Better late than never!

Here I am in all my glory! This is on "Dress as your favorite book character" on the 30th. (We have Nevada Day on the 31st, so there wasn't any school) I was "Daisy Duck" It was pretty funny though, as I was walking down the outside walkway, I passed several 5th graders. All of them were saying things like, "HI Miss Banana" "What's up Daisy?" "Looking good Mrs. C" then my favorite trouble maker passed by and yells out "AFLAC!" It was so awesome..I laughed about it all day..in fact as I'm typing this, I'm still giggling.

Here's Ms. Rickerson getting ready to kiss a pig. Her class sold the most in our fundraiser, so that was the treat for the kids. The pig was very stinky, and Ms. R was a great sport.

Here is Macen's favorite lady. She's our librarian Ms. Vickie..We LOVE HER!!!!

Have you read this yet?

To all who read this: For the record, had I lived in California on election day, I would have voted AGAINST Proposition 8. I do not, nor will I EVER vote to take away a civil liberty from any American adult. I do not vote for anything that is backed by bigotry. That being said: I am proud of those that voted for what they believe in and I respect them. That is why I am blogging this letter. I think that the LDS church was unfairly targeted as being the "only" religious group that raised money to back Prop 8. Though I am not the best mormon, I believe that one of the most important beliefs that we have is "freedom to choose"

Have you read this yet?

Kevin Hamilton's Letter on Proposition 8 and the Mormon Church

Dear Friends,
In the aftermath of the recent election, we may find ourselves oddly on the defensive regarding our support for the Yes on Proposition 8 cause. Our young people have been especially subject to mean-spirited comments by high school friends and teachers. We have nothing to be ashamed of. We did nothing wrong.
In fact, we did everything that a civic-minded American can and should do. I have put together a few facts that help me to appreciate our position better.
For example:1. Mormons make up less than 2 percent of the population of California. There are approximately 800,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 34 million.Mormon voters were less than 5 percent of the yes vote.
2. If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then LDS voters made up 4.6 percent of the yes vote and 2.4 percent of the total Proposition 8 vote.

3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) donated no money to the Yes on 8 campaign. Individual members of the church were encouraged to support the Yes on 8 efforts and, exercising their constitutional right to free speech, donated whatever they felt like donating.

4. The No on 8 campaign raised more money than the Yes on 8 campaign. Unofficial estimates put No on 8 at $38 million and Yes on 8 at $32 million, making it the most expensive non-presidential election in the country.

5. Advertising messages for the Yes on 8 campaign are based on case law and real-life situations. The No on 8 supporters have insisted that the Yes on 8 messaging is based on lies. Every Yes on 8 claim is supported.

6. The majority of our friends and neighbors voted Yes on 8. Los Angeles County voted in favor of Yes on 8. Ventura County voted in favor of Yes on 8.

7. African-Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on 8. Exit polls show that 70 percent of black voters chose Yes on 8. This was interesting because the majority of these voters voted for President-elect Obama. No on 8 supporters had assumed that Obama voters would vote No on 8.

8. The majority of Latino voters voted Yes on 8. Exit polls show that the majority of Latinos supported Yes on 8 and cited religious beliefs (assumed to be primarily Catholic).

9. The Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations. Catholics, evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims -- all supported Yes on 8. It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California. Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members.

10. Not all Mormons voted in favor of Proposition 8. Our faith accords that each person be allowed to choose for him or herself. Church leaders have asked members to treat other members with "civility, respect and love," despite their differing views.

11. The church did not violate the principal of separation of church and state. This principle is derived from the First Amendment to the United States' Constitution, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof?" The phrase "separation of church and state", which does not appear in the Constitution itself, is generally traced to an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson, although it has since been quoted in several opinions handed down by the United States Supreme Court in recent years. The LDS Church is under no obligation to refrain from participating in the political process to the extent permitted by law. U.S. election law is very clear that churches may not endorse candidates, but may support issues. The church as always been very careful on this matter and occasionally (not often) chooses to support causes that it feels to be of a moral nature.

12. Supporters of Proposition 8 did exactly what the Constitution provides for all citizens: they exercised their First Amendment rights to speak out on an issue that concerned them, make contributions to a cause that they support and then vote in the regular electoral process. For the most part, this seems to have been done in an open, fair and civil way. Opponents of 8 have accused supporters of being bigots, liars and worse. The fact is, we simply did what Americans do -- we spoke up, we campaigned and we voted.

Hold your heads up high -- you did a great job on this most important cause. We will have more opportunities in the future to participate in our democratic process. Let's remember the lessons learned and do an even better job next time.These are my personal opinions and thoughts; any errors are mine and in no way reflect official church policy or doctrine.

Thanks,Kevin Hamilton

Sack Lunches

My sister, Kim, sent me this email, and I had to blog it. I am always so grateful for those who understand what "service" in the military means.

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq '

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago ' His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seat belt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm. When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check Made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in This country who no longer understand it.'

God Bless us everyone, GOD BLESS THE USA and the men & women who served and the ones who continue to serve our beautiful country.

Happy Happy Birthday Kaylee

My beautiful niece is celebrating her birthday today. Pay close attention to this one ladies and gentlemen..she'll be leading our country one day!

Isn't she beautiful?

And now, my song to her.."Happy Happy Birthday Kaylee dear, Happy days will come to you each year. If I had a wish that it would be a Happy Happy Birthday to you from me"

In Honor of our Veterans

Never Forget

Always keep them in your prayers

Please keep their families in your thoughts

A prayer

'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'

HAIL TO THE CHIEF

My fellow Americans,

Today, for the first time in 8 years, my vote actually counted! The man that I voted for will be leading this country.

For those of you who are disappointed, I'd like to say that I'm sorry, but I won't. I truly believe that the best man won. I have no hard feelings toward Sen. McCain. He is a hero, and a true leader. He said it himself, "Now is the time to come together."

I believe that the time has come for our country to stop looking in the past, and start looking toward the future. From where I stand, it looks bright, it looks hopeful, it looks promising.

I have decided that I won't apologize for being a Democrat. My husband, members of my family, and several of my friends are Republicans and I have learned so much from them, and I hope that they have learned some things from me. I have learned that when it comes down to it, we all want the same things. I hope that those who have been closed minded to other views will now open their minds to a new idea. I hope that they take part in the changes that are about to happen, and most of all, I hope that they continue to keep the faith that America can once again be "One Nation, Under God."

I am proud that the lies, half truths and innuendo's that have plagued this campaign did not accomplish the travesty they tried to achieve. I am proud that people looked beyond race, sex, and creed to make an educated vote. I am proud that my son lives in a time where anyone who has the desire can run for office. I am proud to be able to show my son that no matter what he believes he can and will have a voice in this country.

As I sit here, blogging this wonderful event, I am listening to President elect Obama speak of a better tomorrow, of a country once again becoming "United" I hope that those of you who didn't vote for him will open your hearts and minds and listen, and not hold a grudge. It is time that we become one country. Not red states or blue states, not Democrats or Republicans, but AMERICANS. We're in this together. We want the best, and if we work hard we will achieve it. Don't worry about the taxes, the wars, the energy crisis..We can and will conquer those monsters. We have a voice..never forget that. If you speak, someone will hear. Have patience, have hope, but most of all, have love and fortitude. We are a country that has been blessed since it was founded. We have overcome slavery, bigotry, and sexism. We have fought wars, we have conquered space, we have begun to cure illnesses that have plagued humans for centuries. We are an amazing people. Let us join forces and continue down a path of new discoveries.

God Bless America.....

What a Swing Voter learned from this Campaign

Charlotte, N.C. – There has been a lot of speculation that Barack Obama might win the election due to his better "ground game" and superior campaign organization.

I had the chance to view that organization up close this month when I canvassed for him. I'm not sure I learned much about his chances, but I learned a lot about myself and about this election.
Let me make it clear: I'm pretty conservative. I grew up in the suburbs. I voted for George H.W. Bush twice, and his son once. I was disappointed when Bill Clinton won, and disappointed he couldn't run again.

I encouraged my son to join the military. I was proud of him in Afghanistan, and happy when he came home, and angry when he was recalled because of the invasion of Iraq. I'm white, 55, I live in the South and I'm definitely going to get a bigger tax bill if Obama wins.

I am the dreaded swing voter.

So you can imagine my surprise when my wife suggested we spend a Saturday morning canvassing for Obama. I have never canvassed for any candidate. But I did, of course, what most middle-aged married men do: what I was told.

At the Obama headquarters, we stood in a group to receive our instructions. I wasn't the oldest, but close, and the youngest was maybe in high school. I watched a campaign organizer match up a young black man who looked to be college age with a white guy about my age to canvas together. It should not have been a big thing, but the beauty of the image did not escape me.

Instead of walking the tree-lined streets near our home, my wife and I were instructed to canvass a housing project. A middle-aged white couple with clipboards could not look more out of place in this predominantly black neighborhood.

We knocked on doors and voices from behind carefully locked doors shouted, "Who is it?"
"We're from the Obama campaign," we'd answer. And just like that doors opened and folks with wide smiles came out on the porch to talk.

Grandmothers kept one hand on their grandchildren and made sure they had all the information they needed for their son or daughter to vote for the first time.

Young people came to the door rubbing sleep from their eyes to find out where they could vote early, to make sure their vote got counted.

We knocked on every door we could find and checked off every name on our list. We did our job, but Obama may not have been the one who got the most out of the day's work.

I learned in just those three hours that this election is not about what we think of as the "big things."

It's not about taxes. I'm pretty sure mine are going to go up no matter who is elected.

It's not about foreign policy. I think we'll figure out a way to get out of Iraq and Afghanistan no matter which party controls the White House, mostly because the people who live there don't want us there anymore.

I don't see either of the candidates as having all the answers.

I've learned that this election is about the heart of America. It's about the young people who are losing hope and the old people who have been forgotten. It's about those who have worked all their lives and never fully realized the promise of America, but see that promise for their grandchildren in Barack Obama. The poor see a chance, when they often have few. I saw hope in the eyes and faces in those doorways.

My wife and I went out last weekend to knock on more doors. But this time, not because it was her idea. I don't know what it's going to do for the Obama campaign, but it's doing a lot for me.

Jonathan Curley is a banker. He voted for George H.W. Bush twice and George W. Bush once.

Welcome to Scheels

We went to Scheels Sports store today..It was awesome! This is a statue of my Dad...It welcomes us all into the 30,000 square foot store!

Daddy and Macen in front of the coolest fish tank I think I've see in a long time!

This is another fish tank..this one is salt water and we found Nemo!

A shooting Gallery

Macen and Daddy got to practice target shooting today!

Here's the mighty hunter!

An Indoor Ferris Wheel!

Seriously....how cool is this?

More sports stuff than I can handle!

Here's Grant and Macen showing the battle for the Alpha-male position...just like the Elk behind them!

Macen and Daddy in hiding!

Macen trying out his new bedroom~

More at Scheels

Here's my two boys posing in front of the Elk. Just for your information, Grant's elk was bigger..

Another part of the display!

Macen saw this plane from the window so he thought we were going to the airport...I can't blame him..the store is HUGE!

More at Scheels and one from Red Robin

This is another part of a display. Beautiful isn't it? I love wolves! I don't think I'd want to meet one in the wild, but they sure are awesome to look at!

Scheels has the US Presidents in areas all around the store. Here's Honest Abe..my favorite president of all time. He believed in equality so much that he lost half the country over it...

We went to Red Robin for lunch...as usual!

The Mighty Hunter Returns

My mighty hunter has returned home..as you can see, not empty handed! He got this cow elk on Wednesday! We're all very proud. I normally try not to post dead animals on my blog, but Grant out-did himself this year. We've got elk meat! I am proud of my hunting man!

The camp sight

Okay...so this is a cabin in Cuprum...if I HAD to go hunting, this is where I'd stay!

And here is the "real" camp sight. Linda is an amazing woman..even when she has to "rough' it she makes everything very home like....still, I like running water!

Grant's vacation begins

My mighty hunter drove up to Cuprum Idaho to begin his hunting adventure. Notice the sign...Population:12..and that's counting the elk..Ha ha ha! Actually it's a very pretty town..well I can't really call it a town now, but back in the day what a place it must have been!

This is one of the remaining buildings from Cuprums glory days.

And here's Mighty Hunter senior getting a little shut eye after a big hunt!

Happy Birthday Kiminy Cricket

My amazing sister Kim celebrated her birthday today....

This is a woman who loves her kids, education, and most of all....ME!!! Happy Happy Birthday Kiminy!

Hurricane Volunteer

My sister -in-law sent me this...I am a strong believer in helping those who help themselves..I think that we have allowed to many people "Free Rides" and I for one am tired of it..

From the other side that the news channels did not show.

Dear Editor,

I am a nurse who has just completed volunteer working approximately 120 hours as the clinic director in a Hurricane Gustav evacuation shelter in Shreveport, Louisiana over the last 7 days. I would love to see someone look at the evacuee situation from a new perspective. Local and national news channels have covered the evacuation and 'horrible' conditions the evacuees had to endure during Hurricane Gustav.
True - some things were not optimal for the evacuation and the shelters need some modification.
At any point, does anyone address the responsibility (or irresponsibility) of the evacuees?
Does it seem wrong that one would remember their cell phone, charger, cigarettes and lighter but forget their child's insulin?
Is something amiss when an evacuee gets off the bus, walks immediately to the medical area, and requests immediate free refills on all medicines for which they cannot provide a prescription or current bottle (most of which are narcotics)?
Isn't the system flawed when an evacuee says they cannot afford a $3 copay for a refill that will be delivered to them in the shelter yet they can take a city-provided bus to Wal-mart, buy 5 bottles of Vodka, and return to consume them secretly in the shelter?
Is it fair to stop performing luggage checks on incoming evacuees so as not to delay the registration process but endanger the volunteer staff and other persons with the very realistic truth of drugs, alcohol and weapons being brought into the shelter?
Am I less than compassionate when it frustrates me to scrub emesis from the floor near a nauseated child while his mother lies nearby, watching me work 26 hours straight, not even raising her head from the pillow to comfort her own son?
Why does it incense me to hear a man say 'I ain't goin' home 'til I get my FEMA check' when I would love to just go home and see my daughters who I have only seen 3 times this week?
Is the system flawed when the privately insured patient must find a way to get to the pharmacy, fill his prescription and pay his copay while the FEMA declaration allows the uninsured person to acquire free medications under the disaster rules?
Does it seem odd that the nurse volunteering at the shelter is paying for childcare while the evacuee sits on a cot during the day as the shelter provides a 'daycare'?
Have government entitlements created this mentality and am I facilitating it with my work?
Will I be a bad person, merciless nurse or poor Christian if I hesitate to work at the next shelter because I have worked for 7 days being called every curse word imaginable, feeling threatened and fearing for my personal safety in the shelter?

Exhausted and battered,
Sherri Hagerhjelm, RN

The Invisible Mother

THE INVISIBLE MOTHER

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack ofresponse, the way one of the kids will walk into the roomwhile I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store.

Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'

Obviously not; no one can see if I'm onthe phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.

I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only apair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tiethis? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being.

I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?'

I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?'

I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.

She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England .. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there,looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself.

I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'

It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe.I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:

'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book.

And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:

No one can say who built the great cathedrals we have no record of their names.

These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place.

It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me,'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.

No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over.

You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction But it is not a disease that is erasing my life.

It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspectivewhen I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.

The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my child to tell the friend he's bringing home from college forThanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.'

That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add,'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Magic Mirror

Tell me..Where can I find this Mirror?

OK gals, now that you have had your laugh, remember... Breast Cancer Awareness... Go have those boobs checked out and stay healthy! Pass the message on to your mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, cousins, friends, and even your enemies.
Because the WORST enemy is Breast Cancer.