Love Your Heart

I wanted to like Love Your Heart by Tim McGraw and Tom Douglas more than I did. The message behind the story was wonderful, don’t get me wrong. I just got caught up on the disconnected details. Katie, the main character, tries to figure out what she’s good at to do at a talent show. I liked that the daddy said, “It’s okay. God gave you lots of talents, Katie. Let’s ask Him to help you find just the right one for the Talent Show.” But they never showed them praying or what talent she decided to do! That was a huge teachable moment missed.

Then Katie’s friend Sophie jumps into the story. It was an abrupt addition. I think she could have showed up in the story earlier to make the reader have feelings for her before backstage at the talent show…the moment of a selfless decision for Katie.

I loved how Katie helped Sophie which she, along with Katie’s daddy, recognized as honorable actions revealing her heart. I missed a wrap up, however, of the Christian message. A tie to God’s ways or Biblical truth would have been nice.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Valentines

Valentine's Day is tomorrow and we've been busy getting ready.  I had Treyton cutting out hearts for two days.  Then we made them into elephants to decorate the cards he's giving to his classmates.

And a special valentine for Mrs. Kerby. 

Galina was right there ready to assist any way she could.

First time she has used scissors. She was fascinated.  You could tell by how quiet she got.

I decided to use some of her coloring to create a fun mobile.

Ta-Da!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Precious Pictures

My friend, Tammy Kakac, is an amazing photographer.  (She's also Treyton's buddy Seiban's mom)  I finally set up a photoshoot with her.  Here are just a few pics from that shoot.  Tammy's contact info: t.kakac@att.net or 303-662-8010.  I highly recommend her!

Brush with Fame

She was adorable with long blonde curly hair wearing a little girlie dress.  Cute as a button!  But my attention immediately shifted to the daddy holding her.  He was talking softly, their faces almost touching.

A friend of mine told me told me he was there last week but who knew if he'd come back.  He did!

The head coach of the Denver Broncos, Josh McDaniels, was at our church on Sunday.

I almost brushed shoulders with him as we were picking up our kids.  Closest I've been to fame....ever?

Too bad he wasn't there earlier in the fall when our pastor used him as one of the examples in studying 1 Timothy.

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Tim 4:12

Our pastor's point was that we are never too old or too young to make a difference.  Using the talents God gives us is important no matter what arena we find ourselves in.

He may be effective and valuable as a coach, but as a dad loving his daughter, he is priceless.  May my priorities likewise drive my actions making me fruitful.

Oh, I almost forgot....Go Broncos!

Guest post by Spaceman

This is a guest post by someone I will call Spaceman.  Here Spaceman writes about an issue relating to the new space shuttle that Obama just axed.  Thanks, Spaceman!

On February 1st, 2010, the Obama administration released its proposed federal budget for 2011. In this budget, the NASA program Constellation, is canceled. This program Constellation also contains the "Crew Exploration Vehicle" - Orion, which has been our nation's planned replacement for the Space Shuttle, to deliver US astronauts to the Space Station. The Orion spacecraft is also designed to go beyond low earth orbit; to be able to not only take astronauts back to the moon, but also further beyond, to asteroids, Mars, or the moons of Mars. For the first time in the history of US spaceflight, a truly interplanetary spacecraft, is being designed, which would help to ensure US leadership in space and technology.

Under the Obama administration's current proposed budget, Orion will be canceled, with no clearly defined plan for spacecraft beyond low earth orbit. The proposed plan will rely on unproven, yet to be demonstrated small commercial, low earth orbit, spacecraft. These small commercial, low earth orbit, spacecraft, could take 5-10 years to be proven safe enough, or capable enough, before the lives of US astronauts could be entrusted. In the mean time, the Obama administration's plan is to purchase rides for US astronauts on Russian spacevehicles- an export of US tax payer dollars to Russia, to provide US access to space.

In a recent press release, it is understood that if the Orion portion of the Constellation program remains funded, the US can be ready for crewed spaceflight using the Orion spacecraft by 2013.
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2010/02_03_Orion.html
So what could you do to help? You can go to http://www.goboldlynasa.org to write your congressmen or congresswomen. A pre-drafted letter, based on your state and zip code, will automatically write your congressional representatives to inform them of your disagreement of the currently proposed budget and plan to cancel the Constellation program and the Orion spacecraft.

One more fun fact, for those of you who reside in Colorado - Did you know that Colorado is the 3rd largest "Space State" in the nation (after Florid and Texas).
"Live long and prosper" - Spock