Sad, Sad, Sad

We were supposed to be closing on the house today, but that is not happening, nor do we know if it will happen. The appraisal came back $20,000 lower than our offer. We gave the appraiser new statistics and he came back at $230,000. The owner will not sell the house below $240,000. It is illegal to get a home loan for less than it was appraised for. This was the cheapest 5 bedroom house in the area that was built after 1978. We know the appraisal is wrong because there are no other 5 bedroom houses (even the ones with same floor plan for less than $250,000). We can't go up that high in price. We have ordered another appraisal from a different person. I really pray that his will go through. The loan consultant doesn't really think so, but the owner who had the house appraised before he put it on the market thinks it will. I really really want this to go through. We are not planning on moving again. I love this house. The floor plan, the yard, the fact that it is fairly new (2006) are all perfect for our family's needs. I love that the bedrooms are all together on the same floor. I love that the laundry room is off the kitchen in a decent sized room rather than in a closet up near the bedrooms. I love that the kitchen and living room are all one big room. I love that the house is completely surrounded by a cement patio. I really want this house. But if this next appraisal does not go through, then we will have to get a smaller 4 bedroom home without all of these things because there are no other choices. Then I will always feel really sad about not getting the house I feel like was made for us and wonder who got it instead. 

Frightening Sexual Education Laws in Britian

This was posted on the United Families International Blog. It is certainly something we as Americans need to be concerned about as this is starting to happen in our own nation.

 

Mandatory sex-ed in Britain to override religious liberty

In Religious Freedom, Sex Education on March 24, 2010 at 1:36 pm

The British House of Commons recently passed a new mandatory sexual education bill that would require all schools—public, private, and religious—to include “non-judgmental” information on homosexuality, contraception, and abortion in their sex-ed courses. According to proponent’s of the bill, the new legislation does not violate any religious liberties, but only ensures students get all the necessary information.
The government’s education minister, Ed Balls, explained that the new legislation still allows faith schools to identify their position on an issue but simply requires them to present both sides of the argument. “They can explain the view of their faith,” he said, “but what they can’t do is say that they are not going to teach children about contraception, how to access contraception, or how to use contraception.”
He further explained teachers will be required to teach “different views on homosexuality, they cannot teach homophobia, they must explain civil partnership and must give a balanced view on abortion. They must explain both sides of the argument and how to access an abortion. The same is true on contraception as well.”
Faith schools, therefore, will be able to say they are opposed to abortion but they must do so without sounding judgmental and while also educating students on why abortion is acceptable and where and how they can obtain one. As one observer so adequately pointed out, “It is facilitation under the guise of information.”
It is another clear case of the push for sexual rights overriding religious rights. Under the auspice of neutrality and education, the government will be forcing faith schools to teach and reinforce within its own walls a secular view of sexuality that directly contradicts its own. Such an imposition on any person’s religious beliefs should not be tolerated by anyone who believes in freedom of religion.
The bill passed the House of Commons by a vote of 177-68 and is currently under debate in the House of Lords.

Conversation About Names With Rachel

As I was preparing her bath water the conversation went as follows:

Me: Rachel, did you know that Dad wanted to name you Joy? Do you wish your name was Joy?
Rachel: No. I like Rachel. RAY--CHEL.
Me:Your water is nice and hot now, Rachel.
Rachel:I hate hot water. I want it nice and warm.
Me: Okay. It is perfect. Come here Miss Merry Rachel.
Rachel (not coming): Don't call me that.
Me: (picking up Rachel and undressing her): Merry means happy. You are happy, aren't you Rachel.
Rachel: No. I am mad because you called me that. I am getting very, very mad.

A little while later while washing Rachel up, and after hearing the earlier conversation.

John: Are you mad at Mom?
Rachel: yes.
John: You shouldn't be mad at your mom. She loves you.
Rachel: I am just a little bit mad now.

I Really Wish This Was Not True

House passes health care reform, the most sweeping social legislation in more than four decades.


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Oh, and I am not just lacking in compassion. We do not have health insurance coverage right now.

Leprechaun Trap

On St. Patrick's Day, Kate came home from school, found a small box and covered in it glue and fake gold coins. She said she was going to catch a leprechaun. Kate put the box outside. About 3 hours later Kate came inside with the box. It had a chocolate bar wrapped in a note that basically said "nice try, but I am trickier." There was also a little green clover stuck in the glue. Kate was glowing and showing everyone.  About an hour later, Ruth came in and asked me who I thought put the note in Kate's trap. I thought for a moment and concluded that Kate had. Ruth said, "Yes, it was. She has chocolate stored in our room and I saw her looking in the grass for a clover. But I promised her I wouldn't tell."

Kids are so fun :)))!!!!!

Kate wrote about this on her blog too. http://kathrynrobertson.blogspot.com/2010/03/lepercon-trap.html

About Bottoms

Conversation About Bottoms #1:

Anya laid down on her bed after her bath. I said "Anya, you have a naked bottom!" ( I was thinking diaperless and I just made your bed.)
Anya said, " I good bottom."

Conversation About Bottoms #2:

I overheard Kate and Ruth.
Kate said, "I really hate my butt. It is so fat. I wish I had a butt like moms."
Ruth said, " I have Mom's bum and I don't mind it. But who cares about bums."
I said, "Kate, you are not suppose to say that word. You owe me 10 cents."
 But I was still shocked. I really hate my big fat elephant bottom.

Parenting

 Sometimes I am a terrible mother because I lose my temper too easily. Sometimes I am a mediocre mother because I do not let my kids experience the consequences and they do not have an opportunity to learn. Today I was a good mother because I didn't get angry and I didn't give in or give up.  This morning Rachel and Adam dumped and spread out thousands of legos all over the living room floor. I didn't angry and ,  I didn't let them get away with it. It took them 2 hours, but they picked up every single lego. I don't think they will do that again for a long time because it was hard for them to clean up their mess.

Another example is when I found out that Kate was going to her room after school, saying she was doing her reading, writing it down and having me sign it for a grade, but she was not. I had her tell her teacher the truth. This was very hard for Kate. Kate then on her own initiative reread all of the time she had lied about. I am glad that I didn't just let this pass. Kate learned a valuable lesson about integrity and honesty. Now Kate reads in the living room.