birthday, round-up, organic cake..all exciting stuff

Today is my loves 33rd Birthday and we had a great time celebrating it.
It started on Friday evening when we were able to see a movie in Tucson (thanks Allison K for the sitting you will never know how grateful I really am).

We then met some of Luke's family for dinner. Uncle Jack, Auntie Ali, Mimi and Papa saved us a seat for some delicious food after the movie. We were able to catch up on lost time at the table and then afterwards hold our very own b-day party in the parking lot. Mimi surprised us with gifts and Luke supplied us with laughter (as usual). After dinner we made our way back to the ranch and prepared for the next bit of excitement.
Saturday started early for the Ranchers...it was the "round-up". I was unable to attend due to my youngest cowboys being just a little young to see cattle being branded, ear-tagged and castrated.....(oh, boy).
However, the girls were able to see all they wanted. Luke took Birdie, Delb along with Jack and MIke. They were able to see about 100 head of cattle counted and then all that other business that goes along with round'n them up. Come to find out once they all returned...Delb and Bird found some dogs to keep them busy, Luke had a ball, (no pun intended with all the castrating going on) Jackson was busy recording it on his camera phone and Mike helped keep the girls out of trouble. While they were gone being cowboys and little cowgirls. Me, Mignon, Ali, Cedar & Cream hung out, played RummiKub and some were lucky enough to get foot massages.
Later we indulged ourselves with some yummy local fish tacos...they are a dream!
Mignon prepared a delicious ORGANIC chocolate birthday cake (found at your local Costco, thank you very much).
Once the sun cooled down a bit, we all took a walk around the school seeing some of the updated, painted, cleaned, new and amazing sites around our little place.
We introduced our visitors to some of the horses, especially the ones that like to neck with the new woman that come. There was this mama horse and her baby that were up in Allison and Mignons grill. I think Allison even got nibbled on and Mignon got a wet one on the side of her face. It was pretty funny to see. We eventually saddled up "big Mike" for a bit of a ride, which is Birdies favorite thing in the whole world.
Before the family left, Mignon wanted to show us all something that she had been working on at home on her mini tramp. She's amazing!
Kidding, she was entertaining Cedar out there and I happen to get a picture...she's a good Grandma!
Sunday was Sunday...relaxing, enjoyable and actually busy for Luke.
Today is the actually birthday of my Love and it was just as busy as any other day of the year...poor my Luke!
We finally got to see him around 5:00pm had dinner, sang a b-day song, ate more cake and now it's time for bed.
The Birthday of a Dad, Husband and Working Man!

Something to Protect!

This morning at church we were addressed by a member of the Stake Presidency. He made just a few comments but the few he made were powerful. It was regarding the 1st paragraph of the "Family Proclamation". He talked about how important it is, to do all we can to protect the Sacredness of Marriage between a Man and Woman. It was not a political speech but a Spiritual Talk that I found quite interesting.

This year, we, in Arizona have the chance to vote YES on PROP 102.
I knew, from others, what this proposition was basically about, but have since found out there is so much more to it.

The following is from another's blog.

PLEASE read this and find out, if NOT passed, HOW it will effect you and yours!

"1. Children in public schools will have to be taught that same-sex marriage is just as good as traditional marriage . The California Education Code (§51890) already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. Therefore, unless Proposition 8 passes (similar to Arizona's Prop 102), children will be taught that marriage is a relation between any two adults regardless of gender. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.

2. It will lead to more government intrusion into private lives. A photographer in Albuquerque refused to photograph a lesbian couple's civil union ceremony. The New Mexico Human Rights Commission fined the photographer $6000 even though there were other photographers willing to accept the business. And this in a state where same-sex marriage is still illegal.

3. It will lead to speech monitors. An employee at the City of Oakland was threatened with termination for using the terms 'natural family, marriage and family values' while discussing a public issue with co-workers. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal backed up the district court saying administrative efficiency in a government office is more important than. Today it's municipal employees; tomorrow...who?

4. Anti-discrimination regulations will become more important than religious beliefs. In Vista, California, a lesbian couple sued a doctor who refused to perform a requested artificial insemination because of the doctor's religious beliefs. Although another doctor offered to do the procedure, the California Supreme Court held unanimously that the '1st Amendment's right to the free exercise of religion does not exempt defendant physicians here from conforming their conduct to the anti discrimination requirements.' An elective procedure, no emergency involved, another doctor willing to do the procedure. Anti-bias laws still outweigh religion.

5. Churches will be sued over their tax-exempt status if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings open to the public. While pastors, priests, ministers, bishops, and rabbis may not be forced to conduct such marriages themselves, they will be required to allow such marriages in their chapels and sanctuaries.

6. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston has already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.

7. Religions that sponsor private schools with married-student housing will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if counter to church doctrine, or risk lawsuits over tax exemptions and related benefits.

8. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage. If a government agency such as the Alberta Human Rights Commission can stop a minister from teaching his church's doctrine about marriage, then it won't be long before every one's free speech rights will be in jeopardy.

9. It will cost everyone more money. This change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits, including some already decided adversely. Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today's activist judges), think of the money - your money, your church contributions - that will be spent on legal battles.

Think of a world where Human Rights Commissions - unelected bureaucrats with unfettered authority - are judge, jury, and executioner of anything they feel is antagonistic speech toward same-sex marriage and its practitioners.

Think of a world where the judicial system relegates long-held religious beliefs to second-class importance behind anti-bias laws and a newly discovered protected class of people.

Think of a world where the public school system is required to teach values and beliefs to your children that may conflict with your own.

Think of the very real threat to your parental rights, your free speech, your freedom of religion. And think of all the unintended consequences that we cannot even foresee at this time.

Where will it end?

It's your children, your grandchildren, your money, and your freedoms.

Lets work together to protect them".

Time to take a stand.

I found this link on one of my friends blogs.
I am not Catholic but heck if I don't believe in what is being said.
Push Play!
Thanks Addie for the link.

Worlds Largest

Ever wonder why Tucson is such a dark city?

I did..but found out!

It's because of Kitt Peak.

Read on to hear about our trip there.

Since we have been here, I keep hearing about this place I "have to take my kids". It is a peak that is about 1.5 hour north of our home. I heard that it has many different telescopes and it's pretty neat.

SO, we packed up the car and headed out on our little adventure.

Once we reach the top....this was far beyond what my imagination had pictured. It was amazing, beautiful and so much fun for all of us.
We came in contact with, I don't know, maybe 25 or more telescopes

(the worlds largest collection)
Also, the worlds largest Solar Telescope. The Scientists are able to study the sun with this one, it's huge and amazing. It actually extends underground quite a distant.

While at the top we were able to go inside many of the buildings...of course they have viewing platforms so nothing gets jacked up.

I can just see it.....

"oops, my little 2 year old just moved this lever slightly, and something in the sky just exploded"

(Gasp)

We made our way to the top around lunch and were so happy to see a little shack with the yummiest Indian Tacos, fried bread, bean burritos in fried bread, being made. This Observatory is right in the middle of the Tohono O'odham Nation ...so it has so many different wonderful Indian influences....like scrumpious food.

Talk about BREAD OVERLOAD!

Also, it was about 15+ degrees cooler than home.
If your ever in Tucson area and need something fun, exciting and educational to do...take a drive to Kitt Peak.

AMEN to Tamara

This was a comment made to my last post by my friend Tamara. I agree with her and had to post it.

GO VOTE!

I am a conservative Republican....more conservative than Republican...I'm just lucky that they happen to go hand in hand.
However, regardless of my political affiliation, I would NEVER vote for Obama.
He wrote in his book "Dreams of My Father" the following words:"I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites."
Also from the same book, "I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother's race."
Also, this passage, "There was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe. And white."
And lastly, this quote, "It remained necessary to prove which side you were on, to show your loyalty to the black masses, to strike out and name names."
And here's the quote that most fires me up, from his newest book Audacity of Hope, "I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."....talk about audacity.

Yeah....this is the guy we want running our country....the one who will side with the very people who want to bring America to her knees. And...if I could bring myself to forget the fact that this guy was and more likely than not, still is a total racist, I would still have to use my brain and take a look at the sheer logic of Obama's proposed tax changes and how it would affect mine...and every other hard-working American's bottom lines. Here are the proposed changes in taxes after the '08 General election: CAPITAL GAINS TAX
MCCAIN 0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples).
McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax.
OBAMA28% on profit from ALL home sales
How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal willadversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.
DIVIDEND TAX
MCCAIN 15% (no change)
OBAMA 39.6%
How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama becomes president. The experts predict that 'Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market, yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.'
INCOME TAX
MCCAIN (no changes)
Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $31,250
OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)
Single making 30K - tax $8,400
Single making 50K - tax $14,000
Single making 75K - tax $23,250
Married making 60K - tax $16,800
Married making 75K - tax $21,000
Married making 125K - tax $38,750
Under Obama, your taxes could almost double!
INHERITANCE TAX
MCCAIN 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)
OBAMA Restore the inheritance tax Many families have lost businesses, farms, ranches, and homes that havebeen in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will only lose them to these taxes.
NEW TAXES PROPOSED BY OBAMA
New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet.
New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already)
New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity)
New taxes on retirement accounts, and last but not least....
New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!!
I could never vote for Obama knowing what I know.
In fact, I could never vote for a Democratic candidate knowing what I know. I heard former Congressman Bob McEwen speak at a business conference I attended once...in fact I've heard him speak a dozen times...he's one of my favorite speakers...and a political speaker at that! Anyway...he gave a talk called Politics Easy as Pie and I bought the CD and have listened to it more times than I can count since then. You can go to You Tube and search for Politics Easy As Pie. There are 6 parts and it's a little "sketchy" in some parts because I think whoever posted it was recording it on their cell phone...but it's still well worth a listen. Since we're all going to be casting a vote that will potentially decide the direction our country takes over the next 4 years...we might as well take a few minutes to educate ourselves on what we're really voting for...rather than just who we're voting for.
Anyway....it was a long two-cents...but that's just what it is...my two cents...take it or leave it!I agree with Todd, however, about not discussing politics with friends or family. Not because I can't hold my own with someone in a political discussion. It's because that I find most people vote the way they do because somebody they know votes a particular way, or because their parents, boss, or best friends are voting that way...not because they understand at all any basis of what the different political parties stand, or dont stand, for or what happens to our country when one party controls the House or the Senate, as compared to another party. People will choose a candidate because a movie star they like endorses a particular candidate....rather than where economically and strategically that candidate and his commerades will lead our country. It is my hope that more people will actually take the time to educate themselves on how and who they vote for. Okay I'm hopping off now....nuff said.

hush hush, we no talky about that!

Why is it that when it comes to Politics most people won't say who they are voting for?

I never understood the whole secret in all of this. You believe something or you stand for something, so why isn't it talked about?

I was watching an interview the other night on TV and the host asked the guest "who you voting for?" The response was "I am not telling you."

WHY?

I understand that "I" might not agree with ALL of what McCain & Palin might stand for...but for me it is more of what I agree with than the Democrats. Even McCain, I feel has an underlying agenda...but, again, more of what I believe falls within his platform.

So....

Can anyone explain the secretiveness of the whole voting/political scene?

If you feel it's too much of a secret to explain your opinion...can you explain that?

broken face boy

This is the result of a little face meeting the edge of a cinder block staircase.

One of the big sisters was taking off her shoe as she was walking up the stairs while little bro was standing next to her.

Big sister pulled hard on the shoe and elbow brother sending him off the stairs but not with out a quick brush with the edge.

The girls love their bro but here are a few of their comments thanks to the broken face.
"Mom, can we call him broke face boy?"
"Mom, Creed's face is a little scary, but I don't think it will give me nightmares tonight"

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

PS He didn't really break his face....he is a strong, tough little dude!I thought I would make a note of that, because he does look pretty beat up.

honor dew-el

For those who love funny commercials click here!

we love Brian Urlacher #54 at our home!

Gustav Update part 2

Click here to read the rest of the gustav story!

My Sis-in-laws blog!

Gustav

Quick update on my bro and his family out in Alexandria LA.

They survived unharmed and doing okay. They suffered a little damage on their home, all in all...they made it!

Dusky wasn't impressed with Gustav...he was hoping for a little more action.

Maybe Ivan or Ike or Ivanhoe...what ever the name is for the "I" hurricane will bring more excitement for him if it makes it's way to the Gulf.

I PRAY NO on that!

Anyhow, a quick Thank you for those who kept them in their prayers.

Tonight while watching the Republican Convention I saw something that made me laugh out loud, bring up a little tear and drop my mouth wide open.
It was the loving act of a little sister.

click above to witness the cuteness!
While Sarah Palin was introducing and making reference to her family, the camera panned to her husband and their youngest daughter, Piper. You could see that the little 7 year old girl wanted to hold the baby brother. So, the dad handed baby Trig to big sister Piper. The camera flashed back to mama Palin talking about something like reform or energy efficiency. A minute later the camera goes back to the 2 little ones.
You could see the big sister lovingly stroking the baby’s hair a few times, trying to get it to lie down like a big boy.

All the sudden the little Piper opens her palm to her mouth, gives it a big wet lick and then proceeded to wipe the babies head. She did it with certainty that it was going to stay this time.
OH……what a sweet little picture. I laughed out loud; my eyes teared up for the love she was giving her baby brother and then my mouth fell wide open.

I then realized that the country just watched the same thing I did.
SO CUTE and such a classic move of a big sister!
Heck…classic move of this Mother!

Do ya wonder?

Do you ever wonder if people feel LOVE the same way you feel it?

This is something that I ponder quite often.

It's an amazing how the love for your spouse is so different than the love for your children or your parents or your siblings.

That is a wonderful gift!

Sometimes I have this great swell of love inside, just by looking in my babies eyes or watching their mouths move while they talk to me.

My heart warms all the time for my husband...but there are those times when I get a whiff of him (hubba hubba ding dong) or watch him sitting criss-cross applesauce on the floor playing with the kids.

Is it like that for anyone else?