Fire and Ice

I found a fascinating article about climate change that tells the story of earth warming and cooling scares since the 1800's. I came away with two thoughts - when will we learn, and "the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God" 1 Cor 3:19. Take a closer look at the article to see what I mean. As recent as the 1970's there was an article in Newsweek warning of global cooling. Today, there are scientists more worried about the cycles of the sun and the potential for global cooling than anything coming out of our cars or the carbon monoxide being released from dead trees in the mountains of Colorado (heard that one on NPR). Other scientists say the melting of ice caps and warmer ocean temperatures are caused by the amount of salt in the water not the amount of CO2 in our atmosphere.

Then there is the hushed news that some of the alternatives that are all the rave now are actually just as bad for the climate as the fuels they are replacing. Like this article that contains questions about the use of Ethanol.

So where is the truth and what are we to do? How am I to respond to the "go green" fanatics? I think part of my irritation with the whole movement is the focus on things and our space in time instead of people and relationships. This whole issue seems to pale in comparison to the real issues my neighbors and my own parents are facing when trying to afford medical insurance on a fixed income. Enough said!

8th Anniversary

June 24, 2008 - Eighth Anniversary

Steve and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary last night. We went to the Summer Solstice Music Festival held at the Clear Creek History Park in Golden where we listed to four bands, had a picnic dinner sitting on the hill, visited an authentic miners cabin and enjoyed the sunset. When we were tired of music we visited Starbucks real quick before we headed up Lookout Mountain to see the lights of the city.

Table Mountain Mesa

The building behind us is a one room school house.

Baby Kady

Meet Kady Grindle. She's 2 1/2 weeks old now and is keeping her Mommy and Daddy very busy.

Holding Us Together

You may have seen this video, as it is making it's way through e-mail land, but I just had to post it so I could keep coming back to watch. The message captivated my heart to realize in a fresh way how God has imprinted Himself and His word into the very fiber of my being. Watch and worship!

First Dentist Visit

Matthew had his first appointment to the dentist last Wednesday. I've been putting off writing about it because I felt like I had failed my son as a Mother. Turns out my little boy has two cavities in his bottom back teeth. I admit that I sometimes forget to have him brush his teeth every night before bed, and that I have been known to give him a snack after he is already in bed because he said he was still hungry. But NO MORE! He has to go back to the pediactric dentist in early July to have the cavities filled and after reading a friends blog on the same topic I am not looking forward to that visit. Fortunately this visit went well so he is not afriad of going back. After this next visit I think that might change.

Oh, and did I mention I got a speeding ticket on the way to his appointment? Matthew started crying after the police officer asked me for my license. I guess I told him one too many times that the police would be mad at us if he didn't buckle his seat belts. What a day!

Beautification!!!

My dear husband has been working very hard on our landscaping. We've had a mud pit out front ever since we tore out the bushes just after we moved in nearly four years ago. Steve finally had enough and took the matter into his very capable hands.



Before.





After

Now I have to get it planted! That will take some time but I am so looking forward to sinking my hands into that dirt and watching things grow. I guess that Harriman blood is still coursing through these veins! My Don Juan climbing rose is on its way from Jackson & Perkins and two of my neighbors have promised me transplants. I'm giddy!

First Haircut!

Tyler kept telling me "no" whenever I told him he was going to get his first haircut today, but he did really good once he got in the chair. There were a few moments when his little chin started to quiver and some big tears rolled down his cheeks, but he made it through. After he got the cape off he kept giving me the evil eye. Gina and the other ladies around were laughing at his funny faces. My baby really looks like a little boy now!

Purple Superflies

It's T-Ball time! Matthew had his second game today. He is half-hearted when it comes to playing outfield, but loves to hit.

Pre-school Closing Program

Matthew had his closing program for pre-school. His last official day is Tuesday. His class did two songs and a prayer - I'm Gonna Ride in a Fire Truck, "Gotta Friend Inside" and The Lord's Prayer. It was great to see his energy directed in to some fun outlets.

Matthew and Niveah

Matthew and Juliette - Matthew calls her his "girlfriend", but apparently so do three other boys!

Matthew's Teacher Mrs. Terri - She was a great teacher for Matthew this year. She is pregnant with her first child and won't be returning next year.

Quotes

I found a blog entry on a site linked from a friend's blog that gave me pause. It is a compilation of quotes from readers of his blog and many of them were very thought provoking.

For example:

“The point of an open mind, like having an open mouth, is to close it on something solid.”
- G.K. Chesterton

If you want to read more go here.

CO Senate Bill 200

Colorado followed the actions of other states when on May 31, 2008 Ritter signed Senate Bill 200 which expands “anti-discrimination” law to cover sexual orientation, meaning not only homosexuality or bisexuality, but also “transgender status or another person’s perception thereof.”

The bill itself seems inocuous on first read (yes I did read the whole bill a couple times). Essentially I can't refuse a person housing, dining, access to pulic places, etc. based on their statement or my percption of their sexual orientation. But this is what disturbs me:

• the wiggle room left in the bill for interpretation;
• the scope of "free speech" that is defined as being prohibited and discriminatory when referencing our thoughts or beliefs on homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgender lifestyle choices;
• the very loose definition of "transgender" identity; and
• lastly, but most importantly, the raising of sexual orientation status to the equality of other basic rights. The belief that men and women are "born that way" instead of choosing the lifestyle is now written into law.

The other area of even greater concern is this clause in the bill:

"Part 6: Discrimination in places of public accomodation. "place of public accommodation" means any place of business engaged in any sales to the public and any place offering services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations to the public, including but not limited to any business offering wholesale or retail sales to the public; any place to eat, drink, sleep, or rest, or any combination thereof; any sporting or recreational area and facility; any public transportation facility; a barber shop, bathhouse, swimming pool, bath, steam or massage parlor, gymnasium, or other establishment conducted to serve the health, appearance, or physical condition of a person; a campsite or trailer camp; a dispensary, clinic, hospital, convalescent home, or other institution for the sick, ailing, aged, or infirm; a mortuary, undertaking parlor, or cemetery; an educational institution; or any public building, park, arena, theater, hall, auditorium, museum, library, exhibit, or public facility of any kind whether indoor or outdoor."

I can't see anything here that specifically requires restrooms to be available without discrimination--but I also don't see anything that exempts restrooms, locker rooms, or other traditionally single-sex facilities from this law. I don't see any lawful way for a business to tell a cross-dressing man that he can't use the women's restroom, or the women's locker room.

Here are some other articles that might be worth reading:

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter Signs Transgender Bill
Equal Rights Colorado Website Response to Bill
Ritter signs controversial anti-discrimination bill - Denver Post
Senate Bill 200 and moral sovereignty - Rocky Mountain News

Tiny Town with the Benfields

What a fun morning we had. We met the Benfields (Kym, Reid and Treyton) at Tiny town for a morning of riding the train, playing in the miniature houses, adventures at the playground, and a picnic lunch. Thanks for playing!

Barrack Obama and the Many 'isms

I'm trying desperately to stay out of the fray of rumor and innuendo on the internet about Barrack Obama's family history and educational background. But I'm also trying hard to understand what this man really believes and how he would lead our country should he get the votes come November. I've found him to be less then substantive when it comes to actually relating his beliefs and plan of actions as President in interviews and speeches.

A website I've referenced before has provided some interesting reading. It seems that Obama's beliefs lend themselves to a link with Marxism, Socialism, Communism and liberation theology. These 'ism words are difficult for me to pin down to a one or two line definition. This article by Kyle-Ann Shiver helps to show the commonality between the philosphies and which of Obam's friends/mentors espouse them. Another article points out a link between Obama and Marxist organizations.

The last article I read gave a different view of the idea of "change" declared as campaign slogans by both Barrack Obama and Hilary Clinton.

Personally I don't want a leader with views that are so opposed to my Judeo-Christian worldview. But then, I'm not tuo sure where McCain stands on all this or many other issues. I always hate having to choose the lesser of two evils when in reality I don't want either one. Just the angst of a life here on earth and a reminder of what joy there will be in heaven.

Julia Roberts on Disneyworld

When asked by David Letterman if she was going to take her kids to Disneyworld Julia Roberts' response was "maybe at the age they can remember it. If I'm going to suffer that much I want them to at least have some recollection." And I say I'm right there with you Julia. That's how I feel about the zoo!

Someone asked me if I would take my kids to the zoo this summer. I told them I thought Matthew was probably at an age when he would enjoy it now, but Tyler wouldn't care. Their response was, but wouldn't it be fun? I laughed and said, well yes they would probably have fun, but it would be a LOT of work for me to keep track of both boys so they didin't get attacked by an animal or try to swim with the hippos or any numerous antics I could imagine my sons getting themselves into. So some mid-week day when the temperatures are below 90 I will venture to the zoo and pray that I bring both boys home with me non the worse for the adventure.

I'm an Aunt!!!

Kady Elizabeth Grindle was born this morning June 4th at 12:27 am to my sister and brother-in-law Valerie and Travis Grindle. She's 7 lbs 6.5 oz and nearly 20 inches long.

Pictures to follow soon!

Evergreen Outing

We got to have a picnic dinner with our good friends the Stuckys (Steve, Lisa, Shiloh, Landon, and Sawyer) who were in town from Albuquerque, NM. It was nice to be in Evergreen for a beautiful evening.
Lisa and One month old Baby Sawyer.
Landon 3, Matthew 4 and Shiloh turns 5 in a couple weeks.
Tyler is around there somewhere.



Steve and Steve catching up.
I got my baby fix! What a sweet boy he is!

Backwards or Forwards

Matthew loves to wear his clothes backwards. Sometimes I fight the battle to make him turn them around, but most of the time I figure, hey, at least he got dressed by himself like I asked!

Belleview Park

We found a new park that I think will get many visits this summer. They have $1 train rides, a petting farm and a creek for wading. The boys had a blast when we went this past Wednesday.