Click here: Great Quotes from Great Leaders Movie

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Hint:  He's not in the USA and this city is hosting soccer championships this year.

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Two surprise early morning messages thrilled me today.  First, our nephew, currently living in London, notified family of the birth of their first daughter.  Within an hour, I received a message about our niece, currently living in Montana; they also had their first daughter this morning.

These first-time grandmothers are my sister and my husband's sister.  Our families grew up together in the same parish and neighborhood.  Our two sisters were very good friends and played a part in uniting my husband and I,  twenty years ago.

Today, their first-born children both gave birth to THEIR own first born children at 1:23am and 1:30am, both on May 4th,;  both girls.....one is 7 lbs. 9 oz. and the other is 7 lbs. 13 oz..

Welcome sisters, to the wonderful world of grandparenting!

Congrats to all the new parents and grandparents involved!

(and thanks for finally making me a great-aunt!)

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My mom died seven years ago today.  This was a favorite song our family shared with her as daughters and sisters.  I still tear up in church when we sing it.

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Our own Concert Youth Chorale visited Indianapolis to share a concert with the infamous  Indianapolis Children's Choir.  The kids really enjoyed performing for one another. 

My daughter and son both sing in the Concert Youth Chorale.  My daughter also accompanies the choir on flute for a piece in their repertoire.

But it wasn't all work and no play!  We stayed at this hotel....FUN for all!

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I am up early (4:30AM) paying  bills before leaving town and just experienced quite an earthquake moments ago!  I was at the kitchen table....the glassware was shaking, the log cabin walls were creaking, the window panes were shuddering, my writing table was moving and my glass of water had waves in it!!!

I subsequently learned that Illinois and Missouri are at the 2nd highest risk for large earthquakes, due to the New Madrid fault.....California, of course, being the first.  And when we moved here, I only thought I had to dodge the tornadoes!

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Donnie McClurkin is awesome!

I've been waiting for this particular video to go on You Tube....this video is a favorite to sing along with at our bible study.   Now I can play it whenever I want!

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Book a beach vacation for next winter.....

Marco Island is on the books for Winter 2009.

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For demonstrating commitment, enthusiasm, leadership, and mentoring other swimmers,  the 2008  Gator Swim Team Spirit Award goes to......

a 15 year old, near and dear to our hearts, pictured with her coach.  Atta Girl!

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Bill Moyers asked for suggestions for books that should be required presidential reading.

Thousands responded, and continue to do so on The Moyers Blog where you can view all the suggestions

Below you'll find some of the most popular suggestions and themes. From classics to comics — everyone seems to want a Commander in Chief who is a lifelong reader.

Here are the current top titles.

• Naomi Klein, THE SHOCK DOCTRINE
• Howard Zinn, A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES
• Kim Michaels, THE ART OF NON-WAR
• Jared Diamond, COLLAPSE
• Chalmers Johnson, BLOWBACK 
• Tom Paine, COMMON SENSE
• Al Gore, ASSAULT ON REASON/AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
• David Cay Johnston, FREE LUNCH
• George Orwell, 1984/ANIMAL FARM
• Naomi Wolff, THE END OF AMERICA: LETTERS TO A YOUNG PATRIOT
• Greg Mortenson, THREE CUPS OF TEA
• Barbara Ehrenreich, NICKEL AND DIMED
• Barbara Tuchman, MARCH OF FOLLY
• Doris Kearns Goodwin, TEAM OF RIVALS
• David Korten, THE GREAT TURNING
• John Steinbeck, THE GRAPES OF WRATH
• Ayn Rand, ATLAS SHRUGGED
• John Dean, BROKEN GOVERNMENT
• John Perkins, CONFESSIONS OF AN ECONOMIC HITMAN
• James Carroll, HOUSE OF WAR
• Thomas Friedman, THE WORLD IS FLAT
• Lao Tzu, TE TAO CHING
• Tim Weiner, LEGACY OF ASHES
• Dr. Seuss THE LORAX, HORTON HEARS A WHO, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO, IF I RAN THE ZOO

I don't agree with most of the books on this list.  What about:

Democracy In America

Plato's Republic

Aristotle's Politics

What books do you believe should be required reading for presidential reading?

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Please join me in the Chaplet of Divne Mercy beginning Good Friday.  Our family will be participating in the Divine Mercy Novena (nine consecutive days). 

Be back next week.

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