Aug. 29, 2008 - The Trend in Homeschooling

The last couple of days, I have found a couple of great blogs.  Voddie Baucham linked to his daughter Jasmine's blog.  She is a very beautiful young lady and a gifted writer.  Yesterday my google reader recommended Kevin Swanson's blog (we were so blessed 3 years ago when we visited his church outside of CO Springs).  I have quickly added these 2 blogs to my google reader.  

 So I was reading Pastor Swanson's blog today and found this entry. 

July 7, 2008

I am the Executive Director of a large homeschooling organization in Colorado, and our database of home schooling families would be among the largest in the country.

Several months ago, we contracted a single mom who home schools her son, to call a list of a sampling of 1000 families on the database (most of them, on the list for a few years).

Incredibly, she found that 86% of those families who started home schooling their children, have quit!

This means that for 100 families participating in a home school support group somewhere in America, only 14 will capture the vision and continue the mission 3, 5, or 8 years from now. Of the 2.4 million home educated students in America, barely 330,000 will survive. And of the 5,000 that attend a major conference, only 750 will finish the course. This means that the movement has a huge front door and a huge back door, not unlike most churches in a post-modern society. Few people stick around long enough to get a vision. A T-shirt maybe. But a deep-seated, long-standing vision that will actually make an impact on their families for future generations? I don't think so.

As leaders who are fighting valiantly against the massive failure of the national character, academic rigor, family solidarity, and the Christian faith itself, we press for radical change in the thinking and life of families. We want a radical world and life view change. We feel it's the only hope to stem the hemorrhaging flow of blood.

The reality of it, is that most families don't want to make much of a lifestyle change - and so they will just live with the rapidly-declining social, academic, and spiritual trends.

If any meaningful change will ever come about, it will come by the commitment of a principled few. The majority sits on the fulcrum of social change, while those who are most committed on the wrong side or the right side produce the real influence that changes society. It is always the 14% that bears the majority of the influence, and shifts the direction of social systems as human history unfolds. Therefore, the focus in our conferences, our support groups, our news magazines, and our radio broadcasts is not to water down the message for the 86% who are going to quit. We want to encourage the committed, and solidify the base of faithful men and women who embrace the vision, and will ensure a generational continuity that will yield even more fruit in future years.

Folks, this is a terrible trend.   Many of the blogs here at HSB are people that started homeschooling and didn't get the vision, because one of if not all of their children are back in government school. 

I see or hear of homeschooling families quite often who have children that are not trained up in the way they should go.  And they are scratching their head as to why said children are not in submission to them, why they are running off with boys, or why they are dealing with issues of rebellion. 

Here's my theory:  These parents have the government school mentality.  They have not taken Deuteronomy 6 to heart.  They are not training their children in the way they should go.  They are giving them guidelines and letting these children "follow their heart" just as the government schools do.  No training going on there. Oh, maybe I should say it's the wrong kind of training going on there only selfish, humanistic, evolutionary stupidity.  I should say no heart training going on there...

Oh us homeschoolers are all worried about academics.  And we forget the real reason why we should be homeschooling.  Yes, some of our children may be Called to go to college, but what if they aren't?  I was just reading someone else's blog (sorry I can't remember who's,please comment and tell me if it was you) that had the statement that only 4 of the 18 world billionaires have college degrees. 

What is the true measure of success??

Yes, the children need to know the 3 R's, but really what is more important?  That they've taken Algebra 3, Biochemistry and started taking classes at the local community college by the time they're 12 (okay, I'm exaggerating here) or that they are God-fearing, Bible-believing, Truth-loving Christians???????? 

  Getting down off my soapbox now 

Aug. 28, 2008 - More Information on Christian Drews

I have so been wanting more information on how to send condolences to  David and Marsha and thanks to Spunky I have it.  We're going on vacation next week and the thought even crossed my mind that we should change our plans and head to TX instead.  But in my head, I know that is not feasible.  We have never met the Drews IRL, but I so want to hug their necks right now and comfort them in their loss that at times it overwhelms me to think of their pain right now.  

Please visit  Heart of the Matter  there is a wonderful tribute to Christian's life and several pictures of this sweet, precious boy. A blonde haired Korean, such a cutie.   

I am still in shock about this and imagine I will be for some time to come, as will many of us who have been friends with Marshie for any length of time.  Of course Marsha is one of those wonderful ladies that is everybody's friend. 

Sweet Cheeks is about a year younger than Christian.   I remember when we were in the process of adopting her, I guess Dozer was not even a year old... then.  Marsha left comments almost daily, encouraging us to hang in there, asking for any news, and letting us  know prayers were being lifted up for SC and for us.   How I appreciated every comment from Marshie during that time. 

I know one question that many people must be asking is why?  Especially if you're faith is not in the Almighty Father.  Even those of us with faith in the One who created us in our inmost being are asking why in our heart... but in our head we know that God is in control of all things.  He has preordained everything, this is no accident or tragedy in His eyes.  Sometimes, it is hard to understand and accept but this is all part of His plan.  Bad things happen to good people because sin entered the world through one man.  As the world grows farther away from the fall, bad things increase because we are farther away from the days when Adam walked with God in the cool of the evenings in the Garden, in perfection.  We have to deal with the consequences of this sin, in this case the seemingly useless death of a 3 year old "baby" boy. 

Things like this are beyond our comprehension.   Especially in times like this, when a family loses a precious little son, or when a wife, like Heather, loses her precious husband at such a young age.   Yes, it is hardly understandable, that God would have a reason to call this sweet little man home when his life has hardly begun, but that's not for us to know.  It's for us to trust the Father above and know that His plan is best even when it hurts to the core of our soul.

It is for us to know that this little man is before the Throne praising the Father!  He is with other's that have gone on before us.  Who knows maybe Eric Davis and Christian are walking the streets of gold together right now. 

I know that is how David and Marsha are getting through each moment right now... trusting in the God who gave them this precious gift if for only a little while

Cards or Correspondence can be mailed to:
David and Marsha Drews
c/o Rachel Harris
12830 N. Cypress Lane
Tomball, TX 77377

Please continue to pray for this family any time you think of it for the forseeable future.  

Aug. 27, 2008 - More Information A Different News Story

Aug. 27, 2008 - Please Pray for the Drews Family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David and Marsha have lost their little 3 year old darling boy Dozer.  Apparently he took off his life jacket while they were swimming in a pond...  He is with Jesus.  In case you don't know Marsha is just the sweetest woman ever and my heart is breaking for this family.  Please lift them up in prayer. 

Steve Walden wrote about it here. 

Aug. 27, 2008 - Be Wise in Adoption

Well, it seems like I'm a blogging fool lately.  But we leave for vacation soon so this will slow down shortly

While surfing this morning, I found a comment on someone's blog that I felt I had to address.  I left this comment on the commentor's blog, but thought it might be worthwhile to repost it here: (BTW, I purposely deleted the name of the original blog and did not link to the commentor's website as I felt that it wasn't necessary).  The comment's in black are "Mary's" (name changed to "protect" identity) comments,  Mine  are in green. 

In addition to that comment, I also found a link on a fellow blogger's site to Ethica.  Apparently they are an organization that encourages ethical practice in adoptions, but look at this tidbit on their homepage:

Ethica's position on Legal Unions for Gay and Lesbian Parents

Ethica believes that children need permanency in loving homes.  We support any action that ethically provides that.  We are troubled that while children are often finding permanent homes in gay and lesbian households, there is less permanency than we'd like to see due to the lack of legal relationships for both parents and their children.  States that do not provide for the necessary legal provisions are not doing all that can be done to create true permanency for children.  However this can be addressed through the availability of same sex marriage, civil unions with full rights, and legal adoption by both parents.  To this end, Ethica encourages legislative action that reflects best adoption practices and research supporting gay and lesbian families.  It is vital that legal connections are established between their children and both parents. 

No Thanks!!!! Need I say more?

Aug. 26, 2008 - "Bad" Joke lands Kentuckian in Jail

Does anyone else think this is absolutely ridiculous?  Personally, I don't think this is a "bad" joke.  A man spends 3 days in jail for joking around with the wrong person.  This is political correctness to the absurd extreme. The fact that the Aunt of these girls even wanted this man arrested is beyond my imagination, but what kind of judge puts a man in jail for joking around?  Further more, let's think about this-- is any man  going to make a s*xual inuendo to 2 teen girls in front of their Aunt, Mother, Father, etc???   THAT would be even stupider than what this Aunt and the Judge did!

Maybe Kentucky judges should learn their history lessons: 

Appalachian scholar Loyal Jones said the jest Hensley made has been around for generations and actually is intended as a compliment.

How does an age old joke become s*xual????? 

I think I'll have to forward this to my Daddy has a warning.  He calls women all the time "pretty lady" and jokes to get people to laugh. He'll be 69 this year, believe me, he's not flirting, he's just having fun.   He might be calling me to post bond some day...

Not only must people like this have no life, they must suck lemons for fun.

Aug. 25, 2008 - Please Use Snopes

We have an aquaintance that lives in PA.  Every now and then, she sends us different "important" emails.  Today she sent the one that has been circulating for 8 years about the drug Phenylpropanolamine.  Although at the time, this was true it is vastly outdated!   I have told this woman about  Snopes, and encouraged her to verify emails before she sends them out but this one "sounded important" so instead of checking, she sent it on.  Even the link to the FDA in the body of the email, says that this email is obsolute!   

Please people, if you get an email like this, or any other that could or could not be true verify it before you send it on blindly.

www.snopes.com  in the search box, type a key word from the email.  In this case I typed Phenylpropanolamine and it took me right to it. 

Aug. 24, 2008 - Pictures from Worlds of Fun

I had a dumb moment-- actually several of them lately.  I haven't been able to upload pictures for some time now.  I thought HSB was having issues again, even though I haven't had any issues with them for a long time.  Well, it wasn't HSB-- it was ME!  I have been trying to add pictures using the link editor instead of the picture editor.  (is that even the right term?  Hopefully ya'll know what I mean).  So I have pictures from our day at WOF. 

You have to see this face.  Bubba had the time of his life that day....

This is what he looked like, all day long.

The Boomerang... this one pulls you up slowly and then you drop like on a roller coaster, around and upside down a couple of times and up the other side... then you do it again... backwards. 

Wanting to ride the Patriot, but less than an inch too short.

Shane and Bubba on the Mamba.  A 256 Ft. drop.  I couldn't watch them after this point.  This is what I watched instead

Isn't she cute???????

Shane, Bubba and Princess on the Detonator.  This thing goes up and down and up and down a little at a time, and then wheeee all the way up!  And back down... no thanks!

I like Little Bit's speed better

His favorite ride, the Red Barron planes.

The Fury of the Nile that ate Little Bit's shoe.

Aug. 24, 2008 - Guess What We're Doing?

This is not the week we wanted to harvest our apple tree, since we leave for vacation Friday.  But when nature speaks, you listen, or let the wildlife have them.  Since we haven't had apples on the tree, because we've been pruning it back the the last couple of years, and the late frost last year, we really want these apples.  So, this afternoon, we the children and Shane picked apples.  We are working on some in the kitchen.  The dehydrator is ready to start, and I'll be running the juicer before long for home made apple juice.  Hopefully, we'll try our hand at apple leather too. 

Applesauce, Apple Butter, and Apple Jelly will be on the agenda either this week or after vacation. 

It's quite the assembly line:

Coring and peeling the apples

Cutting the ground apples for juice.  Sure wish we had a cider press

putting apple slices on the dehydrator trays

I'm helping too-- yummy apples!

BTW, had to buy eggs from a neighbor this week.  We're down to 2 chickens.  Bummer... apparently that owl that was in our chicken house a while back decided to eat our chickens. 

Aug. 23, 2008 - I'm Not Surprised!

I have been receiving news from One New Now for a couple of weeks.  Today, came an article about the Catholic group Fidelis being upset that Obama picked a pro-abortion running mate in Joe Biden.  One word for you--

DUH!!!!!!!!!!

Aug. 23, 2008 - Grandpa's Movie Projector

Since we are childless today, Shane is finally getting around to looking over the Super 8/8mm movie projector he got from his Grandpa several weeks ago, so he can see what he has to work with for his new business.  Wow, do we have a treasure.  Taking the projector out of the box, Shane found the instructions,  in one language-- English.  Imagine that.  It also included a one year warranty-- hehe.  I think that's just a little past date. 

Then, he found several pages of notes.  Grandpa has logged every reel that he filmed.  Including 8 hours coverage of the 1980 Republican National Convention, a trip to Hawaii they took while Shane's dad was stationed there in the Navy, before Shane.  And many other treasures. 

He's going to be working with them, to put some of them on CD's for Christmas presents for the family, and to learn the technique. 

In other news on the business, we have the ability to convert 8 tracks to CD's, videos to DVD's and also have the ability to scan your valuable documents to a CD for safekeeping.   I also found a small screen yesterday afternoon at the thrift store for $3.00. Shane also discovered that he got a real deal on his computer he purchased a few weeks ago, so I could have his old one.  Well, it has Adobe Creative Suite on it-- the deluxe version.  After googling, he found that the software alone retails for $2500.00 and he paid only $500 for the computer with the software attached.  I believe God is blessing this venture... now we only need more business so he can come home! 

Another quick funny.  Shane was working on some things while Little Bit was spending the night at Grandma's a while back.  As Bubba was telling LB goodnight, he describes a record to Little Bit the other night... they're  big and black, well, ummm, they're kind of like a giant black CD. 

Aug. 22, 2008 - Funnies Between Bubba and Sweet Cheeks and Victoria Secrets

This afternoon, I was taking the children into town so they could spend the night with Shane's parents.  Bubba was making commentary along the way to Sweet Cheeks... it was very comical to listen in...

Sweet Cheeks, that is McDonalds,  they have good food.  Okay?

Yesssh 

Sweet cheeks, that is Quick Trip, that is where you get gas Okay?

Yesssh

Sweet Cheeks that is Prisicilla's (along the lines of Fredricks of Hollywood, from what I understand) and that place is EVIL you don't ever want to go in there.  You won't ever go in there right? 

Yessssh

Don't go into Victoria Secrets either, they show their Secrets, okay? 

Yesssh

Obviously, he didn't see my recent post on my recent purchase at VS. 

Mom:  Bubba, there is nothing wrong in and of itself with Victoria Secrets.  I'm don't like their window displays.  Remember, Mommy just went and got some undergarments there.  

Oh Mooooom, yuck... You mean it's okay for married people? 

Yes, Honey, I know it's hard to understand, but you will want your wife to shop there some day...

Moooom, I will NOT!  You mean I'm gonna WANT to see my wife in her BRA?????????? No way!

Yes honey, trust me, someday you will understand and you won't have a problem with it. 

That ended the running commentary to SC about what business did what...

Aug. 21, 2008 - Carey-- Peter's Mom from Liberia

You didn't leave a way for anyone to contact you .  Yes, Kellie and I are good friends.  I would be happy to forward your info to her.  Please click the "email me" link in my sidebar and email me so Kellie will have a way to contact you.  

Aug. 19, 2008 - For the Girls Only

Okay girls, I have hesitated posting this because of the subject, but I figure that if some of you can post your birthing stories, I can post my undergarment story.  (Princess would be so embarrassed if she knew ).  But I'm not gonna tell her, so here goes...

A few weeks ago, Shane's mom had the older 3 children and I met Shane in town for dinner and after some discussion, we ended up at Victoria's Secret.  So Shane and Sweet Cheeks took a walk while I got sized and tried on.   I am probably like many of you.  I usually buy inexpensive Walmart bras.  And I was well overdue,.  But like many of you I put that off for things for the hubby or the children. 

It has been several years and a few pounds since I've been sized, and what I had been wearing was way off...I have to tell you it took all that is in me to spend $40 on a new bra, but I have to tell ya'll I LOVE it!  I know it's silly that a bra could do so much for a woman, but it has.  At 43 years old, it is nice to have a bra that gives me a little lift, and excellent support.  And it just feels good to have a bra that fits.  What was recommended to me is "Body by Victoria" it is lightly lined and shaped.  After I bought one,  we went across to Macy's and I bought 2 traditional type bras, and I wish I would have went ahead and bought a 2nd from VS and bypassed what I got a Macy's.  I did buy a 2nd one on ebay, but it's not the same style, so it fits a little differently. 

Now I don't want to wear anything else but my VS.  In a couple of weeks I'll have enough extra money to buy another. 

So that's it! My undergarment story

Aug. 15, 2008 - What a Way to Spend an Anniversary!!!

As usual, I am behind a day or two in matters of extreme importance....

Yesterday Shane and I celebrated 14 years of marital bliss.  I truly cannot believe that it has been this long, it seems like just yesterday we were sitting on "our" swing at college talking about our future together, and now here we are, in the future.  And having a wonderful time of it. 

When I think of my past, my parents 3 divorces each, and what the world says should have happened to me, I sit with tears in my eyes.  

 I think about how wonderful my dearest is.  The chance he took on me, being a fairly new believer, (I think I was about 3 when we married) with the track record I held.  With my past life in the world.  And yet he accepted me for who I was and has helped me grow into the person I am today.

He is  an incredible husband and father.  I do not even come close to deserving him and was given abundant grace by the Heavenly Father when he so chose to bless me with such a man. 

Sweetheart, you are the LOVE of my life!  And I thank God for the blessing you are to me!

Now, I can tell you how we celebrated.  We went to World of Fun.  (We will get a night to ourselves next weekend when Shane's parents will have the children). 

Every year this time, Shane takes a  vacation day off work for a family day.  In years past, we've gone to the state fair, and have actually been there at least once on our anniversary.  Honestly, I have been a bit disappointed that we were going to miss the state fair and have been complaining a bit about it a bit.  But a great time was had by all at WOF and I was even the one encouraging Shane to stay until closing... esp. since who knows when we'll go back again. ( We were there before the gates opened, so we had a full day of it).

 I can't find my card reader right now, so pictures will have to be forthcoming...

 Yesterday morning was a bit rainy, but it slowed down and the temperature was perfect.  Didn't even have to wear the clear zinc oxide.  And didn't have to wait to long in any line either.  We ordered tickets online-- they have an  deal where you get your entry and an all you can eat meal for less than a regular admission ticket.  The food was good, and we were starving by the time 3:00 rolled around.  Fried Chicken, BBQ, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, chips and chocolate chip cookies.  Drink included. 

Bubba and Shane even rode the Mamba, one of the tallest roller coasters in the world (I think it's highest drop is 256 ft.)  You can see it for miles before you actually get to the exit for the park.   He was 1" to short for a few of the rides and was disappointed to not be able to ride the Patriot.  He rode every other roller coaster, including the kiddie one.  For now,  I'll just have to tell you about the huge, goofy grin on his face the entire day. Imagine teeth-- everywhere.  Even when they were pulling the cars up to the top of the boomerang to come down and twist around.  Even as the boomerang was coming down at an alarminly fast rate of speed... probably even when he was on the Mamba, but I wasn't there, so I don't know!   

I am not real crazy about the roller coasters.  It's not the upside down, or even backwards that bothers me.  It's climbing upwards slowly, slowly and then the DROP! and down, down, down.  Yikes!  I did ride the Timberwolf and one of my favorites was the Zulu.  I even liked the Spinning Dragons.  And I told Shane that if he wanted to, I would ride the Patriot with him.  (Bubba was too short, by that measly old inch and Princess had no desire to ride it) But he chickened out hehehe!!!

 Sweetcheeks enjoyed everything she was big enough to ride including the Scrambler, the Octopus, and the kiddy roller coaster.  I have a feeling that her and Bubba will be riding budies in the future   She was hollering and waving at Princess and LB as we were riding the Octopus and she was beside herself when she didn't think she was going to get to ride the Ford Fairlane again.  "Agin Daddy" "ride, Daddy" "Agin, agin" was most of her vocabulary yesterday. 

Princess enjoyed the "danger" rides to a degree, but once was enough for her on most of them.  She rode the Zulu with me, and the Detonator with Bubba and Shane.  But says her favorite was the Scrambler.  That's always been one of my favorites too.  An oldy but goody I call it. 

Little Bit had a great time, he rode the big rides, but was perfectly content riding the airplanes in the kiddie area.  The excitement of the day came when everyone but me and SC, she was too small and I was fairly dry and wanted to stay that way, rode the  Fury of the Nile for the 2nd time. 

We were waiting at the observation area and saw them go by having a great time.  When they got off, here comes LB with only one shoe.  The Nile ate it!!!  It fell off as he was getting out of the raft.   He was not very happy, but he accepted it and went on.  No big fits, no lashing out.  I am so very proud of him and the improvments he's made.  Later, we found an employee and asked him how often someone looses something in there and he said "daily"  I think that eased his mind and he went on to enjoy the rest of the day.   Unfortunately, it was the new pair of Nikes that I had just bought him, but thank goodness it was a pair I had picked up at the thrift store for a couple of bucks.  But he really did like them!  (do any of you really think I'd spend a bucketload of money for a brand new pair of Nikes?) Thankfully it wasn't Bubba's glasses or Shane's or a watch, wedding band, or anything else more valuable. 

As we were getting ready for bed, Shane commented to me that celebrating our anniversary with our family was a great way to remember our 14 years together, and I agree. 

Aug. 9, 2008 - More Olympic Yuck

This has nothing to do with China, but it does have to do with what "sport" qualifies as an Olympic sport.  Today, we trecked to town thinking we would go to Paradise Park and ride go karts, play mini-golf, and shoot each other in the foam factory.  It was sprinkling when we left and we were hopeful that either a) it wouldn't be raining in the city, or b) the outdoor activities would be running anyway since the rain was not even hardly there. 

As we walk in, the T.V. was on, just as it is at every place, everywhere these days.  Paradise Park is no exception.  They Olympics were on.  But I had to tell my boys and my hubby to not even look, because there were bikini clad women on the screen.  Since when are bikini clad women with che*ks hanging out playing beach volleyball an Olympic sport???? 

I remember being in college, going to the state park down the road, where there was a beach volleyball net set up.  The local Mennonite women would play this sport in their dresses.  So why do the Olympics have to border on pornography? 

I've changed my mind...I doubt we'll be watching any of the Olympics on purpose. 

BTW, we ended up at a different branch of our wonderful library and I didn't give the children a book limit, we spent about 2 hours there, the children brought home bags of books.  And since Shane was there, I even got to bring some things home.  Stopped by Dollar General and Walmart for a couple of things.  Then we ate lupper (lunch/supper) at Cracker Barrel (one of my favorite places to eat) and then we explored the new Bass Pro Shop... very cool.  It was kind of comical --Shane pointed out that the women were the ones walking around with the bored, lets get out of here looks... You know the same looks you see at the mall on the faces of the men waiting on their women   (I'd like to think I wasn't among those bored faces I really did think it was cool).  Home, showers and bed for the children.  Searching for some last minute books for this years AO schedule for Princess.  She's doing year 7.  Anybody know where I can get the right set of Churchill's "The Birth of Britain" without spending a small fortune?????

Aug. 8, 2008 - One World One Dream

I might really tick some people off here, but I am about to be sick.  I haven't really thought much about the Olympics.  Or to the fact that they are in China, until tonight... I've had other things to be more concerned about (like how I'm going to deal with the nasty lady at the only ortho office in the metro that will take LB's insurance for his ortho work over the next 10 years due to his cleft palate). 

So tonight we turned on the T.V. for a few minutes thinking that we'd find something ridiculous  (like Red Green) to watch while we sipped a glass of wine.  Instead we found the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.  Honestly, I'm not a big summer Olympic fan even during normal circumstances.  We will usually watch some of the winter games, usually some of the ice skating, and skiing, but I wouldn't even say I'm a fan of them either.  If we happen to catch some of them great, if not I'm not gonna cry.  My world doesn't stop.  We haven't studied or even talked much about the games.  If I remember, we might watch some of them this week, but it definately won't be a priority on our school schedule.    The children are definately much more excited about going to Paradise Park tomorrow and Worlds of Fun Thursday than the Olympics. 

Okay, so back to the opening ceremonies.  The commentators are discussing how wonderful this year's Olympics are.  How happy the participants look (could have fooled me, yes, some of them were, but many had sour faces). They talked about how prosperous China is becoming (I couldn't help but think about how much of their success is at America's expense--remember all those Polly Pockets that had to be recalled because of lead based paint?) And how wonderful it "feels" to be a part of something so great!

There is no mention of China not keeping even ONE of their promises that they made in order to secure the Olympics.   And yet, the olympics continue.  No, it's not fair to those atheletes that trained, but something could have been done before 2 weeks before the games, couldn't have it? 

The atheletes are going to be competing with smog infested air quality.  I understand that the US biking team came off the plane wearing masks, then ended up apologizing for offending the Chinese government, and taking the masks off.  What happened to the communist country apologizing for not keeping their promises and subjecting these first class atheletes to terrible air quality. 

The commentators continue to goo-goo and ga-ga about how wonderful it is that China is hosting the olympics.  Let me set the record straight. 

It is not wonderful that the entire world is normalizing communism. 

Then there is the theme for this year's games. 

One World One Dream. 

Makes me want to break out and sing...

"I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony"....

"We are the world, we are the children..."

 gag me with a spoon. 

Would this dream be the one child per family policy? Or the dream of communism?  

Would you believe that Shane just came out clearing his voice and saying that he just couldn't hold it in any longer.  He belted out the first line of "I'd like to teach the world to sing" and said he really wanted to share a Coke with his communist neighbor.  Then he said maybe a Budweiser would be more appropriate... but then that won't work either now since a Belguim company will own Anheuser-Busch before long.  

Oh where oh where has the U-S-A gone, Oh where oh where can it be?

If this country elects Obama, we could live out the One World, One Dream motto in 4 years or less...

(btw, if you don't like what I've said please move on, my blog, my thoughts.  The don't violate HSB's TOS.  Any nasty comments will be deleted, thank you.) 

Aug. 8, 2008 - Adoption Passion?!?

I received an email the other day asking if I would share where my passion for adoption has come from...

I haven't posted the answer yet, because well, honestly I've been pondering it.  I guess I 've never really thought about my being passionate about adoption.  It's just part of who we are. 

Just in case you haven't noticed, I am a very passionate person.  There is very little gray area with me... black or white please and thank you very much.  

I imagine that's why adoption is a passion for me, at least part of the reason.  As for where it came from... I honestly don't know.   I guess it developed over the years.  I have a degree in social work, so those kind of things have always interested me.  At one point I even considered applying for a position at social services, but I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it... it would tear me apart to see all those precious children in homes that weren't theirs, sleeping in strange beds, away from all that was familiar to them.  I would want to take all of them home and "make it better" for them. 

I've always loved children.  Always wanted to be a wife and mom.  I remember a cute little 2-3ish year old redheaded girl when I was working at a day when I was in my late teens early 20's.  I felt so sorry for her.  She spent hours and hours at that day care.  They were open from early in the morning into the wee hours of the night. Sometimes she'd be there from early morning, until the day care closed at midnight or later.   Her mom was an "exotic dancer" at one of the clubs down the road.  Every day when I left, I wanted to take her home with me.  Hopefully she's grown up now.  I think of her from time to time and wonder what has become of her.  I pray that she didn't follow in her mother's footsteps, but I'm fearful that she did.

When Shane and I were courting, I told him that I didn't think I would ever birth a baby.  I didn't know why.  I had just had that feeling for several years.  We talked about adopting as an option if we couldn't have biological children.  Shane, being the man that he is,  never batted an eye.  He accepted  me for what I was.  And today, he accepts me for who I am, and we continue life.  I live with the consequences of my former life nearly every day.  I believe that not having biological children is one of the consequences of that life.   But God has blessed us with fabulous children.  Even if I could birth "my own" I wouldn't trade these precious blessings for anything in the world.   

I almost think that if you are an adoptive parent; especially if you have no biological children, you have to be passionate about it.  Especially with our family-- it's fairly obvious that our children are adopted.   People ask questions.  Some people are really just curious.  Some people are interested in adopting and quite honestly, some people are just plain ole nosey.  We are very open people, what you see is generally what you get.  Even today my daughter told me she admired that "I say it like it is."  If you ask, I'll tell ya what I think.   Sometimes you may not like what I think.  If that's the case, then you might not want to ask.  Oh, I'll try to be gentle about it, but I'm not one to hide under the table either.

So when people ask questions about adoption, we answer.  (Well most of the time anyway...sometimes they are EXTREMELY personal questions) Although I will say that since the last 2 or 3 came along, those questions aren't asked nearly as often now. 

I guess another reason is that it is something tangible that a pro-life couple can do.  I was on the board of region wide Right to Life in our state several years ago.  We met once a month and discussed many things to educate people about abortion.  We also talked about ways to raise money to pay the salary of the office worker, etc.  That is good and needed.  I appreciate the work that Right to Life does.  I always appreciate seeing the booths at the local fairs, and have enjoyed working those booths in the past years.  But since adopting children, I feel that we are really doing something to live it out.  In a way, we are telling moms considering abortion that there is someone out there that is willing to adopt your child if you are unable to care for him/her and we're not only telling them that, but we're living it out right in front of them.

I LOVE my family.  Oftentimes we are told what "wonderful people we are" and how "blessed our children are"   I tell them that we are no different from their family in that respect we the family that God has put together and then I tell them that the blessings flow both ways.  We are extremely blessed to have the children we have.  To be trusted especially by the birth families of the 3 that came to us by way of relinquishment and not state's custody.  Two of those 3 chose us specifically.  They wanted  us to be their child's parents. 

We have a wide variety of experience in adoption, at this point, we have adopted privately, through the state and internationally.  How many people do you know that have experienced all 3 types of adoptions?  I can't think of anyone else we know right now that have.  We have an open adoption, semi-open adoptions and a closed adoption.  We know people that are foster parents.  We know people that have adopted through the foster care system.  We know children that have been in the system for many years, and have been moved from home to home to home, before they are legally free for adoption.  We know children that have never been placed in permanent homes and have been raised by the system.  So I observe and learn from all of these experiences and then I share with others...

So I guess that's why I'm passionate about adoption.

Aug. 5, 2008 - Please Forgive my Lack of Sympathy

A couple of weeks ago, I actually got caught up on my google reader.  For some time I have been deleting most, if not all of the drudge report feeds.  But today I took a couple of minutes to actually look at a couple of the stories.  (Dial up makes it nearly impossible) 

 While I was reading I came across this news story about a man claiming he is too fat to be executed.  Apparently the man was to be executed a few years ago but had poor veins.  Since that time he has gained weight which has made the problem worse.  Forgive me for being crass, but put the man on a bread and water diet!  He won't need many nutrients for longevity.  

I'm trying hard to figure out why it's okay to starve a woman (Teri Shiavo) that hasn't done anything to anyone but her poor husband that has abandoned her and why it isn't okay to "help" a man sentanced for death row loose a few pounds.  Or why it even matters if he has a painful death.  I'm sure he wasn't worried about that while he was r*ping and m*rdering his 2 victims. 

Forgive me for not having any sympathy for this man! He made the choice to do these nasty,nasty crimes and now he's worried about his pain--poor baby...

I'll tell him the same thing I tell my children when they've done something that causes unsavory consequences.  "You should have thought of the consequences before you did it"

Jul. 29, 2008 - Google Yourself

I took Karen up on her tag.  Thought it would be fun... wait til you see what I found   NO, not any of those sites.  (Do you think people put their names on those sites?  I would have NO way of knowing that answer and really don't want to know)

Just Google yourself (i.e., type your own name into Google to see what comes up), and then share the top 5 things that come up. So, I apparently am:

1.  A realtor in Northern Virginia (would LOVE to be in VA it's very beautiful there)

2. A photographer.  Very cool.  I've often thought about taking up hobby photography.  Someone was doing an online class I found though a blog, but I can't remember for the life of me who it was, and they haven't posted their assignments recently --hint hint.

3.  I am old enough to retire from Sequa Corporation

4.  I am an attorney in San Franscisco--no thanks!

5.  I was stabbed and murdered in Baltimore... Yikes!  Poor girl was only 15 years old.  Maybe we should pray for this girls family.

So feel free to do this one, it is kind of interesting.  My blog didn't show up on the first page, but a couple of other's did with my name.