Way to go, John!

I'll be the first to admit, I wasn't a big fan on John McCain, would have preferred Huckabee, but the cards fell where they did and Mr. McCain won the pick for the GOP ticket.

I've watched the Dem Convention with a watchful eye and a pit in my stomach. I didn't appreciate the rock and roll fanfare that the Dem's attempted to pass off as a political event, especially with the historic importance that last night held for us as a country.

I hate being talked-down to, I despise receiving information in a watered-down fashion, and that is exactly what the Dems delivered. Give me a break. What scares me is the many, many voters in this country that will vote for Obama because of his "cool" factor.

I went to bed praying that McCain would pick the right person, and hopefully, that it wouldn't be Romney. He certainly came through today!

Sarah Palin is a fantastic choice.

Here is a true woman! Mom to 5 beautiful children. A working mom working in a man's world. Not afraid to stand up for what is right, especially for the unborn. My definition of a true woman, the kind of woman that makes "feminists" cringe.

And Obama's first official response?

"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies -- that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same."

Are you kidding me? NObama had the chance to show us he was all about change and he chose the same ol' same ol'. Biden is about as same ol' as any politician can be.

And trying to scare us with the "heartbeat away from the presidency" garbage? How about Nobama's one vote away from the presidency? How is it that his inexperience is a good thing because it is an opportunity for change, but hers is a liability?

Was this a political move on McCain's part? Of course it was. Just as choosing Biden was on Obama's. It was a very smart one. A well-thought out one.

I am finally excited about this election and even more excited to cast my vote in November.

What would have Barack's mom have done?

If Roe v Wade had already been passed, what would his mother have chosen to do? A single mom, in the 60's, no dad in sight, pregnant with a bi-racial child?

Would we have celebrated his nomination as the first official Afro-American presidential candidate last night, or would he have been another unheard soul sacrificed in the name of a woman's right to choose?

I'm just wondering...

School's In!

I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get it all done in time, but with a little perseverance, I did get the school stuff together, the bookshelves organized and cleaned, and ready to go for a Monday morning start!

The day went smooth, with the exception of one broken cabinet door. Poor Boo! He opened the door and pushed it a bit to far... SNAP! Our beautiful custom door... broken. The expression on his face was priceless! I'm not sure if he was thinking... "Uh, oh... I'm in BIG trouble" or "What the heck kind of door was that?!!"

No worries, with some snazzy fix-anything type of glue, Mark had it put back together in no time. We'll see if it holds up.

This is a big year in our house. Bean is a senior, complete with all of the anxieties of college=hunting. She'll also be getting her driver's license soon. I don't know if I can take all of this growing up at once!

Fish is making his First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion this year. He'll be 7 in a week! I swear he grew 3 or 4 inches over night.

We are readying for our family retreat in a few weeks. I am looking forward to some restful down time with the kids and Mark. I have a pretty hectic fall schedule shaping up, mostly because of running, this time of quiet reflection is just what my body and soul need right now.

Adjusting myself and the family to my new role as mom, homeschooler, business owner, and working mom, has not been easy. I get frustrated easily when I see things not running as smoothly as I think they should. Mark and the kids are amazing. They help out so much and have such high levels of patience that I am embarrassed at how silly my frustrations really are.

I suffer from lots of Mommy-guilt, inflicted all on my own. Between the busy-ness of the day and my running, I often find myself falling short of my own glory.

Then I hear a little voice... Boo's voice... "Mommy, seat down, seat down!" I told Mark it is though I hear the voice of God speaking to me in that moment. He is trying to tell me to slow down, enjoy the moment. Let the other things wait. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can't. And when I can't it haunts me. When I can, I feel total peace. Almost like when sitting before the blessed sacrament.

Boo doesn't want anything other than for me to sit with him. To watch Blue's Clue's or Oswald with him. To hold him. How could I ever pass that up? I remember doing this with all of the kids. And not many of them want me to hold them quite that way anymore, though they still want me to be with them. The time has passed so quickly. And I know it will continue to do so. I see why people long for grandchildren. So that they can embrace these precious, God-given moments with those we love.

I usually try to have goals such as building a better prayer life, attending Mass during the week, reading more spiritual things, etc. While these are wonderful things and I believe very important, I believe right now, God is calling me to live in the moment. Enjoy the blessings that surround me. Truly enjoy them. Drink them in. Understand that this is all from Him. Sometimes I need big reminders, and sometimes they come in gentle little 2 year old voices...

"Mommy, seat down, seat down!"