Happy Halloween! FX4

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I figured this out!

Ever since Michael was big enough to figure out how to turn the DVD player on and off (which was a long time ago), the world of exercise has been turned off. I used to have a gym membership, but the only time I could go was 5 AM, and I am just not that much of a morning person. In the interest of our budget, we cancelled it. I have a ton of work out videos from when I was newly married. I actually would get up at 4:30 AM and work out before heading in to work (not sure how I did that!). The problem now was that as soon as I would put one in, Michael was sure to turn off the TV or DVD player. Going walking wasn't an option for him either as he won't get in a stroller. If I have to walk at his pace, it's no workout.

A couple of months ago, my mother-in-law bought me Wii Fit. I was excited, but not. You see, this wonderful tool weighs you. on carpet (because my living room is carpeted!). (You DO know that a scale will weigh you heavier on carpet-don't believe me, try it!). It also gives you a BMI (yuck), and changes your Mii (the virtual version of you) to look like, well, you. After I set it up, I was not in the mood to see Mii everyday. Plus, there was the Michael factor. Would he turn this off?

So, this morning, I braved it. The overweight Mii and Michael. Know what happened? Michael was MESMERIZED! ("Do it again, Mama!") I actually got a good workout in! And as you do more, it unlocks more activities! I love Wii Fit! I. am. hooked.

One side note, I ran today. It wasn't too bad, but I have ALWAYS hated running (bad memories of 12 minute runs in high school). Syd, I still don't know how you do it!

Associations Again

The LA Times apparently has a video of Obama at a dinner for Rashid Khalidi who was spokesperson for the PLO (1976-82) when it was known as a terrorist organization. The dinner was a send-off in 2003 when Khalidi was going to teach at Columbia.

Again, I am questioning why people are not looking at his associations. Again, I am questioning why we can't see the tape. Look, I understand that the journalist made a deal to not release the tape with the person who offered it up. In order to hold onto integrity, I understand that you don't divulge a source, but to not release the tape is so wrong.

I am asking people to look at Obama's character. There are just too many shady people that he associates with. If you haven't heard about the story, here is the article. Below is a video about the story.

The studying continues...

Yesterday, I was quizzing Peter for his Social Studies test. He had a review sheet that they had worked on in groups. I was looking it over before we started. I asked him, "Peter, who settled El Paso, Texas?" His response, "You know, Nate, Nate of Americans." I looked at his paper and it did indeed say Nate of Amerikans. (He also told me who in his group came up with that one, but that student will remain anonymous-there are moms from our school who read our blog.) Still, not catching on ( I am very slow!), I went to the book. Then it hit me. El Paso was settled by Native Americans! He is well aware of the correct answer, now.

The Life of a Third Grader

My oldest, Peter, is in third grade. This year has been kind of an eye opener for me-and I say that even as a teacher. The work is more challenging, and there is a more of it. This week is going to be a killer.

You see, first quarter ends on Friday. I understand that the teachers want to get certain grades in before Friday. With that in mind, Peter has a Math test tomorrow, a Social Studies test Wednesday, a Science test Thursday and the usual Spelling test Friday. He also has a project for Social Studies due on Thursday.

One thing that has struck me this year is that I need to work with Peter on his studying skills. I came to this realization last month with the first Science test. I helped him study every night for a week. With so many tests this week, that plan will not be an option.

He still has two more pages left on his project. It is a booklet about the community he lives in. Tomorrow after school, we will be driving around taking pictures of interesting things in our town. And then the studying will begin. Thank goodness soccer is over!

Lemon Pie Recipe

Therese over at Aussie Coffee Shop made a request for the Lemon Pie Recipe that I made last week. The recipe can be found at this link. I didn't want to post it her because I know nothing about copyright infringement. It is a really easy recipe! Enjoy!

A Request from Fr. Corapi

A Call for a Rosary NovenaBy Fr. John Corapi
www.fathercorapi.com

Among the most important titles we have in the Catholic Church for the Blessed Virgin Mary are Our Lady of Victory and Our Lady of the Rosary. These titles can be traced back to one of the most decisive times in the history of the world and Christendom. The Battle of Lepanto took place on October 7 (date of feast of Our Lady of Rosary), 1571. This proved to be the most crucial battle for the Christian forces against the radical Muslim navy of Turkey. Pope Pius V led a procession around St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City praying the Rosary. He showed true pastoral leadership in recognizing the danger posed to Christendom by the radical Muslim forces, and in using the means necessary to defeat it. Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons, and this more than anything was a battle that had its origins in the spiritual order—a true battle between good and evil.

Today we have a similar spiritual battle in progress—a battle between the forces of good and evil, light and darkness, truth and lies, life and death. If we do not soon stop the genocide of abortion in the United States, we shall run the course of all those that prove by their actions that they are enemies of God—total collapse, economic, social, and national. The moral demise of a nation results in the ultimate demise of a nation.

God is not a disinterested spectator to the affairs of man. Life begins at conception. This is an unalterable formal teaching of the Catholic Church. If you do not accept this you are a heretic in plain English.

A single abortion is homicide. The more than 48,000,000 abortions since Roe v. Wade in the United States constitute genocide by definition. The group singled out for death—unwanted, unborn children.No other issue, not all other issues taken together, can constitute a proportionate reason for voting for candidates that intend to preserve and defend this holocaust of innocent human life that is abortion.

I strongly urge every one of you to make a Novena and pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Victory between October 27th and Election Day, November 4th. Pray that God’s will be done and the most innocent and utterly vulnerable of our brothers and sisters will be protected from this barbaric and grossly sinful blight on society that is abortion. No woman, and no man, has the right to choose to murder an innocent human being.May God grant us the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and counsel to form our conscience in accordance with authentic Catholic teaching, and then vote that well‐formed Catholic conscience.

Please copy, email, link and distribute this article freely.

God Bless You
Fr. John Corapi

Last of the Lemons!

Today I used up the last of the lemons on our tree by making a lemon supreme pie (yes, it is like the one at Baker's Square). Pastry shell, cream cheese filling, lemon filling and then more cream cheese filling on top. It is Andy's favorite! See how the lemon peeks out? YUM!

I am king of the castle! F x 4

These boys of mine each want to be king of the castle!
You have a few more years for that, boys!

Check out more Friday Fun at Candid Carrie!

Oh What A Night!

When I gave up teaching after Peter was born, I did a stint as a medical receptionist in my pediatrician's office in the evenings. I worked there for not quite 2 years until Drew was born. I noticed that about 4-6 weeks into the school year, the office would be packed with colds, stomach flu, ear infections. When my kids started school, it came as no surprise that around October one of them would have a cold.

Well, this year we made it until almost the end of 1st quarter. Drew came home coughing yesterday. I wasn't sure at that point whether he was sick or if it was his allergies. We went about the afternoon with the usual schedule of snack and homework.

Then, at dinner, as I had gotten up to go to the counter for something, I hear Andy jump up. I asked him what was going on-Michael threw up. Oh man, here we go. In retrospect, I don't think he was sick. I think he may have gagged on something (my boys have hyper gag reflexes!).

All seemed OK, but Drew. That cough. We got everyone in bed, and I was about to go to bed myself. Then I heard it. The barking. Yep. Croup. I called the doctor to see if I should take him in because Drew is my boy who gets into coughing jags and can't stop. Drew is my boy who coughs until he throws up (which he did). She said to try the shower and if it didn't help, to take him in. The shower helped enough to get him a little comfortable. We set him up in the recliner in their room so he'd be upright. I laid on his bed.

He coughed through the night but got some sleep. He's still barky. I think he may need an inhaler again. We will be off to the doctor later this morning for that. Oh yeah, I already had an appointment for Peter. Soccer has been causing him knee pain. Here we go!

Totally Random

I just realized I can type without looking at the keys...Big deal, I know, but you have to understand that I was too busy in high school with advanced classes and vocal classes to bother to take typing. I was just surprised to discover this today! Sorry for the mundane post, but I was excited...

Musings

I have to say that I have been posting these videos because they state the case for the election so much better than I can. The post I am writing right now has been turning around in my head for about 3 weeks. I am hoping that I can do it justice.

I have spent a lot of time on my blog stating the case for pro-life. I don't think that I need to say much more here than to say that the sanctity of life is in danger right now. As a Catholic, I cannot in good conscience vote for a pro-abortion, pro-infanticide candidate. Obama voted 4 times against the Born Alive Act which would protect babies born alive after an abortion. This IS infanticide. He has promised to sign into law the Freedom of Choice Act. I cannot condone this act. There is no reason to kill a baby at any point in a pregnancy. John McCain has been consistently pro-life.

Many people are worried about the economy. I am too. The Republicans are the only ones in recent years to give us a tax cut, and I am not among the wealthy. With Obama's economic plan, a family making $42,000 per year would have their taxes go up. People who do not pay taxes would get refunds every year-who would pay for it? We would!

This country's defense would be at risk as well under an Obama Presidency. Whether you are for or against the war in Iraq, we cannot pull out now. The surge did work. We need to finish what was started. John McCain has the experience to do this.

On the issue of health care, I do not want socialized health care. We would all be in long lines just to get our children in for a routine check-up.

As I have said, many others can say these things better than I can. I am asking you check out this link. It is filled with Obama's own words and records. Please take a look and give it some thought. I am praying for hearts to change.

He's at it again!

One of my new favorite conservatives is out with a new video. Check it out...he makes a lot of sense-if you are willing to keep an open mind!

Authentic Feminism

I have asked in the past for you to check out Hope Alexander's blog, Reflections of Hope. I am asking you to go over there to read her musings on what feminism means. Feminism is not about a woman's right to choose. To quote Hope, "True feminism celebrates the essence of woman and seeks to appreciate and work in accordance with her nature." Please check out this thoughtful piece!

School Pictures!

As long as I was posting, I thought I would add the boys school pictures.
I thought they turned out well this year!

Drew, age 5.

Peter, age 8.

What a stinker!

Truly-root canal would have been more fun! Saturday we had to go have pictures taken for my in-laws anniversary. My mother-in-law asked for a portrait of her 5 grandchildren together-this is easier than my side of the family which has 25 grandchildren, but it was still a feat nonetheless. My sister-in-law drove in with her two kids. We had an 8 year-old, 2 five year olds, and 2 three year olds, and it is my little Michael who was the problem child (the other 3 year old is a girl-enough said!).

So we arrive at the studio, and are ushered into a small room. The photographer starts to pose the kids-can I say here that they don't get paid enough? The first round goes off fine, then she tries another pose. Michael decided he was done. I threatened time out, Andy threatened no pizza for dinner. He wanted this huge pumpkin that was on a shelf. So we did the next shot with him sitting on a pumpkin. In the end, this was the one we went with (when I get the email link, I will post the picture). We have a huge plastic pumpkin in the picture.

I also wanted to try to get Michael's 3 year old shots done as well as a picture of just my 3 boys to use as a Christmas card photo. Although he was really naughty for the individual shots (he threw the pumpkin, and then tried to play chase behind the backdrop), she got a ton of really cute pictures! He is such a little stinker!

The picture of just my 3 boys? Never happened. We'll end up doing something ourselves probably on Thanksgiving.

As we were waiting for our photos, my sister-in-law said, "well, you could come back for the Christmas shot." Umm, no...I think I'll pass!

Fun with Leaves! FX4

Check out more Friday Fun at Candid Carrie!

How can I argue with that?

So, I am sitting and trying to get some work accomplished. This week has been a blur between my online teaching job in the evenings, and scoring essays for the most recent SATs. I have been fighting a migraine all day, and it has been a LONG afternoon. School is out, homework is done, and I have just pulled an apple pie out of the oven.

As I half-heartedly sat down to read what feels like the millionth essay, I heard Drew chanting, "Dirty underwear, dirty underwear!" I asked him to stop. He looked at me and changes to, "Fly on the wall, fly on the wall!" (Annoying Miley Cyrus song-thanks to my niece, Meghan!). Again, I asked him to stop. One last time, he looked at me and said, 'I'm John McCain and I approve this message!" He knew I wouldn't make him stop that one!

Gone to Africa!

My friend, Evy, has left on her journey to Africa. This trip has been planned for a really long time, and I am glad that she finally is going. Please keep her in your prayers over the next month as she is among the refugees in Central Africa. Be safe, Evy!

What it means to be a mother...

Grab your kleenex for this one!