Dolly Parton on Politics

I know that our blog has been all baby as of late, but that's

just kind of where we are!!

I thought I'd add a bit of humor from a Tennessee native(well..at least part of her is...the rest was probably made in China).

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I saw an interview with Dolly Parton that just cracked me up....they were asking her some politically geared questions. I don't care if you enjoy country music or not.... you just have to appreciate Dolly & her take on life!!! (side note of my fav. Dolly quote: "It takes a lot of money to look this cheap!")

When asked about who she supported during the campaign...she said, "I thought Hillary was an interesting person to consider, because the terrorist would really need to watch out about every 28 days!" Then asked if she had ever considered running for president, she said "No, I think there have been enough boobs in Washington!"

HOPE THAT PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE!

SOON & VERY SOON

If you have viewed our counter on the side of our page here....you've noticed that it's not much longer till Margaret is an outty baby! 30 days..give or take! We're so excited, and ask that you all continue to pray for us in this transition...pray for Shana to make it through the rest of her pregnancy with little discomfort(this is the not so fun stage for the mom!!)...and for Margaret..that she'll continue to grow and develop as she needs to...and pop out healthy & ready to greet the world!! Thank you all for being a part of this with us...we believe in the power of prayer & value the people God has placed in our lives!!!!

...a sweet & artsy gift from Rowan...

Rowan is one of my 4th graders. If you go to my art blog http://artwithmre.blogspot.com you will find a picture of her & some of her art work(trash art contest). She's an artsy kind of girl, and extremely thoughtful! A month or so ago she asked me what my baby's name was going to be, and when she was coming. She was working on a special project, and wanted to make sure I got it before the baby came!!! I had no idea what she was planning.....until today! She worked on this poster for the past month her mom told me, and used her own money to buy the scrapbook stickers for it(two of them light up!!!!!). HOW SWEET!!! I love it! The blanket was created by her grandma, but I'm sure with guidance from Rowan...it has my signature turtles on it(the boarder is small pink turtles) & pretty butterflies(which I'm not sure if she knew were were doing a butterfly theme?!?!). That will be a special blanket for daddy to use with Margaret(mommy can use some other blanket!! ha ha). Then, at the bottom of the bag I found this sweet charm bracelet. I was so touched by her thoughtfulness....and the kindness of her family to consider me(and my family) so highly to bless us with such sweet gifts. Just another sign that I'm where I need to be..doing what I need to do!

....Watching the Butterflies Dance....

I'm sitting in my classroom watching the butterflies dance around. We just finished with the baby shower at my school. Balloons had decorated the shower with butterflies tied to the end of the strings....and now they dance around my classroom with the movement of the air/heating unit. It just makes me smile to see them!! It reminds me that my little girl will soon be here. It is also a reminder that I'm blessed with an amazing group of people to work with. It's more than just a faculty...it's a family. Since I've started teaching I feel the Lord has blessed me with many mini-moms! No one can take the place of my mom, but it's nice to have mom-like people around you. There are also those that feel like brothers & sisters....crazy aunts & uncles(not that I have any of those...HA!)....and other extended family. I really felt that today at the baby shower. I've worked at Tulip Grove for 8 yrs now...and when you spend that much time with people...they are family!!! I'm bless....my family is blessed....to have so many people that care for us, and who have shared, are sharing, and will share in our adventure as a family!!

The NO Sleep Study

So, I've snored a little most of my life....but mostly when I'm struggling with a sinus issue(which seems to be happening a lot more over the past few years). Well, a few months ago...Shana had enough of it! :) ha ha No..not really. She said it sounded like I stopped breathing in the midst of my snoring, and she was worried about me. So a couple weeks ago I went to an ENT(Ears, Nose, and Throat Doctor). When the doctor finally walked into the room he said..."I know the answer to your problems! BUY HER EAR PLUGS!" After almost fallin' out laughing...the exam began. I ,of coarse, started by telling him I did not have thyroid issues...that my big eyes were a family thing!! ha ha The doctor thought I did not show signs of sleep apnea physically(noting that I have a large oral & sinus cavity..yes a big nose & a big mouth!!). However, said it could be possible because of my weight(as if I needed to be told about my weight?!?!?!). He decided that I should go through a sleep study to make sure about the apnea.

I wasn't really looking forward to the sleep study. I had heard it was a very uncomfortable experience. However....the place looked nice enough when I arrived Friday night at 8pm...the people working there seemed friendly...and the room looked like a nice hotel room with a queen size bed and cable TV. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. After filling out a pile of forms, the experience started taking a turn for the worse. They first mark you with a china marker to determine where to place the sensors. However, to make this work...they have to grind the china marker into your flesh. I wish they would have just used a Crayola Washable Marker!!! Then, they begin to attach the sensors to my body with a goopie paste(that I later found out was extremely hard to remove). Then in some areas...LIKE MY CHEST HAIRS...they place tape to keep it extra secure. As the man was doing all of this, I made mention of my skin issues & that I hoped I didn't break out from the adhesive. "Oh no, it shouldn't be an issue at all." (at the end of the experience I had red blotches all over my face!!!). Each sensor has a wire...and then the wires are bundled behind your back....then attached to a device on the wall above your head in the bed. This was a bit unnerving. Then they taped this plastic thing under my nose. This hurt like no bodies business, and I was sure I'd have a bloody raw spot by morning(there was no blood, but it was raw..and very red). So then they turn out the lights and tell you to sleep. SURE?!?!? I do not sleep well in new places. I am not a back sleeper, but for the first part of the night, you are required to do so. The truth of the matter was....I had to lay still on my back because every time I moved it pulled my chest hairs out!!! OUCH!!!(just roll with me here ladies..it does hurt..ask any guy!!) Finally though....about 3am I couldn't take it any more...I had to flip over to my side......OOUUUCCCCCHHHHHHHH!!!!!! At that point, I actually did fall asleep for awhile.

6am...."WAKE UP TED" , said the guy that had wired me the night before. "HOW DID YOU SLEEP" he said in such a cheery voice. Not awake enough to edit...I said, "You have all these wires attached to me and you don't know...I want my money back!!!" He then informed me that I did have sleep apnea, and that I'd need to come back in for a C-PAP(the machine they hook you up to stop sleep apnea) study. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think the next time I'll bring them a Crayola Washable Marker & a razer to shave my chest where they are gonna wire me!!!

Daddy Diaper Duty!

So my wife had a surprise Daddy Diaper Duty(or Doodie as my friend Janet likes to say) Party for me! What exactly is this party I speak of??? Well, it is a baby shower for the daddy-to-be......kind of?!?!? It's hard to explain. People bring diapers, wipes, and other assorted baby cleaning items(with some fun toys and such thrown in so it's not all about the poop!). Shana somehow conspired against me with all my friends, her friends, and her momma. I'm not sure how she did it, but know that she's too sneaky for her own good.....and that it's a good thing I sleep with one eye open(well..actually both..but that's another blog). I had been at Janet's working on grad school stuff, and Shana called to say dinner was ready & to bring Janet along. I thought nothing of this because Janet is very much a part of our family & has joined us for many a meal. So we pull up to the house.....and nothing looks out of the ordinary. I walk up to the door.....and nothing looks out of the ordinary. I open the door....and nothing looks out of the ordinary. However...as I turn to look in the dining room....IT WAS VERY OUT OF THE ORDINARY!!! How that many people packed in that room I'll never know?!?!?! ha ha I walked into the dining room to find gift bags(full of diapers & wipes, a diaper cake, a diaper tool belts, and the most beautiful cake EVER!!!! On it was a daddy turtle and a baby turtle....and it read "Daddy's Little Girl". If the room wasn't full of people...I'm sure a tear or two would have found their way out of me! There was no time for that though. So many fun people to talk to, good food to eat, and art projects to create!!! How could there not be art projects when you have a room full of art teachers!! Shana had bought white onesies & blank bibs for us to work our artsy fartsy magic!! It was so fun to see how people shared a bit of themselves as they created things for Margaret. Sara and her ladybugs....Joel and his apples...Janet and her NO PINK....and so many more WONDERFUL creations!!!!!!! I know that when we're putting our bundle of joy into these outfits....we'll be reminded of how many people love her & us. There is so much comfort & joy in that!!! If you want to know how to throw a Daddy Diaper Duty Party for your husband....e-mail Shana. She'll be able to share much more than I have here!!

Deep Thoughts by Ben Stein

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary, Sunday, 12/18/05.

Here with at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu.

If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period.

I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.

But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina)

Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.

And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing?