Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Thank You, Paul Harvey

This came to me in an EMAIL Forward today - I don't often read them, but this one is worth posting here.
Written by Paul Harvey.....

Paul Harvey says:

I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his Theory of Evolution.

Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire Book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.

But it's a Christian prayer, some will argue.

Yes, and this is the United States of America , a country founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect -- somebody chanting Hare Krishna?

If I went to a football game in Jerusalem , I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.

If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad , I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.

If I went to a ping pong match in China , I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.

And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit.
When in Rome .....

But what about the atheists? Is another argument.

What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!

Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.

God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue me.

The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn't care what they want. It is time that the majority Rules! It's time we tell them, You don't have to pray; you don't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right; but by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back, and we WILL WIN!

God bless us one and all ... Especially those who denounce Him , God bless America, despite all her faults. She is still the greatest nation of all. God bless our service men who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God.

Let's make 2009 the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions .. And our military forces come home from all the wars.

Keep looking up.

'AND THAT'S THE REST OF THE STORY'

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Welcome Home, Bro!


It was a very exciting week, as my brother graduated from Navy Boot Camp. He has much to be proud of! He was the RPOC of his division, which basically means he was in charge of 88 other guys. He also got a promotion while he was in, which is very unusual at Boot Camp. I am very proud of him!
Last night, I was lucky enough to spend a couple of hours listening to some of his stories. We will also get to see him on Sunday for a BIG family gathering in his honor!
After the Holidays, he will return to Chicago for 32 weeks of schooling. If we're lucky, maybe we can go back and visit him on the base this Spring!

Congratulations, Andy!
I'm proud of you!!



When I saw him, I gave him his Christmas present. It took him approx. 10 seconds and 2 bites to eat 2 entire Swiss Cake Rolls. (For some reason he never got the ones I sent in the mail)



Friday, December 26, 2008

Chicago Pics ....


MEMORIES -
Cold Wind. Escalators. Poker. Lego Men. Taxi Cabs.
Water. Elevators. BURTON. Blue Men.
Starbucks.(and more) Cold Wind.

Chicago Times ...

Characters: Grandpa, Grandma Robin, Eyliana
Setting: Back seat of a yellow CAB, on the way home from The Blue Man Group

[Eyliana's 2nd CAB ride of her life]

Eyli: "Grandpa, I don't know what my mom is talking about!"

Grandpa: "What do you mean, honey?"

Eyli: (loud enough for the driver to hear) "My mom said that CAB drivers are all crazy, but I don't think so! I like riding in the CAB!"

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas

To all of you blog readers,

From our family to yours -

May you have a Blessed Christmas!



Monday, December 22, 2008

We've safely arrived in the WINDY CITY

I've taken 76 pictures so far.
Here's my favorite.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Do the kids still believe in Santa?

I think the little one might - so, they woke up to a letter this morning.
Thought I'd share......


Dear Cook Family -

It has been brought to my attention that you will spend the days before Christmas in Chicago, as a family. How exciting for you!


Kids – because you are getting older, it is getting harder and harder for me to bring you the right toys – (you know, the things you really want.) So, I thought this year I would leave you a little spending money – and you can pick out your own gifts in Chicago.


This is actually a wonderful arrangement for me, as I will have less to carry in my sleigh on Christmas Eve. Contrary to popular belief, I am OLD – and delivering presents to a BILLION or more in one night is quite difficult. I applaud your parents for setting up this little arrangement, as it saves me time and money. In fact, your parents are geniuses (especially your mom).


I may stop by on Christmas Eve, simply to fill your stockings and check for those little cookies. PLEASE make sure to leave the little carrots, too – as the reindeer were quite upset that they had to come out 4 nights in advance to deliver your letter – and there were no carrots here. (In fact, Rudolph really threw a fit when I told him we were leaving without the carrots.)


Have a great time in Chicago – make sure your Grandpa wears a hat, or his head will freeze!

~Santa

Friday, December 19, 2008

My Lunch Buddy

Today is a SNOWDAY in Michigan-
I am lucky enough to work at a school, therefore I don't have to go back to work till January 5th!
And I got an extra day off today! Yeah!

One thing I didn't get done -
I forgot to tell my lunch buddy that I wouldn't be around for a few weeks.

Almost everyday I eat my lunch in a park.
I usually stay in my car and eat, or read.
Almost everyday my lunch buddy sits right outside my car door.
Waiting for me to feed him.
At first the "don't feed the waterfowl" signs scared me into obeying the law.
But, he was very persistent.
And I kept thinking "he looks hungry and cold"
So, I started feeding him.
Now, when I pull up, he's at my door within minutes.
(I have a feeling that I'm not the only 'LUNCH BUDDY' he has. I brought my husband with me on this trip, and he said he was so fat he looked like a Turkey)



According to Dan, I am not technically breaking the law, as he CLAIMS that a seagull doesn't count in the "waterfowl" category.

I'll stick with that - to avoid the guilt.....

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Eyliana's Christmas Performance


She's the little dancer in the middle of the screen. If you look really closely, you can see her cousin, David, dancing 2 spots to the RIGHT.

Don't miss the KICK LINE at the end. Too cute!

(Don't mind mommy's camera flashing every 5 seconds)

Try as I may....

This one wants to be just like her dad, too.



Sunday, December 14, 2008

Saturday, December 13, 2008

PRIDE


Dear Andy,

Today, as I read Karrie's Blog, I suddenly felt immense PRIDE for my baby brother. Congrats to you and all of your hard work!

Over the years, alot of people I know have had relatives serving in the Armed Forces, over-sees and here in the US. I am sorry to say, I just continued to tell people things like - "I'll be praying for your family" or "I'm sure it must be hard being without your loved one", and then I went on with my day without ever thinking about them again. It never really HIT HOME, in the gut, until it IS MY BABY BROTHER. Wow, it gives me a whole new perspective.

I am proud of you, dude.

Love,
Your Big Sis

Friday, December 12, 2008

You've Got Mail

Wednesday 10:39 pm

Kristie: (FAST ASLEEP, in bed) ZZZzzzz….ZZZZZzzzz…

Dan: (Just Arriving home from Ski Club, WIDE AWAKE) Hey, wake up!! You’ve got some mail!!

Kristie: Honey, I’m sleepy….

Dan: But, I just got the mail, and you got a postcard.

Kristie: Honey, I don't care about mail .

Dan: But, It’s from Andy!

Kristie: What? COOL! Andy wrote me a letter? (WIDE AWAKE, sitting up in bed)

Dan: Yep, here it is.

Kristie: (Annoyed) Honey, this is the self addressed/stamped postcard I sent to him.

Dan: OHHHH, I wondered why his handwriting looked like yours.

Kristie: (More Annoyed that I am now WIDE AWAKE) I'm going back to sleep.

Three things I learned from this conversation:

  1. Even though I set up his computer to “Automatically Show” my blog’s web address when he opens the EXPLORER icon, MY HUSBAND still does not read my blog.
  2. Even though my brother is a HULINGS, he still isn’t smart enough to realize that he didn’t need to put another stamp on the postcard, as I had already stamped it.
  3. As far as I’m concerned, there is still no reason to check the mailbox.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Proverbs 3

24 You can go to bed without fear;
you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26 for the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

Thank you, Lord, for always offering PEACE as an option.

Monday, December 8, 2008

High School ...

For those of you that are thinking that I look WAY TOO young to have a High School Kid, you're right - I am too young.

Here is my baby this weekend, before her Christmas Dance, with all of her new high-school friends.

Dan's Clone



Friday, December 5, 2008

HELP - immediate EMERGENCY!!!

STARBUCKS has run out of Cinnamon Dolce Syrup.
I've been told over the past 2 weeks that "It's a Nationwide Problem"

Are you kidding me?
Why couldn't they run out of Toffee Nut Syrup?

I'm so bothered by it, that I couldn't even blog about it until now.

This is a picture of me, last Sunday, after I finally got my coffee fix. I had to drive to WALKER to get this, near Grandville. If you can't read my lips I'm saying, "Thank GOD!" The WALKER store obviously went above and beyond, and stocked up on my SYRUP, just in case there was ever a "Nationwide Shortage".
Feel sorry for me a little bit. It's my birthday today. I literally received a total of $95 in STARBUCKS gift cards for my birthday, from 4 different people.
And I couldn't even drink my FAVORITE drink, because of a NATIONWIDE shortage.

PS: The caption on this picture, however, would be: 'When will she get her bottom braces? her top teeth are so straight, and her bottom teeth are still VERY crooked.'

I've lost the battle

Dan has told me for years that he would be getting a "sleeve" full of tattoos, down his left arm. I repeatedly convinced him that he should keep his tattoos 'under his shirt'.

This week, I failed to continue to convince him that was a good idea.

This is the beginning of his sleeve. It obviously isn't anywhere near being completed. Now that the initial battle is over, I am assuming the entire sleeve will quickly evolve on a weekly basis.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Cool Bus Driver

Mrs Cook: Hi, Sebastian, did you have fun riding on the bus today?

Sebastian: Yes, it was so cool! Mr. Cook is the coolest bus driver ever!

Mrs. Cook: I know - he is pretty cool. He didn't get lost, did he?

Sebastian: Well, ummmm, well - no, he just took a little longer to get there than most people.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Dear Andy (Dear Kristie) -

I am sending another package of letters today. Along with a case of Swiss Cake Rolls. Hope you get them.

Realizing that we've been Told that you probably won't write back to us, I have stolen dad's idea and enclosed a SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED postcard that you can send back to me.
(for my faithful blog readers - here is what it says)

Dear Kristie,

Thank you for sending all of those letters! I think you are the greatest sister in the whole world. I also think you are very smart, much smarter than our other brother. In fact, on a smartness level - you are definitely the smartest kid in our family.
My superior officers thank you for all of the Swiss Cake Rolls you sent. But, don't worry about me, the food here is great.
Can't wait to see you this Christmas! I hope you can sneak into the graduation ceremony!!

Love,
Your Little Bro,
Property of the US Navy