Before you vote...

I don't understand why the american people are even allowed to vote.  I know,
democracy is supposed to be about "for the people, by the people" but what
happens when the vast majority of those people are un-informed and have NO idea
about any of the issues, or where candidates actually stand.  An article in the
daily journal two weeks ago has really been bothering me.  They ran a story
about a 42 year old woman who has NEVER voted.  She hasn't even ever registered. 
However, she has twins with down syndrome.  So she's registering to vote, so
that she can vote for McCain/Palin since Sarah Palin has a baby with downs. 
SERIOUSLY?  And of course, if you're black, you probably should vote for Obama. 
Or maybe one candidate is better looking than the other.  The best person for
the job should be the one to do the job.  However, your children, the color of
your skin, or what you ate for breakfast should really not be the reason you
vote for someone.  As more and more people make their decision, they don't know
anything about the facts.  Part of that is the fault of the media-who are
supposed to bring truth to us, but instead bring us slander campaigns from each
camp--or color everything with their own opinions.  Is John McCain too old, and
Barack Obama too young?  Maybe.  Is Sarah Palin qualified to be vice president
because she has a child with downs?  Is she less qualified because shes a
mother, even though Obama is a father?  I think in the future, candidates should
all wear bags on their heads, and their personal lives not be investigated at
all.  They should only be allowed to talk about real issues facing our society. 
They should address why the rich get richer while the poor get poorer.  They
should have to provide real, tangible solutions, not just theories or ideas. 
But alas, as we live in a media-crazed society that cares nothing about the
value of the human condition...how can we even hope for such a miracle.  If
you're not registered to vote, go register.  BUT PLEASE--don't make your
decision based on the families, skin colors, ages or food preferences of the
candidates.  Please actually investigate both sides of the issue.  Don't vote
democrat or republican because you always have.  Don't only listen to one
side--or research Obama from McCains view and vice-versa.  Please Please Please,
try to be educated before election day.  And hope that the ignorant masses come
down with the flu and have to stay home. 

pregnant.

So, im pregnant. For those of you that know me, you know that the next few months of my life will probably be a huge ordeal, leading up to a very traumatic birth (for me at least). I am doing what I can to not stress out, to eat better and all that other stuff you are supposed to do.

i pretty much always feel like i would feel better if i could just throw up--but i don't throw up. which is ok i guess...but frustrating because i think i would feel BETTER.

I am also pretty much complaining about everything. I am not sure what it has to do with pregnancy. I've been angry/sad for longer than i've been pregnant. It comes and goes. Sometimes I think its the fault of my job. I noticed in my old notebook that I was very frustrated and overwhelmed in April and in May where I wrote out prayers to try and calm myself down.

Im not sure how long i can do child welfare. its too much work for too little reward. most days i feel like im not really helping anyone. like everything we do is to protect ourselves, rather than really helping other people.

and the cardinals lost today. that also made me mad.

hello, hello.

im excited to know that rachel will be here in a little over two weeks. thats FUN. it makes me happy. i will only get to see her one night..but still...thats better than nothing. i have not seen her since disney...

in other news, erikas brother richard will be occupying the space that used to belong to andy and naomi...he seems almost like he's afraid of us, so that could be fun...but mean, so i will try not to scare him. he's going to Olivet for his masters in the fall and just needs a place to call home for a bit. we do what we can :)

the cardinals won tonight. the cubs are currently in extra innings.
yep. thats about it for the excitement of my life.

Happy Birthday Jaylene.

Monday was Jaylene's birthday. so scott and i went out to dinner with her family. it was a pretty good time overall...and i think jaylene was pretty excited to have people celebrate her--she doesn't get that too often.

Sunday was my last class with the 6th graders...which is really sad, but at the same time, my class will be probably less than 10 all summer....so that'll be a nice break.

i worked at the theatre all weekend...which was way better than i thought it would be. prince caspian was a very nice fellow it turns out, and people came to see him. We were praising the warm weather (which has vanished again) because we think that helped keep the numbers down a little bit...so that it wasn't super crazy.

Scott and I bought a big wooden pot to put over this hole in our front yard so that we're not constantly sticking the mower in it..which is good. hopefully we'll get flowers soon, because right now, its just a pot of dirt...which is kinda silly, and its kinda silly because its at the FRONT of our front yard..like by the sidewalk...so we'll see how it goes in the end. im hoping for some warm weather as there is some stuff I would like to do outside.

well, so much for my randomness...i need to get ready for work (and this is why im late)

bible study.

about a year and a half ago, my husband forced me to go on a ladies retreat at our church. now--lets be honest, if you know my church--it didnt really sound like a good time. i imagined the parents of my quizzers, and the nice old ladies in my church--basically a snooze fest and i had better things to do--like lay on my couch.

well, that weekend changed my life. it actually connected me with lovely ladies my age--that were really cool people. and they had husbands that love to play games-so it gave us a group of friends and a support system we had been lacking since college.

shortly after, i joined the girls Bible study which meets on thursday nights. we've had some good times. i'm really grateful to this group, because they have given me accountability, and a place where i can encounter Jesus. and now, i'm being challenged again--to go even deeper with Jesus, and i'm excited. its gonna be amazing i think.

My life is complete....

For those of you who are too young, or who live in a bomb shelter without connections to the outside world (other than my blog of course)...New Kids on the Block confirmed rumors from the past few months that they are "officially" back together, with new music, old music and a tour this fall!!!!!! plus a new album release this summer. Katie and I will be getting tickets when they come anywhere within a 5 hour radius, so if you're interested let me know!! if you want to know more go visit their website www.nkotb.com you won't be sorry!!!!!

changes.

Hey, guess what?? Andy and Naomi are about to begin their next big adventure, so please pray for them that everything falls in to place as they prepare to move to Michigan and that their transition can be as smooth as possible. I know they're excited and apprehensive--as any move can be--so keep them in your prayers. I know it will mean a ton to them.

along those lines, we will soon have 3 empty bedrooms again, so if you know someone that needs a place for a little bit, send them our way. andy and naomi had the 2 upstairs room, and there is a door for a little little bit of privacy. its selfish to just have all those rooms isn't it? We aren't gonna go crazy, or put an ad in the paper, we just want to be able to help people out if they need it (and obviously, because its shared space--we aren't looking for complete and total strangers!!)

The other news of our life: DISNEY WAS AMAZING!! there were a few minor setbacks, but overall a pretty terrific week.

Our quiz team took 10th at the indy quiz..which is really great--

im tired. and i have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a very very very long day.

Feel free to look all these up in the NIV if you're looking for the tradional take on these verses--but as you read them, pray them, and let search your heart for how much God really loves us, and how much we hesitate to trust that.

My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7 (The Message)

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. Colossians 3:15-17 (The Message)

So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
If we give up and turn our backs on all we've learned, all we've been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ's sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God's Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he'll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: "Vengeance is mine, and I won't overlook a thing" and "God will judge his people." Nobody's getting by with anything, believe me.
Hebrews 10:22-31 (The Message)

A day off...for REAL.

Today i didn't have to go to work. I LOVE CIVIL RIGHTS! (i really do, but am also seriously greatful for the day off!!)

I met up with Erika for her first ikea experience at noon today. it was a good time hanging out and shopping and not being serious. we went to Buffalo wild wings, which also made me happy--until we had to wait an hour for our food-which made me a little HUNGRY. overall though, we got to eat, so at this point, its not worth complaining about.

im working on a new craft project. for those of you who know me, im really not the most crafty person in the world. but im excited all the same. thanks to the dollar days at michaels for helping me out :)

i haven't gone grocery shopping in about an eternity...so hopefully i'll get to that tomorrow because I SERIOUSLY SERIOUSLY need to get some food, because i think we're out of things to even throw together. Lets just hope that work isn't too crazy (i have two new cases) so that i can get off at a good time.

i hope everyone has a great week..and for anyone counting...i'll be at disney in 32 days.

RISK IT UUUPPPP!

so, the United Front took 1st again today, in two very very very (i couldn't breath) tough finals rounds. Danielle had a perfect day-and Lena took 4th! Joe and Jenn were however the ones who helped us win those finals rounds with their extra efforts!! Then we went to coldstone...and then for pizza--with a little bit of WORSHIP (i think thats what they called it) in the van. The quizzing part is fun and amazing, but i have to say that rook and guitar hero are probably a close second. :)

I'm going to disney in 40 days. yeah. its ok to be jealous.. i'll think of you :)

im too tired to type much more..but theres a cool video of the worship on my facebook, if you want to know more about my weekend.

Theatre rant!

so, over christmas break the theatre is open ALL the time...which means that i work a LOT more than normal...the extra work by itself could be stressful, but this break has been especially exhausting. So here are my rants, and my movie-goer tips for all of you!! (if you happened to be at the meadowview today...i'm sorry in advance for what i am sure you will perceive as a really rude rant)

PLEASE eat before you come to the theatre. A family of 4 should NEVER order 2 large popcorns, 2 nachos with extra cheese, 4 large drinks and 4 kinds of candy. It's disgusting. REALLY.

PLEASE know what you want when you get to the counter. If there are any customers other than you, then you've been standing in line. It's not hard. its popcorn. its not subway.

PLEASE order sequentially. Do not use the word AND 10 times in your order : example : one small coke AND one small popcorn AND one nacho AND one bottle of water AND one small sprite AND one kid combo AND one medium popcorn. The proper way to order this crazy amount of food is :::: one kid combo, one small coke, one small sprite, one small popcorn, one medium popcorn, a bottle of water and a nacho....you'll notice how all the popcorns were ordered at the same time, and not sporadically throughout the order.

PLEASE do not laugh and tell the concessionist when you come out for a refill that you spilled your popcorn. We'll find out when we clean the theatre, and its not like its something we're eagerly anticipating, so telling us only makes us grumpy.

PLEASE do not take more napkins than you actually need to wipe the butter off of your fingers. The most appropriate number is ONE. maybe two if you got nachos.

PLEASE do not cut in the line, or start ordering before the person in front of you has moved away from the counter. Its rude to your fellow patrons, and obviously, the concessionist isn't listening to you if they're still dealing with the previous customer.

PLEASE do not come out for a refill when the concession line is long, set your refill on the counter, look at the concessionist and say, I'll come back later for this. We are not a holding pen, and honestly...how RUDE is that??

PLEASE don't let your kids order when there are more than 3 people in line behind you. It's nice that you want them to gain some independence, but when theres a line, and they don't know what they want...well....

PLEASE do not bring your entire family of 18 through the line, and then take up the entire counter so no one else can be served. Only bring as many people as the hands you need to carry stuff back (on average you can carry 3-4 items each-except children under 6--who can only carry boxes of candy).

PLEASE don't ask us how big a medium is---its MEDIUM. and its on top of our menu board, which you have been staring at for about 10 minutes-so i'm sure you've seen it.

Ok. I think thats about it. I'm glad christmas break is over, because i really can't take much more.


I promise, if you do these things, you won't have to wait in line 20 minutes for your popcorn, and you're probably gonna get better service. If you haven't seen Alvin and the chipmunks yet---i HIGHLY recommend it---but do your best to follow the above guidelines to make everyones experience more enjoyable.