New Healthcare Plan Not all it's Cracked Up To Be

I realize I have been MIA lately. Our vacation a couple weeks ago put a halt to other things (like computer-time). You know how it is, getting ready for the trip, then going on the trip, then recovering from the trip, then catching up from being gone on said trip. It's not that I don't have anything to say, it's just that I can't find the time to say it. But I felt this is an important issue and one for which I need to make the time.

You're probably aware that I don't often blog about politics, and those who know me personally know that it's not often topic of conversation I normally engage in. However, the right to life and to conscience is an issue I do feel strongly about, so when I came across this tidbit of information I could not help but pass it along.

Unless you reside under a rock, I'm sure you've heard MUCH about the president's health care reform bill. Personally, I've heard so much hype about it that I'm really sick and tired of the term "health care reform." But, at the same time, that's about all I have heard...hype. I think the average American (like myself) isn't really aware of what the bill includes. You may be surprised (as I was) when you watch the following video.

[For some reason, blogger is not letting me embed the video.
To see the video, go here.]

Whatever your stance in the abortion debate, I hope we can all agree that no one (including medical professionals) should be forced to perform an act that violates their conscience...especially not in our great nation which was founded on individual and religious freedom.

If you are a pro-life supporter, I pray you will take the time to contact your representative and let your voice be heard in opposition to taxpayer-funded abortions. (For your representative's contact information as well as talking points, click here.) I called my representative's office this morning. It was a simple process and only took a few minutes. Please take a few moments to let your voice be heard.

Praying for Baby Zoe's recovery from surgery

I've been wanting to do an update on Zoe for awhile, but didn't have any recent photos/video to post. But finally, here it is...

Zoe and family are in Atlanta as he recovers from surgery yesterday to correct a non-threatening defect called hypospadias. I talked with my mom and dad this morning (they are also in Atlanta) and they said the surgery went very well. The released Zoe last night (didn't even keep him overnight) and he stayed with Jim & Carmen at the Ronald McDonald House. (Nanee & PaPa kept the other 2 kids at the hotel with them.) The surgeon will check Zoe in a few weeks and determine when and if a follow-up surgery will be needed.

You can see get more updates, see additional video of Zoe, and even hear him laughing at his web site.

Thank you for all your continued prayer for my sister and her family!

The Case of the Tomato Bandits

Calling all gardeners!!

Remember my post a few weeks ago about how well my rookie gardening experience was going? Just as I was anxiously awaiting the taste of that first, ripe, juicy, homegrown tomato, a gang of bushy-tailed bandits struck and left me nothing but empty vines. I had been warned about the bandits by my neighbor who has even sacrificed her granddaughter's stuffed animal to create a scare-cat for her tomato plants. But I was naive; I did not heed her warning.

Hubby first noticed the bandits making off with their booty on Friday as we were preparing to leave for I Love America. He quickly rigged together a make-shift fence to salvage the few tiny fruits that remained.

I went out on Saturday to water the plants and estimate the damage, only to realize that an innovative rodent had somehow shimmied through the fence and made off with the last of my tiny little tomatoes! So, now after much hard work, here I sit, tomato-less.

For all you gardeners out there, how do you keep your precious plants safe from these furry little thieves? I'm desperate for any and all ideas!

God Bless America

Happy 4th of July to you all! Yes, I know it's only the 3rd, but in our family we are considering it the holiday already. Hubby is off work, we've had a nice, relaxing morning, and now we are getting ready to head out to our church's annual "I Love America" celebration--our largest outreach of the year and our city's biggest fireworks celebration. The kids love it, and we always have a great time with friends from our church family.

This year our church is partnering with GodTV to broadcast the event which will include the first ever Angel Mission Benefit Concert. The event will include a live-feed of Angel Mission's drilling of a clean-water well in Kenya, Africa. Those of us at the event, as well as GodTV viewers will have the opportunity to make a donation toward the drilling of 25 other clean-water wells in Kenya. A $5 donation will provide clean water for one Kenyan for 20 years! For more information on the event or to donate to Angel Mission's Water for Kenya project, click here.

Off to get the kiddos ready for a day of fun as well as an opportunity to change the life of someone on the other side of the world. It's a good day! If you get a chance, tune in to GodTV to see what we're up to today, and consider donating toward the project in Kenya.

God bless America!