4.08.2008
Just in Case You Thought I Was Exaggerating
Remember when I said I had 4 loads of laundry?
It was more like six. On the bed. One in the dryer. One in the washer.
4.07.2008
More on Oprah, Views: Christian vs New Age
I completely stole this from crosswalk.com.
Just thought it was interesting the way it was broken down.
What's Bothering Oprah, Eckhart Tolle and Today’s New Age Thinkers
Frank Pastore
"The Frank Pastore Show," KKLA, Los Angeles
March 28, 2008
I have a few questions—but they are not about whether Oprah Winfrey, Eckhart Tolle or Marianne Williamson are good, smart and nice people. I’m sure they are. My concern is about the ideas they hold—since good, smart, nice people can hold false beliefs and be wrong about all kinds of things. Sometimes, even the most important things.
I have questions about their worldview.
A worldview is made up of the answers we give to life’s most fundamental and profound questions. It includes the answers we give to questions of philosophy, religion, ethics and theology. And they are questions that have been asked and answered by every culture in world history.
When comparing and contrasting religions, worldview categories are the most basic level of inquiry.
If you know a person’s worldview, you know a whole lot about them. Oftentimes, you even know more about their thinking processes than they do.
Right now, Oprah is co-teaching an online class with author Eckhart Tolle, based upon her current Book of the Month, his “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.” And, Oprah’s promoting a daily radio show on her XM channel featuring Marianne Williamson teaching from “A Course in Miracles.”
Both Tolle and Williamson are New Age thinkers. Oprah says she’s a Christian—arguing that she can reconcile “her” Christianity with what they’re teaching. If she’s a Christian, she’s an ignorant one, because Christianity is incompatible with New Age thought.
Here’s how the two opposing worldviews, Christianity (C), and New Age (NA), answer some of the most basic worldview questions. The New Age answers are ones that would be commonly held, though certainly not universal, as the belief system is loose, eclectic and unique to each individual adherent.
1. Why is there something rather than nothing?
Christianity (C): God created the universe at the moment of the beginning of time, matter and space. Big Bang cosmology and all modern science affirms this.
New Age (NA): The universe is beginning-less, endless, eternal.
2. Does God exist?—and is He personal?
C: Yes, God is personal, and the Bible teaches God is three persons sharing one essence, what Christians refer to as the Trinity. More specifically, God is tri-personal.
NA: Yes and No. Yes, God is an impersonal force that exhaustively fills every atom of the eternal universe: All is God, God is all, God is all of us and God is each of us. No, there is no personal creator called God who is outside of time, matter and space.
3. Who am I?
C: A creation of God.
NA: God.
4. How did I get here?
C: God created man with moral freedom and invited him to join the presence of the Trinity. But man exercised his freedom in rebellion to God, and now only through the work of the incarnate God and second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, can that severed relationship be restored.
NA: Through the infinite process of karma. As God, you are eternal, and have been reincarnating from object to object for trillions of years, and when you ultimately achieve enlightenment, and remember that you are God, you will then lose your individual sense of self and consciousness and become One with the One. (Remember, there is no personal God. God is a force. You must return to being a force.)
5. Why am I here?
C: The Westminster Catechism answers this question beautifully: The chief end of man is “to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” I am called to make a decision with eternal consequences: either accept or reject God’s offer of salvation in Jesus Christ. I am also called to help others make a correct choice; to advance the true, the good, and the beautiful; to fight evil and injustice; to work with God at reconciling the world to Himself.
NA: To pay off previous karmic debt gathered over trillions of years.
6. What is the meaning of life?
C: To glorify God.
NA: To achieve enlightenment.
7. What is the true, the good, and the beautiful?
C: God—and his goodness can be seen through his creation.
NA: Since there is no distinction between creator and creation, there can be no distinctions between true-false, good-bad, right-wrong, ugly-beautiful, or pain-pleasure.
8. What is the best life?
C: A life in the full presence of God.
NA: The life immediately before enlightenment, since you will no longer exist as a person once you remember you are God.
9. Who is the best man?
C: Jesus Christ, the Man who never sinned.
NA: “Best” is a nonsensical moral category.
10. Why is there evil, pain, suffering, and injustice?
C: The Fall. Man exercised his freedom in rebellion to God and these are the consequences.
NA: People are paying off their karmic debt. As God, we are responsible for the reality we create for ourselves through our thinking and choices. If we are suffering, it is because we are choosing to suffer. If we think differently we can alter the external world and create our own reality.
11. Why do bad things happen to good people?
C: We live in a fallen world with moral freedom. Evil and sin exist. Men hurt themselves intentionally and accidentally. Our hope is only in God who is able to bring good out of evil.
NA: Karma.
Karma and reincarnation have all kinds of fatal logical problems. Who started karma and reincarnation and why? Who decides what behavior gets rewarded and what gets punished, especially since there are no moral categories? How can there be a “who” to all this when God is a “what,” an impersonal force like gravity? How can an impersonal force help you in your relationships, heal your hurts, illnesses and wounds, help with your addictions and bad habits, lead you to confront social evils, poverty, crime, corruption, broken families, broken hearts?
12. Will good or evil ultimately triumph?
C: The resurrection of Jesus proves that good ultimately triumphs over evil.
NA: These are only apparent moral categories, they don’t really exist.
13. Is there life after death?
C: Yes! In either heaven or hell. Our destination is based on our response to the person and work of Christ.
NA: Yes and No. Yes, in that you may have trillions of more reincarnated bodies to inhabit as you pay off your karmic debt before reaching enlightenment. No, in that once you’re enlightened, you will cease to exist, since you will have remembered you’re really an impersonal force that New Age thinkers call “God.”
The New Age Movement is intellectually and spiritually bankrupt. But, it is making Tolle and Williamson—and especially Oprah—a whole bunch of money.
Frank Pastore is host of “The Frank Pastore Show,” recognized by the National Religious Broadcasters as Talk Show Host of the Year in 2006. His program is heard on KKLA in Los Angeles 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact Frank at Frank@kkla.com.
Just thought it was interesting the way it was broken down.
What's Bothering Oprah, Eckhart Tolle and Today’s New Age Thinkers
Frank Pastore
"The Frank Pastore Show," KKLA, Los Angeles
March 28, 2008
I have a few questions—but they are not about whether Oprah Winfrey, Eckhart Tolle or Marianne Williamson are good, smart and nice people. I’m sure they are. My concern is about the ideas they hold—since good, smart, nice people can hold false beliefs and be wrong about all kinds of things. Sometimes, even the most important things.
I have questions about their worldview.
A worldview is made up of the answers we give to life’s most fundamental and profound questions. It includes the answers we give to questions of philosophy, religion, ethics and theology. And they are questions that have been asked and answered by every culture in world history.
When comparing and contrasting religions, worldview categories are the most basic level of inquiry.
If you know a person’s worldview, you know a whole lot about them. Oftentimes, you even know more about their thinking processes than they do.
Right now, Oprah is co-teaching an online class with author Eckhart Tolle, based upon her current Book of the Month, his “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.” And, Oprah’s promoting a daily radio show on her XM channel featuring Marianne Williamson teaching from “A Course in Miracles.”
Both Tolle and Williamson are New Age thinkers. Oprah says she’s a Christian—arguing that she can reconcile “her” Christianity with what they’re teaching. If she’s a Christian, she’s an ignorant one, because Christianity is incompatible with New Age thought.
Here’s how the two opposing worldviews, Christianity (C), and New Age (NA), answer some of the most basic worldview questions. The New Age answers are ones that would be commonly held, though certainly not universal, as the belief system is loose, eclectic and unique to each individual adherent.
1. Why is there something rather than nothing?
Christianity (C): God created the universe at the moment of the beginning of time, matter and space. Big Bang cosmology and all modern science affirms this.
New Age (NA): The universe is beginning-less, endless, eternal.
2. Does God exist?—and is He personal?
C: Yes, God is personal, and the Bible teaches God is three persons sharing one essence, what Christians refer to as the Trinity. More specifically, God is tri-personal.
NA: Yes and No. Yes, God is an impersonal force that exhaustively fills every atom of the eternal universe: All is God, God is all, God is all of us and God is each of us. No, there is no personal creator called God who is outside of time, matter and space.
3. Who am I?
C: A creation of God.
NA: God.
4. How did I get here?
C: God created man with moral freedom and invited him to join the presence of the Trinity. But man exercised his freedom in rebellion to God, and now only through the work of the incarnate God and second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, can that severed relationship be restored.
NA: Through the infinite process of karma. As God, you are eternal, and have been reincarnating from object to object for trillions of years, and when you ultimately achieve enlightenment, and remember that you are God, you will then lose your individual sense of self and consciousness and become One with the One. (Remember, there is no personal God. God is a force. You must return to being a force.)
5. Why am I here?
C: The Westminster Catechism answers this question beautifully: The chief end of man is “to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” I am called to make a decision with eternal consequences: either accept or reject God’s offer of salvation in Jesus Christ. I am also called to help others make a correct choice; to advance the true, the good, and the beautiful; to fight evil and injustice; to work with God at reconciling the world to Himself.
NA: To pay off previous karmic debt gathered over trillions of years.
6. What is the meaning of life?
C: To glorify God.
NA: To achieve enlightenment.
7. What is the true, the good, and the beautiful?
C: God—and his goodness can be seen through his creation.
NA: Since there is no distinction between creator and creation, there can be no distinctions between true-false, good-bad, right-wrong, ugly-beautiful, or pain-pleasure.
8. What is the best life?
C: A life in the full presence of God.
NA: The life immediately before enlightenment, since you will no longer exist as a person once you remember you are God.
9. Who is the best man?
C: Jesus Christ, the Man who never sinned.
NA: “Best” is a nonsensical moral category.
10. Why is there evil, pain, suffering, and injustice?
C: The Fall. Man exercised his freedom in rebellion to God and these are the consequences.
NA: People are paying off their karmic debt. As God, we are responsible for the reality we create for ourselves through our thinking and choices. If we are suffering, it is because we are choosing to suffer. If we think differently we can alter the external world and create our own reality.
11. Why do bad things happen to good people?
C: We live in a fallen world with moral freedom. Evil and sin exist. Men hurt themselves intentionally and accidentally. Our hope is only in God who is able to bring good out of evil.
NA: Karma.
Karma and reincarnation have all kinds of fatal logical problems. Who started karma and reincarnation and why? Who decides what behavior gets rewarded and what gets punished, especially since there are no moral categories? How can there be a “who” to all this when God is a “what,” an impersonal force like gravity? How can an impersonal force help you in your relationships, heal your hurts, illnesses and wounds, help with your addictions and bad habits, lead you to confront social evils, poverty, crime, corruption, broken families, broken hearts?
12. Will good or evil ultimately triumph?
C: The resurrection of Jesus proves that good ultimately triumphs over evil.
NA: These are only apparent moral categories, they don’t really exist.
13. Is there life after death?
C: Yes! In either heaven or hell. Our destination is based on our response to the person and work of Christ.
NA: Yes and No. Yes, in that you may have trillions of more reincarnated bodies to inhabit as you pay off your karmic debt before reaching enlightenment. No, in that once you’re enlightened, you will cease to exist, since you will have remembered you’re really an impersonal force that New Age thinkers call “God.”
The New Age Movement is intellectually and spiritually bankrupt. But, it is making Tolle and Williamson—and especially Oprah—a whole bunch of money.
Frank Pastore is host of “The Frank Pastore Show,” recognized by the National Religious Broadcasters as Talk Show Host of the Year in 2006. His program is heard on KKLA in Los Angeles 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact Frank at Frank@kkla.com.
4.06.2008
Priorities
I might have 4 loads of laundry, clean, ready to be folded & put away.
There's a mini-van full of 'church things' to unpack.
The breakfast bar is full.
And so is the dishwasher.
The floor is cluttered & needs to be vacuumed.
Gabe's floor is covered in blocks.
Flynn's is covered in books.
But,
We worshiped & served together all morning.
We picnicked & played at the park for an hour.
We took a walk.
We played in the backyard, hula-hooped, & made a hopscotch in the mud.
Took a long bath.
And read lots of books.
So,
if you drop by.
Please know,
I had important things to do.
There's a mini-van full of 'church things' to unpack.
The breakfast bar is full.
And so is the dishwasher.
The floor is cluttered & needs to be vacuumed.
Gabe's floor is covered in blocks.
Flynn's is covered in books.
But,
We worshiped & served together all morning.
We picnicked & played at the park for an hour.
We took a walk.
We played in the backyard, hula-hooped, & made a hopscotch in the mud.
Took a long bath.
And read lots of books.
So,
if you drop by.
Please know,
I had important things to do.
4.05.2008
Deep Thoughts by Flynn, part 8
"Light Nap" = nap
"Dark Nap" = bedtime
It's ironic that she'd even acknowledge "light nap" considering she quit taking them a few weeks ago!
"Dark Nap" = bedtime
It's ironic that she'd even acknowledge "light nap" considering she quit taking them a few weeks ago!
4.04.2008
My Journey, The Packets
Okay, I think this is part 3 of my journey ... you know, the one where I leave my babies & go back to teaching full time.
I've done much since last posting about this but NOTHING really has transpired.
I've sunk approx 5 hours into this process. And am hoping it pays off big.
For those not real familiar with the getting-hired-to-teach process, you must have a FILE established at each desired district. The file usually consists of your resume, your references (their minimum set amount), at least 3 letters of recommendation (one being from your former principal), your transcripts, & your certificate.
Just getting those things together, making the adequate amount of copies, & mailing those out, THAT'S a job in & of itself.
THEN... (and I did this very first thing), you must have an online application on a site called MOREAP.net (for MO). It's an online database of all teachers looking for employment. Administrators can go there to access & pull off your info, print it out, etc. Also, some districts (seeminly 'belonging' to REAP or who have registered with them) can put a post that they're hiring for a particular position, so I've checked this daily.
To fill out the info questions, the essay questions, your preferred methodology, etc., takes close to an hour.
It would be great if all districts used it & didn't have their own cotton-picking applications.
But they do.
Three of the districts I'm interested in have their own PAPER applications that you must either pick up from their C.O. or print from their website. Each of those took about 30 mins to complete.
Then, about three districts have their own online application with similar questions, that you must fill out.
There's also a gallup "Teacher Insight" test you must take online. It takes over half an hour & three of the districts required I go to their website & complete that.
And all that is just the paper part.
I haven't even begun calling & harrassing people yet.
Since I know several teachers & the inside & how this all works, I'm all too familiar that it's just a crap shoot. You can't just create a teaching job for someone. A district might think I'm the 'cat's pajamas' but unless they have an opening, my file will just sit in their HR dept for the next year.
I hope my timing was perfect though, as my last batch went out yesterday & usually districts require their teachers to return contracts the 2nd week in April.
Then there's the knowledge that I might not be hired 'til the first day of school, like Jeff was. Or the second week of school, like my friend Amy. Both whom are awesome teachers and LOVE their jobs & districts.
So I have to be content & learn patience if that's how things go for me. Not an easy pill to swallow when you're trying to decide on care for your kids or have a garage full of boxes of teaching 'stuff', just screaming to be put back into a class.
I've said this before, I am NOT not not not a laid back person (I wish I was!). I do not, never have, sat back & let life happen. If it doesn't happen or quick enough, I jump in & turn the wheels to speed the process.
This process has no wheels for me to turn. I literally am helpless & have no control. What a lesson for me to learn.
A lesson about not only patience (which I don't have), but trust. Trusting God
Isaiah 40:31 "...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
& learning to wait.
Psalm 62:5 "Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him."
I've done much since last posting about this but NOTHING really has transpired.
I've sunk approx 5 hours into this process. And am hoping it pays off big.
For those not real familiar with the getting-hired-to-teach process, you must have a FILE established at each desired district. The file usually consists of your resume, your references (their minimum set amount), at least 3 letters of recommendation (one being from your former principal), your transcripts, & your certificate.
Just getting those things together, making the adequate amount of copies, & mailing those out, THAT'S a job in & of itself.
THEN... (and I did this very first thing), you must have an online application on a site called MOREAP.net (for MO). It's an online database of all teachers looking for employment. Administrators can go there to access & pull off your info, print it out, etc. Also, some districts (seeminly 'belonging' to REAP or who have registered with them) can put a post that they're hiring for a particular position, so I've checked this daily.
To fill out the info questions, the essay questions, your preferred methodology, etc., takes close to an hour.
It would be great if all districts used it & didn't have their own cotton-picking applications.
But they do.
Three of the districts I'm interested in have their own PAPER applications that you must either pick up from their C.O. or print from their website. Each of those took about 30 mins to complete.
Then, about three districts have their own online application with similar questions, that you must fill out.
There's also a gallup "Teacher Insight" test you must take online. It takes over half an hour & three of the districts required I go to their website & complete that.
And all that is just the paper part.
I haven't even begun calling & harrassing people yet.
Since I know several teachers & the inside & how this all works, I'm all too familiar that it's just a crap shoot. You can't just create a teaching job for someone. A district might think I'm the 'cat's pajamas' but unless they have an opening, my file will just sit in their HR dept for the next year.
I hope my timing was perfect though, as my last batch went out yesterday & usually districts require their teachers to return contracts the 2nd week in April.
Then there's the knowledge that I might not be hired 'til the first day of school, like Jeff was. Or the second week of school, like my friend Amy. Both whom are awesome teachers and LOVE their jobs & districts.
So I have to be content & learn patience if that's how things go for me. Not an easy pill to swallow when you're trying to decide on care for your kids or have a garage full of boxes of teaching 'stuff', just screaming to be put back into a class.
I've said this before, I am NOT not not not a laid back person (I wish I was!). I do not, never have, sat back & let life happen. If it doesn't happen or quick enough, I jump in & turn the wheels to speed the process.
This process has no wheels for me to turn. I literally am helpless & have no control. What a lesson for me to learn.
A lesson about not only patience (which I don't have), but trust. Trusting God
Isaiah 40:31 "...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
& learning to wait.
Psalm 62:5 "Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him."
4.03.2008
4.02.2008
Are You Joking Me?
Anyone who knows Jeff & I, aren't too surprised to learn that APRIL FOOL'S DAY was the day he proposed to me (six years ago). If I hadn't expected it was coming (we already had made the decision that we'd be spending forever together), I would've thought it was a joke. But when he got down on one knee, on this very plot of land (minus the house), he wasn't teasing.Unlike yesterday, when I played a joke on him.
I wasn't sure I'd be able to even sorta trick him, considering the date on the calendar. BUT, I pulled it off.
The last few days, I made him aware that I was 'late' -- this is no big event considering I've never been 'regular', heck, I'm not even sure I ovulate anymore.
Anyway, I voiced this to him. Then I told him that while Gabe & I were out & about, that I'd be picking up a pregnancy test (I do these for sport on occasion, something about the science of it...the little window...the faux anticipation...etc.).
ANYWAY, I emailed him in the afternoon:
"I have something to tell you. I want to wait & tell you in person, but I don't think I can wait any longer."
"I have something to tell you. I want to wait & tell you in person, but I don't think I can wait any longer."
He calls me as soon as he can (not for another hour, as he doesn't have a phone in his classroom),
"Was the test positive?"
I could hear the panic in his voice.
"Um...it...it WAS."
"OMIGOSH. OMIGOSH. Amy, Are you serious?
"OMIGOSH. OMIGOSH. Amy, Are you serious?
Is this an April Fool's Joke?"
I couldn't keep it up. I'm a good joker, but I almost felt sorry for him.
"Yes, April Fool's."
And if he tells you he wasn't just the slightest bit excited at the idea of a surprise (vasectomy-defying) pregnancy,
then he's the one fooling.
3.31.2008
Monday Mumbling
Said with much sarcasm:
To the road crew, trimming trees on the road to the office: Thank you for making us sit & wait while the oncoming traffic came through & appeared to never have to wait, I appreciate being almost late for my meeting.
To Flynn's dance teacher: Honestly, I didn't put the tear in her $50 costume...so when you offered to sew it up & seemed ANGRY, that wasn't appropriate. The costume CAME THAT WAY, and although it might not take much for one of the grandmas to sew it, THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO, for crying out loud, anything for a four-year-old to wear ONCE, that costs $50, should not require my (or anyone else's) seamstress skills.
To the Easter Bunny: Thanks a lot, for all this candy. It's near impossible to diet when you're eating all your kids' candy so that THEY don't eat it because you don't give them candy.
To my metabolism: You suck.
To Flynn's allergies & asthma: You suck too. I am soooooooo worn out with worrying about Flynn when I leave the room. I am tired of wiping down counters like Jesus is coming to visit. And I am so over having to hover over her at parties & in group settings. I could puke I'm so tired of appearing to be an over-protective mother hen. And to the people who look at me, at parties & stuff, when I get out a container of a safe 'cake-alternative' (you know, so she doesn't die & stuff), like my child is spoiled & just doesn't like what everyone else is having, well, I say to you people, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. And if your mind is so lacking in thoughts of imporantance & your own affairs, perhaps you should go volunteer somewhere.
Or, try having allergies yourself.
That will certainly busy you.
To my neighbors: FOR THE LOVE OF CHRISTMAS, get the Christmas lights off your house, YOU BIG HOOSIERS. Did you know today is the last day of March? More than 3 mos after the said holiday.
To my small house: Grow up, would you?!
To United Healthcare: Have I pointed out to you that my son has used NO benefits this year? Have I mentioned that he's only had like 3 prescriptions in the 2.5 years he's been on this earth? That he's never been hospitalized, outside of his birth?
The mere fact that you refuse to pay for his speech therapy, is enough for me to come hunt you down & kick you in the throat.
Twice.
To the Chevy Dealership: I'm wise to your antics. When you can see that we're within 90 miles of the end of our dealership & you say that there's nothing you can do about our SERVICE ENGINE SOON light that keeps coming on, I can see you're doing your job. And I'm sure that that "squeaking" in our brakes really is NORMAL as you say it is. Because hearing squeaking when I put on the brakes really says safety to me.
To the rain: Enough already.
Said without sarcasm:
To my kids: Thank you for yelling my name before I even got in the door from my meeting. No matter how much the human race can sometimes aggravate me, I always know there are at least 2 humans who are always glad to see me.
To Flynn: Thank you for understanding when Gabe got new yogurt, ate it in front of you, and you didn't have any. You will never know how much Daddy & I appreciate just how understanding & mature you are about the fact that 90% of the world can eat what they want, and you will die if you indulge.
Thank you also, for the gymnastics-obstacle-course-show that you & Snowball put on for me.
To Gabe: Thank you for finally taking a nap. While I know you love your sister, the 'love' you guys show each other, does start to wear on me a bit. So I really appreciate you taking a little break from the action, to go recharge your little mind & body.
Also, thank you for standing at the top step with your skinny arms stretched toward me. It's the most welcoming sight when I've been gone all morning.
To my dad: You will never realize how much we've appreciated that you are the most reliable babysitter a person could ever have. The fact that you work nights, so that you can still babysit every Monday morning for us, is enough for me to build a bronze statue at Forest Park, in your honor. And the statue would be holding a mug of coffee.
When I clean up after you leave, and find paper after paper of coloring that you've done with the kids, it's enough to leave a smile on my face for the rest of the day.
It will be a sad day in two months when you babysit your last Monday to work days. Wherever we end up leaving Flynn in the fall, will never stack up to hopscotch, coloring, & lunch with Papa on Monday mornings.
To Jeff: Thank you for doing the sinkLOAD of dishes last night so I could finish my 'cleaning project'.
Also, thank you for taking on my ministry as your own & not complaining when you do as much as I do on a Sunday morning. Altho I have no doubt that many will be the gems in your crown in heaven, I hope to thank you enough here on earth.
To God: Thank You that we live in a country where things like trees hanging over roads are seen as a hazard.
Thank You that we can afford to put Flynn in dancing.
Thank You that there are many people in my kids' lives that love them enough to give them candy & spoil them on holidays.
Thank You for my body that is healthy enough for me to care for my family.
Thank You that You keep Flynn safe & with us through many scary experiences & for reminding us that You will continue to protect her.
Thank You that our neighbors are currently 'behaving' themselves & having awoken us in a while.
Thank You for our house that is comfortable, still fairly new & pretty maintenance-free.
Thank You that we have insurance, there was a time we didn't & that was pretty scary.
Thank You for our car & that You blessed us with very minimal bills in car maintenance.
Thank You for watering the earth.
To the road crew, trimming trees on the road to the office: Thank you for making us sit & wait while the oncoming traffic came through & appeared to never have to wait, I appreciate being almost late for my meeting.
To Flynn's dance teacher: Honestly, I didn't put the tear in her $50 costume...so when you offered to sew it up & seemed ANGRY, that wasn't appropriate. The costume CAME THAT WAY, and although it might not take much for one of the grandmas to sew it, THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO, for crying out loud, anything for a four-year-old to wear ONCE, that costs $50, should not require my (or anyone else's) seamstress skills.
To the Easter Bunny: Thanks a lot, for all this candy. It's near impossible to diet when you're eating all your kids' candy so that THEY don't eat it because you don't give them candy.
To my metabolism: You suck.
To Flynn's allergies & asthma: You suck too. I am soooooooo worn out with worrying about Flynn when I leave the room. I am tired of wiping down counters like Jesus is coming to visit. And I am so over having to hover over her at parties & in group settings. I could puke I'm so tired of appearing to be an over-protective mother hen. And to the people who look at me, at parties & stuff, when I get out a container of a safe 'cake-alternative' (you know, so she doesn't die & stuff), like my child is spoiled & just doesn't like what everyone else is having, well, I say to you people, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. And if your mind is so lacking in thoughts of imporantance & your own affairs, perhaps you should go volunteer somewhere.
Or, try having allergies yourself.
That will certainly busy you.
To my neighbors: FOR THE LOVE OF CHRISTMAS, get the Christmas lights off your house, YOU BIG HOOSIERS. Did you know today is the last day of March? More than 3 mos after the said holiday.
To my small house: Grow up, would you?!
To United Healthcare: Have I pointed out to you that my son has used NO benefits this year? Have I mentioned that he's only had like 3 prescriptions in the 2.5 years he's been on this earth? That he's never been hospitalized, outside of his birth?
The mere fact that you refuse to pay for his speech therapy, is enough for me to come hunt you down & kick you in the throat.
Twice.
To the Chevy Dealership: I'm wise to your antics. When you can see that we're within 90 miles of the end of our dealership & you say that there's nothing you can do about our SERVICE ENGINE SOON light that keeps coming on, I can see you're doing your job. And I'm sure that that "squeaking" in our brakes really is NORMAL as you say it is. Because hearing squeaking when I put on the brakes really says safety to me.
To the rain: Enough already.
Said without sarcasm:
To my kids: Thank you for yelling my name before I even got in the door from my meeting. No matter how much the human race can sometimes aggravate me, I always know there are at least 2 humans who are always glad to see me.
To Flynn: Thank you for understanding when Gabe got new yogurt, ate it in front of you, and you didn't have any. You will never know how much Daddy & I appreciate just how understanding & mature you are about the fact that 90% of the world can eat what they want, and you will die if you indulge.
Thank you also, for the gymnastics-obstacle-course-show that you & Snowball put on for me.
To Gabe: Thank you for finally taking a nap. While I know you love your sister, the 'love' you guys show each other, does start to wear on me a bit. So I really appreciate you taking a little break from the action, to go recharge your little mind & body.
Also, thank you for standing at the top step with your skinny arms stretched toward me. It's the most welcoming sight when I've been gone all morning.
To my dad: You will never realize how much we've appreciated that you are the most reliable babysitter a person could ever have. The fact that you work nights, so that you can still babysit every Monday morning for us, is enough for me to build a bronze statue at Forest Park, in your honor. And the statue would be holding a mug of coffee.
When I clean up after you leave, and find paper after paper of coloring that you've done with the kids, it's enough to leave a smile on my face for the rest of the day.
It will be a sad day in two months when you babysit your last Monday to work days. Wherever we end up leaving Flynn in the fall, will never stack up to hopscotch, coloring, & lunch with Papa on Monday mornings.
To Jeff: Thank you for doing the sinkLOAD of dishes last night so I could finish my 'cleaning project'.
Also, thank you for taking on my ministry as your own & not complaining when you do as much as I do on a Sunday morning. Altho I have no doubt that many will be the gems in your crown in heaven, I hope to thank you enough here on earth.
To God: Thank You that we live in a country where things like trees hanging over roads are seen as a hazard.
Thank You that we can afford to put Flynn in dancing.
Thank You that there are many people in my kids' lives that love them enough to give them candy & spoil them on holidays.
Thank You for my body that is healthy enough for me to care for my family.
Thank You that You keep Flynn safe & with us through many scary experiences & for reminding us that You will continue to protect her.
Thank You that our neighbors are currently 'behaving' themselves & having awoken us in a while.
Thank You for our house that is comfortable, still fairly new & pretty maintenance-free.
Thank You that we have insurance, there was a time we didn't & that was pretty scary.
Thank You for our car & that You blessed us with very minimal bills in car maintenance.
Thank You for watering the earth.
3.30.2008
Guacomole in a Bag
First of all, excuse my chef's hair.
Cleanliness really is our motto when cooking but I do not make her wear a hairnet, although, usually her hair is not falling in her face, I don't know what to tell you.
Okay, let's get cooking...Cut a peeled & pitted avocado into slices.
Place those slices into a Ziploc freezer bag with 2 teaspoons of lemon/lime juice (we prefer lime) & a BIG pinch of salt.
We always throw a dollop of salsa in for good measure. Then, of course, you can add other ingredients to make it a little zestier if you want, but my kiddos like it as is.
Push the air out of the bag & seal it, then let your little chef squish & squash to her or his heart's content. It's easy to see if you've squished/squashed enough.
Then, snip off a corner of the bag & squeeze the guacamole into a dish!
Serve with homemade tortilla chips (yah, right) or even crackers.It's yummo!
3.29.2008
How Much is that Doggie in the Window?
Why, $300 to be exact.
This doggie thought 'Gabe's pants was tasty'.
Look at them, does that not make you lactate?
Look at them, stumbling over each other.
We wrapped the puppy in the towel so allergic Flynn could hold him...
and having the pups outside kept her from breathing their dander.
If you're in the area & are interested, these pups are going to owners (officially starting today). They're registered goldens & are yours for the taking, well, yours for $300. Just comment & I'll put you in touch with the breeder, none other than niece Mattie, who has done this whole process from beginning to end.
Which is sooo cute that my 13- yr old niece is a breeder & will even give you a folder with your official papers inside, once you purchase & pick up your pup.
She's so much like me, it's nothing less than flattering.
Come get a puppy.
Thank you.
3.28.2008
TAG, You're It!
My first tag! I was tagged by Kindra at 3 Guys A Girl & A Prim PLace to do a 6 word memoir about myself...
LOUD
OUTGOING
OUTGOING
UNIQUE (nice way of saying odd)
CREATIVE
STRONG-WILLED
HUMOROUS
CREATIVE
STRONG-WILLED
HUMOROUS
(doesn't necessarily mean I think I'm funny, but hopefully indicates that I like to laugh)
Here are the rules:
1. Write your own six word memoir
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like
3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post
4. Tag five more blogs with links (I tagged more, so sue me!)
5. Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.
I tag:
Can't wait to see what you all come up with!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trace doesn't win THE APPRENTICE, boo
I was sad when The Trumpster announced to Pierc (sp?) that he'd won.
And right before that, when you could tell he was telling Trace how great he was (so he could let him down easy), Jeff turned to me & said, "Oh no." & I said, "Crap!" because I REALLY REALLY wanted him to win.
But right before that (before I said crap & was mad that he was losing), I said to Jeff, "Even if he doesn't win, he has done SO much for the allergy community to raise awareness."
There are so many people who have NO CLUE what it's like to have a real food allergy & the seriousness of it.
And for those people to see a celebrity talk about their real life & a small portion of what it's like to deal.
I'm thankful.
And one of these days, when I have a huge amount of time on my hands, I will write to show you a glimpse of what it is like living with an allergic child.
You've read some of it, but I still think you'd be surprised.
And right before that, when you could tell he was telling Trace how great he was (so he could let him down easy), Jeff turned to me & said, "Oh no." & I said, "Crap!" because I REALLY REALLY wanted him to win.
But right before that (before I said crap & was mad that he was losing), I said to Jeff, "Even if he doesn't win, he has done SO much for the allergy community to raise awareness."
There are so many people who have NO CLUE what it's like to have a real food allergy & the seriousness of it.
And for those people to see a celebrity talk about their real life & a small portion of what it's like to deal.
I'm thankful.
And one of these days, when I have a huge amount of time on my hands, I will write to show you a glimpse of what it is like living with an allergic child.
You've read some of it, but I still think you'd be surprised.
3.27.2008
The First (& possibly last) Time You'll Ever Hear Me Plug THE APPRENTICE
Country Star and FAAN Spokesperson Trace Adkins One of Final Two Contestants on “The Celebrity Apprentice”
Out of the fourteen original contestants, Trace Adkins is one of the last two players competing for the championship crown on the two-hour live finale of “The Celebrity Apprentice” Thursday, March 27 (9-11pm ET/PT; NBC). It will be the final boardroom showdown between the country music star and British tabloid editor/“America's Got Talent” Judge, Piers Morgan, as Trump makes his final decision and awards a $250K bonus check to the winner's charity.
The final face-off has the two celebrities preparing for a charity auction and performance by multi-platinum group, The Backstreet Boys. They use every bit of star power to battle it out in the final task. Adkins faces the demands of the band, while Morgan is let down by celebrity helper, Stephen Baldwin. With the auction completed, Trump faces his final decision - who will be hired as “The Celebrity Apprentice.”
Throughout the series Adkins developed several marketing concepts that helped keep him in the game and were deemed effective enough to be used by several companies. He wrote and narrated “The Pedigree Dog Adoption” commercial that was broadcast on USA Network during February’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. When asked to develop an awareness campaign for the Crocs’ shoe donation program, Adkins suggested, “Wear ’em, share ’em,” which evolved into “Wear a pair, share a pair,” a slogan that Crocs has adopted and is using on their website. For the Quiznos competition, Adkins created a new sandwich called the “Prime Rib Cowboy Club” that is now for sale for a limited time in over 5,000 Quiznos locations across the country.
Although he has continuously impressed his teammates and viewers with his ideas and determination to play the game with integrity, Adkins admits he didn’t expect to make it this far in the competition.
“I’m really surprised to be here and extremely proud to be representing FAAN,” says Adkins. “I intend to conclude my time on this show with my dignity in tact, and I will try to be as respectful as Piers will allow me to be.”
On “The Celebrity Apprentice” website there is a poll asking, “Who should be the Celebrity Apprentice?” Trace is up against Piers Morgan. Vote for Trace today! Let’s show everyone Trace has what it takes to win the show and become the first “Celebrity Apprentice.”
Watch “The Celebrity Apprentice” on NBC Thursday at 9:00 p.m. EST.
“I decided to do this show because I wanted to help raise awareness for the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN),” says Adkins, who has a daughter with severe food allergies. “I don’t think many people are aware that so many children are developing food allergies these days. Something we’re doing has to be causing this, and we’ve got to figure out what it is.”
Adkins is competing in business-driven tasks around New York City to raise money and awareness for FAAN, his designated charity. Throughout the series, over a million dollars will be raised for various charities, and the winner who gets crowned as the first “Celebrity Apprentice” will also have the honor of delivering a $250,000 bonus check to their charity of choice.
Watch exclusive interviews with Trace at NBC.com. The website also offers deleted scenes, photos, “Celebrity Apprentice” games, and a sneak peek at upcoming episodes. To listen to Trace comment on weekly episodes, visit http://www.traceadkins.com/main.
On “The Celebrity Apprentice” website there is a poll asking, “Who should be the Celebrity Apprentice?” Trace is up against Piers Morgan. Vote for Trace today! Let’s show everyone Trace has what it takes to win the show and become the first “Celebrity Apprentice.”
Watch “The Celebrity Apprentice” on NBC Thursday at 9:00 p.m. EST.
“I decided to do this show because I wanted to help raise awareness for the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN),” says Adkins, who has a daughter with severe food allergies. “I don’t think many people are aware that so many children are developing food allergies these days. Something we’re doing has to be causing this, and we’ve got to figure out what it is.”
Adkins is competing in business-driven tasks around New York City to raise money and awareness for FAAN, his designated charity. Throughout the series, over a million dollars will be raised for various charities, and the winner who gets crowned as the first “Celebrity Apprentice” will also have the honor of delivering a $250,000 bonus check to their charity of choice.
Watch exclusive interviews with Trace at NBC.com. The website also offers deleted scenes, photos, “Celebrity Apprentice” games, and a sneak peek at upcoming episodes. To listen to Trace comment on weekly episodes, visit http://www.traceadkins.com/main.
Hearing other parents talk about their struggles w/ their own kids is pretty emotional to me. Going through what we've gone through with Flynn has been the toughest thing we've ever went through.
Also, click on over to my milk allergy blog (link on side bar) to hear my latest delight with McDonalds. And parents who have no sense.
3.26.2008
Easter Sunday, Church & Egg Hunt
Just waking up....rag rollers & Snowball.
Easter Bunny was here.
Looking out the window...at the...snow?
Coming down the hall to see what EB has left us.
Handsome & Beautiful & ready to worship!
Post Worship, Egg hunt, Cousin Nessa helps out Gabe.
Flynn needs no help, she's a PRO.
What's in here?
Waiting for their turn in the BOUNCE HOUSE.
It's a monster, it's a mummy, it's -- Flynn bouncing in her Easter outfit!
Nothing makes a girl smile, quite like a basket full of goods.
Nothing makes a Mommy smile quite like an arm full of cute girl.
What?, You're taking my picture?
And a day full of fun = 2 pooped out kids.3.25.2008
Things You Want To Hear Upon Your 4-Yr Old's Completion of the Preschool Screening
"Do you realize how intelligent she is?"
"We don't normally see scores this high."
"She's extremely smart."
"I know she won't start in the fall but she's ready for kindergarten."
"This section here, she scored as a 6-year old; and that's because that's as high as it goes."
"Flynn's an excellent drawer."
"She counted up to thirty...then I had her stop."
"This shows she scored in the percentile rank of more than 99."
"We don't normally see scores this high."
"She's extremely smart."
"I know she won't start in the fall but she's ready for kindergarten."
"This section here, she scored as a 6-year old; and that's because that's as high as it goes."
"Flynn's an excellent drawer."
"She counted up to thirty...then I had her stop."
"This shows she scored in the percentile rank of more than 99."
Tall Tail (Tale)
"Mom, you know what I dreamed before I waked up?I dreamed that me & Dad were scared & running from a pair of slippers."
"Slippers for your feet? Like the ones that keep your feet warm in the winter?"
"Yes. These were fuzzy. And purple. They were a purple bunny. With big ears like a bunny rabbit. They were chasing us & we were so scared.
And they ran into my room & hid under my chest.
They saw a sock & a shoe under there.
We were worried they were going to get us. We yelled."
"Well that does sound scary, but it's also kind of silly. You know that the only thing a pair of slippers can do is keep your feet warm. You know that it wasn't real, it was just a dream. Right?"
"Right. But it still scared me & Dad."
3.24.2008
'Twas the Night Before Easter
And all through the lawn...
All the creatures were hunting...
for the eggs 'til they were gone.
And check out their bounty...
for the bunny.
All the creatures were hunting...
for the eggs 'til they were gone.
And inside them to open them,
And check out their bounty...Then pjs, and hair rolled, to get ready
for the bunny.
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