It was clear, Kenneth, right from the start...

that you and me would never part!

I guess the roles reversed now though...



Thank you for the many wonderful years together!

Cyclic Vomiting

Otherwise known as an abdominal migraine. This is the diagnosis my 2 year-old received from the pediatric gastroenterologist. We actually had that diagnosis a year ago from our pediatrician. I guess he can now say, "I told you so!" You see, Sheridan vomits around 3 AM about every two weeks for a few nights at a time. This is why her bed is in our room! Supposedly, researchers think that there is a link between mother's that have migraines during pregnancy and children that have this diagnosis. Sheridan just happens to be the only one of the children I did not have a migraine with during my 3rd trimester. Go figure!

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cvs/index.htm

Something Smells Fishy!

So, we thought our soccer season was over because only the first place team in our bracket advanced to district. We had three games Saturday, but it wouldn't matter if we won or lost. Then, Monday night we received a text from our coach that we had a play-off game Tuesday for 2nd place which also gets to advance. Great, right? No!!! We were in 2nd place. There should not have been a play-off game! We were tied with the 3rd place team in points, but everyone thought we were going by the tie-breaker rules for round-robin play that was listed on the web site which are:

1. Winner of the head-to-head competition
2. Goal differential
3. Goals against
4. Penalty Kicks

This last week, however, we noticed that the web site had changed and it now stated that goals allowed would be the tie-breaker. So, you are thinking we allowed more goals during our games, right? Wrong again! We were still in second place. Somehow our coach learns about a meeting of the board (and 3 of the board members happen to be from the same city as the 3rd place team)and shows up to learn that they decided that the 2nd and 3rd place teams should play a play-off game! Very fishy!!! Especially if I throw in the fact that the other team's coach had an inkling that this was going to happen, but it was kept "hush-hush". If we'd have known, we could have forfeited our first game Saturday which didn't count anyway because it was agains a U-13 team and post-poned our 2nd game, so we could be well rested when we played this team in question! That's what they did. We thought it didn't matter anyway.

It's so hard when you are playing a team with girls and parents that you know. There were two girls on this team that were on Curran's team last year. I'm very vocal at games, but never have said anything against any of these girls. But tonight, I would have stooped to the level of one of those mothers. She yelled a not-so-kind remark about my child, and if I could have thought of something to yell, I admit I would've done the wrong thing in retaliation!

"So, the outcome of the play-off game was a 0-0 tie as all the other times we had played them. We then played 2- ten minute halves to a 0-0 tie, so it came down to PKs. I would have bet my house that we'd have won. We have an awesome keeper, but she missed one...

New Pics

There is this lady with Hope that lives in Kenya. She just got back from Ethiopia, and sent me a picture of "Chubby". So, which one's chubby? Maritu! It's amazing what a little food and some good care will do for those children. She even has a neck roll! I just can't wait to pinch those cheeks! Anyway, the picture was of both M&M, and Mamush is screaming while Maritu is looking at him like he's crazy. I sent it to my husband at work, and here is his reply: "Looks like Mommy and Daddy....he is throwing a fit and she thinks he's crazy!" Those were my sentiments exactly!

Happy Veterans' Day!

When the end came to World War I, November 11, 1919 was set aside to commemorate the sacrifices made by American soldiers to gain a lasting peace for the world. Called Armistice Day, soldiers who survived the war marched in parades through their home towns. Dignitaries and veterans made speeches and held ceremonies of thanks for the peace that had been won. Had WWI been the "war to end all wars," we would probably still observe Armistice Day today.

After WWII, Armistice Day continued to be observed, but Americans realized that there was a need to recognize those who had made sacrifices in other conflicts.

In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day, and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace. He issued a Presidential Order directing the head of the Veterans Administration, now the Department of Veterans Affairs, to form a Veterans Day National Committee to organize and oversee the national observance of Veterans Day. November 11 was designated as Veterans Day to honor veterans of all U.S. wars. In 1971 President Nixon declared it a federal holiday on the second Monday in November, but it became apparent that November 11 was too historically significant to bypass, so in 1978 Congress formally returned the observance of Veterans Day to the customary date of November 11.

So, today I give thanks for the great sacrifices of all who have served our country through military service. I pray for those who need comfort and encouragement to receive it; I pray for those needing services to receive them. I pray also that every living veteran will know the gratitude of a thankful nation.

I give thanks for the dedication of all members of our military as they serve faithfully in and out of harm’s way. I pray for protection for each one, regardless of their post or responsibilities; I pray for encouragement and strength for those who are experiencing multiple deployments—some as many as five or six—asking God to cover them with His care and reveal to them His love.


Amen


(Thank you Uncle Kar Kar!)

Forever Orange

Oh what fun we had today! Kenneth and I brought our two soccer players to see the Houston Dynamos try for an unprecedented third consecutive MLS title. Until Sunday, the Dynamo had outscored their opponents 11-2 at home during the playoffs, and until Sunday, Houston had not allowed more than one goal in any of their previous eight playoff matches.

Until Sunday, the Red Bulls had not won a road playoff match since Sept. 20, 2000, a span of eight games. New York was 0-6-3 during that time and faced quite the battle against a Dynamo team that seemingly always finds a way to overcome the impossible, but the Houston Dynamos are MLS champions no more...

Needless to say, it was still great fun to tailgate with over 30,000 people at Robertson Stadium at the University of Houston, my alma mater!

Back to my Old Ways

I feel my "Maxine" side just needed to vent today! This world has gone nuts. I see it on the television, in newspapers, in magazines, and on the adoption boards. What once seemed far-fetched is soon becoming a reality...

Top Ten Predictions

Top Ten Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessing upon His people.
8. There will still be room at The Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

GOD approves this message.

Isn't it great to know who is really in charge?

*Courtesy of David Virtue at www.Virtueonline.org

Election Day!

Today is Election Day! Pray for God’s will to be done in our nation through the votes of citizens—that each one will consider the profound privilege and blessing of their vote and will cast it in a way that honors God. Pray for strength and integrity for those who work at polling places; for equipment to function flawlessly, for those needing help to get to polling places to receive it and for good weather across the country. Pray for voters as they decide on initiatives in many states where the vote will greatly impact marriages and families in our country, asking the God’s sovereign will is done in each one.

Pray for First Lady Laura Bush as she celebrates her 62nd birthday today, celebrating quietly with friends and watching election returns at the White House. Pray for God’s richest blessings on her as she prepares for the next chapter of her life, giving thanks for the profound impact she has had for the past eight years, serving the nation and the world with strength, grace and dignity.

Pray for President and Mrs. Bush as they celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary on November 5, thanking God for the excellent example of their marriage which has remained strong in spite of the tremendous pressure of living in the public eye. Pray for many years of joy and blessing for them in the days to come.

Pray for Senator Barack Obama and his loved ones as his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, passed away early Monday morning in Honolulu, HI following a battle with cancer.

Pray for safety, protection and smooth procedures at polling places throughout the day, that every vote will be counted and honored, giving thanks for sacred privilege each individual has of voting......

Pray for Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama their running mates Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Joe Biden during this final day of campaigning--for their protection, strength, and for peace...
Pray for members of the Iraqi cabinet and parliament as they consider an agreement that would authorize US troops to remain in Iraq after the end of the year, asking God to guide and lead each one with His wisdom...

Pray for Neel Kashkari of the Treasury Department and all who are now implementing the economic rescue plan, that they will act on behalf of our government in wisest and most responsible ways under God's guidance and leadership. Pray that their efforts will be implemented swiftly, bringing assistance to those who are in greatest need...

Pray that the strongholds of greed, wherever they lie in our nation, will be removed, and be replaced by repentence and a desire to serve the common good in America...

Give thanks for dedicated intercessors who gathered at courthouses and public areas across the country for solemn assemblies and prayer gatherings on Sunday and Monday, Election Eve.

Pray for the President-Elect once we know his identity that he will be awed before God with the responsibility he has to seek His face as he prepares to lead the nation. Pray for a swell of support in prayer for him as he makes plans. Pray also for the man who is not elected, that he will have God’s grace as he returns to his former responsibilities.

As the brave men and women of our military continue to serve the causes of freedom and liberty with faithfulness, pray for their strength and for support for each one, asking God to cover them with His powerful protection. Pray for each one to be helped as they carry out their duties, and pray for those working closely in difficult circumstances to have the unction of God’s grace as they serve.

Whereas, it is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to owe their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.
—Abraham Lincoln, declaring a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer, April 30, 1863