Graceful Rosaries are having a give-a-way! Enter at their blog to win a lovely Rosary Bracelet. The deadline for entry is noon on Sunday, April 17. While you’re there, be sure to check out the handiwork of the Etsy Rosary Guild Team – they have some beautiful items! Click here to enter.

Quote of the day

after Ds#4 had been trying to cuddle and kiss his baby brother, Ds#5 -- we heard
Ds#5 from the other room yell...

Don't kiss ME! I'm a boy and you're not my SISTER!!

Of course, Ds#5 is happy to cuddle and kiss his new baby boy cousin...

Kudos to Congressman Mike Pence for his work to defund Planned Parenthood

(Dave's letter to the Editor)

Dear Editor,

Kudos to Congressman Mike Pence for his work to defund Planned Parenthood. The American people have spoken and according to a CNN poll, reject taxpayer funded abortion 61% to 37%. ¹

Contrary to claims made in the puff piece submitted by board chair Deborah Simon, Planned Parenthood is a substandard health care center for women. Just ask former Planned Parenthood Director Abby Johnson. Ms. Johnson has stated, "Planned Parenthood is an organization that does not provide quality health care. Our tax money should go to organizations that provide comprehensive care to women, men, and children. There are better uses of our money. Planned Parenthood provides shabby, limited health care. Why would we want women to get some health care when they can go to a different clinic, other than Planned Parenthood, and receive total health care? "²

We hear over and over that without Planned Parenthood to provide birth control, more women will get pregnant and have more abortions. Such claims are tiresome and simply untrue. Lack of knowledge and the lack of available contraception are not the main reasons women get abortions. In January 2011, the pro-abortion rights Guttmacher Institute reported that only 8 percent of women who have abortions never used birth control. Further, they found that 54 percent of women who had abortions had used contraception in the month they got pregnant.³ Part of Planned Parenthood's stated mission is "to prevent unplanned pregnancy." Clearly they are failing in this regard by their own standard. Does it make sense to reward such incompetence with continued funding? Am I the only one who finds it sick and demented that they get paid between $350 and $950⁴ to provide what they call the "solution"?

Like 61% of Americans I'm pro-choice on taxpayer-funded abortion. I choose not to pay for it and believe others should have that right as well. Who is Planned Parenthood to stand between a taxpayer and their wallet?

Congressman Pence is right. Taxpayers should not be forced to fund abortion.

Respectfully submitted,

Sources:

¹ CNN Poll (18 November 2009) http://articles.cnn.com/2009-11-18/politics/abortion.poll_1_public-option-abortion-issue-health-insurance?_s=PM:POLITICS

² Abby Johnson interview by Kathryn Jean Lopez (http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/259954/deadly-domino-effect-kathryn-jean-lopez)

³ Guttmacher Institute: "Facts on Induced Abortion in the United States" (http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html)

⁴ Planned Parenthood: "What Happens During an Abortion" (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/abortion/in-clinic-abortion-procedures-4359.asp)

Ancient Rome - and the winner is....

As we're wrapping up the Republic of Ancient Rome before we move onto Empire, I asked the kids for representations of the Roman Government. We gave out prizes (candy).

The award for the longest representation....
The award for the most creative representation....(legos)

Our award winners....

After discussing whether Julius Ceasar is a hero or a tragic figure in history, we ended with a comparison of what Star Wars episode coorelated to which time in Rome's history and which Star Wars character related to which historical figure from ancient Rome. I left the room as the kids jointly fell into Saga Begins. All-in-all a good homeschool co-op day.

Quote of the day

Kate

"Mama, do these kinds of things happen in OTHER families?"

This was said while I was digging a half a roll of toilet paper out of the downstairs toilet and plunging trying to stop the toilet as it overflowed.

Our first indication something was amiss was the sound of splash*splash*splash*SPLAT*scream while I was reading history to the kids. It turned out there was water in 2 rooms and pouring over the step into the carpeted familyroom and seeping into the kitchen on the other side.

As we dried up the flood, Kate wondered...is it just us that has these things happen???

SUPPORT IHOP - who is locally supporting Crisis Pregnancy Centers!

Participating IHOP restaurants will offer a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes to customers from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday (March 1) as part of National Pancake Day. Donations for Crisis Pregnancy Centers are requested.

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20110223/FEAT0111/302239951/1011/FEAT

Looks like nationally they’re supporting “Children’s Miracle Network and other local charities”. I just spoke with Mike who is the manager at the Lima Road location. He confirmed contributions are being encouraged for A Hope Center (Crisis Pregnancy Center). Mike confirmed this is for all three locations here in Fort Wayne:

IHOP #5465
15335 W. Washington Ctr. Rd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46825-4144
260-490-4467

Restaurant Website

IHOP #1245
4403 Coldwater Road
FORT WAYNE, IN 46825-5522
260-483 8435
Restaurant Website

IHOP #318 6839 West Jefferson Blvd. FORT WANE, IN 46804-6211 260-432-9040

Sun - Thu 6am - 10pm / Fri & Sat 24 hrs

Restaurant Website

Please spread the word and be sure to thank them for supporting life!

see also:

About National Pancake Day

http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/pancake-day-details.html

March 1, 2011

Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised more than $5.35 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. While IHOP's National Pancake Day typically takes place on Shrove Tuesday, this year, the company will host its free pancake event one week earlier on Tuesday, March 1 to build buzz and excitement prior to Shrove Tuesday. With your help, we hope to raise $2.3 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities!

Known also as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, National Pancake Day dates back several centuries to when the English prepped for fasting during Lent. Strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products...hence the name Pancake Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday.

This boy needs an e-mail penpal

I don't think Ds#4 is lonely, he just wants to send e-mails :

e-mail #1

Dear me,

hello me I just adore you.

Love your

best friend

me.

-------------------

e-mail #2

I don't know you,me

Love your

best friend

me

Would your kids like to be in a play?

Who is invited : Homeschool kids Preschool – High school

The musical is called Ultimate Superstar.

The cost will be $20/family. That will cover the cost of the copyright on the play, copies, 1 CD per family and hopefully cover the church's cost of the lights while we're using them. We don't want ANY children to not participate due to financial difficulties. So, if you can't afford the cost, please see Jenn.

Parent participation is required. If you'd rather not sing and dance we'll still find things for you to do. We sure don't want anyone burned out or burdened from this (especially not ME), and many hands make light work. We'll just grab moms and ask for help as the need arises, but expect to be tapped.

Rehearsals are from 10:30am - 11:30 am Mondays, February 14 - May 9, 2011 at Christ Church of Georgetown. The week of the performance, we'll have extra rehearsals : Tuesday May 10th 10:30-12:30 and a dress rehearsal will be Friday, May 13th 10:30-12:30. The performance will be that evening, Friday 13th. This year we will also be performing the play at 2 nursing homes following the performance. The children will have worked hard and can bless others with their talents.

We will have auditions for key parts. If your child would like to audition, GREAT! If they would like to be in the chorus, TERRIFIC! If some of your kids would like to participate and some don't, that's fine, too. Since we'll have such a limited time each week, we'll need to keep the distractions to a minimum, so bringing school for the kids who aren't participating might be a good way to go.

For those who participate in Discovery Clubs co-op, don't forget to pack a lunch so your kids can eat before going to co-op.

Let us know if there are any questions or concerns,
To sign up, please contact Jenn. You can leave comments on the my blog, post on my facebook or e-mail me directly.