Grace got to celebrate her birthday again yesterday with a special party at Grammie’s with Ashlyn and Nate. They had to miss her first party, but they had a great time celebrating together. I added some of those pics to other birthday ones so be sure to check them out. In the above picture, she’s wearing her new outfit from Aunt Shannon, Uncle Chris, Will and Hannah. She looked so big and even took her new purse with her when we went to Open House at school and out to dinner. She’s definitely growing up!
On the eve of this presidential election day. I am still faced with the issue of being undecided. This is a first for me. I have a decision for most everything (usually). I don’t have many issues without taking some kind of stand in many areas of life except seemingly this one.
I keep hearing “well I am going to vote for McCain/Obama because he is the lesser of 2 evils”. So my choices, by everyone’s account, is a little evil or a lot of evil. OK, fair enough … I will research in my usual anal retentive way (congressional rolls and all) and try to decide.
That was approximately 2 weeks ago. Essentially what I garnered from all of this is politics exist to better one’s future standing. The representing the people stuff … it is secondary to being able to cover your own keister later on. They do not represent the people they stand to represent (not fully anyway). If a stand affects ones political prospects for the future then the stand is, DO NOT take a stand!
Evil no. 1 (greater or lesser): McCain can’t remember how many houses he has? He has Joe the plumber on contract so that makes him in touch with the middle class. He (or his people) are in touch with the middle class when something on his 7 homes breaks. He is in no way shape or form in touch with me or any challenges I face. No way he could be. If he is a Maverick, (read thoroughbred) I am a Shetland pony.
Evil no. 2 (greater or lesser): Obama voted “present” on an INCOMPLETE partial birth abortion bill in Illinois? It has been used as political fodder … but in actuality could have suspended all abortion in Illinois. So yes it was incomplete. New legislation shouldn’t accidentally overturn federal law whether you agree or disagree with said law. My contention however is, rather than fix it and draw lines … he took the path of less resistance. Sitting high atop a fence is where I want our country’s leader to be? Tough call … ehh I am gonna sit this one out. Embargo a nation or impose economic sanctions … hey I will call us in a pizza you guys decide this one.
Normally Monday nights (tonight) are guys’ Bible study nights … I stayed home because I was feeling sick. I watched Boston Legal with my mom and Christy. There was a clip of a Ronald Reagan speech in that show that resonated with me so I watched the 1980 GOP speech on youtube. To compare the current candidates to former President Reagan would be slandering to the Reagan family name. We have had very good presidents in the past so we know, as a nation, what they look like. We just seem to have forgotten and then lost our way. Men and women who command our respect and use common sense to leverage the viewpoint of the nation is the kind of president I want. Given the current lesser of 2 evils, it seems I will have to wait (at minimum) another 4 more years.
Trying to be a good Christian man in this world is hard, abstaining from evil, that’s EVEN harder. So I have 2 choices, both seen as the lesser of 2 evils by the majority of everyone. What am I to do?
I prayed about this and it came to me (big surprise right). Neither men have won my respect, nor do I think they represent even a portion of my interests. The political panhandling makes me even sicker than I feel now. Voting is sacred to me. It’s a freedom paid for by blood. It IS NOT a decision I take lightly. In the almost 20 years I have been able to vote I HAVE NEVER NOT VOTED until November 4, 2008. Siding with either evil is not a choice I am willing to make. It denigrates the freedom and the price paid for said freedom.
So democracy will run it’s course and we will have a NEW commander in chief but it will be the one I didn’t vote for and that is certainly a choice I CAN live with.
Edit: I did VOTE today but NO Presidential candidate was selected.
We had a beautiful day for celebrating Grace’s birthday with family and friends. The kids ran around outside, jumped in a leaf pile and even got to have their cake and ice cream outside. Hard to believe our little baby came into this world six years ago today.
We had a fun Halloween night, starting with trick or treating in Piedmont and then making our way to Edmond to a surprise 40th birthday party for a good friend. Christian was supposed to be a monkey, but it was really warm here and the costume was just too hot. He wore it just long enough for a few pictures. He ended up wearing his miner’s hat, looking an awful lot like Bob the Builder.
It seems like Christian talks more and more every day! He’ll tell us when he wants “more,” when he’s “all done” and when he wants his “bup” (cup). He can name Mama, Dada, Grace (and sissy) and Susie. Also Grandma, Papa, Ashlyn, Nate, ami (Grammie), Grandad, Uncle (Michael), Uncle Ben and Aunt Kim and a few others. He won’t even attempt Aunt Donnita!
Devils Gate bridge.
Grace had her first day of kindergarten today and here are the highlights she reported:
*No snacks, except on special occasions like birthdays.
*At recess, kindergarteners get to play on the “whole, big playground.”
*Her teacher will have helpers and show and tell, with details to be announced.
All in all, she had a good day and was excited to see her friends again.
More pics from our Recent Colorado vacation.
Idaho Springs, Co. has giraffes?
Christian smacking his lips at some straw water.
Boy and mom (cheesin).
Testing 123 . This was sent via Tims iPhone.
