Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The Bailout Plan

So I'm not a financial genius or a political junkie. However, I do believe we are in a critical time in our country and we should stand up and speak out for our money!!

So I will defer you to a financial expert (NOT a political junkie) who I truly trust--Dave Ramsey. He has truly transformed our life and gotten us on the right track financially and I think his plan is superior because it takes those nasty politics out of it!!

So check it out and do your part! He's got it set up very well!

P.S. I promise to post vacation pictures and stories soon!

Friday, September 12, 2008

You Know You've Lived Too Long in New Mexico When...

So we've left on vacation. I packed all day on Wednesday, everything from DVDs to coloring books and gifts to open at every state line. I knew we were going to have three fairly long days in the car and I wanted to be prepared.

So what provided the best entertainment of the first day?

The Windshield Wipers.

Yup! The wipers! When it started to sprinkle, and Ryan turned them on, Ashton giggled and giggled and eventually broke out into hysterics with her low "huh, huh, huh, huh!" This, of course, thrilled the rest of us and sent us into laughing fits as well.

Sometimes you just can't pack what you want to.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

From My Sister Beth

I hate to get political, but...

(An email from my sister in Denver)

I just read an interview in the Denver Post with David Freddoso, the author of The Case Against Barack Obama: The Unlikely Rise and Unexamined Agenda of the Media’s Favorite Candidate. It sounds like an interesting book. Has anyone read it or heard about it? (denverpost.com, Sept. 7, Perspective Section – By the Book, 6D, in case you want to read the article:)
One of the questions that the Post asked: “Involvement in the Chicago political machine would in all probability stop most people from seeking the presidency. How has Obama been able to avoid substantive questions about his relationship with not only Tony Resko and Bill Ayers, but other unsavory characters like Emil Jones and Todd Stroger?”
Freddoso answer: “It’s a simple case of national reporters who don’t bother to read up on Chicago politics or talk to people in that town. I had people beating down my door at the Evans-Novak Political Report in 2006, trying to get me to cover Stroger’s election, because it really looked like the reformers had a chance to defeat the machine. Conservatives and liberals came together for the common good, and Obama thwarted them.”
We met someone in Rocky Mtn. Nat’l Park last week from Illinois that said that the Ill. Governor is thought so corrupt that he was not invited to speak when Obama announced his candidacy in Springfield, Il or at the DNC. I guess that is part of Obama distancing himself from that organization.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Happy Birthday to my Wonderful Husband!

So it always seems that Ryan's birthday gets the shaft in our family. There's always something that distracts or interferes so that we can't celebrate him to the extent he deserves! Even the first year we were dating I didn't do anything because we'd only been "dating" two days. (I think there was a card...) I've always felt a year behind!

Yet again that happened this year so I just want to give him a few of the kudos he deserves here. There are so many reasons why I love an respect him. Here are just a few:
  • He's a stand up guy who will do the right thing even when it isn't easy. He has faced this issue many times, and I know he doesn't enjoy it. But I always have the confidence in his character that he will do what's right, even when I don't feel comfortable with it.
  • He's a great husband! My sisters-in-law tell me I got the romantic in the family! Even if it's not all flowers and chocolates all the time, he always tries to take care of me: giving the kids breakfast so I can catch a few more zzzs, letting me go out with the girls, ALWAYS putting gas in the van so I don't have to, preparing financially for the present and the future, etc., etc., etc.
  • He's a super dad! Not only does he take responsibility for the hard part of parenting ("You're gonna have to talk to your dad when he get's home." "NO, please, No!"), he always makes sure the kids know he loves them. And he plays all those games with them that, frankly, I can't watch all the time!
  • He is not afraid to try anything! Seriously! Car repair, home repair, yard work, ANYTHING! I mean, one time he cut a hole in the side of our house and had a window installed by nightfall! Impressive!
  • He puts up with a lot! Not just from me, but the kids, and a lot of other people, too. And he usually does it with a pretty good attitude!
  • And don't tell him or anyone else I said this, but he's funny! In fact, he's the funny dadest Reed has!
We love you, Ryan, and think you're the best! You deserve a whole lot more for your birthday, and someday you'll get it!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Everything Old is New Again

Well, I'm not sure I'm talking about me. I'm not sure how new I feel, but I do like the revisiting of my youth that has happened lately.

I was super excited about the New Kids On the Block getting back together for their reunion tour at the beginning of summer! I was a fan from the beginning and really never got over them (even though I did keep my fan-dom a secret throughout part of high school)! Yes, it is funny that they are touring with Hannah Montana, since her fans' parents are my age! When I watched them on Good Morning America (yes, I got up for it) those same feelings of youth came flooding back! What a good time of life!

Now there is 90210. I used to watch it every week in my parent's bedroom while I sat on the phone with my friend Mel. We didn't talk except during the commercials, mind you, but we were on the phone! The Facebook of it's day I suppose. I found out later that my parents watched in the living room, I guess to stay connected with me. I have been excited about the new show, only because some of the old characters are coming back as their original characters. Since I was in high school with these guys, it seems like a reunion of sorts.

I watched tonight with a different eye than before--of course, partly distracted by the obligations of motherhood, but also using the more discerning eye of one bearing the responsibility of moral guidance on a day-to-day basis. But I really liked what I saw. Not because it wasn't overly dramatic (Okay, do you remember high school? It's high drama!) or because of the new story lines (Yes, they pushed the envelope further than before, but there's only so many ways you can write looking for acceptance.), but because it's classic 90210. I guess I like that it makes me feel young again. But I also think I could watch this with my teenager and feel comfortable discussing it. I know, I say that now....

I just wonder what my parents thought of it.