how did you know . ..

The person below me will get their taxes done, and actually be happy about it. .. 

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Good point.  That irks me also, they come here - however feel that they should be able to fly the Mexican flag higher than US flag, if they post the US flag at all.  Do not learn the language and expect us to conform to them, not them conforming to us. 

ELL (english language learning) is highly pushed here in AZ schools - most kids are sent to school not knowing much, if any english, and then our teachers have to teach them english, plus try to keep the kids at a normal pace.

I think America takes care of others more than they take care of their own.  We have always done this and should bring it all back home and start here - that is what would UNITE all of us alot better.

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

I think it is the nastiest ...

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

I played trumpet in 5th grade band for 1 quarter, but quit because I HATED it, I wanted to play the flute gosh darn it.  Hannah plays the flute now and is awesome at it.  She loves it and picks it up frequently at home - for this being her 1st year, she is a joy to listen too.  She is already playing music way beyond her level, which is nice!

Sam wants to play guitar, so that will be his birthday present this year.

However, all the kids ROCK at guitar hero!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

We are getting some, not many.  However, I refuse to read anything.  I am not a voter in the primaries as I will not declare a party.  I stand behind a person, not a party.  I know some may feel this is wrong, but all ppl in one party are way different on every value there is, and I look at the person.

I am to involved in my homelife, kids, their school, social items and work to get involved in this my house is better than your house bull $#%*!! ...!  After the rest of the US hashes this out and decides on 2 final ppl, I will go to town and research my heart out.

However anymore, not sure if I have voted because I am behind someone or it was the LESSER of two evils and that is sad!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

I totally agree that racism is out there, and those people that preach it is more of a stupidity factor than anything!  Living in AZ, I know it is out there for the people of spanish decent, but I do not think it is widely abused.  The school and neighborhood we are in is heavily populated by Mexican decent and I have NEVER heard one word uddered in disrespect to them.  However, I do know it happens.

Racism will always be here - against blacks, mexicans, asians, catholics, jews, mormans and anthing else ppl find are not in their own beliefs.  It is a sad word but ignorance is what fuels it, people who broaden their horizens are not this way.

But no matter however broad your horizen is, it is still needed to be done legally and with respect and honor to our GREAT U.S. of A. and all of us who are here.

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Well said Pez!  I do completely agree with you and thought of that as typing, but time I got to a new thought forgot about it.  There is ALOT af rasicm towards white people and it is TOTALLY overlooked.  For us as a race it is far more widespread towards us, and accepted because the ones stating slander to whites it is overlooked because they have been surpressedfor so long.  I have been called a GRINGO (sp) far more than I have ever heard someone call someoneelse a Sp$&* out here.   And in spanish slang it is not a nice work for the white american.

What a great point to bring up!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Hannah 5 lbs 1 oz

Samuel 6 lbs 14 oz

Amanda 6 lbs 11 oz

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

I do not think it is Logan ...

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

When I was expecting, I bought a baby doll and would have the older one hold it, feed it (with one of those bottles that liquid disappears) and help change its diaper.  Hannah my oldest thought it was wonderful and could not wait for her little brother to arrive (these 2 are 23 months apart in age).  Samuel my second, while expecting Amanda was a little younger but he was still into it (these 2 are 20 months apart)  By the time the new ones were born they were prepared for gentle touch and gentle love.  Hannah use to sit for hours either beside me rubbing Sam's hand gentle or I would sit by her with a pillow on her lap with her holding Sam.  Sam was not much into hold Amanda, but he would stand by her bassinet saying "my baby".

I never took them to Dr appts however I bought one of the stethascopes so they could hear the heartbeat and would always have them come feel the baby move.  They would sit and talk to the baby in mommy's belly. 

No matter what it is going to be an adjustment because one day they are they only apple in mommy's eye, and then there is a little attention getter there.  HHUUUMMM is what they think.  Just make sure you never say "in a minute let me take care of the baby", ask them to help you and then you help them.  Even if it is something you do not need - ask your little big guy to go get you a baby wipe and have him wash her/his hand.  Something simple like that goes a LLOONNNGGGG way.

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

As a seasoned mom who has l...

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

When Ilived back home, I use to pick up my nephews and niece all the time.  However my bro/sil & sis/bil were very good to me.  No there was never money given but there were always presents given to me just to say thanks.  I never once felt taken advantage of.

However you are in same situation that I am in with a friend of mine.  I totally feel taken advantage of - she is a single mother of 4 (16,14,11,8) her 11 & 8 are my kids age so they are best friends.  My house is the drop house when they are not with dad so she can go out. We trade off by me taking kids to school, her picking them up - BUT weekends are never about DH, me & our kids. 

I completely agree that you are nt being unreasonable and you are just asking for something little to cover your expenses.  Heck out here in AZ going rate for 1 hr care after school is $36.

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

I shudder everytime I walk on my kids campus. It is a K-8th grade school and OMG! The little ones are worse than the older girls.  On Wednesday I was there for a surprise to softball coach and team, and there was a girl that is in my sons 3rd grade class that was in a short white mini skirt, boots with a heel and a sin tight shirt.  This skirt was so freaking short that it did not come down past her fingertips (school rule).  I went into office and told them about it and made sure they called her in to do something about it.

Dress code has been HUGE on my bitch list this year at the pta meetings!  No girl needs to come to school looking like that.  Both of my girls know better than to ever try anything like that.

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau