Rare form

That is how I will describe my children to you. They are in rare form today. I say rare because it is very seldom that they display this much sinfulness all in one day.

The day started out great.

I told them we were going to a big yardsale! (consignment sales have started in our area) They were excited, ate breakfast, got dressed, and we packed ourselves into the van.

We had a couple errands to run before we went to the 'big yardsale'. First, we had to pay the electric bill. Okay, done...

Second, we went to John's office to get his check. It was at this time the whining started. "I hate daddy's office...wah wah wah...etc"

Third, we headed over to the bank to deposit above check. The kids thought for sure they would get lollipops and crying erupted when I received nothing but money in our shuttle tube thing (not sure what you call it).

Through all this, I was still aimed at getting to the consignment sale.

We arrived and the kids played with the toys while I looked at the clothing. They were very well behaved while we were there...it was the other children who were present that were climbing all over everything and getting into trouble.

Then it was time to leave. Nolan did NOT want to go. You would think, that out of all the kids, my six year old would be the most controlled. It was obvious that he missed that memo.

I piled the kids back into the car because I had been told that there was yet ANOTHER consignment sale going on just a few miles away.

Off we went.

Upon arrival, the kids looked so obedient all holding onto the stroller. Then they saw the toys. They took off, and I let them. I was standing right by them, so it was okay. But someone was selling a Power Wheels Jeep. You know, one of those motorized cars that kids will literally push and shove at one another to get in the seat. Uh, yeah. That lasted all of 30 seconds and there was more crying and pouting.

I made the executive decision that they all had to hold onto the stroller while mommy finished. Haddon held on. Gideon held on. Jamison was as happy as could be in the stroller. Nolan, on the other hand, decided to voice his opinions in very disrespectful ways.

"Mommy, I HATE clothes!"
"Mommy, I HATE shopping!"
"Mommy, I HATE holding onto the stroller!"
"Mommy, I HATE not having fun!"

The list could go on and on.

Needless to say, once we made it back out to the van, Nolan had a very stern talking to. Because of his behavior, our planned lunch to the McD's playground was cancelled. His requested 'chicken on a stick' from the local Chinese restaurant for dinner, has been cancelled and special treats have been suspended.

We got home, and he was brought straight to his room where major discipline occurred. We went over what was appropriate and inappropriate behavior. What the Bible says about being respectful, loving, and obedient to your mom. And lastly, what the Bible says about how to properly discipline your child. Yes, spankings were very necessary.

He spent the next 10-15 minutes in his bed until I had lunch ready.

All this happened before lunch. I'm not even going to try to get you up to date with the happenings of the last 3 hours. Even I don't have the energy for that.

Suffice it to say, bedtime has been moved up tonight and everyone is going to bed early.

Dare I even try to take them out of the house again???

"They've gone dark, I repeat, they've gone dark!"

(saying that makes me feel kindred with Jack Bauer)

I spoke to John last night around 6pm. They were almost at the US/Mexico border. He won't have phone access or internet access until they are back over the border. This won't happen until Sunday or Monday? I can't remember. (explanation: I'm pregnant and my mind is gone)

John did tell me that if I had an ABSOLUTE emergency, I could call a certain phone number and they would send someone in to get them...I really can't imagine that happening though.

Does it count if I just want to hear the sound of his voice?

I doubt it.

Prayers would be appreciated. They met up with some fellow missionaries Wednesday night who told them stories of Americans getting kidnapped. I would hate to have to implement the plan that John and Charlie spoke about. Something about splitting John's life insurance policy with Charlie's wife and us starting a commune of sorts?

The Supralapsarian Song

SupraLapsus-Calvinistic-Trinitariocious
We don’t care if Arminians all find us quite atrocious
We know we’re right and we’ll tell you so, ask anyone who knowsus
SupraLapsus-Calvinistic-Trinitariocious

When I was young and I was dumb I thought it all was me
I told those goofy Calvinists I had a will that’s free
Then I read Romans 9 one night before I went to bed
“I harden whom I will” it said, and boy was my face red!!

OHHHHHHHHHHH

SupraLapsus-Calvinistic-Trinitariocious
We don’t care if Arminians all find us quite atrocious
We know we’re right and we’ll tell you so, ask anyone who knowsus
SupraLapsus-Calvinistic-Trinitariocious

At Bible study one cold night some guy said this was true
“You know you don’t have to go to hell, but it all depends on you”
I said wait a minute now to preach that stuff is sin
“Uh we don’t need you around here boy, we’re all Arminian.”

OHHHHHHHHHHH

SupraLapsus-Calvinistic-Trinitariocious
We don’t care if Arminians all find us quite atrocious
We know we’re right and we’ll tell you so, ask anyone who knowsus
SupraLapsus-Calvinistic-Trinitariocious

Now Arminians might stop thinking that they’re completely free
If they’d only spend a little time digesting Romans three
There’s none who seeks or understands, mans throat’s an open grave
And the ones who get to Heaven are the ones He wants to save!!

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

SupraLapsus-Calvinistic-Trinitariocious
We don’t care if Arminians all find us quite atrocious
We know we’re right and we’ll tell you so, ask anyone who knowsus
SupraLapsus-Calvinistic-Trinitariocious

SUPRALAPSUS
CALVINISTIC
TRINITARIOOOOOOOOOOOOCIOUS!!!

The 5-Minute Pro-Lifer

Making the Case for Life…Like It’s Never Been Heard Before

Issue #1 - How to Defend Your Pro-Life Views in 5 Minutes or Less

By Scott Klusendorf

Suppose that you have just five minutes to graciously defend your pro-life beliefs with friends or classmates. Can you do it with rational arguments? What should you say? And how can you simplify the abortion issue for those who think it’s hopelessly complex?

Here’s how to succeed in three easy steps:

1) Clarify the issue. Pro-life advocates contend that elective abortion unjustly takes the life of a defenseless human being. This simplifies the abortion controversy by focusing public attention on just one question: Is the unborn a member of the human family? If so, killing him or her to benefit others is a serious moral wrong. It treats the distinct human being, with his or her own inherent moral worth, as nothing more than a disposable instrument. Conversely, if the unborn are not human, killing them for any reason requires no more justification than having a tooth pulled.

In other words, arguments based on “choice” or “privacy” miss the point entirely. Would anyone that you know support a mother killing her toddler in the name of “choice and who decides?” Clearly, if the unborn are human, like toddlers, we shouldn’t kill them in the name of choice anymore than we would a toddler. Again, this debate is about just one question: What is the unborn?

At this point, some may object that your comparisons are not fair—that killing a fetus is morally different than killing a toddler. Ah, but that’s the issue, isn’t it? Are the unborn, like toddlers, members of the human family? That is the one issue that matters.

Remind your critics that you are vigorously “pro-choice” when it comes to women choosing a number of moral goods. You support a woman’s right to choose her own doctor, to choose her own husband, to choose her own job, and to choose her own religion, to name a few. These are among the many choices that you fully support for women. But some choices are wrong, like killing innocent human beings simply because they are in the way and cannot defend themselves.1 No, we shouldn’t be allowed to choose that.

2) Defend your pro-life position with science and philosophy. Scientifically, we know that from the earliest stages of development, the unborn are distinct, living, and whole human beings. Leading embryology books confirm this.2 Prior to his abortion advocacy, former Planned Parenthood President Dr. Alan Guttmacher was perplexed that anyone, much less a medical doctor, would question this. "This all seems so simple and evident that it is difficult to picture a time when it wasn't part of the common knowledge," he wrote in his book Life in the Making.3

Philosophically, we can say that embryos are less developed than newborns (or, for that matter, toddlers) but this difference is not morally significant in the way abortion advocates need it to be.

Consider the claim that the immediate capacity for self-awareness bestows value on human beings. Notice that this is not an argument, but an arbitrary assertion. Why is some development needed? And why is this particular degree of development (i.e., higher brain function) decisive rather than another? These are questions that abortion advocates do not adequately address.

Put simply, there is no morally significant difference between the embryo you once were and the adult you are today. Differences of size, level of development, environment, and degree of dependency are not relevant such that we can say that you had no rights as an embryo but you do have rights today. Think of the acronym SLED as a helpful reminder of these non-essential differences:4

Size: True, embryos are smaller than newborns and adults, but why is that relevant? Do we really want to say that large people are more human than small ones? Men are generally larger than women, but that doesn’t mean that they deserve more rights. Size doesn’t equal value.

Level of development: True, embryos and fetuses are less developed than you and I. But again, why is this relevant? Four year-old girls are less developed than 14 year-old ones. Should older children have more rights than their younger siblings? Some people say that self-awareness makes one human. But if that is true, newborns do not qualify as valuable human beings. Six-week old infants lack the immediate capacity for performing human mental functions, as do the reversibly comatose, the sleeping, and those with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Environment: Where you are has no bearing on who you are. Does your value change when you cross the street or roll over in bed? If not, how can a journey of eight inches down the birth-canal suddenly change the essential nature of the unborn from non-human to human? If the unborn are not already human, merely changing their location can’t make them valuable.

Degree of Dependency: If viability makes us human, then all those who depend on insulin or kidney medication are not valuable and we may kill them. Conjoined twins who share blood type and bodily systems also have no right to life.

In short, it’s far more reasonable to argue that although humans differ immensely with respect to talents, accomplishments, and degrees of development, they are nonetheless equal because they share a common human nature.

3) Challenge your listeners to be intellectually honest. Ask the tough questions. When critics say that birth makes the unborn human, ask, “How does a mere change of location from inside the womb to outside the womb change the essential nature of the unborn?” If they say that brain development or higher consciousness makes us human, ask if they would agree with Joseph Fletcher that those with an IQ below 20 or perhaps 40 should be declared non-persons? If not, why not? True, some people will ignore the scientific and philosophic case you present for the pro-life view and argue for abortion based on self-interest. That is the lazy way out. Remind your critics that if we care about truth, we will courageously follow the facts wherever they lead, no matter what the cost to our own self-interests.


Article can be found here.

This is sooo me!

I found a shirt that really shows what I do the majority of the time...or rather, what I should be doing the majority of the time. Maybe if I did it like I should, my laundry basket wouldn't look like that!



Unfortunately, they don't come in maternity sizes.

You can see the rest of their selection here.

How cool are these toys?

When I entered a giveaway for a Sleepywrap, I looked on her blog a bit more. There is a great post about some really cool toys for kids. Heck, even I would like to play with them!

There has got to be a way to incorporate these into homeschooling....I could use the pizza to help teach fractions...the food groups to teach about nutrition....not really sure about the toaster, but that is sooo neat!

Cap'n Crunch...can you tell which one he is??

I let the kids pick out cereal the other day. They flipped when they saw Treasure Hunt Crunch. (yes, I let my kids eat sugary cereals...so shoot me) It even has the added artificial coloring effect of turning your milk blue! How cool is that?


I looked over at Nolan and this was the face I got. Can you guess who he is?


It didn't take long for the rest of them to make their own Cap'n Crunch face, lol.

Pastoral Accountability

Desiring God has a great blog post about how the pastors at Bethlehem Baptist Church keep each other accountable.

I think that all too often, pastors are given free reign and can easily be caught up in having the 'power' of leading a church. Not that a pastor should not have our respect, but they are sinners like the rest of us, and need to be held accountable. It is not uncommon to read the news and see that another pastor has fallen into deep sin, whether it be sexual or not. I feel like there are always warning signs before these grave sins are committed.

I believe it is our responsibility as church members to pray for our pastors and for there to be Biblical accountability set up within a church's structure.

They also mention a readers comment that is definitely worth mentioning about seeing sexually explicit material:

"Have you viewed sexually explicit material?" is a much better question than "Have you looked at pornography?" because I can click on sexually provocative news stories or click on links that I know will have scantily-clad chicas on them and still pat myself on the back at the end of the week, saying, "I didn't look at pornography!" Uh-huh. The deceitfulness of sin at work.

No wonder why I'm measuring two weeks ahead...

Just look at me!



I'll be 17 weeks on Friday!

Um, snow? in February?

Seriously, why now?

We've lasted this long with barely a flurry...and now, I am debating going to the store for much needed milk and diapers! It isn't that I don't know how to drive in the snow. I am from Maine and have definitely had the driving experience needed. I am more worried about my local Tennessee neighbors and the fact that they have close to zero experience driving in the snow!

Gideon woke up this morning talking about snow. He searched the house for Christmas trees, presents and decorations. After all, the only time we really see snow is at Christmastime in Maine. Who knew we would be blessed with Christmas in February?



Weather Update: Temps to hit 60 degrees on Saturday!

Oh, what a one year old can do...

People look at dear Jamison and tell me what a precious angel he is. He is quick to flirt with anyone who smiles at him, and he will lay his head on your shoulder to show you affection.

That is all for show.

You see, the very moment you turn your back on him...he pulls bins off their shelves and empties them. He empties bookshelves of their books. He will grab anything off of any surface...especially the one surface you think is unreachable.

So beware...he may look cute...but underneath it all...there is quite the rambunctious little boy, waiting for your back to turn!

Just look at those glistening eyes and snarky little grin...



(pay no attention to the food stuck to his clothing...if I worried about small things like that, my laundry pile would three times as high)

Women's roles in the PCA

Last night, John was reading to me that the PCA is thinking of allowing women to be deacons. Since I don't really know the history of deacons and deaconesses, I decided to search it and see what I could find out about it.

I came across a very interesting article about the difference of having women deacons (meaning they are in authority over men of the church) or having women as deaconesses (meaning they are not in authority over men).

Unfortunately, the latter is not what is being proposed within the PCA. I truly hope that this proposal does not get passed.

Read the whole article here.

Just a little pet peeve of mine

I'm all for supporting Mike Huckabee. I voted for him in our primary...that isn't the issue.

What upsets me is when I get spammed by Huckabee supporters. If you want to talk about Huckabee, that's great. But comment in an appropriate post. Don't comment in a post about my family visiting.

Because those posts will be deleted.

It was a great visit, but much too quick!

On Friday night, my sister and her family arrived! Erin, Josh, my niece Cosette, and my nephew Mark decided to take a detour to Tennessee on their way to Maine from Florida. We were all very excited to see them, even if they couldn't stay very long.

The kids were counting the days to their arrival and stood at the front window, when we knew they were almost here. When their car pulled into the driveway, they ran to the door to greet everyone!

My boys were talking nonstop, chattering away every detail of their lives to their cousins, and their cousins were happy to not be in a car anymore. Cosette and Mark showed them what they got at Sea World and told them about their travels.

After my boys went to bed, we ordered pizza from Simms...to which everyone decided it was some of the best pizza they had ever had. It's hard to complain about food when you feel completely famished!

The men ended up downstairs and us women talked upstairs. When I got my sister alone, I invited her to the True Woman Conference and was very thrilled when she said she would love to go! I can't wait for it!

On Saturday, Erin and I took a much anticipated trip to the Decorator's Warehouse. Our cart was soon filled...and then soon emptied until we were left with the few things that we really wanted.

The men took all the kids to Burger King to eat lunch and play at the playground.

We spent a lazy afternoon with the kids. They had rest time, played games, and visited with Barbie on the computer.




John and Josh went on a short hike through the mountainous ice and snow.




There was dinner:


Wrestling:


Growling:


And snuggling:


Auntie Erin tried to get her fill of Jamison:


And he was happy enough to oblige!


Our night ended with homestyle cookin' from Cracker Barrel and a few episodes of The Office.

It was sad to see them go. We wish they could have stayed longer! Gideon woke up all excited to wake up his cousins...forgetting that they had left early that morning. Through his sobs, you could hear him tell me that he misses them. It about had me in tears too.

The verdict is in. We have decided that there must be another visit and it must be much longer than a day. That's all there is too it!

Ok, Stephanie...

I so called you on that one.

Congrats!

16 week appt

(knock heard on door, Doctor enters room)

Doctor: How are you feeling?

Me: Okay, I seem to have prolonged morning sickness.

Doctor: Well, you are gaining weight.

(like 2 pounds)

Me: Yeah, I'm usually able to swallow it down.

Doctor: Any concerns? questions?

Me: Not really.

Doctor: So since you had an ultrasound at 12 weeks, we'll wait to do the next one until 4 weeks after your next appt.

Me: Um, no...can we do it next appt?

Doctor: I think we can arrange that. Anything else?

Me: Nope.

(door closes)

Pretty exciting, eh? The good news is I get an ultrasound in 4 weeks. The bad news is that my ultrasound is in 4 weeks. My Dr is quite the stickler for doing the BIG ultrasound as close to 20 weeks as he can and not a moment sooner.

Now I have to wait 4 weeks to find out that the baby is a boy, lol.

Oh, and they just got a new ultrasound machine, so I'll be able to see the baby in 3D!

March 20 at 9:30am. Mark your calendars!

Works for me Wednesday....CVS Extra Care Rewards

Ok, I'm new at this, but stay with me. It has come to my attention that CVS has incredible deals and all we have to do is take advantage of them!

This is how I understand it:

Right now, they will give you $15 back on a $30 purchase...when you purchase specific things.

Here is the weekly sales ad. Pay close attention to the products you can purchase to add up to $30 to get your $15 back.

You can print out coupons for Huggies diapers here.

You can print out coupons for Colgate toothpaste here. Be sure to click back once the coupons have started printing, and they will let you print them out one more time.

You can print out this coupon for $4 off a CVS purchase of $20 or more here. There are 3 coupons, one is expired, but there are a couple more good for awhile.

To try to get an idea of how this works, visit Thrify Florida Mama. She gives a few examples of how this can really work for you.

Here is what I propose to do:

3 packs of Huggies...sale price $8.99= $26.97
2 boxes of Kleenex tissues...sale price 2 for $5= $5

Total before coupons= $31.97

I've got 2 Huggies coupons totaling $3.00 off
I've got $4 off a $20 purchase

$31.97-$7= $24.97

Now remember, because I purchased my $30, I get $15 worth of Extra Care Rewards to go towards my next transaction.

Let's say for my next transaction, I purchase:

5 Colgate Toothpaste...$2.99= $14.95
3 Children's chewable Aspirin...$1.79 x 3= $5.37

Total= $20.32 plus tax

I've got 2 Colgate coupons totaling $2.00 off.
I've got another $4 off a $20 purchase.

Totaling $6.00 in coupons...and I've got my $15 in extra care rewards...Which puts me at $21 off my purchase!

After this purchase, I get $2 worth of rewards for each tube of toothpaste, equaling $10. And I get the purchase price of the chewable Aspirin back...of $5.37. I get $15.37 back onto my card.

This can go on and on and on! Every month or so, I believe they have one week where you earn $15 back on $30 worth of participating products. You can find their circular online...Happy Shopping!!

If you have done this yourself and want to share....please do! I would love to hear about your great deals!

A quote

"There is more power revealed in the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in the life of one sinner than all the power revealed in the six days of creation."

--Paul Washer

Luke 18.25

by Karsten Piper

He spread his blanket on the sand,
kneeled and arranged his bowls and tools:
hook, mallet, clamp, chisel, rasp, razor.

His smile glinted in the rongeur’s claws,
and upside down in the curette’s spoon.
Light shone out of the needle’s eye.

“Hoosh,” he said and began plucking hairs,
paring calluses, shearing wool, shaving
to the follicles, cutting to the quick.

He sorted these, trimming skin with skin,
hair with hair, into rows of clay bowls,
and set a large basin to catch each sour drip

as he sliced the hide and used both fists
to yank back the whole stubbled, gray pelt,
as wet and red on its underside as afterbirth.

He piled this heavily away, draping it
in clean linen, and turned to the meat and bone
heaving under sheer, tight membrane.

Sawteeth chewed into femur, rib and shoulder.
Pliers twisted and wrenched away tendons
until everything softened, canted, and collapsed—

yet not one sliver dies. Each ribbon and shard
bawls for the horror and hurt of their missing,
wishing for the old braying wholeness.

Pain bloodies evening and morning,
stabbing day after day from even the first cuts,
like the slow light of far stars.

Eyeballs and heart float alone in the last bowl,
dark and defenseless, quavering when he leans down
and they recognize in his eyes how little is left.

“Easy now, Camel,” he says and lifts me
in his fingertips, one quivering strand at a time,
through the eye of the needle.

You can read John Piper's comments about his son's poem here.

Paul Washer contrasted with the message of Joel Osteen

I urge you to watch this!

Just in case you ever wondered....

...what happens if you throw away the heal of an onion and it ends up in the trash can, but missed the trash bag. I don't know how long it has been there...probably 4-5 days?

Yuck.

Nolan receives a package!

Nolan turned 6 years old a couple of weeks ago. He has been waiting patiently for his birthday package from Gramma and Grampa in Maine. I'm surprised they were able to shovel themselves out long enough to get to the post office, lol.

Each day...Nolan waited and watched. He would get excited each time he saw the mail truck...and each day: no package.

The day that he wasn't watching was the day it came. I saw the box leaning against our front door and knew that my Nolan would be soooo excited!

I brought the priority box into the living room and put it on the couch. Then I called Nolan to come quickly. This is the result of that package!

He wanted to get in that box so badly!

Why is it so hard to pull this tab?? I found my present!
Blendy Pens....just what I've always wanted! I've seen these on tv!
And a dot to dot book?!? I love dot to dots!!

He loves his new Blendy Pens and has had a great time coloring with them! He has been great sharing them with his brothers too.

Thanks Gramma and Grampa!!!

Vintage Jesus

by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears

I highly recommend that you all buy this book and read it! I started reading last night and could not put it down. Needless to say, I am now finished the book and want everyone I know to read it now!

You can read about it and learn how to get your copy, here.

I also want to recommend listening and watching Mark Driscoll's sermon series, also titled Vintage Jesus.

Roughly two thousand years ago, Jesus was born in a dumpy, rural, hick town, not unlike those today where guys change their own oil, think pro wrestling is real, find women who chew tobacco sexy, and eat a lot of Hot Pockets with their uncle-daddy. Jesus' mom was a poor, unwed teenage girl who was often mocked for claiming she conceived via the Holy Spirit. Most people thought she concocted the crazy story to cover the fact she was knocking boots with some guy in the backseat of a car at the prom. Jesus was adopted by a simple carpenter named Joseph and spent the first thirty years of his life in obscurity, swinging a hammer with his dad.

In Vintage Jesus, one of America's most influential young pastors teams up with a seasoned theologian to lead you on a hilarious theological journey chasing Jesus through Scripture and pop culture. The authors provide timeless answers to twelve timely questions about the most important man who has ever lived. Each chapter concludes with answers to common questions about each subject.

Contents
Chapter 1 Is Jesus the Only God?
Chapter 2 How Human Was Jesus?
Chapter 3 How Did People Know Jesus Was Coming?
Chapter 4 Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?
Chapter 5 Why Did Jesus' Mom Need to Be a Virgin?
Chapter 6 What Did Jesus Accomplish on the Cross?
Chapter 7 Did Jesus Rise from Death?
Chapter 8 Where Is Jesus Today?
Chapter 9 Why Should We Worship Jesus?
Chapter 10 What Makes Jesus Superior to Other Saviors?
Chapter 11 What Difference Has Jesus Made in History?
Chapter 12 What Will Jesus Do upon His Return?

These questions are answered with insights from people such as Jesus himself, Dog the Bounty Hunter, Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Luther King Jr., Hugh Hefner, Jack Bauer, Fidel Castro, Oprah, Kanye West, Gandhi, Homer Simpson, Mike Tyson, Gil Grissom, and Madonna, along with some demons and a porn star. There have been seventeen thousand books written about Jesus, but none is like Vintage Jesus.

Here are some quotes that I highlighted as I read:

"...the reason that many people are prone to hold someone or something in glory above Jesus is that they believe the lie that God's glory and our joy are in conflict, so that if we live for God's glory it comes at the cost of our joy."

"This glorious truth means that in worshiping Jesus, God is glorified and we are satisfied."

"According to the first two commandments, there is only one God, and that God alone is to be worshiped. Martin Luther said that we break the rest of the commandments only after we have broken the first two."

"Indeed, when we are speaking of salvation we must speak only of Jesus, always of Jesus, and assuredly of Jesus."

"If we were to see Jesus today, we would see him in glory, not in humility."

"Unlike most religions, Christianity has no place, language, race, or culture that serves as a center to hold it together. Christians share no worldwide headquarters, no common language, no common race of ethnic heritage, and no common cultural framework. The only thing that holds all of Christianity together is the risen Lord Jesus Christ who is alive today."

Get it today.

The Woman at the Well

What is sin??

The Lollipops are Abundant!

Gideon had a Dr's appt this morning and is feeling much better. As a matter of fact, he is up and playing today! The fevers are gone and the energy levels are up.

When we were in the ER, Gideon kept talking about how when he is better, he would love to have a great big lollipop. After his Dr's appt this morning, we stopped by Cracker Barrel, and he picked out lollipops for himself, plus Nolan and Haddon....since they are feeling better too!

Officially saying Goodbye to KFC

You see, I am a firm believer in chicken only being as good as your honey mustard sauce. There was a time when I would proudly say that I could almost drink KFC's honey mustard sauce with a straw.

Those times are long gone.

KFC changed their honey mustard sauce. They did something to the recipe that makes me want to cry. It is now a seedy, mustardy tasting sauce that has lost all sweetness and goodness.

I will no longer be trying to get that goodness in me.

I am also disappointed with Arby's. They have fairly good honey mustard sauce. I would definitely give it 4 out of 5 stars. But they changed their chicken strips to chicken bites. They once had moist strips...now they are dry.

I'm not even going to touch McD's chicken selects. Yuck.

Help me by boycotting KFC until they give us back our sauce! I am very disappointed and will no longer be able to drive by KFC with longing. That longing has turned to disgust and sadness that I may never taste that deliciousness ever again.

10 things to remember when you are not the pregnant one....

I saw this and thought it was cute, harsh but cute :)

1. The appropriate response to a couple telling you they are having a baby is "Congratulations" with enthusiasm. Any other response makes you a jerk.

2. Through the wonders of science, we now know that babies are made ONLY by the mother and father- not grandparents. Unless the baby is in your uterus, or you are the man that helped put it there, you may not ever use the phrase "my baby"

3. On the same note, unless you made the baby as defined in #2, the pregnancy, birth and the raising of the child are not about you. You do not have input. No one wants to hear your opinion unless they ask for it.

4. The body of a pregnant woman should be treated the same as any other body. You would not randomly touch someones stomach if they were not pregnant, nor would you inquire into the condition of their uterus, cervix or how they plan to use their breasts. Pregnancy does not remove all traces of privacy from a woman.

5. Likewise, no woman wants to hear comments on her weight- ever. A pregnant woman does not find it flattering that you think she is about to pop, must be having twins,looks swolen or has gained weight in her face. Tellng her she looks too small only makes her worry that she is somehow starving her baby. making such comments invite her to critique your physical appearance and you may not act offended. The only acceptable comment on appearance is "You look fabulous!"

6. By the time we are 20-30 years old, most of us have picked up on the fact that summer is hot. We are hot every summer when we are not pregnant. We dont need you to point out that we will be miserable before the baby comes.

7. There is a reason that tickets to L&D are not yet sold on ticketmaster. Childbirth is actually not a public event. It may sound crazy, but some women really do not relish the idea of their mother,mil or a host of other family members seeing their bare butt or genitals. Also, some people simply feel like the birth of their child is a private and emotional moment to be shared only by the parents.

8. Like everything else in life, unless you receive an invitation, you are not invited. This includes doctor appointments,ultrasounds, labor, delivery, the hospital and the parents home. you do not decide if you will be there for the birth or if you will move in with the new parents to "help out". if your assistance is desired,rest assured that you will be asked for it.

9. If you are asked to help after the birth, this means you should clean up the house, help with cooking meals, and generally stay out of the way. Holding the baby more than the parents, interfering with breastfeeding and sleeping schedules and making a woman who is still leaking fluid from various locations lift a finger in housework is not helping.

10. The only people entitled to time with the baby are the parents. Whether they choose to have you at the hospital for the birth or ask you to wait 3 weeks to visit, appreciate that you are being given the privelege of seeing their child. Complaining or showing dissapointment only encourages the parents to include you less.

From the mouths of babes

Nolan just announced that he wanted to draw a picture for Pastor Reggie.

He then proceeded to tell his brothers that it's because "Pastor Reggie is a good man".

Edited to add his drawing: (Yes, that is a picture of Pastor Reggie, and he measured the paper, that's why there are cm measurements, and he really likes Clorox wipes, lol)

A Night in the Emergency Room

I blogged yesterday about my little boys and their feverish little bodies. Little did I know what the rest of the day would bring!

Around 4:30pm, Gideon's fever was at 105 in one ear and 102.7 in the other ear. I called up his pediatrician and was told to give him Tylenol, and if it didn't go down, bring him in to the ER. I gave him a bath, which along with the Tylenol, lowered his temp to 101...but once he was out of the tub and dressed, it quickly sped its way back up to 103. He was also squinting right eye and was heavily favoring the right side. In the tub, he had actually bumped his head because he couldn't hold his head up.

I called John and told him that I was going to bring him in.

I headed over to First Assist/Urgent Care. We had been in the waiting room for 30 minutes or so, when Gideon decided he didn't want to wait any longer to be seen. He then proceeded to vomit all over himself, me and the floor. This worked really well, and we were immediately ushered into a room.

He laid there, eyes closed, listless on the hospital bed. He couldn't even stand up.

The Dr walked in and immediately said that he was worried that he is favoring his right side because that is a sign of meningitus. Um, rule #1, don't say that first thing, when you walk into a room, k?

He took his vitals, checked his throat and gave me his advice.

I was told he had strep (wrong!), was dehydrated (wrong!), and that his lungs were clear (wrong!). Since they couldn't test for dehydration, they sent me to the ER.

By this time it was 7pm. I ran home quick to change my clothes and get new pj's for Gideon.

I arrive at the Emergency Room, only to wait 3 hours before seeing a triage nurse who took his temp (103.4), weighed him(34 pounds) , and gave him a strep test (which came up negative).

Then I proceeded to wait another hour before getting a real room. I felt that we had finally graduated.

I placed my little man on the big ole gurney. He looked so small and so sick. When the Dr came in and tried to talk to him and ask him how he was feeling...a comedy sketch that Brian Regan does came into my mind. "How do you think I'm feeling? I'm on a gurney!"




They checked his ears...clear. They checked his throat...not so clear. Big, giant tonsils dripping with puss is what was seen. Orders for Motrin were given since he was as hot as a firecracker!

At about this time, what I will refer to from now on as the 'Phantom Moaner" entered my shared room. Only a curtain separated us. Again, I heard the sketch from Brian Regan about the moans that can be heard in the ER. I had to remind myself...this was not the time to think of jokes! My son is on a gurney!

The Dr sent the nurse in to swab his nose for RSV and the FLU! He did not like that one bit. After she left, he told me that he never wants those sticks stuck up his nose again!

(and the Phantom Moaner continues to moan)

By now, he had a Johnson City Medical Center teddy bear that he named 'Kind Bear'. It was a great comfort to him.

They wheeled us out for chest/lung x-rays. Since I'm pg, I couldn't stand next to him, but he was such a big brave boy!

(and the Phantom Moaner continues to moan)

We arrived back in our room to be told that he has the FLU and pneumonia in his right lung. No wonder he was so sick :( They said that he was to be admitted and get an iv drip of fluids, get blood drawn, and get some antibiotics.




I was so proud of Gideon. The nurse came in with reinforcements to hold down his arm. My Giddy didn't even make a peep when she put that I.V. in. He flinched, but took it like a man. I don't think daddy would have taken it that well!!

(and the Phantom Moaner continues to moan)

Once that I.V. started dripping, he perked up. He started coloring and drinking some juice.

We had two other Dr's come in and check the SAME vitals over and over again, one after the other. It really doesn't work well when you do that to a child that has never been sick. The boy hates Dr's now because they wouldn't leave him alone!

We were waiting to be admitted, but because Gideon was in such better spirits and was no longer lathargic, they told us that if he could eat something and keep it down, then we could go home!

The time was 4am when we arrived home.

(I bet the Phantom Moaner was still moaning!)

Gideon fell right asleep after telling daddy about how brave he was! Mommy went to be at 4:30 after eating a little something.

The alarm went off at 6:30. Haddon had a Dr's appt at 8:15, and the ER recommended ALL the kids be seen and tested for flu.

It turns out that Jamison has an ear infection and is on antibiotics as well as preventative FLU meds. Haddon has an ear infection, but because he had flu-like symptoms last week, he wouldn't need the FLU meds. Gideon got FLU meds and an antibiotic for the pneumonia. Nolan was fine, but is also on preventative FLU meds.

Long story short, the kids have meds flowing happily through their little veins, they are resting on the couch, eating popsicle upon popsicle, watching movies that I rented at Food City for them.

Oh yeah...and mommy is very tired and about to take a much deserved nap.

Limited Atonement

When we watched this DVD set a few years ago, John and I just loved this one segment that can be found about 6 minutes into this video. I do recommend the entire clip, it is well worth watching!

Bloggers go to Uganda

It's blog month at Compassion International. I've never been to Africa, but know that there are many here who have. Every single time I hear or read about someone's experiences there, I hear very similar things. Things like, 'I knew the poverty was bad, but I didn't know how bad until I saw it firsthand.'. Until we see things up close and personal, it is too easy to put our blinders on and pretend that dirt floors and empty bellies don't exist.

If you visit Compassion and read about what they are doing right now, I think it will excite you! They have brought a bunch of bloggers from all walks of life in the blogosphere to share their witness with the world! I heard about it through Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer, because she was given the opportunity to go. You can go to her blog now and see her updated posts about how her journey has begun.

If you have a blog and have a Compassion story, share it. February is blog month at Compassion and they want you to Share Your Love for Compassion. If you blog your experience, you can receive a free Compassion scrapbook!

Check out these blogs and support them!

Read Compassion's Blog

"Ragamuffinsoul" by Carlos Whittaker, innovative worship leader
Read Carlos' Blog.

"Chris Elrod Properties" by real estate agent Chris Elrod, married to Randy
Read Chris' Blog.

Doug Van Pelt, Owner, operator and editor of The Hard Music Magazine
Read Doug's Blog.

"Whittaker Woman," a refreshing blog by Heather Whittaker, Carlos' wife
Read Heather's Blog.

Phil Ware "The Phil Files," blog of Phil Ware, president of Heartlight Inc.
Read Phil's Blog.

"Ethos … a Cultural Watercooler," blog of Randy Elrod, a Hugh Hewitt "blog of the month" winner
Read Randy's Blog.

"Shlog," blog of Shaun Groves, an insightful songwriter and musician
Read Shaun's Blog.

"BooMama" from Sophie, author of this hilarious women's blog
Read Sophie's Blog.

"Flowerdust.net" by Anne Jackson, who is a writer and serves on staff at LifeChurch.tv.
Read Anne's Blog

"Rocks in My Dryer" by Shannon, a 30-something stay-at-home mom, featured in Good Housekeeping
Read Shannon's Blog

"J-Walking" by David Kuo, Washington editor for Beliefnet.com and former special assistant to President George W. Bush
Read David's Blog

Tom Emmons, Compassion's Internet Marketing Program Manager and sponsor of two Compassion children
Read Tom's Blog

Spence Smith, Artist Relations Manager for Compassion
Read Spence's Blog

"Queen Anne's Lace," blog of Keely Scott, photographer
Read Keely's Blog

"A Simple Journey" by Brian Seay, Artist Relations Manager for Compassion
Read Brian's Blog

We've been hit by the plague

Okay, not really the plague but some sort of illness. Last week, Haddon ran a fever for about a day or so. It went up to almost 104, went down with Tylenol and then he was fine. Although, he never did get his appetite back. (Which is very abnormal...cause if anyone knows Haddon, they know he LOVES his food!)

Fast forward to this morning. I woke up the wailing of my Gideon. He was crying because his throat hurt, and he said he needed hot chocolate. I carried him to the couch. He was running a fever.

I went in to get Haddon and Jamison up, and Haddon was puny too. I took his temperature...running a fever again!

Thankfully, Nolan and Jamison are fine. Another huge blessing is there is no puking. I can totally deal with my kids taking it easy on the couch. If they were taking turns vomitting into buckets, I would seriously need help, since I would also be taking turns puking. You see, the smell automatically makes me hurl. Thanks to this pregnancy!

Nolan and I had a good afternoon. We went to a Valentine's Day party at the local rec center, for our homeschooling organization. He had a good time and loved playing outside at the playground. I only wish Gideon and Haddon had been able to join us.

I hate it when my boys are sick. But it gives this mommy a chance to cuddle a little bit more and love on them. It's nice to slow down, get out of my routine and care for my sick little boys.

I thank God every day that I have the opportunity to minister to my children on a fulltime basis at home. I couldn't imagine my life any other way.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Garlic Sauce

A few years ago, I had planned to make this for dinner. After having a particularly long day with the kids, John came home and offered to make dinner. I said that I was planning on making a new recipe. He was quick to respond with a 'no problem'. When I handed him the recipe, he was immediately overwhelmed, but continued with my dinner plans.

He did a great job and dinner came out wonderful! So...even your husbands can make this!


For the chicken, you will need:

3 boneless chicken breast, cut in half lengthwise
1 egg
grated parmesan cheese for dredging (you can use grated parmesan cheese from the can too)
canola oil for frying

Dunk the chicken in the egg, coating it. Then toss them into the parmesan cheese to coat the outside. Fry in the oil until brown and cooked through. You can pour about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of oil into your frying pan and heat on medium heat until ready for the chicken. Turn the chicken once while cooking. When they are cooked through, remove from pan and set aside on a papertowel to absorb any excess oil. Pour out the oil.

For the sauce:

2 Tablespoons of butter
3 large cloves of garlic, pressed or minced
1/2 pint of whipping cream
1/2 cup of parmesan cheese (needs to be fresh from the wedge)

In the same pan, melt the butter. Add the pressed garlic and let it saute for 30 seconds or so. You don't want it to brown, or burn the butter! Add the cream and parmesan cheese and let it cook on low heat until you are ready to eat. When you are ready, plate the chicken and spoon the sauce over it.

This dish goes well with a side of pasta and a veggie, such as broccoli. Feel free to double the sauce if you want extra for the pasta. Serve with a salad and some warm rolls, and you've got a great dinner!

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

by Horatius Bonar

Born: De­cem­ber 19, 1808, Old Brough­ton, Ed­in­burgh, Scot­land.

Died: Ju­ly 31, 1889, Ed­in­burgh, Scot­land.

Buried: Can­on­gate church­yard.

Bonar has been called “the prince of Scot­tish hymn write­rs.” After grad­u­at­ing from the Un­i­ver­si­ty of Ed­in­burgh, he was or­dained in 1838, and be­came pas­tor of the North Par­ish, Kelso. He joined the Free Church of Scot­land af­ter the “Dis­rupt­ion” of 1843, and for a while edit­ed the church’s The Border Watch. Bonar re­mained in Kel­so for 28 years, af­ter which he moved to the Chal­mers Me­mor­i­al church in Edin­burgh, where he served the rest of his life. Bonar wrote more than 600 hymns. At a me­mor­i­al service fol­low­ing his death, his friend, Rev. E. H. Lundie, said:

His hymns were writ­ten in very var­ied cir­cum­stances, some­times timed by the tink­ling brook that bab­bled near him; some­times at­tuned to the or­dered tramp of the ocean, whose crest­ed waves broke on the beach by which he wan­dered; some­times set to the rude mu­sic of the rail­way train that hur­ried him to the scene of du­ty; some­times mea­sured by the si­lent rhy­thm of the mid­night stars that shone above him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place, and He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, and all thy day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found in Him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk, till traveling days are done.

A quote

If I admit that God’s Will regulates the great movements of the universe I must admit that it equally regulates the small. It must do this, for the great depend upon the small. The minutest movement of my will is regulated by the will of God. And in this I rejoice. Woe is me if it be not so. If I shrink from so unlimited control and guidance, it is plain that I dislike the idea of being wholly at the disposal of God. I am wishing to be in part at my own disposal. I am ambitious of regulating the lesser movements of my will, while I give up the greater to His control. And thus it comes out that I wish to be a god to myself. I do not like the thought of God having all the disposal of my destiny. If He gets His will, I am afraid that I shall not get mine. It comes out, moreover, that the God about whose love I was so fond of speaking, is a God to whom I cannot trust myself implicitly for eternity. Yes, this is the real truth. Man’s dislike at God’s sovereignty arises from his suspicion of God’s heart. And yet the men in our day, who deny this absolute sovereignty, are the very men who profess to rejoice in the love of God, who speak of that love as if there were nothing else in God but love. The more I understand of the character of God, as revealed in Scripture, the more shall I see that He must be sovereign, and the more shall I rejoice from my inmost heart that He is so.

-Horatius Bonar

A pregnant woman's trip to Sam's Club

Over dinner, the kids were telling John about their day. Like most Fridays, we had gone to Sam's Club to stock up on milk. (FYI they have the cheapest milk than ANYWHERE else...over a dollar less than at Walmart!)

The kids love love love getting free samples of food. We weave our way around the store, looking for the nearest worker who is wearing a hair net, and know that soon we will be able to taste the next goodie.

It's amazing the foods that the kids will eat. Foods that they would NEVER eat at home, if I were to buy it and prepare it for them. They eat things like steak, pork loin, ribs, seafood salad, roast lamb, gouda, sausage, chicken cordon bleu, etc, etc, etc.

As the kids were going through the list of things they were able to eat...John asked me if those samples ever work.

Do I ever buy a product because I tasted a sample?

The answer is yes. It has only happened once. Usually, I am focused and on track, but I bought something that I had tasted the week before.

You see, a few weeks ago, I saw a commercial for cheesecake. I wanted cheesecake so badly that I went to the store for the sole reason of buying cheesecake. Once I arrived at Walmart, I was disappointed with my selection and decided on some inexpensive frozen cheesecake. When I got home, I couldn't even stomach the graham cracker crust. Most of this cheesecake still remains in the freezer. (John, if you want it, have at it!)

The following week, we were at Sams. One of the samples were cheesecake bites. I was sold...but I didn't buy them.

For the next week, I dreampt of these little bites.

When this past Friday arrived, you better believe that along with 4 gallons of milk and diapers, there was a box of mini-cheesecake bites in that cart.

The reason why this is so great to have on hand is this: I don't want to eat a lot of cheesecake. I don't want to get sick with it...instead, I want to savor it. I can take out one or two of these little cheesecakes a day and just nibble it to get my fill until tomorrow's craving.

For all my pregnant friends who want cheesecake...there was never a better idea than these:

Ugh.

That is what I have to say about this past week. I start off each morning feeling fairly good. By afternoon, I feel nauseaus, have thrown up at least once, and chances are, I've got a splitting headache...bordering on a migraine.

Hopefully, I'll start feeling better soon...until then, I'm gonna take a nap!

And if anyone has any really good remedies for 2nd trimester "morning" sickness...I'm all ears!

Romney drops out

Finally some good news.

You can read the Fox report here.

I hope this means there will be a Huckaboom!

Pregnancy does cause memory loss, study says

You can read the article here.

This definitely explains a lot, lol.

We're okay

For anyone wondering, the tornadoes were all west of here. The fact that we live in an area surrounded by mountains, really cuts down the chance of tornadoes.

Please keep in your prayers the dozens who have died and have been injured.

Hillary's Outreach to Evangelical Voters

Romney staying culturally relevant with the kids

I saw this on Between Two Worlds and had to share it, lol.

Okay, I know Bill Belichick isn't the friendliest of coaches....

I ran across this blog entry from CJ Mahaney today. It's his relections on the Superbowl last night. Here is a quote:

I stayed up after the game for one reason. I knew they would interview Belichick, and I wanted to hear what he would say. I hoped he would at least congratulate the Giants on their victory. He did not. He missed yet another opportunity to provide a compelling and humble example of how to conduct oneself when one has lost the game.

When I was reading an article from ESPN, I read this quote:

In his opening statement, he said: "Congratulations to the Giants. They made some plays there at the end and we didn't. It's disappointing."

Now, I know that Belichick could take a class in how to handle oneself with opposing teams as well as the media. I am not in any way vouching for the way that he presents himself.

All I ask is that he not be misrepresented.

Why I'm Prolife

by Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer

You can read the article here!

I highly recommend it!

Two quotes

I love this quote from the most recent Republican debate:

I want to just say that I agree with something that Governor Romney said.
He talked about that governors are well prepared to be presidents. And I think
he's right about that. And if that's the case, then I appreciate his
endorsement...

-Governor Mike Huckabee

When asked if Ronald Reagan would endorse him, Huckabee responded:

I think it would be incredibly presumptuous and even arrogant for me to try to suggest what Ronald Reagan would do, that he would endorse any of us against the others.

Let me just say this, I'm not going to pretend he would endorse me. I wish he would. I would love that, but I endorse him, and I'm going to tell you why.

It wasn't just his specific policies, but Ronald Reagan was something more than just a policy wonk. He was a man who loved this country, and he inspired this country to believe in itself again.

What made Ronald Reagan a great president was not just the intricacies of his policies, though they were good policies. It was that he loved America and saw it as a good nation and a great nation because of the greatness of its people.

And if we can recapture that, that's when we recapture the Reagan spirit. It's that spirit that has a can-do attitude about America's futures and that makes us love our country whether we're Democrats or Republicans. And that's what I believe Ronald Reagan did -- he brought this country back together and made us believe in ourselves.

And whether he believes in us, I hope we still believe in those things which made him a great leader and a great American.

What 13 weeks and 3 days looks like:

Don't mind me...I got stuck in the rain this morning. It was pouring!

Hi baby :)

Here's the proof...we saw Mike and Chuck!

This morning started out like any other day. It all changed when the kids put on their 'I like Mike' shirts. There was a certain energy in the air.

We left at 10:15am.

I had told them that Mike Huckabee is from Arkansas, so Nolan searched for a car from Arkansas, lol. I had to tell him that Mike was flying in on an airplane.

My boys and I arrived at the airport around 10:30. It was starting to fill up. I took off the kid's jackets, and they proudly displayed their shirts! They got a lot of attention and comments on them.

We waited and waited and waited. They kept asking me when Mike was going to get there. (Obviously my boys are on a first name basis with him, lol)

At this point, the aviation hangar was FULL!!

Right around 11:30, Congressman David Davis began to talk, he spoke about family values and the direction our country needed to go.

Then he introduced Governor Mike Huckabee! Everyone was cheering and holding up their signs. Nolan was my official sign waver. Every time there was clapping and cheering, he held up the sign as high as possible, because he wanted "Mike to be able to see it."



Huckabee then started speaking of his future Secretary of Defense and who the Director of Homeland Security would be....you guessed it! Chuck Norris!!




We had a great time. The kids really enjoyed it. I held them up one at a time so they could see Mike and were very excited, pointing at him :) I love that I was able to include them in a part of the election. They may not understand exactly what is going on, but it is something that they will remember.

I was so proud of them! I got several compliments on their behavior...we've started enforcing a new little piece of discipline that seems to be working with them. But I'll save that for another post.

It was raining cats and dogs when we left. Raining on all the Ron Paul supporters who were picketing outside. Ugh. Give it up, will ya?

Here's a pic of my boys (Jamison has one too...but he's asleep). Nolan really likes his shirt and wanted a bumper sticker on it too.



It was a fun morning! One thing is for certain...if you LIKE MIKE...Be sure to vote tomorrow!!! If you don't LIKE MIKE....stay at home, okay?

When we arrived home, Nolan started talking about Mike. He asked me if I thought it would be cool if Mike came over to the house for dinner.

Yes Nolan, that would be very cool.

So Mike...if you ever read the blogs on your blogroll at your website...and come across mine, since it's near the top of the list...you are invited over for dinner, the next time you are in the area, lol.

To see the live news coverage, click here!

Oh, how the mighty have fallen

The Superbowl is over and my Patriots lost. I believe the game was fairly boring, until that fourth quarter...but I think it comes down to two key plays.

The first play was when the Pats went for it on 4th and 13. They should have at least tried to kick the field goal. That definitely would have changed the momentum a little and would have left the game tied at the end.

The second play was late in the fourth quarter when the Pats had Manning down...and he twirled like a ballerina and was able to get away from the sack and throw a game ending pass.

It is a disappointing game to a great season.

I am happy that football season is OVER! You wouldn't believe the stress that it causes within my household. It would be so much easier if John were a Pats fan!!

I am also happy that I wasn't present at my Aunt Mary's house up in Maine. I don't think I could handle the ups and downs of the emotions of my dad. It's probably best for his heart that football season won't start again for several months.

But I do have a praise. You see, I purchased a giant Patriots cookie from Sam's club. In order to get a slice, you had to say that you love the Patriots. I am happy to say that my Nolan is a Patriots fan....at least until the cookie is eaten and gone. He did go to sleep wearing his Pats shirt....and that just warms a mommy's heart.

Better luck next year guys!

This just in...

Chuck will be there tomorrow....I've already made the kids their 'I Like Mike' shirts!

ER: Atonement, cont'd

I recently wrote about an episode on ER, titled, Atonement. I just found out that the video of this scene can be found!

My original post can be found here.

Huckabee for President Volunteer Issue Guide

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. With ten-and-a-half years of experience running state government, Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas has more relevant executive experience than any candidate in the race – either Republican or Democrat.

2. Recognized and tapped by his peers for leadership, the National Governor’s Association selected Governor Huckabee as it’s Chairman.

3. TIME Magazine honored him as one of the five best Governors in America.

4. Governor Huckabee is a fiscal conservative who cut taxes almost 100 times in the state of Arkansas, including the state’s first broad-based tax cuts, and turned a $200 million deficit into an $850 million surplus.

ISSUES
1. TAXES/ECONOMY –Governor Huckabee supports The FairTax because it will restore the “Made in America” label, making American goods 12-25% more competitive, boosting economic growth, increasing our exports, and securing American jobs. It also prevents criminals or illegal aliens from avoiding taxes, and makes the taxes we all pay 100% transparent.

2. GOVERNMENT SPENDING – Governor Huckabee is committed to reducing government spending. One way he’ll do this is by reducing the cost of welfare. Governor Huckabee will work with states to reduce welfare roles through programs like the one he implemented in Arkansas, which reduced welfare roles by 50%.

3. HEALTH CARE –Governor Huckabee will implement a consumer-based healthcare system that emphasizes preventative medicine and wellness. Because 70% of our $2 trillion dollar healthcare costs is spent treating chronic, preventable diseases, this approach will make healthcare more affordable for everybody while keeping us healthier.

4. FAMILY VALUES –Governor Huckabee supports a federal constitutional amendment to protect the right to life. He Successfully fought for Arknasas’ marriage amendment and strongly supports a similar, federal constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

5. IMMIGRATION –Governor Huckabee will secure the border (with physical barriers, electronic surveillance, and more border-patrol personnel and detention facilities). He will also end sanctuary cities and increase penalties on, and enforcement against, employers who hire illegal immigrants. Governor Huckabee will make sure the border patrol has adequate funding to end our “catch and release” system so that everyone caught trying to enter illegally, overstaying their visa, or committing a crime will be held until they’re tried, convicted, and deported. Gov. Huckabee has also signed the Numbers USA "No Amnesty" Pledge.

6. WAR ON TERROR AND IRAQ – Governor Huckabee knows it takes a large, well-equipped military to ensure our national defense and to deter conventional military confrontations. He also knows we need large, well-equipped intelligence and Special Forces operations for our national offense – so we can effectively find and eliminate terrorist threats at home or abroad. Governor Huckabee will be a Commander in Chief who knows that IF WE HAVE TO FIGHT A WAR, our President has to fight it the way our GENERALS tell him it can be won, not the way we want it to be won.

7. ENERGY INDEPENDENCE –Governor Huckabee will implement a program to end the import of foreign oil in the next ten years by increasing domestic oil production in the short term, and then replacing oil-based energy infrastructure with alternative and renewable energies.

8. CLEMENCIES – Arkansas Governors grant clemency, but the parole board grants parole. Wayne DuMond’s parole was granted by the board and NOT Governor Huckabee.

9. TAXES –When Governor Huckabee left office, the tax rates remained exactly the same as when he first came into office. Governor Huckabee returned almost $400 million to Arkansas taxpayers, and he also DOUBLED the standard deduction for individuals and married couples, DOUBLED the childcare tax credit, and eliminated the marriage penalty. He also repealed capital gains taxes for home sales, lowered the capital gains rate by 25%, expanded the homestead exemption, and set up tax-free savings accounts for medical care and college tuition. Gov. Huckabee has also signed the Americans for Tax Reform's pledge not to raise taxes.

10. SECOND AMENDMENT-
• Lifetime member of the NRA, member for over 15 years
• First Governor to have concealed-carry permit
• Removed restrictions on carry permit holders
• Protected gun manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits
• Opposes reauthorization of the Assault Weapon Ban
• Opposes expansion of the unconstitutional “Brady Bill”
• Opposes waiting period for purchase of firearms
• Opposes background checks on private firearms transactions at gun shows
• Will nominate judges who interpret the constitution as the Founders intended, rather than as a “living document reflecting current political trends or opinions”
• An avid hunter and conservationist, and a member of the Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation and BASS.

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Get Thee Behind Me Satan

For some odd reason, we started watching some sort of Christian music countdown on the inspiration channel. Most of the songs gave me headaches (I'm not that old, am I? I'm not even 30 yet...), but this song was worthy enough to share on my blog. Ok, not necessarily worthy, per se, but weird. There is a little bit in this video for everyone....from slaying in the spirit, dancing around in trances, as well as snake handling.

Enjoy and you are welcome!