Anyone still out there?

I have not updated this blog in over a month! So for any of you that may still be out there, I thought I would jot down a few things.

Vivian has come into her own realm. She is bossy, plays with her dollies and blankey almost all day, and enjoys taking toys from her siblings. She's also become a talented lobbyist at the Capitol, where she makes friends with the legislators, secretaries and security guards, showing them her fetal babies, and allowing the guards to pull on her pigtails and ask her questions. When forced to sit in the carrier pack she spends her time waving at everyone with a big smile saying "hi!". I've noticed when I go to the Capitol alone, though I enjoy it more, I don't get near the same amount of attention.

Gabriel is in potty training mode. This is an exasperating process. Unfortunately, with boys, you can sit them on the toilet but that doesn't aim the equipment the right way. I have no patience for a kid sitting on a potty seat, peeing in a steady stream onto the floor in front of him while crying that it isn't going into the potty bowl. The command Gabriel hears most--"Be proactive!"

Oliver has discovered video games. This is a big temptation for me because it holds his attention for extended periods of time. Since lizards are currently not available in the back yard, and won't be until warmer weather arrives, this is the only activity that holds his attention for extended periods of time. I realized that I was going to have to stop indulging myself when one morning following breakfast, Oliver raced over to Gabriel and starting poking him. The squeals were readily forthcoming, and Oliver paused, turned to me and said," Should I go play video games, mom?"

Charles is his same old self plodding through life in his own reflective, logical sort of way. He enjoys his school work. When he gets really behind on sleep, he gets very sarcastic and slow. Last night he sat gazing at his dinner plate and rather than eating struck up a conversation with Caroline. It was already very late, so Grandpa (who is currently staying with us) said, " Charles stop talking and eat your dinner." Charles immediately got his obstinate sullen look. "What's your problem, Charles?" I asked. He muttered," You'd have a problem too if someone couldn't mind his own business and interrupted your conversation."

I must go, but shall be more faithful at posting.

My pick for President

I suppose I should say something about the Presidential election, and my opinions on the topic. I have probably led readers astray since I did mention Huckabee awhile ago, and have said nothing on the topic since.

In general, the choices for President depress me, so I was in fact putting off considering it for as long as possible. But when some of the state leaders in the Huckabee campaign began to contact me inquiring if I would campaign for him, I decided I need to delve in and consider the subject.

I was disposed to choose Huckabee, for the simple reason that many of my friends were supporting him, and urging me to do likewise. Also, Georgia Right to Life endorsed him, and abortion is certainly an issue for me.

The more I researched Huckabee, the more alarmed I became. As Governor of Arkansas, he raised taxes 47% and state spending increased by more than 65%. I'm not sure what Huckabee means when he says he left the Governorship with a budget surplus because he left 1 billion in new debt! The Cato Institute gave him a grade of "F" in fiscal policy i for 2006 and a "D" for his entire tenure as Governor of Arkansas.

As if all of that isn't enough, he was endorsed by the NEA, and calls "No Child Let Behind" the greatest education reform effort by the federal government. As Governor of Arkansas, he signed into law some of the country's most restrictive homeschooling legislation.

Furthermore, Huckabee flip flops on issues. Earlier this fall he came out against state human life amendments, but when GRTL endorsed him and invited him to speak at their yearly Together for Life, he issued a public statement in support of human life amendments.

As far as his pro-life record, he passed a Human Life Amendment that will come into effect if Roe V. Wade is overturned. He was governor of Arkansas for 11 years, and abortion mills are still cranking out dead bodies, so quite frankly, rip roaring wop dee do. In fact, the number of abortions in 1996 (reported) was over 26,000! I'm tired of singing the praises of truly powerful pro-life politicians who claim victory in the face of thousands of dead Americans in their state. Now that I've seen behind the scenes abortion industry in Georgia, the laws are un-enforced, and the abortion numbers are totally inaccurate. This is probably true in more places than Georgia. Let's use our pro-life Governor as an example. If Governor Purdue would simply stand up for law currently on the books, the vast majority of abortion mills would close today. Governor Purdue was endorsed by GRTL and is considered to be very pro-life. The guy frankly told the AJC that he would not pursue any prolife legislation, but should it make it to his desk, he would sign it. Isn't that nice. I'm feeling warm and fuzzy already. All these politicians give the abortion issue lip service, and a human life amendment that doesn't even attempt to challenge Roe V. Wade, but rather sits on the back burner waiting for some other piece of legislation to do so, is simply not impressive.

Also, Huckabee did two speaking engagements for Novo Nordisk, the world's leading emryonic stem cell research firm, for a pretty penny of $35,000. Yeah, I know, they also specialize in diabetes and Huckabee is the adult onset diabetes poster child. But to actively promote the world's leading embryonic stem cell research firm is more than a little distasteful to me. And it isn't like Huckabee was strapped for cash and his family was starving to death.

Concerning starving to death, Huckabee dropped over 100 lbs, went on a health kick and is now judgmental of everyone else's health habits--to the extent of wanting to instate a nationwide smoking ban. Excuse me?

I'm going to vote for the one and only candidate who firmly believes in the Constitution, and has the humility to see himself as subordinate to the Constitution. What a concept. My man is Ron Paul. If you are interested in learning more, just google him. You can also visit ronpaul2008.com

Food for Thought

I bought Gabriel and Oliver the complete set of Beatrix Potter books for Christmas. Isn't Beatrix a lovely name? If I were to have another girl, I would name her Beatrix. Back to my point: Oliver doesn't care much for quiet activities like book reading, but Charles & Gabriel happily settle onto the sofa with me for some reading several times a day. The Beatrix books are nicely illustrated, and make the reader wish to be a little rabbit cozily arranged in a sandy floored burrow with a snug fire place, and well stuffed easy chair. The funny thing is that the food these "human like" animals eat is not human food. The owls eat minced mouse pies, and the squirrels have acorn cocktails. I do wish Beatrix had considered this more carefully. When two moles are chatting with each other and then share a worm pie--it is quite gruesome. It would be different if they remained animal like, digging tunnels by day, joining little cool noses and twitching whiskers and then eat a worm of two. But to sit at a table all dignified and not have something delightful like a breakfast of fried ham and poached eggs--I don't know. There isn't something quite right about that.

Wind in the Willows is very different in this respect. Animals arrayed in British clothing of a more genteel era, have the most delightful luncheon baskets filled to the brim with crocks of pickles, bottles of root beer, tins of sardines, fresh bread and sweet butter, sausages, hardboiled eggs, and raspberry tarts. Mmmm. Raspberry tarts. Within a few short paragraphs I'm ready to roll up my sleeves, get out my tart pans and make some raspberry tarts. Then I remember that it will take me two hours to produce 8 good sized tarts, which will be devoured by my family of eight in less than 10 minutes. I content myself with another cup of hot tea, perhaps some shortbread or fudge, light a candle, and read on about Toad and Mole and the Water Rat.

Speaking of food, last night I actually had the presence of mind to consider breakfast for the following day. I decided to put steel cut oats in the crockpot--something I had been wanting to try for awhile. It turned the oats into the most delightful creamy mixture. It was very nice to finally emerge from my room a little before 8 this morning and have breakfast ready to be spooned out. With big pats of butter and nice scoopfuls of brown sugar, and a glass of orange juice--mmm. Quite lovely. Personally, I don't actually eat breakfast. I prefer several mugs of coffee first thing, and then a piece of toast around 10:30 or 11.

At some point I need to stop nibbling. A little ham, some summer sausage, a piece of dill havarti-oh, did you get out the caramel corn? I'd like just a bit. You should try a piece of this rosemary bread. Want a little butter? At this rate I'll have to resurrect some self-control of yesteryear and go on a shake diet.

I did get my bicycle out the other day and attached the baby seat to the back. My dad positioned Gabriel in the seat, and I put on his little helmet. We went three times around the neighborhood. It was very fun, and I discovered that I'm quite out of shape. Also, it is a little different riding a bicycle with a little one behind you. I don't generally think about crashing or trouble myself with extra caution. But when you add an innocent small rider, suddenly the pathway is fraught with possible danger. Maybe I should put Oliver on the back. I wouldn't feel quite as guilty to crash with him on board. He would in all likelihood enjoy the experience and ask to do it again.

Not working

If you would like to see our family Christmas photo, you'll have to go to my Facebook site because for some reason I can't upload the files here.

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning we all slept in. I had actually gotten each of the kids a gift the day before, but they didn't know that, so they weren't in any rush. When I emerged from my room with an arm full of presents, they were delighted! It is definitely a wise idea to lower expectation.

I gave each of the kids books. A nice quiet gift. For some strange reason the pictures are not all downloading. Arrgghhh.

Vacation time is here

Jon has arrived home from work. He brought Taco Bell, so dinner has been scarfed down in record time. He's on vacation until the end of the year. Since my desk is piled high with work, I'm jealous. But it will be nice for the kids to have one attentive parent for two weeks.

We are supposed to leave for a two week camping trip tomorrow. But unfortunately, I had a last minute work load come up, and a trip is quite out of the question.

The children have really been very good about the whole thing. I had a meeting for 1 hour 45 minutes this afternoon- they all sat in the car with lunch and a movie. Afterwards on the way home, they discussed the fact that this Christmas there will be no presents. They decided that it didn't matter at all, they would just be happy to have the attention of their parents for the entire day. This either means my kids are really neat people, or my husband and I have neglected them to the point that the bar has been reachably lowered.

I have decided to celebrate the first evening with candles and a glass of wine. The kids are watching a movie on the nativity. What happened to nightly Christmas specials this month? Last year, CBS Family did 25 days of Christmas, and we were really looking forward to it this year. We have already watched The Christmas Story this month, the one based on the novel, We trust in God, all others pay cash--a family tradition since Jonathan was 3. I really need to get a version that doesn't have so many cuss words.

So next week, we'll go to the zoo, bake cookies, roast marshmallows in the fireplace, and most importantly, on Christmas day, get all the train tracks out, and set up a train track all over the downstairs. The kids are exceedingly excited about that prospect.

On the one hand, I'm a little sad not to have a pile of wrapped presents and a Christmas tree. But on the other hand, this is what Christmas really should be all about. Giving. We have given all that we are and have these last 7 months, and will continue to do so, until Georgia re-establishes the right to life. The children will always remember the sacrifices that we made for our Georgia and our country. I hope they grow up to become useful humans, eager to leave the world a better place than they found it, and give God's love, not on the end of a long handled silver spoon, but by holding people close, and helping them reach their Savior, and experience their full potential.

These past 7 months have shown me that working full time in this great work has not pulled me from my family--it has instead brought all of us closer together, recognizing the gift a big family is, and the joy of working together on an important task.

Enough warm fuzzy gushing.