NO. 21 Oregon State 19 | Arizona 17

This was on the front page of our sports section this morning. Way to go Beavs! What a fantastic game. I seriously think I wet my pants on three different occasions. Apparently I was "too loud and hurting people's ears" with my yelling. Hmmm. Oh well. Couldn't help that one! Bryan and I were laughing at thought of some of those Wildcats fans leaving the game early thinking they had it in the bag. Oh to be on your way home to celebrate when you hear they actually lost. Ha!!!

Next stop: Civil War.

Bring it on Ducks ... !!

Go Beavs!

Just a reminder for all you Beaver fans ... OSU plays University of Arizona tonight in Tuscon. It's on at 5:00 here, so 4:00 in Oregon? Bryan had a rather late work day - think he got home about 3:30 so we'll be watching the game right here. Chili dogs and Corona. I think we're set. :)

GO BEAVS!

Happy 35th Anniversary!

Mom and Dad,
Love brought you together as husband and wife, and gave each of you a best friend for life. May this special love of yours keep growing. May today, tomorrow, and every day after be filled with love and laughter. May your anniversary bring the happiest moments to enjoy together ... memories to share forever. Congratulations on 35 years of marriage!

Love,
Me

Honor Roll!

Cameron received all A's and B's on his last report card and made the Honor Roll at school! So proud of him - he worked his little tail off all quarter. There was one area in particular that he struggled with in the beginning - Phonics - but only because it was a completely new version of learning this subject for him. Phonograms are used in many of the charter schools and may as well be compared to learning Swahili as far as I'm concerned. With the exception of about 4 kids in his class, his entire class has been at Ben Franklin since Kindergarten, when the Phonograms program is introduced. The purpose is essentially to learn the proper method of reading, writing, and spelling. The format used is confusing, and when you already know how to do these three things, well it was almost as if we had to re-teach it all. Very difficult to explain so I'm not even going to try, but did want to mention that it was quite the learning experience for all of us. (I ordered the instruction manual - yes, instruction manual, which was bigger than most of my college textbooks - and the flashcards from the publisher, at which point Bryan graciously excused himself from all activities and participation with this particular subject.) This helped us both immensely. (The manual and flashcards, not the lack of participation on Bryan's part. Okay, well maybe that too, but anyway ... ) Cam didn't have to try and explain a new concept to me, one that was already challenging him, which was pretty frustrating in itself, and I was able to help focus on the areas that he was having difficulties. So needless to say, he had a "high" D the first quarter in Phonics. Weren't too worried, and neither was his teacher. In fact, she did NOT recommend tutoring since we were working so hard at home and he was catching on quickly. His hard work most certainly paid off ... he raised it up to a high B this quarter! So proud of him. At any rate, he's pretty sure he can get straight A's next quarter. I believe him.

The picture below is of Cam "catching some air" at one of his skate practices. Awesome picture. Even more incredible to see him land this in person. I apologize for the dirty lens. I was already reprimanded for not cleaning it off before I used it. I promise I now keep a couple of Q-tips in my purse in the event of such emergencies.

Kailee brought this home today and was SOOOOOO proud! Her painting took 2nd place at an art show held at school. Please take extra note in how the "number and letters on the ribbon sparkle .. isn't it beautiful?" :) It is proudly displayed on the fridge.

And of course not to be outdone, Mr. Alex came home with a fabulously stylish Pilgrim hat, which he proceeded to wear outside after school because he "wanted all the neighbors to see ..." What? Haven't you ever seen a Pilgrim ride a bike? Get with the times, will ya?

Another editorial

This was the headline of an article in our newspaper this morning: "Obama Supporters Won't Get Communion, Priest Says". It was in the Associated Press, so I was just curious if any of you saw this article? It seems to me from the article that if you are a Catholic that you should vote for the President based on this one issue only. Doesn't this fall under separation of church and state? I don't believe it is right for a priest or any other religious figure to more or less blackmail or threaten a parishioner over a presidential vote. I also don' believe that just because a person is pro choice that they automatically support abortion. I can take a pro choice stance and still CHOOSE not have an abortion, which I'm pretty sure is the same opinion Obama has. If I'm not mistaken, McCain also believed in exceptions to abortions, such as a risk to the mother's life or in cases of rape or incest. Doesn't this also make him pro choice?

The priest in the article states, "Voting for a pro-abortion politician when a plausible pro-life alternative exists constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil, and those Catholics who do so place themselves outside of the full communion of Christ's Church and under the judgment of divine law" ... so if there is an alternate choice, that is the one that should be made.

Republican Party - McCain also believed in exceptions to abortions, such as a risk to the mother's life or in cases of rape or incest. Doesn't this also make him pro choice? In addition, McCain is also divorced which is "frowned upon" and considered a sin with the Catholic church as well.

Independent - Ralph Nader doesn't believe the government possesses the authority to force a woman to have or not have a child. So he's out.

That leaves us with the Libertarian Party (supports gay marriage), Constitution Party (supports exceptions to abortions), and the Green Party (candidate is divorced). Soooooo ... who does the Catholic church suggest we support and vote for?

Anyone care to share their thoughts? It's okay if you don't. Maybe just take a minute to think about it.