There's Something About David

Have you ever heard a story that impacts you so personally that you have to write about it? :)  Wait, that's what blogging is.

Sorry we've been MIA for a little while. We got back into the work swing after our vacation, and now we're gearing up to leave again for another small week long hiatus.

Anyway, there is this man, David who goes to our church. He was hit by a car on his bike and was injured almost fatally. He sustained some pretty traumatic brain injury, to the point where the doctors had to take his brain out of his skull in order to relieve some of the pressure that was building up.  This happened no more than 8 weeks ago.

The reason why I bring it up is because I personally, along with others, have been praying for David's recovery.  I know that there have been times in the past that God choose to answer prayers differently than I expected.  I am amazed at what He continues to do in my life as I struggle to balance prayer even for myself, my family, and my issues. Can I get a few more hours in the day please?

The most amazing thing about it is that David walked into church last Sunday while I was singing on the praise team.  He WALKED in the door, smiling and coherent.  There are some people who do not believe in God or miracles, and would ascribe this healing to technology/medicine or good karma.  

I just believe that God heard us and chose to answer our prayer in the way of allowing David to fully recover from his injuries a short time after his accident.  

God still heals.  He still performs miracles in the lives of people everyday.  I am overwhelmed that God used this situation to not restore but rejuvenate my faith in Him and to physically see the manifestation of God's awesome power.

I have been praying for some things in our life at home like baby #2, health and wellness for our family and financial independence.  I believe with all my heart that God will honor our requests and make Himself known to the people in our circle as a God who cares, loves and listens when His children talk to him.  

Now, we're off to SC to work on that #2. lol

--MommaWheel

Frustrations of a political junkie

I hesitate to discuss politics in this blog, yet I feel like I need an outlet to express my growing concern, frustration and dismay with the state of politics in this country, so I apologize in advance for the gloomy tone of this post, but I must ask the question: Why are we so divided in this country?

Why can’t more politicians do and say the right thing for this country even though it means they’ll lose political points in the short-term? There’s a reason the President has a dismal approval percent rating in the low 30s. There’s also a reason this Congress has an even worse rating in the upper-teens. These deep divisions are preventing the work of this country from being done. Why don’t we demand more of our politicians?

Whatever happened to civil dialogue in this country? We can’t we discuss honest differences without shouting, cursing, becoming visible angry or hostile? Why can’t I put a sticker on my car without the fear of my tires being slit, or my car be keyed depending which neighborhood I’m in? Why can’t we be more rational as we discuss politics? Why can’t people acknowledge the good qualities, traits and policies of the opposing candidate? Why must the opposition not just be belittled, but demonized completely and destroyed? Why won’t people even consider the possibility about what they have heard and learned about a candidate could be wrong and needs to be reconsidered? Why can't those of opposing philosophies find and build on the common ground they do share? Why are people so apt to believe conspiracies, no matter how vile, outrageous or outlandish?

I’ve seen conversations degrade quickly when one side or both levels charges like “you’re wrong”, “you’re a liar”, “you’re greedy”, “you lack intelligence”, “you’re stupid”, “you’re unpatriotic”, “you’re a traitor”, “you’re a racist”, “you’re a race-baiter”, “you’re sexist”, “you’re a warmonger”, “you’re a whoremonger”, etc. Once you use these words, there can be no further conversation, as these words are meant to shut conversations down. And this is unfortunate.

I find it increasingly frustrating to have meaningful conversations with people at this point in time. You cannot mention Bush, McCain, Palin to some without them flying off the handle. Similarly, you cannot mention Clinton, Obama or Biden to others without them becoming unhinged. It’s like there’s some kid of derangement syndrome going on. I find that most people have hardened their beliefs to the point where they are hyper-rigid --- there’s no flexibility. Consequently, any information news (good and bad) about Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin will already be used to support your foregone conclusion about the candidates. Most people have already framed a narrative so they’ll look for any new evidence, rational or not, to confirm that decision, almost if they need to justify the investment (mental, emotional, perhaps financial) they’ve placed on the candidates. This is cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias at it’s finest.

I’ve been following politics heavily since the 2000 election. I've read, studied, and thought a lot about political philosophies. Yet, I still find there so much I don’t know or understand. It’s not that I’m, the most of objective of people, because I’m not. I can acknowledge my bias. But I recognize my pre-conceived notions and I try to challenge them when presented new conflicting information. I wish more people would do this regardless whether you come to the same conclusion I do. This has nothing to do with the people’s intelligence. I think people just fall into a routine of lazy, sloppy thinking because it takes little effort. Challenging those ideas takes mental work and could lead to discomfort which is why I believe people take the easy way out.

Compounding these challenges is the inability for me to get the truth, without spin, partisan rhetoric, and fluffy, esoteric, abstract words. Take the economic causes and impact of these mortgage/banking institutions for example. It’s hard to find an unfiltered account of what are the causes and the solutions. I’m deeply skeptical of any one who oversimplifies complex problems down to “it’s George Bush’s fault!” or “it’s the Democratic Congress’ fault!”.

I’m growing to despise the coverage of this election by the mass media. It’s becoming shameful as reporters and papers are losing their credibility and ability to remain objective. This article by Stuart Taylor in the National Journal reflects my thinking exactly. Here’s an excerpt:

“…many in the media have been one-sided, sometimes adding to…distortions rather than acting as impartial reporters of fact and referees of the mud fights.

We still have many great journalists, but I no longer trust the major newspapers or television networks to provide consistently accurate and fair reporting and analysis of all the charges and countercharges. This in an era when the noise produced by highly partisan TV hosts and blogs creates a crying need for at least one newspaper that we can count on to play it straight.

Indeed, one reason that candidates get away with dishonest campaign ads and speeches may be that it is so hard for undecided voters like me to discern which charges are true, which are exaggerated, and which are false. Most people can't spend hours every day cross-checking diverse sources of information to verify the accuracy of slanted stories and broadcasts…”

I actually like each of the candidates and their VP choices. I’m serious. But no matter who wins the election, Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin, can’t we as Americans civilly disagree with them, yet still rally behind them as our elected officials? I know it sounds corny, but we are all Americans for goodness sake. This growing division will inhibit the power get things accomplished as a country, and this has me deeply concerned.

One thing I’m certain of -- I cannot wait for this election cycle to be over!

--Poppa Wheel

Don't Go There On My Hygenics

It is funny how a product can bring you back to your childhood. Smells are in my memory forever, and I just remember the regimen that my dad used to do on a regular...hop in the shower and clean with this certain soap. He would actually whistle while in the shower...and when he got out, the sudsy smells would waft through the house. He would use this aftershave that smelled like a grown man. He would take about an hour and we all cracked up because as my dad got older, he would put on these SAME what we used to call "coochie cutter" shorts and these LONG white sports socks. The sight was HILRIOUS! Until his death, we cracked on him. Man, I miss my daddy...anyway...

There is this mouthwash that reminds me so much of him, Dr. Tichenor's, that it saddened me to learn that after H u r r i ca n e K A T R I N A, the plant was devastated and most of it's work force was displaced or affected in some way.




I used to be able to get this 100 plus year old company's mouthwash from Wally World, but no more :(

I went online to find more info about it, and boy, if I want to buy some in bulk, it will cost a GRIP!

Your breath is kickin' like a Brazilian soccer team right? Those onions are coming out of your pores? Your kids are slowly fading away as you sing them to sleep? If you want a mouthwash made from essential oils and is a family company that is committed to the New Orleans region (would not sell to other companies post-Katrina, then the minty fresh Dr. Tichenor's is for you! I love it! Here's some info on the company.

*eww, that so was not supposed to sound like a commercial* lol

--MommaWheel

Andre is now Oreo

He looked more like an Oreo since he was black and white :)

So the kitten is going pretty well...BabyWheel humps the cat and stretches with him every morning and looks for him when she wakes up. I'm not so sure how Oreo feels about us though...lol He cuddles up to my legs, but he runs away so fast and bolts under furniture.

He's working out pretty well. PoppaWheel shoos him away, but when he hears the purring, he relents and lets Oreo into our bedroom. Gotta love a persistent kitty.

And of course I had to throw a pic of the big girl in there for good measure! Happy 19th month birthday BabyWheel!

My Preciousssssssss! Noooooooooooooo!

UPDATE - 03/09/2010: Upgraded! Now with Otter Box for maximum protection. I think I love my wife!!!



My precioussssssssssssssssssssss!

--------

UPDATE - 03/06/2010: A year and a half has passed since the maiming of my precious. I regret to report she has been given the last rites. Not only is the screen still busted but:

• There are broken screen pixels causing permanent gray horizontal bars across the screen
• One cannot hear incoming calls without the use of a Bluetooth headset (which I hate wearing)
• The phone doesn't ring or vibrate when a new call comes in
• The phone thinks headphones are plugged in thereby preventing one from hearing sound from the phone
• The phone is scratched like a rabid squirrel went berserk while using it.
  

I just needed to chronicle this journey out of respect.

----

So I'm running across the street during lunch trying to make the yellow light when my iPhone pops out of my case and falls on the street face down. I've had my iPhone drop before and from all the reports I've seen and my own experience, this sucker is pretty durable. As I pick the thing off the street, no real concerns since there no pieces falling off as I breath a sigh of relief. Yet, when I turn the thing over, my heart literally stops beating for five long seconds. I found it hard to breathe with no air coming into my lungs. This is what happened to my precious!



I had been so careful, though! I tried, Lord knows I tried to protect it as best as I could. I listened to the salesman at the AT&T store to get the best case possible. It took months even for me to take the plastic off. It even meant denying both Baby Wheel and Momma Wheel from touching it for extended periods for fear of something "bad" happening.

What makes me mad is that there's no insurance for the phone via Apple. And although the phone is under warranty, they won't replace it because of accidents like this, just defects of the phone. It's fully functional, but just has a cracked screen. However Apple doesn't repair the phones and essentially I would have to pay for a whole new one.

Why can't I ever keep a phone? Either they fall into the toilet (don't ask), fall apart or get dropped and lost. I never spent this much for a phone, and I promised myself that this time would be different.

(takes a deep breath) "WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!!" (as lightning flashes violently in the background)

Well, I think I'll pull out my classic James Ingram's greatest hits album and fire up, Just Once, turn down the lights and reflect on what could have been, because I'm just in that kind of mood.

Just Once
James Ingram

I did my best
But I guess my best wasn't good enough
'Cause here we are back where we were before
Seems nothing ever changes
We're back to being strangers
Wondering if we oughta stay
Or head on out the door

Just once can't we figure out what we keep doing wrong
Why we never last for very long
What are we doing wrong
Just once can't we find a way to finally make it right
Make the magic last for more than just one night
If we could just get to it
I know we could break through it

I gave my all
But I think my all may have been too much
'Cause Lord knows we're not getting anywhere
Seems we're always blowing whatever we got going
And seems at times with all we've got
We haven't got a prayer
Just once can't we figure out what we keep doing wrong
Why the goodtimes never last for very long
Seems we're always blowing
Whatever we got going

Just once can't we find a way to finally make it right
Make the magic last for more than just one night
If we could just get to it
I know we could break through it

Just once I want to understand
Why it always come back to good-bye
Why can't we get ourselves in hand
And admit to one another
That we're no good with out the other
Take the best and make it better
Find a way to stay together

Just once can't we find a way to finally make it right
Make the magic last for more than just one night
I know we can break through it
If we could just get to it

Just once
If we could get to it

Just Once...

--Poppa Wheel

ER

What seemed like a breath of fresh air as we drove down the mountain back to the concrete jungle, was really just a quick dose back into reality. We have not been back from vacation for one week and:

1. Someone hit our car and ran. We had to pay our $500 deductible, and you know how poor you are when coming from vacation :) lol

2. We rushed BabyWheel to the ER last night with a dislocated tendon in her elbow.

*exhale*

Normally in situations that seem overwhelming and that pop up so quickly one after the other, it is easy to be consumed by them, to allow them to steal whatever sort of joy you have in your life.

I made conscious effort to "count it all joy."

James 1:2 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations"

I am reminded that God allows suffering and trials to happen in our lives, but He still loves us.

James 5:11 "We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful."

Instead of worry, I choose joy. Instead of idle thoughts that solve nothing, I chose to trust that God has our best interest at heart.

BabyWheel is back to normal and is her wacky, chatty, LOUD self again. I wonder where she gets that from?

Lake Harmony

Our summer has been full of vacations that have the word "lake" in them....that's fine by me. :) We went away to celebrate my in laws' 40th wedding anniversary. With all the kids in tow, we headed up to the Poconos mountains to relax and regroup, and boy oh boy, did we.

I don't think I've had that much rest in a long time. I was able to really see how much BabyWheel has grown and how much vocabulary (read: motormouth) she has around other kids (her cousins) and to see that she is just as much the social butterfly as her momma.

Every morning, I woke up to cool mountain air and birds singing, looking out of this window:














And BabyWheel hammed it up for the camera every time...saying CHEESE to the top of her lungs.

And me and PoppaWheel were able to reconnect and just love on each other, pray with and for each other and just have a great time with our extended family.

Here are some shots:










































Don't you just love it when you can wear your jammies all day or not and chill out? We'll be back, Lake Harmony!