Don't order burittos from this place!

Thanks for letting me "steal" this from you Sarah!! It is hilarious!

Check out Sarah's gorgeous pictures on her myspace:

http://spaces.msn.com/magraths/

Giggly girls

I think I have ten right now... numbers are going up and down. How many little girls will there be giggling and telling silly stories on Saturday morning? I don't care how many there are - the more the merrier! I am excited - we will be making Cinnamon Rolls... but not just any cinnamon rolls, the best cinnamon rolls in the world! Amanda hit gold when she discovered this Cinna-bon like recipie for cinnamon rolls. Mmm, yummy!

Lovey dovey stuff

I have spent the last two days watching the two and a half hours of wedding video footage Spencer took for us... I love it! I love his line at the end "Well, my sister just got married and they are off to their hotel for a night of rock and roll... but we won't go there, because young ears might be listening." Too funny. You did a great job capturing all the special moments on film Spenny! Thanks. I laughed and cried throughout the video - Amanda's speech and Chrissie's song were so sweet! Here are the words to the song Chrissie wrote:

"Jess and Paul, this song for you,
We sing to show we love you,
You are both sincere and kind,
Friends more loyal would be hard to find.

As you leave our midst,
Together go away,
We promise you this,
We'll pray for you each day.

Now that you have joined as one,
Live your life pleasing to our God, his Son,
Always looking to the hope above,
Grounded in God's perfect love."

Sweet

I won!! Woohoo!! I got four concert tickets and a $50 gift card to a spa... sweet deal. Thanks for the help mum!! The answer was "The Lone Ranger"- how would I have known? It was before my time. =) I am *SO* excited!!

Bible Quotes

“The secret of my success? It is simple. It is found in the Bible.” George Washington Carver

“It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a Bible-reading people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom.” Horace Greeley

“The existence of the Bible is a book for the people. It’s the greatest benefit the human race has ever experienced. Every attempt to belittle it is a crime against humanity.” Immanuel Kant

“I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.” Abraham Lincoln

“The Bible has been the Magna Charta of the poor and the oppressed. The human race is not in a position to dispense with it.” Thomas Huxley

“The Bible is no mere book, but it’s a living creature with a power that conquers all who oppose it.” Napoleon

“The Bible is…as necessary to spiritual life as breath is to natural life. There is nothing more essential to our lives than the Word of God.” Jack Hayford

“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” George Washington

“Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people…so great is my veneration of the Bible that the earlier my children begin to read, the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens in their country and respectful members of society.” John Adams

“A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know the price of rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved.” Benjamin Franklin
“That Book (the Bible) is the rock on which our Republic rests.” Andrew Jackson

“The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty…students’ perusal of the sacred volume will make us better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands.” Thomas Jefferson

“The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed.” Patrick Henry

“If we will not be governed by God, then we will be ruled by tyrants.” William Penn

“Bible reading is an education in itself.” Lord Tennyson

“There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history.” …. “I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.” Sir Isaac Newton

“The New Testament is the very best book that ever was or ever will be known in the world.” Charles Dickens

“The whole hope of human progress is suspended on the ever growing influence of the Bible.” W.H. Seward

“The Bible was written in tears, and to tears it yields its best treasures.” A.W. Tozer

“It is clear that there must be difficulties for us in a revelation such as the Bible. If someone were to hand me a book that was as simple to me as the multiplication table, and say, ‘This is the Word of God. In it He has revealed His whole will and wisdom,’ I would shake my head and say, ‘I cannot believe it; that is too easy to be a perfect revelation of infinite wisdom.’ There must be, in any complete revelation of God’s mind and will and character and being, things hard for the beginner to understand; and the wisest and best of us are but beginners.” R.A. Torrey

“My advice to Sunday Schools no matter what their denomination is: Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your heart, and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this Book we are indebted for the progress made in true civilization and to this we must look as our guide in the future. ‘Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34)’.” Ulysses S. Grant

“At this time I both read and studied all kinds of literature: cosmography, histories, chronicles, and philosophy and other arts , to which our Lord opened my mind unmistakably to the fact that it was possible to navigate from here to the Indies, and He evoked in me the will for the execution of it; and with this fire I came to Your Highnesses. All those who heard of my plan disregarded it mockingly and with laughter. All the sciences of which I spoke were of no profit to me nor the authorities in them; only in Your Highnesses my faith, and my stay. Who would doubt that this light did not come from the Holy Spirit, anyway as far as I am concerned, which comforted with rays of marvelous clarity and with its Holy and Sacred Scriptures.” Christopher Columbus

“All that we hear and read should be measured for accuracy by the standard of the Bible and the ‘Holy Ghost filter’.” Betty Miller

My mother made me do it

Did you know driving barefoot is illegal? Why, I do not know. But ever since my mother told me that it was, and that she sometimes does it, I have had these temptations to do the same. So last night on my way home from work I did it. I drove home barefoot. For someone who has never done it before, I encourage you to. It's a lot of fun. The pedals feel different. There is a sense of freedom. And if you get caught, just blame my mother.

I took the kids to see Nanny McPhee yesterday. What a funny movie! But not at all comparable to Mary Poppins!! The movie was highly entertaining and cute, but it didn't feel like a complete story. At the end I was sitting there with many unanswered questions as to what had just happened. But nonetheless it was a cute story and I enjoyed my time there.

Friday night Mrs. Dick told Paul and me that from her experience when one thing breaks down two more things break down soon after. Uh huh. That has been our experience as of late too. First our electric kettle broke. Then the brakes on our car broke. Now our coffee maker has broken. So there are our three things - nothing else can break!! =) Thankfully I do not work this week, so Paul will be using my car throughout the week to get to work while his car is in the shop.

Friday nights dinner was such fun. I forgot to take any pictures, but we had Mr and Mrs Dick, and then Karlyn and her dad Roger - and then Nathan and Anita were the fellow hosts. Good fellowship and what a fun game Karlyn brought and taught us!!

CONGRATS to Annette and Razmik on the birth of baby Benjamin!! We are so happy for you both!! Hopefully we will be able to visit you soon!!

Happy Birthday Mozart!

It is Mozart's birthday today, not that I really care, but google seems to think everyone should know it, and if you go to www.google.com today the "Google" is 'dressed' like Mozart. It's cute!

So far I have been faithful to the diet, not so great with the excercise. Oh well.

Mr. and Mrs. Dick, Roger and Karlyn are coming over for dinner tonight. Nathan and Anita are coming too, but they aren't company as they're preparing half the meal =)

My favourite song:

Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best
Lovingly, it's part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and with rest.

Ev'ry day the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He whose name is Counselor and Pow'r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"
This the pledge to me He hath made.

Help me then in ev'ry tribulation
So to trust thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy Holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E'er to take, as from a father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
'Til I reach the blessed, promised land.

A tragic event

This story is so sad. Read it, and keep the family in your prayers!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11026058/

The reasons Paul married me:

~He liked going to bed with the sheets
and blankets on him,
but always got hot in the night,
so he wanted someone who
could pull them off for him...
little did he know I would pull
the blankets and sheets off
of him even when he was freezing cold
and wanted them on him.

~He wanted an easy way
to become a Canadian...
who wouldn't want to be one?!

~He wanted someone to do
his laundry for him...
little did he know I would happily
do all but the ironing!
(Ironing rebels stay strong!)

~He wanted to be able to call the Stieflers
"grandpa and grandma" instead of
"Uncle Dave and Aunt Ruth"...
little did he know old habits die hard,
and more often than not
he refers to them as
"Uncle Dave and Aunt Ruth...
ummm Grandpa and Grandma."

~He liked my mommas cooking
and held on to a desperate
hope that my cooking would taste like hers...
little did he know I would burn the bottoms
on every pot we own and my cooking would be a
charred version of my mothers.

I do... I did... now I won't

When I said "I do" in April I did not mean "I do plan to gain an extra 35 pounds." Nope, wasn't the plan. So now, I plan to reverse that. The extra weight is going to disappear. I don't plan on losing it, as I never want to find it again =) I am going to remove it.

Here's my plan:
Minimum of thirty minute workout five days a week, a mix of cardio and weights.

And then my food... it's all changed. I am going to miss the white sugar and flour... sigh... but I will live. And look and feel better for it.

I don't really eat *too* badly, I just eat too much. Women are suppose to eat only 3-4 oz of meat per serving... ouch!! I eat three or four times that amount normally. I love my meat. Other bad news: only one egg per serving. Or only half a bagel. Or half a cup of rice. Terrible. But with this program I am following you eat every 2-4 hours, so it's not too bad. It's actually quite nice.

Here is how the food works:
Group A is smart protien, Group B is smart carbs and Group C is smart fats.
I am allowed one portion from Group A and Group B per meal, and I can cook it with half a portion from group C.
So I have taken over a shelf in my fridge. It has a sign for Group A and a sign for Group B. In group A I have chicken, hard boiled eggs, cheese and fat free cottage cheese in single portion containers. In group B I have green peppers, sweet snap peas, carrots, brown rice, whole wheat bagels (I bought mini bagels, as one mini bagel is just a little smaller than half of one regular bagel, so I will still "feel" like I am eating a full bagel!!) whole grain bread, mangos and grapes all in single serving portions.
So it is very easy to just grab what I need, and I can't cheat on serving sizes as I have pre measured everything!
For snacks, and during any meal, I can eat any amount of non starchy veggies. So ya... that's what I am doing for the next 12 weeks. I have even taken "before" pictures =) I am excited and commited... so please don't offer me cookies or cake or icecream =)

Random happenings of my day

Today was fun. I woke up at 6:30 again. Got up, then went straight back to bed. I couldn't handle another morning at the gym. I promised Paul I would do my work out dvd later, so he trotted off to the gym on his own. What a great guy, letting me sleep in like he did! I needed my sleep, as I was spending the morning and most of the afternoon with Nancy. Such fun!! Maddy was there for part of the time, very eager to be a part of everything. What a cutie!!
Nancy had, literally, a lifetime of photos to sort through. I don't envy her!! I worked on my album and we chatted. Non stop, for nearly five hours. So fun =)
Then I drove a very long way home. It was so beautiful outside. This weather is gorgeous! When I got home I went over to Anita's for us to plan Friday nights dinner for Mr and Mrs Dick and Karlyn and her dad. Mrs. Dick and Karlyn won the draw Anita and I had last Thursday night to have supper at our place with a guest. Supper will be in my apartment (on the new big table!!) but it will be prepared by the two of us. Although Anita is doing a lot of the work, the shopping and the cooking. I am doing the chopping, gratting and serving. It will be fun!
I then finally got around to my three loads of laundry that were patiently sitting waiting to be folded. I worked out, and made my grocery list. I am about to hit the grocery store now. Paul has band practice tonight, and won't be home till a little after ten. I must amuse myself this evening... I am off to do that now. Goodnight ya'll. I'll be up at 6:30 again =)

"Rejoice in the Lord alway, again, I say rejoice"

Why me?

I was up at 6:30 this morning, but that's not the worst of it. I got up at 6:30 in the morning so that I could go to the gym to work out. Early morning and body torture. What a way to start a day off. At least I thought it was miserable then. But on the otherside of it, it was grand. I felt great, I learnt that people are actually alive and kickin' at the unearthly hour of 6:45 (and *gasp* some kids were being picked up by the school bus!!) But I realized that I can do it. I can get up early and go to the gym. No more excuses. I now must do this every morning. I do have a secret confession: I had a nap today. It was marvelous. Maybe, some day, I will graduate to no naps. But for now they are my guilty pleasure.

News Blurb: JOANNE FABRICS has most of their Christmas stuff at 90% off. I have hit two stores already, and plan to hit another one tomorrow. It gives me the thrills to have the cashier ring up lots of stuff and the total bill be $4.00 - that's $40.00 worth of treasure!! Some cashiers like to play a game. They'll say "Wow dear, you've got a bargain! How much do you think all this will cost you?" I hate to tell them I know exactly what it will cost, as if I calculated every penny and every percent off as I picked out my items. And I know they don't find that fun. So I play along and ask them how much, and they, with much gusto and delight, tell me the total price. In return, I exclaim how wonderful these sales are. After all, they really are wonderful.

Work was rough today. I was only told once that I am the "worst babysitter ever." Why do I put up with his anger and bitterness and hatefulness??? I wish I knew what went through his little mind, that really isn't so little. One moment he is full of life and love and in his own ways lets me know that he loves me. The next moment he lashes out, is nasty, cruel and hateful. His dad has told me that I have had the most influence on this child than any other nanny. That doesn't impress me the slightest bit. It makes me wonder what kind of tourture the kid came up with for the other poor gals.
I miss my Sarah, Emma, Amy and Joshua. Diapers and baby drool. Baby kisses and peek-a-boo. Wiggles and BooBah... ok... I could do without the last two =)

I am going to bed now. I have to wake up at 6:30. To torture my body.

Naked Mailbox

My mailbox has been rather sparse lately. Bills and fliers mainly. I guess it is my own fault! I am not writing to enough people… I will get on that once this blog is complete!
I got the grocery stores flier for the upcoming week. Our meals are based around what is on sale at Marc’s, Giant Eagle, or Tops. I wish we had a second freezer so I could make meals in bulk and just freeze them till we needed them! How fun would that be?!? We did a bit of that in Oklahoma, as we had a rather large freezer then. Now we have only a small freezer. Not very much room for extra stuff! And when we do end up with lots of freezer space I will probably have lost the desire to prepare meals ahead of time.

~

Secret Date

I discovered these pictures on my camera! Great memories!! This was taken in August 2005. We were doing a "secret date" - Paul picked the location and the activity, I picked the food. I can't remember what we ate, all picnic stuff though. We went to a park and painted little sun catchers. It was so fun! Just as we were finishing the painting it started to rain!! It was a fun day. The sun catchers are sitting under our dresser!!! Oops!

A Snow brush

My husband is a romantic. A sweetheart. Last night Anita and I went together to the Ladies Time Apart, in her car. While we were there Paul secretly came and left a beautifully wrapped package on the car, complete with curled ribbon and a funny card. We discovered it on our way out at 9:20. The beautifully wrapped package was a snow brush :) He had broken mine (it was a very cheap one!), and two days ago, the only snowy day we've had, I sat in the car for 25 minutes waiting for the snow to melt. So he fixed it for me! Now I can brush off my own car. If it snows again. Which I hope it doesn't. But in all fairness... it is January! It's bound to snow again!!

A tribute to the Bankers in Stouffville

The banker said my name today. I was thrilled. She didn't greet me by name, but as I was leaving she said "Goodbye Jessica, have a nice day." I miss my small town bank. Those bankers knew everything about me. And I do mean everything. My name, my date of birth, my whole family, my trip to Nigeria, what school I was to have gone to, all the wedding details, how much I tipped the lady who gave me a massage... those ladies kept up to date with everything. Even now, when I walk back in, they smile and greet me. And the new ones are introduced to me. Although that part is kind of embarassing. I am introduced as "This is Peter's daughter, Jessica." Yes... Peter's daughter. No "Peter Crowe's daughter." Just "Peter's daughter." As if there is only one Peter in all of Stouffville. Apparantly there is only one who sticks out to them, as they laugh, and then tease and comment on how much of a tease dad is. But they're still up to date on my life. They know I am in Ohio. And they'd heard from one of my siblings that I was coming up to visit. I miss my old bankers. They would have said "Hi Jessica" when I walked in, and I could have greeted them by name. And we could have had a real conversation. But today was a huge step. The banker, whose name I don't know, said my name. Step one in becoming buddies with my new banker. At last. After six months.

Change of mind...

I decided I would put an effort into tonights meal... I have put a roast in the crockpot, so it should be all ready when we get home.... I have never used the crockpot with my own recipie. I kinda made this one up... so if it's awful, well, at least we had McDonalds burgers =) If it's good... well, there's 4 pounds of it =)
Has anyone ever used those bagged crockpot meals? Mmm! They are so good! Although pricey. I got a bag on sale, for $5. It said it fed 6. Paul and I finished it all off in one meal. And no, we didn't over eat!! It must have been for 6 toddlers.

Spoons and schedules

How do two people manage to go through a full set of spoons in a matter of days? I am currently eating oatmeal with a fork because every last spoon in in the running dishwasher. How does that happen? It is one of the great mysteries of my life.

I have meals planned out for this week... I'll start with Monday's, since that's the beginning of the week!

Monday: Stirfry
Tuesday: Spaghetti
Wednesday: McDonalds burger for Paul and whatever for me... we're meeting up for our financial class tonight and there won't be time for a meal before hand!
Thursday: Chicken Quesadillas
Friday: Mmm... depends on what we're doing. Sallsubury Steaks on toast or soup.

I have tried before making a list for each meal and sticking to it. It's hard work! Especially when I am working and am not home to prepare or eat it! At least I can have a schedule every other week!

Missions opportunities this summer for any interested:

Shawn sent me this e-mail. Thought I would help spread the word;

1. Greece - July 28-August 9th (http://operationgideon.org/).
This short-term mission will be a follow-up outreach to the olympic outreach held in 2004 during the Olympics. Lord willing Hayley and I will be going, along with a few others we have been chatting with. Check the website or write back for more details. This trip will be much smaller, and cheaperthan the one in 2004 :) (http://athensblogphotos.blogspot.com/)

2. Toronto - March break or Summer
Over the past number of years of ministry here in Toronto we have hosted teams that have wanted to take a "missions trip" to Toronto. Why Toronto? Well, for those who don't know, the area we live in is the 2nd most multicultural area in all of Canada, and possibly the world! This provides us, and the Bridlegrove assembly, with an amazing spectrum of people from all nationalities and religions which we come in contact with and minister to every day. And we like to share that opportunity with anyone that wants to come hang out with us :) These trips have sometimes been one-day trips, others have been a week or longer. Take your pick. You can read more about a recent trip on my website at:
http://athensblog.blogspot.com/2005/03/p-unit-day-4-finale.html
There you can read about us visiting a mosque, hindu temple, Sanctuary, homeless shelter, going door-to-door, visiting MSC, SIM, street preaching and loads more!
All for a fraction of the cost of an overseas missions trip.
If you, or a group from your church is intersted in bringing a group to Toronto please write me at :
email (at) shawncuthill.com or allhavesinned (at) gmail.com

Talking fish, white water rafting and dreams

We are such a dorky couple - and I can safely use the word "dorky" in reference to us, since we have disproved the meaning that Spencer and Caleb thought it refered to. Anyways... we actually use a talking stick, although our stick is actually a toy fish, so we call it our talking fish. But ya... inspired from the new Yours, Mine and Ours. The talking stick helps keep discussions from getting over heated, and keeps you from hogging the conversation. Only the person holding the talking stick is actually allowed to talk. And you must pass the fish on once your one thought is finished. We tried it out this weekend. I don't know why. But we did. Let me tell you... one thought can be dragged out for a very long time. Our poor talking fish ended up in several pieces.

I always come up with the most brilliant of ideas at the most inconvinient times of the day. Or night. My ideas usually shine forth just as Paul is dozing off. He has perfected the art of saying "Uh huh", "Yes Dear" and "Sounds good" at just the right moment, while he is sleeping. Last nights idea was to go white water rafting. In Colorado. With Esther, Spenny, Andy and Kevin. If we're all invited to the wedding. Mmm...ya. Hopeful us. So realizing that there isn't a very likely chance that we'll all be invited... I have a back up plan! We can all just go to somewhere a little closer to home. Uhh.. ya... I can't remember off the top of my head where, but we looked into it for this past summer and found some pretty cool places.
Now to convince the other four to go along with the plan. Oh ya, the other five. I think when Paul said "Ok dear" last night that he was actually asleep.

While on the theme of ideas and plans and schemes... we are dreaming of going to Nigeria. And yes, he knows about these dreams. He wasn't sleeping when we planned these ones =) He have debt to pay off first, and then of course saving for the trip. And then too getting time off work. I am very excited about the thought of going back to see my babies. Some day! Soon. I hope.

Birthday Bash

We pulled it off! It was a complete surprise!! Paul had was wondering if I would do something, just because he knows I like parties. He kept trying to bait me;
"I think I will work till 8pm on Friday, k?"
"I think I am going to come home early from work (on Friday) and go straight to sleep, ok?"
"Why don't we have company over Friday night?"
I didn't buy it.I know how suspicious minds work. I am the master at suspicious minds. I never once fell for his tricks.
"Oh, ok hun, you can work till 8. I'll just get a girly movie from the library and watch that while you're at work."
"Ya, I am pretty tired too, we should just have a lazy evening and get to bed early."
"Good idea! Who should we have? Dave and Deb for another poker game? Or maybe we should have people for lunch on Sunday instead."
He bought it. He came home Friday evening from work and I had a list of movies playing at the theatre for him to pick from. Conviniently, he wanted the 8pm show. Dandy. The party was to start at 7.
Everyone gathered on the lower level, then came up together about 7:15. Peggy, Josh, Nathan and Anita, Eric and Carie, Andy and Jenelle, Becky, Danny, Brian and Faith. Good times. Here are some pictures:

The big news of the year...

I am still in shock... or more accurately; absolutely thrilled... delighted, ecstatic. Big Lots has all their Christmas things 95% off.
Although the way they word it sounds much more trilling - 90% off with 50% off that price. And no, I didn't figure out on my own that it equaled 95%... Paul figured that one out. Husbands do come in handy. Glad I have one.
Anyways, the sale. I stopped there after work, and unfortunately for me, only 20 minutes before the store closed. But I managed to raid those aisles well. I had three different ladies peeking into my cart admiring the contents and asking where I had found such and such. That's what happens when you are young and flexable... you're able to bend down low and look underneath the junk to find the good stuff. =)
I bought tons and tons of wrapping paper, gift bags and ornaments. I also bought oddles of yarn for my Momma for her dish cloths. (I bought you 8 big balls of it =) I was hoping maybe you'd make me somemore!)
I am going to go unpack the treasures and show them off to Paul... I wonder if he'll be as delighted as I am?!

(I added it up... I got $200 worth of stuff for $10!!)

Closure on Kevin's court case

I am so proud of my cousin for taking a stand, I am glad this is all over for you guys!! We have to get together soon!!

NEW YORK FEDERAL JUDGE SAYS SCHOOL CAN’T BAR STUDENT FROM WEARING A PRO-LIFE SHIRT
Wed, Jan 11, 2006

Ann Arbor, MI — A high school principal’s decision prohibiting a student from wearing his pro-life shirt in school has been overturned by a federal district court. Judge Elfvin of the Western District of New York signed a permanent injunction ordering Fillmore Central High School located in Fillmore, New York to allow the student to wear his pro-life shirt to school. The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, represented the student.
Richard Thompson, Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, stated: “This student courageously took a stand for his views and our constitution. The ruling is clear--public schools don’t have the right to silence the pro-life speech of students.”

The student’s shirt is distributed by the American Life League’s Rock for Life group and displayed the following message: “Abortion is Homicide. You will not silence my message. You will not mock my God. You will stop killing my generation. Rock for Life.” Fillmore Principal Kyle Faulkner told the student that he could not wear his shirt in school. The student was sent home for the day when he respectfully replied that he had a right to wear the shirt. The student then contacted the Thomas More Law Center.

The Law Center attempted to amicably resolve the dispute by sending a letter to school officials explaining that students have a First Amendment right to peacefully express their views at school. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that students do not shed their First Amendment rights at the schoolhouse gate. However, after school officials refused to acknowledge the student’s right to free speech, the Thomas More Law Center filed a lawsuit against his school for forcing him to remove his pro-life shirt and barring his free-speech rights.

The Thomas More Law Center was assisted by Chris Ferrara, of the American Catholic Lawyers Association, who acted as local counsel.

On September 6th, Judge Elfvin issued a preliminary injunction ruling that the student’s First Amendment rights had been violated, and ordered the school to allow him to wear his pro-life shirt to school until the lawsuit was resolved.

This past December, Judge Elfvin permanently ordered the school to allow the student to wear clothing in school that expresses his pro-life message. The judge also ordered the school district to pay the student nominal damages. The judge awarded a total of $24,600 in attorneys’ fees to the two law firms.

Julie Shotzbarger, Trial Counsel with the Thomas More Law Center, who handled the case, commented, “Students at Fillmore were allowed to wear all manner of shirts, including rock band shirts depicting bloody skulls, and shirts promoting sex, yet this public school singled out our client to silence his peaceful pro-life message.”

Table matters

Last night Eric and Paul picked up our new table from my boss. Poor guys, the glass was so heavy!! But they were strong... they carried it out of Michael's house to the vehicle and then from the vehicle all the way up the stairs to our place!! Thanks guys!!
We were quickly able to get rid of our old table. Paul called Catrina, our lease manager (is that what her proper title is?!) and he left a message for her asking if she knew anyone who might need a table. Catrina called me this morning and told me there was this single mom who could use a table, as all she has are beds for the children! So the lady came over looked at the table and chairs. She brought her youngest daughter with her, who was three. She was so sweet!! Desiree is a single mom with four children. She is putting herself through nursing school, and then wants to go on for her Masters. On top of that, she works full time. What a busy lady. Anyways, she took the table!! I am so happy about that. I also gave her my two tablecloths that fit that table. Her daughter took one of Paul's birthday balloons.
The new table is huge. So large in fact that it has forced me to take down our tree... there just wasn't enough room to breath with the table and tree all right there.

Jason and Val

Here they are!

His birthday

Yesterday was filled with excitement... just not quite the excitement one hopes for on their birthday. As I was blowing up balloons one popped in my face and hit my left eye. Now, almost twenty one hours later, it is still extrememly painful. Flashes of light hurt it even more. I have had a constant headache since last night, and it tears up and looks like I am crying at random moments - only I only tear up in the left eye, so it looks quite strange crying from just one eye. That happened at 5 last night. Before I had the chance to wrap most of his gifts, and before I'd had the chance to go pick up our food from the Cheesacake Factory. So his gifts ended up being placed in gift bags... the most boring way to give gifts!! And he ended up driving out to pick up our food when he was done with work.
The food was so good!! He got a BBQ bacon cheeseburger, and I got a Double Fun burger... I think that was its name. Both were very good! For dessert we split a White Chocolate Macademia Nut cheesecake and a Dulce De Leche cheesecake. Dulce De Leche was definitely the better of the two, although both were good!! It brought back many memories!! Which reminds me... Val is getting married!!! Woohoo!! I am so excited for you!! =) I can't seem to find the picture she sent me from the engagement day... I will post it when I can find it!
My eye is tearing up, so I am going to get going. Then it's off to work for me!

Classes for Husbands

WINTER CLASSES FOR HUSBANDS~ THE LEARNING CENTER FOR FAMILY LIFE REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY Monday, JANUARY 20, 2006 NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM.

Class 1 How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays --- Step by Step, with Slide Presentation. Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 2 The Toilet Paper Roll --- Does It Change Itself? Round Table Discussion. Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3 Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoid ing The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub? --- Group Practice. Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 4 Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor --- Pictures and Explanatory Graphics. Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.

Class 5 After Dinner Dishes --- Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink? Examples on Video. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM

Class 6 Loss Of Identity --- Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other. Help Line Support and Support Groups. Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM

Class 7 Learning How To Find Things --- Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming. Open Forum . Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.

Class 8 Health Watch --- Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health. Graphics and Audio Tapes. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 9 Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost --- Real Life Testimonials. Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined.

Class 10 Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks? Driving Simulations. 4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.

Class 11 Learning to Live --- Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife. Online Classes and role-playing . Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined

Class 12 How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00

Class 13 How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy --- Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late. Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 14 The Stove/Oven --- What It Is and How It Is Used. Live Demonstration. Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.

Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.

Birthday Balloons

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Pauli,
Happy Birthday to you!!

What a way to start the day

I had all good intentions to get up and make him a marvelous birthday breakfast. Instead, I slept. I woke up twenty minutes before he had to leave for work. I still prepared his breakfast. I poured him a bowl of cheerios, and got his spoon. He poured the milk. It wasn't quite as glamorous as I had envisioned. There is a reason for my neglect to my darling; I still have the stomach flu and was up till 3:30 in the morning hugging the toilet bowl. Though nothing ever came of it. I just felt miserable all night long.

I think tonight we'll use the Cheesecake Factory gift card that we have. (About time, eh Lyndy and Christa?!) I am not feeling up to making a nice meal. But cheesecake... mmm! Yum! Hopefully I will just continue getting better today =)

Most of Paul's presents have been ordered off of Ebay. None of them have arrived yet. So if nothing comes in the mail today, then I will have to print off the images, and wrap those up for him to open tonight. He has promised not to look at this site till later, so I will post his gifts:

Ebay has the best gifts. I love searching through it. A tip for getting the best deals: Narrow your search to within 10 miles of your home (search by postal code) If you find an item you want, contact the seller and see if they will allow you to pick it up, and save on the shipping. Most people I have tried it with don't have a problem with that. Some people say I can do that for half the cost of shipping.

Also, try searching for items within your country (shipping will be cheaper) and put the price range from .01 and .99 cents... it is amazing the amount of things that are available!! You can find some great deals, that you might have otherwise missed.

Birthday Bumpkin

A random post

I really enjoy driving. Very, very much. I would have loved to have driven that couple down to Florida. Maybe they'll be in need of a driver in the Spring (hint, hint dad!)
I am very much looking forward to the drive to Georgia, or South Carolina... or where ever it is that Leah is from!! That will be a long and an enjoyable drive. We should start planning that road trip.
I'm also looking forward to the drive to Luke's wedding - Colorado will be a nice long drive! Hurray! Lots of long distance driving for me this summer.

Early morning dream

Paul woke me up this morning as he was getting ready for the reserves. Only he didn't fully wake me up. And I had been in the middle of a wonderful dream. I told him as much, complaining that he'd ruined a good dream. The following conversation took place:

Him "What were you dreaming of?"
Me "Babies"
Him "Oh? What babies?"
Me "Our baby"
Him "Oh really?"
Me "Yes. A beautiful black baby."
Him - moments later, in a hurt tone- "Well, then it wasn't my baby."
Me - moments later, finally figuring out why he was hurt- "OH! We'd adopted the baby."

I fell asleep right after that. I remembered the conversation when I woke up again at a more decent hour. It made me laugh. It has made me laugh through out this whole day. It was such a funny and random thing to have happen.

Sales

I just love sales. They excite me. Thrill me.

Those 15 - 35% off sales are nothing. I don't even bother to look at them. The 50% off sales are better... but the ones I love are 75% off or more. Those ones are deserving of a blog. They are worth remembering. They are the exciting sales!!

As you may have guessed, I have gotten a couple good deals today, and am wanting to talk about them.

JoAnne's has most of their Christmas things 75% off. Some of their Christmas things include scrapbook things =) I bought a do-it-yourself calendar with a one year free subscription to a scrapbook magazine (as a matter of fact, the very subscription that just ended this month!!) all for $10. Down from $40.

The other deal is even more exciting. One of the grocery stores has $7 icecream on sale for buy 1 get 1 free. I happen to have a coupon for a free thing of that same icecream. So, I get to buy two for free!! What could be better than free?!

Life is so exciting.

P.S. I have given up on the picture memories... too much work... :-p

More memories...

The best memory of 2005

Yet again...more memories!

More best memories of 2005

Memories to be continued!

My memories don't end there!! I got sick, and am working, and haven't been able to add more pictures!! =)

More best memories of 2005