Living in the NW suburbs of Chicagoland, we have the privilege of access to many recently built, safe, fun playground areas. But, it was a real treat when driving across Iowa last week (we took Hwy 20 just about the entire way) to stop at a few parks with old school play grounds. I would highly recommend this when traveling, by the way. We stopped just twice for about 45 minutes each. One time at lunch so we could eat a picnic. It made the 9 hour drive bearable for the kids (and, therefore, me)!

Anyway, along the way, my kids got to see what a merry-go-round and teeter-totter were, among some other classic metal toys. They had a blast! I will say, it was more work though. I had to be much more attentive when they played on them, and often they needed assistance to get on or stay on or get down! So, I can definitely see the advantage of today’s more “parent-friendly” play areas, where I can sit on a bench and just watch. Don’t get me wrong, I like to interact with them at the park, too, it’s just nice not to have to be stressed out about it!

A foursome in California practices polyamory–the belief that people can love several partners at once with everyone’s blessing. Originally two couples, the wife from one couple became pregnant with the husband from the other when they were temporarily living together. They then bought a house together and recently signed legal documents making them equal guardians of the child. Read more: Four better or four worse for marriage of four I’m starting to think we do need to legally define traditional marriage. Read more on the implications of allowing a new definition: http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=8089

One of the most unique gifts my four-year-old received for her birthday was the Mind Blowing Science kit from Scientific Explorer. We opened the box the day of her party, on her birthday, and did the first two experiments. I was concerned at first whether it was going to be too complicated or take a long time or that there would be too many things you had to supply yourself, and so on. But it’s not! It’s so simple and actually pretty quick, and my daughter loved it. She was giggling at the foam and bubbles as the liquids changed colors. I actually had fun, too. It was a great project to do together while my younger son was napping. I’m actually looking forward to tackling it again and finding out what the next project is!

Anyway, I definitely recommend it as a birthday gift idea for a boy or girl, ages 4 and up!

The men and women who serve our country deserve our gratitude. Don’t hesitate to give them thanks–without any awkwardness–by using sign language. Simply put your hand on your heart and pull your hand down and out, bending at the elbow. The Gratitude Campaign allows you to say thank you quickly and easily without even having to approach. Learn more: www.gratitudecampaign.org/

From Planned Parenthood’s Obscene Profits by Michelle Malkin.

Read more: http://www.townhall.com/columnists/MichelleMalkin/2008/06/04/planned_parenthoods_obscene_profits

I was at the library today and happened upon a section of books called “Bible stories.” This makes sense and I was glad to find it. BUT, I thought it was odd that Christmas, Easter and other Biblically based holiday story books were there and not with the books on the other side of the room that were grouped by holidays, including Christmas and Easter (as well as Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving and Halloween).

I remember both at Easter and Christmas rummaging through the books looking for stories that weren’t about bunnies and candy, Santa Claus and gifts (and not finding them!). So, now that I know somebody has done the work for me, I don’t mind. But it does make it difficult for people in general to stumble upon a variety of perspectives on the holidays. I guess that’s probably the goal. We wouldn’t want to offend anyone who doesn’t want God or the Bible to have anything to do with our special occasions!

From Continued Good News on Teen Pregnancy and Abortion by Janice Shaw Crouse:

We were at a playdate yesterday with a friend of mine who sits for two girls, 4 and 6, and has a daughter, 5, and son, 2. Avery was playing with a plastic grocery cart and pushed it over by where we were sitting. She stood at the side of it and was playing with the contents. My friend’s son came by and grabbed the handle bar, attempting to pull it away. Avery, not so kindly, said, ”Let go of that, plea-ease! Plea-ease!”

I could barely believe what I saw next: Charlie came up to the cart, grabbed it and with an emphatic grunt and scream, lifted it slightly off the ground and slammed it back down. Once the older boy backed off (his mom and I were encouraging him to find something else to play with as well), Charlie just walked away. I looked at my friend and said, “Did you see that?” I waited for her reply to really believe that he was really trying to defend Avery, but she said what I was thinking even before I did. It was so cute, even though it wasn’t my ideal way of having everyone handle the situation! But it’s good to know Charlie has the ability to stick up for his big sister.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

From Disposing of the Disabled by Ken Connor:

Obama indeed waxed eloquent in his official response to his pastor’s anti-America and racial hatred messages from the pulpit. It all sounded really good, almost too good don’t you think? He is good. Well, his speechwriters are anyway. It does beg a few questions, though, at least if you ask the conservatives; the liberal media are eating it up. I honestly don’t know what to think. He certainly made many good points, and I hope he meant what he said and that he said what he meant.

I do believe the heart of the issue is the breakdown of the American family. This is a problem that transends race. The family is a unique and powerful support system, which kids need to grow up with a healthy view of life and to process their inevitable hurts. Teenage pregnancy, absentee fathers and grandmothers raising grandchildren has been shown to lead to poverty, troubled teens and underpriviged kids. Yet, we always seem to fall back on the same rhetoric that enables us to blame everyone else for our situation. Everyone has a choice, yes, not to let their past (or their present) life circumstances take over. Only you decide whether you are happy or sad, gracious or bitter, successful or held back. Every person has emotional, mental, physical or other baggage that he or she can choose to carry through life–or not. But you have to take action, for your own benefit and for the benefit of the future generations of your family.

And I am more convinced than ever that we should be celebrating unity, not diversity. Yet, Obama is condeming racisim and encouring us to keep race on the forefront of our consioucness. Blacks are the ones who talk most about race. And the more we pick at the scab of injustice, the longer the healing process will take.

But that’s just my opinion. Here are additional conservative views from Townhall:

Charles Krauthammer: Obama’s Speech Leaves a Few Question Marks
David Limbaugh: Obama Not Yet Out of the Woods
Linda Chavez: Obama Won’t Confront Biggest Problem for Blacks
Patrick J. Buchanan: A Brief for Whitey
Mona Charen: Throwing Grandma Over the Side

“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27

Planned Parenthood receives more than $250 million of federal tax dollars under Title X.  This money, your money, is used to fund marketing and media resources to encourage kids to have sex, have abortions and disregard authority, all in the name of ”education.” One of the center’s web sites, teenwire.com, features inappropriate and offensive sexually oriented material (imagine what the animation “Behind the Fig Leaf” shows!”) targeted at junior and senior highers. The experts on the site appear to provide balanced information about sex, which I believe makes it even more dangerous for kids. Interestingly enough, this web site states that teens should consider the potentially long-lasting emotional impact of adoption (”Ask yourself: Can I accept my child living with someone else?”) but states that “long-term emotional reactions to having an abortion are relatively positive” and any claims of emotional trauma associated afterward are unfounded.

Three U.S. Congressmen, including Representative Lamborn, Colorado; King, Iowa; and Pitts, Pennsylvania, are preparing legislation calling once and for all for the defunding of Planned Parenthood. You can help by signing the ACLJ’s online petition and doing your part to promote this legislation.

1. Armageddon. I laughed, I cried, I laughed some more. It’s got love, action, drama and comedy. It’s my favorite movie.

2. A Walk to Remember. This movie with morals is heart-warming and heart-felt, and it makes me cry every time. Mandy Moore and Shane West give outstanding performances.

3. Miracle. My all-time favorite sports movie; very inspirational. You can’t help but want to jump out off your couch and cheer for USA (even though we all already know the outcome)!

4. Clueless. A story full of teenage angst, so totally 90s you just gotta love it.

4b. The Wedding Singer. I almost forgot this one! I love cheese and this 80s parody is full of it. The story is sappy but sweet, and the music is oh-so fun.

5. Facing the Giants. I really felt the emotions of the characters in this movie, even though the acting is not great. These are people we can relate to, and the Christian message woven throughout is awesome.

6. Troy/Gladiator. I’m a sucker for good ol’ Hollywood epics with great action and drama. What’s not to love?

7. Back to the Future. Time travel, Michael J. Fox, wacky scientist and a DeLorean? This one’s easy!

8. Beaches. Sorry, folks, but this one has to be on the list. I cry every time I see this movie. Not that crying is a telltale sign of a great flick, but the story of friendship is so deep and real, you can’t help but appreciate it.

9. Remember the Titans/We are Marshall. Great, emotional sports dramas. Titans just makes you feel good. Marshall is a sad but inspiring portrayal of a true story, plus extra points for Matthew Fox.

10. Tommy Boy. Just plain funny. David Spade and Chris Farley are a hee-larious duo.

11. Sweet Home Alabama. A sweet romantic comedy.

12. Legally Blonde. A fun chick flick; great for a some laughs. I guess I like Reese Witherspoon.

13. Indpendence Day/Enemy of the State. I pretty much like any of Will Smith’s blockbusters. There’s always a lot of action, drama and humor.

Honorary mention: School of Rock. I’m a closet fan of Jack Black and I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie.

Linda Chavez was right on in her article today about patriotism (refering to Ms Obama’s comments earlier this week): http://www.townhall.com/columnists/LindaChavez/2008/02/22/liberal_patriotism

But most Americans already think their country is great — no matter who occupies the White House. Patriotism isn’t about loving your country when your party is in power. It isn’t about liking its political leaders or even agreeing with all the nation’s policies.  …

Patriotism is a lot like the unconditional love of a parent for a child. A parent doesn’t demand a child be perfect in order to love him. Nor does that love mean that a parent does not recognize a child’s faults. …

Our elected officials don’t make America great, nor do temporal policies. America is great because of its people, its defining institutions and its freedoms. You would think a woman hoping to be the country’s next first lady could take pride in that.

Did you know snow flakes were actually ice and very transparent, not “white” as it appears? Not to mention how each tiny crystal is completely unique. What an amazing God to create beauty in such a tiny bit of nature.

We went to Discovery Days through our county’s conservation district–check it out if you have one in your area for free kids’ educational programs–and learned all about snow and snowflakes. One of the books they showed to the kids I actually thought was really cool. The Snowflake by Kenneth Libbrecht (the author is from North Dakota so he gets bonus points from me since that’s my birthplace) showcases the beauty and uniqueness of individual snow crystals with close up photography.

We also made snow crystal catchers by laminating a sheet of colored paper, which the kids decorated, then glued a piece of black felt onto it to catch the snowflakes. The conservation district also provided magnifying glasses which we tied on with yarn, but you could use any magnifying glass even if it’s not attached. When you are finished, the key is to put the catcher in the freezer before you go out so that it doesn’t melt the snow as it lands on it.

Of course, the most memorable moment for my daughter was the last thing we did: eat powdered “snow” doughnuts!

My neighbor Bill is the best neighbor I could ask for. He has come to my rescue several times and he did it again today. I had an appointment at Home Depot (another big disappointment by the way, why do they keep upselling me when I tell them cost is a concern?) at 10am. I walk out with the kids all ready to load up and discover my car completely buried in the 10-plus inches that dumped on us yesterday. Matt cleared most of the driveway and figured we could plow our way through. Well, he didn’t have any trouble getting to work, but I got stuck, even after I shoveled quite a bit of what was piled up around the car.

Thankfully, Bill was out about to take his dog for a walk and offered to help. He shoveled snow out of the way, and gave me several pushes, guiding me when to go forward and backward and all that. After 32 winters in Iowa and Illinois you’d think I’d know how to get out of the snow, but I just don’t. Anyway, I am very thankful to him for that and everything he has ever done to help me and my husband.

Bill has always been so kind to lend us tools and manpower for our many projects which we are usually not fully prepared to handle. Usually he insists. He probably thinks we are crazy for half the things we’ve attempted without the proper tools or expertise. But, he’s always very nice about it!

In addition, there was one time I called to borrow who knows what–I have gotten eggs and milk and who knows what else from their kitchen as well–but they didn’t answer so I hung up to call another neighbor (boy, I’m starting to feel like a mooch, but isn’t that what neighbors are for?). He rang my doorbell an hour or so later because he was concerned that I hadn’t left a message and wanted to be sure I was okay. I was almost brought to tears when I thanked him for being so thoughtful.

Being home alone during the day with two kids can be overwhelming at times, not to mention having to worry about something happening to me or the kids, and just knowing that he’s at home (he and his wife work out of their home), willing to help and concerned about my well-being is just, well, extraordinarily neighborly. Thanks, Bill. 

And I shouldn’t stop there because God has blessed us with many people in our neighborhood who are kind, helpful and generous. We’ve made many friends in this old historic district and we’re very thankful for each and every one of them!