Really Bob Vander Plaats? Really?

On Sunday over at Mommy's Recess I went out on a limb and wrote Marriage is Between a Man and a Woman...and Bob VanderPlaats. Writing this was scary and refreshing for me. I risked making friends and family angry at me. But I needed to say it. I needed to be honest with myself and my fellow Conservatives.

After I posted it, GOP candidates started refusing to sign it. Now I'm not saying that it was MY blog that made them not sign it....just that I was relieved others had the same opinion as me. When the vow debuted, The Family Leader, led by Bob Vander Plaats of Sioux City, has said it won’t endorse any candidate who doesn’t sign the vow.

And that's just lame. Withholding an endorsement because they won't sign your pledge? Come on. Bob, I was impressed that you and your campaign ousted the State Supreme Court judges. But I'm afraid that gave you too big of a head. Sorry, Bob, but you are not the end-all-be-all spokesperson for Conservative Republicans in Iowa.  Believe it or not, we CAN think for ourselves. I still respect you, I do. But you're starting to lose some rank in my book. Bring it down a notch, Bob.

This morning I read VanderPlaats say, “I never have given much weight to endorsements,” Vander Plaats, CEO of the conservative non-profit The Family Leader, said Friday. Now, he was saying that in response to an article calling him a influential supporter. Maybe he's eating some humble pie? I don't know. Threatening you won't endorse people and then saying you don't put weight in endorsements? You can't have it both ways, Bob.

Teaching the Importance of Voting

As parents, we have many important roles. We are the first and most important teachers our children will have. My husband and I believe it is important to teach our children why voting is so important. Liam already knows, because last night I told him that "we had to go to bed early, so we could get up early and vote. And then we'll watch exit polls and election results." Liam exclaimed, "YAY! EXIT POLLS!" I was proud.

Being from military families, we know the price of voting. David served in Iraq. His Dad served in Vietnam, he had one Grandfather who served in WWII and the other Grandfather in Korea. My Grandfather served in WWII. We're a militarily strong family. And we know the cost of freedom and the price for the right to vote. So we vote in every election.

We always take the kids with us to the polls. Yes, we're those parents. We explain to the kids about the ballot, the secrecy folder, filling in the circle for who we choose to vote for and finally we have them help us slide our ballot into the machine. We talk about the elections all year and voting for about a week before the election.

We let them stay up late on election night. Again, we're those parents. In a General Election, Liam keeps a notepad of electoral votes, votes needed to win and votes per state. Not only is it teaching him the electoral system, but math as well. In mid-term elections he has a list of candidates and follows exit polls and results.

And, of course, for each child's first election, we take a picture of them with the ballot. This year is no exception.

Children do what they see their parents do. Be an example and vote. Take your kids with you. Make them feel included. It's their country, too. 

Happy Voting!

Totally Twisted Tuesday...No funds for family???

First of all, I'd like to start of this post by thanking all of my readers. I wouldn't keep writing if no one is reading! I appreciate the comments, both on this blog and via e-mail...keep them coming!! Let's keep this blog alive!!

That being said, I had a family meeting on Saturday at the unit. It was very informative.

They said NOT to send baked goods, as most of them get bugs in them by the time they get to the soldiers. Also, if we don't send enough for the whole unit...Dave gets in trouble. And we don't want that, do we?

Also, they suggested that we NOT put yellow ribbons on trees or the star in the window. Why?? Because it makes your home more of a target. Traditionally, these are put up by family of soldiers. Most soldiers are men. Therefore, many of these homes have the wife/children of the soldiers in them...with no man. So its a target to theives. I know, it's horrible that we can't do this...but better safe than sorry.

I've recieved a few e-mails from folks asking when we can send David items. He's still in the states, so he says nothing is necessary yet. We were informed at the meeting that most of the things the guys need, they can purchase at the PX on base when they get to Iraq. I know he will need some things, and I will give you a list of these things when the time comes.

That being said, we (the two other mothers of soldiers in Dave's unit at the meeting and I) decided we'd like to do a family readiness event this summer for every one. Dave's unit has had a lot of deployments over the last year. The problem is, there is no money in the family fund. That's when a lightbulb went on over my head. Everything happens for a reason. I said, "I used to work for Senator Grassley...I can make a call." And I did. We're working on it right now and hopefully we can get some money so that we can have an event for all of the family. I'm considering making a call to Congressman King (he gave me his cell phone number when he found out that Dave was being deployed) to see what he might be able to do as well.

There was a reason I didn't take that job I was offered at Wells Fargo back in 2003. I had to make connections that I would need in the future...just for this occasion.

Wish me luck, hopefully this will all work out and we can get the ball rolling on this event. I informed Dave of this and he said it was "crap" that there was no money for the family, but he seemed excited that I knew someone who would be able to help us. =)

Totally Twisted Tuesday...What NOT to Say to an Army Wife...

I recently heard someone say, "We need to pull out of Iraq. Our guys aren't doing anything over there."

Yeah. You DON'T say that to someone whose husband just left to go over there. Not cool. Thankfully, someone did stand up and say, "I don't appreciate your comment."

Everyone is entitled to their opinion...but keep your audience in mind before speaking.

I'm only a week into the deployment and I've already heard too many things that I hope to never hear again...

Examples:

Do you miss him?

Of course I miss him! He's my husband!

I don't know what I'd do if my husband was away for three days much less 18 months!

I hardly notice if he's gone for three days. He's done months at a time for training. I miss him horribly any time he's gone, but that's the job of an Army wife!

Will you be scared of him when he comes back?

No. Why should I be?

It must be so hard. Isn't it hard?

No, it's easy (note the sarcasam). Yes it's hard. Thanks for reminding me.

Your husband should come back. He has no business being over there.

Hey, thanks for the support, asshat! Just keep in mind that the reason you can say what you feel is because my husband is fighting so you can have that freedom.

And the worst one so far???

It must be hard with your husband leaving you.

No. My husband didn't leave me. He's deployed. There is a BIG difference.

Totally Twisted Tuesday...A Republican Living with Lesbians?? OH NO!!

Angela came up with the idea of this entry. We have Love Thursday, Fhoto Friday...Angela said, "What about Totally Twisted Tuesday??" She even gave me the idea for the first post! I told you this was going to be a "family" blog!

So here we go!

As many of you know, my husband, David, is in the Army Reserves and is being deployed to Iraq. In order for me to have some help while he's away, Dave's sister, Angela, has opened her home to David, Liam and I.

We moved in last weekend and David is now in the process of arranging our items. We had a lot of help moving, from my parents, Dave's dad (his mom is currently in Ireland on vacation with her dad), and Angela and Sandy.

Sandy is Angela's partner. Yes. Angela and Sandy are lesbians. I, a Republican, have moved in with two lesbians. While many Republicans are against that "different" lifestyle, I do not oppose it. I don't think they should get married, but if they want to live with one another, the government shouldn't legislate that.

That is one of the reasons my husband is in the Army. To defend our rights to do as we please. Angela and Sandy are two great people, hard workers, educated (a scientist and a chiropractor), strong, wonderful women who contribute to our society. So they love each other, what's wrong with that?

While I'm not going to compare myself to Vice President Cheney at all, I can't help think of the similarities. His daughter, Mary, is a lesbian. This has been brought out many times in the media. So what? He can't control who his daughter loves...what does it matter?

Many people may not understand why I chose to do what I did. But those folks are closed minded. You can't help who you fall in love with. You can't help who they are related to. Granted, you can pick your friends, but why choose to deny to be friends with someone because of who they fall in love with...especially when it doesn't hurt anyone.

So yes, I moved in with lesbians to help me while my husband is serving in Iraq.
And I had a baby out of wedlock. I was an un-married mother for almost a year.
And I breastfeed our toddler.
And we own cloth diapers.
And I write poetry.
And drink flavored coffee.
And I'm still a Republican!!!!

Look out...I just might infect others with my open minded thinking!! OH NO!!