Christmas Pictures

We always go to Valley West Mall to see Santa. The kids are always SO excited to see him, as am I. They have used the same Santa for years so we get an accurate "growth in pictures" chart of the kids. Here they are, through the years.

Santa's lap is getting a little full of all of the Bowman Boys!!

Funny Fhoto Friday: Peanut Clusters

For Food Friday over on Mommy's Recess, I wrote about Peanut Clusters. I loved making them as a kid and my boys love to "help" me with them.

They clean the bowl. And eat the clusters. Yum.

Hawkeye FAIL, Celebrity FAIL, Adult FAIL

I'm not a Hawkeye fan. But when the school represents the State of Iowa, I'll cheer for them. That being said, I am ashamed at the current situation of the Iowa Football team. And watching the press conference is making me more angry.

They've admitted that players cheated on their WEEKLY drug tests. WEEKLY. CHEATING. They also said that if a player fails a drug test, they can continue to play, depending on the circumstances. Zero tolerance? Apparently not if you're good at sports.

What kind of message is this sending our kids? Between this and Lindsay Lohan, we're basically telling our kids "if you're talented, personal responsibility for your actions doesn't apply". And that's wrong.

We've gotten too soft. That's what's wrong with our nation. Timeouts don't always work. Sometimes kids do need spanking. If you run out in traffic, sitting and thinking about what you've done isn't going to hit home. If you've done drugs, a talking with a rehab counselor won't work...suspension is the answer. ZERO TOLERANCE.

These people should NOT be able to play sports, get a movie deal etc. Don't they realize what they're doing?? Just because someone is talented in acting or sports should not give them the right to do whatever they want.

Adults need to be the adults here. It's not all about the bottom line. Wake up! You're molding future members of society. Teaching them "it's okay" is showing a whole younger generation that "it's okay" when it is not.

Personal responsibility for your actions. It was the policy 100 years ago. It should continue to be the policy.

(Steps down from soapbox.)

Surviving the Holidays...With Help From God

I can just about hear it now...I say it on my birthday to my kids, so why wouldn't He? I know the Holidays can be a stressful time, but I'm sure Jesus would say, "Hey guys, no fighting on my birthday, please?"

Even though we were snowed in and Mass was canceled, I made sure to pull up my Mass Readings app (yes, there is an app for that) and read the First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading and the Gospel.

It was the Second Reading that really spoke to me. It is the Third Sunday in Advent and we must prepare our hearts for Jesus. The reading is from James 5: 7-10.

The following reading was taken from our Catholic Bible. James 5: 7-10
"Be patient, brothers and sisters,
until the coming of the Lord.
See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,
being patient with it
until it receives the early and the late rains.
You too must be patient.
Make your hearts firm,
because the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another,
that you may not be judged.
Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.
Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters,
the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord."

I like "Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged." Play nice with each other this Holiday season. And no fighting on Jesus' birthday.

Wordless Wednesday: The First Hold

Does Changing Your Facebook Profile Picture End Child Abuse?

Short answer, No. It does not.

A group on Facebook called "Change your profile picture to a cartoon of your childhood to end child abuse" set out to "Change your profile picture to a cartoon from your childhood. The goal?? To not see a human face on Facebook between now and Monday December 6th, 2010. The Reason? To end Child Abuse."

While it's a worthy cause, and it would be great if simply changing a profile picture would end child abuse, sadly it does not. However, I feel that it does serve a purpose. It's getting people talking about it and making people aware of child abuse. It raises awareness. Awareness is the first step. 

Child abuse is a crime. Physical scars will heal but emotional ones do not. Children carry these emotional scars of child abuse well into adulthood. And those are the ones who were allowed to grow into adults. Some children die from abuse. Death at the hands of the parents and caregivers who should love and protect these children. It's horrible. It's wrong. And it does need to end.

Maybe using the word "end" in the group wasn't the best. It would be nice if child abuse could end. But bringing awareness to the issue does help. 

Besides, it is fun to change your profile picture. I didn't know that "Dudley Do Right" was my dad's favorite cartoon from his childhood.  Now I do. I've also learned about my friends favorite cartoon characters. It's nice to see the number of people who support the awareness of the cause. 

Maybe I'm following the crowd. Maybe I enjoy bringing awareness to the issue. But I'll keep Red from "Fraggle Rock" as my profile picture until Monday. 

 
Besides, she's fun!

Wrapping for my Homies--Part 2--Trick Gifting

Well, we wrapped the pillow pet in the box it came in. He thought he was getting towels...haha. He was surprised to see the pillow pet.

Now on to the story I promised in part one. You know how people trick wrap an item? Like putting a diamond ring in a blender box? My story goes way back...to the early 80's.

When my Maternal Grandparents divorced, my Grandmother had all of my Grandfather's pictures. He had assumed they were gone.

But one Christmas, after Grandma had passed away, Grandpa opened a present. He thought he was getting kitchen items (I can't remember exactly what the box was...crock pot, blender or pots and pans) but he said "Thank you" and gestured for the next person to open their gift.

My mom told Grandpa to open it and see it. He said that it was okay and the next person could open their gift. After more insisting, he opened it.

It was a framed 8x10 him and all of his Navy buddies standing in front of their plane they flew in the South Pacific in World War 2. My mom had found a very small picture of it and had it blow up and framed. My Grandpa started crying, then everyone started crying. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

I was young then,  but I still remember it. My Grandfather is gone now, but not forgotten. He passed away right before Christmas in 1997. I imagine he's having a great time in heaven, with all of his buddies.