Dream House giveaway

For those of you entering the HGTV dream house giveaway- Just thought I would let you know you need not waste your time. I have it from a trustworthy source (the voice in my head) that this home was made for me- It is going to be mine so... Don't be a hater- just be happy for me- You guys can come visit as soon after they announce my name as the winner.


Funny Story.
The other day I was watching HGTV with the kids. Doug was out of town. They showed a commercial for the Dream Home giveaway. I remembered that I have yet to inform them that I will be the winner this year. I told the kids that I was going to sign up for the contest. Jordan, our 6 year old, was overly excited about it. She kept on giggling and telling the rest of the kids to look and see what mom was doing- look at this house... After her being silly about it a bit too much I asked her to please calm down. About 15 minutes went by and Jordan still had a smile from ear to ear. I looked at her, baffled. What was this kids deal? She looked deep into my eyes and with her smile, she giggled and nervously said "Mommy, Daddy is going to be soo upset" giggle giggle.
Pause wah?
All of us asked her "What? Why will Daddy be mad?"
"You just bought that 2 million dollar house, Daddy is going to kill you-(giggle giggle) he is going to be mad..."
All of us started laughing.
All the nervous laughter now made sense- she really wanted the house and was excited but she knew how this was going to go down when daddy came home- I guess she thought I was willing to sacrifice my life for my children to live their life's in our new mansion. The things I do for my children- the sacrifice.

Why isn't it this simple?

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else , for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.'
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

Brace yourself for what I think...

A friend published this preamble in her blog.
I love it and felt the need to share.
So often we are bombarded with whining Americans. Sad. We as Americans have an abundance of opportunity and freedoms. This is my forward to all the whiners-
Put your big boy/big girl pants on and get over yourself.

I have the freedom to say this and you have the freedom to agree or disagree.

God Bless America.

PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION

This is probably the best [forward] e-mail I've seen in a long, long time. The following has been attributed to State Representative Mitchell Kaye from GA. This guy should run for President one day...



'We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and
secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights.'



ARTICLE I:

You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

ARTICLE II:

You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.

ARTICLE III:

You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives
independently wealthy.

ARTICLE IV:

You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are
quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes .

ARTICLE V:

You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care.

ARTICLE VI:

You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.

ARTICLE VII:

You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.

ARTICLE VIII:

You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.

ARTICLE IX:

You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.

ARTICLE X:

This is an English speaking country. We don't care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from! (Lastly....)


ARTICLE XI:

You do not have the right to change our country's history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it,
TOUGH!

If you agree, share this with a friend. No, you don't have to, and nothing tragic will befall you if you don't.. I just think it's about time common sense is allowed to flourish. Sensible people of the United States speak out because if you do not, who will?

A few of my favorite things

Our guard at the front Door

Hot Cocoa Bar with the kids- even in Texas!

The warmth of the kitchen for preparing with the family

Red and white around the kitchen table - Candles!

The twinkle of the Christmas lights through the glass of the front door

The warmth of the fireplace and the scent of the candles. The stockings awaiting their fill

Full cookie jars, seasonal pears, snowmen decorations, wreaths of berries

Family and Friends - bright sunny weather (83 degrees again yesterday). The Holidays were smooth sailin or driving in our case! Fortunately for us, Doug had quite a bit of time off this Christmas Break. No longer being a resident and having a staff position pans out quite well in the time off department! We enjoyed every second together as a family. Were able to see and stay with my parents in Dallas, and Doug's in Colorado. Were able to see Doug's big brother Dave's family (Dave, Robin, Taylor, Alex, Brandon, Melissa, new baby Kale, and Nicole) Doug's baby bro Ben (aka Beaner in our household... that's what Doug refers to him as in our home and it sticks quite well in my head- sorry Ben), and my sister Courtney's family (Court, Bryon, Taite, and Addison)- We visited Dallas, Colorado Springs, Ft Collins Colorado, Monument Colorado and Berthoud Colorado. We relaxed and gained weight. We shopped and 'saved' money. We anxiously retrieved mail- waiting for the great cards and pictures from family and friends. I stressed and got pimples. We rapped, I mean wrapped and wrapped and wrapped. We drove and consumed large amounts of sodium. We gave and received. We Enjoyed. We sang. We car danced. We went to movies and listened to movies in the car. We laughed - I giggled (watching Enchanted on New Years Eve...what can I say I am simple and easily entertained). We soaked up the beautiful scenery along the drive. If the hills and fields could talk. The history- the people- what what and who has come and gone- so many things to peak curiosity. We stopped on the side of the road to pick cotton that had been left behind from the harvest. We went to the dirtiest Burger King EVER... NEVER go to the Burger King in Amarillo, Texas. GROSS. We had to leave. We shared favorite memories of Christmas in the past. Wii played games. We read books. We cooked, we baked, we decorated. We made many new and wonderful memories. We hope you too had a wonderful holiday season with family. Now that we are back home I have to take down the decorations... It seems as if they were not up long enough. Here are some photos so we can have the decorations up o the blog a smidge longer.
Happy New Year!