If you have three minutes this morning... you've got to check This artist out! It is amazing, the size of the painting and the way it is done... to end up with a finished project like that!  

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Just saw this news bit on foxnews about Gov. Schwarzenegger answering a question about how Hispanic students can improve academic performance, http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,283099,00.html

"I know this sounds odd and this is the politically incorrect thing to say and I'm going to get myself in trouble," Schwarzenegger said. "But I know that when I came to this country, I very rarely spoke German to anyone."

I gather he said something about turning off the Spanish TV shows and watching English speaking TV.

First off  AMEN  to that! For goodness sake - it takes a baby 1-3 years of listening to adults speak to be  able to speak in full complete sentences -- and then a few years longer to perfect the language.  I know for myself having lived in a Russian speaking country-- if you dive into the place and are forced to  you can pick things up rather quickly- but if you speak English everyday to most people, watch English TV and movies-- you will not get past that 18 month of speech patterns and vocabulary!

But the most ignorant comment in the article is:

  "Hispanic advocacy group said Schwarzenegger's comments show his "ignorance on immigration issues."

UM... HELLO. He is an immigrate to America, how is he ignorant on what it takes especially when the question was how students can perform better --- again, HELLO! If you ask him how a student can do better and he, who is an EXCELLENT example of one who immigrated, learned the language well enough to attain a role in the government of his new country .... you might want to listen to and not throw out remarks that show how ignorant the reports and groups are being.

It makes sense and as a CA native--  I HATE having to listen to every recording in English or "press 2 for Spanish", having every pamphlet listed in both English and Spanish -- If people do not have to learn, speak or read the language, most of them won't! 

And one more little thing and then I'll climb down ... America is the only country where this debate would even be raging -- nowhere else in the world could you expect to move to a new country and find everything catered to you- the person unwilling to learn the new language. So stop trying to hold onto your heritage and embrace the one that is allowing you the freedom to waste tax dollars with duplicate printings, signage, phone messages, classes, teachers and the list goes on and on and on ... If you are in America now - learn the language or move. It's that easy.  

You asked the guy what would help Spanish speaking students do better in American schools- he told you a simple, FREE solution. Why crucify him- listen to him and learn from his success at the same thing!  

I always think it is funny that everything is not in German, Dutch, Russian, Chinese, Japanese Italian …. why must every other group learnt he language while Spanish speakers are catered to??

You can read about it here:

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Have you heard the song My Brother Jack?? I have heard it played on the Christian radio station here a lot. I knew the chorus and most of the words.

Today, as I was driving alone in the car this song came on the radio again and I was able to hear the words. (Strange what a difference that makes isn’t it?!- but that’s  a whole ‘nuther post) Today as I listened and heard the words in the song …

I felt the pain that Jack felt and the anger that masked his shame (?)… I felt for the brother that was there and trying to show him Gods love and telling him that God loves him just where he is at. I also felt the shock the other christians in the car felt as they heard the offensive song played. I understood their strong stance.

As the song came to an end I felt the Holy Spirit reminding me of my own strong stances… I have a few. I tend to be VERY black and white on many many things… and quite grey in a few other areas (but that’s a different post as well)

I was reminded of the two times (yes, I didn’t learn it the first time) that I had very very dear Godly “forever friends” share with me… they had each experienced abortions. This is an easy black and white one for me! I feel passionate about a few things, and this is one of those topics!!

When my friends shared with me what they had experienced and what they did… My heart hurt so badly for the times I knew they had heard me go on and on and on about that “choice”… I loved my friends and I didn’t mean to deepen their pain and guilt by my careless words and easily tossed digs.  

Did I change my stance on that issue? No, I didn’t and it is still an easy black and white one for me… but I do tend to keep my mouth closed on that topic, while keeping my heart open and my prayers flowing. I pray that I don’t turn anyone off to hearing Gods love, mercy and forgiveness through my “righteousness” and my Christian “values” …

Oh, thats not the only time I let my mouth get away from me saying what "I believe" and "what should" or "shouldn't have" happened... Yeah, when you talk as much as I do... things tend to come on out. Gods working on me though. He loves me right where I am at too.

I pray that my kids are learning a better way to express themselves. I would like to think that if they were riding in the car and a friends brother asked if they could listen to their favorite band… that the boys would listen to the one song and then in a friendly manner say something more along the lines of “ That had a great beat… I bet you’d like Petra (insert band here), I have their CD and I’ll let you borrow it. I bet you’ll like them, they rock but have a good message too, ya know?”  …. I pray that I can learn to have responses like that in the midst of issues and differences.

Lord, please keep me from always being a rock to sharpen others by… I don’t want to be like the guys in the car that slammed Jack and possibly turned him off of you… Lord please help us to remember that we can stand firm in our faith and our beliefs without making others feel less, deepening hurts and condemning through our words and actions. Please use us to reach out in love and help us to remember, “You love them where they are at!”

Here are the words to the song… and you can listen to a little bit of it here: http://www.musichristian.com/sys/product.php?PRODUCT=156189 # 11

Paul Colman's My Brother Jack Lyrics

We got into the car with the true believers
We could tell they were by the words they spoke
They were talking of Jesus and all He was doing
They were sharing their favourites from the Holy Book
And I was with them every step of the way
‘Cause I’m a believer saved by grace
And they didn’t know in the back seat was my brother Jack

We travelled on the 2 hour journey
Singing along to gospel radio
The my brother Jack quite unexpected said
“Do you mind if I listen to my favourite band?”
And maybe it was when the singer let out a word
Four syllables long and not ever heard
In their church circles
That the believers attacked

How could you play music that evil?
How could you speak of someone’s mother like that?
Whatever is pure, whatever is holy
We think on these things “so here’s your record back!”
And maybe it was just ‘cause we arrived at the place
My fellow believers didn’t see his face
But red was the anger all over my brother Jack

Well I pulled them aside just before our performance
And told them the story of my brother Jack
He’s not a believer but one who is searching
And I told him that Jesus loves him where he’s at
And when I was speaking
Well suddenly I wondered
If we really knew why
Millions of people felt like my brother Jack
They’ve come to our churches and they're not coming back
Please God save our souls
And my sweet brother Jack

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We had all sorts of fun feeding pictures of all 5 of us into this program. The things you do when there is no TV to watch

Paul

Addison

Dylan

Devon

Of course depending on the picture you put in...

your look-alikes change greatly

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This is a forward that's been around ~ I liked it.....And I am thankful for my "real friends" or as we like to refer to y'all -"forever friends"

A simple friend, when visiting, acts like a guest.

A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps himself (and doesn't feel even the least bit weird shutting your 'beer/Pepsi drawer with her foot!)

A simple friend has never seen you cry.

A real friend has shoulders soggy from your tears.

A simple friend doesn't know your parents' first names.

A real friend has their phone numbers in his address book.

A simple friend brings a bottle of wine to your party.

A real friend comes early to help you cook and stays late to help you clean.

A simple friend hates it when you call after they've gone to bed. A real friend asks you why you took so long to call.

A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems.

A real friend seeks to help you with your problems.

A simple friend wonders about your romantic history.

A real friend could blackmail you with it.

A simple friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an
argument.

A real friend calls you after you had a fight.

A simple friend expects you to always be there for them.

A real friend expects to always be there for you!

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 "And remember: 

amateurs built the ark ...

 professionals built the Titanic

 If God brings you to it - 

He will bring you through it."

Thank you Lord, for carrying me through and for the journeys themselves. 

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In the military a lot of the soldiers, Paul included, have large binders that they call their “I love me” books. This is a 4” -6” binder that has page protectors in it with copies of nearly all military records, awards, evaluations, promotions and anything else they are given.

Now, I know this may shock some of you but… our government is known for losing these items. So, soldiers have taken it upon themselves to make these binders, keeping the paperwork handy and in order received so they can pull out anything at any time. Paul has had to use his heaps of times over the years, sad but true.

So that’s the “why” of the I love me book.

 Now, here’s Paul’s funny for the week.

He called me from work this week, twice, and needed me to grab his book and to give him some dates off a few papers. I like to give him a hard time for the name of the book. “ I love me” ....so vain right?? 

So, as I dutifully walk down the hall, get the stepstool ( no height comments) and grab the binder off the top shelf… I am giving him a hard time. (hard to believe, I know )

I said, “Your ‘I love me’ book… What about me? Where’s your ‘I love my wife’ book? Ya! Where’s the ‘I love Donna book’?”

His reply:

“I have one. It’s called the checkbook.” ba dum da dum!

Touché! Now, that’s funny. I don't care who you are, that's funny.

I am highly thankful and appreciative of the fact that Paul works and I have the opportunity to stay at home to raise & homeschool the kiddos. I do realize that we make monetary sacrifices for this choice. I am blessed that Paul takes his role and leads us as he feels he should and that he provides for us. He is never watching over my shoulder or questioning my purchases. I am thankful that he trusts the choices that I make while shopping, that he allows me the freedom to do what I feel is best in the moment. I do know that I am lucky in this respect and that I am blessed to have his confidence and respect in money spending matters. He is a good man, that Charlie Brown.

All that sappy Paul stuff to just point out that he actually kinda meant it… when he said the checkbook was his I love Donna book. He hands it over freely, without questions or restrictions… I am thankful and he… is a funny, funny guy =0)

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This morning started off the way most of our Saturdays do- with a few hours of music at the AAC.

Addison had a dress rehearsal for her performance that is next Sunday (9/10) It is an "Around the World in 80 minutes" show. It is cute. Basically, two teenagers get into a hot air balloon that takes them around the world and into different time frames in – you guessed it- 80 minutes. This concert is put on by the younger string groups at CYM. Addison’s Junior Strings group is playing 3 songs. It should be a fun performance if the rehearsal is any indication.

After music we went into the large home store here (ala home depot) and bought some plants and flowers- hum, must be spring. We picked out some fun flowering plants and hope to keep our fine feathered visitors happy with the choices we made.

When we arrived back home the boys took off for a bike ride to invite some friends over to play cards. A death match game of Mille Bornes was underway (Hi Tracey)

A little while back Paul got a new attaché in the office with 4 kids. They live not far from us. Well, the kids have really hit it off which has been so nice! They have been going on bike rides and playing games in the afternoons. Their oldest son is 15 and Dev & Dyl both really enjoy him, he even came over to spend the night last night after the BBQ. Yea, Dev just might have a forever friend in the making!

We went to a fun BBQ tonight with a group from the Emb that live around us. I took Cheryl's crunchy salad, which was a hit- thanks Cheryl. I didn’t know so many people lived in the other side of our subdivision ( we are separated by the golf course). It was nice to meet them all. Most of their kids are all on the much younger side, but the kids had a ball playing with the Judges’ kids.

So we headed home and had a restful evening. I didn’t get around to planting the plants or flowers yet… but I can’t think about that now, tomorrows another day… (You’ll never guess what book I’m rereading right now- )

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