Wordless Wednesday: The Hair Do

Actor Ryan Phillipe

The much cuter, A

 Male movie stars may spend hours of time (and a lot of money) to get this look, but all my boy needs is a little sweat and dirt (and mom to run her fingers though his hair) to get the "just got out of bed" look.

Blogging Break

Won't be blogging much in the up coming weeks.  I broke my thumb while trying to get our double jogging stroller ready for a family run.  I am finding that most tasks are taking me a bit longer, including typing.  So, for now, I will not be blogging much. 

But, I have lots to share . . . pictures from our trip to Williamsburg, J and I running a 5K together, homeschooling, and my running goals.  So, I do hope to get some things posted soon!

Getting on my soapbox

I do not get on a soapbox often. At least, not on my blog.  I started the blog to journal about our family life so family members who live far away can see what goes on in our daily life.  But today, I am upset enough to get on my soapbox.  Indulge me.

This morning, I received an email from a friend that stated everyone should watch this video.  Please click play.



I cried while watching the video.  Maybe after viewing countless children from around the world on Waiting Child lists that have similar disabilities as Emmanuel just waiting for a family, waiting to be adopted and seeing this man who was adopted and how his life can speak to the beauty of all life . . . well, it is touching. 

And then I was on Facebook and a friend posted a link to this article:

Jury Gives Parents $4.5 Million Because They Missed Chance to Abort Disabled Son

Read the article.  Yes, their son is missing his arms and one leg.  And the parents were upset because they missed the chance to abort him.  And they wanted 9 million dollars because they feel they were wronged.  Really??

Putting aside the fact that that boy will grow up knowing that his parents preferred that he were dead and the damage that will do to that boy, that could be a topic for a whole other blog post, this article made me angry.  Do we devalue life that much? I know the answer to that question.  Abortions occur everyday in this nation.  Children are left on street corners in China because the baby is not the perfect boy; the one child the family is permitted to have.  Children, like Emmanuel, and like Nick Vujicic, are disregarded and "thrown away" simply because of their disabilities.

 But what the video from the X Factor shows and what the life of Nick Vujicic so clearly shows is that every life is precious.  Parents of children with Down Syndrome can attest to what a gift of love their children are.  We can learn something from EVERY LIFE and sometimes, those with disabilities, can teach us more about love, more about life, and more about God than we could ever learn in our so-called "perfectness." 

Everyone deserves a chance to life.  Every life is precious. Every. Single. One.

 

Stepping off the soapbox now.

7 Quick Takes - Back to School Edition

1. We started school this Wednesday.  I had been pretty stressed about starting again and had not slept well since we came back from vacation.  But the first three days of school went well.

2.  I have instituted a formal system of bribery in our school.  The boys earn Monopoly Money for various school work (doing extra work or reading, getting 100% on  a test, knowing the answers to questions when I ask, good handwiritng, etc, etc).  The boys save up the money to buy things like an extra field trip, an ice cream sundae party, no math day, etc.  So far the boys are doing great.  My oldest counts his money every morning.  He wants to earn the school lunch party with the lunch of his choice (Papa Johns pizza).  The whole money system has caused impromptu math lessons with advanced addition and subtraction.  So far I like this!  Thanks, Mom, for the idea!

3.  I forgot just how messy my house is while homeschooling.  Up until about 3 PM, most of the house is a disaster!  There are books on the floor, crayons strewn about, school books all over my kitchen table and counters, and dishes that fill the sink.  To make matters worse, it has been raining non-stop here, so the house is all closed up and the dog has been tracking in mud into our kitchen. 

4.  I love the homeschooling curriculum we use! Love them!! Sonlight, Saxon Math and Sing, Spell, Read and Write, you are the best for our family!  These curriculum might not work for every child, but they seem to fit the learning styles and needs of my three boys so well. 

5. Our schedule kicks into full gear next week.  We will start heading to daily mass at least twice a week. Plus, CCD, archery and cub scouts all start this weekend/next week too!  J is registered for a 5K at the end of September, so training will need to commence.  Bring on the Fall!

6. It is clear that my boys do not like crafts or coloring unless it has to do with soldiers or Star Wars.  Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of the Nativity of Mary.  I had coloring pages and wanted to do crafts.  But the only thing the boys were interested in were the brownie cupcakes we made to celebrate the day!

7.  It is almost 3PM and the house is still messy . . . .gotta go clean!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Wordless Wednesday: Chasing Rainbows

Our vacation to Buffalo in pictures

Tractor Rides with Grandpa

A day at Beaver Island State Park

Chasing seagulls

What is it with boys sticking out their tongues?

War of 1812 Re-enactment at Old Fort Niagara

J lighting the cannon in the demonstration.

My "traitor" sons