Interesting turn of events

Well, I am really not much into politics (mainly because I live in a state who's major political party choices usually are the opposite of mine, so when I vote it doesn't seem to make much difference). That being said, I am now intrigued by the latest news in the presidential race.

For those of you who have not heard, John McCain has chosen the Governor of Alaska as his running mate. She's a former soccer mom who hunts, fishes, and has a real blue-collar husband. They have 5 kids, the youngest of whom (born in April) has Downs Syndrome. No, it's not a typo - I said SHE. A woman "veep" candidate. SUH-WEET!

Just from the little bit I've been able to read about her, she seems like quite a spit-fire! It sounds like she is really interested in holding people accountable for their actions, and that she has a pretty much no-nonsense approach to life.

While I am not a huge fan of McCain. (I like to call him "Little Weevil"), I am even less a fan of Obama ("Big Weevil"). I will vote for McCain in the election, as a matter of conscience (You've got two Weevils, one big, one little. I like to choose the "lesser of two Weevils") because McCain is more likely to be in support of issues that are important to me and my family. Obama - well, try as he might to be a "regular guy", he's just not. Add to the fact that he supports the kinds of issues that I feel are a detriment to our country....

You don't have to agree with my choice for president (although it's beyond me why you wouldn't). I vote my morals, and encourage everyone to get out and vote theirs in November.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming...

What the heck?

It's either feast or famine around here...I don't post for weeks, now I have a little time on my hands, so you get a double (or possibly triple, if I come up with another idea) dose!!

Okay, now I'm all about deadbeat dads needing to pay their share for the care of their children. I've been divorced for 9 years, and there have been many occasions when money has been an issue. But this story just grabbed my attention, and I am on the verge of actually being angry about it.

Hilary Duff's dad to spend 10 days in Texas jail
2 hours, 40 minutes ago

A judge in Texas has ordered the father of actress and singer Hilary Duff to spend 10 days in jail for contempt of court.
Bob Duff was led away in handcuffs Wednesday during a court hearing after Judge Thomas Stansbury in Houston determined he violated an injunction against selling assets without court approval.

The Houston Chronicle reported in its online edition that Bob Duff must pay into a court repository $367,537 he earned from selling stocks last month.
Bob Duff's attorney Robert Piro said his client would post bond and file an appeal.
Bob and Susan Duff are in the midst of a bitter divorce.

Stansbury determined Bob Duff should pay Susan $12,500 for Hilary's birthday party, which was the subject of the hearing. Her mother wanted $25,000 to pay for a present and party.

Neither Hilary, whose 21st birthday is Sept. 28, nor her sister Haylie were in court.

Now, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE tell me I am not the only one here who sees something wrong with a woman being awarded $12,500 for a birthday party...FOR HER ALMOST 21 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER?? First of all, that amount of money for a birthday party is absolutely ridiculous to begin with. There are families out there who have to live on less for an ENTIRE YEAR. My second issue? HELLO, HILARY DUFF IS TURNING 21! Isn't her father's financial responsibility for her over?

Let's not even get into the fact that Hilary Duff is an actress who has been making a good amount of money for YEARS now...and I'm just guessing here, but I would venture to guess that her mom has "profited" from Hilary's income over the years.

As a mom with a blended family who has to deal with money issues on a fairly regular basis, this just makes me sick to my stomach. No, seriously. I could almost hurl.

OH, GARSH!!!

I feel so loved!! I have had at least 2 comments just this morning "wondering" where I was. Thanks, ladies!!! It's always good to feel wanted.

Sorry I've been absent for so long, but the last several weeks have been pretty busy. Let's see...what's been going on?

Bubber's playing Freshman football this year, so since August 11th he's been going to 2-a-days. (For those who don't know what those are, it's when the parents have to drag their kids to the football field at 8:00am, the kids practice until about 10:30am, break for about an hour or so, then back at it until about 2:00pm. Now, if I didn't have 4 other kids to contend with, it wouldn't really be a big deal. I'd be perfectly content to bring a book, my bible study, some drinks & snacks, and just hang out at the field all day. The girls' take on that? "UH, NO!" For some reason, the girls just aren't interested in watching these sweaty teenage boys doing their workouts and practices. (I have the distinct feeling that Bug & Nans will probably change their tune in a couple of years...LOL)

Ande's mom took the kids "back to school" shopping (which is awesome, because it's just about the only time at our house the kids get new clothes). It's such a blessing that Ande's mom is willing and able to do that for the kids (and us).

As of August 20th, Puckey is officially potty-training. Ande's mom bought her a potty while we were out school shopping, along with some Disney Princess panties, and the first thing she did when we got home was pee on the potty and ask to wear her new panties. Guess that was the motivation she needed? (Nevermind the fact that we had a potty seat that sits on the big toilet and several pairs of panties already...) Puckey is doing quite well with the potty training, except when I forget to take her to the bathroom. She's not yet to the point where she tells me she needs to go, but we'll get there.

Puckey is also now a three year old!! Her birthday was the 25th. We had Ande's parents and a couple of friend stop by for cupcakes and ice cream. My mom, who wasn't feeling well that night came by the next day with a gift and (much to the delight of the kids) donuts.

I was so excited to give Puckey the gift we got her - I had saved up for a while to be able to buy it, and had actually had it sitting in our bedroom for a month! I bought both Bug and Nans special dolls when they were little, and couldn't wait to do the same for Puckey. She was very happy with her new baby!!

I've been working on that Bible study I mentioned a while back, and that's been both challenging and enjoyable for me. Ande and I have had a good time discussing what I've been learning about Daniel, which is always fun. The study is about to get pretty deep, going between Daniel and Revelation, so that will be an exciting new opportunity to learn more.

Ande's mom got her new kitchen floor put in, so I'll be able to get in there and finish up what needs to be done and I'll finally be able to post the complete "After" pictures. YEAH!!

Had to take both Bug & Bubber to their respective schools for "orientation" (which pretty much consisted of them getting their schedules & locker assignments, and for Brendan, getting his school picture taken) WHO EVER HEARD OF GETTING YOUR SCHOOL PICTURE 2 WEEKS BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS??

My brother in law (the one from OK, whose girls were the ones Puckey and The Jib got their pictures done with several weeks ago) is flying in this weekend for a job interview. We're praying that the interview will go well, and that if it's God's will that they will get to move here to MI. It would be such a wonderful blessing for all the cousins to be able to grow up near each other!

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but that's allowed, since I'm a mom.

I can't believe that the summer is nearly over! Time has flown by so fast.

Just a bunch of stuff

In order to get my mind off of needlessly worrying about finances, I have been trying to pay more attention to the good stuff going on in our house....

Who's been sleeping in my bed?

Yes, that's a sock monkey (made by my mom) that Puckey tucked into our bed the other day.

Daddy is The Jib's new cupholder

This means that The Jib is finally "bottle free"! No more baba's. Whoo-HOO!!

Videos we've been watching:

Yeah, the big kids are LOVING this one (read with MUCH sarcasm). So far, Puckey has watched it 5 times, but doesn't have any interest in going potty. Apparently she's just watching it for the entertainment value?

School House Rock is pretty much the best I know of...and this set includes ALL of them, including your favorites like "Conjunction Junction" and "I'm Just a Bill." (You can thank me later for getting those songs stuck in your head) We told Ande's mom we'd like her to buy this one for Puckey for her birthday.

Ande and I have spent more time talking to each other lately. I mean, we have always talked, but it's usually about the kids or whatever. Recently, our conversations have held more depth (and sometimes laughter) than usual. It's pretty awesome.

The Jib is learning more and more new words every day. We've added:

• "Becko" (You're welcome) It's so cute, because she knows how to use it properly.
• Book
• Down
• Home
• Potty
• Puckey
• Ride
• Bike
• Outside
• Cold
• Pool
• "Muck" (Milk) - she can also do the sign language sign for it

Just yesterday, The Jib walked into our room, and she looked out our french doors into the backyard. You can see our pool from there, and she pointed and said, "Cold pool!" I love it!

Puckey and The Jib got a "new" ride a couple of weeks ago, courtesy of a local yard sale.

We went for a family bike ride yesterday. I got to try out my "new" bike. My mother in law gave me her bike, which is sorta like riding a lazy boy chair! (Pretty comfy).

However, even with all the comfort of the bike, I was left wondering just when I got so old and out of shape. My backside and thighs were feeling pretty rough by the time we got back home! I guess I'm going to have to start riding a little more often.

Bubber is now participating in "two-a-days" for football, which is just wearing him right out. He seems to like it, though, so I'm happy!! (Although he's eating us out of house and home!!)

Bug is excited about starting Middle School in a few weeks...although I think I'm going to have to start making her get up early pretty soon to get used to it. Right now it's after 10:00am and she's still asleep. (Meanwhile I've been up since about 6:45am)

Nans should be coming for a week at the end of this week or the beginning of next - it seems like FOREVER since we've seen her! We'll get to go school shopping with Grammy (my mother in law) while Nans is home, too. Always have fun doing that!

The bible study I've been doing is going well - it's still just the two of us, but I feel like I've learned some new stuff (and some stuff about myself) that I wouldn't have learned otherwise.

Thanks for all of the prayers you guys have sent my way - it's been effective! I feel more at ease than I did before, and things are looking better all the time. (Maybe part of my problem was hormones - you all know how that goes!)