of years they have been married __________________________________
If less than your age, explain _____________________________________________
Do you own or have access to a van? _____yes ____ no
A truck with oversized tires? _____yes _____no
A waterbed? _____yes _____no
A pickup with a mattress in the back? ___yes ____no
A tattoo? ___yes ____no
Do you have an earring, nose ring, pierced tongue, pierced cheek or a belly button ring? ____yes ____ no

(IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO ANY OF THE ABOVE, DISCONTINUE APPLICATION AND LEAVE PREMISES IMMEDIATELY. I SUGGEST RUNNING.)
ESSAY SECTION:
In 50 words or less, what does "Late" mean to you?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

In 50 words or less, what does "Don't touch my daughter" mean to you?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

In 50 words or less, what does "Abstinence" mean to you?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

REFERENCES SECTION:
Church you attend ______________________________________
How often you attend ____________________________________
When would be the best time to interview your:
father? _______________
mother?_______________
pastor? _______________

SHORT ANSWER SECTION:
Answer by filling the blank. Please answer freely, all answers are confidential.

A: If I were shot, the last place I would want to be shot would be: ____________________
___________________________________________________________________
B: If I were beaten, the last bone I would want broken is my: _______________________
C. A woman's place is in the: _______________________________________________
D. The one thing I hope this application does not ask me about is: ___________________________________________________________________
E. What do you want to do IF you grow up? ____________________________________
F. When I meet a girl, the thing I alway notice about her first is: ____________________________________________________________________
G. What is the current going rate of a hotel room? ______________________________

I SWEAR THAT ALL INFORMATION SUPPLIED ABOVE IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE UNDER PENALTY OF DEATH, DISMEMBERMENT, NATIVE AMERICAN ANT TORTURE, CRUCIFIXION, ELECTROCUTION, CHINESE WATER TORTURE, RED HOT POKERS, AND HILLARY CLINTON KISS TORTURE.

______________________________________________________________
Applicant's signature (that means your name, moron)
___________________ _______________ ________________________
Mother's signature Father's signature
_____________________________________________________________
Pastor/Priest/Rabbi/ State Representative or Congressman

Thank you for your interest, and it had better be genuine and non sexual. Please allow four to six YEARS for processing.

You will be contacted in writing if you are approved. Please do not try to call or write (since you probably can't and wit would cause you injury). If your application is rejected, you will be notified by two gentlemen wearing white ties carrying violin cases (you might watch your back).

Dating Application

2008-05-27T14:34:00.000-07:00

My neighbor gave this too me and I just could not resist posting it.

APPLICATION FOR PERMISSION TO DATE MY DAUGHTER

From the mouth of babes....

2008-05-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

Last night was baptism night at our church. I think most of you know how important baptism is in our churches. In most Baptist churches it allows for a believer (whether new or old) to identify with Christ and also usually is the "rite"(for lack of the word I am thinking of) of membership. Our church is not in a building that can have a baptistry, so we have to "borrow" other baptistries. Thankfully, we have a sister church here that has offered us theirs.
My kids are not old enough to be baptised much less fully comprehend the significance of repentance and the meaning of baptism. Here are a couple of things that my kids said last night during and after the baptismal service.
"Mom, do you want to go in that swimming pool? I do". We explained to them that it was not a swimming pool, but a baptistry and they need to repent of their sins before they will get to go in and that mommy and daddy have all ready dont that, and that we pray that one day they will be able to.
"Mom, they should be wearing their swimsuits." We had to let them know that it is not appropriate for this occasion.
One redeeming thing for them is they said while at the table later, "Pastor said that he baptizes them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
Dad: "Who is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Kids: "God".
There may be some parents who think we are strict and there is now way that a 4 year old can get anything out of the message, so they should draw (even at age 10) and color or sleep during the service. This proves that kids do hear and may repeat what is being preached even though they may not yet understand.

Time we've been waiting for

2008-05-15T18:31:00.001-07:00

We have two greatly anticipated movies coming out two weeks in a row. 1st, tomorrow is the opening of Narnia--Prince Caspian. I think I need to bone up on the book again before I see it so that I can remember what happened. This is the movie that C.S. Lewis fans from all over the world have been waiting for (at least most of the ones I know).
The 2nd is Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I have been a HUGE fan of Indiana Jones from the very first one (the second is not my favorite, but it does have some great parts in it) and Harrison Ford. It is time for a movie marathon. I need to watch all three (minus one part) of the Indiana Jones movies in the next week or so.

Happy movie going.

Mother's Day Madness

2008-05-13T08:23:00.003-07:00

My husband is so sweet. He wanted to take me out to dinner for Mother's Day. I got a roast out to cook on Sunday and he asked me what I was doing. I told him that I was getting a roast out to cook for Sunday dinner unless he had other plans. He told me that I should assume that I don't have to cook on Mother's day and that we would go out. I told him that I assume that I have to cook and have to plan ahead if we are going to eat at home, which saves us money.
Okay, so I put the roast back in the freezer and we go to church on Sunday morning. After church we went home and changed our clothes thinking that the people would have all ready gone out to Sunday brunches or early lunches with their Moms. After changing we proceeded to go out to dinner. We first went to my first choice, Outback Steakhouse. There was an hour wait which would have been okay. We took their little buzzer and waited. After waiting about 5 minutes, the place seemed to be closing in on us and we realized how small the dining and wait area really was. There was a lady (not small by any measure) who said "excuse me" to get through. I was holding a squirming baby and my husband had both the other two kids. I couldn't move as I was back against the wall. She looked at me and said it again. I looked at her like What am I supposed to do, disappear so you can get yourself through here. I had had enough of that, so we decided to leave and try somewhere else. We drove past Olive Garden and we tried Red Lobster (if you had 3 people it was 20 min, but if you have five, it was 65-75 minutes). Finally, my husband asked me to call Texas Roadhouse. It was a two hour wait. You can't tell me the economy is bad and we are in a recession if there are waits this long at restaurants.
We ended up taking Culvers home. Better idea is to go out for Mother's day on either the Saturday before or the Monday afterward.
We went out for Mother's Day last night to Red Lobster. Only about 10 minute wait and the food was very tasty. It had been several years since I had been there.
Happy Mother's Day, all you Mother's (or want to be mom's) out there.

Mother

2008-05-13T08:23:00.001-07:00

Birthday weekend.

2008-05-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

The final score.
After the game. Inside the Palace of Auburn Hills.
The game winner. Free throws. Orlando could not make theirs. This is Chauncey Billups shooting a free throw.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to do something that I have wanted to do for a long time. I have always wanted to take my husband to a sporting event for his birthday, but usually there are not any of interest at that time. Not a huge golf (watching it) or Nascar fan.

A couple of weeks I got on the internet to see what kind of tickets I could find at a reasonable price (keep in mind that his birthday is not until June). His favorite NBA team is the Detroit Pistons. His favorite NHL team is the Detroit Red Wings. Can anyone guess where my husband is from? Both of those teams are in the playoffs right now. So you can imagine how exciting sports is around my house.

I thought tickets would be too expensive for any playoff game. I checked into his birthday and of course, the NBA finals were too expensive and there is no guarantee that the Pistons would be going that far, so I went back a couple of levels. I ended up buying him round 2 game 1 against the Orlando Magic. I also checked into the Red Wings hockey playoffs, but those tickets were more than I wanted to pay, though not as high as I was expecting. It was supposed to be a surprise for an early birthday present, but I decided to go ahead and tell him. I am glad I did because I was going to get him round 1 game 7. Well, there was no round 1 game 7 because the Pistons won the series in 6 games.

I am so glad that I did that I splurged on his birthday because I think it was the best birthday present I have ever bought him. He really enjoyed himself seeing some of his favorite players in person. We sat high up in the arena, but the seats were still good. The fans in our section were also good as well. There were not a lot of drunks around us. We have gone to other games wehre the drinking was so bad that the fans were horribly behaved. The atmosphere was great. The best thing of all was the score of the game (Pistons 91, Magic 72). It made for a great experience for both of us.

Strange Things Kids Do

2008-04-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of strange things I was thinking about the past couple of days that my children have done. I think I have strange children (I am not complaining however). I was cleaning all my lettuce and repackaging it when my kids asked me what I was doing. I told them and they wanted a piece. I gave them a piece. They finished it and asked for more. Mine love lettuce, olives, and tomatoes. I know of so many kids who won't touch those things. I am truly blessed in those areas.
Last Saturday my husband who is a wonderful, loving father took my two older kids out to McDonalds for lunch. He then took them to the dollar store and told them that they could pick out any one thing they wanted for 1.00 (not a bad deal). So, one of them picked up a toy hair dryer thinking she could dry her own hair with it. It would take a VERY long time to dry all her hair. The other child picked out a set of three dolls with clothes. Cute dolls. However they come apart so easily that they leave legs, arms, and heads all over the place. It looks like CSI in my house. Oh look, there is a leg here, an arm there, and Oh look, Grissom, we found the torso over there. Oh oh, the head is missing. Sorry, too much CSI. Anyway, it is quite disturbing. I don't know how much longer I can have my house looking like a crime scene.

Midnight Fun

2008-04-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

I love my neighborhood. The occasional midnight excitement would be so hard to give up.
Something interesting like this following story happens about every 6 months or so. I think this one may be a case of Spring fever amongst our youth who have nothing else to do.
My husband and I were watching one of our favorite shows from the 80's (okay that dates us) The A-team when I heard a bang. I didn't think too much of it until I heard what sounded like something crashing into the house. I went upstairs to see if the kids were all in bed. They were and sound asleep.
I sat back down on the couch to finish watching the show and I heard another bang. We looked outside and saw about 4 teenagers standing at the corner (we live near a busy corner that connects our neighborhood with one farther to the west). They proceeded to walk up the street, then walked down our part of the street (I didn't see this, but my husband did). I was debating calling the police because we had some problems with wayward teens before.
As I was thinking about it, a police car showed up and questioned a car pulling out of the driveway up the street (where I personally had seen the teens last). Then another police car showed up and my neighbor ran out of his house and talked to him while pointing down the streets. I assumed he called them.
Just as he was talking to the police, the teens passed in front of our house and the police stopped them for questioning. Thankfully, they were cooperative.
My neighbor ended up calling me soon after this to explain what was going on. He thought he heard gunshots and looked outside and there was smoke in the air near one of the teens that was hanging out in the street. This is something that is foreign to our neighborhood to this point. I thank the Lord for that.
To make a long story shorter, the street was blocked by 5 police cars including the paddy wagon; two of the four teens were arrested; the other two were taken home; and it is believed that it was fireworks that we heard.
Two problems: fireworks are illegal, and there is a curfew in Rockford of 11:00 on weekends, I believe.
The funny thing is that the neighbor was having a party and they were all outside telling one of the kids to run and laughing at him. Poor kid, as if he was not embarrassed enough.
To make matters more interesting, one of the police cars was still parked in the middle of the street after all the others had left and another car pulled up behind him and put his lights on the police car. The police man flashed his lights at the car behind him and that car backed up and sped away like the driver was mad that a police man would block his way. Oh the inconvenience of life!! What a dummy!!
If these things keep happening, moving will be oh so wonderful. I really do like my neighborhood and would miss the people I have come to know.

Puke, Pepper, and --- Fish Food?

2008-04-08T20:08:00.000-07:00

Today was a day where if it could go wrong, it did. I woke up and went in the baby's room and was greeted by an unmistakable smell. Apparently sometime in the night she had gotten some kind of stomach virus. I will spare all the details, but we were reminded what she had for dinner the night before.
So, I showered her, dressed her, then gave her some cheerios to eat. I also fed the other two kids their cereal and went upstairs to take care of the mess in the crib. No easy chore. It was everywhere.
I then proceeded to eat my breakfast amidst the cheerios that the baby spilled on the floor because she did not want them.
While I was eating breakfast, I heard the words, " Mom, Brianna spilled the pepper." It was one of those times I wanted to say, "who is your mom?" and run away. I came around the corner and saw what apparently was the whole container of pepper all over the table in front of her.
I told her since she spilled it, she had to clean it up. She wiped it all onto the floor, hence making a mess on the floor.
I then proceeded to sweep the floor while my nose was stinging from all that pepper. Ugh!!
Later in the morning, I was reading some e mail and I hear "Mom, come look, we fed the fish. Come count how much food I put in." I went over to the fish bowls and saw, to my amazement, probably several hundred Betta pellets in each bowl. The entire top of the bowls were covered.
It was not part of my plan to change the water today, but it quickly was introduced. Now the fish have new water.
I can hardly wait to see what tomorrow will bring.

Weekend of Family Fun

2008-04-07T09:25:00.001-07:00

The girls and I had gone over to a friend's house for the afternoon to watch a movie and gotten home a little after 6. My husband was all ready home and says to me "did you know that the tax refund check is in?". I said, "no, it is, good." He said that he wanted to surprise the girls with a trip overnight somewhere fun with a pool like the Dells, Springfield, or something like that. He had been thinking about it for a few days and decided that if the check were to come in before the end of the week we would do it.
That night I did some laundry and packed the kids suitcases without them knowing it. I went online and checked into some pricing at various resorts in the Dells area. I also checked a water park resort here in Rockford and one in Chicago.
We finally decided on Great Wolf Lodge . We had been there twice before for my husband's company picnics (which they pay for I might add) and really liked it. They have a really nice kid area as well as some new larger slides for adults or big kids.
I made the reservations and my husband packed the car. Finally somewhere around 2:30 am we went to bed.
When we left we just told the girls that we were going out to lunch and a drive. When we arrived at the resort the girls looked at it and said, "this is a hotel, why are we at a hotel?" My husband said that I went in to get a map (which is partly true because usually they give you a map of these kinds of places and a guide of what to do). When I got back in the car after "picking up the map" we went to park. That is when we told them what we were going to do. They were shocked that we packed their bags while they were sleeping (sounds like a movie).
The girls had a great time at the waterpark. They enjoyed the kid areas. Even the baby had a great time. She kicked, paddled,and slapped at the water. She even waded in the small kidde pool as well as rode down a couple of slides in the toddler area.
My older girls loved the kid slides (the white slides) and even tried a tube slide and a couple of the larger slides. My husband asked the girls if there was anything they wanted to try before we went home. One of them said "the green slide". I said "what green slide?" She said "the one by the green bucket." My thought was she would just go up to the top and then turn around and go back down in fear. So I took her up to where you climb through the fort to get up to the slides and made a deal. I told her that if she goes down the slide, I would stand under the bucket (it drops 1000 gallons of water on those standing under it) by myself and let them watch. Apparently she liked the deal because we got to the top of the slide, she sat down, and almost before the lifeguard could say "go", she went. I could not believe what I was seeing. I followed her down. She loved it and talked her sister into trying it. I made the same deal. Of course, I stood under the bucket and let them watch.
One of the girls really loved the big slides and she could not get enough, much to my liking. Finally I have kids who will go on the bigger slides with me. yay!! I was so tired out after hiking up the steps with a large tube on my back so that my girls and I could go down the slide. My arms are tired from paddling down the lazy river to get out of the water to do it all over again. Finally, I made my husband go down the slide with them.
She even said she wanted to try the larger tube slide which she ended up being too small for as she is not quite tall enough. In the end, I don't think she would like it anyway as it was dark and fast.
We intended on getting back a little earlier on Sunday so that we could go to the evening service at the church, but the girls were just getting into the larger slides and we wanted them to be able to really get what they could out of the waterpark.
What a great weekend of family fun. I am looking forward to the next time.

Easter pictures

2008-03-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

Here are the pictures I promised in the previous post. On Saturday we painted eggs. The kit came with faces that you could stick to the eggs to make silly eggs. I remember having a great time doing this as a kid.
Here is the finished project.

Here are my three girls all dressed up in their Easter dresses (the pink ones were used once before in a wedding last August) and ready to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Resurrection Sunday

2008-03-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we Christians celebrated Easter, otherwise known as Resurrection Sunday. We celebrate our Lord's miraculous supernatural resurrection from the grave after his horrible gruesome death on the cross.
By having church on Sunday morning, we celebrate His resurrection every Sunday, but this particular one is special because our services revolve around the celebration.
We started out with a service at 8:30 (called our Sunrise service--which was not truly at sunrise). Then at 9:00 we had a great breakfast. There were all kinds of egg dishes, potato dishes, and various types of breads. It was delicious.
Then we had a wonderful service after that where the choir sang several numbers and a special group sand a couple of songs, along with several congregational songs all about our Savior's glorious resurrection. All that praise time was followed by a great message on the power, pardon, and the promise found in salvation from Jesus Christ through his death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.
After the service we had family over for dinner and the NCAA basketball tournament. We had a great time of fellowship in the afternoon.
When we download the pictures from my camera, I hope to post a couple of pictures of my kids all dressed up in their Easter clothes.

Down on the Farm

2008-03-26T08:30:00.001-07:00

Last Thursday our homeschool group went to the Fountain of Life farm in the Pecatonica Illinois area. It is owned by a Christian family who also homeschools their 6 children. They had this dream for 10 years before it became a reality 5 years ago. They do their best to live off the land when possible by selling their cow/goat milk, eggs, honey, and lamb meat.
I thought it was a real eye opening experience. We started out with the dairy cows. They try to keep a calf nursing all the time so the cows produce milk. I did not realize that cows stopped producing milk as I figured that since they were dairy cows, they produced milk 24/7 365. Oh well, I'm just a city slicker, what do I know?!
There have over a hundred chickens wandering all over the farm. They believe in free range chickens and get their eggs daily that way. They walk all over the acreage looking for eggs once a day. The chickens usually use the same nest daily, so the eggs really aren't that hard to find most days.
I also learned that we have cougars around here. I thought I left that threat way behind in the mountains of Washington and Idaho. They keep two large dogs around to chase the cougars and coyotes away from the animals.
Then we went to the goat pen. They have an orphan goat, and the children got to see the baby nurse on the foster mom. I think they enjoyed that. The mama goat does not take other babies usually, but if they distract her with food and tie her down, she will feed the orphan baby. Because of this situation, though, they did not have any goat milk to sell.
On to the bee hives. My dad had bees and I had my own set of bee keeper garb and would help him on several occasions. It was interesting listening to how she takes care of her bees and the fond memories it brought back. Yes, I have been stung a few times, but if you care for them correctly and wear the proper garb, the stings are at a minimum.
Then we went to the sheep pasture. They had several lambs that they will eventually sell for meat. I love the lambs. They are so cute. It was amazing though when you watch them how the scriptures describe sheep so vividly. They truly are dumb follower animals and obviously need a Shepherd to watch them.
The last animals we saw were a pair of pea fowl. She had been given the set from a friend and was later given pea fowl babies.
Finally the kids were all given turns on the butter churn and made their own butter and butter milk. I think the kids all enjoyed that. To end the day they each had a piece of sour dough bread with the butter they had made and some of us sampled some of the fresh milk. I don't think the kids really enjoyed the sour dough bread though as it was really sour. I know my bread is not as sour as hers was.
We ended the day with a "healthy" lunch at Burger King. yummy.

You might be a ... .

2008-03-22T09:51:00.000-07:00

This is a fun little post I am doing for those of us who are free from this part of your past. Enjoy.

You might be a traditonal Independent Fundamental Baptist if... you heard the phrase "if you can't do it in coulottes, you shouldn't do it at all."

You might be a traditional Independent Fundamental Baptist if... the letters NKJV together is a 4 letter word.

You might be a traditional Independent Fundamental Baptist if... you didn't ram Christianity down people's throats, you didn't care about souls.

You might be a traditonal Independent Fundamental Baptist if... pants on women are a sure sign of being out of fellowship with God.

You might be a traditional Independent Fundamental Baptist if... contemporary Christian music is a sure sign of being backslidden.

You might be a traditional Independent Fundamental Baptist if... the pastor preaches on pet peeves and not the true inner soul needs of the church.

You might be a traditional Independent Fundamental Baptist if... facial hair is a sure sign of rebellion.

You might be a traditional Independent Fundamental Baptist if... you are not in church every time the doors are open (which was rain, hail, sleet, snow, tornado, etc...) you are out of fellowship with God.

The Playland Terror

2008-03-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

I just realized that I should have named my last post "The cat on a hot tin roof", but oh well, hindsight is well, you know.
Today my kids and I went to a McDonalds playland with another family for some lunch, catch up, and play time. They just adopted two girls and I had not had time to spend with just them as we have all been busy and it was nice to get out (we were also part of the box packing team for the NIU project with our church). We ordered our meal, sat and ate it. Then we went where every parent with kids goes when there is a playland at the restaurant, the playland of course.
All the kids were playing pretty well until this little bully of a kid started causing trouble. Every couple of minutes one of our kids (we had 6 between us) came out to tell us that this little boy was bothering them in some way. He either pushed them, spit on them, hit them, dominated the slide (he took up the whole thing and he could not have been more than 5), was rude, swore, or bit some other kid in the playland. Usually I leave other kids alone, but at one point I went up to the kid (who was just sitting in the slide) and told him that other kids wanted to play and he needed to share the slide with the others. I know other parents had talked with him too.
Finally, another mom saw her son being hit up in the upper part and went up there herself to protect her son. The bad thing is that the lady was 8 months pregnant. You think the caregiver of that little terror would have done something when the pregnant woman had to protect her kid. NOOOOOOO!
It took a riot on the part of us parents to finally get that kid out of the playland so that our kids could play happily and safely.
One of the other kids grandmother came into the eating area where this terror's caregiver was and told her that her kid was being very bad and this caregiver had the nerve to tell us to talk to him because he would not listen to her. That was completely obvious. I said, "no, we have all ready done that and it is not our job. It is yours."
She immediatly removed her kid, kicking and screaming and slapping her out of the restaurant. She ended up slapping him right there and it did not phase him one bit.
Imagine the peace and happiness that permeated the playland once the bully left. Some parents, sheesh.

Crazy Cat

2008-03-18T15:27:00.000-07:00

The other night my husband and I were heading up to bed and we heard strange noises like they were coming from the roof. It had a familiar sound.
This goes back to a couple of years ago when we had raccoons in our attic. That was interesting. I think my husband and I both heard the loud crashing sounds about the same time because we both sat up in bed and looked at each other with that "what is that" look. It was bout 2:00 AM in February.
Initially my husband thought it was a squirrel and I thought that it was an awful big squirrel because I looked up and saw the light bounce up and down with the movements of the animal.
Then that episode of CSI came to mind where the guy was living in the attic of these people's homes and he peeped through holes in the ceilings (back from season 1, I think) and later murdered them. I started looking for little holes in the ceiling.
After waking my brother in law who was staying with us for a couple of days so the he could peek up in the attic since he was taller; and the guys going outside and seeing the raccoon's face in the attic window, it was determined that it was a raccoon looking for a warm place to nest.
We had a trapper come out and set a trap which led to nothing except a poor squirrel which I ended up letting go. We think all our noise and turning on the lights in the attic chased the coons away. We have since fixed the attic window so that hopefully nothing can get in.
How this all fits in with the present story.
We heard the sound coming from the roof and the thought was "oh no, not again". We looked out the window --nothing. We went up to the bedroom and I looked out the window and there was this cat walking along the tin roof above our 3 season porch. I opened the window and it came up and meowed at me. How do we get rid of this thing because we knew that the cat would walk along there all night thus keeping us awake.
After trying to entice it away with a flashlight and laser pointer, I finally went outside and it jumped off all by itself and ran away.

The Music of Our Lives

2008-03-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

There is this important part of our lives called music. We really can't live without it. We really can't go anywhere without hearing it. It is played at the mall, stores, the gym and on our evil tv shows (which are strictly for entertainment pursposes). Theme songs from tv shows we have a tendency to remember for a long time. We sometimes quiz each other on the theme song from certain 80's shows because we remember the music.
It is interesting how our music preferences change as we age and our culture changes. I grew up in a very strict legalistic home and church where we were told that if we listened to any other radio station than the church's (boring city), we were not right with God and were in sin. My parents told me that I could either listen to that station or I could listen to tapes that of course, were sold at the church or were sold by music groups that came to our church (i.e. Marshall family, Hyles Anderson College, etc....) A classic is "In the Garden". That song gives me creeps to this day. The argument was always "approved station"vs. CCM. Country music and easy listening was rarely to never mentioned (come to find out, the pastor liked country and listened to it --ah the hypocrisy.)
I of course, did not always listen. I would change my station in the car to country music and change it back to the "approved" station when I came home. It was funny. Sometimes I would forget and run outside to change the station before my parents could find out. I would put my headphones into the radio or listen to country quietly when my parents weren't home. I still remember some of the older songs (by older I mean early 90's). My parents did not even listen to the "approved" station.
It is so funny how legalism has such control over our minds. When our here pastor was looking for a radio station outreach, one of his ideas was to put it on the local Christian pop station. I thought well, I guess I would never hear the sermons on the radio because I don't listen to that station. I remained pretty adamant about it until a few months ago. Both of the local stations would be considered evil in those IFB circles.
We were taught that if you started down the slippery slope of CCM (contemporary Christian music), you fell into complete sin and would end up listening to rock music (which was considered very bad). Well, I guess it is true. I have fallen into complete sin by starting with something basic like Steve Green (mild CCM) and now into the Christian Pop station (only once in a while, you know).
Music is one of those more touchy and personal issues we deal with. What is the purpose of music.? Is all music in all situations supposed to glorify God all the time? What is the timing of the music? What is the goal of the singer/performer? Can secular music be used for good? Obviously if the purpose is to glorify God we should be using good God honoring Christian music; but if it is for pure entertainment purposes, such as sporting events or shopping, good secular music is almost a must. Think a minute, ice hockey to "Great is thy Faithfulness"? A Chicago Bulls game to "In Christ Alone"? Of course, that might change some of the actions of the fans in the stands. (oh oops, I used a CCM style song).
What I never understood about music is why was some music that is God honoring (Steve Green or Michael Card) is bad while others that was written by people with known sinful lifestyles (such as some in the classical genre) is okay. It is something that will be struggled with in our churches until trumpet sounds and judgment day.

Child Haters

2008-03-06T08:19:00.001-08:00

I was mulling this around last night as it really bothered me. I was reading some news articles on my web browser yesterday and I couldn't get past the angst of children in some of the blog entries at the end of the story (I wouldn't get all worked up if I didn't read them, but sometimes I like to get the feel about how people think of certain ideas). Keep in mind that it is the words of one particular senile old man (at least part of his id number was 65, so I am assuming he was old) that bothered me.
The story was about certain airports testing security lines for families so that families could go through separately from others (sounds like a great idea to me). What people did not get was that it would pull all the strollers, diaper bags, screaming children, etc... out of the regular lines so that they will move faster. Many of the commenters seemed to think that it would mean that families would get through faster and they were being thought of as "handicapped with special priviledges", therefore not fair to the rest of the travellers because families were commonly late and should have to wait in line like everyone else. One senile old man said that families should be waiting behind him. Tell me, would he really want some "snot nosed" kid wiping his snot on his pant leg or bumping him in line or "urping" in his ear or worse yet having some parent change a "poopy" diaper in his line right behind him? Just to spite these people I would be tempted to go through the regular security lines and allow my children to scream and pull everything out of my diaper bag to bag it in plastic bags right there while pretending that I did not know how to fold my stroller. Then they would want me to go through the family security line.
I don't fly with my children very often and I do expect good behavior out of my children, especially when in public. I also try to get there early enough to get through security with some time to spare, but it really taxes children because they have to wait at the airport, then have a 3+ hour flight. There just seemed to be a sentiment that I was getting through some of those people that parents should leave their children at home when they fly. EXCUSE ME!! What am I supposed to do, leave my kids in the house as I fly to Disney world without them? families have every right to fly as the next person. If I am going to fly on vacation it is quite possible that it is a FAMILY vacation which in our family includes my children, thank you very much.
I did notice that it was the people with NO children who had the anger and angst towards families with small children. One person even said that children who were disruptive should be spanked now. Sure try it in public now days. That same person would be the one to call social services complaining of abuse toward children. Some people fail to realize that things are different now than when that senile old man was a little kid. Children were seen and not heard and spanking in public was common and not thought of as abuse.
There was an idea thrown around that families should have their own planes, that is not a bad idea. Give us a flat family rate and we may have a deal.

The Gift of Life

2008-03-05T09:53:00.001-08:00

If you get queasy easy, this post might not be for you. It is about donating blood.
Yesterday I had the priviledge of donating blood through our church's blood drive. It is always a good thought to know that you are helping save the lives of up to three people. I hope that blood will be available when I need it. I have a rare blood type, so the blood center hunts me down.

We had numerous blood drives in college and I always managed to come up with some excuse. I didn't have time, wasn't feeling good, time of the month, you name it, I used it. I had these scary thoughts of them not finding my vein and sticking me numerous times. That happened to me on more than one occasion when I went in for physical exams in high school and they had to draw blood. I don't like the idea of being stuck with a needle anyway, much less having to be poked more than once. You get used the needles when you have babies and every other month they have to draw blood or in the hospital they draw it every day (I had surgical birth, so I was in the hospital for several days) so a regular needle is not that bad anymore. These needles are big and hollow. (I hope I am not scaring anyone from giving blood, it really is a good thing).

Yesterday's donation was interesting to say the least. I went into the church and filled out my paperwork. My kids were being watched by someone (thanks, Bill Hunt). Then I went into the bus that they use for drives. Had the mini physical then waited for a seat to open up.
I got in the lounge seat and they put the needle in (a little pinch, not too bad), but the blood did not start flowing, so they had to rotate my arm to get it started. That hurt a little. After I had given about 3/4 of a pint, it stopped. She started moving the needle around, and put it on top of a plastic tube to elevate it. I started to get light headed and cringing in pain. Thankfully she decided to pull it right then. For some reason I had clotted. That never happened to me before. I ended up leaving with an ice pack and have a big bruise to show for it. I will gladly show it off to anyone who wants to see it and I will do it again next time because it was all worth it to give someone else the gift of life. If I ever need it, I hope it will be available to me.

The Passage of Time

2008-02-27T08:13:00.000-08:00

I remember as a kid time could not move fast enough and the days seemed like years. Now, time moves so fast the kids grow and I have no idea what happened.
It is hard to believe that my baby turned 1 yesterday. It hardly seems possible, but ,sigh, it is. They grow so fast.
In the past year, she has learned to smile, laugh, roll over, sit up, crawl, grew five teeth, and even learned to walk. She says a few words like night night, no, more, ma ma, and da da. She enjoys playing with her older sisters and following them around the house. She just adores them and looks up to them like they are the best little people in the world.
It is times like this that as a mom, I have to remember to treasure each and every moment of cuddling, hugging, and loving from them I can get as they grow so fast and one day they won't be here to cuddle and hug and love on. I sometimes wonder if I am doing enough with them as I don't want to miss any precious time that I have as it is so little.
For her birthday, we took her to Toys R Us where they gave her a little crown and balloon and we went through the store trying to keep the crown on her head while I picked out some toys for her birthday.
Yesterday (her official birthday), my husband ended up being off (see previous post) so we went out to dinner (bonus of that was we found out that kids ate free after we got there and we were still able to use a 10.00 off coupon on top of that) then just came home and enjoyed the time together as a family.
On Saturday we will celebrate it by having Uncle and Aunt over to have pizza, cake, ice cream, and open gifts. Hopefully get a few games in as well. My other two kids can hardly wait for her to open her gifts as they have been waiting patiently. I think deep down inside, they think that the toys are theirs. Oh well, reality bites.
Happy 1st Birthday, Brookelyn. May it be one that we will cherish for always.

Interesting thoughts of a rambling mind

2008-02-26T14:12:00.000-08:00

Try mentioning whiteout to someone who lives in Orlando, Florida!
Tell that same person that it is 20 degrees and listen to their reaction when they think that 70 in February is chilly.
No joke, I went to Florida a couple of weeks ago. We went to Disney and she suggests that I take a jacket because it might be chilly. Granted, in the evening I did wear my jacket because it was a damp chilly, but knowing that it was 0 here in Illinois that same weekend and I was in 75 degree weather -- that was priceless. I honestly and truly felt sorry for my family and wished that they could be there with me.
The more it snows, the more I think that buying a condo in Central Florida for the Winter months is a great idea. You could rent it out in the Summer to your friends and/or tourists for a week at a time to pay for it.
I know, it seems like I am complaining, but when you see nothing but snow outside for 6 weeks, it gets kind of tiring.

potholes

2008-02-22T12:52:00.000-08:00

As most of you know, I hate Winter in the first place. This Winter is particularly bad for a couple of reasons. The first one is that it is cold and the cold just won't go away and it is getting annoying and I am tired of seeing snow. This particular snowfall has been on the ground for about 3 weeks.
The second reason is that it has been so wet and cold that potholes are showing up in the streets. I had a friend post on this a few days ago and after driving on the roads today, I couldn't pass it up. Some of the potholes are getting so big that I fear that they will open up enough to swallow a car. Seriously, it is that bad. On some of the roads you could set up an obstacle course and on some others you could wash clothes because of the washboard effect. The manholes are getting manholes.
Now the city says they have no money to fix them. EXCUSE ME!!? What happened to all that money that they city is bringing in from our "unwanted--at least by me" sales tax increase that was put through last year to cover road repairs? I think, sometimes that these cities are in league with auto repair shops. Come on, people, lets get those roads fixed before all our teeth fall out from being banged together when we go over all the holes in the roads.

funnies

2008-02-21T13:49:00.000-08:00

Now for what you have all been waiting for, the next edition of Readers Digest funnies.

1. I called a company in Nashville to order some country music CD's. After hanging up, I said to my wife, "The woman on the phone had such a heavy accent, I could barely understand her." Apparently the problem had been mutual. My CD's arrived in a package addressed to "Smoked Ham, Washington." by Tom Burk,of Spokane Washington
I thought that one especially funny because I could see that happening, since I have had to explain the pronunciation of that city many times in my life, since I am originally from there.

2. One Sunday, a minister played hooky from church so that he could shoot a round of golf. St. Peter, looking down froom Heaven, seethed. "You're going to let him get away with this, God?" The Lord shook His head. The minister took his first shot. The ball soared through air 420 yards and dropped into the cup for a hole in one. St Peter was outraged. " I thought you were going to punish him!" The Lord shrugged. " Who's he going to tell?" (by Philip Lazenby)
Obviously I don't agree with the theology, but the joke was funny.

3. Three dolts are in the forest when they spot a set of tracks.
Dolt #1 says, "hey, deer tracks!"
Dolt #2 says, "No, dog tracks!"
Dolt #3 says, "You're both crazy -- they're cow tracks!"
They were still arguing when the train hit them.
submitted by Mike Thomas

and finally, last but not least.
4. One day at a local cafe, a woman suddenly called out. "My daughter's choking! she swallowed a nickel! Please, anyone, help!" Immediately a man at a nearby table rushed up to her and said he was experienced in these situations. He calmly stepped over the girl, then with no look of concern, wrapped his arms around her and squeezed. Out popped the nickel.
The man returned to his table as if nothing had happened. "Thank you!" the mother cried. "Tell me, are you a doctor?"
"no," the man replied. "I work for the IRS."
submitted by Mike Thomas

I thought that last one was appropriate since we are all beginning to think of tax time (some of us have all ready reported, yay).

Valentine's Day Tragedy hits close to home

2008-02-19T12:59:00.000-08:00

I am sure most know by now about the tragedy at Northern Illinois University last week. A former student opened fire on a classroom and killed himself after killng 5 and wounding 17 others, physically, and causing mental damage to many more.
Last year after the massacre at Virginia Tech, obviously it was tragic and we felt sympathy for the families, but it seemed so far away. It is amazing how it changes when tragedy of this type hits close to home. NIU is only 45 miles away from where I am and we see the news and aftereffects of it on a daily basis. We are constantly bombarded with new information and updates on the people involved.
We know people who know people who knew someone who was there. The checker at my usual grocery store knew someone who was sitting next to one of the people who died. It hit most area families in some way.
One would think that college would be safe, but nowhere is truly safe anymore. It is a reminder of the depravity of man and the times that we live in. It also reminds us that we, as parents, need to give our kids over to God and trust Him for His perfect will in their lives, no matter what that will may be. I know it is easier said than done. I just pray that one day, I will be willing to do just that.
We need to remember to keep the living victims, present students, and families of the dead in our thoughts and prayers as the healing process has begun. Their memories will live on and the hurt will remain for years to come, but true healing will eventually occur. The community will eventually heal and probably emerge stronger than before. God bless them.

Small Annoyances of Life

2008-02-16T21:11:00.001-08:00

How ironic. I go from the happy post of pictures from my glorious trip to Florida to this annoying pet peeve post.
Today I went grocery shopping. I wanted to load up before the snowstorm hits. I was in the checkout line and the little girl behind me dropped one of those gum by the foot roll things on the floor of the checkout line. Apparently it opened up and the gum fell out because I saw whom I was assuming her dad, put it back in the package and put it on the shelf. How disgusting. Be careful what you let your kids take off the shelf.
Sometime ago at a different store, I watched a little girl eat some candy out of a package and put it back. I am a mean person. I handed it to the cashier and told her that the little girl in front of me had opened it and ate it. She made the mother pay for it. I didn't do that this time, but I probably should have. It might teach that parent a lesson to watch their kids.
I know that I am not perfect, but things like that annoy me. That parent had ONE child to watch, not several.
One more thing that bothered me was while I was in the parking lot looking for a place to park at another grocery store, I was waiting for someone to find a spot in front of me, a nice retired veteran (that is what it said on his hat) offered me his parking space. He pulled out and lo and behold, there was someone trying to steal it right before my eyes. Not happening. Sorry, my selfish depraved soul showed its ugly head today. What can I say, besides I am sorry Lord, I sinned.

Disney Pictures

2008-02-15T09:29:00.000-08:00

This is Captain Jack Sparrow at the show outside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. He is no Johnny Depp, but he did a good job.
I am standing outside the Hall of Presidents show. It amazes me how they are able to get the movements, eye blinking, and talking of the late presidents. That was a great show.
My friend Tina and I with the star of Disney, Mickey Mouse.
I apologize that the pictures are sideways and viewing will present a crick in the neck, but I could not get them to change direction to post. Maybe someone could give some pointers.

COLD Chicago

2008-02-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

I arrived back in Chicago late last night and it was cold. My husband warned me earlier in the day of an approaching snow storm and asked me if I could get my tickets to return home changed so that I could arrive early enough to catch that last bus as the last bus to Rockford left Chicago at 11:00 and my plane was scheduled to arrive at 10:51. I felt that it cut it too close and had asked him to pick me up. I tried to change it and they said it would cost me more and she suggested I leave it alone and check back later on the status of my flight.
I am glad that I did not change it as I would not have had the glorious warm sunny day at the botanical garden (www.leugardens.com) and I would have had to go through the hassle of changing the flight when the snowstorm didn 't really start until later. It was snowing in Chicago when we arrived, but was not snowing really anywhere else.
I went outside to meet my husband and kids in the van and I told him that it was cold outside. When I left Orlando, I cried because 1. I had never had any problems in security when I have flown in the past and they took away a couple of things from me; 2. I was tired; and 3. I did not want to be cold as I was really enjoying the warm temperatures and knew what I was in for when I got home.
Hopefully Spring will come really soon and I can stop being cold and looking at snow. Wake me up when it warms up

Still Florida dreamin'

2008-02-12T12:39:00.001-08:00

The weather was still spectacular for February in my mind. The funny thing is that people there think 75 degrees is cold and run around in sweaters. Me, I am enjoying it in my short sleeved t-shirt. My friend told me that it might be chilly and I must have looked at her like she had 3 eyes or something. Too me it was great. I think I acclimated so quickly that I came back home and my normal house temperature is freezing and I had to turn the thermostat up. Welcome back to the Arctic and reality.
On Sunday I attended her church. That certainly was a little different experience than I was used to. The worship music was awesome, and the message was okay. I missed my own church and the depth of the sermons.
Then we went to the Vietnamese restaurant for dinner. Forgetting that it was Chinese New Year, we were amazed to see a dancing dragon and the restaurant was unusually crowded. While we were waiting for our food, we were able to catch a glimpse of the dragon dance. After our meal, we watched a drum performance in front of the market. It was truly a unique experience. I got to thinking that the only New Year traditions that Americans have is to get drunk and make noise. It was neat to see another country's traditions. We were able to capture pictures, so I will try to post those later.
On Sunday afternoon, my friend was really tired (I tired her out at Disney) so her husband took me to pick oranges while she took a nap. That is one thing that most tourists don't get to do, pick real oranges from an orange tree. It was an abandoned orange grove in the Orlando suburb that they live in and no one cares for it, so the oranges are free for the takers. It was one of those only in Florida experiences. When we were done, we went to check out a tree that had pecans on it (It was a pecan tree growing in an orange tree). At the bottom of the tree was a snake. We then decided to leave that tree alone. On Sunday night we all decided not to go to church as time was so short (I know, church skippers) and we went out to dinner and a lake, hoping to catch a glimpse of an alligator. We didn't.
On Monday, we got a little later start as we both decided to sleep in a little bit. We went to a botanical garden and it was a perfect day to do this. We could not ask for a more perfect day, weather wise. The bonus to the day was we got into the garden for free because it was right at the daily deadline for free admission. There were so many types of gardens that you would only find in the tropical regions of the world, such as the palm and cycad gardens, the bamboo garden, and a tropical water garden which had a viewing platform to observe the lake and NOT feed the alligators (which we still did not see). I had a wonderful time relaxing and enjoying the warm weather for a nice change. Then I woke up and it was snowing AGAIN!!

Greetings from sunny Orlando Florida

2008-02-10T14:22:00.000-08:00

It is about 80 degrees and sunny here in Orlando Florida. Home of Walt Disney World. I am having a wonderful time basking in the wonderful warm weather. It just doesn't seem right for it to be this warm in February. Trust me, I can get used to it.

On Friday my friend and I got up bright and early and went to Walt Disney World's magic Kingdom. It is a magical place. I don't know what it is about it, but there is a great feeling around the park. You just feel so relaxed and happy. The staff is so nice and accomodating. One of the workers even took time to find out where we were from and point us in the direction of a reasonably priced restaurant for lunch. The food there was good too.
We were able to do the entire park in one day. I was even pushing her in a wheelchair, which by the way is the only way to do the park. The handler gets lots of exercise, but you get past all the rides too. You show up at the beginning of the line with a wheel chair and they whisk you right on by the rest of the line. Imagine the dirty looks from everyone who has been waiting in line for 30 minutes. I know, I have been there in the past.
We got to see a Captain Jack Sparrow show outside of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. I will post some pictures later. That ride is so good, we rode it twice. We also went on practically every other ride we wanted to go on. We were tuckered out by bed time.
On Saturday we went to Disney's Epcot center. That was one of the most amazing places I have ever been. The rides there are unique. There is one called test track where you get to ride a test car (sponsored by General Motors) through a test obstacle course and then go 70 mph around a curve in a convertible. I would have loved to ride that one again. I am looking forward to my next trip. We went to the World Showcase where there are pavilions representing around 10 countries. We decided that we would be exotic for our meals and try a little something at each one. We sampled a churro in mexico and listened to a mariachi band. We sampled leftse in Norway, bought a coke in China (we were having Vietnamese food the following day, so I didn't want anything Asian); candy in Japan, a Tangerine roll in Morocco, and Quiche in France. We opted not to try anything in Canada and Great Britain because it is so much like our own and that Quiche had filled us up.
We ended the night and Disney weekend by taking a ride on the most anticipated ride of the day --Soarin. It is like you are in a hang glider and flying over famous landmarks in California ending up in Disneyland. It is a pretty amazing ride. It amazes me sometimes how these companies put these rides together.
Stay tuned for an update on my last two days here.

Super Tuesday II

2008-02-07T10:01:00.001-08:00

Well, all the votes are in for Super Tuesday. Its over, Praise the Lord. I am so tired of the hype and the smearing campaign for now. I know it all starts up again before the next states that vote next week, but for now all is quiet. I don't personally have to go through this again until November.
Unfortunately it did not go as I hoped. Pretty much everyone I voted for lost. It makes me feel as though I voted for a bunch of losers. I just went with who I could, in a good conscience, vote for. Thankfully it is not over yet and no party winner has been declared, as I have no intention of ever voting for the present leader of the Republican party. I just don't understand the ignorance of the American people. John McCain is not my idea of what a Conservative is. He has not been consistant with Conservative values and has shown in recent years a leaning toward Democratic and Liberal ideals. I have no intention of remaining "loyal" to the party as he has not done so.
I never thought in a million years that I may have to go to the polls in November and "throw my vote away" or vote against my own party. Thankfully that is months away and a lot could happen in the next few leading up to the actual nominating convention.
Thankfully I serve a Sovereign God who is in control and knows the outcome even now. Nothing will surprise Him. I can always take comfort in that when things don't go the way I think they should.

Super Bowl XLII

2008-02-04T12:36:00.002-08:00

Well, one more sporting event is over. It means an end to the American tradition for another year. I mean the pasttime of sitting in front of the tv all afternoon on Sunday and watching a bunch of men try to "kill" each other. Actually, we turn on the tv after dinner and it is a great way to take a nap, at least when my team --the Seattle Seahawks-- are not playing (which is usually every week as we live in Bears/Packers country, so we get stuck with them every week).
Yes, yes, I was rooting for the New England Patriots last night as my preference is Tom Brady over any Manning. Unfortunately, the best QB in the league was sacked over 3 times last night.
I had a rare opportunity to actually watch the super bowl because I am usually in church during the big game. Because of a surprise snow storm, that dropped about 4 inches in a couple of hours, our main evening service was cancelled. During choir practice alone we had a good couple inches.
Now that the Super Bowl is in the past, maybe I can get something more productive done on a Sunday afternoon, such as hospitality or reading, or maybe a wonderful nap, the latter is not likely, but the thought is nice.

Countdown III

2008-02-04T12:33:00.000-08:00

Oh yeah!! 3 more days. The more it snows, the more I will be able to say "eat your heart out". 7 little letters, okay, BIG letters; F-L-O-R-I-D-A. Okay, its out of my system now.

Super Tuesday

2008-02-04T07:33:00.000-08:00

I will be so happy when this voting day is over. Tomorrow and over half of the country, includint my state of Illinois, will have had their presidential primary. I am tired of all the hype. As the field of candidates gets smaller, I see that mine is still in the race. Since the beginning of this whole thing I have liked Mitt Romney. I think that he is the best candidate because A. he is an astute businessman and can bring the economy out of its slump; B. he can bring together the Conservative and more liberal wings of the Republican party; and C. he can beat either of the two Democratic candidates. Bonus reason, the media and democratic candidates don't like him because he is a threat to their ideals.
Some may ask, but he is a Mormon, how can you vote for him? Well, true, I don't agree with his religious views, so technically being a Baptist, I should agree with Mike Huckabee.
Some may say, but he is part of a cult; do you want someone who is part of a cult running this country? Touche! There is a reason that we have checks and balances in our government. That is one thing that makes this nation great. We have three branches of government, so one branch alone cannot control what takes place in our land.
Would be be invoking the name of Jesus in his prayers, no, probably not; but there are members of Congress, the country, and the judicial branch who would be. Would an Evangelical Christian be a better choice, yes. Should that person be a Baptist pastor? As nice as that would be, probably not, because what is his calling? preacher or president?
Is the liberal John McCain a good choice? no. Yes, he has a conservative voting record on life issues, but he has not pledged not to raise taxes; he is for amnesty for illegal aliens, check out the amnesty bill that went through Congress and did NOT pass; and the democrats and media love him. That is a problem. Yes, he is an American hero and I thank him for that, but he cannot bring the both sides of the Republican party together and could bring certain doom to the office of president come November. Without the Conservative Evangelicals, it is nearly impossible to win the office of president.

Enlightening at the dog pound.

2008-02-01T14:05:00.000-08:00

We went to the County Animal Shelter (lovingly called the dog pound) today for our homeschool field trip. I was a little hesitant because my older two kids are afraid of dogs and I was afraid they would make a scene in front of everyone.
I told them what the trip was and asked them if they wanted to go and they said they did. Having never been to the dog pound on a tour before, I did not know what really to expect.
We arrived and removed our coats. I put the baby in a front carrier so that she would be secure and began our tour.
We first went into the first cat room. This first room was where the stray cats were put once they reached the mandatory 4 days in the holding cages and no one claimed them. There were some beautiful cats and some not so beautiful cats. When I found out the price and what is included in the adoption price, I decided that it did not seem too bad to go about it that way. Automatically the pet gets "fixed" and shots as well as a new home for one low price. Kind of buying pets the Wal mart way.
Then we went into the second cat room. This was the room where the cats whom the owners had released for adoption, such as people moving, or people who have moved to nursing homes, etc... There was one beautiful white and grey kitten in there. It was absolutely beautiful. There were also several bunnies for you bunny lovers out there. A beautiful black lion head (I only know that because that is what the technician called it) was one of them.
Then the dreaded dog room. I was expecting this horrid stench and the loud barks mixed with the screams of my children. There was really none of that. There was a dog smell when we walked in that went away as our noses adjusted accompanied by some barks and whines by the lonely dogs. My children uttered not a sound. They walked quietly beside me or were held by one of the other moms who sensed their anxiety.
It was a truly enlightening and pleasant experience. I was shocked at my children's great behavior in the company of so many dogs, most of which were pit bulls. I actually felt sorry for them.
The final room we went into was the procedure room. The animals are brought to this room as a holding area (there were two cats who looked absolutely scared), given their shots, and observed for 24 hours. After that they are placed in one of the other rooms (there were a couple of rooms that we were not taken in that were for dogs and cats that were either dangerous or not tested yet). After the waiting period of 4 days (unless the owner claims them if they are stray), they are put in the adoption rooms if they are seen to be fit for adoption. There are vet. tables there where they receive shots and their chip. In the far recesses of that room, is the room where all the "fixing" takes place. We could not go in there because the doctor was operating that day. That would have truly been an enlightening experience for our group of homeschoolers.
Thank you Tancy for putting this trip together. It was truly an enlightening experience.

countdown update

2008-01-30T11:53:00.001-08:00

oh, by the way. 8 more days. The rental car is now rented. Just waiting for the FREE disney tickets to show up. ha
Maybe the space shuttle will launch.