We The People

Today I hung my Flag....



FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, pass it on (re-post this on your blog) or I am afraid there will be a price to pay greater than bad luck.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

These are the words of our late President Lincoln a man who fought for liberty.

President Lincoln was a man who united a nation, a man who fought for the people and not against the people. Brave men and women gave their lives for this great nation that we love. I will not allow someone to defile our freedoms and destroy our liberty. I will not stand by and watch an economy, our ancestors built with their own precious sweat and blood, crumble.

I say that, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

America, I say to you there are men trying to divide us and rob us of precious freedoms but “we the people” will be engaged. We will come together and fight. We will fight for freedom just as our grandparents did. If you love this country, as I love this country. If you love God and family, as I love God and family. Join with me. Raise the flag of this Nation. Set it up in front your home, a home you want to protect. We joined together on 9/11 to raise that flag, join with me now. On 9/11 the terrorists were without. On 3/21 the terrorists are within. We will fight you with the emblems of our freedom and we will fight with our votes.

A shout out to all the little people....

I have really never celebrated St. Patrick's Day aside from wearing the usual green. Today I'm going to step out of my bubble and make cupcakes with green frosting....just because I was some!
But this year to accompany my green shirt I will be sporting my own version of red!
As a result of the endless blowing of my nose...My face and nose are similar to the color of a fire engine and have the texture of sandpaper. Despite the quality of toilet paper it has started to crack, bleed, and even peel. As a matter of fact it looks a lot like the eczema on my hand. My husband wonders how I could have used a roll of toilet paper in one day, but I think my face pretty much says it all!

Aside from the holiday today has been a pretty special day. Today I was lucky enough to be blessed with a brand new nephew. Happy Birthday Colton! I'm looking forward to meeting you when you are feeling better...

And I'm pretty sure this little girl is pretty excited to meet her little brother.














This picture was stolen from Mike and Chrissy's blog (Sorry Chrissy!).
Happy St. Patties Day!!!!

It doesn't get better than this...

While I don't quite agree with the new Oscar Meyer campaign...contrary to popular belief it DOES get better than a hot dog. Although I will admit they do have an upper hand on the market. They put out the best hot dog I know of. Let's just say you get what you pay for in the hot dog world and with Oscar Meyer you will never go wrong.
However, I don't think there are may things that could make my life any better than this. I have been so sick the past couple of days. I hate it when I can feel it coming on and can't do anything about it. All I can do is take more vitamins, drink more water, lay down, and hope the virus is nice enough to pass me by.
By the evening I was feeling terrible and went to bed fully armed to fight whatever it was that was against me. Unfortunately for me, I didn't end out sleeping more than an hour. My tossing and turning didn't help Paul either because he ended out on the couch at 4:00 in the morning trying to get some sleep. I felt like the worst wife in the world! Despite what I had put him through the next morning he went out a bought me juice, nasal spray, and some Tylenol...all while I slept on the couch.
He came home after school and helped me make dinner, and then did the dishes. I was determined to spend the next night on the couch sleeping upright to avoid not being able to breath through all the congestion. Paul insisted on sleeping next to me on our little love sac the whole night. I truly married my best friend. Even though I was in pain and so tired, it was one of those moments when I couldn't help but smile....it doesn't get better than this!

Lessons Learned

This is a sight I would have never seen in Texas. I would never welcome cold weather, but looking out my window this made me smile...



For your pure entertainment I have decided to share just a few of the things Paul and I have learned over the past year.

* Never get a warranty on a car, unless you have loads of money and have nothing better to spend it on.

* Never sign a contract without having calculated exactly what could go wrong, and what it would take to get out of the contract if you needed to.

* You get what you pay for. If it costs $1 including shipping from China, the dollar may be better spent elsewhere.

* When going on long trips in the winter through long canyons on wet roads with no stores around for miles...always pack a spare container of wind shield wiper fluid. It will be worth its weight in gold.

* Don't clean up black mold in your refrigerator just to buy and new one, and have your landlord give the one you cleaned from top to bottom with your bare hands to your upstairs neighbors.

* When moving into and new apartment always check for a dishwasher...it may not come with one.

* Never go to bed with your hair wet in the winter.

* Never take two upper division Math classes in the same semester, unless you want to die a slow and painful death.

* Never assume anything...asking is cheaper!

* You always have more time than you think you do.

* It's harder to get pregnant than most people would generally think...20% chance!

* Sea World is always a good option when looking to get away!

* Never use hotwire.com, unless you don't mind flying out at 2:00 am, or stay in a "3" star hotel that looks like your uncles trailer. I'm pretty sure you won't get your money back.

* Aligators are super cool as long as you can run faster than the fat guy standing next to you!

* Don't be afraid to lose yourself in a good book.

* When an invitation says semi formal, wear a suit....even if your wife tells you not to.

* When given the option to sit it out or dance...always dance.

* Family is always worth your time.

* Don't let people intimidate you.

* Real flight is worth every penny if your husband is addicted to model airplanes.

* When Macey's is selling cereal for $1 a box don't be afraid to buy 70 boxes!

What have you learned this year?

So Long Texas......

Why would anyone ever desire to be misplaced, never feeling like they belong anywhere? Why do I feel homeless today? I hate the in between stages in my life. This must be why I hate moving so much! You have to pack up all your junk just to move into a place that doesn't feel like home. It takes putting pictures up on the walls, doing laundry, and cleaning every crack just to get it to feel and smell like home.

So long Texas...we will truly miss your sunshine, simplicity, and kindness.

Today Paul and I packed everything we own into our little compact car to make the 27 hr drive home. Yes, we will be leaving behind another home (the fifth since we got married)and returning to our original home. I'm so excited to spend time with family (I miss them so much!) and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas. It will be a nice little vacation before we return to school. We aren't looking forward to the search for our next apartment, but I'm sure the disgust for looking for an apartment will get lost in all the Christmas celebrations for at least a little while.

Thank you James and Jenny for putting up with us for 5 months...we appreciate it more than you will ever know! We will miss little Dean most of all!



Mom and Dad thanks for being willing to take in a few homeless people for a little while. We promise we won't become permanent!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

In the days of 'Climate Change', I'm glad I work for ExxonMobil

Today was my last day working at ExxonMobil Chemical. This has been an invaluable experience. I never had so much fun working. Great people, great company, and awesome work. I could do this for the rest of my life.

















They even gave me a polo. That's all I ever wanted. Now I can be cool like my brother.
Paul

Happy Birthday Dad!

Unfortunately I don't have a lot of face forward smiling pictures of my Dad. He doesn't seem to like the camera in his face. I don't know why...he is definitely one of the best looking men I know. I'm a little sad today because I can't be home spending time with him on his birthday. It's times like these that make me home sick. So I thought I would brag about him a little bit to make myself feel better for missing his birthday.
Dad I love you more than you will ever know! I only hope that someday I will have as much faith, as much endurance, as much courage, and as much love as you do. You have always been there to provide and care for me, and have always given of yourself and your time. You have always taught me that nothing was impossible...I still believe that!
You have given me more gifts than I could ever ask for. I hope this birthday you get everything you wish for! Happy Birthday Dad! I miss you!