the MAIN event

What's On Lisi's Mind

2008-06-07T21:14:00.000-05:00

Lisi: "Mom, do farmers have pigs?"
Me: "Usually."
Lisi: "I hope Unky Alex likes pigs."
Me: "Why???"
Lisi: "Because he is going to be a farmer."
Mark: "No, he is going to be a pharmacist!"

I wonder how long that thought has been running thru that sweet little mind of hers???!!!

Isabella & Lisi go to Disney World

2008-05-28T07:24:00.002-05:00

Man, oh, man have I been negligent in posting these pictures!!!

Grammy & PaPa (my parents) took our sweet girls to Disney World a month ago, and I am finally getting caught up on my blogging...thankfully Isabella & Lisi are STILL talking about the trip! (And Grammy & PaPa might still be getting caught up on sleep & rest...hee,hee,hee) But according to all, it was a GREAT time, and I think they are already planning their next trip!!

PaPa with Iz & Lisi in front of Magic Kingdom

Isabella, PaPa & Lisi

(I do not know where this picture was taken, but it is just one of my favorites.)

More Disney Pix

2008-05-27T21:08:00.005-05:00

Isabella, Lisi & Grammy

Isabella, Grammy & Lisi

Lisi, Isabella, PaPa & a GIANT ant (I think from "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids")

Isabella & Ariel...signed by Ariel, too!!!

Isabella & Lisi getting hugs from Mickey & Minnie...and signed by them, too! (Lisi is in LOVE with Minnie...this is her favorite picture and memory of their time at Disney World.)

a 'wickedly' good time

2008-05-22T21:42:00.003-05:00

...was had by Heather, Nicol and I as we enjoyed a hip and de-lish dinner @ Geisha House in Hollywood, followed by an AMAZING production of Wicked at the Pantages. Technically, we were 3 moms going out to dinner before the show, and then home before midnight, but while we were out that night, we just felt like we were 3 friends out enjoying a beautiful evening in Hollywood.

Emma

2008-05-22T21:24:00.002-05:00

If my own sweet girls get their own blog post, then so does this sweet Emma girl. Can I just tell you that I LOVE her!!! I met her when she was only days old, and had the privilege of caring for her the first week that she was home. Honestly, privilege is only the best word that I can come up with, but it does not even come close to how feel about that experience. When Heather was pregnant I loved "zoom lenz" because, well, it was favorite cousin Heather's babe! But caring for Emma allowed me to fall in love with her, and forever feel tied to her. The fact that she is just stinkin' cute is a bonus! Now she can talk and tell her own little stories, 'make tea' for her Mommy and I, and takes amazingly good care of her own 'babies'. She and her parents are also great hosts when you visit them in CA...I know I will be back!

Emma and me

Amy, Emma and favorite cousin Heather at their home

good times!

a playdate at the park

Lisi Claire's Spring Program

2008-05-21T21:36:00.004-05:00

There really is just nothing like a 3 year old pre-school program. And for our family, this one just takes the cake. The 45 second video at the end of this post is just a snipet of Lisi singing her heart out front and center. That sweet, squeaky voice that you will hear belongs to our own sweet Lisi Claire.

Lisi walking in and waving to her fans
(Her Mom & Dad, Isabella, PaPa and Pastor Lori)

Isabella, Pastor Lori and Lisi after the program @ Des Moines Christian

Iz, PaPa & Lisi

sweet Lisi muckin' it up for her Momma on Mother's Day

THE VIDEO...I only wish I had thought to tape all of the program
Enjoy!

catching up with Isabella

2008-05-21T21:17:00.003-05:00

It has been such a long while since I have blogged regularly, I have lots of catching up to do. So I will dedicate this post to Isabella...

at the all-school art fair standing next to the 3 pieces of her artwork her teacher picked to display

art class on a sunny spring day...sidewalk chalk!

coming home from school with a Mother's Day gift for me: flowers in a bag decorated by Isabella

last day of Daisy Girl Scouts~ this experience has been a high light of the school year and she is already excited for Girl Scouts in 1st Grade!

It Needs To Be Jenn's Birthday More Often!

2008-05-20T10:55:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was Jenn's birthday, and I cannot remember the last time I celebrated so much!! All I can say is, "It needs to be Jenn's birthday more often!"

An impromptu party at our favorite lunch-time gathering spot: Happy Joe's!
They were kind enough to indulge a Mom's birthday celebration with balloons (weighed down with packets of taco sauce...gotta love a classy joint like that!)

Then a 'clown cone'...and the sirens, too!!!

Lisi & Cale with the scary teeth they won from the game room

Ending the day at our house with angel food cake (OK, and a margarita, too)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENN! I enjoy you and our friendship!!!

Isabella's Calculation

2008-05-06T21:07:00.004-05:00

Isabella: "Mom guess how many days I have been in school?"

Me: "How many?"

Isabella: "161. That is more than years PaPa is old!"

sickly

2008-05-05T21:05:00.001-05:00

I have SO much to blog about my time in LA, and the girls' trip to Disney World, but Lisi and I have been sickly since Saturday. bummer. Keep checking back; the pictures are good!

earthquake

2008-05-01T20:45:00.003-05:00

It was only a small earthquake (4.2), and it was about 1 1/2 hours outside of LA, so I will just keep it all in lowercase. Nonetheless, I do think it was the 'aftershock' that woke me up in the middle of the night.

Fires, earthquake...if it were not for the gorgeous sunshine and AMAZING hospitality, I would think I should head back to the midwest:)

Fire in LA

2008-04-30T09:52:00.003-05:00

If the mountains are not on fire (which they were...just 5 miles West of where I am staying), then iconic Hollywood is on fire. We woke up this morning to the news that the restaurant where Oceans 11 was filmed, at Hollywood and Vine, has been on fire for hours. And this is just blocks away from where we are going to dinner tonight at Geisha House.

You can check out more info from TMZ.com here.

It's A Small World

2008-04-29T17:38:00.004-05:00

...but it sure is feeling awfully big with our sweet girls at Disney World in Florida, and me being minutes from Disney Land in California. (And my cutie husband back home just a workin' away.)

My parents got all excited at the thought of taking their granddaughters to Disney, and then got brave enough to really go for it...and now the 4 of them are enjoying a magical vacation.

And as I am traveling alone, staying with favorite cousin Heather & her family, and enjoying the sunny days of CA, I, too, am having a magical vacation!

As much as I miss Iz & Lisi, it is kind of nice to be responsible for just myself, and when I need to cuddle with a little person, I have Little Miss Emma here to keep me company:)

Happy 60th Birthday, Dad!

2008-04-27T13:18:00.004-05:00

As much as I would love to acknowledge my Dad's birthday in a new and creative way, I cannot think of a way to top last year's "birthday blog" for him. So be sure to check it out here.
At the end of his big day this year, he said to me that driving to work that Thursday morning, he was pretty sure it was going to be a quiet birthday for him. Boy did those around him have different plans!
His office was decorated with signs, pictures, confetti and balloons, lunch was brought in from George the Chili King, Isabella's entire grade sang to him (see blog post below), and when he thought just our family was going out for dinner afterward, he was surprised to see the table set for 18!

Mark, Mom, Lisi, the birthday boy, Isabella, Amy

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!

Happy Birthday Dear PaPa, Happy Birthday to You!

2008-04-27T13:02:00.002-05:00

What do you give a PaPa who conceivable has everything (except that new Corvette, of course!)?
How about a gaggle of Kindergartners singing "Happy Birthday" to him????
Isabella's school program was ON my Dad's 60th birthday, so I asked the music teacher if there was any way that could be acknowledged. And I have to say, she exceeded my expectations, once again. Here is a quick video clip of the kids.
My friend Alicia got the entire song, as well as my Dad's reaction, but for whatever reason, I am having trouble up-loading that to blogger.
My Dad was totally surprised by it, and later told me it was a great gift to him:)

Kindergarten Music Program

2008-04-26T20:39:00.005-05:00

This past Thursday was Isabella's Kindergarten Music Program, and as with most things at school, it exceeded all expectations. The 50+ Kindergartners sang "OBEY" and "without complaining" and "I will praise You 7 times a day", but the one that just blew me away was when all 50 of them recited ALL of Psalm 23. Had I realized it was coming, I would have recorded it all. Simply beautiful.
Isabella was especially blessed to have not only her Mom, Dad and sister there, but also Grammy, PaPa, Grandma Nancy, Aunt Cindy & Pastor Lori there to encourage her. Pastor Lori was so sweet to bring flowers for Iz, Adele and Macy...love that!
This has been such a great year for our family, and as much as I have documented in this blog, I still feel like I have not captured it all.
These video clips are each about 10 seconds long. The first one is of "OBEY", and the second is Psalm 23.
Enjoy!

when Bells came to our family

2008-04-25T21:51:00.002-05:00

Just LOOK at that sweet face! This was Isabella at her 4th birthday party, more than 2 years ago. If you look closely, you will see that while she is 'reading' this book, and cuddling a new puppy named Bells, there are many unopened presents around her. She found what she liked...why go any further???

A favorite 'party pic' with Khanh, Bells, Isabella and Neil...the givers of her beloved gift!

Bells Goes To...Kindergarten!

2008-04-25T21:23:00.005-05:00

This post is as much for the grandparents, as for anyone. I am SO proud of Isabella...she READ a book to her class yesterday! The book that she chose is one that Khanh & Neil gave her a couple of years ago, Bells Goes To The Fair by Susan Knapp. It is a story about a (real-life) golden retriever, Bells, who got lost one day as their family was visiting the Iowa State Fair.

The book references the sisters in Bells' family, Anna & Sarah. And it just so happens that not only has Anna made prize-winning desserts at the Iowa State Fair, her bakery is located down the street from us in Booneville!

Isabella read the book to her class, and allowed Bells to be passed around to all of her classmates. I surprised everyone with mini-cupcakes from Anna's Cakes & Crumbs.
This is a 30 second clip of Isabella reading...

Days like this are what I dream every day of motherhood will be like:)

My Anonymous Commenter

2008-04-23T21:46:00.003-05:00

A few posts ago I really hammered down on my belief that a professed faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation and an eternal life with God, our Father.
That post began an exchange with "Anonymous", and the distinction between faith in Jesus Christ, and needing to have repentance in conjunction with that faith.
I believe that professed faith alone is enough for eternal salvation.
"Anonymous" believes that without repentance, salvation is incomplete.

I think this is a GREAT discussion, and I invite any of you to join in!
Read here for the background.
To be clear, I do believe that repentance is part of the life of a Christ follower.
However, I see repentance as a gift (Acts 5:31).
When I realize the need for repentance, and I humble myself to repentance, I am separated from my sin as far as the east is separated from the west (Psalm 103:12).

PS: If this post interests you, I encourage you to also read this post.

Lisi in bloom

2008-04-23T21:10:00.005-05:00

Just when I thought this sweet girl could not get any cuter:)
Lisi's pre-school classmates each decorated their own flower with a picture of themselves in the center, and then the flowers were 'planted' along the hallway. What a wonderful way for this Mom to begin each day!
I was inspired to take this picture because this was the day of Lisi's FIRST school bus ride. Her class went to the public library, but I was told that riding the school bus was MUCH more fun than the library itself:)
And as much as Lisi is our 'fearless' girl, she was VERY apprehensive about the bus. Thankfully her big sister, and our friend Ellie, were able to clue her in ... all based on the 1 time that they have ridden a school bus:)

Our "Neighborhood" Art Studio

2008-04-23T20:59:00.003-05:00

Our neighbor began construction on a new art studio about a year ago, and that studio has been calling Isabella's name ever since.
This past week, that call was finally answered. Our neighbor, Karen, called and invited the girls to come over, and not only were they there for hours, they came home happy, and with beautiful new artwork.
LOVE THAT!!!

Mom's Group

2008-04-23T20:54:00.003-05:00

Just had to document this super-cute pix from Mom's Group last week. For the full low-down on how much fun we had, check out Jena's post.

Eli, Lisi, Cale and Ava

a joke from Lisi (age 4)

2008-04-18T15:06:00.002-05:00

Lisi: "Knock, Knock"
Me: "Who's There?"
Lisi: "Orange."
Me: "Orange Who?"

Lisi: "Knock, Knock"
Me: "Who's There?"
Lisi: "Orange."
Me: "Orange Who?"

Lisi: "Knock, Knock"
Me: "Who's There?"
Lisi: "BANANA."
Me: "Banana Who?"

Lisi: "Banana Aren't You Glad I Didn't Say Orange?"
(and for you parents of pre-schoolers, you will totally get why this is so stinkin' funny)

longing for 67*

2008-04-17T17:17:00.001-05:00

yesterday 67*, sunny, and all was right in the world.

today 45*, raining, and only rain in sight for days to come.

longing for 67*.

What Does 67* Mean To You????

2008-04-16T21:15:00.002-05:00

I'm taking a poll....
Does 67* in April mean "woo hoo, spring is here, and time to pull out the shorts!"
or
Does 67* mean "ooooh, chill in the air and time to grab a sweater"

When you cast your vote, let us know in which of the 50 great states you live!

New news from Mike Huckabee

2008-04-16T12:30:00.003-05:00

If you know me, you probably know that I support Mike Huckabee for President.
I know John McCain is the likely Republican nominee, but in keeping with one of my many favorite Huckabee quotes, I believe in miracles, not just in mathematics.
Today I received the following e-mail from the Huckabee camp re: a new PAC to seek out and support candidates who have a vision of smaller government, lower taxes, stonger military, and the sanctity of family and life.
I encourage each of you to see beyond what the media touts as facts and imminent outcomes. Dig a little deeper, and believe in what could be. WORK to make the future of our country what 'could be'. Personally, I am believing in the 'could be', and am working to make it the 'WILL BE' for our future. As a country, we are headed in a poor direction for leadership, spending, education, and on and on and on. As citizens of this great country, we are the ones who were intended to be in-charge...not those who we elected to represent us. That is the KEY...those who govern us were elected to that position by us, to be our voice and to accurately represent our desires for our nation. Are they doing that????
Maybe you think they are. And if so, then continue to do what you are doing.
But if not, then WORK for a change!!! That IS the only way to change direction.
Whew. Allow me to carefully step down off this soap-box, and re-gain my composure. If you do not want to do anything, then don't complain. But if you feel the need or desire to complain about our current state, then DO SOMETHING about it!

Don’t you wish April 15 were just another spring day? I know I do.

Everyone, (that is everyone that isn’t a Democrat), knows that Americans are over-taxed and over-regulated. As I campaigned for President over the last fourteen months I heard that same complaint time and again when I sat down with families and individuals eager for change in Washington.

Many of these voters also felt that their Party needed to get back to its core principles: less government, lower taxes, a strong national defense and unwavering support for the family and the sanctity of life.

I campaigned to be the agent of that change and while we may have come up short, I remain (and I hope you do as well), undeterred and eager to make a difference.

Enter Huck PAC.

Huck PAC is founded on the principles that make America great: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. And because we believe! our Republican Party embodies these ideas and is best suited to lead America forward, we are committed to supporting Republican candidates nationwide.

We will identify candidates who hold firm to these principles, promote their campaigns and financially support their efforts.

Today I hope you will join us. I ask that you first sign up for my Huck PAC email updates on our new website and then make a contribution of $25 or more in support of our efforts.

You can be certain we will invest your support efficiently and in the most effective manner possible. We were known as the campaign that did more with less and we plan to bring that same innovation and spirit to Huck PAC.

Now I know the skeptics say the FairTax and massive tax reform is impossible to enact.! We will see. What I also know is that we won’t have a chance if we don’t have the courage and the leadership in Congress to see the task through to the end.

That is where Huck PAC comes in, because the path to a FairTax or additional tax reform is far more certain when you walk into a room full of small government, tax-cutting Republicans.

Help me make April 15 just another spring day. Support Huck PAC and tell your friends and family to do so as well.

With deep gratitude,

Mike Huckabee

What Do I Even Call This Post??? (hint: it is about Lisi)

2008-04-14T21:05:00.001-05:00

So this morning Lisi was walking from her room and thru the kitchen. And as she passed me, she casually says, "since I am getting a new dresser in my room, it is OK that I wrote on mine".
WHAT??????
At this point, I have to say that I channeled every bit of parenting advise that I have ever had come my way, and I stayed really calm. I got down at her level, I told her that I love her VERY much, and I will always love her very much, but I was not loving the choice that she had just made.
Then I asked her to show me what she had done. And this is what I saw:

At this point I asked her to go in the other room while I worked to clean it up. She was very teary-eyed, but obeyed and went in the other room.
What I did not tell her, and may never tell her, is that her marker of choice was a wet-dry marker, and cleaned up in a cinch:)
Aaaaah, another day in paradise....

The ABCs of Me

2008-04-10T09:39:00.007-05:00

I've been "tagged" by my friend Angela. She apologized for "tagging" a few of her friends, but, honestly, I love these things. If nothing else, it lets me break out of my normal topics for blog posts:)

A- Attached or Single: happily attached
B- Best Friend(s): gotta have them!
C- Cake or Pie: good cheesecake with a thick graham cracker crust
D-Day of Choice: Monday~ love a new beginning!
E-Essential Item(s): family vacations
F-Favorite Type of Music: all things 70s
G-Gummy bears or worms: bears, but, really, jelly beans
H-Hometown: Kirkwood, MO & West Des Moines, IA
I-Indulgences: Ho-Ho Mint Mocha from Caribou, massages, quiet computer time
J-January or July: ooooh, the coldest or the hottest....can I go with September?
K-Kids: love my own 2 sweet girls!!!
L-Last movie: absolutely no idea (oh, Mark just reminded me that it was "Snow Buddies")
M-Marriage Date: September 18, 1999
N-Number of Siblings: 2 brothers
O-Oranges or Apples: apples, specifically Honey Crisp
P-Phobias or Fears: I am not fond of crowds and lots of commotion
Q-Quotes: "Nothing takes God by surprise." ~ I have to thank Angela for that one, and, at times, it is a daily mantra for me
R-Reasons to Smile: do you need a reason??? Wake up and smile, my friends! Surely a reason will come your way!!!
S-Season: Fall
T-Tag: Jena, fc Heather, Jen Mumm, JHo
U-Unknown Fact About Me: anyone else's wet hands or feet touching me simply CREEPS ME OUT
V-Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth,[1] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” -Genesis 1:26
Guess that makes me an "Oppressor of Animals"
W-Worst Habit: e-mail, for sure
X-X-rays or Ultrasounds: odd question, but I will go with 'ultrasound'
Y-Your Favorite Food: warm bread with real butter
Z-Zodiac: Leo

If "it" is not about you, and "it" is not about me, who IS it about?

2008-04-10T09:39:00.006-05:00

It IS about JESUS!
This is really just a post-script to my previous post. After reading the comments that were left, and, by the way, I REALLY appreciate all of the comments!, I realized that I neglected to hammer on this final point:
So many people believe that 'if they are a good person and care about others', that will get them into Heaven.
Not necessarily so, my friend.
A professed faith in Christ Jesus is the only way to Heaven.
And it is that faith in Christ Jesus that leads to a Christ-like life, which, in turn, leads to a life of striving to 'be a good person and to care for others'.
Caring for our fellow mankind is the by-product of being a Christ-follower; it is not the definition of a Christ-follower.

To sum up...it is not about you. It is about Jesus.

Is It Un-American To Say...

2008-04-09T16:09:00.004-05:00

that Oprah has it wrong???
I mean, really, in this society, in this culture, has it become un-American to say that Oprah has got it wrong??? That question could apply to any area, but specifically to her new book-club selection of A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. Let me be clear, I have not read the book. I do not want to read the book. The book that can change my life, and has changed my life, is The Good Book...The Bible. Read it is any version, in any time span, in any chapter order. It will change your life.
What got me started on this blog was a you-tube video with Oprah talking about A New Earth.
Among other things, she talks about 'your life, your spirituality, your authentic self'. Contrary to this way of thinking is the first sentence of Rick Warren's book, A Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For, which says, "It's not about you". Bottom line- it's not about you or your authentic self- we were created by God for His pleasure.
Oprah also has it wrong when she (incorrectly) talks about how she cannot believe that God is a jealous God because if He is omnipotent and omnipresent, then how could He possibly be jealous of her, or any of us? HELLO!!! God is not jealous of US; He is jealous of us worshiping someone or something other than Him. He will not tolerate that. He cannot tolerate us worshiping money, television, an athlete or even our own family. We were created for worship- by Him and for Him. The Bible says that if we fail to worship Him, then the rocks will cry out in worship. But that is NOT what the rocks were created to do. We were! If we fail to do the job we were created to do, we are, in Oprah's words, denying our 'authentic self'.
Now do not get me wrong, God also created family, work, and even athletes. It is OK to partake in all of these things, and to pursue them with excellence.
But we must stop short of worshiping them.
And if you are choosing Sunday morning as your time to worship, and it is a beautiful day, so you choose golf instead, then where is your worship? I'm just sayin'....
Oprah also has it wrong in saying that 'spirituality is not believing, but a feeling'. YIPES!!! God's word also commands us to 'continually re-new our minds' but the heart (where we feel) is the great deceiver.
In today's program, Oprah also said that she has recently come to understand that Jesus did not come to die on the cross, but to show us the way to live a Christ-like life.
WHAT???
It is not about 'us'; we cannot save ourselves by what we do. It IS all about Jesus dying on the cross, being the perfect, sinless sacrifice, seated at the right-hand of the Father constantly pleading on behalf of those who believe in Him.
Jesus the Christ fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament.
He HAD to die and be resurrected!
Some of those most quoted scripture of the New Testament, the guideline we use to live a Christian life, was written by Paul, who did not even come to know Jesus until after His death. Paul's teachings are not a first-hand account of how Jesus lived His life.
The New Testament is not about the apostles, or Paul, or even about you or me. It is a wonderful example of how to live out a Christ-like life, but the New Testament is all about Jesus, and what He did for us on the cross.
I am also going to add that because of Jesus' sinless sacrifice on the cross, when we come to know Him and ask Him to abide in us, our eternal life with Him begins at that moment. My eternal life is not going to begin after I take my last breath on this Earth. My eternal life has already begun! Even on the worst of days, I do not despair. (I might have a good cry and go back to bed, but I know that when I wake up again, it IS a new beginning!)

This post has gotten long and deep, (or deep and wide, as the case might be), but I do hope it has struck a chord with you. What I am finding is the more I have to dig deep to understand what it is about my faith in Christ that I so firmly believe, the more firmly I believe in my faith in Christ. And I think that is exactly what God intended when He commanded us to continually re-new our minds.

The Last Run of the Season

2008-04-07T14:30:00.007-05:00

Literally...the last run of the season...Afton Alps closed for the season just hours after we left. And it was a great run. Warm and slushy, but a great run!! Isabella and Lisi took a quick, and in their words "not boring" 2 hour ski lesson, while Mark and I were able to ski on our own and break in our new skis. Such fun!! Then we joined up with the girls, grabbed a quick lunch, and went to ski as a family. We were SO proud of them for successfully using the chair lift, and despite the slushy conditions, both girls did a GREAT job. And once again, we had to coax Isabella off the mountain...she loves to ski!Isabella on the chair lift (with her instructor)

Lisi on the chairlift (with her instructor)

"I think I ski better with my tongue sticking out."~ Isabella, age 6
(pushing herself along in the slush by using my poles)

Isabella taking a break from Spring Skiing
(with a little, bitty snow man in the background)

Lisi taking a break from Spring Skiing at Afton Alps

Izzy's Ice Cream, St Paul

2008-04-07T14:17:00.004-05:00

Not only did we have a GREAT day of skiing in Minnesota, we also toured the St Paul area...and found "Izzy's Ice Cream Shop"!!! One of the unique aspects of Izzy's, is that every scoop of ice cream is topped with an "Izzy Scoop"...a little, tiny scoop (of a different flavor of your choosing) on top! Izzy's also creates unique flavors, and the shop utilizes solar power!!!

order an Izzy, Izzabella, Izzadae...the list goes on and on!

Our Izzy had a complimentary "double Izzy" just because of her name!!

Lisi enjoying an Izzy-size in an Izzy's cup!

snow in April...time to ski!

2008-04-03T16:25:00.004-05:00

So if you read this blog, you probably know that I love the snow. I even loved the snow well into the month of March. And although my enthusiasm has diminished with our 2nd snowfall in April (and it is only the 3rd!), my husband knew how to put a smile on my face:
He surprised me with NEW SKIS!!!
I was, and still am!, totally surprised!!!
Not only do I have my own skis, they are gorgeous, to boot!

With the snowfall here, we are optimistic that there is more snow up North, and Mark & I are packing up the girls tomorrow and road-tripping to Afton Alps in Minnesota.

And hopefully a quick side trip to IKEA:)

keepin' tabs on Eli

2008-04-02T19:56:00.003-05:00

For those of you keepin' tabs on Eli McGee, here he is today @ 19 months old. And can I just say that a picture does not nearly do him justice. This boy is CUTE! And he is so much FUN!!
Lisi and I were able to hang with him today, and we just had a good time. He is good natured, eats well, sleeps well, and is just enough curious. Love that!
We are hoping that this handsome boy will come back soon:)

still..."I Like Mike"

2008-04-02T14:56:00.004-05:00

As I have been updating my blog, I again gave some real thought to my "I Like Mike" banner. Is it time to take down? Is Mark right that it is time to take off my "Mike Huckabee for President" bumper sticker?
My answer to both of those: NO!
Regardless of political primaries and the media, I still like Mike!
I love his comment that he was educated on "miracles, not mathematics". I believe with all of my heart that God is ultimately in control, and despite our poor decisions sometimes, none of it takes Him by surprise. He does have a plan. Our job is to be in-tune with that, and do the work that needs to be done.
I love this country.
Despite John McCain's comment on Late Night with David Letterman that the American dream is to own your own home, I believe that the American dream is to make it on your own! The American dream is to have the opportunity to work hard, and to then reap the rewards of that hard work. And if that means owning your own home, then so be it! But higher taxes for the rest of us to bail out those who were deceived into believing that they could afford, and even deserved, a more expensive home than they could reasonably afford, is NOT the American dream. Heck, TAXES are not the American dream. And on that note, have you checked out Mike Huckabee's dream of giving the IRS a big ol' going out of business sale??? It is called the Fair Tax, baby, and that is a tax plan that will not hinder the American dream.
I am not at all sure how it will happen, but I am believing in miracles, and I am still going to proclaim to all who will listen, "I Like Mike!"
Please consider joining me!!!

update on GiGi

2008-04-02T12:20:00.003-05:00

Yesterday GiGi was able to be transfered from Methodist Hospital to the ortheopedic rehabilitation center at Lutheran Hospital. YIPPEE!!! I have not been able to visit her yet, but my Dad said that she likes her room, and is just happy to be there.

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs

2008-04-02T09:46:00.006-05:00

Garden of the Gods is so named because, "... it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods."~ surveyor, 1859.

And, in my opinion, the nearly 500 acres encompasses all that is beautiful about Colorado. More than 100 years ago it was privately owned by Charles Perkins for his summer home retreat. In 1909, after his death, his family donated the land to the city of Colorado Springs with the instruction that the area should always remain free to the public, and with structures built only for the necessary maintenance of the land. It is simply a beautiful place to 'get back to nature'. Lisi, Amy, Isabella & Mark

Isabella & her Daddy

sweet sisters~ who LOVED 'rock climbing'!

"Rock Climbing Prohibited" sign

Our Visit to Focus on the Family

2008-04-02T09:15:00.004-05:00

Mark and I have been to Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs a few times by ourselves for conferences, etc, and have always enjoyed just 'being' there. It is an amazing campus! They even have their own post office and zip code because of all of the mailing that they do!!! But this was the first time we have been there with kids, and it was just so much more special.
We decided to get ready for our visit there by listening to Adventures in Odyssey, which is kids radio theater produced by Focus on the Family.
MUCH to our surprise, and delight!, Isabella and Lisi both chose to listen to Odyssey rather than watch movies on the drive out!
Mark and I enjoyed the broadcasts, too, and it was so much more of a family experience. If you have not heard of Odyssey, I highly recommend it. Focus says "ages 8 and up", but Isabella was totally engaged, and Lisi liked it, too.

family photo in front of "Whit's End Soda Shoppe" from Adventures in Odyssey

Isabella and Lisi going thru the wardrobe to Narnia

Lisi in Narnia

Isabella at KYDS 'radio station' getting ready to make our own episode of Adventures in Odyssey....so much fun!!!

Mark, Iz, Lisi and the characters from Adventures in Odyssey

Isabella

Angel Fire

2008-04-01T20:22:00.005-05:00

My favorite restaurant right now is Our Place Cafe in Angel Fire.
When I first walked in last fall, I knew I had found my place. It is totally eclectic. None of the tables match, and none of the chairs match each other, or the table where they are placed. Each wall is painted a different color, and none of the art work seems to go together.
Yet, somehow, it all works really well together.
And then there is the breakfast buffet. YUMMY!!!
Belgian waffles, fried potatoes, crispy bacon and fruit salad.
When Mark and I took the girls there for our ski trip, as we were walking in, I told Isabella she could pick any table for us to sit. And there was a 5 seat hi-top with a life-size stuffed dog bellied up to the table.
3 guesses as to where the Main family sat that morning:)

The Easter Bunny knew to visit us at our house in Angel Fire!

adventures in new mexico

2008-04-01T19:52:00.007-05:00

Angel Fire in on the loop known as the Enchanted Circle.
It encompases Angel Fire, Taos, Red River and Eagle's Nest in New Mexico.
When Mark and I first visited last September, we really were amazed at how the terrain and the foliage changed with every turn around the mountains.
It is GORGEOUS!!!
Taos definitely has an eclectic, artistic feel to it, and it was fun to walk around and tour the downtown area, as well as the Taos Pueblo. Taos ski resort is about 20 minutes from the town, so it is not really a skiing destination.
Red River is a little mountain town, with a ski lift that begins, well, right in town!
Eagle's Nest itself does not seem to have much to offer, but there is a lake just outside of town.
Angel Fire has the potential to be a really great resort town, but for now, is just a sleepy little town with great skiing.

And inbetween Eagle's Nest and Red River, we found a dragon. If you know our family, you know that we have dragons that live near our house each summer, and in the winter, they leave the farm land of Iowa to find the tall grass of Colorado. Last summer the dragons returned to Iowa with an 'elk'. Love that! Boy were we surprised to see a more colorful version of the dragons in New Mexico!Downtown Red River and the ski lift this past Fall.

The Little Red School House in Red River, est. 1915.

Dragon

This picture is for Angela.
This Enchanted Circle area is a hot spot for Texans who want to experience the snow of the 'north'.

my first attempt at video posting

2008-04-01T19:40:00.003-05:00

This is about 30 seconds of Isabella & Lisi going up the 'magic carpet' and skiing back down the little hill at Angel Fire ski school.
Enjoy!

and the post you have all been waiting for...

2008-04-01T13:57:00.008-05:00

SKIING!!!
Short version of our 2 ski experience as a family...WONDERFUL!!!
Isabella and Lisi spent 2 days in 'ski school' in the "Little Chiles" program.
End of Day 1 they were going up the 'magic carpet' and skiing back down the hill.
End of Day 2 they were on a chair lift and skiing down with everyone else!! AMAZING!!!

We will definitely be returning to Angel Fire, NM.Ski Girl Isabella ready to begin Day 1

Lisi Lu Lu showing the rest of the class how fun is done!

Lisi and Isabella skiing down after going up the 'magic carpet'.

Lisi, Mark and Isabella after the end of Day 2

Mark taking Lisi along the ski road home.

GiGi

2008-04-01T13:14:00.002-05:00

This is one of my favorite pictures of my Grandma Mary. Since becoming a Great-Grandma, she is known in our family as GiGi. She is so much fun, and loves her family so much. She still has lunch with some of the Moms from her Moms group from when my Dad was a kid (and he will be 60 this month!)
Last week she fell and broke her hip, and it is just such a bummer. I mean, really, it is just a bummer.
She had taken their dog, Mickie, for a walk, and was taking the last set up to their front door, when she lost balance, fell, and broke her hip. She had surgery to repair the fracture, and will soon be transfered to a rehabilitation facility for another couple of weeks.
I wish I could find a way to put a light-hearted spin on this. The good news is that she IS OK!
I just love her and my Grandpa so much. Thank you to those of you who have prayed for her and asked how she is doing. The encouragement is wonderful!!!
And I will try to be more faithful in my blogging to keep you up to date.

that's my Lu-Lu Girl!

2008-04-01T12:50:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I got a new catalog in the mail. It is Serena & Lily, and it is filled with exquisite baby and kid bedding. The lay-out of the catalog is just different and intriguing. Each bedding set is named after a person, and some of them have a 'description' of who the name represents.
This is what it says about Lulu:
"Lulu sets the trends. She's permanently a few months ahead of the next big thing in fashion, music, and other cool stuff. Lulu's special brand of leadership is subtle...and very real."
~serenaandlily.com

That's my Lisi Lu-Lu Girl!

this one's for Alex

2008-04-01T12:47:00.003-05:00

This post is for my brother Alex, and for all of you who know him...

"ALEX epitomizes cool. When everyone else took violin, Alex picked up the guitar. The guys idolize him because he can talk to girls. The girls love him because...well, he can talk to girls."
~serenaandlily.com

Lisi is ready to SWIM!!!

2008-04-01T12:17:00.002-05:00

Lisi's quick surgery to have her tubes removed from her ears was, in fact, quick, and a total success. Despite my pleas to have each doctor in the office take a side and remove the tubes in-office with one, well, two, quick tugs, the surgical route proved to be a good idea. The left tube came out without incident or concern, but the right tube looked like the hole might not heal well once the tube had been removed. They had been there for 2 years! So, in the words of the doctor, he "took a little pinch of fat from behind her ear" and plugged the hole. By the time she and Isabella go to Disney with Grammy and Papa later this month, she should be totally good to go!
We had told her why she was having her tubes taken out (when I would wash her hair and get even the smallest amount of water in her ear, she would shriek in pain, and that has not been the case for the previous 2 years with the tubes, so something had changed), so she was truly high-fiving friends and family who asked about her having the procedure. And she LOVES Dr Brown. I mean, she has told me several times, "I love Dr Brown", so going to see him again was A-OK by her. But what I had not shared with her was the part about her having to leave Mark and I. Honestly, I was hoping they would give her a little dose of anesthesia gas while we were still holding her in the pre-op room. No such luck. Just the look on her face when a wonderful nurse came by and swept her out of my arms...with Dora jammies on and Little George and blanka in hand...that was hard. But we were chatting with Dr Brown about the successful surgery within 10 minutes, and home within 2 hours of arriving there.
The nurse prepared us that she might be woozy, tired and not hungry today. Within 15 minutes of being home she was asking by BBQ chips and dip, and will not stop running thru the house. I just wish she would at least walk! That is our Lisi-girl!!!
Thank you for all of the prayers and well-wishes. All is well at the Main household!

Better Living Thru Chemistry

2008-03-24T20:51:00.002-05:00

Many of you know that while my family has had pink eye, high fevers, sinus trouble and chronic coughing, I have had this dull sore throat. I went to my primary care doctor, oh, probably 2 months ago, and was diagnosed with being healthy. I then went to the walk in clinic where I was diagnosed with NOT having strep throat. Then 2 weeks ago I again called my primary care doctor (who, I really should note, is not the primary care doctor I have been raving about for years. She retired this past year, and I am missing her like crazy.)
Basically, I begged for an anti-biotic. Reluctantly, the nurse prescribed something, and told me "to have a nice vacation". I could tell she was most dis-pleased with me, but I was just not feeling 100%.
So 5 days later, out of anti-biotics, and on vacation, I was feeling better, but only a bit.
This morning I went to an ENT specialist. I felt really silly going there for what I knew was only a sinus infection, but, hey, I am a desperate woman at this point!
Viola!
Diagnosis: sinus infection.
Cause: I live in the same house as 2 young children.
Treatment: high dose anti-biotics (that could have been avoided with earlier treatment)
Long-term prognosis: short of getting selling the children, this could happen again
I know our health care system is messed-up, but, really, did it take this much effort to get the snot to stop draining down the back of my throat???
And on that lovely visual, I will just say, there is better living thru chemistry:)

Why I CELEBRATE Easter

2008-03-24T08:38:00.003-05:00

I have SO much to post/ blog about from our AMAZING vacation this past week, but I want to take a moment to acknowledge Easter.
We were traveling home yesterday, which was Easter Sunday.
Saturday we (and by "we", I mean Mark) drove from Angel Fire, NM to North Plat, NE. And that was more than enough driving for one day:) So Easter morning we woke up in a hotel in NE, drove thru Starbucks, and headed out again. We thought about finding a church to pop into along the way home, but Easter Sunday at any given church tends to be nuts, and we knew where our hearts were yesterday.
Our hearts were with Jesus, and ALL that He did, sacrificed and fulfilled for each and every one of us who make the free-will choice to believe in Him, and accept His gift of grace, to live for eternity with Him in Heaven.
I am just so humbled when I realize that I have the privilege of laying down all of my cares, concerns, worries, fears, successes, achievements, delights and praises at the foot of the Cross.
And I mean at the foot of the Cross.
Not looking at a cross on a hill and imagining placing all of those things there. I mean, getting up to the foot of the Cross, where Christ's redemptive blood will drip down on to me.
From a human perspective, it is not always pretty. But from an eternal perspective, it is glorious and beautiful. I am so humbled that Jesus loves me exactly as I am, for exactly who I am. He created me!
He knows the good, the bad, and, well, the ugly. And yet, He is sitting at the right hand of the Father, right now, this very moment, pleading on my behalf. THAT is amazing love.
Our family missed church yesterday, but I want to share with you the video that was shown in service.
click here
May God's peace and grace be with you always, through the redemptive blood of Christ.
Amen.

and I am still blogging

2008-03-15T17:51:00.002-05:00

...and then I got a voice mail from Favorite Cousin Heather asking if when I say "I'm Done", did I mean "I'm done cooking, or am I done blogging...or both".
Ha, Ha!!
Very Funny.
Yes, I am still blogging...just trying to find the time...
Be sure to check back next week for tales of our family road trip to Colorado and New Mexico!!!

We Are Alive

2008-03-12T10:44:00.002-05:00

Jenn sent me an e-mail the other day just checking in on us Main's to make sure we were OK.
She said she had not seen, nor heard, from us since my last post, and was afraid that none of us had eaten since I officially quit cooking. She wanted to know if we were OK, needed her to bring food to us, or if we had already died of starvation.
Even thinking about her note brings a little smile to my face:)
Anyway, just thought I would confirm, that we are all alive, Mark is feeding us well, and last night we did something we RARELY do in our family...we went out for pizza and ice cream!

I'm Done

2008-03-04T20:41:00.002-06:00

If you know me, you have surely heard me say, "if Mark did not cook, we would not eat".
And although I laugh at that phrase, I truly wish it were not true.
I would LIKE to cook for my family.
I would LIKE for my family to eat what I cook for them.
And I would LIKE for mealtime to be a pleasant time around the table.
Ya, not so much.
So tonight I baked some chicken in the oven (thanks to Angela reminding for how long & at what temperature), and I also baked up some home=made sweet potato fries, and corn to round it all out.
Mark made his own sauce to cover the taste of what I had marinated. After I took the chicken out of the oven, he pronounced it was not quite done, and cooked it some more. And then he broiled his fries differently than I had done for us. Isabella told me the corn was cold.
And when we left the table, Isabella & Lisi had drank their milk...and that was about it.
So, I am done.
Mark has told me on NUMEROUS occasions that he enjoys cooking, and that I do not need to worry about it. But I have felt bad about that. I am home, and I should have a meal ready for my family. But, as of tonight, I am done.
And that is my Tuesday rant and confession.

WhoDaThunk????

2008-03-03T10:07:00.001-06:00

....that yesterday it could be 63 degrees in Waukee, and this morning we woke to 2" of SNOW!!!!

Baby Grayson & Main Girls

2008-03-02T21:59:00.003-06:00

This weekend we went to a baby shower for our newest cousin, Grayson. Isabella & Lisi were SO excited to be invited~ it never occurred to me that this would be such a big deal to them:) But I think they were both delighted to be 'officially' recognized as 'big girls'.
So Grayson is ADORABLE, but, somehow, I managed to only get pictures of the Main Girls.

LISI

2008-03-02T21:53:00.001-06:00

better than going to L.A....

2008-03-02T21:47:00.003-06:00

...is going to see Wicked with (favorite cousin) Heather while in L.A.
I AM SO EXCITED!!!!
I have wanted to see this play since I first heard of it a few years ago, and have been watching for it to come to the Civic Center~ I mean, we did get The Lion King...Wicked could happen!
But if it will not come to me, then I will go to it...
...on a Wednesday night in April, to be exact!

L.A., Baby!!!

2008-02-27T23:23:00.002-06:00

(favorite cousin) Heather better clear off the passenger seat in that mini-cooper because I am coming out for a visit in April...
and I am SOOOOOOOO excited!!!
Isabella & Lisi will be in FL @ Disney with Grammy & Papa, so it seemed like the perfect time to steal away for some favorite cousin time.
Just had to share!

BTW, I have been blogging for nearly a year now, and this is my 300th post.
Thank you for sharing in the memories....

a parents dream come true...

2008-02-26T19:26:00.002-06:00

Tonight we were sitting at the table, eating dinner as a family, and before Mark and I were finished, Isabella & Lisi each asked to be excused. They had not eaten much dinner, but they are both still getting healthy, and have been tired and not much appetite. So we excused them from the table and asked them to play quietly while we finished our dinner.
All was quiet, so Mark and I just kept talking, and getting caught up on life.
A little after 6:30pm we got up to clear the table, and it was SO quiet, went to find the girls.
Isabella was asleep on the couch with several stuffed animals tucked under her arm.
Lisi had actually put herself to bed!
So we covered Isabella with a blanket, and even though she is still in her school clothes, we are hoping she will sleep until the morning!
Now tell me that is not a parents dream come true?!?!?!?!

Oh, Glorious Snow!

2008-02-25T16:59:00.003-06:00

I might be the last person in Iowa happy to see the snow begin to fall again today, but I am SO happy to see the snow begin to fall again today!

thinking of Lindsay

2008-02-25T13:05:00.003-06:00

Whenever I wear this tee,

I think of my friend, Lindsay. We met at church, but she, Michael and sweet Reese had been attending for awhile before we really met. And it was on one of those Sundays, before we had actually met, that in a congregation of, oh, maybe 60 people, Lindsay and I were BOTH wearing this shirt!
If that does not make for instant friendship, I don't know what does:)

Or maybe you want to look at it this way:

OK, and I am still having fun with Photo Booth

Miss you, Lindsay!
(check out this blog post from last spring...too funny!!!...or HILARIOUS, as the case might be!)

photo booth

2008-02-23T15:47:00.003-06:00

I was inspired by Becky's photo booth blog post, and decided to play around with it on Mark's computer. (He has a few cool features that I do not...bummer.) Anyway, this is what the girls and I came up this morning while we were still in our jammies.

Mom Lesson #123

2008-02-23T07:19:00.002-06:00

HAPPINESS IS FOUND AT HOME
I have had sick kiddos home from school all this week. Not terrible, pukey sick. Just high fevers and the occasional sniffle sick. A perfect time to just hang out on the couch. And they were sick for long enough that I 'used' that time to clean out some closets, tidy my craft room, organize the pantry and other odd & ends that I usually only wish I had the time to do.
By about Day 4 I woke up ready to tackle another project while the girls rested on the couch, and I realized that there really was nothing of significance left to do.
So I sat down inbetween my 2 sweet girls, wrapped an arm around each of them, had a cozy blanket over the 3 of us, and settled in for a day of cartoons.
It was so lovely that I was secretly THRILLED when they woke up a little feverish the next day and we could do it all over again:)
But by Day 7, everyone was fever-free and ready to get out of this house!
Isabella had a GREAT idea to go to Build A Bear, so we all got cleaned up, got out of pajamas for the first time in a week, and off we went....
Build A Bear, a couple of errands, and lunch at the mall later, and the 'warm fuzzies' that I had been feeling for my family earlier in the week were gone.
I came home with frazzled nerves....and 2 whiny girls, to boot.

Where had I gone wrong????

As I was climbing into bed last night, I realized that I had gone wrong in leaving the bliss of our home.
Sometimes my Mom job WILL include being a chauffer and similar tasks, but the most important aspect of this job is, well, simply being a mom.
This week of sickness was a simple week.
no carpool, no school, no Life Group, no Sparks, no birthday parties, no play dates, and until Friday, no trips to the mall.
As I was climbing into bed last night, I realized that
HAPPINESS IS FOUND AT HOME

DoctorsNOW

2008-02-21T13:14:00.002-06:00

There are few things that I love more than a good idea, and this is a good idea!
With the girls both being sick this week, and me having a sore throat on and off, I thought maybe I should have a doctor check us out.
But if I take them to the pediatrician, I cannot be seen. The nurse will not even take a peek in my throat. That means 2 trips with 2 sick kidd0s.
So this morning I went on-line to see what I could find out about a new place I saw near Prairie Life Gym called Doctors Now.
WOW!!! It is a walk-in clinic, but it is so stream-lined~ a fabulous experience, I must say!
I filled out all of our "paper-work" and insurance information on-line.
Within 5 minutes of submitting the information, I got a phone call (which I was not expecting~ since it is a walk-in clinic, I was just going to 'walk in', and I was getting the girls in the car when the phone rang), and the receptionist at the clinic was asking at what time they could expect us. I said I was walking out the door, and would be there in 20 minutes. "Perfect!", she said!
I think we waited maybe 10 minutes once we got there, and then all 3 of us were seen together.
We were back home in less than 1 1/2 hours.
Amazing.
That said, despite symptoms and generally not feeling well, none of us have anything treatable.
I guess that is the good news, but, honestly, after 6 days of fever and runny noses, I am ready for this to be OVER, or to get meds to make this be OVER!!
But I know that most anyone who is reading this is also feeling my frustration...
Calgon, take me away....

Sign In Mississippi

2008-02-21T12:08:00.002-06:00

Invisible Mothers

2008-02-19T08:54:00.002-06:00

I just received this e-mail from my friend, Marcie. As I told her, I have probably needed to be reminded of this every day of the past 6 years.
But my struggle has been greater the past couple of months.
As much as I love my sweet girls and my wonderful family, I feel like there is less and less left of me. So the question I have been posing to myself, and in my prayers, has been should I be grabbing to hang on to who I remember "Amy" to be, or should I be changing my perspective of who "Amy" is, embracing today, and being thankful for how today is preparing me for tomorrow.
Does this even make sense?
Somehow the following e-mail has the eloquent words to help clarify my perspective:

Invisible Mother.....

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way
one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be
taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'
Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping
the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see
me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair
of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this ? Can you tie this? Can you open
this??

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock
to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is
the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes
that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now
they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's
going, she's going, she's gone!?

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a
friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and
she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there,
looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to
compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when
Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought
you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't
exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:
'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building
when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. ; ; And I would
discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I
could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we
have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a
work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected
no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the
eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the
cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird
on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you
spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by
the roof, No one will ever see it. And the workman replied, 'Because God
sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost
as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the
sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of
kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is
too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great
cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease
that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own
self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one
of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to
work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book
went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime
because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's
bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the
morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three
hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built
a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home.
And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're
gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're
doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will
marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been
added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Great Job, MOM!

The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.

This is beautiful and makes a ton of sense. To all the wonderful mothers
out there!

fever a deux

2008-02-19T08:44:00.003-06:00

Mz Iz woke up with a low grade fever this morning.
Lisi Lu's fever is down to just a low grade fever.
Thankfully, we have no other signs of 'sickness' going on, so I will count my blessings, and get comfy on the couch for another day of Nick Jr and Dora.

Guess It Is Just Our Turn

2008-02-17T12:04:00.002-06:00

Lisi spiked a fever yesterday, and it continues today. I would include a pix with this blog post, but she just looks too pathetic. Poor thing.
On the upside, however, this is a rare time when she slows down enough for me to snuggle with her on the couch:) I have seen more back to back episodes of Dora than the law should allow, but I AM enjoying the time with my Sweet Lisi girl.
Now if we can just manage to keep Isabella healthy....

Check this out

2008-02-15T22:21:00.002-06:00

...from Jenn's blog.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Meet the newest member of our family....

This little cutie came in Cale's happy meal today. I know not a very healthy lunch stop, I'm gourging myself this week in preparation for the 21 day fast coming up. Anyhow...she already has a name, it is Lisi.

Shawn: Why is her name Lisi?

Cale: Because I love Lisi.

enough said.....

BIG DECISIONS TO BE MADE

2008-02-13T09:23:00.004-06:00

I am going to have to be a "post-titlest" on this one, because I have no idea what to call this blog post. I am so passionate about this country, the greatest on which it was founded, the divine inspiration from which it was formed, and the life, liberty and freedom which it holds for each citizen of this country. And I am terribly concerned about the current state of this great country. I believe in offering a helping hand to every person who is in need, but not in giving them a hand-out. I believe in capitalism, not in socialism. I believe in freedom, but I believe that freedom must go hand in hand with responsibility. There~ I think that is where we, as a country, have really faltered~ we want our freedom, but fewer and fewer citizens are accepting, even embracing!, the responsibility that must come with it.
If that all sounds too vague to you, please comment back to this post, and we can get a GREAT discussion going. I have all kinds of examples of what I mean (health care, education, taxes, public service....). What I really hope to do is to get everyone thinking about ideas, and then evaluating our current leaders (president, congressmen, judges), and making a thoughtful decision of where this country needs to place our support.
For me, I am giving my support to Mike Huckabee. I have supported him since summer 2007. I do not believe that he is just the best of those left standing. I believe that he IS the best person to lead our country. And despite what the media continues to 'report', it is NOT too late.
PEOPLE...this is what this nomination process is all about!!! Now, personally, I was thrilled when Romney suspended his campaign, but I was surprised. This nomination process is not necessarily to narrow the field to one person in each party. This nomination process is the time to get the ideas of many potential candidates out to the people of this country!! And the media pundants who are saying that Huckabee needs to step aside for the good of the party are missing the point entirely!
As a supporter of Mike Huckabee, I do get regular e-mails from his campaign office. The e-mail I got this morning is one I wish would have been sent out months ago. It is an e-mail that I think needs to be a full page ad in every newspaper. It summarizes who Mike Huckabee is as a candidate for President of the United States of America.
I hope that as you read it, you will give some real consideration as to what you can do for him, his campaign, and for the future of our country.
I think, based upon their ages, there are 5 Supreme Court judges that could be replaced in the next 4-8 years. Think about the candidates running for president right now, and give some real consideration to who you want nominating new Supreme Court judges...who will hold that office for the rest of their life. These are BIG decisions!!
So I have strayed from my recent topics of hair cuts and hair bows.
Below is the e-mail from Mike Huckabee...

an e-mail from Mike Huckabee

2008-02-13T09:15:00.004-06:00

The first question I am often asked these days is: "Why are you still running for President?"

It is because I believe that I am the best candidate to represent you in the fall against the Democrats. Why? Because I have core conservative beliefs that I have never wavered from:

I believe in the Human Life Amendment and I will fight for it from Day 1 of my Presidency.

I believe in the Marriage Amendment.

I believe in massive tax reform and am an advocate of the FairTax.

I believe that President Bush's tax cuts should be made permanent.

I believe in the Surge, our troops and General Petraeus.

I believe the 2nd amendment is one of the best ways to protect us from tyranny and I will work tirelessly to protect it from activist judges.

I believe in real border security and have proposed a detailed 9 point plan to secure our borders.

I believe the best judge is a conservative judge that won't legislate from the bench.

These are some of the reasons why I am running for President and let me also say that YOU are another reason. I am running to give you a voice in the process. To lift up your voice with mine and to tell our Party and our government that we need to do better. We need to think big and fight for our ideas.

There’s lots of voting left to be done before our Republican Party’s nominee is decided. Tonight, I ask that you help our campaign prepare for the race ahead with a contribution of $25 or more.

We have important states to fight for in the coming days: Wisconsin, Washington, Texas and Ohio to name a few. Unlike the last few states, we have time to build our base of support in each of these states, contact new voters and prepare to turnout the vote. Wisconsin and Washington vote on Feb. 19. Texas and Ohio on March 4.

To fight hard for each of these states we will need your help. So please make an immediate online contribution of $25 or more today.

Help us finish strong.

With deep gratitude,

The Pink Hippo

2008-02-10T20:41:00.001-06:00

I have already told so many girlfriends about one of my new favorite local stores. It is The Pink Hippo. Honestly, I could shop there just for the name! It is a boutique owned by 2 moms who set out to make a better bow. And they did. And a better headband, too. And then the hats! Oh, my goodness!! The baby hats!!!
After I discovered "the hippo", I brought in Isabella's favorite headband that was beyond 'well worn'. Most of you have probably seen it~ pink and embellished with fuzzy fibers. I had tried for months to find another one like it, but no luck. So I asked the ladies at "the hippo" if they could re-create it for me. They liked it so much that they adapted the idea for their store and named the line "Isabella".
No royalities, but we did get the name:)
I have even bought a *bling* shirt there for Iz & Lisi to each wear on their birthday:)
This morning my friend Sandy told me that Isabella is on the website! You can check it out here, and scroll to near the bottom of the page. She is wearing both the "Isabella" headband, as well as her *bling* birthday shirt!
SUPER CUTE!!!

Welcome Baskets for Ruth Harbor

2008-02-10T18:47:00.000-06:00

MANY, MANY thanks to all of you, my girlfriends, who came over Friday night and contributed to the 'welcome baskets' for future residents of Ruth Harbor. The bags over-flow-ith:) (That was my attempt to make it sound 'Bible like'. KJV, that is!)
I know if I begin to list what all is in each of these bags I will leave something, and the wonderful someONE who thought to bring, out, and that is not my intent. What I really want to say is THANK YOU and assure you that I noticed how much you cared.
Ruth Harbor has a new resident moving in tomorrow, and I am SO excited to be hand-delivering these bags tomorrow. In the 3 years that Jordan Creek Family Church has been making these welcome baskets, I have never delivered one in person. Selfishly, I would love to have that happen tomorrow.
The house mom at Ruth Harbor mentioned to me recently that one of the residents had asked her if people did nice things for the women living there because we pity them. Oh my goodness!!! If only she knew it is the exact opposite! For myself, I admire these women more than words, or bags filled with thoughtful goodies, could ever express.
If you are reading this and have no idea what Ruth Harbor is, check out the website here.
If you are familiar with Ruth Harbor and would like to continue to support this ministry, contact the director here.
And remember to mark your calendars for the 3rd annual Walk For Life, Saturday, May 10th @ 9:30am. It is a great fund-raiser, and a good time to be had by all!!!
Thank you, my friends!

Jason Bourne...

2008-02-10T15:44:00.000-06:00

could kick James Bond's butt any day of the week.
Mark and I watched The Bourne Ultimatum last night, and I highly recommend any and all of the movies in the series.
Now if I only had time to read the books...

THE BEFORE & AFTER

2008-02-10T15:38:00.001-06:00

Isabella has been growing her hair out to donate to "locks of love".
However, the tangles that came with that ever-longer hair were not leavin' much love in our family...if you know what I mean...
So I gave Isabella the choice to either continue growing her hair, and having to deal with the tangles each morning, or get it cut and grow it out later.

This was her choice!!Isabella as you last saw her

washed & waiting for the big cut

Ta-Da!!!

and a flip for the finale

call me a thief

2008-02-06T21:09:00.001-06:00

I am stealing this blog post directly from my friend Lisa.
I so enjoy her sense of humor....

YESTERDAY
Not only was it Super Tuesday yesterday,
but it was also Fat Tuesday.
It was a Super Fat Tuesday.

A New Favorite Product

2008-02-05T18:54:00.000-06:00

I think this might be the same product that my friend Sandy told me about, but I tried it for the first time today, and I am HOOKED!!
It made my hair smooth and silky, helped de-tangle Isabella's always tangled hair, and even tamed Lisi's crazy curls.
Say it with me friends...
"WOO HOO!!!"

Smooth Infusion^TM Style-Prep Smoother^TM from Aveda

Music to make a Momma proud

2008-02-05T18:51:00.000-06:00

Isabella: "Mom, can we listen to some music?"

And this is what she pulls out from the CD cabinet...

Sunday Snow

2008-02-03T16:58:00.000-06:00

The pictures are a bit dark, but the fun still shows through!!! It was a perfect day for a Sunday snowfall...Lisi & Isabella

Isabella sledding in the front yard

Those sweet sisters found winter-time fun on the swing set.

and an Isabella snow-angel, too

"Come on, Sis! Let's ride Sea-Biscuit!"

New Artwork

2008-01-31T14:51:00.001-06:00

Artwork is a big deal at our house. Few things bring me more joy than crafting with the girls and their friends. But what is unique to Mark and our sweet girls is painting with acrylics on canvas. BRAVE MAN! It is a messy job, but the payoffs are GREAT!!

Isabella, an artist just like her Grandma Kay

Lisi ... and a color palette as unique as she is!

the finished product

"I GOT YOUR MAMA"

2008-01-30T07:06:00.000-06:00

And maybe you could insert the name "Lisi" in place of "Carol"...

Little Carol came into the kitchen where her mother was making dinner. Her birthday was coming up and she thought this was a good time to tell her mother what she wanted. "Mom, I want a bike for my birthday."
Now, Little Carol was a bit of a troublemaker. She had gotten into trouble at school and at home. Carol's mother asked her if she thought she deserved to get a bike for her birthday. Little Carol, of course, thought she did.

Carol's mother, being a Christian woman, wanted her to reflect on her behavior over the last year, and write a letter to God and tell him why she deserved a bike for her birthday. Little Carol stomped up th e steps to her room and sat down to write God a letter.

LETTER 1:
Dear God:
I have been a very good girl this year and I would like a bike for my
birthday. I want a red one.

Your friend,
Carol

Carol knew this wasn't true. She had not been a very good girl this year, so
she tore up the letter and started over.

LETTER 2:
Dear God:
This is your friend Carol. I have been a pretty good girl this year, and I
would like a red bike for my birthday.
Thank you,
Carol

Carol knew this wasn't true either. She tore up the letter and started again.

LETTER 3:
Dear God:

I know I haven't been a good girl this year. I am very sorry. I will be a
good girl if you just send me a red bike for my birthday.
Thank you,
Carol

Carol knew, even if it was true, this letter was not going to get her a bike. By now, she was very upset. She went downstairs and told her mother she wanted to go to church. Carol's mother thought her plan had worked because Carol looked very sad.

"Just be home in time for dinner," her mother said.

Carol walked down the street to the church and up to the altar. She looked
around to see if anyone was there. She picked up a statue of the Virgin Mary, slipped it under her jacket and ran out of the church, down the street, into her house, and up to her room. She shut the door and sat down and wrote her letter to God.

LETTER 4:
I GOT YOUR MAMA.
IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND THE BIKE.

Signed,
YOU KNOW WHO

The 100th Day of Kindergarten

2008-01-29T07:36:00.001-06:00

Fun With Friends

2008-01-29T07:26:00.000-06:00

Saturday morning we invited our friends Macy & Mya over to play....and PLAY we did!!!
Isabella was a flying Momma horse, and Macy was her princess owner. Mya likes all things Dora, and just walking around behind the big kids. (Who, by the way, were ADORABLE with her...love that!!) And Lisi was, well, just silly.
Imagine that!!!

Are YOU a Good Person?

2008-01-28T18:23:00.000-06:00

Are you good enough to get into Heaven?
click here

Sweet Baby Shaylee

2008-01-26T09:14:00.001-06:00

Lisi and I had the pleasure of hangin' with Shaylee earlier this week. Our time went by waaaay too quickly, so we are hoping that her mom will let her come over and play again soon.
As a matter of fact, the next day, Lisi said to me, "Mom, when is that sweet baby coming over again?"

blurring the line between Left & Right

2008-01-24T13:05:00.000-06:00

This is Glenn Beck's take on who we will be able to vote for should the likes of John McCain or other 'moderates' be nominated for the upcoming elections.
Funny Stuff...the 'donkaphant' party.
SCAREY....
but funny stuff...

Barstool Economics

2008-01-23T21:07:00.000-06:00

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten
comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it
would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every
day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the
owner threw them a curve. 'Since you are all such good customers, he
said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. Drinks
for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the
first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free.
But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they
divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted
that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would
each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested
that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same
amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.!

And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued
to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to
compare their savings.

'I only got a dollar out of the $20,'declared the sixth man. He pointed
to the tenth man,' but he got $10!'

'Yeah, that's right,' exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar,
too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!'

'That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back
when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!'

'Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get
anything at all. The system exploits the poor!'

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat
down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill,
they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money
between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our
tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most
benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being
wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might
start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics, University of Georgia

For those who understand, no explanation is needed.
For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

Home from Hong Kong

2008-01-21T13:53:00.000-06:00

My (LUCKY!) brother, Alex, has been in Hong Kong since just after Christmas. I MISS HIM!!! But, thankfully, he should be landing back in the ol' U.S. of A. later today. Bummer that he will be going straight to Iowa City and we will not be able to see him, but at least we will know he is 'home'.
These are a few pix that he e-mailed while he was in Hong Kong. His first few days there he was able to stay with a friend that he met last summer when he was studying in Spain (did I mention that he is LUCKY?!?!?!). She is from Hong Kong, so Alex was able to stay out of the city in a more British area of the country. He said it was a very cool experience, and that he really enjoyed her family, too.
Then he was going on to meet up with the other MBA students on this 3 week trip. They were also going to mainland China. I cannot wait to hear all about his adventures!!!
Welcome Home, Unky Alex! We LOVE you, and we have MISSED you!!!

Go Big Blue!!

2008-01-18T21:40:00.000-06:00

This week Isabella and friends participated in the "Jr Cheer" clinic at school, and performed at half-time at tonight's basketball game. The pictures are fun, but, oh!, how I wish I had a video camera going!!!Ellie, Isabella, Bella & Maddie

Kindergartner's ready to cheer!

"Cookie Monster says that the Lions are
the cookies at the top of the jar"

a victory stance

Isabella & the Lion's mascot
(and Lilli Smith's 'rabbit ears')

an unfortunate truth...

2008-01-14T17:51:00.000-06:00

as told by a 6 year old...
Me: Get your things together. We are leaving in 5 minutes.
Isabella: I know what 5 minutes is.
Me: You do? What is it?
Isabella: It's enough time to argue, and then we leave.

walk this way

2008-01-14T13:26:00.000-06:00

YEAH to good ideas!!
My friend Marci (whose blog I would love to link to, but she does not blog) had this GREAT idea to meet M/W/F mornings @ 9:10 @ Jordan Creek Town Center to walk the mall for an hour. (It is one of the many 'life groups' offered thru Jordan Creek Family Church this semester.)
So this morning Marci, Alicia and I met with strollers ready to go, and walked the 0.56 mile route.....over, and over, and over again. We chatted so much that the time flew by!! And my legs were burning! (Maybe I should not admit how out of shape I am, but oh well, it is the sad truth.)
Hope you can join us on Wednesday!!

3:10 to Yuma

2008-01-13T12:27:00.000-06:00

WOW- What an amazing movie!
Mark and I watched "3:10 to Yuma" last night, and we were both blown away by what an excellent movie it was.
I think Mark was happy going into it because we picked that over Jennifer Aniston's "Rumor Has It". I like a good western, but a good western is not always so easy to come by these days.
This is a good western.
At the end of the movie, Mark was all into how deep the context of the film was, and he said that it reminded him of the way Ted Dekker writes. And if you have been a part of Mark's "book ministry", you know who Ted Dekker is:)
Anyway, I cannot recommend this enough, and just to add an already great experience, we rented it at a RedBox!

Do I Need To Go Back To Politics???

2008-01-09T19:38:00.000-06:00

I finally take a break from politics to focus on my sweet Lisi's birthday, and I have NO comments???
People, people...do I need to go back to politicking????

Happy 4th Birthday, Sweet Lisi Girl

2008-01-07T20:15:00.000-06:00

It has been 4 years in the coming, but I do believe that this girl is growing into the the BIG personality with which she was born. She is still on the move, but now with more direction, and with more purpose, and, dare I say it, with a bit more restraint.
More days than not, she is just silly and fun.
And those are the days that I am delighted to say "that's my girl!"
Happy 4th birthday, Lu Lu Girl

these are a few of her favorite things

2008-01-07T19:59:00.001-06:00

let's just list off some of the goodies...
a t-ball set and other sporting stuff from Manndy & Mackie, "Look, it's a GIANT Bible!" from Grandma Nancy & Grandpa Bill, Dora jammies from The Greats in St Louis (which she insisted on wearing that night), a "little Georgie" from Aunt Cindy (that has gone everywhere with us today...who knew anyone could be loved more than "Georgie"???), Hullabaloo Zoo game from favorite cousins Heather, Nick & Emma, and the hands down favorite...fuzzy lined Crocs from Grammy and Papa!!
Of course there were lots of crafts, Dora games, Curious George goodies, cute, CUTE clothes, and really, just a fun afternoon for all.

I'm Bad

2008-01-07T17:55:00.001-06:00

Iz and Lisi spent SO much time playing with their cousins Von D...Paige, Annie, Will & Logan...and these are the only pix that I took!
I'm bad.
As you can imagine, a great time was had by all, whether they were making crafts (thanks Great Grandma Dinosaur and Auntie Lisa!) or going to the Magic House (again, thank you, Auntie Lisa!).

Let the celebrations begin!

2008-01-07T17:22:00.001-06:00

We were able to begin celebrating Lisi's birthday early when we were in St Louis.
Mark, Iz, Lisi and I made a surprise visit to Grandma Jill's house that Saturday night, and thankfully she had not yet mailed Lisi's gifts!!
Of course Isabella wanted in on the action, and has had as much fun with the princess attire as Lisi has, but it is SO much fun to see Lisi's imagination really kick into full gear as she plays with dolls and other dress up clothes.
Of course, the gift box of a monkey was a HUGE hit:)
Thank you, Grandma Jill!
We love being able to spend time with you!!
(It was also really fun that her mom, Great Grandma Jackson, and friends of theirs, Ted & Ruth, were also there for dinner that night. I have known all of them since I was Isabella's age, too!!)

A Sight To Warm A Mom's Heart

2008-01-07T16:45:00.000-06:00

Mark and I went to a dinner party Saturday night, and when we got home, the sitter told us that our sweet girls had asked to go to bed together. That never happens! But it sure is a sight to warm a momma's heart:)
Grandma Jill...notice Lisi cuddled up with her monkey blanket in her sister's bed.

A Fish Named Berry

2008-01-07T16:33:00.000-06:00

Isabella and Grammy surprised Lisi with a FISH for her birthday.
A red fish named "Berry"!!!

And then Grammy called me the next morning, just crackin' herself up!, because she realized that this flamboyant fish has a last name...MANILOW!!!
We have a colorful and extravagant fish named Berry Manilow!!!

It's a HuckaBOOM

2008-01-04T12:53:00.000-06:00

Now I know how sports fans feel after a big game. I am just PUMPED!! Difference is I only get this rush once every 4 years. Well, no, I take that back. I will be up until the wee hours of the night on Nov 11th, too:) Still, it is not the same as having all eyes on Iowa. Really, I just love this!!

It's a bummer that there is already so much negative commentary going on about Huckabee. I am trying to keep it in perspective, though. If Romney had won the caucus last night, I would be having a tough time with it today. But what bums me out about what is being said about Huckabee is that so much of it is, quite simply, half-truths and assumptions.

For example, I have heard ALOT of talk about how the majority of his support comes from Evangelical Christians. Well, that is great. But in all of this process, I have never once been asked to fill out a form that says anything to the effect that "I am a Mike Huckabee supporter, and I am an Evangelical Christian", so how can the media be reporting such a statistic?? (What gets me more fired up, though, are those touting that he is 'not Christian enough'. What is that suppose to mean???)

I am also tired of hearing how many prison sentences he commuted, or people he pardoned. Now, I do not know the specifics of these cases, but my understanding is that 1) Huckabee does believe in the potential for rehabilitation of offenders, and 2) in order for some of these people to get a job and be productive, contributing members of our society, they needed their Governor to say that he would vouch for them. That said, after becoming Governor mid-term, he went on to be elected by the people of Arkansas on his own merit...TWICE.

And when Huckabee entered the Governor's office, there was a $250 million deficit in the state. When he left 10 years later, there was an $800 million surplus, schools were better, and roadways were no longer among the worst in the nation. The people of Arkansas voted on raising taxes for these improvements. The roadways, as they were when he took office (which had previously been occupied by Bill Clinton), were so bad that truckers would take other routes, and this, therefore, had a negative impact on the economy of Arkansas. The citizens of the state recognized this, and voted to do something about it.

Whew! I am breathing easier:)

These are just a few examples of how I see Huckabee being mis-represented in the media and in the campaign race.

I am so looking forward to seeing how he works his way thru the remainder of this marathon!!

I say IOWA, you say CAUCUS!!!

2008-01-03T21:41:00.000-06:00

That is the voice mail I got from favorite cousin Heather earlier today.

What a HOOT!!!

But what a FUN night this has been!!!

Come on, everyone, say it with me,

"I Like Mike!"

For the record, our precinct location had 2.5 times the number of people that they anticipated, and another friends precinct had nearly 10 times the number that had been anticipated. That is simply AMAZING to me. And I love it!!

This is a big deal. It is a big deal for Iowa, and Iowans take it seriously. The elections themselves are a big deal, and I hope all of the country will take it seriously. The Iowa Caucus' tonight has set the next 10 months in motion. But it is up to everyone else to take that baton and RUN with it.

Let's GO!!!

my husband's favorite new "line"

2008-01-02T21:18:00.001-06:00

"If you were a booger, I would pick you first."
~ Anthony on Snoop-Dog's "Fatherhood"

...ya, I'll let you know how that works for him (hee,hee,hee)