“And I come here as a Mom whose girls are the heart of my heart and the center of my world -- they're the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning, and the last thing I think about when I go to bed at night. Their future—and all our children's future—is my stake in this election.”

–Michelle Obama, Democratic National Convention

I don’t often listen to the radio, but I was in the car the other day, so I decided to listen to what people were saying about the Democratic goings on in Denver.  To say that the radio waves were awash with sloppy sentimentalism would be the understatement of the year.  According to the talk show host I was listening to, Michelle Obama’s speech on Monday evening was “very possibly the most inspiring speech ever given at a convention.”  Listeners who called into the station described Mrs. Obama as “sincere”, “honest” and “heartfelt”.

Which raises a question in my mind.  Was she really being sincere? 

“...that’s why I love this country.”  

Was Michelle Obama sincere on Monday night when she expressed her love of country, or was she being sincere in February when she stated, “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country.” ?  Is Michelle Obama in love with her country simply because her country is falling in love with her husband and his ideology?  What if John McCain wins in November?  Will she go back to being ashamed of the country where, by her own admission, “the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.”?

Andrew Sullivan of the Daily Dish called Mrs. Obama’s speech “One of the best, most moving, intimate, rousing, humble, and beautiful speeches I've heard from a convention platform. Maybe she should be running for president.”

Excuse me?  Does being an eloquent speaker really make you qualified to run for president?  I’ll admit that Michelle Obama’s speech was both articulate and emotionally compelling.  However, her eloquence in no way erases the questions I have concerning her husband’s suitability for the office of the presidency.  Should an eloquent speech by the wife of a presidential candidate really influence the votes of the American people? The fact that Americans are getting caught up in the compelling power of the rhetoric scares me more than anything.  Do we really believe that Mrs. Obama’s “emotional connection” with the American people means that her husband is competent to lead our nation?  Do we really think that Mrs. Obama’s articulation of how much both she and her husband love their children somehow makes Barack qualified to be one of the most powerful leaders of the free world? 

And since we’re on the subject of children…

“That’s why he’s running—…to make sure every child in this nation gets a world class education all the way from preschool to college. That’s what Barack Obama will do as President of the United States of America.”

I take issue with the Obama’s attempt at convincing me that they really care about my kids.  They talk about caring, but when push comes to shove, Barack Obama’s record (and rhetoric) has shown that he cares more about political power than doing what’s right for children.  He cares more about pandering to special interest groups than endorsing programs that could actually help our children. 

In support of their own children’s best interests, the Obama’s have chosen to spend somewhere between $30,000 and $40,000 per year to send their daughters to the private University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, one of the nation’s best prep schools.  A timeline of Obama’s wishy-washy support of school choice vouchers and charter schools provides some perspective on just how far out on a limb Obama is willing to go in support of our children’s best interests.  In 2002, when asked about school vouchers in an interview with Jeff Berkowitz, host of Public Affairs, a Chicago area cable talk show, Barack Obama said, “I would support anything that is going to be better off [in education] for the children of Illinois…whatever is on the table I think has to be debated.”  But in a 2003 Public Affairs interview, Berkowitz again asked Obama about his support of vouchers.  His reply reversed his previous position. “What I said was--I think that we have to consider every possibility of improving what admittedly is an intolerable school system for a lot of inner-city kids. I do not believe in vouchers. I am a strong supporter of charter schools, as you know.” 

But even that position changed when Barack Obama addressed the National Education Association on July 5, 2007.  Jeff Berkowitz voiced his concern about Obama’s latest flip-flop on his blog, Public Affairs, saying: “Speaking today to the NEA, the nation’s largest teachers’ union, Obama decided to pander with the best of the pandering presidential candidates, telling the assembled teachers that he would not “abandon public schools,” by handing out school vouchers. Instead, Obama is going to abandon the kids in the failing public schools and make sure they have no way out, whether it be via school vouchers or charter schools. Obama’s solution? Investing “billions of dollars,” in teachers by “raising teachers salaries.”  So in other words, Barack Obama supports school choice, but only for his own kids and anyone else who can afford to pay for the privilege of choice.

It would seem that when he’s discussing our nation’s educational crisis, Obama has proven that what he really means when he says “Change You Can Believe In”, is “Change you can’t count on unless you’re rich enough to pay for it.”  An editorial on the IBD (Investors Business Daily) Editorials website states it quite clearly, “While Obama's children enjoy the best education money can buy, he wants to deny inner-city children the education change we can believe in — school choice. He prefers cradle-to-diploma collectivist education.”  

I’m glad Michelle Obama loves her children.  I love my children, too.  And that’s exactly why I’m NOT voting for her husband.

Arby tagged me.  Thanks, Arby...all work and no play IS making Prodoceo a dull girl!!  And if you haven't read his 6 quirky things....be sure and head over to his blog.  The guy is very funny.

Today my family and I did what hundreds of thousands of other American citizens did.  We celebrated Memorial Day by watching parades, watching baseball, flying kites, boating, picnicking, and playing with our kids in a country where a tremendous degree of peace, freedom, and prosperity is still enjoyed.

And isn't that what Memorial Day is all about? 

Today we owe our deepest gratitude to the men and women who have served--and are still serving--our country in the most sacrificial way imaginable.  For it is because of their sacrifice that we enjoy all the benefits of being Americans.

And so this morning, we began our celebration of Memorial Day by remembering the sacrifice of Lewis D. Sibley and the family who loved him.

On Good Friday, March 30, 1945, Mr. and Mrs. Sibley of Newport, NH, wrote the following letter to their son, Lewis, who was serving his country with the US Army's 18th Infantry Division in Germany.

Hi Jo Mio--

The first Army is getting the big headlines here, even bigger than Patton's Third.  Warren Winter is in the 9th now so you may see him--he has your address and according to the papers, the 9th and 1st Army line ranged from Paderbourn in the North to Aschaffenburg in the South.  If you get into Cassel you are very near Gottingeu where I was so long.

I had a letter from Cedric yesterday full of your praise and a terrible discontent that he is sitting here.  The enclosed clipping, he said, illustrates what he will have to say when it's all over.

Your mother has washed the kitchen curtains this morning and is practicing now; she is going to sing "Were You There When They Crucified my Lord?" Easter morning.  I have got her a corsage of white gardenias as coming from you.  She is going to Claremont with Northrupp this morning.

(Note added in new handwriting)

Dearest Lewis, I can't help but see that I'm to have a gardenia on Sunday.  But honestly, I don't feel like wearing it until you come home.  But let's not tell Dad.  He wanted to write the letter today so I've given up the pleasure except for just this line or two which I feel better if I write.  God bless my son and please keep him well and safe.  Your loving Mother.

I am writing this in the north living room with no heat on--most unseasonable weather--about 90 degrees yesterday.  I have had to go into summer things.  We'll have to pay for this later, I'm afraid. 

We are going to call Mrs. Stang sometime over this weekend.  We had a letter recently that she had been sick and that Dick had heard from you.

Your mother wears your silver cross all the time with the exception of one night when she went out in the evening and wore the other one.   

Dearest Sonny, I can't help but picturing to myself in the squalor, the filth, the absence of all decencies of living, the awful din, the sights and stench of Death to which you are subjected, and I feel so humble and so helpless.

God grant that you come home to us sound and well--that is our constant prayer.

Vayar con Dios,
Dad

P.S. Bill Spanos has been missing since the Von Runstedt breakthrough, but his parents had a letter from him Tuesday morning, and a long letter in his own hand from a German prison camp.

Ten days after posting this letter to their son, Mr. and Mrs. Sibley received a Western Union telegram informing them of Lewis' death in Germany. 

Pt. Lewis D. Sibley died on March 24, 1945--six days before the Good Friday letter was written.

I can't help myself.  I HAVE to blog.  Several topics have coaxed me out of blogging oblivion.

First....Happy Anniversary to me!!  This week marked 23 years since Jim and I said "I do"!  And it has been a wonderful 23 years indeed.  Here we are looking very young....way too young to get married (I have to say that because my oldest turns 21 on Saturday...the same age I was when I got married!)

There is really nothing more I can say about this post than...well...enjoy!

Thanks everyone for bearing with me as I continue to have little time for the fun things in life....like blogging!  My project deadline is March 1st, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel!! 

In lieu of a "real" post, I thought I'd pass on something that just made my day...heck it made my entire week!

Coffee drinkers are ALWAYS looking for reasons to feel less guilty about downing multiple cups of the most delicious poison known to man.  This article and its accompanying linked research will keep me indulging guilt-free for many years to come. Never mind that this article is written by a self-proclaimed caffeine addict.  Never mind that there is just as much research which tells me that coffee is bad for me.  Never mind those pesky little heart palpitations.  I'm not gonna have post work-out muscle pain, alzheimers, cirrhosis of the liver, Type 2 Diabetes, Parkinsons, or eyelid spasms!

So go grab a cup of coffee and then go read this  and this....you'll probably want to follow it up with another cup of coffee...for the health benefits, of course.

What a week! 

It all started last Thursday with the flu. The 103 degree, hacking cough, 5-day variety. ICK. Me and the 4-year old.  That's always fun.  Since then, every one except my husband has come down with it. Then (also on Thursday) 5 students were shot and killed at Darcy's college campus.  Darcy came home Thursday evening and has been home ever since.  Classes will resume on Monday.

I'm ready for a vacation!

But there have been a few highlights in my week:

I was awarded this by two of my friends:

Thanks to Heather and Holly for thinking of me. 

The rules are as follows:

By accepting this Excellent Blog Award, you have to award it to 10 more people who’s blog’s you find Excellent Award worthy. You can give it to as many people as you want but please award at least 10. Thank you out there for having such great blogs and being such great friends! You deserve this! Feel free to award people who have already been awarded. 

I'm gonna be a bit rebellious and only award to 8 people! I wonder if the blog award police will come and steal my award for not following all the directions?

First, I am passing on this award to several young adults whose blogs I find excellent on several levels.  First of all, they are just great bloggers...nice designs, regular posts, interesting content.  But most of all, these young people are impressive in their spiritual maturity.  I am always thrilled when I meet young adults who love the Lord wholeheartedly and are not afraid to show it.  So the first three recipients are:

Amanda at The Daily Planet

Jocelyn at A Pondering Heart

Eric at The Voice of Experience

Then I also want to award it to a few other blogs that I find quite excellent:

Jen at Spirited Sons

Nikowa at Life According to Me

Crossview at Crossview Academy

Kristine at Mama Archer's Blog

Sunniemom at A Woman on Purpose

Now for those of you who have not yet discovered the Homeschool Lounge....you GOTTA join. I heard someone describe it as "a teacher's lounge--without the food." Of course, if you bring your own food...you can have food too.  Great fellowship and fun...come over and check it out!

A Little Valentine's Gift for my blogging friends...have a WONDERFUL day!!

Well, Rock Rapids, IA, was all that I expected it to be.

Cold.

-25F on Thursday morning as I drove to work. That's degrees.  Below zero.

Windy.

Wind chill...I didn't even want to know what the wind chill was.

Snowy.

Only about 4-6 inches...but the drifts across the roads...oh my.

It is most definitely NOT a big city. Not even a small suburb.

There was a Pizza Hut and a Subway. Oh, and a grocery store called Sunshine Foods with a deli serving "Taco Tuesdays".  I had a chicken salad croisant.

And yes, Arby, there were murals.

I didn't see all 17 of them, but the ones I saw were...um...well, interesting!  In all honesty, a couple of them actually were interesting.

But despite Rock Rapids not exactly being my "cup of tea", I had a wonderful week.  I stayed with a good friend and worked with a GREAT group of people at Alpha Omega Publications.  The project is not completely done, so blogging is still on a back burner.  But don't worry.  I haven't completely removed it from the stove!

And when AOP's new website is launched in the spring there will be a contest on my blog. So stay tuned.

Thanks for hanging in there with me!  I hope to visit lots of blogs over the next few days and try to catch up!