Ok Obama, NOW I'm Mad!

This is an article I found today on the internet...are you kidding me? Mr. Obama, I put all my Mormon conservative faith in you and this is how you repay me! Pooh on you, dude. Pooh on you!

Barack Obama picks Pittsburgh Steelers to win Superbowl
US President Barack Obama has said he will be supporting the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday's Superbowl.

By Chris Irvine Last Updated: 12:10AM GMT 30 Jan 2009
Mr Obama said he would root for Pittsburgh, the favourites for Sunday's clash, despite the "Cinderella story" Cardinals, who are led by 37-year-old quarterback Kurt Warner.
Both he and Vice President Joe Biden, who is originally from Pennsylvania, made it clear they would not be sitting on the fence Sunday.

"I have to say, you know, I wish the Cardinals the best," Mr Obama said, adding: "You know, Kurt Warner is a great story, and he's closer to my age than anybody else on the field. But I am a long-time Steelers fan."

Warner, Arizona's quarterback, came out of nowhere to lead the Rams to two Super Bowls, including a title in 2000, winning a Superbowl MVP in the process. He has enjoyed a resurgence this year despite many believing him to be past his prime.

Mr Obama's support for the Steelers may have something to do with their owner Dan Rooney.
Mr Rooney, a longtime Republican, endorsed Mr Obama's presidential bid and campaign for him.
Former Steelers player Franco Harris also campaigned for Mr Obama in Pittsburgh too, according to the president.

"Other than the (Chicago) Bears," he added, "the Steelers are probably the team that's closest to my heart."

Mr Biden, added: "We agree on that one, too boss!".

Pennsylvania was the key state in November's election, with Mr Obama winning the northeastern battleground.

Arizona is also the home state of Mr Obama's rival presidential candidate John McCain.
Pittsburgh are aiming for their sixth Superbowl title and second in four years; Arizona meanwhile is making its debut in the National Football League showpiece.

Tag!

I've been tagged.

Hilary at Viva Law Vegas tagged me with a HappyTag!

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person who has tagged you.
2. Write down six things that make you happy.
3. Post the rules, tag six others and let them know you did it.
4. Then tell the person when your entry is complete.

Six things that make me happy:
1. Hanging out and laughing with my sisters...no kids allowed;
2. Moving stuff around in the freezer and finding really good ice cream that I forgot about;
3. Making an intelligent political argument and having Rick say, "Hey, you've got a good point.";
4. Knowing that my witty comment made Hilary spit out her Diet Coke;
5. Listening to Aren sing the theme to Pokemon;
6. Getting lots of free jewerly from hosting a party.

I tag:
1. My sister Emma
2. Sarah
3. Shera
4. Collette
5. Petra
6. Kristen

Buffy vs. Edward

Check out this great t-shirt you can PURCHASE.

Ahhh, Buffy vs. Edward. See ya later sparkly dude.

Life Story

I finally finished Aren's life story...something I've been working on to send to his donor. Check it out at the bottome of this page.

Good Armenian Morning

I can be a cyber junkie. First thing I do in the morning is check my e-mail and my blog for any good stuff and this morning I was not disappointed. I was a missionary in Bulgaria and while there had two baptisms...a husband and wife who are Armenian by the names of Lily and Aren...sound familiar? I love these two beautiful people with all my heart and although communication is sometimes few and far between because of limited access to a computer and snail mail, we still have kept in touch over the years. I rejoiced when they had their little boy Benjamin and cried with them at the death of their other child when Lily was seven months pregnant.

This morning I woke up to this...

"Hello my dear i have great news we have new member of our family. his name is Daniel he is borne on 3 January he weits 2.500 kg and 50 sm.He is very smoll but very nice .I just wont to shear my happyness wite you .I am happy for you and your family .Tell tham that maybe one day we will met again a have a lot to tell but cunt write sorry for my simple English many kisses and hugs all your family. wite love Lily ,Aren ,Benjamin @ Daniel. :* "

To my sweet Lily, my darling Aren, and beautiful Benjamin and Daniel whom I have yet to meet...I love you all and thank my Heavenly Father daily that I was able to be a part of your lives and that you could be a part of mine. Yes kez si'rumem!

My Thoughts on Today

I remember sitting in a Sunday School class and although I can't remember the exact lesson, I can remember a point that was made. The point was how can we pray for Heavenly Father to keep us safe from harm before we walk out the door and then proceed to go over the speed limit.

I've thought alot about this over the years and have come to similar conclusions about many things. How can I desire to be closer to the Savior if I don't find the time to read His words. A desire to have the dishes done means nothing if every time I walk by the kitchen all I do is look and say, "Ew." It's impossible to have friends if all I do is sit at home and cry because I don't have anywhere to go or no one share the day with.

And today's thought is no different. I hear people talking about how now more than ever they are going to be praying for President Obama so that he can guide our country in the right direction, then turn around and pick apart every action he's made, every word out of his mouth. How can one pray for this man when everything coming out of their mouth is negative? I don't think it's necessary to think of Barack Obama as mini Savior, but it's a little like telling someone to call you if there is anything they can help with then not answering the phone when they call.

I keep this blog far from political...mostly because as I've stated before I pretty much don't care...but as the days go on, I will be praying for our new President and instead of looking for the wrong he is doing, I will be looking for the good he is doing and I encourage each of you to do the same.

Wanna See What Happens...

...when you don't pay attention to your daughter for three hours so you can watch the Arizona Cardinals beat the Philidelphia Eagles to the Superbowl?

You get a little girl who finds leftover whipped cream in the garbage can then decides to wash her hair with it. Nice, huh?

Are You Ready For Some Football?!

So, I admit the last time I was really into football was probably in elementary school when the Redskins were good and the team had Joe Theisman as a quarterback and John Riggins was...something. But this year has been different.

Most of you all know that Aren got to do Make-A-Wish a few years ago after his bone marrow transplant and we were lucky enough not only to go to Disney World, but to go with Kurt Warner, quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, and his wonderful family. Honestly, we had no idea who this guy was. Aren, in a conversation with Kurt, asked him, "Hey Kurt? What do you do?" Kurt said smiling, "I play football." Aren's response, "Oh. Are you any good?" Kurt just laughed and said, "Yeah, I've been told I'm alright."

So, here we are a few years later and I'm in love with the Arizona Cardinals and Kurt, along with some others, has led the team to the playoffs where they will be contending for a spot in the Superbowl. Kurt, I know you don't read this, but from my heart to yours...

Wacky Tacky Day

Every year Aren's school has a celebration of the 100th day of classes. One of the things they do is Wacky Tacky Day where the kids dress, well, wacky and tacky. Now, I'm no fashionista, but this is hard for me as I feel like I at least do an ok job with matching and not looking lame. But, here are the fruits of my labor. Not bad, I think.

Spoons Are Not An Option

Tatiana is a climber and because of that we have no chairs around our table. It's just easier that way. As a result, dinner at the table is a rare occasion and we usually end up sitting in front of the television watching the latest epsiode of Destroyed in Seconds. Don't judge. I'm sure just by reading your blog I can figure out something you're doing to enhance the downfall of the traditional family.

So, here are Tatiana and Rick enjoying some chili...apparently for Tatiana, utensils are optional.

It's Back!

That's right folks, American Idol is back! Not that I'm craving more reality or anything, I mean, I've got Biggest Loser AND Rock of Love Bus Tour right now, but it's American Idol! I dedicate so much of myself to these poor wanna bes turned karaoke stars turned possibly something worth listening to for a minute turned maybe famous people.

So bring it on! I'm ready for all the crazies and the good ones, the ones you can't quite tell what gender they are and the ones you know all too well what gender they are, the ones who sing like angels and the ones who sing so badly they could kill me and turn me into an angel. I'm ready for ya!

Word Verification

This post is totally juvenile, but how can I not post it? Today while bouncing around and posting on people's blogs I had to type something that made me laugh out loud for the word verification. What was it you ask?

fishfu

Yes, I read it as fish f u. I'm still cracking up over this. Sorry if this offends, but come on, hilarious, right? Anybody else have any good ones?

Great Parenting

Wanna see what happens when you teach piano lessons and ignore your children for 90 minutes four times a week?

This shiner was brought to you by the clock sitting on the bookshelf, just out of Tatiana's reach.

The Moral of the Story Is...

So about nine months ago I was on my way to church and I realized I had forgotten that I left a bunch of stuff for Primary at home, so we turned around and went back to get it. This made us late, well, later than normal, so to make up for lost time I kick it up a notch and was going 39 in a 30. Big mistake. I got a ticket and ended up owing $240...does that sound steep?

Fast forward one month. The ticket is due, the upstairs apartments of the four-plex we're living in burns down, all of our unfiled documents are ruined from water damage, and I completely forget about the ticket.

Fast forward to two weeks ago. I get a letter in the mail saying that because I failed to show for a court appearance my license is suspended. What! Oh, right, the ticket.

Fast forward to today. I called and my once $240 dollar ticket is now $472.19 and I need to pay a reinstatement fee.

And the moral of the story is...

Church is bad.

Do you think the Primary will pay for the ticket out of their budget since it was their fault anyway? Shannalee?

Taking It Down a Notch

I'm emotionally drained. Death is a funny thing because sometimes your brain plays tricks on you and trys to convince you that the person you love and miss the most never actually existed. Lily's post was my way of telling my brain to suck it hard.

Prior to that post we actually spent a wonderful two weeks in Maryland. This is where I was born and raised and for the first time in I don't know how long, we had a huge family reunion with just brothers and sisters (and mom and Bill of course). It was so much fun. We had 16 adults and 18 of 19 grandchildren present and accounted for. Here are a few of the way too many highlights...

Hanging out with Santa on Christmas Eve
Grandkids Nativity (with Rick singing O Holy Night)

Touch football in the backyard on Christmas Day.

Draining trip to downtown DC with whining kids, but one good picture convincing us we had a lovely time.

Remember

I remember it was four o'clock in the morning and I was laying in a hospital bed in the ICU with you. I remember you had no hair because it needed to be shaved off to put a shunt in your head to release the large amount of fluid that was collecting around your brain. I remember you were almost three years old but weighed less than twenty pounds. I remember you were only in a diaper because your nurses and doctors needed access to every part of you. I remember you were cold, so very cold. I remember holding your hand and listening to every labored breath coming from your body. I remember the breathing stopped and I held you and I told you I loved you and I would see you soon. I remember the nurse, Alice, coming in and putting her arms around me and telling me she was sorry. I remember calling Rick and hearing his sobs over the phone. I remember crying and telling Heavenly Father I hated my life and it wasn't fair.

I remember when you were born, all 6 lbs and 4 ounces of you. I remember my good friend Shera coming to visit me and when she saw you said, "Where's the rest of her?" I remember bringing you home and being amazed that we had such a perfect healthy baby girl. I remember your scratchy voice, your sweet laugh, your love of pizza and ice cream and chicken nuggets. I remember how you would see a baby crying and you would exclaim, "Look! Baby happy!" I remember how you would eat chips and salsa with Rick. I remember you loved Veggie Tales and every time you saw a cherry tomato you would call it Bob. I remember you taking showers with Rick and when you were done he would wrap you up in a hand towel and send you out to me. I remember how you would sit next to Aren for hours and watch him play nintendo; just content to be with your big brother.

I remember you, Lily.

March 19, 2002-January 3, 2005

The Gift

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with a man who became one of the most important people in my life about three years ago. His name is George and he signed up to be on the bone marrow donor registry in the 1980's and it wasn't until the summer of 2005 that he was called and asked to save my son's life.

George and I have talked on the phone for the past two years, but it wasn't until yesterday that we met face to face. He had a layover in Baltimore and since we were in Maryland for Christmas, we decided it was perfect timing. I was so nervous to meet this man. Honestly, how do you thank someone for performing one of the most selfless acts I can think of. I expected so much emotion, but upon meeting him, it was just like we had been old friends and were finally catching up with each other after a long time apart. We took George back to my mom's house where he was overwhelmed with many relatives, all anxious to thank him for being such an amazing person. We talked, we shared stories, we showed him all the pictures we had of Aren, and when he left, I felt like I had witnessed a miracle.

This man saved my son. Without him, Aren would not be here. As I've reflected over the past 24 hours, I can't help but wonder if this is what it will be like when I meet the Savior. All the emotion and all the hype will take a back seat as I meet Him for the first time, after conversing for years, and instead it will be like meeting an old friend. I will thank Him for saving me, but words will mean nothing and in the end it won't really matter because we both know what each other really wants to say.

Aren of course thought the whole thing was pretty cool. When we asked him about George, he said, "You know, I really liked him! I thought he was a really nice guy!" I'm really not sure Aren has any idea just how much this man has played a role in his life, but he pretty much nailed it...he is a really nice guy.