Happy Birthday Dennis!!

So, I never did come across those pictures of Dennis today...the ones his parents took of him on all of his birthdays over the years. They're very cute and I will have to try to get them scanned in again....must have lost them when I had the computer issue a year or so ago. ANYWAY...we have carried on the tradition and take a picture of Dennis with his birthday cake every year. We have added our own "tradition"....ice cream cake. Ice cream cake is Dennis' favorite and, thus, every year on his birthday, he gets a Dairy Queen ice cream cake. Dennis took the day off today and we had a great time hanging out, doing some shopping, and spending some time with the fam. Happy Birthday Den!!

Funny Childhood Memories

This always happens to me....today is Dennis' birthday and I know that I have pictures of him as a chiuld on various birthdays...SO, as I was looking for them, I came across the one I have added here. This picture makes me laugh out loud every time I come across it. When we were kids, our dad would "nap" in the family room.....usually falling asleep with a game of some kind on the television. We would then proceed to entertain ourselves by piling everything we could find on top of him....as pictured above. The real fun came when one of us would startle him which would cause him to jump and send everything flying! Aaahhhh....GOOD TIMES!!

A Change of Heart? Perhaps....

So, I've always been a fan (to the degree that I am a "fan" of celebs) of Matt Damon. He's a good actor in some pretty entertaining movies (don't take my word for it, though....anyone who knows me knows movies = sleep for me!), seems like a nice guy, and he's not bad to look at.

Before I go on, I must mention this...I do not subscribe to a particular political party. I really try to weigh ideals, morals, history (yes, PERSONAL and professional), and my "gut" feeling when deciding who I am going to vote for. Honestly, morals and gut usually trump.

Also, before I go on, let me get on my soapbox for a moment...and I can, it's my blog.:)
VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! I do not care, really, who you vote for...just do it!! If you do not take the time to educate yourself a bit about the candidates and some of the issues and vote, then don't spend the next four years moaning and groaning about the president and vice-president that the rest of "the people" elected.

Check out these sites for more information: http://www.johnmccain.com/
http://www.barackobama.com/index.php
http://obama.senate.gov/
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/
http://mccain.senate.gov/public/
http://biden.senate.gov/


So, back to what got me on this tangent. What makes actors and other famous personalities really think we want to hear all about their political views and opinions?? Today, I get a glimpse of Matt Damon on the tube talking about how rediculous and "absurd" Sarah Palin's nomination to Vice Presidential candidate for the republican party is. He speaks of her inexperience in politics and mocks her small town background. At the end of the clip, he also makes an attempt to take a jab at her "religious views". It's a bit more hidden, but it's there. If you're interested, you can watch the video by following this link: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4435771n

Honestly, I'm getting a bit weary of the "you can believe, and think, and do whatever you want" attitude. Why??? Because it's a farce! Not only do I "believe" it's a farce, even the people who are most outspoken in defending it don't mean it. They mean, "as long as you don't believe what I don't believe, don't do what I don't do, don't support who I don't support, and don't think what I don't think" THEN you are more evolved, more open, and more accepting than __________(insert your favorite "conservative" or religious affiliation here).

I thought we had all agreed that we don't want the same ol' "politics as usual" thing going on......Or, was that only what the Democratic candidates were saying in an attempt to get one up on the Republicans. Palin consistantly states that she isn't afraid to go against the good ol' boy politics that go on in Washington. Sounds good to me and it seems to be true. Of course, I still need to do more "research". Dennis and I watched Governor Palin's interview with Charlie Gibson tonight (http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5782791). I told Dennis, that she definitely has the "verbage" down. Can we REALLY believe what the candidates say to "us" during this time, or ever?? I would like to think yes, but that's not my gut.

I hate politics! I do, but I also believe it is my God given privelage (and, yes, the basic foundation of the United States was built upon Christian principles, as I'm sure you history buffs know) and my responsibility as a US citizen to participate in the process. I will continue to do so and work toward being a little less easily annoyed by close-minded, judgemental, outspoken, elitists.

By the way, while it's not "politically correct" or the popular view, I AM proud to be an American and thank God often for dropping me here and not in some far off corner of the world where there is no indoor plumbing or running water, or where men physically, mentally, and emotionally CONTROL women, or where I cannot speak my opinion or practice my religion (whatever it may be) or in a place where there is constant war and strife.

Parenthood--YIKES!!

Refer to the cute kid below....under the title, "Ausman"....yeah, he no longer has posession of the cute little red phone. That's right, his Juke privilages have been revoked for the time being. His preteen hormones are out of control and causing him to do things like....text girls during study hall, at church, and in the middle of the night!! Not to mention the lies!! Oh my! I'm praying this period passes quickly and other "helpful" mothers insist on telling me "it's only getting started" and "oh, you just wait!". Oh, yeah...that's JUST what I need to hear!

Dave and Jake

Dennis and I have been truly blessed with some friends who have helped us out tremendously with shuttling Davison to and from school on work days and helping us out when we are traveling or attending long game days for Austin. Mark and Jennifer are the parent's of Davison's very best friend, Jake. Jake and Davison have "known" each other, literally, since they were born. We were friends as couples long before these two little men were thoughts in our heads! One night last week I went to pick Davison up from the VanHooser's after Austin's soccer game and we snapped this photo of the boys. It is PRECIOUS! and I predict it someday being shown at a high school graduation party or wedding celebration.

Sky Concert

For the past several years, our family has attended the Sky Concert on Saturday night of Labor Day weekend. One of our neighbors (and a dear friend) has had a major role in putting the event together over the last several years and we were the beneficiaries of great seats and other "perks" at the event. This year, Dennis and I spaced it and signed up to work at Ribfest from noon to midnight on Saturday. I was SO sad to miss the big night. Not just because of the great show that Sky Concert is, but because it has always been a great evening with friends/neighbors. I HATE to miss things!! Anyway, a friend that was there that evening shared this picture with me today. Pictured here are 14 kids (there's one I don't recognize!! that makes the 15th....) who have known each other for years...they were, at one point or another, all neighbors. Aren't they cute?? It's really cool to think about the many, many memories they will have of times/events/days/birthdays, etc. spent together.

Jagger

So, I finally have some pics to post of my new nephew: Jagger Van. Jagger was born on August 3rd and my Mom went to Oregon the next week to visit. She brought back some pictures, but I've had to work on them a bit to be able to post them here. Jagger is a big boy weighing in at 9lbs and 3oz at delivery. I spoke to Gina yesterday and she assures me he is growing like a weed and she'll be taking him this week to be weighed. Of course, it is SO hard to have my niece and new nephew all of the way in Oregon, but I hope to make a trip soon to meet this "little" man.

Autumn??

I don't know if it's official or not, but the weather today was gorgeous and it definitely felt like a touch of fall was in the air. After a couple of soccer games this morning, we came home and worked in the yard for several hours. This all started thanks to a landscaping "misunderstanding" between neighbors and ended with me coaxing Dennis into helping me try to save the Magnolia tree I planted in the spring. I actually love to work in the yard and could easily spend my days planting and transplanting flowers, bushes, etc. After my forty hour work week at the hospital this week and then working in the yard for several hours, I enjoyed a nap....a 4 hour nap!! It was amazing!! Now, I'm all snuggled in under my favorite blanket with all of the windows open. I LOVE this kind of weather!