WARNING!

Do not read my post below if you are not into politics. I don't know what set me off this morning... just felt like going on a political rant... sorry Kim and Ang... I KNOW you called each other after that one with some strange remarks about me:) I still love you, even if you talk about me behind my back:) See you tonight Kim and Kelly... hope one of us wins Bunco!!!

I couldn't have said it better

I know I have said I don't really want to talk politics on here, but I am REALLY against MOST social programs. They have proven time and time again that they don't work. I don't believe in rewarding the lazy, and, yes I know not everyone that receives financial support from the government via my/our taxes is lazy. I just think 95% are. I have a hard enough time paying for my own cost of living, let alone paying for someone else. Our country became a powerful country, a respected country because of our INDIVIDUAL hard work, INDIVIDUAL accountability, and our INDIVIDUAL desire to succeed. Very few successful and wealthy people in this country inherited their money. They worked extremely hard and were extremely motivated INDIVIDUALS that wanted to make themselves a better life. In the media and in daily conversation I always here people bad talking the rich...wth... yes there are some who stepped on people, who weren't nice, who cheated, who lied... but there are TONS of poor people who do that everyday. If you ever have been one of those people who bad mouth the rich and think they should be over-taxed to pay for our social programs, look in the mirror and ask yourself if you are a hard working person who holds themselves accountable and has a strong desire to succeed. If you were, you might be wealthy too and you would want to keep your money becasue you earned it! Food for thought: the richest 2% of our country contribute over 80% of ALL TAXES received by the government. These are just my ramblings. I don't want, need, or require you to agree... and that's the beauty of it... I am just an individual.

p.s. I believe in Charity. I believe it is a cornerstone value in the U.S. I encourage charity. What I don't encourage is government charity. Leave charity to privately owned organizations and let individuals decide who or what they want to donate their money to. Charities I would recommend and donate to regularly: Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, The Nature Conservancy, and the Ocean Conservancy.

I read the following article on CNN:

Editor's Note: Ruben Navarrette Jr. is a member of the editorial board of the San Diego Union-Tribune and a nationally syndicated columnist.

SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- You knew Barack Obama would deliver a magnificent speech in accepting the Democratic nomination for president. And he did.

CNN contributor David Gergen -- my graduate school professor and an adviser to four presidents -- called the speech a masterpiece. And it was.

Most of the speech dealt with economic issues. The last thing Obama wanted to do was channel Lyndon Johnson or some other Great Society, tax-and-spend Democrat.

Nor did he want to come across like a laissez-faire, no-tax-but-spend-anyway George W. Bush Republican.

That's a tough needle to thread, and Obama settled on a hybrid of left-right economic theory that sounded like a bundle of contradictions.

Obama talked about "America's promise," the belief that "through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams but still come together as one American family, to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well."

He explained it as "the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise and fall as one nation" and described it as blending "individual responsibility and mutual responsibility." Simply put: You have to do what you can for yourself, but that you also have to do for others.

There is the rub: If everyone were to adhere to the first part, there will be no need for the second. Besides, even if we buy the idea that, as Obama said, "I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper," there is still the question of whether government should do the keeping.

The same question came to mind during Joe Biden's speech Wednesday. The Democratic vice presidential nominee also talked about "America's promise," but he defined it differently. For Biden, it's about what his working-class parents told him "about how anyone can make it if they try."

Now we're getting somewhere.

Then Biden got tangled in his own contradiction. He talked about his dad who, when he fell on hard times, would tell his son: "Champ, when you get knocked down, get up."

Then he lamented that he had "never seen a time when Washington has watched so many people get knocked down without doing anything to help them get back up."

Wait a minute. Who said anything about government helping folks get back up when they get knocked down? Is that what Papa Biden was talking about? It sounded like he was saying people should get themselves back on their feet.

I'm a big fan of getting back up, personal responsibility, educating yourself, making good choices, and getting over the idea that the world owes you a living.

I'm also keen on people not playing the victim, not feeling a sense of entitlement, and not fearing competition. And when you're struggling in a tough economy, you don't give up or lay blame or ask for a government bailout, you work harder.

Those are my principles -- but they carry a dose of pragmatism. I can't remember the last time I saw government do something right. As a 41-year-old, I'm part of a generation that learned not to wait for government to save you because you could be waiting a long, long time.

Case in point: On this third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, there are people in New Orleans who are still waiting for the federal government to rebuild that city. Good luck with that, folks.

The waters have long since receded and residents are no longer standing on rooftops holding signs that read: "Help save us!" But they might as well be.

The same goes for the Democrats who convened in Denver. This is a party that maintains power by trying to convince people that our country is a dark place, devoid of opportunities, and that the answer is to elect more of them.

Now they're seeking a change in the White House, a change in policy, and a change in national priorities --even if they aren't ready to change their tune.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer.

GNO & Water Parks

Friday night Kim talked me into a date. I say talked me into because that would mean I had to leave my girls with her baby sitter. They have only been watched by their grandmas and a few times by Kim and Kelly. I was nervous, but Anthony said I was crazy if I didn't go. We went to Joe's Crab Shack - great happy hour prices btw, we were home by 9:00, all kids fed, bathed, and asleep! Thanks, Tina! Other than Abby ripping the DVD player out of the cabinet and walking around with it, all the kids were good. We stayed the night and took the kids to Del Valle pool the next day.

On Sunday we tried a water park in Westminster that someone told us about. The kids loved it! There were a lot of downfalls: very crowded, open gates, and not the best area, and some other things that I won't mention to avoid offending anyone. All in all, the kids had a blast, so the trip was successful!

I think Ruby had the most fun and wore herself out!

This was a water dragon gun that Ruby kept playing with.

Sibling love!

Trevor and a couple of his girls: T.T. and Bean.

Trevor and Ruby

We ended the night back at my house for dinner. Ruby and T.T. love coloring. Abby just loves to eat the crayons.

Mission accomplished. We really wore these kids out this weekend. After baths they ended the night snuggling on the couch and watching Dumbo. All the kids were really good and once again I am way more exhausted today than Friday.

Reception Site, Hair Cuts, & Pools

We booked our reception site! It will be held at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes. The website doesn't do it justice, but this is a picture snapped as we drove away. It is right on the water and absolutely perfect. I am already having "wedding-mares": no flowers, the cake is dropped, my dress is lost, etc.

This picture doesn't have much relevance to the title, it was just funny. She LOVES cupcakes and can single handedly destroy one. Ruby will lick one for a second and tell me she's done.

On to the new doo! Both of my girls have very thick hair that requires way too much time to manage every day. So me and my trusty scissors cut Bean some bangs! I must say I do LOVE her new look and it really suits her very sassy personality!

I LOVE T.T. Kim, any time she is getting on your nerves, please drop her off at my house! She is such a daredevil in the pool and puts Ruby to shame with her pool skills.

OK, this is not the best picture of Trevor, but this kid is a certifiable FISH! He is swimming, diving, spinning in the pool. Thanks for scaring the daylights out of me!!! I totally thought he was on the verge of drowning so I jumped in after him. Oh, did I mention that I was fully dressed... jeans and all. Kim laughed - thanks! At least Kelly thought he was drowning, too!

My sweet Ruby... perfectly content sitting in the jacuzzi!

Where is bean, you ask? I brought her once and that was enough! She thinks she can swim. She wants NO PART of me holding her, NO PART of being in a life vest, and NO PART of being in one of those baby boats. She wants to climb in the pool and slide down the steps and try to swim. I would grab her so she wouldn't drown and then she would through a fit because I was holding her! After about 15 minutes of this nonsense I fixed her good: I set up a porta-crib in the living room and put on the Disney Channel. Abby: you are only 17 month's old. You cannot swim and you cannot touch in 4 feet of water. I love you and don't want you to drown, that is why I left you home on the second trip to the pool! Until next summer...

p.s. I must say it was kind of strange being at the Kollen house. I know I stalk all you girls on line, but I felt like a real life stalker:) Thanks for the pool use!

p.p.s. Bud and Sandi: GET A POOL!!!

Couldn't Resist!

17 months ago today my beautiful Abigail was born. Right now, especially with Ruby's sleeping issues... she is my saving grace. Her silliness, sweetness, and GREAT sleeping habits are a mom's dream...

By the way... exactly 2 days later we were at Taylor's first birthday... can't miss a party!!

To date, I think this was/is my favorite age: 21 months old:) and so sweet!

This is the one I couldn't resist! Look at where both of their hands are!!?? This picture just may reappear in about 13 years:)))

I love this one! Back in the day when it was just them 2 in the bath. Now there is a minimum of 4. I should show it to them now and see what they think! I love looking at old picture and realizing how much has changed, but then it saddens me because it goes by too fast. Have a great weekend all my blogging/stalking friends!!

Water Park & the Dodger Game

Yesterday I picked up Kim and the kids and headed down to meet Ang. There is a community out their called Ladera Ranch that some of her friends live in. They have this super toddler friendly water park that the kids loved. They even had a small pool that was great for everyone except Abby and I. She thinks she can swim or breath under water. I got soaking wet trying to save her from downing every 15 seconds. It was only 1 1/2 foot deep, but is is much deeper than any other pool she has been in. She kept trying to lay on her belly and push/swim herself around, but in that position she is under water.

Abby is so cute to watch run around. She looked like a chipmunk with about 20 Cheeto asteroids in her mouth.

Brady getting splashed.

Like always... can anyone look??? The girl in the back left was the water park brat! She ran around pushing, grabbing, stomping on T.T. - all the while her mom was on her cell phone!!!!!

Dodger Stadium is hands down one of the most BEAUTIFUL ball parks in the country. Anthony and I went to the game with Kelly and Julie. Thanks to our blogger friends husband... we got great seats!! Thanks Courtney! We had so much fun. They came back to win the game in the bottom of the 9th with a walk-off home run by Nomar. Manny Mania is in FULL FORCE and it was such a fun experience!!!!

What a weekend...

I didn't take any pictures. I seriously need a $2,000.00 gift card to Costco to develop everything. So I decided that I wasn't going to take any pics.

Friday night we stayed home. I made homemade chicken noodle and we watched the opening ceremonies. I love the Olympics!!!! I consider myself a patriotic person, but there is something about the Olympics that makes me feel very proud to be an American. I HATE Americans that bash our country. Our country is our people... so when you bash our country, you are essentially bashing yourself. My bottom line: if you don't love it - leave it and then tell me how good your life is! I REALLY could go on and on about this subject, but I try to leave politics off my blog:) I'll move on.

Saturday was Anthony's surf contest. I took the girls down and I really can't wait until it gets easier to do the "beach trip" with them. The bay is so much better because the kids can play in the water. Anthony did really good and even came home with a trophy. He placed third in long board! Abby slept the entire way home. I tried to put her down, but she wasn't going for it. So I packed them back up and meet Shannon and Kim and all the kids at Mayfair pool. they really wore themselves out there and took JUICY naps when we got home. That night Anthony and I walked to Outback for a date. I don't know how it is possible, but I love him more every day. We had great food and great conversation. I am a lucky girl!

Sunday I finally gave in and did my grocery shopping/Target run. I was exhausted from the morning trip - it is a lot of work with 2 little ones!!! We met Kim and he kids at Del Valle pool. Abby is so much fun to watch in the pool. I am finally to the point where I can relax and not worry too much about her drowning. She likes to lay on her belly in the deeper end and act like she is swimming. Half the time her face is in the water to her nose. She must have taken on about a gallon of water. Then she would stand up and jump and land on her but... she is hilarious and I am so in LOVE with her!

Then, last night we had a girls night, kind of. My mom and I went to Michael's before to do some craft shopping. I ran into some very dear old friends Jenny and Stacey and we chatted for almost 30 minutes. It was so good to catch up and reminisce. It actually makes me sad to think we are not in contact anymore. Some of my best memories were with them and I hope we can get together SOON!!! We had to run out to barely make the movie: Mama Mia!!! It was so good!!! For all of you who have daughters: be ready to CRY!!!! I bawled during one of the songs just thinking about Ruby and Abby growing up and getting married and moving on. For crying out loud, I am sick about Ruby going to school. And then I thought about my/our own wedding. I HATE attention and I am an emotional person. WTH am I going on my wedding day??? I am going to crawl under a rock and cry. Trust me when I say, that besides the birth of my girls, it will be the happiest day of my life. But, seriously 100 people are going to be looking at me and I am going to have to talk and try my hardest not to cry. I am going to end up this "ugly cry", babling mess, not able to talk, etc. bride. Wish me luck. Maybe we should take pictures before so at least I don't look like a wreck for them!

WE SET A DATE!

WE SET A DATE!!!!

April 18, 2009

The ceremony will be held at The Wayfarers Chapel:

www.wayfarerschapel.org


We are so EXCITED!!!!

Odd questions

So yesterday Ruby asked me: "Mom, can kids die?" WHAT!!! I would rather her ask me how babies are made. My response: "What did you just say?" Ruby: silence. Me, again: "What did you just ask me, Ruby?". Ruby: silence. I ask a third time and she just said "nothing" and ran off happy. So I am going to assume that she really asked if kids can "drive". Sounds similar, right? Three year olds who have never experienced a loss don't know what death is, right? About 6 months ago she thought she was playing with a cricket, accidentally squashed it, and was devastated because it was dead... that's my only connection???????

Abby is as slap happy as ever. She is still not saying much - mostly baby babble. At 16 months old, she can say: I did it, what's that, hi, NO, yes, meow, momma, daddy, Nana - all on a consistent basis. She has been caught saying: ball, baby, side (outside), and I could of swore she said "there she is" yesterday when I asked her where Ruby is. She is very coordinated. In fact, she quite frequently stops her feet back and forth - oh wait, that is when she doesn't get her way:))) She runs everywhere, climbs everything, and loves trying to get in the smallest places. The bottle is a distant memory. It was a lot harder than Ruby, but didn't live up to the anxiety - as usual. She gets pissed when she is hungry and eats almost anything. She LOVES Ruby, but already shows signs that she is going to dominate their relationship.

It is exhausting being a working mom of 2 girls, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. For all of you who have three or are pregnant with their third, I will keep you in my prayers.:)))

Zucchini Bread, Parties, Gambling...

On Friday night Kim and Don had a Poker Tournament. After getting the kids down, we headed to their house for some fun. My first hand I was dealt a straight 10-A - that's a straight, right?. Dave, Kim's cousin, says he is all in! WTH, on the first hand. I am no expert, so I show my hand to John - who is an expert, he laughs and says of coarse I should go all-in. Needless to say, my seat wasn't even warm before I was out. Thanks, Dave:))))

I finally picked a zucchini from our garden to make some bread. Ruby was so fascinated with how big it was. The bread was easy and fun to make - delicious, too!

Kim, Sara, and I at Carol's 60th Birthday Party.

Cousin Emily loved the frosting and thought it was funny to eat all the black part to stain her teeth:)

Happy Birthday, Carol! You look fabulous and we had a great time! Can you believe she is 60 and a grandma to a soon to be H.S. Junior(Emily)????

Don and Marilyn at the party. Look at that scruff! That is what not having to work for awhile looks like. You sure take a risky approach to a summer vacation. We are so glad you are feeling better!

Just some f.y.i.'s: Thank you to everyone's concern with Ruby. I came to the conclusion that this is just a phase and this too, shall pass. I am trying to be patient and she will hopefully SOON, turn a corner. For now, I am tired and emotionally drained because she is ALWAYS so scared/insecure - day and night.

Wedding plans are rolling, I'll post more if we can settle on a date.:)))