Prayers for VA Tech

"Peace and war begin at home. If we truly want peace in the world, let us begin by loving one another in our own families. If we want to spread joy, we need for every family to have joy"
Mother Teresa

In the wake of this weeks tragedy at Virginia Tech, I thought this quote I found appropriate. When I saw the grieving parents and shell shocked students on television, I couldn't help but think of my own children. I think of how I'll feel in a few years when Vinnie graduates from high school and heads of to college (Look kid, I don't care what you say. You ARE going to college!) You send your kids to college, or even regular school, thinking they'll be safe. And then something like this happens. I think of all the hopes and dreams these students had that will never be fulfilled. The emptiness these families must feel knowing their loved ones were taken away by a senseless violent act. It makes me want to pull my children close and just home school them. Of course, they wouldn't know how to do anything but scrapbook and take a good picture but at least I'd know they were safe. And I have to mention that it was in extremely poor taste that NBC decided to air the videotape that this lunatic sent to them. He got exactly what he wanted: publicity for the crime he was about to commit. Imagine how those families feel having to see that footage. And shame on the other news outlets who continue to show it. I have seen it on no less than 5 stations and seen clips of the footage about ten times. Is this what our nation thrives on? Seeing this guy spewing his anger and hatred on tv just before he goes and murders over 30 people? We know what he did and reading about it in the paper is enough. But having to see him spouting off on just about every station is ridiculous. OK, I'll get off of my soapbox now.

On a happy note, I love love LOVE this picture of Kieran. I took it when we were at Six Flags and he just looks so darn happy. He has been a handful lately. Just acting out & not listening. What do you do? I just tell myself, he's 5. That's him pushing the boundries. Lord help me.

Gavin gave me a little surprise this morning. Apparently last night while Jim was distracted watching American Idol (thank GOD Sanjaya got the boot), Gavin decided to take off his Pull-Up and put on his big boy underwear then put on his pajama pants over them. So I wake up this morning, in a hurry as usual, and get him dress not realizing he had underwear on until we get to the car and his pants are wet. I was like, what the heck? So obviously this child is on the road to potty training. It's been spotty since we moved to the new house, I got sick, etc. but we have been doing a half-hearted job of getting him trained. So now we are putting the training into high gear. Having big brothers who are all in underwear is definitely making him envious. I am sooooo excited to almost be done with diapers. I can't wait!! And just think, I won't have to change another diaper until I have grandchildren!

I just had to post this picture of Jim. The kids wanted to get on this jeep ride at Six Flags and needless to say, my hubby was a little big to fit in the back but he was a good sport. Kie and I rode in the front & Jim, Jamie and Gavin rode in the jeep behind us. He was looking like he wanted to kill me until I shot this picture. Gotta love a guy who will cram himself into a little car to make his kids happy.

If all goes well this weekend will be a good one. I have 2 shoots, one is Marin (weather permitting) and one in Antioch. We also have Geek Squad coming out to fix our lovely Alienware computer. Word of advice, just because it costs more doesn't necessarily mean it's better. This computer has given us nothing but trouble since we got it and now it is finally crapping out. So I am biting the bullet and having a geek (no offense) come out to fix it before I lose everything. Yes, I tried transferring everything to CD's but it keeps hanging so I am praying that the geek will be able to fix it. And maybe, just MAYBE I will be able to scrapbook at some point this weekend. I have over 100 new pictures to work on and lots of new stuff that is calling my name. And I must heed the call. Sooner or later. Have a good weekend!!!!