Just cuz...

My babies! These are just a couple of brag shots of my son John who turns three this week and my daughter at 4 months. They are the best!

Maybe it shouldn't shock me, but it does anyway.

We are now less than a week from our Presidential election. Experts say it will be a close race, but we don't need the experts to tell any of us that this is perhaps the most important election for us all. Follow me here. My parents now live down south in a state that is very Republican. My parents were raised Republican, but have become more non-partisan and that is how they raised my brother and me. A couple of months ago my mom saw nothing but streets in her neighborhood lined with McCain signs. So she called the local Democratic headquarters to let them know their presence was pretty much null and void. They dropped off several Obama signs and were so thrilled to have a Democrat in the city, they wanted to post signs of those running in other races. She told them this was about Obama and that she is not necessary a Democrat.I must say I am impressed with her for taking action.

Since then, letters of hate have surfaced there showing up in her mailbox and others. Letters that are racist and targeting Obama. Well, if you know my mom (chances are you don't)you know Alice doesn't back down easily. Now this week, people have defaced those signs in my parents' yard writing obscene and racist things. It is a reminder of the hate that continues. But it won't stop my mom! Oh no! She still has new, hate free, signs to put in the yard. 6 more days to go. Regardless of your views or your preference for President, what matters most is that you vote next Tuesday.

Eating for a good cause.

My son just can't get enough of fire fighters and they do a great job of keeping us safe. When I was VERY pregnant, our fire alarms suddenly sounded and they were here in only a couple of minutes. Luckily, it was a false alarm! So Johnny was able to check out the trucks up close this weekend and we were able to help with a pancake breakfast. Of course, he was too busy to eat!

It was just a matter of time til we crossed paths.

Through my career as a reporter, I have been able to meet hundreds of people who are well-known to us all. Some for better reasons than others. Never, have I been one to ask for an autograph (unless for someone else) or a photo. Even the pictures I have with U.S. Presidents and Vice-Presidents were taken by others. It just isn't my thing. Rarely, that is.
Until this morning when I was on my way home with my son from preschool. Crossing the four-way stop intersection was a familiar soul to me. Although we'd never met, I knew it was a matter of time as we both live in the same small area. Mike Leonard? Know him? No? Well, for years I have watched his stories on the Today Show even though I have yet to work for an NBC station.
He is a captivating story teller of everyday people. He finds the humor in humanity and the beauty in heartbreak.
He recently authored a book, "The Ride of Our Lives." I highly recommend it! I found myself laughing out loud late night while uncomfortably pregnant so hard, I'd wake my husband. That's hard to do! I'm talking tears from laughing so hard. To simplify the contents: he journals a trip across country he took with some of his family-including his aging parents...all crammed into a couple of RVs. If you've ever taken on a family road trip...you know what can happen, but it was still bittersweet as well. So anyway! I spotted him walking and I just had to roll down my window. He smiled and all I could say was a stuttered, "...I love your book. I even sent it down to my parents in Arkansas, so you are really making the rounds." He genuinely thanked me and asked for my name. And I was THIS close to asking him and his family to dinner. Next time.

A Belated Update....

Back in September I was so lucky to have my husband send me off to Arizona for an overnight. It was a chance to cheer on a friend and get a good night sleep! Lisa Niewolny is Mrs. Illinois America and , to me, the ultimate queen. She is so many wonderful things wrapped up in one person. She and her family recently took on the building of an orphan home in Africa that should be completed next spring. For Lisa, this trip to nationals was a goal a long time in the making and so I had to be there to cheer her on along with her family. She made the top 12 and looked outstanding. Here are some of the pictures from our seats in the back. I finally had them developed and uploaded and found many were too dark ect. So hre is what I was left with. Congrats Lisa on a job well done!

Focus...Focus...

For the longest time I have wanted to be a child advocate. It requires a long term commitment and so I waited until we were finished having babies and I felt I had life settled-somewhat. I decided to be a CASA for Lake County. As CASA's, we act as the extra set of eyes and ears for the Juvenile Court Judges. We handle individual cases in juvenile court which involve victims of child abuse and neglect. As we all know, the court systems and the caseworkers are simply overloaded. With such a time crunch, details or real life can get lost in the paperwork. CASAs are unbiased and are able to spend much more time with a child. We are able to talk with teachers, therapists, doctors,family ect about how the child is doing and what may be in their best interest. As a judge said to us this week, they only get a snapshot sometimes of a child's needs and we are able to serve them by giving the clear picture and make recommendations based on those findings. It was a wonderful six week training that made me want to be part of the organization even more and the others in our classes are outstanding! I cannot say enough about everyone involved, be it CASA, the Judges, attorneys and caseworkers. Believe me when I tell you how much they all care and work to keep the child the focus. This is when we were sworn in by the Judges Lessman and Judge Waites. Top notch ladies!

Do me a favor.

This is a wonderful video from CARE called Girl Effect. CARE is an organization that reaches out to millions of women and girls around the world in an effort to empower us all. This is done through education and health care. In turn, we females are better able to support ourselves and our families through economic and social opportunities. www.CARE.org I would post the video through You Tube here, but I am a computer novice STILL and only know how to post the address for the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIvmE4_KMNw