Universal Health Care?

These two articles illustrate what can happen when gov't runs healthcare. How long before these countries require prenatal screening for their own citizens in order to "reduce the burden" of certain illness.

If you don't want to read the articles, here are some excerpts:

Dr. Stanley Muwanguzi is frustrated with being in limbo while Citizenship and Immigration Canada officials review his application, which was denied in June 2006 on the grounds his cerebral palsy-stricken daughter would constitute a burden on the health-care system. -The Calgary Sun

SYDNEY, Australia – A German doctor hoping to gain permanent residency in Australia said Friday he will fight a decision by the immigration department to deny his application because his son has Down syndrome. -Yahoo! News

Book Meme

Naomi tagged me for this meme. Of course, I can't resist a meme that involves books.

grab the nearest book, go to page 56, then starting at the 5th line, share 2 to 4 paragraphs. The idea is to not go searching, but seriously pick up the book closest to you...

This is going to be tricky, since the computer is right next to a bookshelf.

The nearest book (as far as I can tell) is Heroes of the Holocaust: Extraordinary True Accounts of Triumph as told to Arnold Geier.

Page 56, starting at line 5:

am leaving. " She yelled, "No, you are not! Go back to your work!" "But, but, Frau Birne....," I began. Her finger pointed to the door. "Go," she ordered, "get back to work."
I was furious. The anticipated visit was my personal holiday and I was looking forward to it with such longing. I thought about it as I completed the remaining chores, with bitterness in my heart.

There you go.

Family Picture

We are blessed to have a photographer in our homeschool group who graciously puts together a photo directory each year. With about 200 families belonging to the group, a photo directory comes in handy.

She gave me permission to post our picture on my blog.

Is There a Doctor in the House?

I just finished Sadie's costume this afternoon with a few hours to spare before the party. Were you expecting something super frilly and girly?

And we added a few finishing touches to the boy's costumes:

My Blue Angels

Guess what I did this weekend? It involved a lot of blue fabric, and resulted in four very happy boys. No last minute costume-making all nighters this year! We have a church harvest party this weekend, so I had to finish them early.

My Blue Angel pilots:

Coast Guard Tour

This morning we went on a tour of the Coast Guard base. The boys have been waiting and waiting for this day all because of one thing...helicopters! The orange CG helicopters are always flying over our house and they could not wait to see one up close.

When we were getting the tour Elijah said "This is like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when he is showing them all the rooms."

The helicopters did not disappoint.

Curlers

I decided to try some curlers in Sadie's hair. They did add some volume, but not much actual curl. I can't wait to try some smaller ones and hopefully get some curls.

Such a Way With Words

Elijah: You would look like Riley if you cut those yo-yo's off your head.
Me: You mean curls?
Elijah: Yeah, curls.

Another Rider

I shared when his older brothers learned to ride their bikes, so I wanted to share Sammy's recent accomplishment. He got a new bike and helmet early in the summer, but just recently asked to have the training wheels off.

Now the three older boys ride their bikes up and down the street and sing "Dreams" by VanHalen. They call it the "Blue Angel Song" because it plays as background music in a video of the Blue Angels that they watch. Ever since the Blue Angels were in town this past July, they have been obsessed with jets.



(Note the interesting juxtaposition of winter jacket and sandals.)