Friday, October 31, 2008

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Well, the Bagenski clan had another fabulous Halloween and we hope you all did too!!! Here's our pics from the day and evening!


Allie carved all the pumpkins herself. She got some instruction from Daddy before starting.
And Gracie supervised....
Psycho killer picture. Gotta have one of these every year.


Finished product! Not too shabby!

Little Gracie all done up and waiting for the hair to curl.

Gorgeous girl....


Allie in her pirate getup. Seriously if this girl ever wants to go Goth she'll pull it off SO easily!!


I took like 15 pictures and this is as good as the little twerps would let me get!! LOL

They did a little better with Pooh Bear in there with them.



Allie Pirate

Grace Southern Belle (notice the curls didn't stay?? SIGH)

Luke Spiderman!!!

The aftermath. OY!

That is CRAZY!!!
















Pass it on people....

To Barack Hussein Obama,

The New York Times carried a story on Saturday, October 4, 2008, that proved you had a significantly closer relationship with Bill Ayers than what you previously admitted. While the issue of your relationship is of concern, the greater concern is that you lied to America about it.

The Chicago Sun reported on May 8, 2008, that FBI records showed that you had a significantly closer relationship with Tony Rezko than whatyou previously admitted. In the interview, you said that you only saw Mr. Rezko a couple of times a year. The FBI files showed that you saw him weekly. While the issue of your relationship is of concern, the greater concern is that you lied to America about it.

Your speech in Philadelphia on March 18, 2008, about "race" contradicted your statement to Anderson Cooper on March 14 when you said that you never heard Reverend Wright make his negative statements about white America . While your attendance at Trinity Church for 20 years is of concern, the greater concern is that you lied to America on March 14.

In your 1st debate with John McCain, you said that you never said that you would meet with the leaders of Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, and North Korea without "preparations" at lower levels ... Joe Biden repeated your words in his debate with Sarah Palin ... while the videotape from your debate last February clearly shows that you answered "I would" to the question of meeting with those leaders within 12 months without "any" preconditions. While your judgement about meeting with enemies of the USA without pre-conditions is of concern, the greater concern is that you lied to America in the debate with McCain.

On July 14, 2008, you said that you always knew that the surge would work while the video tapes of you from more than a year ago show that you stated that the surge would not work. While your judgement about military strategy as a potential commander-in-chief is of concern, the greater concern is that you lied to America on July 14.

You now claim that your reason for voting against funding for the troops was because the bill did not include a time line for withdrawal, while the video tapes of you from more than a year ago show that you voted against additional funding because you wanted our troops to be removed immediately ... not in 16 months after the 2008 election as you now claim. While your judgement about removing our troops unilaterally in2007 is of concern, the greater concern is that you lied to America about your previous position.

You claim to have a record of working with Republicans while the record shows that the only bill that you sponsored with a Republican was with Chuck Lugar ... and it failed. The record shows that you vote 97% in concert with the Democrat party and that you have the most liberal voting record in the Senate. You joined Republicans only 13% of the time in your votes and those 13% were only after agreement from the Democrat party. While it is of concern that you fail to include conservatives in your actions and that you are such a liberal, the greater concern is that you distorted the truth.

In the primary debates of last February, 2008, you claimed to have talked with a "Captain" of a platoon in Afghanistan "the other day" when in fact you had a discussion in 2003 with a Lieutenant who had just been deployed to Afghanistan . You lied in that debate.

In your debates last spring, you claimed to have been a "professor of Constitutional law" when in fact you have never been a professor of Constitutional law. In this last debate, you were careful to say that you "taught a law class" and never mentioned being a "professor of Constitutional law." You lied last spring.

You and Joe Biden both claimed that John McCain voted against additional funding for our troops when the actual records show the opposite. You distorted the truth.

You and Joe Biden claim that John McCain voted against funding for alternate energy sources 20 times when the record shows that John McCain specifically voted against funding for bio fuels, especially corn ...and he was right .... corn is too expensive at producing ethanol,and using corn to make ethanol increased the price of corn from $2a bushel to $6 a bushel for food. You distorted the truth.

You and Joe Biden claim that John McCain voted like both of you for a tax increase on those making as little as $42,000 per year while the voting record clearly shows that John McCain did not vote as you and Joe Biden. You lied to America .

You and Joe Biden claim that John McCain voted with George W. Bush 90%of the time when you know that Democrats also vote 90% of the time with the President (including Joe Biden) because the vast majority of the votes are procedural. You are one of the few who has not voted 90% of the time with the president because you have been missing from the Senate since the day you got elected. While your absence from your job in the Senate is of concern, the greater concern is that you spin the facts.

You did not take an active role in the rescue plan. You claimed that the Senate did not need you while the real reason that you abstained was because of your close relationships with the executives of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Countrywide, and Acorn ... who all helped cause the financial problems of today ... and they all made major contributions to your campaign. While your relationship with these executives and your protection of them for your brief 3 years in the Senate (along with Barney Frank, Chuck Schumer, Maxine Waters, and Chris Dodd) is of concern, the greater concern is that you are being deceitful.

You forgot to mention that you personally represented Tony Rezko and Acorn. Tony Rezko, an Arab and close friend to you, was convicted of fraud in Chicago real estate transactions that bilked millions of tax dollars from the Illinois government for renovation projects that you sponsored as a state senator ... and Acorn has been convicted of voterf raud, real estate sub prime loan intimidation, and illegal campaign contributions. Tony Rezko has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to your political campaigns. You personally used your political positions to steer money to both Tony Rezko and Acorn and you used Acorn to register thousands of phony voters for Democrats and you. While your relationships with Rezko and Acorn are of concern, the greater concern is that you omitted important facts about your relationships with them to America .

During your campaign, you said: "typical white person." "They cling to their guns and religion." "They will say that I am black." You played the race card. You tried to label any criticism about you as racist. You divide America .

You claim that you will reduce taxes for 95% of America , but you forgot to tell America that those reductions are after you remove the Bush tax reductions.

You have requested close to $1 billion in earmarks and several million for Acorn. Your social programs will cost America $1trillion per year and you claim that a reduction in military spending ($100 billion for Iraq ) can pay for it. While your economic plan of adding 30% to the size of our federal government is of concern, the greater concern is that you are deceiving America .

The drain to America 's economy by foreign supplied oil is $700 billion per year (5% of GDP) while the war in Iraq is $100 billion (less than 1%of GDP). You voted against any increases to oil exploration for the last 3 years and any expansion of nuclear facilities. Yet today, you say that you have always been for more oil and more nuclear. You are lying to America .

Mr. Obama, you claimed that you "changed" your mind about public financing for your campaign because of the money spent by Republican PACs in 2004. The truth is that the Democrat PACs in 2004, 2006,and 2008 spent twice as much as the Republican PACs (especially George Soros and MoveOn.org). You are lying to America .

Mr. Obama, you have done nothing to stop the actions of the teachers union and college professors in the USA . They eliminated religion from our history. They teach pro gay agendas and discuss sex with students as young as first grade. They bring their personal politics into the classrooms. They disparage conservatives. They brainwash our children. They are in it for themselves ..... not America . Are you reluctant to condemn their actions because teachers/professors and the NEA contribute 25% of all money donated to Democrats and none to Republicans? You are deceiving America .

Oh, Mr. Obama, Teddy Roosevelt said about a hundred years ago that we Americans should first look at the character of our leaders before anything else. Your character looks horrible. While you make good speeches, motivating speeches, your character does not match your rhetoric. You talk the talk, but do not walk the walk.
1. You lied to America . You lied many times. You distorted facts. You parsed your answers like a lawyer.
2. You distorted the record of John McCain in your words and in your advertisements.
3. You had associations with some very bad people for your personal political gains and then lied about those associations.
4. You divide America about race and about class.

Now let me compare your record of lies, distortions, race baiting, and associations to John McCain: War hero. Annapolis graduate with "Country first." Operational leadership experience like all 43 previously elected presidents of the USA as a Navy officer for 22 years. 26 years in the Senate. Straight talk. Maverick. 54% of thetime participated on bills with Democrats. Never asked for an earmark. The only blemish on his record is his part in the Keating 5 debacle about 25 years ago. Mr. Obama, at Harvard Law School, you learned that the end does not justify the means. You learned that perjury, false witness, dishonesty, distortion of truth are never tolerated. Yet, your dishonesty is overwhelming. Your dishonesty is tremendously greater than the dishonesty that caused the impeachment and disbarment of Bill Clinton. Your dishonesty is tremendously greater than the dishonesty of Scooter Libby. You should be ashamed.

Mr. Obama, it is time for us Americans to put aside our differences on political issues and vote against you because of your dishonest character. It is time for all of us Americans to put aside our political issues and vote for America first. It is time for America to vote for honesty. Any people who vote for you after understanding that you are dishonest should be ashamed of themselves for making their personal political issues more important than character. Would these same people vote for the anti-Christ if the anti-Christ promised them riches? Would they make a golden calf while Moses was up the mountain? Would they hire someone for a job if that someone lied in an interview? Of course not. So why do some of these people justify their votes for you even though they know you are dishonest? Why do they excuse your dishonesty? Because some of these people are frightened about the future, the economy, and their financial security .... and you are preying on their fears with empty promises ... and because some (especially our young people) are consumed by your wonderful style and promises for"change" like the Germans who voted for Adolf Hitler in 1932. The greed/envy by Germans in 1932 kept them from recognizing Hitler for who he was. They loved his style. Greed and envy are keeping many Americans from recognizing you ... your style has camouflaged your dishonesty .... but many of us see you for who you really are ... and we will not stop exposing who you are every day, forever if it is necessary.

Mr. Obama, you are dishonest. Anyone who votes for you is enabling dishonesty.

Mr. Obama , America cannot trust that you will put America first in your decisions about the future.

Mr. Obama, you are not the "change" that America deserves. We cannot trust you.

Mr. Obama, You are not ready and not fit to be commander-in-chief.

Mr. Obama, John McCain does not have as much money as your campaign to refute all of your false statements. And for whatever reasons, the mainstream media will not give adequate coverage or research about your lies, distortions, word parsing, bad associations, race baiting, lack of operational leadership experience, and generally dishonest character. The media is diverting our attention from your relationships and ignoring the fact that you lied about those relationships. The fact that you lied is much more important than the relationships themselves.... just like with Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon ... Monica Lewinski and Watergate were not nearly as bad as the fact that those men lied about the events ... false witness ... perjury ... your relationships and bad judgements are bad on their own .. .. but your lies are even worse.

Therefore, by copy of this memo, all who read this memo are asked to send it to everyone else in America before it is too late. We need to do the job that the media will not do. We need to expose your dishonesty so that every person in America understands who you really are before election day.

Mr. Obama, in a democracy, we get what we deserve. And God help America if we deserve you.

Michael MasterMcLean, Virginia

"Forgiveness is the fragrant of flowers spread over the heel that crushes it "

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Just don't do it....



LOOK AT THE SOB STANDING ON OUR FLAG. IF THAT DOESN'T ANGER YOU, THEN YOU ARE NOT A GOOD AMERICAN. A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS. WHAT AN INSULT TO EVERY AMERICAN THAT DIED DEFENDING THAT FLAG AND WHAT IT REPRESENTS. HE IS OBAMA'S BUDDY. WILL HE GET A HIGH LEVEL GOVERNMENT JOB WORKING FOR OBAMA ??? I CERTAINLY HOPE NOT. I WILL ADMIT OBAMA IS BETTER AT TELLING PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR THAN MC CAIN, AND ALL THE LOST SHEEP IN THIS COUNTRY HANG ON HIS EVERY WORD. BULL! HAVE A GREAT DAY AND GOD BLESS AMERICA OR MAYBE WE WILL BE SAYING ALLAH BLESS AMERICA.



Ayres Photo

The guy in the photo (standing proudly on the American flag) is William Ayres. He is a close friend and personal confidant of Barack Obama.

Ayres financed Obama's entry into the wonderful world of radical south-Chicago politics. Obama's Illinois State Senate campaign was kicked off at a party at Ayres' home.

Ayres admitted to membership in a radical anti-government group called the Weather Underground, admitted to bombing the Pentagon as part of a protest plot to overthrow the U.S. Government, and admitted to aiding in the bombing of a police station resulting in slain police officers.

On 9-11, in direct response to the World Trade Center attacks he told a reporter that he is proud of what he did, and that he 'should have done more.' This is just one of the many, many Obama backers who raise questions about Obama and his ugly, radical anti-American associates. EVERY VOTER IN AMERICA SHOULD SEE THIS PHOTO! BARACK OBAMA STILL TO THIS DAY SUPPORTS AND DEFENDS AYRES.

THE AMERICAN MEDIA IS GIVING HIM A PASS ON IT! THEY ARE TOO BUSY ATTACKING THE PREGNANT 17 YEAR DAUGHTER OF SARAH PALIN.

OBAMA IS CORRUPT AND HIS RADICAL SOCIALIST PLANS ARE DANGEROUS FOR OUR COUNTRY.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO EVERY VOTER YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW THE TRUTH AND DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES.

Prayer Guide for Presidential Election


Prayer Guide for Presidential Election


Please share this with every Christian you know.>


Psalms 32:6-7 - Pray that Christians will be motivated to pray faithfully for this election and that the Lord would deliver us from the wrong leaders


Psalms 16:7-8 - Pray that the Lord would give wise counsel and guidance to His choice for president in this campaign.


Proverbs 16:13 Pray that our nation will listen to the truth and not be led astray.


Psalms 18:32-36 Pray that the Lord would arm the man of His choice with strength; that He would guide him in battle (this election), and that He would sustain him and give him victory.


Hebrews 11:32-34 Pray that God's man could, through faith, persevere and maintain his courage throughout this election.


Psalms 125 - Pray that those who trust in the Lord will not be shaken.


Psalms 86-14-17- Pray that the Lord would defeat those who have no regard for Him in this election.


2 Cor. 12:9 - Pray that the Lord would empower and enable His man in any area of weakness.


II Kings 13:16 - Pray that the Lord would put His hands on the man of His choice for president (and his team) and guide them in this election.


Proverbs 1:5-6 - Pray that God's man will listen with discernment, add to his knowledge, and receive wise counsel in this campaign.


John 16:33 - Pray that the man of God's choice would be given wisdom and ability from the Lord to overcome any obstacle or difficulty during this campaign.


Acts 17:30 - Pray for repentance for yourself and for our nation.


Luke 12:54-57 - Pray that God's man and our nation will be discerning and do what is right.


Phil. 4:13 - Pray that the Lord's choice for President will have special strength and unusual ability from God.


Habakkuk 1:5 and 3:2 - Pray that the Lord would do something that would utterly amaze us and give His servant victory.


Acts 14:23 Remember


2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Planning

So Allie got it in her head somehow that she wanted to be a pirate for Halloween. No WAY I was gonna spend 40 bucks on the one costume we were able to find so I was desperately trying to figure out how to put it together. A trip to goodwill was no help, wal mart...nothing there, so alas my sweet girl said, "it's okay, Mom. I can be a princess again". *SIGH* We were at Joann Fabrics the other day helping my mom pick out fabrics for a new quilt and Allie and I went wandering. We came across what was left of their costumes! I totally forgot they had them! There was another family there and the little girl was trying on a costume that looked suspiciously like a pirate! Mama went to work! I searched through that ENTIRE row of outfits and did I find another one? nope. But ya know, on some things I'm just VERY patient. As I looked for a duplicate I kept my ears open to this little girl. Her sister took a picture so she could see what it looked like on (was pretty tight on her as she was a bit heavy) and as the sister and mom tried to convince her it looked great and she would be the prettiest pirate on the block, the little girl proceded to have a tantrum! "Just forget it! I'm not going trick or treating! I don't care! I look terrible in EVERYTHING!" Poor thing. Makes me so mad when I see children suffer because of things their parents do to them...not THAT hard to give your children salad instead of McDonalds..... Anyway, I digress. The end result was after said child had said snot slingin fit, her mom PUT THE COSTUME BACK!!!! YAY!!!!!

Allie is a pirate for Halloween!

On the trip to goodwill looking for the ever evasive pirate get up I did find the perfect thing for Gracie. She's gonna be a Southern Belle! OMG just WAIT til you see the pics of that!!!

And little Lukey is gonna be Spiderman. I had actually found a mask at goodwill and bought it just cuz I knew he'd have fun with it. Well then he decided that's what he needed to dress up as and I was like...oh no! Wal mart had all their costumes on sale and we found ONE in his size! *whew*! But then we were looking at shirts for him and my mom found a pajama set that looked JUST like the costume!! And there were TWO of them, one red one black! So he gets TWO sets of pajamas and a costume all for 16 bucks! WHEEEE!!!

Next year I'm starting in September. I'm too old for this crap.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Now the DENTIST said I'm old!!!!

Ok, not in so many words but it was IMPLIED!!! I have yet another "stick" in one of my molars which requires further attention. (ie: painful shot, scary drilling and fill that will irritate me for weeks until my tongue gets used to the texture. *SIGH*) Basically what he said when I asked "What is going ON??" was these are my oldest molars...had them since I was six years old and the enamal is worn down and they just are more prone to cavities now.

What I heard was...."You're old and weathered and your teeth are gonna start rotting out of your face".

What a jerk.

If Mandy can so will I!

I like being cheesy every once in a while so here it is! :P


1. WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING? 7:28
2. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Diamonds hands down
3. WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA? What happens in Vegas
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Brothers and Sisters
5. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? Special K or a breakfast sammy
6. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? Jeanenne
7. WHAT FOOD DO YOU DISLIKE? meatloaf
8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CD? Currently Chris Sligh
9 . WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? 2004 Nissan Quest Mini van
10. FAVORITE SANDWICH ? Grilled swiss and ham. yumm o!
11. WHAT CHARACTERISTIC DO YOU DESPISE? liars
12. FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING? comfy pants
IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? mexico
14. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHROOM? beige
15. FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING? old navy
16. WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO? creswell
17. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY? prolly my 16th
18. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? gymnastics
19. FURTHEST PLACE YOU ARE SENDING THIS? Furthest person away reading it is David and Livy in Vermont
20. WHO DO YOU LEAST EXPECT TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? mmm...David :P
21. PERSON YOU EXPECT TO SEND IT BACK FIRST? Livy or Becca
22. FAVORITE SAYING? pft, ya right
24. ARE YOU A MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON? night
25. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE? 8 1/2 or 9
26. PETS? Casey - yellow lab, Cricket - pomeranian, Molly - papillion, Fargo - orange kitty, one tank full of fish and one tank with dead fish....
27. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US? I get to go to the DENTIST TODAY!!! WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!
28. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE? A teacher
29. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? tired and a bit gassy...too much crap the last few days! I know...TMI! lmao
30. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? dove chocolate
31. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? yellow rose
32. WHAT IS A DAY ON THE CALENDAR YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? Thanksgiving
34. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? special k waffles
35. DO YOU WISH ON STARS? no but i pray to God while looking at them
36. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Green or Yellow
37. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW? foggy
38. FAVORITE SOFT DRINK? ew...i'm a water girl
39. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Los Cabos
40. SIBLINGS? 1 brother
41. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR? The first day of summer....and then the first day of school!
42. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHild? Monchichi (ME TOO Mandy!!!)
43. SUMMER OR WINTER? Fall
44. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs
45. COFFEE OR TEA? coffee
46. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? chocolate
47. DO YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO E-MAIL YOU BACK? nah I like being ignored
48. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? This morning reading Becca's blog
49. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED? dust bunnies
50. WHO IS THE FRIEND YOU HAVE HAD THE LONGEST? Kimberly Andrews
51. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT? wal mart with my mom and dad
52. FAVORITE SMELL? clean babies
53. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? A stolen / injured child
54. SALTY OR SWEET? depends on the time of month
55. HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR RING? umm...like 6
57. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK? Monday
58. HOW MANY TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN? 14 I think
59. DO YOU MAKE FRIENDS EASILY? Not any more. I'm much pickier than I used to be.
56. HOW MANY YEARS AT YOUR CURRENT JOB? 9

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Gracie's day with Grandma and Auntie Chris!

And then it was Gracie's turn! I sure do love that Chris takes all these beautiful pictures for me! (well, I'm sure they are for her and Kathy too, but I make out like a bandit!!) I love this tradition...this is definitely something my children will remember for the rest of their lives.

Auntie Chris pushing at Skinner Butte Park




At Oakway






The kids all dressed up and ready for church! Lauren got to go with us today too! She loves our church.











Saturday, October 25, 2008

Gracie is FOUR!!!

I can hardly believe my baby girl is four today. She was born 4 weeks early at 5am on the dot, four years ago. She was healthy, strong and HUGE for being a month early!! 8lbs 4oz!! Think of what size she woulda been had she been full term! Woulda given her brother a run for his money I think! She was such a clingy baby, and only to mama! For the first 14 months of her life she only wanted ME! She would cry when anyone else would hold her or if I tried to lay her down or put her in her swing! Actually, the first person to REALLY get to hold her for any significant amount of time without her freaking out was MY Grandma; Gracie's Great Grandma Erbes! She's got a knack I tell ya!!

Anyway, we celebrated today and Little Miss was SO happy!! She's stoked to be four, she was excited to have all the family here with all attention focused on HER! That clingy baby has become the most social of my three...go figure!

Here she is with her crayon cake that Nana made! The idea all started with candles that she HAD to have!!

She blew them all out separately!! Smart girl! LOL

All the loot!! I told everyone she needed pants desperately...the fourth pair she pulled out she looked at me and said "Mom, MORE pants??"


Here she's showing Matt her "Karate"


Gracie with Matt and her "new best friend, Matt's girlfriend". ROFL!!! When I asked what her name is Grace shrugged and then goes..."OH Denise! She's my best friend!" Sorry Matt...looks like Gracie's taking over!



Lauren got to come to her bday party!





From left: Papa, Uncle Hugh, Aunt Gloria and Grandma





From left: Grandpa Stan, Matt, Denise (her new BFF), Auntie Robin



Allie, Grace and Lukey




The crayon cake!!!




It was a good time had by all! My baby is four. Soon she will be married and having babies of her own. OKOK, MAYBE I'm a little ahead of myself...but I SWEAR if time doesn't slow down a little I'll be there before I can blink twice!
Gonna go cry myself to sleep now....






Friday, October 24, 2008

Reason, Season, Lifetime

I've seen this particular poem many many times in my life. Everytime I see it, however, it means something different. Perhaps that's odd. Truth is there has always been an ebb and flow of people in my life; seems like it will always be that way. Some that I thought would be gone are still around, some that I thought would be here forever are long gone.

Anyway, here it is.


People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a Godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationsh ip to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Only for a Reason.


Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.

They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real.

But only for a season



LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned touse in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.


Thank you for being a part of my life. . . whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.


Oh how I love Oregon














For Mandy...

An old friend found me today...not sure HOW she found me but she did. I love this blogging thing! I've gotten a couple messages from her the last few days and a few comments on my blog. I've just spent the better part of two hours perusing HER blog and getting reaquainted with her and her beautiful family. Amazing how just a couple years changes things!

I'm so different than I was when we last knew each other as I'm sure she is too. Although it seems she's still the quintessential go getter on ALL aspects of life! It's exhausting just READING what she does on a daily basis...OY!

I just wanted to shout out that:
1. I did get the messages and sorry I missed you!
2. Finding me in the virtual world via messages and returned messages is way easier!! LOL and 3. I love you and am so glad to see you are doing well and the family is thriving!

Blessings to you, Old Friend!

I'm Invisible

I'm Invisible

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids walks into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside, I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The Invisible Mom.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more:"Can you fix this?" "Can you tie this?""Can you open this?" Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a carto order, "Right around 5:30, please." I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summacum laude -but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. "She's going, she's going, she's gone!"

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I ccould find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it.

I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this." It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte ,with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God will see."

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction.But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book wentso far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree. When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. Then, if there is anything to say to his friend, it could be, "You're gonna love it here!"

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built,but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

The Chicken is so political...

Why did the chicken cross the road...
The age old question has FINALLY been answered multiple times.

BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a change! The chicken wanted change!

JOHN MC CAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.

HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that littlechicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One! that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.

GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.

DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?

COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.

BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken. What is your definition of chicken?

AL GORE: I invented the chicken.

JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.

DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.

OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.

PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.

GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

BARBARA WALTERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.

ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken 2008, which will not only crossroads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken 2008. This new platform is much more stable and will never crash or need to be rebooted.

ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?

COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?

Monday, October 20, 2008

OH YEAH!!!!

SIZE 14 BABY!!!!!

Enough said.

Why I won't be voting Obama

This article is from Huntley Brown - he is a fabulous concertpianist, man of God and is a black man. I appreciate so much his reasoning for not voting for Obama. I would love to meet this man and shake his hand.

Why I Can't Vote For Obama
By Huntley Brown

Dear Friends, A few months ago I was asked for my perspective on Obama, I sent out an email with a few points. With the election just around the corner I decided to complete my perspective. Those of you on my e-list have seen some of this before but it's worth repeating....

First I must say whoever wins the election will have my prayer support. Obama needs to be commended for his accomplishments but I need to explain why I will not be voting for him. Many of my friends process their identity through their blackness. I process my identity through Christ. Being a Christian (a Christ follower) means He leads, I follow. I can't dictate the terms, He does because He is the leader. I can't vote black because I am black; I have to vote Christian because that's who I am. Christian first, black second. Neither should anyone from other ethnic groups vote because of ethnicity. 200 years from now I won't be asked if I was black or white. I will be asked if I knew Jesus andaccepted Him as Lord and Savior.

In an election there are many issues to consider but when a society gets abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, human cloning - to name a few, then wrong economic concerns will soon not matter. We need to follow Martin Luther King's words, 'don't judge someone bythe color of their skin but by the content of their character.' I don't know Obama, so all I can go on is his voting record.

His voting record earned him the title of the most liberal senator in the US Senate in 2007.<http://nj.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/>

NATIONAL JOURNAL: Obama:Most Liberal Senator in 2007 (01/31/2008)

To beat Ted Kennedy and Hilary Clinton as the most liberal senator, takes some doing. Obama accomplished this feat in 2 short years. I wonder what would happen to America if he had four years to work with. There is a reason Planned Parenthood gives him a 100 % rating. There is a reason the homosexual community supports him. There is a reason Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, Hamas etc. love him.. There is a reason he said he would nominate liberal judges to the Supreme Court. There is a reason he voted against the infanticide bill. There is a reason he voted 'No' on the constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. There is a reason he voted 'No' on banning partial birth abortion.There is a reason he voted 'No' on confirming Justices Roberts and Alito. These two judges are conservatives and they have since overturned partial birth abortion. The same practice Obama wanted to continue.

Let's take a look at the practice he wanted to continue.

The 5 Step Partial Birth Abortion procedures:
A. Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the baby's leg with forceps.
(Remember this is a live baby)
B. The baby's leg is pulled out into the birth canal.
C. The abortionist delivers the baby's entire body, except for the head.
D. The abortionist jams scissors into the baby's skull. The scissors are then opened to enlarge the hole.
E. The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted. The child's brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse. The dead baby is then removed. God help him.

There is a reason Obama opposed the parental notification law.

Think about this: You can' not give a child an aspirin without parental notification but that same child can have an abortion without parental notification. This is insane.

There is a reason Obama went to Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years. Obama tells us he has good judgment, but he sat under Jeremiah Wright's teaching for 20 years. Now he is condemning Wright's sermons. I wonder why now? Obama said Jeremiah Wright led him to the Lord and discipled him. A disciple is one in training. Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19 - 20 'Go and make disciples of all nations.' This means reproduce yourself. Teach people to think like you, walk like you; talk like you believe what you believe etc. The question I have is what did Jeremiah Wright teach him?

Would you support a White President who went to a church which has tenets that said they have a
1. Commitment to the White Community
2. Commitment to the White Family
3. Adherence to the White Work Ethic
4. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the White Community.
5. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting White Institutions
6. Pledge allegiance to all White leadership who espouse and embrace the White Value System7. Personal commitment to embracement of the White Value System.
Would you support a President who went to a church like that? Just change the word from white to black and you have the tenets of Obama's former church. If President Bush was a member of a church like this, he would be called a racist. Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton would have been marching outside. This kind of church is a racist church. Obama did not wake up after 20 years and just discover he'd been going to a racist church.

The TRUE church can't be about race. Jesus did not come for any particular race. He came for the whole world. A church can't have a value system based on race. The churches value system has to be based on biblical mandates. It does not matter if it's a white church or a black church based on racial values, it's still wrong. Anyone from either race that attends a church like this would never get my vote.

Obama's former Pastor Jeremiah Wright is a disciple of liberal theologian James Cone, author of the 1970 book 'the goals of the black community'. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. Cone is the man Obama's mentor looks up to. Does Obama believe this? So what does all this mean for the nation? In the past when the Lord brought someone with the beliefs of Obama to lead a nation it meant one thing - judgment.

Read 1 Samuel 8 when Israel asked for a king. First God says in 1 Samuel 1:9 'Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.' Then God says 1 Samuel 1:18 ' When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.' 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. 'No!' they said. 'We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.' 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered,'Listen to them and give them a king.'

Here is what we know for sure. God is not schizophrenic He would not tell one person to vote for Obama and one to vote for McCain. As the scripture says, a city divided against itself cannot stand, so obviously many people are not hearing from God. Maybe I am the one not hearing but I know God does not change and Obama contradicts many things I read in scripture so I doubt it. For all my friends who are voting for Obama can you really look God in the face and say; Father, based on your word, I am voting for Obama even though I know he will continue the genocidal practice of partial birth abortion. He might have to nominate three or four Supreme Court justices, and I am sure he will be nominating liberal judges who will be making laws that are against You. I also know he will continue to push for homosexual rights, even though You destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this. I know I can look the other way because of the economy. I could not see Jesus agreeing with many of Obama's positions.

Finally I have two questions for all my liberal friends. Since we know someone's value system has to be placed on the nation,
1. Whose value system should be placed on the nation?
2. Who should determine that this is the right value system for the nation?

Blessings,
Huntley Brown

Sunday, October 19, 2008

A couple of me too

Hmm...I think I might be bored. Anyway, here's me as of 10-19-08!! :D





Pray for America

PLEASE VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4TH!!!


"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

- 2 Chron. 7:14

Autumn Bagenskis

So I made the kids endure picture taking after church today. They just looked so pretty I couldn't resist! THEY however, had no problem RESISTING...stinkers. These are the few good ones I got...took over 60! (gotta love digital cameras)