Thanksgiving Eve

Well, once again I am busily packing for our annual Thanksgiving trek. I love Thanksgiving and this year is going to be great. Once again, I have so much to be thankful for.

I continue to be so thankful for the love that God lavishes on me each and every day.

I am thankful for Rob and his wonderfulness. Each year gets better and better.

I am thankful for my wonderful children. They really, really are amazing, fun, challenging, rewarding, exciting, exhausting little blessings.

I am thankful for having a wonderful extended family that keeps getting bigger and bigger.

I am thankful for great friends who continually inspire and encourage me.

In a year that has been filled with lots of twists and turns and unexpected little things, I really have a lot to be thankful for. I'm sure you do too. So, what are you thankful for?

A Christmas Carol

For those of you who have asked, here is Trisha's scehdule of performances:

Dec 1 10:00 and 7:30
Dec 2 2:00 and 7:30
Dec 3 2:00
Dec 8 10:00 and 7:30
Dec 9 2:00 and 7:30
Dec 10 2:00

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for kids. Thanks for being interested in coming to see her. I know she is very, very excited!!

Like I said...

Boys will be boys!

Boys will be boys...

Having three boys is quite an adventure. The fact that I am not a boy makes this adventure all the more interesting. As I watch their little lives and habits on a daily basis, I often find myself perplexed and confused by their behaviors. For example....

1. Why is farting so darn funny? I was making lunches for school this morning, when all of a sudden I feel someone sneaking up behind me. I don't really pay much attention, until a half full balloon is let go by my bottom to let all of the air out making a loud farting noise. All three boys yell in chorus, "Mommy! Say excuse me" and explode into laughter. Oh, boy, when I said, "sorry" it was even funnier. Perhaps this could have been OK if it was only done once. By the time they got on the bus, this episode repeated itself many, many times. Each time the boys laughed and laughed.

2. Why must I constantly tell them to get their hands out of their pants? It's not that they are "playing", it's just more like somewhere they like to rest their hands, like a pocket or something. Or maybe they just feel better knowing that the thing is still there, I don't know. I don't understand.

3. What is it that makes boys tell dumb jokes? My dad does it. My husband does it. And, now, my older two sons do it.

4. What is it about boys that make them want to things that either a) extremely dangerous or b) extremely dirty? If it's not risking your life, or putting grass stains on your pants, it's not worth doing, I guess.

5. Don't even get me started on how they act around a girl they think is cute!

All this craziness aside, I wouldn't trade them for the world, my boys. It seems strange; the farting, the hands in the pants and the crazy jokes. But, they do make me laugh. And, while I don't enjoy scrubbing pants to get grass stains out, or taking my boys in for the occasional stitching, I love watching them play with abandon and high energy. In some ways, as I parent my boys and try to understand the mind of a male, it has helped me to understand Rob more too, which is a good thing. It reminds me of the old saying that if I can teach my children half as much as they have taught me then I have done a good job.

Why I can be happy today....

As expected, it wasn't a great night for Republicans. I really am most sad about Rick Santorum. I think he's a good guy. But, I am also certain that his career in politics is not over.

Last night was continually compared to what the Republicans did in 1994. I don't really think that is afair comparison, actually. If you will recall, in 1994, Newt Gingrich, a right-wing conservative, authored the Contract with America. In it were such things as term limits, tax reform including the elimination of capital gains and death taxes and the marriage penalty. It included pro-family, pro-life iniatives. The candidates that signed that were the candidates that won. By sticking to true conservatism, we were able to win.

Now to 2006. You just didn't see the same thing, I am sorry. You didn't see Nancy Pelosi talking about her very left agenda. You didn't see the democrats recruiting candidates that are left of center like their leadership. Heck, Howard Dean wasn't even allowed out during the campaign from what I could tell. In fact, most of the seats that were lost, were lost to very conservative democrats. For example, Casey in PA, Whitehouse in RI among others. Last night was not a victory for the left, except that they were brilliant in who the recruited to run in these key states. By sticking to conservatism, the democrats were able to win.

Oh yes, lest I forget, another eason to be happy today is that pro-marriage iniatives won in every state where they were on the ballot.

I remember after 2004, Hilary Clinton said something about the democrats getting the message that America wanted the dems to move more to the right. They did this year. Maybe, just maybe, it's a permanent thing. I seriously doubt it.

Elections

I am a Republican. Oh, sure, sometimes, I will try to be all PC and say I vote for the best candidate, blah, blah, blah. In my Republican heart-of-hearts, I know that the worst Republican is always better than the best Democrat.

Case in point: 1996; Clinton vs. Dole. Now, I like Bob Dole. I appreciate his service to our country, and I cheer him on in his struggle against erectile dysfunction. However, I don't think there's a person in the world who really thought he could win, or if he did win, really do a better job than Bill Clinton. (Of course, in retrospect...but, I digress) I still voted for Dole. Why? The worst Republican is always better than the best Democrat.

I think the last time I considered voting for a Democrat was in 1990 Blanchard vs. Engler for Governor of Michigan. I was going to vote for Blanchard; however, I didn't make it to the polls. Apparently, neither did lots of other Blanchardites since Engler won. Which is another point, see it used to be that Democrats wouldn't vote. But, they will tomorrow. They are charged up, much like we were in 1994. Oh yes, rain or shine, Democrats will vote tomorrow.

Fellow Republican, I know you're upset about Iraq. I am too. Who isn't? If only Bush had fired Rumsfeld last week or something, maybe we could've gotten a bounce. I know that you don't want to vote for same old, same old; but you also don't want to vote for Ed Rendell. I get that, but I urge you not to stay home. GO vote. The worst Republican is always better than the best Democrat.

We will probably lose and lose big tomorrow. After years of winning, the cycle is going to turn. It will turn in our favor once again. It is the cyclical nature of politics, finance, life afterall. Let's just hope not too much damage is done in the meantime.

Oh, and to the three democrats that read my blog...if you ran for office, I would make an excpetion to my rule! Would you really expect any other kind of post from me? ;-)

I'm so depressed...

I just found out that the Steelers have the same record as the Cleveland Browns...

how pathetic is that???

The annual HAlloween pic

The two extra kids are Emily and Liam, our neighbors. We only looked that good for about 2 seconds after we walked outside as it was pouring down rain. But, the kids got some good candy and seemed to have a lovely time!

Random Musings on a Friday Evening

Jonathan scored his first U-10 goal last weekend. It was a perfect goal too. I was so excited for him, since it was frustrating him that he hadn't scored a goal since he moved up. Let me tell you how excited I was for him: when I jumped up and cheered, I peed my pants. Lovely. I remember days of long ago when I had Kegels. No more. As a side note, the more I cheer for these sporting events, the more I realize I am my mother.

Why is it that Ryan loves to do the most dangerous activity available to him? It's as if he looks around and says I could sit here and color or I could play with knives...I think I will play with knives. He never chooses the safe, calm, quiet thing. Why is that? Like the other day, I come out of my house to discover RYan standing on the top of my van with a light-saberin his pajamas. What process does the mind go through to think up an idea like that?

Did I mention that Trisha is a wee-bit "emotional" lately? I think I have...

Jaden is fine. Pretty normal, actually.

Rob, who's Rob??? I haven't seen him lately. Although we are going to an adult Halloween party together tomorrow night. He is going to be a Steelers fan and I am going to be a terrible towel. I'm so freakin creative...I tell you. Plus, as an added benefit, if something should happen to win the door prize and jump up in excitement, it can dry me off when I pee my pants :)

Cheers!

2008 Elections

I have gotten access to a top secret document outlining the agenda of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Now, although it is a very top secret document, I have chosen to share it with some of my closest friends:


7:00 P.M. Opening flag burning.
7:15 P.M. Pledge of allegiance to U.N.
7:30 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
7:30 till 8:00 P.M. Nonreligious prayer and worship. Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton.
8:00 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
8:05 P.M. Ceremonial tree hugging.
8:15- 8:30 P.M. Gay Wedding-- Barney Frank Presiding with NAMBLA QUEEN
8:30 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
8:35 P.M. Free Saddam Rally. Cindy Sheehan-- Susan Sarandon.
9:00 P.M. Keynote speech. The proper etiquette for surrender-- French President Jacques Chirac
9:15 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
9:20 P.M. Collection to benefit Osama Bin Laden kidney transplant fund
9:30 P.M. Unveiling of plan to free freedom fighters from Guantanamo Bay . Sean Penn
9:40 P.M. Why I hate the Military, A short talk by William Jefferson Clinton
9:45 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
9:50 P.M. Dan Rather presented Truth in Broadcasting award, presented by Michael Moore 9:55 P.M., Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
10:00 P.M. How George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld brought down the World Trade Center Towers-- Howard Dean
10:30 P.M. Nomination of Hillary Rodham Clinton by Mahmud Ahnadinejad
11:00 P.M. Ted Kennedy proposes a toast
11:05 P.M. Al Gore reinvents Internet
11:15 P.M. Our Troops are War criminals-- John Kerry
11:30 P.M. Coronation Of Mrs. H illary Rodham Clinton
12:00 A.M. Ted Kennedy is toasted AGAIN
12:05 A.M. Bill asks Ted to drive Hillary home

Ha!

For those of you who aren't aware, I've been in a training program to become a medical transcriptionist. I think it will be OK work with some nice money that I can make from home. Anyway, here's a quote from one of yesterday's lessons...it made me laugh:

"Medical vocabulary can enliven a conversation, brighten up a cocktail party, provide around-the-dinner-table entertainment, and otherwise add a little pizazz to your day."

Great! I've been looking to add a little pizazz to my day! :)

The Mind of a Nine-Year-Old Girl

Who can understand it??

No, really. I mean it. Who understands it and thus can help me with my daughter? Let's just take this morning as a "for instance". The bus comes to pick her up for school promptly at 8:22 am. Last week, I would let her sleep until about 7:45 if she didn't wake herself up. However, she began complaining vehemently that that didn't give her enough time to "feel like herself", so this morning I woke her at 7:30. She complained vehemently that I did not give her enough time to sleep. I guess tomorrow I will try for 7:37 and 30 seconds.

Next, since it's a bit chilly this morning, I suggested that she put on a jacket. "I don't have a jacket," she says. Hmmmmm, at last count I remember seeing about 6. "None of them are good," she says. Well, I'm not sure what she counts as "good", but I think I'd be happy with 2 Columbia jackets, 1 Old Navy jean jacket, 1 Gap poncho and 1 Gap hoodie.

I expected such excapades from a 13 or 14 year old pre-teen. This is 9, people!

Here's the thing though: if I take a step back and look at the things she's complaining about, I see that she is not too different than me. I mean sometimes I'll look at a closet full of clothes and say that none of them are good. So, I suppose I can relate. Doesn't mean it's not annoying as all get out!

Ode to the Sack Ladies

My 0-5 Fantasy Football Team...


It was so much fun that warm August night
I was so proud of my draft, I left in delight.
"I will beat everyone", I thought with a grin.
This is my year. I'm gonna win!

Shaun Alexander was my very first pick
He's really good. He'll do the trick.
Where is he you may ask if you don't already know
He's sitting at home with a big broken toe.

Next came Williams, Cadillac that is.
Last year, as a rookie that kid was a whiz.
This year, however; it's just not the same.
In fact, his whole team is really quite lame.

Domanick Davis was pick number three.
Three solid running backs. I was filled with glee.
But that pick didn't get me very far.
I think Mr. Davis now sells used cars.

Then there was Chad Johnson, Delhomme, and Big Ben
They haven't done much...where have they been?
Oh well, people say it's all only for fun.
I'm just hoping this weekend I finally win one!

M.S.U.

I love fall. Just so many wonderful memories around this time fo the year. Plus, it is so pretty. When I was in Lansing a few weeks ago, I couldn't help but think of my days in college. College is a great thing. I can remember many in-depth, philosophical conversations I had over the course of my 4+ years there. Some of which changed the direction of my life. One such conversation involved this guy:





Sparty is the huge sort of mascot statue that sits in the middle of everything. You had to pass by him at least once a day to get anywhere. One afternoon, a coupple of friends and I had a lengthy and heated discussion over what time of the day would be the best to, um, defecate on Sparty. I think the criteria was finding a time when no one would see you do it, but also a time when lots of people would come by shortly thereafter. I think we talked about this for like an hour. Like I said, philosphical. Life-changing. And, only in college!

Well,

Since that last post prompted such heated debate...let me explain what he meant by the quote.

I heard a guy saying that parents today put way too much of a value on a good education. Not that higher education isn't a good thing, but that true greatness can't be achieved through education. Nor is education a leading indicator of how much someone will make when they grow up. nN fact, he sited research that showed that kids who were A students most likely grow up to be educators. C students having given up on trying to keep up are most likely to become entrepeneurs. Thus, A students teach B students to work for C students.

I think I may have needed to hear that. Not that I necessarily agree with him. I'll give you a "for instance". We had Open House at school on Monday. It was a wonderful evening. And, although they say they are not supposed to talk about individual performance. I did hear really good things from all of the good teachers. And, I mean really good...like top of the class good. And, this boggles my mind. Because, in reality, I have done everything wrong. Some of it wasn't entirely my fault. I mean the triplets were born premature. They spent weeks in the hospital. They weren't held all the time to help those brain synapses get going, I didn't breastfeed, I barely read to them. I let them watch Teletubbies and other programs and I let them eat sugar and play video games. So, I ask you? How in the world are they doing so well?? I stand in awe..I tell you. And, I believe it is a miracle! You tell me without saying it's a miracle how Jaden, who had a 7 minute cardiac arrest at 4 weeks old is reading at a 6th grade ++ level. It's impossible.

But, here's the thing. I can't put all of my hope on that. In fact, if all my kids do is do really well at school, then I have failed as a parent. If I haven't taught them that all of that is rubbish compared to the surpassing greatness of Christ (Phillipians 3), then I have failed.

It would be nice if the fact that in 3rd and 1st grade they are doing well in school meant that they would do well in life. It would be nice if there were some "leading indiciators" that would tell me if they would lead wonderful, fulfilling, adult lives where they serve God and others and have wonderful people in their lives who support and love them through ups and downs. I just don't know if there are. Which is why I keep praying...

Interesting.

Here's a quote I heard toady...think about it and then let me know your reaction. No, really, I"m serious about that...let me know your reaction. You know, using the comments feature ;-)

This is in reference to the value of higher education as it relates to being successful (monetarily) in life:

A students teach B students how to work for C students.

Hmmmmm....

An Open Letter to MIchigan Drivers

God help you!

I know that your economy depends on cars being bought/sold. Therefore, you must reason, that if you drive crazy and wreck a car and buy a new one, everyone wins. That's the only thing I can figure. Several questions...

1) If I am going 75 in the right lane, why do you ride my tail and get irate?
2) Conversely, how come I can be practically riding your bumper going 70 and then have to get up to 85 to pass you? Most cars built after 1974 have cruise control...it is a lovely thing.
3) IN most states, the left lane is used as a passing lane. If you have 300 cars in line behind you, a good thing to do is pull over and let the faster traffic through.

And, to the lady in Ann Arbor with the "Peace" etc. bumper stickers including one that said, "Hitting kids is never OK": Do you see the irony in yourself when you weave in and out of traffic with your child in the car going at least 80 MPH? Just curious.

Thank you...I feel much better now.

Family Size

So, I've been thinking lately about family size. The thing is I have gotten very used to people bugging their eyes out when they find out I have four kids, as if that is a big family. Even more astonishing to people is when I mention that if I could (if Rob/God allowed), I would have AT LEAST one more. Why is that so weird? There are stranger, less productive things I could invest my time in. And, for people who study the Bible, aren't we taught that "Sons are an inheritance from the Lord; children a reward from Him. " Psalm 127:3 and "Blessed is the man whose quiver is full[of children]" Psalm 127:5? I don't know...it's just something I've been thinking about! Anyway, I'll share with you this thing I got from a friend to highlight my point:

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $240,000 for a middle income family. Talk about price shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition. But $240,000 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into * $13,333 a year, * $1100.38 a month, or * $250.00 a week. * That's a mere $36.00 a day! * Just over a dollar an hour. Still, you might think the best financial advice is don't have children if you want to be "rich." Actually, it is just the opposite.

What do you get for your $240,000?
* Naming rights. First, middle, and last
* Glimpses of God every day
* Giggles under the covers every night.
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
* A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites.
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day

For $240,000 you never have to grow up. You get to:
* finger -paint.
* carve pumpkins.
* play hide-and-seek.
* catch lightning bugs.
* never stop believing in Santa Claus.

You have an excuse to:
* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh.
* watch Saturday morning cartoons.
* go to Disney movies.
* wish on stars

You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day

For a mere $36.00 a day, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for:
* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof.
* taking the training wheels off a bike.
* removing a splinter.
* filling a wading pool.
* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs.
* and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless

You get a front row seat in history to witness the:
* first step
* first word
* first bra
* first date
* first time behind the wheel

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match. In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!

Love & enjoy your children & grandchildren. It's the best investment you'll make.

My 100th post

Yes, on this, Talk-Like-A-Pirate Day, I made my 100th post. In honor of this occasion, I present you with this quick quiz to see what your pirate personality might be. Enjoy!

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/ppi.html

The Zany Adventures of Kosmo Kramer

I shouldv'e known when we named our cat after this guy 11 years ago, he'd be nothing but trouble. You see, we've been trying to get rid of our cat for many weeks now. Why? Because he no longer uses his litter box. We've tried adopting him out to people...no luck. Here's a snapshot of some of the things we have tried recently to get rid of him.

Trip to Humane Society:
Me: "Hi. Um, can you please take my cat?"
Nasty-PETA-Lesbian-Lady: "Why, what's wrong with him?"
Me: "Well, he pees and poops all over the place."
NPLL: "Have you tried changing the litter?"
Me (Only in my head) Response #1: "Well, I did change it that one time when we moved to our house 6 years ago." Response #2: "What is this 'litter' you speak of?"
Me: "Um, yeah...I've changed the litter."
NPLL: "Well, we are are full and can't take any more cats. We have over 200 cats" yada, yada, yada
Me: "Can I trade?"
NPLL: "No."

Ok. Let's try the vet.

Me: "Hi. WE totally hate, er, I mean love our cat. BUt, he's peeing and pooping all over the place. Is there anything we can do for him?"
Dr.: "Well, maybe he has an infection, we could give him some antibiotics."
Me: "Yeah. Can't we just, say, put him to sleep?"
Dr. :" Well, I can't ethically do that." Yada, yada, yada.
Bottom Line: My cat comes home with some antibiotics and antidepressants. If those don't work in 4-6 weeks, we can talk about putting him down. And, yes, I did say my cat is on antidepressants.

Here are things still left to try:

1) Go to an out of town vet, walk in and say, "Hi, I'm Sally Jones and this is Tiger for a 11:00 appointment." The receptionist will say she doesn't have us listed for an appointment. I'll say, "I'll go out to the car and get the card." Leaving Kosmo in the waiting room, I'll "go out to get the card" and take off!

2) Drop Kosmo off at a very exclusive resort AKA "Butkas Cat Care Business". At BCCB, cats are encourged to return to the feral roots. They are dropped of in a remote section of a large farm and then allowed to fend for themselves.

3) Keep Kosmo outside all of the time until one of the neighbors complain that I am mistreating my cat. I think then the humane society will come and get it. Sure, it might mean a night or two in jail for Rob and/or I, but really, it's a small price to pay.

4) Have the children start peeing and pooping all over the place as an object lesson to show Kosmo just how ridiculous he is being.

5) {INSERT YOUR SUGGESTION HERE}