a war is a war is a war

Driving down I-5 today I'm not sure if it was the bad mexican pizza from Taco Bell, the bumpy roads or the plethora of pro-Obama bumper stickers that made me loose my lunch (or maybe a combination of all three) but either way I am nauseous.
When I commuted for work a while back I drove through the little town of Carnation, WA. Outside Pete's Pub there would inevitably be war protesters. I am fine with war protesters. What I am not fine with is the fact that under this new administration they are gone. Our war is not gone; sure it has a new name (Overseas Contingency Operation) but B.O. just requested $83billion and 70,000 troops. Seems like a war by any other name is just a war. Oh, and promises meant to be broken, right?

Little Miss Sunshine- Uh- Junior Miss

So, after driving through the night Thursday after school/work, a bad Jack in the Box burger and a snow storm in the Blue Mountains we made it to Pocatello around 6a.m. We dumped ourselves and our stuff on my sister's door (looking quite hideous) just in time to send her off and meet the new boyfriend. The reason for our trip, the Pocatello/Chubbock Junior Miss Pageant. Ever see the show Toddlers and Tiaras? Okay this wasn't that bad, the girls were all juniors in high school, but the moms they were all quite into the whole thing. I was able to go back stage for rehearsal and for a few minutes before the actual pagent and there was a lot of hair spray, sequins, and big hair. We are convinced that Idaho is the new New Jersey! Anyway, our niece did great. She won talent, scholarship, and interview (she was robbed of the fitness category). She, in the end, won the overall title of Pocatello/Chubbock Junior Miss. We were all so excited for her and the scholarship money. Not sure we'll make it down for the state pageant but we hope she kicks butt (not just sprays it with hair spray)!

I'm a "them"

Ever find yourself in a situation that's divided "us and them?" Usually I don't mind except this time I was a "them." I haven't been a "them" in a really long time. But in this situation I was for sure not part of the "us" crowd. It was like high school all over again sitting on the outside watching the popular kids from a distance wishing they would notice you and include you. All of a sudden I was transported back to the days of fat jokes and bad hair (and I have great hair!) except this time I couldn't play sick, skip class or hide in the school bathroom. What did I do you may ask? Did I build up the nerve to say anything? Create my own fun? No, I didn't rise to the challenge, I sulked like a two year old. In a time when life seems a little overwhelming I let it be the proverbial straw. This camel just did what she does best, internalize with a side of passive aggressive. Sorry everyone...

The Inaugural Day Bash 2009

So, after an upsetting campaign season for Job (and the family), one that included a trip to Boston for fundraising, cottage meetings, and sign waving we scraped off the antagonistic bumper stickers and joined the nation in embracing our new leader and commander in chief. Our family began our festivities by our eight year old memorizing a passage of scripture that states, "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers magistrates and in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law." Next we enjoyed a lovely cake given to us by friends, and settled in to watch the swearing in and inaugural address. As I watched the vice president stumble through the wording of his oath of office I thought for sure Obama, an eloquent politician and cunning public speaker, would do better. But no, he too fumbled through the most important words the leader of the free world has to declare to us as citizens after we (okay not me) gave him our money, our support and most importantly our vote. Then after his swearing in- the speech. The speech that I felt put every American in proverbial time out. In a speech that should have been uplifting and full of "hope" it was sad and depressing. He said we were "not responsible" fiscally. He said we were failing our children. He belittles our schools. He informed us that when decisions were tough we did not make the right choice. Where is the hope Mr. President? I pray the next four years go more smoothly than his first moments in office. I pray that the racial advances our country has made through this election continue. I pray he lives up to his promises and does not let the people of our great nation down. I'll tell you though, my expectations aren't too high to start with.

My Yearly Letter to Santa

Hey there Big Guy,
So as usual I'm cutting this a little close to the wire. Tomorrow is Christmas eve already. Thanks for granting some of last years wishes. December first wasn't as bad for me. We'll see how tomorrow goes. The Holidays are still spattered with bouts of sadness for Job and I. Could you help the boys to not catch on to that. I want them to remember Christmas like I remember it. It is a time full of anticipation (so much that you think you might explode if you have to wait any longer). It is a time when it is so easy to feel the spirit, if you let it. I'd like them to remember that. I'd also like it to be a time of growth this year (and I don't mean from all the chocolates and cookies). Could you grant us all a little time for introspection and self improvement? I look at all the amazing people around me and I am grateful for their example. I am grateful for their patience and understanding. I am grateful for the impact others have on my and my family's lives.
We have had a great year. A little less stress than the year before. Could you keep that trend going? We've had a few more laughs than the year before, made a few more friends than the year before, and the amount of love, well that is greater than the year before as well. The boys are larger than the year before. That I could do without. Could you stunt that a little? It's getting hard to snuggle.
So, could I ask for just one last thing? As you know I've seen a lot of people come and go while fumbling around on this earth. I've heard people around me say that they want to live a life free of regret. I'm certain that I will not be so fortunate as to live this life in such a way. There will be people I offend. There are mistakes I will make. I might even make someone sad; perhaps they will cry over something I say or do. But, without sounding morbid, and I have no intention of leaving any time soon, could you help me to live my life so that in my next life, when I meet those on the other side, who have gone before me and are cheering me on in my tougher moments, could you help me to not have regrets in that life. That is the moment where I want people to be pleased with the life I've lead. Not so much now.
I suppose that that is all. Have a safe trip tomorrow, the boys have cookies and milk for you, carrots for the reindeer and even a gallon of water for you to take in case someone doesn't put out their fire.
With Love,
Regina (and boys)
P.S. I could use some new boots and glue dots too but, the other stuff is more important.

I PASSED!

So, without knowing how to graph a parabola I took the test and passed with flying colors. I got the e-mail today (unofficial results of course) from the WEST-B testing center and I think my heart stopped. There was no way on a Monday I was ready to deal with the possibility that, perhaps, I didn't pass. But since Job and I share an "at-home" e-mail account I knew I needed to look at it before he did. So with great trepidation, I opened it. Ready to reschedule if need be. Luckily that wasn't the case! HOORAY FOR ME!

Does Anyone Out There Know How to Graph a Parabola?

I have eaten everything I can get my hands on: ice cream, sour dough bread, mashed potatoes, leftover Halloween candy, a box of gobstoppers left over form Madagascar 2...And none of it has helped me calm my anxiety, ease my ulcer or teach me how to graph a parabola. I do however know all the components and utilizations of y=mx+b, could tell you the probability of of drawing two diamonds in a row out of a deck of cards and could remind you to not dangle participles. Yes, the day has come. Tomorrow I take the single most important (and longest) test of my life since my SAT: the WEST-B entrance exam into the teaching program at UW. I'd love to say go Dawgs but I should probably wait for my test results...Now that I think of it what 1st grade teacher needs to graph a parabola anyway?