loverly weekend!!

What made this weekend loverly:

-Saturday morning Farmers Market with TJ and I.  I took my picnic basket along to carry all my goodies and I got so many compliments!!  (Who doesn't like to start off the day with someone telling you, you look cute?)  Great scores at the market: raspberries, cherries, and YUMMY lemonaide (or as Emma likes to call it Lemonlade).

-Saturday lunch was picnic in the park with family to celebrate Wyatt's 5th birthday!  The weather was perfect. Children behaved.  I had a yummy PB & P (peanut butter and preserve) samich. It was made better because I used my homemade raspberries preserves.

-Saturday evening was taking myself to a movie.  I thought I was going to see Thor but the time changed and I ended up seeing Priest.  Not that bad.  What made it really amazing was the backwoods drive to get to the theater.  The sun was setting and I was driving through farmland.  B-E-A-UTIFUL!  I didn't have a camera or I would have tried to capture some of it and skipped the movie.

-Sunday sleeping in!!  OH HOW LOVELY!! 

-Sunday had for lunch had ribs (ich!) but DELICIOUS corn on cob and baked beans.  Plus it made me feel loved that Dad would give the big chunks of meat off his rib to me.  He would eat the meat of the bone from my rib.  I don't like ribs because of the bone.  Weird I know.

-Went to grocery store for ingredient for dinner.  They had flowers on sale for $3.  Because I am a sucker I got a couple.  Fresh flowers just make you happier.  So they are sitting on the kitchen table for all to enjoy even though I wanted to be greedy and keep them in my room. 

-Dinner turned out great.  It was supposed to be Philly Cheese steak sandwhiches but I didn't have a gridle so they were grilled steak, pepper, onion and cheese samiches.  Still yummy though. 

-Dessert was Raspberry Crumble Bars.  I added the raspberries from the market and they turned out so much better than I expected.  I really need to learn patience.  I cut the bars before it was completely cool and because the preserve was still runny/warm, it was kinda soupy but that is ok.  it was still great even though it wasn't pretty on the plate.

I love weekend like these.  I feel rested but I was still productive (I even did dishes, laundary). I also learned my bank account is bigger than I expected.  I love that.  It isn't that I got extra money or anything but just keeping my spending low, and rounding everything up in the check register has REALLY helped!  Maybe I can swing for the new tent I want after all.

The End

After Ashton, we made it as far as Pocatello.  We spent the night in a hotel.  I was very concerned that TJ would mess in the room but thankfully that didn't happen.  We get up and head to Shoshone Falls.  TJ was ready to get out because right before we arrived at Shoshone, TJ went down to my feet and sat there.  WHILE WE WERE DRIVING!!  Silly dog.

Here is Shoshone Falls.  It is larger than Mesa Falls but we only had a $3 car fee here.

I originally had some more stops planed between Shoshone and home but I was tired and ready to be done with the car.  As we were driving through Bliss it was amazing how many wind turbines there are!!

Afte we were home for a few hours, it was off to a Memorial Day BBQ at Lexy's house.  It was a great weekend and never would have happened without the sacrifices of our military.  Because of many paid the ulitimate price, I live in a free country were I can travel without fear.  I can worship how I see fit. 

Words cannot express my feelings for our military so all I will say is

THANK YOU!!

Parade America

This is the float for Canyon County Republican Women/Canyon County Republicans.
Parade America is sponored by Exchange Club on held on Armed Forces Day each year. 

Theme:
America the Beautiful

Our float theme/banner:
Oh Beautiful for Heros..
who more than self their country loved
and mercy more than life.

Inspiritation:
Tomb of Unknown Soldier

The hours put into the float are too many to count but the pay off was great.
WE WON GRAND PRIZE!!
That is the 2nd year in a row for us.

The music was the 3rd verse, first chorus, and then Taps

The words were:
O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!

God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

It made me cry when it was all together with the soldier standing guard and Taps playing.

Just thinking about it makes me teary eyed so I am going to stop talking about it.  I think my feelings on the military are pretty clear.

Amazing news!!

OSAMA BIN LADEN is DEAD!!  When I heard the news tonight, the first thought that popped into my head was THANK HEAVEN!!  Second thought was "Ding dong the wtich is dead!!" (not really sure where that came from).

I had a great discussion with my parents about what this could mean in the future, what closure it must provide to the families from 9/11.  What hard work our military has been doing for the last decade.  How grateful we are for their sacrfice, a perpetual gartitude for every man and woman of the armed forced (and their families) from past, present, and future generations.

Of course threy was talk of the President and politics.  That is something that occurs daily in the household.  So before I go to bed, I turn on the TV and the President is giving his speech.  And I do have some thoughts about this.

According to the commentary from NBC the President was briefed to the death this morning.  But instead of announcing to the world of the accomplishment of the US Military, he plays his 9 holes of golf (the commentators even joked that he reduced it down from 18 he normally would have played because of the upcoming announcement).  I remember when the Trade Towers were hit, and Pres Bush was informed, the left were up in arms that he didn't leave the book reading and do something.  I had asked then, if he left what could he have done?  And the answer is nothing.  I would even suspect that as more details emerged, Bush would have been hussled to safety.

So begin the avid Facebooker I am, I post that comment.  Man did it light up a firestorm.  Comments ranged from "well I would rather he (Obama) wait til it was confirmed and got it right than announce prematurely".  I replied that this could have been avoid if Pres Clinton took that chance when first presented.  It was then commented that "we should be focused on uniting as a nation".  Which I decide not to respond too because it will just get ugly and facebook isn't the best place for that. 

But my response is: the nation was united until Pres Obama thought politics was more important that the American people.  He is the most divisive President.  The Congress seems to ignore the American people and follow the President.  I cannot believe how much legislation was passed when it seemed the country was against it.  I know that both sides claims they had the numbers but even the media with the polls showed how the majority was against Obamacare.  I thought the elections were rather telling that there was a shift in some of the power. 

Some additional comments were made that what I said were pop shots at the president and claimed we shouldn't be casting stones.  I agree.  Not that my comments were pop shots, because I believe they are valid, but that we shouldn't be casting stone.  I am not perfect, Obama not perfect. My FB friends are not perfect either.  However, I still voice my opinions becase we will never been perfect in this world so why shold that prevent me from presenting my opinion?  I am simply taking the logic that was applied to a previous President and apply it to the current one.  I also feel that Obama is forever casting stones.  I will be big enough to admit that I am petty and I am simply doing until others and they have done unto me. 

But from all of this I gather something alot more than a opinion of the Presidents behavior.  From this I have witnessed the true strength of the American spirit & military.  It is with continued sacrifices from men and women of the armed forces that I am allowed to voice my opinion.  That those who serve, have served, and will serve have a much greater strength, determination, will, love, hope, faith, courage, and bravery that I will ever posses. They are the greatest people in our history.  It is because of those who serve that we have the luxuries that we do.  That I can sit here in my bed, with my dog at my feet and type this.  While they are sleeping in tents, or trenches.  They should be written of in the magazines, instead of what starlet did this or who went to what party.  I am truly humbled by the actions that have been taken on the behalf of keeping me free.  The American military ensure that I can have a heated discussion with friend and coworkers.  They ensure that I can practice my faith as I see fit and others the opportunity not to practice.  While I may never support this President, I will always support the service men and women.  It is because of them, that such an accomplishment as been made.

Congrats to Mom!!

for finally being recongized byt the Canyon County Republican Party!
Ronalee Linsenmann is the 2011 Outstanding Republican!!
Of course she is THE MOST OUTSTANDING REPUBLICAN!!
It just took the party players 15 years to recongnize what our family has always known.

Blog overload ahead...

Sometime here shortly, there will be MANY MANY blog posting but I just haven't found the time yet.  Plus I still need to download the pictures too.  UGH!!  Too many things to do and not enough time. 

But here is what is on my MUST BLOG ABOUT LIST:
moving back to parents house - excited/UGH/scary/happy (PICTURES)

going back to school -  excited/UGH/scary/happy

Republican junk - Moms award/ (PICTURES)

101 Things - some accomplishments/back up and working

Valentine's party - (PICTURES)

Jana's birthday dinner (PICTURES)

Brehdi (PICTURES)

Red shoes (PICTURES)

Hectic update.

So life has been hectic but slow so here are just a few highlights.

-I am now Canyon County Republican Women Secretary.  That happened on January 22nd (I think)
-Major renovation at http://www.canyoncountyrepublicanwomen.com/ which I am very proud of.
-WOOHOO!!  I got a Droid phone!!
-Yesterday, today, and tomorrow I am working 630-1830 so I am beat!!
-Family is very active and healthy
-I cant wait for Monday because I have a day off!!

TV Pachys

So Mom belongs to a club called Treasure Valley Pachyderms. It is a conservative Republican group. They had their final meeting on Friday October 29th. Mom was supposed to decorate a table. She initially dropped the assignment because she was so busy with Jana's recption. However this put the club in a bind so I told them I would help. Mom helped and we came up with the theme of It's a Grand Old Flag. Our colors were pretty obvious of red white and blue. We only purchased the ballons holding up our sign and everything was what we had. Oh correction, we rented the red table cloth. Mom's dishes were the blue. My dishes are white. I thought the combo of the two was really great!! The center piece was an a collection of the flag the nation as used. It was really interesting. We had little old perfuse bottles of Betty Ross posed sewing the flag. Plus the elephants of course. We even had a hidden speaker playing "It's a Grand Old Flag". How awesome was that!! We had 43 votes. I think we should've been the winner but the program was a disaster so they never announced. We will see if they actually give it to us. There were only 120-150 people there and only 12 tables decorated. I doubt any other table campaigned as hard as we didn't so I doubt anyone else would have beaten us if they actually counted. Oh well. I know we had the best table.

Memorial Day..

While you are at the BBQs, and picnics that are typical this weekend, please remember WHY we HAVE this weekend! It is set aside so we may remember everyone who has sacrificied themselves so we may remain in a country were we have all the freedoms we have. The holiday isn't about the Presidents, the Wars, or the politics...it is about the men and women who are/were willing to be more couragous then we/me. I thank each and every veteran and their families for being better than me.

And because I love Trace Adkins and he is such a patriot, here is another song. Here is hoping that we may all live in peace one day:



In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Congrats to MOM!!

Mom is very involved with Republican Women. She has been President of Canyon County Republican Women.  She is currently Director of Canyon County Republican Women.  She has been VP in Idaho Republican Women and this she maybe President of Idaho Republican Women.  She is also Idaho Legistlative District 13 Chairman for Canyon County Republians.  She has worked as a precinct person in the District and is very proactive in promoting the true Republican platform..non of this RINO (Republican In Name Only) or liberal Republican stuff.  She is a true Republican!!

Well, because Mom is so great, through, and organized, alot get delegated to her.  For the past couple of years, she has been the float director for CCR (Canyon County Republicans) and CCRW (Canyon County Republican Women).  Each year we participate in Exchanges Clubs Annual Parade America.  Well, Mom has won 1st Place Civic and 2nd Place Civic.  This year we won GRAND PRIZE!!  WOOHOO!! Great job Mom and Dad. 

This year the theme was "America - A Blessing For All" and Mom came up with a brilliant float.  The music as set to Alabama's Fourty Hour Week.  The song said basically thank you for working fourty hour week even though you are going to send your money "further on down the line".  See the music video here on youtube.com.  The float itself consisted of children dressed in adult clothing of various occupations.  Everything from cowboys and girls to law enforcment, postal service, medical, and construction. 

For the medical, we did have an Uncle Sam in a wheelchair with an oxygen mask and an IV of money getting pumped into him.  We thought that was pretty funny.

Emma and Wyatt rode on the parade so I hung out with Lexy and Marlee. 

I just thought this was too cute not to post.

who knew you could learn so much in 8 mins?!

WOW!!  Well worth the 8min video!!

Canyon County Republican Women

I have been working on a project for Mom.  It is a website for Canyon County Republican Women.  We only paid $10 for the domain name and I have been able to do everything else for free!! Check it out at http://www.canyoncountyrepublicanwomen.com/!!

My dog sleeps about 20 hours a day. He has his food prepared for him. He can eat whenever he wants, 24/7/365. His meals are provided at no cost tohim. He visits the Dr. once a year for his checkup, and again during the year if any medical needs arise. For this he pays nothing, and nothing is required of him. He lives in a nice neighborhood in a house that is much larger than he needs, but he is not required to do any up keep. If he makes a mess, someone else cleans it up. He has his choice of luxurious places to sleep. He receives these accommodations absolutely free. He isliving like a king, and has absolutely no expenses whatsoever. All of his costs are picked up by others who go out and earn a living every day.

I was just thinking about all this, and suddenly it hit me like a brick inthe head,

Holy Shit, my dog is a democrat!

Thank you Dad for sending me that pick me up!!

pretty funny..

Don't get offended if you are a democrat...these are jokes that were sent to me by Dad and I feel are pretty funny and accurate...

Joke 1

A pretty little girl named Suzy was standing on the sidewalk in front of her home. Next to her was a basket containing a number of tiny creatures; in her hand was a sign announcing FREE KITTENS.

Suddenly a line of big black cars pulled up beside her. Out of the lead car stepped a tall, grinning man. “Hi there, little girl, I’m President Obama. What do you have in the basket?” he asked.

“Kittens.” little Suzy said.

"How old are they?" Asked Obama.

Suzy replied, “They’re so young, their eyes aren't even open yet.”

“And what kind of kittens are they?”

“Democrats,” answered Suzy with a smile.

Obama was delighted. As soon as he returned to his car, he called his PR chief and told him about the little girl and the kittens.

Recognizing the perfect photo op, the two men agreed that the president should return the next day, and, in front of the assembled media, have the girl talk about her discerning kittens. So the next day, Suzy was again standing on the sidewalk with her basket of “FREE KITTENS” when another motorcade pulled up, this time followed by vans from ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN.
Cameras and audio equipment were quickly set up, then Obama got out of his limo and walked over to little Suzy.

“Hello, again,” he said, “Id love it if you would tell all my friends out there what kind of kittens you're giving away.”

“Yes sir,” Suzy said. “They’re Republicans and Independents.”

Taken by surprise, the president stammered, “But … but … yesterday, you told me they were DEMOCRATS.”

Little Suzy smiled and said, “I know. But today, they have their eyes open.”

Joke 2

NO NATIVITY SCENE IN WASHINGTON D.C. THIS YEAR.
The Supreme Court has ruled that there cannot be a Nativity Scenein the UNITED STATES Capital this Christmas season. This isn't for any religious reason.

They simply have not been able to find Three Wise Men in the Nation's Capitol.

A search for a Virgin continues..

There will be no problem, however,finding enough asses to fill the Stable...

Joke 3

Some of you will recall that on July 8, 1947, a little over 60 years ago, witnesses claim that an unidentified flying object (UFO) with five Aliens aboard crashed onto a sheep and mule ranch just outside Roswell . New Mexico . This is a well-known incident that many say has long been covered up by the U.S. Air Force and other federal agencies and organizations.

However, what you may NOT know is that in the month of April 1948, nine months after that historic day, the following people were born:
Albert A. Gore, Jr.
Hillary Rodham
John F. Kerry
William J. Clinton
Howard Dean
Nancy Pelosi
Dianne Feinstein
Charles E. Schumer
Barbara Boxer

See what happens when aliens breed with sheep and jackasses? I certainly hope this bit of information clears up a lot of things for you. It did for me. No wonder they support the bill to help illegal aliens! Now You Know.

Talk radio...

I like listening to talk radio. It helps me stay informed and sometimes I just don't want to listen to music on my way home.

Yesterday I was actually driving to my parents house that evening and Nate Shelmn on 670 KBOI New/Talk from 4-7. I have mixed feelings about Nate. He is a hit or miss type person.
On the way to my parents house, Nate was talking about the memorial scheduled for the 4 police officers in Washington. Nate explains that there will be a couple of police officers from Ada County going to the memorial. They were talking a car, van, and trailer (trailer contained their motorcycles). Not bad so far right?

Nate then explains these police officers were being paid and reimbursed to expense. This is what I have an issue with. The paid portion. They are using tax money to fund the trip. Nate's opinion was in support of sending the officers. According to Nate, this was the best way to represent us and show our support for the Washington officers/community. Nate can see why people (like me) would oppose the trip.

While speaking with a fellow supporter, the caller and Nate decided it was selfish and mean to oppose the trip. With those comments, I just had to call. I oppose the trip not out of selfishness or meanness, but because it is wrong and irresponsible.

With the condition of the economy and the deficites in the budget, can we really afford to pay for the reimbursement of the gas, hotel, food? They complain the police do not receiving enough funding as it is. If they can afford to pay for these extras, they need to stop complaining.

Plus, the money that was paid for reimbursement had to come from somewhere. That money that was not planned for in the budget and had to be pulled from somewhere. Now there is a
shortage in that program/account. More money will need to be generated to replace the shortage. How do the police get funded? Taxes!! What happens when they need more money?
MORE TAXES!! Who likes more taxes? Nobody. I can guarantee if the taxes were raised and this was the cause, no one would be in support of this trip.

Taxes paid by Idaho citizens are meant to provide services for the Idaho citizens. I guess it is selfish just to think of the thousands of people who rely on those officers to help them.
I also feel it was wrong for them to be paid. If they wanted to use vacation or pay their own way, that is fine. You should not use the taxes paid by us to fund the trip. Yes they would be paid if they were still here working, but that is it. They would be working protecting out streets. What if we had disaster and those handful of cops could have made difference?

I brought up that point while talking to Nate. He asked me do I really feel less safe with those police officers gone? My response was yes. Nate then asked if I would be lying with that response. I honestlly said no. Sometimes it make all the difference with just one person. What is there were an emergency or disaster. Just one makes a lot of difference.

(Side note here. I was just listening to the podcast of the show last night. A gentleman called in after me and explained they agency who are sending officers would not allow for any vacancies on patrol. That would mean paying replacements, so instead of one salaray, you are now paying two!!)

In this same direction, I feel it would have shown a greater respect for those fallen officers if the Idaho cops would stay here and do their job. It seems to reason those fallen officers who loved what they did, would have preferred fellow officers to stand in their place and continue to do
what they no longer could. Did I explain that right?

I feel this would have been better if we funded this privately. If we collected the funds privately, that demonstrates how we really care. We did it willingly, instead of having the chiefs make the choice for us.

I have the feeling that the money could have been better spent then sending some officers up there. Those who support the trip say it makes the family feel better knowing someone was there. A body in a crowd that they might not see or even recogonize as apposed to a physical monument, erected in park/bldg/etc, that they visit and phsycially see everyday? Wouldn't the daily reminder offer better support compared two 1 day?

And my final point, what about those local cops who have died? Did they send a convoey when Linda Huff was gunned donw in Cour de Lane? Do we evern remember if there were there?! NO!!

Why do we not send members of the military unit when an Idaho soilder's body is returned? If some some, why not all? Cause if you do, we would be like California and have NO MONEY FOR ANYTHING!!

If we lived in a more suprlus time or in a perfect world, I would be all for sending the officers and military personal. I guess I am selfish.

The Plan

Friends,

What an amazing few days on the road this has been. Your spirits have been high, your faith strong and your spine unbendable. I ended my multiday book tour at The Villages with what had been billed as a rally but could be better described as a candid citizen-to-citizen chat. Today, I have stopped looking for a leader to show us the way out because I have come to realize that the only one who can truly save our country...is us.

To change America's course we need to change ourselves, our expectations and our willingness to accept the unacceptable. When we refuse to allow our children to receive a trophy for participation, we are on the road to restoring the meaning of merit in our Republic. When we insist that no one is too big to fail, we will be able to learn from our mistakes, and when we demand that we are self-reliant, we will ensure that others can rely on us, not the government.

There is much to do, much to learn and time is of the essence. While I will be explaining the entire Plan over the coming weeks and months, I did want to give you a preview of some of the highlights:

- Education is key, and not just for our children. To that end, we will be conducting a series of conventions. These will be full-day experiences where you will be immersed in learning about topics ranging from self-reliance, community organizing, the economy and how to be a political force in your own neighborhood and country. The first one will be in Orlando at UCF Arena on March 27th. You will also be able to vote to have a convention in your region by clicking here.

- I have begun meeting with some of the best minds in the country that believe in limited government, maximum freedom and the values of our Founders. I am developing a 100 year plan. I know that the bipartisan corruption in Washington that has brought us to this brink and it will not be defeated easily. It will require unconventional thinking and a radical plan to restore our nation to the maximum freedoms we were supposed to have been protecting, using only the battlefield of ideas.

- All of the above will culminate in The Plan, a book that will provide specific policies, principles and, most importantly, action steps that each of us can take to play a role in this Refounding.

- On August 28, 2010, I ask you, your family and neighbors to join me at the feet of Abraham Lincoln on the National Mall for the unveiling of The Plan and the birthday of a new national movement to restore our great country.

To sign up for Glenn Becks free email newsletter click here. Letter and image courtesy of Glenn Beck.com for the letter and pic of signature. See original posting here.

Thanksgiving address...

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.

Shortly after the Thanksgiving Proclamation was written, it was lost for 130 years. The original document was written in long hand by William Jackson, secretary to the President, and was then signed by George Washington. It was probably misplaced or mixed in with some private papers when the US capitol moved from New York to Washington, D.C. The original manuscript was not placed in the National Archives until 1921 when Dr. J. C. Fitzpatrick, assistant chief of the manuscripts division of the Library of Congress found the proclamation at an auction sale being held at an art gallery in New York. Dr Fitzpatrick purchased the document for $300.00 for the Library of Congress, in which it now resides. It was the first official presidential proclamation issued in the United States.

Thank you http://wilstar.com/holidays/thankstr.htm. And who didn't believe in God?

A few things..

It has been a while since I posted. I just have been in a funky mood but yesterday was an eye opener. I realized what a selfish person I can be. I think of poor me, life isn't like I planned it, work sucks, blah blah blah waa waaa waa.

I was driving home from work when it hit me. IT WAS VETERANS DAY!! What do I really have to cry about?

When I go to work, I drive in a non armored vehicle. There are no road side bombs I have to worry about. I drive in a heated/air conditioned car. I control the temperature. When I get to work, I expose myself to the "elements" for 30 seconds. I sit at a desk in a heated/cooled room. Yes people yell at me but I would rather have them yell at me than shoot me.

When I get home, I can open my fridge and pantry and eta/cook whatever I want. I don't have to choke down a MRE or eat in a tent. If I want to talk to my family, it is a phone call away at ANY TIME. I can drive 5 minutes and visit most of the family. It isn't a five minutes phone call over static lines. I can hold my niece and nephew's little wiggly bodies instead of holding a photo.

It was a humbling experience thinking of how selfish I am. I then started to think about how ABSOLUTELY GRATEFUL I am for the sacrifices for the military and their families have given. I have members in the military but none that are in my immediate family or even close to. Dad was in the Army and stationed in Germany. He monitored the border between East and West. WWII seems so long ago but when you think about it, it really wasn't.

I am so thankful that I live in America. That this land was established to countless men and women who wanted something better and fought for it. I appreciate those who have kept America safe for us to enjoy. Because of them, we are able to have our differences, voice our opinions, disagree/agree, work together.

I get very discouraged when I see the directions politicians have taken this country. We must use the opportunity to stand up for what we believe in and let the politicians (on either side) know how we feel. They are supposed to represent us. They should be voting on what we need/want and NOT what THEY think WE need.

I am discouraged over fellow Americans who are helping to destroy America. By this I mean many things. I mean those who shot 13 people. I speak of those who ignore the laws and aid illegal immigrants (from ANYWHERE) in getting into American. I refer to the politicians who refuse to enforce the laws and deport those who are here illegally (like the Irish in NYC). How much money would we be able to SAVE and put back into the economy if we didn't have to cloth, feed, and provide medical attention for the illegal immigrants in the prison system? JUST IN THE PRISON SYSTEM!! Think of all the money if we could stop the abuse of medicare/medicaid/welfare. No more beer on food stamps.

There is so much that is wrong with this country (relying on the government to take care of use, etc). With said there is so much right. The people. The strength of the people (9/12) and the generosity and compassion and service. These quality seem to be the exception rather than the rule in everyday lives. It is shame that a major event/tragedy is required before people willingly demonstrate general kindness.

I shudder to think of the how the Found Fathers would react if they saw the state of the country now? We aren't a Christian national people say. How far from the truth would that be. They came to this country looking for the ability to worship as they saw fit. They believed in God. (proof in a up coming post).

I am grateful that Heavenly Father has set aside this nation. I appreciate and recognize the blessing our Heavenly Father has given us in living here. I pray that He bless me with the strength and courage to be like our Founding Fathers, and stand up for this nation. I ask that He continually bless the those in the military and their families to bear the separation and unknown with courage, faith, hope, and strength their current position requires.

I am thankfully for those who serve and have made a new resolve to live my life better (more giving, kind, humble) to be worthy of their sacrifice and blessing.

Post turtle

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old rancher, whose hand was caught in the gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Obama and his role as our president.
The old rancher said, 'Well, ya know, Obama is a 'Post Turtle''..
Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him, what a 'post turtle' was.
The old rancher said, 'When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a 'post turtle'.
The old rancher saw the puzzled look on the doctor's face so he continued to explain. 'You know he didn't get up there by himself, he doesn't belong up there, he doesn't know what to do while he's up there, and you just wonder what kind of dumb ass put him up there to begin with'.

Here in America

You place your hand on His Bible, when you swear to tell the Truth

His name is on our greatest Monuments, and all our money too,

And when we Pledge allegiance, there's no doubt where we stand,

Tere is no separation, we're one Nation under Him.

Chorus:

In God We Still Trust

Here in America

He's the one we turn to every time

The goin' gets rough

He is the source of all our Strength

The One who watches over us

Here in America

In God We Still Trust

Now there are those among us, who want to push Him out,

And erase His name from everything, this country's all about,

From the Schoolhouse to the Courthouse, they're Silencing His Word,

Now it's time for all Believers, to make our Voices heard.

In God We Still Trust,

Here in America

He's the one we turn to every time

The goin' gets rough

He is the source of all our Strength

The One who watches over us

Here in America

In God We Still Trust

Here in America

Here in America

Here in America,

In God We Still Trust

Here in America,

In God We Still Trust

Here in America

I love this song by Diamond Rio. I just heard it for the first time this summer but according to the internet, it has been around since 2005!! I believe it is such an accurate description. My mom has a bumper sticker that says "Dear God, Why do allow violence is schools? Signed Student/Dear Student, I am not allowed in schools. Signed God" People want to know why he allows bad things to happen but don't acknowledge Hm for all the blessings. They account their good fortune to their own doing and do not recognize it as God's work. I know I am guilty of this too. It has just been something at the forefront of my thoughts lately. I just heard the song on my mp3 player so I thought I would share.