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.

With Hope

I'm sad today. My alarm is set to wake me up with music and the first song I heard as I came out of the haze was the song I sang at Morgan's funeral. Two a half years ago baby Morgan went to be with Jesus after three short months of life. Heather, her mom and my good friend, asked me to sing for the service and I remembered a song written by Stephen Curtis Chapman for good friends who had lost a young daughter. The title is "With Hope" and it is based on verses from 1 Thess. 4:13-14 / Heb. 6:9, 10:23.

With Hope
This is not at all

How we thought it was supposed to be

We had so many plans for you

We had so many dreams

And now you've gone away

And left us with the memories of your smile

And nothing we can say

And nothing we can do

Can take away the pain

The pain of losing you, but ...

Chorus:
We can cry with hope

We can say goodbye with hope

'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no

And we can grieve with hope

'Cause we believe with hope

(There's a place by God's grace)

There's a place where we'll see your face again

We'll see your face again

And never have I known

Anything so hard to understand

And never have I questioned more

The wisdom of God's plan

But through the cloud of tears

I see the Father's smile and say well done

And I imagine you

Where you wanted most to be

Seeing all your dreams come true

'Cause now you're home

And now you're free, and ...

We have this hope as an anchor

'Cause we believe that everything

God promised us is true, so ...

We wait with hope

And we ache with hope

We hold on with hope

We let go with hope

When the song ended the radio personality announced the death of Stephen Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter Maria in a tragic accident last week. She was one of three adopted daughters from China and she had celebrated her 5th birthday just 10 days earlier.

The word ironic seems unsuitable, and yet the irony that this song written 10 years earlier would fill a place of mourning in his own life is very present. I grieve for their family and I grieve for Heather as she misses Morgan each day. Yet, we do have hope. Hope for tomorrow, and hope for the day when we will see them face to face again.

Pray for the Chapmans.

Plant Envy

This is my neighbors Peony bush. I hope to plant one in my yard sometime soon! I love peonies because they remind me of my grandmother. She had great big pink, red and white ones in her rock garden. My other neighbor has 7 large bushes and has promised that when he splits them this fall I am welcome to some. I am so excited!

All Tuckered Out

I guess mowing the lawn was just too much for this guy!

Field Day

Trinity Lutheran had their field day for the pre-school and Kindergarten. What a blast! Matthew competed in the 20 yard dash, baby crawl, backwards run, bean bag run, bean bag throw, and water balloon throw. Each child got a ribbon for each event they participated in. It was a little tough trying to watch Matthew and keep Tyler out of trouble. We began and ended the day by playing on the playground and sliding down a giant purple hat. The boys were both tuckered out after all that play. All in all it was a splendid day.

Time for a Haircut?

Matthew had his first hair cut at 18 months and his hair was truly out of control. Tyler has much finer hair so he is already 21 months and hasn't seen the scissors yet, but I think it is about time. I was hoping to wait until his 2nd birthday and have kind of been putting it off because Tyler HATES to be confined and so I am anticipating a bit of a struggle to get him to stay still for a haircut. I might have to go to a professional for the first one.

Mountain Majesty

Our good friends Kirk and Aspen moved to Conifer and though you can't see it very well in this photo, they have a beautiful view of Pike's Peak from their balcony.

What a fun day we had celebrating Nick's first birthday and their recent move to this new house.

Favorite Pasttime

Yes, that's a pet door.
No, we don't have pets, but Tyler loves to watch out the door whenever Steve is in the garage.

He kept running between the garage door where he could peak through the pet door and the front door to look out and see what Steve was doing in the driveway. He'd call out "Daddy, Daddy" and Steve would answer him from the garage. Too cute!