Politics

Okay, I do love politics, but I don't discuss them much. I'm the type of person that has really great arguments going around in my head, but I get too fired up over things that when I go to speak them I can't formulate the words, much less a sentence. So, it usually works best for me to direct people to where I got my info.

But today, well today is different. I just watched Matt Damon in an interview on ABC. I don't know why they were interviewing him. I'm assuming he has a movie out or something. I don't usually know what the latest movies out are. But, the clip I saw was him commenting on Sarah Palin. He's afraid of her becoming president if McCain dies. He actually said there is a 1 in 3 chance McCain won't survive his first term in office. What? I wonder where he got that info from. He also said that he does not know why being a mayor of a really small town, and gov. for less than two years qualifies her to be president. He said he just thinks it is so scary, doesn't think 8 weeks is enough time to get to know her, and he just doesn't know enough about her. Has he not heard about all that she accomplished during her terms in office? Probably not because it sounds like he is just getting his news from the MSM.

Okay, that being said, I do understand his sentiment, and I say absolutely find out about the candidates. Get to know them, what they've accomplished, are they prepared. All good questions, and the nice thing is that what people have accomplished in office is well-documented and probably you can find out a lot in just 8 weeks if you do a lot of googling. It's really amazing the info that's at our hands these days.

So, let's look at Obama for a minute (and only a minute b/c the whole Matt Damon thing gets better). Obama is running for the actual President position, not VP. Does he have more experience than Palin because if he is elected he will definitely be the president? I don't think so. As a senator you don't have executive experience. And, he's only been a senator for one term right? And, half that time has been spent campaigning. Oh, but I do know he voted for partial birth abortion about 4 times though.

Okay, but regardless who you are for, back to Matt Damon. He went on to say he needs to know if Sarah Palin actually believes that there were dinosaurs on this earth only 4,000 years ago, and if she really wanted to ban books in the library. Huh? What the #%&@ (excuse the language, yet another reason I don't often argue politics) does that have to do with her being VP? THAT is what he needs to know?? And, apparantly it is because he said he needs to know if she believes this about dinosaurs because she is going to know the nuclear codes. Wow. That's deep Matt. Thanks for bringing up dinosaurs. I am definitely going to find out what Biden and McCain believe about dinosaurs too so I can really make the right decision.

Check it out for yourself. I am not making this up. Really, I'm not. It's at the tail end of the video ...

Feeling Sad

This has been a tough week. We said good-bye to a dear sister in Christ, Lucille Valori. We had dinner with her and her husband, Pastor Valori, just weeks before she was diagnosed with one of the worst kinds of brain tumors. They ministered to us greatly that evening. Madelyn absolutely LOVED Lucille. Madelyn is my reserved child who takes a bit to open up to people, but Lucille had this quiet, gentle way about her that Madelyn was just drawn to. When we were pulling out of the driveway that evening to go home Madelyn asked if we could go back the next day. So sweet!

I told Lucille how much Madelyn enjoyed her and she said to bring her over any time to spend an afternoon with her. Lucille also offered to watch the kids for me any time because she knew what it was like to not have family around to rely on for childcare. I truly planned to do that, to allow Madelyn to spend an afternoon there, and to keep her in mind for babysitting. I also just wanted to get to know her better, only it was not to be. The Lord had other plans.

As I said, it was only weeks later that she was diagnosed, and it was only months later that the Lord called her home. I wish I could have known her better. The night we had dinner with them she asked me how I felt about being the wife of the Headmaster of a school. She shared her feelings and some experiences of being a Pastor's wife, and she was just so great about it. I loved her spirit and attitude about it all. She was so beautiful. She always looked so put together, and did not look her age, 74. I never would have guessed that was her age!

Her passing is just such a shock to us all, especially her husband. He told us he wakes up every morning just in shock. It all happened so quickly.

She is rejoicing with her Lord and Savior. Her race is finished. She is resting in the heavenlies. Praise God.

We also found out this week that Madelyn's beloved Kindergarten teacher, Laurie Suk, has stage 4 cancer. She was diagnosed with colon cancer that was removed, but it metastisized and is now in her lung. This is such devestating news. To see Laurie you would never know this. She looks great. She says she feels great so she hates the thought of more surgery or chemo. She also says she is prepared for what the Lord has for her. The problem is the rest of us are not! The King's Academy is such a family. You can't find a better group of people than the staff there. They are so loving and supportive, and when one of the TKA "family members" hurts so do the rest of us.

So, we will cover her with prayer and support her any way we can. We love you Laurie.

As in good times and bad we will rely on our Lord and Savior knowing that all things work together for His good. This is an imperfect, fallen world. We suffer, but we suffer with hope. We know that one day we will all rest in God's glory. Oh what a day that will be!

I don't like to wait ...

... (fingers tapping, fingers tapping) ... I want to meet a dog, Austin (some of you may have heard me mention his name, once or twice, or two thousand times). He is with a Rescue, living with a family. I've been in touch with the woman he's living with. I've been in touch with the woman who runs the rescue. We are at the point where we are ready to meet him and move forward, and then ... nothing. I haven't heard from anyone since Friday.

Now we did have a whole mess of a lot of rain on Saturday so at this point I am just assuming that they are all flooded out, their houses are floating, and they and the dogs are hanging on for dear life. I wish I could help them, but no one will contact me. I will take one of the dogs off of their hands (if he gets along with Daisy, loves my children, and doesn't mess in the house, eat my cats, or bark too much - simple things I look for in a dog) to lighten the load (I know, generous), but no one will contact me.

So, I wait (fingers still tapping) ... and wait (still tapping) ... and hopefully I will know something soon ...

UPDATE: I heard from the woman in charge of the Rescue today. She obviously hadn't received my other e-mail so now I should be meeting Austin on Sunday at a meet and greet they are doing for their animals up for adoption :oD

Never Too Early

Recently, I had my Bible out and Madelyn asked me what stories were in it. I told here ALL the Bible stories were in it. Then I asked her if she wanted to read one. After debating between reading about Moses or Samson she chose Samson. (She is my born student. I love it.)

So, we sat down and read the whole story of Samson. It was 3 or 4 chapters. She was soaking it in, and what a great opportunity to talk to her about God's people and the Philistines, and also about guarding her heart in regards to who she falls in love with.

The way I see it is it is never too early to start talking to your children about love, and what character traits to look for in a mate. I mean girls especially start very young with the princess stories, and fairy tales and princes, etc. They start thinking about marriage and love at a very young age. Madelyn was just soaking it all in, and it helps that I can point to Dan as a perfect example of the type of man to fall in love with.

I do the same with Elijah, only I tell him I am the only woman that he will ever need, and as long as he sticks with me we will live happily ever after. He doesn't need to bother with all those other young girls who are going to be looking to steal his heart and steal him away from me! ... (sigh) ... He just hugs me and tells me he loves me. Ah, the mind of a 3 year old boy :o)

My Sweet Girl

Madelyn started First Grade today. She is becoming such a grown up little girl. I love it and hate it at the same time.

She had gotten dressed, and eaten her breakfast when she asked where Elijah was. He was in our bed. Yes, he kicked me out last night and snuggled in with Dan. He was still sleeping when Madelyn asked me this so I told her I was going to blow dry my hair and that would probably wake him up. Well, when I get done with my hair I see her in my room kneeling down next to the bed where Elijah is. She was explaining to him that she was going to be gone all day, but would be home in the afternoon. He, with his sleepy little eyes, just said okay, but I could tell she was very concerned about leaving him so she wanted to make sure he knew where she was.

After we got Elijah dressed and ready to go Madelyn got her new school shoes on. She asked me, "Do I look taller in these shoes Mommy?" Of course I said, "Yes, I think you do. The sole of the shoe is a bit higher than your other shoes." To which she replied, "I already feel like I am 6 in these shoes!"

Love that girl.

Elijah and I walked her to her class. Well, she was pretty much running to her class. When we got there her cute little deskmate, Madison, said, "Hi Madelyn! You are right over here!" Madison, obviously an extrovert, and a perfect match for my little introverted girl. I think they may become good friends :o)

Notice the pictures. Madelyn was a goof the whole time. I had to make her just stand and smile for at least one.

... one day down (almost) of first grade ...