We The People

"We the people". What do those words conjure up in your mind? Memorizing the preamble to the constitution? Maybe. History, government, civics classes? Perhaps. Maybe even the Nicholas Cage movie that was so popular. What should it bring to mind? The constitution, our founding fathers, the birth of our country! Has anyone ever noticed that this writing is larger than any other writing on the page? Why do you think that is? Our founding fathers did something that no other country had ever done in the history of the world. They gave the power of our government to God first and then to the people. We are to govern our country through the filter of God's laws. We are to be just and fair and compassionate. I think that most people assume that they have voted and that is all they are responsible for. How disappointed Jefferson, Washington, and Franklin would be in us, today! We elect the same bozos over and over again and never hold them accountable! They go off to Washington and forget about we the people. The only time they remember us is for a photo op during reelection. Did you know that insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results each time(loose definition)? Why do we do that? The letter behind the person's name, D or R, seems to make no difference. They spend money like it is never going to run out. If we the people ran our household budgets the way that they do, then our homes would be foreclosed on and we would be in so much debt that we would never pay it off. Imagine if I told my husband that I was going to allot some money to build a bridge in our back yard. He would say, "A bridge for what?" We have no canyons or bodies of water in our back yard. I would go to Washington with a sack of red pens(that I bought at the dollar store) and start marking through unneeded items. I would keep doing that until the money we have going out equaled the money we have coming in and maybe some extra coming in for savings, in case, you know, there is some sort of dire need that comes up.
As for the sovereignty of the USA, I would kick the UN out of New York and take back that prime piece of real estate and quit giving them money and letting them usurp our laws. I couldn't care less what Europe is doing or Asia. There is a reason that Europe is on the decline and I don't want to go down the slide behind them. And I don't want socialism or communism as a form of government. There are those running for president who think that we should share our wealth and make wages more fair for everyone. While that sounds nice and all, what is going to happen to all the jobs? With no one having money, who would create jobs? Oh yeah, the government! Has anyone been to the DMV or Social security office? Very friendly and efficient with their $600 staplers and $200 toilet seats and long lines! I want them running my health care and paying my wages(abundant sarcasm).
The people in Washington are beholden to special interest groups and lobbies. What power do they hold? If we the people, 300 million or so of us, should wake up and realize what they are doing, we would storm the capital and stage a revolution, tossing everyone out on their ears and begin again. We the people have become fat and lazy. We are kind of like a bear. We seem fluffy and cuddly but when you encounter a wounded bear or one trying to protect itself, it will tear you to pieces! We the people have been wounded and knocked to the ground. Beware! We are going to rise up and demand some satisfaction from our government. We the people are the most powerful lobby in America. Not tobacco or the environmentalists(don't get me started on energy independence)! If we removed our money from the pockets of the fat cats, they would grovel and come begging! I hope that we the people don't wait too late. To whom much is given, much is required. Much has been given to WE THE PEOPLE!

Forgive a Mommy

I hope that you'll indulge me for a moment. My oldest daughter turned 6 this weekend and I am waxing nostalgic. I can hardly remember what we were like before we had children or what life was like with a full night's sleep. But all in all, what we gained was so much more than what we lost.
Things that I remember:
my anxious waiting before her birth, my surprise at how well the spinal worked, our utter shock when the doctor said that she was a girl, the tears in Michael's eyes when he saw her for the 1st time, the way he looked like a marshmallow dressed up for the section, how clueless we actually were, how afraid of a 6 lb 9 oz baby we were, the way we felt after many night with no sleep, how beautiful she was when she was born, Michael's face when he changed the 1st messy diaper(you know, the tar stuff), feeling like we were so unqualified to take her home(what were they thinking giving her to us with no test or anything, we did more at the DMV), the way I felt after she nursed for the first time(correctly).
The years seem to have flown by before I could stop them. I don't want her not to grow up but I want to slow it down a little. Before I know it, she'll be off to college. I don't miss the potty training years or the terrible 2s or the horrendous 3s but I will miss other things like the way she smelled when she woke up from a nap, who knew that sleep had a smell. Or I'll miss the way she loved to read the same book 15 times in a row(Monster at the End of the Book). Her sweet expressions and her love of the elderly will be only precious memories.
I am looking forward to the mommy/daughter times that we will have in the future like talking about boys and her plan for life. Her accepting Jesus into her heart and the way she looks at her dad ( he is her hero) are things that I anticipate. I want to be there for her 1st broken heart and her 1st period(which often come at the same time) . I want to see her walk down the aisle on her father's arm and look into the eyes of the man she is going to marry and pledge herself to him before God and her family(Michael says that she has to be at least 35). I want to be at the birth of my grandchild and remember back to when she was born early on a Friday morning to 2 unsuspecting parents who had no idea what they were about to get themselves into.
I thank you God for my sweet baby girl and her precious spirit. Thank You for letting us borrow her for this short time we have on earth. May we grow with her to be the parents you intended us to be. Help us to love more and to yell less. Thank You, God, for letting me live through this past year to see her grow up. I hope that we will do You proud!

Badge of honor

Have you ever seen the old west movies that have the bad criminal who is wreaking havoc all over Dodge City? Who comes to save the day? It is the sheriff or the US Marshall! He rides in on his steed, wearing his ten gallon hat, and brandishing his weapon. What do we see gleaming on his chest? A tin star. All shiny and bright and glinting in the sun. It is his badge of honor. The bad guys don't stand a chance against that.
Well, come to my house and things aren't all that different. My house has bad guys and right now they come in the form of anything that flies. They wreak havoc in my home causing screams of terror from the kids who think that they are bees or wasps. Who comes to save the day? I, the sheriff of Edge City. I come in on my slippers, wearing a UNC ball cap, and brandishing my weapon(a flyswatter). What is that on my chest? A tin star? No, it is the unmistakable circle of spit up from my newborn. All stinky and white and staining. It is my badge of honor. The bad guys (flies) don't stand a chance against me, except for spiders and I run screaming in terror to my husband, the mayor!

Heroes

Are you like me? Do you tear up when the National Anthem is sung? Or "God Bless America?" Or "Battle Hymn of the Republic?" Are you proud of the young people who salute our country at the Olympics? Have you ever cried when thanking a veteran for his/her service? I must admit, unashamedly, that I do. When I see a soldier in a restaurant, I try to at least thank that person for their sacrifice. If I am able, I buy them dinner. Those are obvious heroes but who else qualifies?
The teens that took their piggy bank money and started a non-profit to recycle cell phones to trade in for phone cards for service men overseas.
The people who give blood. My husband is my hero. He gave blood so that I might live. The Red Cross had a special drive for me and those heroes got 40 pints, which was more than they wanted.
The soldiers were mentioned but what about their families? The wives, children, and parents stay behind to keep things "normal." How difficult must it be to be a single parent and to go to bed every night without 1 of your parents? I can't even imagine!
Volunteers. So many people give of themselves everyday without any thanks or recognition. That is what makes this country so great! Helping others in need is a wonderful quality that is a reward in itself.
Firefighters, police officers, EMTS. These people rush to calls that most of us only want to stare at through the windows of our cars and homes. There are some rubberneckers out there, admit it! Some of these people are maligned and crucified in the media but I am not out there risking my life for the safety of the general public.
Lastly, those people who do what is right despite the consequences. There is a right and wrong, a sense of morals that inherently inhabit all of us. Some people, politicians, for example, don't do those things that are right and wrong but what is best for them at the moment. I think that it demonstrates the me, me, me generation in which we live. I believe that the American people, those of us who are trying our best to live our lives and raise our kids and be good citizens know the drill. Somehow, those in charge have forgotten. Maybe they haven't actually had to work for a living getting dirty, sweaty, blistery. I don't know but they live so far removed from the average American that they hardly remember that we are down here. Most of us know what is right without a Senate hearing on the subject. WE THE PEOPLE could solve the energy crisis, the health care issues, Social Security, and the immigration problem if the government would just get out of the way. WE THE PEOPLE were written into the constitution in all caps and bold letters for a purpose. Each of us has the potential to be heroes in our lives. Dig deep to do things for others.
This 4th I am striving to teach my kids what is important about America. We are still the greatest country in the world. No other country has people killing themselves to enter it. No other country gives more money in aid to the world than the USA! Not even the UN!!! I will admit that I get goosebumps when I see Old Glory flying in the sun and I hear a group with voices raised to salute it. I cover my heart every time. I cry when I think of the sacrifices that men and women have made and are making for my children and me to live in freedom. I wasn't brave enough to sign up. I sit here on my nice American behind in my made in China chair and blog about it. May God continue to bless America and may we continue to bless others with what He has given us.
Happy Birthday, Old Girl! 232 years is old but you still have lots of good years left in you! I LOVE AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!