Olympics 2008...

My 6 year old begged us to watch the opening of the Olympics in Beijing.
We sat in front of the television and stared at the pageantry involved in the opening ceremonies.

We marveled at the Chinese children carrying the Chinese flag into the stadium. Well I did until the children handed it off to the soldiers who took it with robotic precision and expressionless faces. This is the China I think of and it makes me sad, deeply sad, to the bottom of my soul.

To me this simple action, children handing the flag to the military represented to me the children that are systematically killed / prevented by the Communist government of China. And I can’t bear to think of all the couples who are forcibly sterilized due to their one child per family laws.

While others may be able to celebrate the Olympics being held in China, I just can’t.
I can’t ignore the genocide just to acknowledge athletes…it is just too heartbreaking.

Politics, Sex and Religion...

I am like a moth to a flame, it never fails...

At any given time I am able to put my foot in my mouth about one of these subjects at a family function, usually on a big holiday. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy having discussions but I truly think the "appropriate-meter" in my brain went kind of haywire years ago.

Politics: Usually I am complaining that I am sick of them. Oh, and by the way, I am! Whether it is the latest Zogby poll, speech or controversial issue up for vote in DC I tend to make my opinion known.

Sex: This one is a fairly safe one for me because, while I am not a prude, I still tend to be respectful of this private topic. Okay, that isn't completely true. When we discuss issues like artificial contraception, oh I get pretty hot around the collar. Oh! And when we discuss that 1 in 4 teenagers has an STD by 14 years - you bet I have an opinion about it. I guess fashion relates to sex these days. After all, clothing companies have decided to dress 14 year olds like vamps and treat parents like morons if we ask a salesgirl for a pair of jeans that aren’t ultra low-rise.

Religion: For my own good I will just say very little about this. I just can’t seem to say the right thing at the right moment. How should one react to another person when their faith is being mocked, abused or slandered? Shall we sit silent when a person is misinformed? Is it better to say nothing and keep peace or be true to our Faith and risk isolating others or unintentionally “offending” those you are conversing with?

Regardless of the topic or time I hear myself talking all while saying in my head “Dear Lord woman…Shut Up!”

The truth is, I blame my children. I have even weaker social skills because I now hang out with the juice box crowd. In addition, my social opportunities are less frequent which sets me up for perfect conditions for being conversationally-challenged.

I will try to stick with some safe topics for my next social outing:

- How to make a fantastic peanut butter and “jolly” sandwich
- Potty training: Why diapers aren’t that bad anyway
- Gender issues: When the gas light is on, how far can you risk it?
- Playing with Barbie Dolls: Innocent fun.

Wait a minute, I have to admit Barbie is much better than those disgusting trashy Bratz dolls but Barbie is no picture of innocence either. I mean seriously, talk about leading Ken on with those ridiculous outfits and wearing even more make-up as the years go by. Doesn’t she know that it will only make boys think about one thing? ….The sad thing is that I have had this discussion when I took my daughter for a playdate. I seriously need to shut up.

One of My Favorite Photos...

This is one of my favorite photographs. It reminds me of all the special moments that my little girl and I share together. Her innocence and joy puts my day in perspective. In a world where negativity is revered, she reminds me of hope and God’s love.

I love looking at her when she has no idea I am there. Sometimes she sits and reads and other times she is drawing fanciful tales of ice skating fairies. She is 6 but is determined to become an author and illustrator. (At 6 years old I didn’t know what an illustrator was.) She hugs her brother even when she doesn’t think I am watching and playfully hides under the table when it is time for a bath.

At night she climbs into our bed, knowing it only takes the mention of a cuddle to convince me to stop what I am doing. There she asks me of my favorite food, book and where I would like to travel. We play the “Which One” game: Which one would you rather be: A monkey or a dog? Which would you rather do: Swim like a dolphin or fly like a bird?

There are days when it seems so difficult, just to get through the daily grind. But then there are days when it is truly fun to be a parent. I am a blessed Mom.

This photo was taken by a wonderful couple who live in Utah.
Their website is http://www.fifephotography.com/.

(By the way, her two front teeth are now gone! Both were lost the week of Christmas.)

Spitzer Gives Women a Bad RHAPP...

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has gone too far and we need to act before it is too late. Spitzer has proposed Bill #16 (S. 5829), Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection (RHAPP).

What does RHAPP intend to do?

• Legalize abortion through all 9 months of pregnancy, for any reason.
• Make abortion immune from reasonable state regulations, such as parental consent of minor children.
• Permit non-doctors to perform abortions.
• Force all insurers to cover abortion, even private or religious organizations.
• Force hospitals, including ones that do not presently offer abortion, such as Catholic Hospitals, to allow for abortions.
  
  I urge you to visit the website of New Yorkers for Parental Rights www.nyfpr.com
  This website provides the resources you need to contact legislators and arm yourself with knowledge.
  
  What if you don’t live in New York State? Be assured that it is only a matter of time before the ramifications of this act is felt. This piece of legislation will set a precedent for the rest of the country.
  
  At this point I don’t care if you consider yourself pro-life or pro-choice. This bill has overstepped any bounds of reason and puts the women and children of our State in danger in the name of “Choice”.
  
  If you are silent on this issue then you will be silent for many more years to come, Spitzer’s Bill has made sure of that.

Yes, I am still kicking...

Yes, I am still here though I have no excuse for not blogging. Granted I have been very busy with the kiddos, hubby and trying to sane...but that is no excuse.

Maybe I need a topic. Maybe I should wait for someone to actually suggest a topic besides politics. It is a subject that I can no longer deal with. Of course my other frustrations include potty training my son and trying to get my daughter to use a quiet voice instead of yelling all of her questions to me.

Shoot! I hear hubby starting evening prayer with the kiddos. Ugh...
Will return...