2-3# boneless/skinless chicken (cut into bite size)
1 can cream of chicken soup (Healthy Recipe works great)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (Healthy Recipe works great)
2 t garlic pwdr or 2 garlic cloves (chop garlic)
1/2 white/yellow onion - diced
1 Cup Sherry (cheap works well)
Pepper to taste
2-3 shakes of Worchshire
Directions: Line slow cooker with liner, fill with above ingredients, stir well. Cover & cook on Hi for 4 hrs or Low for 6-8 hrs. Great served over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or dressing.
Overall rating:
Simplicity: 3.5
Taste: 4
Nutrition: 4
Total rating: 4
Wendi's report: Jodi joined us for dinner tonight after watching the boys so I could go swim. (Have I mentioned that I think swimming is hard?) Anyways, this was a fabulous dinner. Scrumptious. We ate it over mashed potatoes (thanks to Jodi!) Elijah didn't dive in, but I think it was just because he wasn't feeling himself. He seemed to like it. Isaac wouldn't try it so we don't think that makes him a fair judge. Either way, this was a healthy, easy, and very tasty recipe. Loved it! Give it a try.
It's official. I actually found out before JB as the Residency Director called to tell me when he couldn't locate an incredibly hard-working JB, that we are, in fact, for sure, moving to Turkey in July. This was our first choice so we are thrilled. But it is still quite overwhelming to think of all the things that will need to happen in the next four months to get us there.
Just today I called about passports. Apparently I and the boys need "no-fee" passports to get into the country. These are free. However, they will do us no good while there. We need "regular" passports to do any travelling. While I have a regular passport, the boys do not, so we will need to get both a non-fee and regular passport.
You know, that type of thing.
And of course, the most important thing of all. What in the world am I going to call my blog now? Please leave a comment with a suggested name change. I'll pick a few and do a blog vote like I did when the Polar North defrosted.
Sorry. I tried. I've been really working on making good decisions at the grocery store. Choosing the cheaper product. But I tried Minute Maid Orange Juice. Saved 55 cents. But it just wasn't worth it. Tropicana rocks.
Word from the Polar North is that we have two interested buyers. Both are going back today for a second look. Your prayers for the timely sale of our condo would be most appreciated.
Two boys waking up at 8am. Can it get much better than that? Unfortunately, no. That was the highlight. The rest of the day went slowly, slowly, faster, way too fast ... down hill.
It started with the fact that Isaac was sick. I knew he was sick. He was running a fever yesterday and we missed MOPs. But this morning he woke up even sicker.
Elijah woke up pretty miserable too. I felt him. He didn't feel too warm so I didn't bother taking his temperature. Later I would discover he was running a fever, and of course I felt incredibly guilty for treating Isaac's fever with medicine all day and not Elijah's.
I won't get into every little thing that transpired to work against me as a mom today. I will however give you a few glimpses.
We go outside at 10:00 to play in the front yard. When we went out at 10:00, I had a plan. Stay outside until Pat, our bug man, came to spray the house around 11:15. He doesn't like the kids and pets inside when we spray, so this would be perfect.
But did I remember that? Noooo. At 11:00, thinking we should get lunch ready, I tell the boys it is time to come inside. Isaac loses it. I mean sobbing hysterics. He often gets upset coming inside, but not this much.
I have a rule. If one of the boys needs something, I'll help, but if they are just throwing a fit, they have to throw it in their room. So off to his room Isaac goes to throw his fit in private.
He just gets settled down and the doorbell rings. Pat! Crikey! I forgot!
Pat and I talk a bit, and then he says it would be best if went outside while he sprays. Only now Isaac is excited by Pat and his bug can and wants to stay inside. He loses it as I corral everyone back into the yard to wait for Pat to do his thing.
Okay. Pat leaves. We eat a very tear-filled lunch, and I put both boys down for naps by 12:00.
I hop on my borrowed stationary bike for a forty-five minute ride. I do pretty well. It isn't as hard as the spin class, but I was just trying to get used to the bike and its features and what I need to do to use it.
At the end of 45 minutes Isaac is still awake. I walk into his room to find every single stuffed animal he has in the middle of his room and his little body stuffed into the corner of his crib.
"All done Mommy," he says. "I waked up Mommy."
"No," I say and scoop him into my arms. "You never went to sleep."
Same difference. In his mind at least.
He puts his head on my shoulder. I smell his hair and remember that he needs a bath. As much as I don't want him to be sick, I do love when Isaac is snuggly like this -- usually only when he isn't feeling well.
Isaac and I spent the next hour chilling. It was pretty peaceful. We played cars and did puzzles and read books. It was a nice hour. Around 2pm I decided to put him back down. He fought it with lots of tears but ultimately succumbed to sleep. Right about the moment that Elijah woke up.
Elijah woke up cranky and just thirty minutes later, Isaac joined him.
All right. The stage is set for disaster. And here it comes.
I decide to cook some dinner. Not sure what I was thinking. Why I didn't try to cook it earlier, I have no idea. I am not in the habit of making dinner so I often don't think of it until it is way too late. So it's 3pm, and I decide to get started.
I google "cutting butternut squash into squares" since I have no earthly idea how to cut up a squash. I meant to ask JB but he's been so busy. Working non-stop. He's definitely going to break 90 hours this week again. So instead, I get some good directions online and set to work peeling the skin of the squash.
Scrubs is outside. Isaac is watching a video (something I let him do more when he is sick so he will rest) and Elijah is standing next to me in the kitchen, as he often is. Suddenly I turn and see the dish rack with a towel underneath it slowly inching its way off the counter.
I yell Elijah's name as I realize he is pulling the towel that is underneath it.
He jumps. It stops the whole rack from falling but not the glass that is sitting on the edge. It tumbles over, hits Elijah in the face, and breaks into a million pieces all over his bare feet.
I scoop him up, glad I have socks on, and quickly get him out of the kitchen as I swipe shards of glass off his little chubby piggies. I shut the gate, take a quick once-over at my screaming Elijah to determine he is not injured, only scared, and return to try and clean up the mess.
About this time, Isaac comes running over with a book in hand. "Read Thomas Mommy," he says.
Needless to say I told him the read would have to be postponed. He didn't respond positively to that idea.
While finding some shoes to put on, I hear Scrubs outside, barking at one of the neighbors. I bang on the glass of the window. I don't let him stay outside when he is barking. But I really don't need extra chaos inside at the moment.
Elijah is crying, his little face pushed up against the gate. Isaac is now crying as well, holding his book over the gate, asking me to "Peeese read Thomas."
I feel like crying but no time for that now.
As I finish scooping the glass into the dustpan, I look over to see that Elijah has blood streaming down his face. He has a bloody nose. I am not sure from what. The glass hitting him on the nose on its way to a million pieces? I now feel like a terrible mother. He's screaming because he is hurt, and I have him stuck on the outside of the gate by himself.
I throw the glass in the trash and move back into the dining room -- the other side of the gate. Elijah is sobbing and begins throwing a tantrum when I try to clean up the blood on his nose. Isaac is climbing on my back asking me again and again to read Thomas. Scrubs is now at the glass, scratching his nails on the window to come inside.
My dinner is halfway done on the stove. And I still need to run the vacuum to get the glass off the floor.
. . . I'll stop there.
Thirty minutes later, I had everyone calmed down and dinner in the oven warming and Scrubs inside and Elijah's nose cleaned up and had even read a book to Isaac. As we headed outside to give Mommy some time to "blow some spouts of air up at her bangs" while the kiddos played as if the world hadn't nearly fallen apart just a few minutes earlier.
I also decided to take my video camera. You see, I remember about seven years, six years, even two years ago ... well I remember begging for just this. I remember begging for tears and hugs and cries and ... well, children. I remember thinking that my house was too quiet. I remember walking into the room we thought would be a nursery and missing the toys scattered across the floor.
It was a hard day. I wish it would have been easier. I wish both my boys felt better. But just the same, I know these moments will be fleeting. I know they will go by before I even know what has occurred. And I know that they are moments I pleaded on my knees for.
So I decided to shoot a video to remember today. Remember my hardest day so far as a mommy. And to remember that I managed, despite the chaos to stay true to my mantra: consistent and calm. Somehow.
Here's the video. Hopefully you can feel a bit of my day in just these few moments.
As hard as today was, and it was hard, I am thankful that I got to experience today. I really am.
1/2 butternut squash peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes (2 cups) (I cheat and buy the frozen squash that's already in cubes!)
2 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/2lb whole-wheat elbows
2 Tbs butter (I use Smart Balance)
2 Tbs flour
1 1/2 cups reduced-fat milk
1 3/4 cups low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degreed. Toss squash with salt and oil on a foil-lined tray and bake for 20min or until tender
Preheat oven to 375 degreed. Toss squash with salt and oil on a foil-lined tray and bake for 20min or until tender.
Cook pasta for 2 minutes less than package directions call for; drain and place in a bowl with squash.
Meanwhile, melt butter over low heat, whisk in flour and cook for 2 min. Slowly whisk in milk. Bring mix to a boil, then simmer. Cook 3 min, stirring occasionally. Add 1 1/2 cups cheese; stir until melted.
Stir cheese sauce into pasta and squash.
Put into greased baking pan, sprinkle on remaining cheese and bake until bubbly and golden on top (about 10min).
Overall rating:
Simplicity: 3.5
Taste: 4
Nutrition: 4
Total rating: 4
Wendi's report (via brother Keith): Okay folks. We have a good one here. While I did not buy the precut butternut squash, making it a bit more difficult, and this was not as simple as some of the other recipes I have tried, nutrition-wise it was pretty stinkin' good and taste-wise it was pretty stinkin' good as well. I am not even a squash fan, and I really enjoyed it. Isaac didn't try it but Elijah gobbled it up and had seconds. John also really liked it. Definitely one to try!
Please remember that I am not commenting on the healthcare bill (although I have strong feelings about it.) I am simply commenting on the fact that I do not want to see abortion paid for by the public. Please read the email below and take the time to contact your senators. (It really is easy! Just a few clicks I promise!) Later this week, the Senate will vote on the reconciliation package to the health care bill passed by the House on Sunday, which includes federal funding for abortion. During this process, Senators will be able to offer an unlimited number of amendments.
Senator Coburn plans to offer two amendments in regard to the Life issue. One amendment will prevent funding for RU-486, the abortion pill, and the other will ensure conscience protection for doctors who do not want to be involved in abortion. The amendments could be voted on as early as tonight.
Please click here to contact your Senators and encourage them to vote in favor of these two amendments.
Senator Coburn’s amendments are essential to ensure that your tax dollars do not go toward the purchase of the dangerous abortion pill and to allow doctors to practice medicine without the fear of being forcibly involved in an act that goes against their conscience.
Make sure your Senator knows where you stand on these pro-life amednments and contact your Senator today.
All right. The biggest news of the day? Both my boys, together, at the same time, woke up at 7:55 this morning! 7:55!?!?! Oh man. Glorious. I barely knew what to do with myself this morning.
In other news ... their language. Loving listening to them talk. Both of them. In their own unique way.
Isaac has been very interested in telling me lately about his bodily functions. "I burp." or "I toot." (I don't even know where he learned the word toot as JB and I decided that it was fairly old fashioned and didn't plan to use it in our house.) "I poop." "I pee-pee." That sort of thing. After he burps or passes gas I will ask him what he should say, and he will say "'scuse me."
Yesterday at the end of my run, he told me that he had passed gas. "I toot Mommy," he said. I leaned over the stroller and said, "You tooted?" and he said, "Yes I did." He's been saying this to everything lately, and it is mighty cute. I asked him what he should say when he toots and he said: "'scuse me."
Isaac is obsessed with colors and has all of the basics down pat. He also loves shapes. His favorites are the crescent and oval. He really says anything and everything and is saying up to five word sentences. It is so fun, and we laugh so hard, at some of the stuff he comes up with.
While Isaac's language seems a little ahead of other 22 month olds, Elijah seems pretty right-on for his age bracket. He has about 10 words including: ball, shirt, go, Ma-Ma, Da-da, no, all done, milk, etc. He is constantly trying new sounds and starting to point to his body parts when asked. Belly, piggies, hair, head, and nose are his favorites.
Elijah is still signing. He has about ten signs but he gets so excited he will mess them up all the time. He'll just try out two or three in hopes he gets the right one. Really sweet!
He also loves food. He is famous for spitting out what he does have if you offer him something that looks better. People crack up watching him eat. He is a little man on a mission.
Lovin' my boys. My days are packed, but man are they fun.
Today, I did not go to MOPs. Isaac woke up with a fever. I was disappointed to miss it, but I ended up being able to have a very productive day. While Isaac was sick, he wasn't completely out of sorts, which allowed me to get a bunch done around the house in the morning. I called Jodi and she came by around 11am to help with the boys so I could run some errands. Isn't she awesome? Post office, ticket office (to buy tickets to Disney for our trip in April), grocery store, that kind of thing.
I found a bathing suit at the BX that I can wear for the triathlon. One pieces don't fit me but this is a two piece "tankini" that I think I'll be able to run/bike in and then swim in. I had a $25 gift certificate so it only cost me $15. Kristi had one I could borrow, but I was happy to get my own -- especially because this is something I'll be able to use just for regular old summer wear as well. As part of my triathlon training, I did a 20 minute run today. The run is definitely going to be the easiest part for me to train and participate in. Dreading my next swim already.
In other news, our condo is getting good activity according to our realtor. No offers yet but many showings and inquiries. Last week was "the match" where medical students across the country find out where they are going for residency. We are hopeful that the coming weeks bring the perfect buyer our way as people come to the area looking to buy a place for their training years.
JB also got an email from the hospital commander in Turkey. While we still have not gotten our "orders," this email further solidified the fact that we are in fact going to be going to Turkey in July of this year! I am so excited about this opportunity. I plan to do a post answering a lot of the questions I have received regarding this assignment so stay tuned. However, I'll leave it by saying that this is a fantastic assignment for us. We will miss our friends and family tremendously but are so pumped up for this amazing adventure coupled with the fact that JB will not deploy during the next 2-4 years. We fully support the military, and if deploying was necessary, we would embrace it as best we could. However, the opportunity to go to a "deployment area" together as a family was a good fit for us.
I have begun trying to do a few of the "little things" that will need to be done to start getting ready for this huge move. Today I focused on securing transportation for Scrubs. It appears that he will be able to join us on a military flight from Baltimore, through Germany, and into Turkey. However, we must pay to get him to Baltimore. Whether we will do that via flight or car is yet to be determined, but I was relieved to hear that he could fly with us. There are a lot of temperature restrictions during the summer months so this was a relief. Not taking Scrubs is NOT an option for us. He is part of our family and agreeing to go to Turkey meant agreeing to pay and get him there too.
We also found out that we qualify for one of the new four bedroom homes on the Base! Yipee! We are required to live on Base in Turkey and they are in the midst of a major renovation of the houses. We originally thought we would only qualify for a 2 bedroom so the fact that we will get a 4 is beyond our wildest dreams. My friend Shannon lives in one of these houses and she sent photos. Unbelievable! They are gorgeous. We will also get a housekeeper and a gardener. JB doesn't care much about the gardener as he'd just assume care of the lawn himself, but I am MAJORLY pumped about the housekeeper, especially because the houses do not have carpet. That's a lot a' floor to clean. You can also request that the housekeepers do some nanny and cooking for you! Way cool. Super pumped about this.
There will be much more to come on the details of our Turkey move. If you think to pray for all the steps that must be completed to get us there, we would be most grateful.
I finally found the guts, strength, ability, words ... to write a letter to the family of Nelly, the woman who died on our scuba trip in Mexico.
Yesterday I received an email from Nelly's husband. He wrote of their sadness and attempt to cope. He also thanked us for being with Nelly in her final moments. He and their sons are in counseling, and he wrote that he hoped to have more communication with me in the future.
I had hoped that hearing from him would make me feel better. But in fact, it just reminded me that what had happened last November really happened. While I went on living my own life, Nelly did not. Her family definitely has not. They are going to live without her for the rest of their days on earth.
Her husband said he would contact me in the future again when "his spirit was stronger." I pray that John and I are able to offer him any closure that he may possibly need on this very sad story.
If you think of it, please say another prayer for Nelly's husband and two young sons.
I have no idea who gave us this book. I wish I did. Whenever I give a book as a gift in the future, I'm going to write a note in it so I can remember. But to all you adopted parents out there, get a copy of this book! What a sweet story of adoption between a kangaroo and a baby bird. If you know someone adopting, this is a fantastic gift to give them. I love this book! Because it is not a "board book" we have had it out of reach. Recently I have decided "to heck with the fact that we might rip pages" and have brought some of these books to the boy's level. This is one Isaac brought me yesterday. Love it! It is called: A Blessing from Above.
I also wanted to share a book that we have decided to remove from our library. While a very cute book, it is definitely not adoption friendly, albeit a classic. Are you my Mother?by P.D. Eastman follows a young bird's journey to find his mother, recognizing that the only person who could be his mother is a bird since he is a bird. We decided that it isn't quite the book for our family.
I also wanted to recommend another book that I recently finished. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. Loved this book! Sad but a great read. Apparently he wrote it via a request for Miley Cyrus to act in one of his books. He first wrote the screenplay, and he then wrote the book.
I also recently saw the movie Facing the Giants. I was wondering what other people thought of this movie? While I enjoyed the message and was especially pricked by the story of infertility that was woven through it, I had to admit that I found it all a little "too good to be true." I thought to myself that if I was watching this when I couldn't have kids, how would I feel? Would I be encouraged or frustrated? It seemed that every single thing that he prayed for instantly came true. While I believe this is definitely possible, I know that sometimes we journey through the valley longer than we intend. Did anyone else see it as I did or differently? I'd love to start a discussion on this movie.
Seriously. I think swimming may be the hardest sport that there is.
Today I did just as Lee wrote it up.
I did:
1 lap (50 meters)
1 lap
2 laps (100 meters)
1 lap
And then I thought my arms might just fall off! Seriously. That doesn't seem like very far does it? I mean I run way farther than that. But holy cow it is hard. I think the swim is definitely going to be the most challenging part of the triathlon.
Kristi had a good day. Today was her "flex" day. Every other day we'll be doing the same things but I can't swim on Sunday because the pool isn't open. So I flip-flopped my days. Kristi ran for 20 minutes and also biked for 25 minutes and did an elliptical machine. Go Kris!
Yesterday I attended my very first "spin class." For those of you not familiar with these classes, there is a basically a room full of stationary bikes. You get on one and the instructor takes you on an imaginary ride up some very steep hills.
JB watched the boys and gave me some "alone time" to go work-out and then go browse the BX. Coupled with the fact that we got a date night on Saturday evening (finally used our Tradewinds gift certificate Ray and Gabbi) and I am feeling like I can tackle one more week of this single parent thing.
When I walked into class I saw Suzy (who led my "Moms in Motion" class when I was pregnant with Elijah) at the helm. Way cool! But then I remembered how hard she worked us and my excitement dropped about fifty levels.
She helped me to get set up on a bike and put me next to a guy who does triathlons and even teaches spin classes himself. She also told me I should get some spin shoes. It's my first day Suzy! C'mon! Let me see if I can even DO this bike thing before I go buy shoes.
I haven't been on a bike since the few times JB and I went riding in Minnesota. Before that, I don't know WHEN the last time was I was on a bike. Needless to say, this was a good way to start since crashing a stationary bike is next to impossible. (Although if there was a way to do it, I'm sure I would be the one to figure it out.)
The end result? Well, I really liked the class. Kristi had told me that she has been attending them and that she really enjoys them. While I was a bit thrown off by the fact that they turned off the lights and turned on strobe lighting, I eventually grew accustomed to that and was happy no one could really see what I was doing.
I was excited that I managed to actually pedal for one hour straight. I think that is a good thing. And in the end I got a fantastic work-out, a very sore hind end, and a great distaste for the word "hover" which encourages you to stay just above your seat while your quads nearly fall off.
I'm not sure how often I'll get to go to the classes. I may be doing more stationary biking with my borrowed machine at my house due to the fact that I have to secure childcare to go. But if I can, I'd love to go again!
Works great either way that you prepare it: either throw everything in the pan or crock pot together.
Simmer all together for 4 to 5 hours. C
an be: (1) put on toasted bread for open face
buns for a BBQ like sandwich (2) served
over noodles of your choice (3) served
with fries or sweet potato sticks (4) served with
any vegetable as a side dish (5) eaten with the meat broken up for
sandwiches.
Overall rating:
Simplicity: 4
Taste: 2.5
Nutrition: 2.5
Total rating: 3
Wendi's report: This was a simple meal to prepare. Other than sauteeing the onions, there really wasn't much to it except for throwing everything into the crockpot. However, once the meatwas out, we found it to be a tad dry and bland. So, JB took all the ingredients in the sauce, blended them in our food processor, and then added a few spices of his own to make a really great sauce to go over the meat. We ate them on buns, and with the sauce they were very tasty. We also had some sweet potato fries and baked beans. The kids weren't really interested in the meat but did eat the fries and beans and bits of the meat I disguised by throwing into the beans. I think the concept of this recipe was good, but it wasn't exactly good for little kids.
Nancy Pelosi and her allies are currently negotiating with key pro-life Democrats to try and secure their vote for their pro-abortion health care plan.
What's on the negotiating table?
A proposed executive order from President Obama that would allegedly bar abortion funding in the health care bill.
An executive order is an ineffective maneuver and completely unacceptable.
Here's why:
1. An executive order can be rescinded any time. President Obama could reverse it next week, next month, or next year. Should another pro-abortion president be elected in the future, it could be rescinded on inauguration day.
2. An executive order will not prevent insurance companies that provide abortion from participating in the exchanges.
3. Abortion funding in the health care legislation can be only be removed using the legislative process. An executive order not only doesn't fix the problem, it isn't needed to fix the problem, and could not stand a legal challenge. If Democrats are serious about protecting taxpayers from funding abortion in the health care bill, they must use the legislative process to fix the problem
Call the following members of Congress immediately and tell them that an executive order by the president on abortion is unacceptable and urge them to vote NO on the pro-abortion health care bill
Kathy Dahlkemper (PA) 202 225-3103 Daniel Lipinski (IL) 202-225-5701 Earl Pomeroy (ND) 202-225-2611 Nick Rahall (WV) 202-225-3452 Bart Stupak (MI) 202-225-4744 Steve Driehaus (OH) 202-225-2216 Joe Donnelly (IN) 202-225-3915 Jerry Costello (IL) 202-225-5661 Marcy Kaptur (OH) 202-225-4146 Paul Kanjorski (PA) 202-225-6511 Alan Mollohan (WV) 202-225-4172
Today begins our training for the triathlon. Here is our schedule for the upcoming week.
March 21 (Sun) – Off / flex
March 22 (Mon) –Swim 250 yards – 2 X 50, 1 X 100 & 1 X 50
March 23 (Tues) – Run 20 mins
March 24 (Wed) – Bike 45 mins
March 25 (Thur) – Swim 350 yards – 2 X 50, 2 X 100, 4 X 25
March 26 (Fri) – Off / Make up day (Optional run 20 min)
March 27 (Sat) – Run 15 mins & Bike 30 mins (Brick-bike right after run)
Flex means you can do anything you want. So I am going to go to a spin class at our Base gym. Kristi loves spin classes. I've never been. We'll see how it goes.
Kristi swam yesterday. Here's her report:
"I just read the blog! gulp!!! I went and swam today. I did 300 yards but there were a lot of breaks. Man swimming isn't easy. Since we are now registered and you wrote about on your blog we have to do it!!! It'll be fun. Funny maybe too."
No turning back now. Here we go!
To see all my posts about the triathlon I am doing with my best buddy Kristi, click here.
I refrain from getting into politics on my blog. It was just a decision I made early on in my blogging life, and I try to stick to it. Politics can cause division. I didn't want division.
I'm not going to get into the whole healthcare bill currently being worked out amongst our leaders. That's politics.
But what I am going to get into is the fact that I do not want my tax money, money our family makes, to help pay for abortion.
I am the mother of an "unborn child." I am the mother of a child that had his birth mother made the easy choice, would not be here.
This is not an abortion discuss however.
This is a discussion about the fact that regardless of your opinion on abortion, how can we argue about the fact that Americans should not be forced to pay for women to have this "right."
I am not alone in my feelings. Take a look at just one survey on how Americans feel about abortion funding. (Survey regarding abortion and tax money). 78% of Americans oppose the funding of abortion! This is regardless of their personal opinion on abortion.
Did you know that Planned Parenthood currently receives 33% of their funding from our government? This means that we are paying for this organization to promote abortion.
The Susan B. Anthony list was named after a woman who helped give women the right to vote. What isn't told of her and other women who supported this right was the fact that most of them were also huge supporters of the sanctity of life.
Here are two video clips that help explain what we are fighting for:
This is not a religious organization, and yet they are asking for prayer that this Bill does not pass. Passing would mean we would be paying for abortions.
Here are the names of undecided members of congress. Will you pray for them by name? Pray that they make the right decision on behalf of unborn children everywhere.
Kathy Dahlkemper Marcy Kaptur Paul Kanjorski Baron Hill Solomon Ortiz Earl Pomeroy Chris Carney Lincoln Davis Alan Mollohan
Here is a list of key members of the House who need you to call them and express your opinion. Please take a look and see if your representative is on this list. Even if your representative is not on the undecided list, please call them as soon as you see this post to support their decision. This website even provides information on how to call and what to say. While staff members may say that the bill does not allow federal funding of abortion, this is misinformation.
The current legislation would allow private insurance plans operating in a new insurance marketplace to cover abortions, provided they do not use taxpayer funds. What makes that tricky is that many of the plans' customers would be receiving federal subsidies to help pay their premiums.
This vote takes place on Sunday. Please join me when you wake up this morning in prayer for our leaders.
Did you know you spell triathlon without an "a" after an "h". I don't think I did. But now I do. That's because I am going to do one. I have been considering trying to do a shorter triathlon for many months now. And earlier this week I got an email from my buddy Kristi in New Mexico. I am going to visit her in April. And there just happens to be a sprint triathlon we can run together that weekend. So, I agreed to do it with Kristi on one condition. She had to agree to chart her progress so that we can follow both HER progress and MY progress on the blog. She promises emails that I can put on the blog keeping us all up-to-date on how her training is going in New Mexico along side mine in Florida. First a cooking contest and now triathlon training. What could be better? Kristi's husband Lee is a big-time triathlon runner. He has even won races not just run them as we plan to do. He does the long ones too. He's awesome. I'm not.But I'm going to do it nonetheless.
So, here is the information on the triathlon we are doing. It's called the Coyote Carrera Triathlonand it will be run along the Rio Grande river. It is on Sunday, April 25. That means we have about 5 weeks to get ready for this thing. Lee just sent us a training guide telling us what we had to do each day.
I guess the rest is up to me.
We plan to run it together and just have a great time encouraging each other the whole way.
The race is set for a 3.1 mile run, a 12.4 mile bike, and a 1/4 mile swim (8 laps in a 50 meter pool).
Kristi feels pretty comfortable with the bike part since she's been doing spinning classes. I feel good about the run part because I have been running. Neither of us feel comfortable with the swim part, but we figure, it's in the pool. If we get tired, we can hang onto the side for a few seconds or minutes ... or hours. I swam four lengths of the pool for my scuba certification. That doesn't sound like a lot, but it really was! This time I have to do eight after biking and running.
I checked into the facilities here on Base. I can swim from 8am until 6pm any day. I can do spin classes on numerous days. I think I am also going to borrow my friend Sarah's stationary bike and get my own bike ready to use as well.
Updates to follow! Stay tuned!
P.S. Yes I know the fonts changed on this blog. What a mess! I don't feel like going into HTML code to edit it and the regular changes aren't taking effect, so oh well.
