I’m kind of tired. I’d like to just curl up in my bed in my favorite pajama pants and finish the book I’m reading.

I don’t much feel like doing anything that requires thought–like arguing over who should be our next President. The last thing I want to do is spend the next 41 days on the proverbial campaign trail. And, unlike my husband, who loves a good, hot political debate, it all just makes me cringe

However.

I’ve been thinking about some things. And I’ve read some things that make me sad. And my heart is breaking for the little lives that are being sacrificed on the altar of convenience and “personal rights.”

I’m also sad for the people who are lost. Who don’t know Jesus. Who dedicate their entire lives to a cause. That cause being the eradication (getting rid of) God from our country and our world, in whatever way they possibly can. And calling it something noble.

So, maybe I’ll just give you some things to think about here and there over the next month-ish.

First of all, here’s an article written about a woman who believes its pure selfishness to have children. Oh, the rubbish and pollution and carbon footprints they leave! She had an abortion, then got her tubes tied, all in a “heroic” effort to save the planet. It’s one of the saddest things I’ve ever read. (click here for some really good thoughts on the article)

Then there’s the story of Lysa TerKeurst. She’s the founder of Proverbs 31 Ministries and shared on her blog last week that she had an abortion 16 years ago. She carried her secret shame for years before accepting Christ’s forgiveness and sharing her story to help save other girls–and babies–from going through the same thing she did. She says that research shows that 1 in 3 women in the church have had an abortion. Read through some of the 100+ comments on her post from women who have had abortions and been through hell.

Last thing. I’ve mentioned Randy Alcorn before, how I love his books and all that. He’s a fervent pro-lifer and does an amazing job of gathering info about the Presidential candidates and their beliefs/actions, etc. on his blog. I’ve only skimmed his latest posts. I’m off to read them now.

And that’s all. And thanks to Christy, who spurred me on to write this post tonight. Here’s a comment I left on a post of hers a couple weeks ago.

This will sound completely naive and off-the-wall to someone who’s not a believer (and probably to some who are), but I’ve got to go with the candidates who are closest to having the mind of Christ. I believe that if you’ve accepted Christ and seek to follow Him, if you ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with wisdom and discernment, He’ll give it to you. Leaders aren’t going to be perfect, not even Christian ones. And not every Christ-follower has what it takes to run a country. But if one candidate (and his running mate) value faith and LIFE and one (and his running mate) don’t, then my choice is made. Unless the Christians are clearly less competent (which they aren’t in this case), then I have to go with the ones who believe the Truth and will act on their faith.

I know people say that Christians are 1-issue voters. That it’s all about abortion. But abortion is more than an issue. It’s about murder of innocent life. No other issue is like that (except war, but that’s still different). And one of the candidates doesn’t even believe that a child who survives a botched abortion should be given medical care. Even though he’s out of the womb and viable. Because the original intent was to kill him. And that should be carried through.

I’ve watched some stuff lately that makes my blood boil.

You can read her post here.

G’night, all!

Figured I’d better blog tonight, since tomorrow is the first day of school and could get a little crazy. And since it’s late, and I meant to get in bed early and have lunches packed and whatnot. (At least I’m not baking cookies.)

Just finished watching Hillary present the fine folks at the Democratic Convention with their consolation prize. “You don’t get ME, the glass-ceiling-shattering, all-around-fabulous, super-duper-qualified presidential candidate BUT you can have Barack Obama. Heck, he’s better than McCain, right? ‘Cause Bush and McCain practically shared a placenta.” If I’m Obama, I’m not feeling particularly warm and fuzzy about her “endorsement” of me.

And that’s about all the politics I’ve got for the week.

So, um, the zoo trip totally caught up with me today, peeps. Yowzers. Wasn’t quite expecting that. I had to eat three fun-size mint 3 Musketeers bars while I was making supper just to keep from falling over. I’m toast. One thing after another has piled up today–on my desk, my counters, my laundry baskets, my plate, my brain, my life. Egads.

And my head. Ow. I feel like I’ve been picked up by an African elephant bull and slammed to the ground.

I’m sad about Livi and Ava going to school. I was making lunch for our picnic this morning and thought of tomorrow’s lunch. Just me, Gabe and Nina sitting around our big table. Sniff, sniff. I’m trying to think happy thoughts, like how much I wanted to strangle Livi and Ava today and how tomorrow will be peaceful on that front. The harmonious love fest they had going on for awhile is a distant memory. They attacked each other (physically and verbally) today at every turn. Ugh. I was about ready to go ape, and I’m not even kidding.

Yet I think I want to homeschool them someday.

You know, God really does reward those who do not spend money they do not have just because they are viciously craving Pei Wei chicken lettuce wraps. I wanted to sell my birthright tonight and send Gabe for  take-out, but I remembered that I had a perfectly good (cheap) dinner in the fridge ready to prepare. I sucked it up, wiped away the tears, started supper, and voila! Ava came inside with a bag of fresh produce from our neighbor’s garden. Cucumber, tomatoes, squash, peppers, eggplant. The rest of the fam had some pasta with mushrooms and roasted parmesan Ragu. I had me some scrummy sauteed homegrown veggies. (and designated an envelope in my desk drawer for my Pei Wei fund)

My SIL, Jess, wrote a very cool post tonight about something special she did with her little boys today. And it just lit my fire, because it’s exactly the point (one of them) that I want to make in my zoo book. Seizing opportunities, spending time with your kiddos, doing stuff that makes them smile. Making memories. Sigh. I’d love to hear what kinds of special things you love doing with your little ones (or nieces/nephews).

We watched Nim’s Island last night with the girls. Cute, clean, family flick. Didn’t hurt that it was about a writer and animals and stuff. Right up my alley.

Oh! Got a delightful little e-mail from the Indy Zoo today. Free tickets, free parking, free rides. Last night the girls and I held hands and prayed over the e-mail I sent them. We told God we’d love it if He’d provide some stuff for us but that we would be thankful even if He didn’t. Did some praisin’ in the living room today.

And I should probably get a move on since it’s after midnight, making my title a misnomer of sorts.

Have a great day, friends! I’m feeling especially sentimental about all of you tonight. Love and hugs!

I got up at 5:30, pulled some clothes on, put my contacts in, and headed groggily to Panera to meet three friends for accountability group. Got home at 7:45, found four people in my bed all with their eyes fake-closed, not fooling anyone. Got breakfast for all of them, and they’re eating in front of the TV.

Here’s the funny part. They’re watching WEC. World Extreme Cagefighting. There was a championship fight last night at 9:00. Gabe told the girls they could stay up for it (?!?) instead of going to bed at 8:30. Turns out there were 3 or 4 fights and the big one wasn’t until almost 11:00. Gabe recorded it for them. (?!?!) They woke up wanting to watch it. (?!?)

Let me remind you that I have three children of the same gender. FEMALE. I have no desire to watch cagefighting. Not now, not ever. Their eyes are glued to the TV screen. Nina is making punching motions between bites of Fruity Pebbles. Livi doesn’t want to get ready for school, because the fight is only in round 3, and there are 2 to go. Gabe offered to fast forward it, but they don’t want to miss any of the fight.

What in the world?!

Sticking with the theme (what’s wrong with this picture?), I was following a car home from Panera this morning, and there was a piece of paper taped to the back window. It read:

NO
OBAMA, OSAMA,
OR CHELSE’S
MAMMA!!!!

With supporters like these, the future for John McCain looks oh-so-bright.

We took the girls to the zoo Saturday. Ava asked if she could bring her new (garage sale, 50 cents) umbrella. No, I told her, it’s not going to rain. Look how sunny it is.

We were there for less than two hours. Got caught in three downpours. Brrrrr…. New rule: Ava may bring umbrella anywhere at any time.

Fun week ahead. Tomorrow is Ava’s orientation at Hogwart’s. Wednesday Gabe is at a race all day, I pick up Stephi and Daniel from the airport. Thursday my whole family is here all day. We’re going to the zoo and having  a big birthday party. Friday and Saturday our friends from Lithuania will be here for a visit.

God has been teaching me a lot lately. It’s good stuff.

Have a wonderful, wonderful week!