Financial Peace Revisited

Last night we finished leading our 13-week Financial Peace University class.  I must say it was awesome.  Everyone had tremendous stories of how this class has changed their life.  There were 26 people (some couples, some singles) in the class, including Mike and me.  At the start of the class, the total consumer debt was just under $600,000.  This does NOT include mortgages.  After 13 weeks over $75,000 of that debt has been paid!!!  A big congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. B. who paid off a whopping $17,000 in 13 weeks!!!  That's gazelle intense!!  

We hope everyone will continue to apply the principles they learned.  We look forward to leading another class in just 38 short weeks.  If you are interested in gaining Financial Peace, click on Dave Ramsey under Interest & Insight for more information or click on the FPU logo.

Fun at Des Peres Park

6 kids for a picture- at least we tried...

B. with Mrs. G.

Strike a Pose

Pup pup gets a ride on the swing

Cards Game

Thursday we met Mrs. A (aka R2) at Busch Stadium for the Cards game. Despite the now $20 parking fee (which I find to be ridiculous), we had a fantastic time. Of course, when the Cards win 12-8, and El Hombre hits 2 home runs, it doesn't get much better than that.

If you are planning to bring the family, the Family Ticket Pack is the way to go. For $15 you get a ticket, pretty high up, but the view is surprisingly good, and a coupon for a hot dog and soda. A hot dog and soda at the concession stand will set you back $9, so $15 for all is not a bad deal if you are going to a game anyway. The kids enjoyed it, and thankfully want to go again.

The Infamous Laura Pic Has Arrived...

Cardinal Nation Update

League: National

Division: Central

Record: 8-4

Rank: First

Rachel Says:   Yahooooo!!

Photo: AP Photo/ Ross D. Franklin

Date Night

Last night Mike and I went to hear Laura Ingraham speak.  In case you didn't know, I'm a big fan.  The event was put on by 97.1FM talk our local talk radio station.  We were able to participate in the VIP Meet and Greet prior to the speakers.  Very cool.  Congressman Todd Akin is a class-act.  One of very few conservatives remaining in Congress.  We got to meet the 97.1 radio personalities, Colonel Gordon Cucullu and Laura Ingraham.  I was so nervous to meet her I forgot what I was going to say to her.  Pictures with her were taken separately and will be emailed so I will post it once I get it.  Unfortunately, we didn't get our photo with Colonel Gordon, and I really wish I would have.  This man is from a dying breed who truly love and appreciate this country.  

Laura was great.  I didn't learn anything new since I listen to her show daily.  I could've listened to Colonel Gordon for hours.  I feel like I keep myself pretty well informed of facts on issues, but I certainly learned a few things.   You should definitely pick up a copy of his book Inside Gitmo.  I have added it to my library list.  Or, you can go to the Inside Gitmo website for a factual account of what is really going on there.  I wish my Dad, Uncle Jim, and Uncle Ron could have been there as well as my nephew, Matt.  They all would have loved it.  Next time we will bring our nice camera, as we were very close and could have gotten much better photos.

St. Louis radio personality, Jamie Allman, from Allman in the Morning

U.S. Congressman Todd Akin

Laura Ingraham

Colonel Gordon

Happy Tea Day!!

I hope some of you out there are able to attend the Tea Parties going on.  Because Carlie has Cubbies tonight at church, we are unable to attend.  Remember, this is not an anti-Obama rally.  This is a protest of reckless government spending that has been going on for years by both parties.  It has to be stopped, and we are the only ones who can stop it.  

"A woman is like a tea bag, you cannot tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water."--Nancy Reagan

I Want to Move to Texas!!

"Our federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our state. Returning to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Constitution and its essential 10th Amendment will free our state from undue regulations, and ultimately strengthen our Union."

-- Texas Gov. Rick Perry, affirming states' rights as guaranteed by the 10th Amendment

Life: Beautiful

I picked up a copy of Life:Beautiful magazine, and it is so good I wanted to share and recommend it to you.  It has been out for about one year but is only published quarterly so you may or may not have seen it.  The photography is fabulous.  The stories are inspiring and from a Christian perspective.  One of the best things about it is that, currently, there are no advertisements in it.  So, you aren't paying for a magazine that is 80%+ advertising.  They can be found at Barnes & Noble and Borders among other places.  Please go out and grab a copy.  It is definitely money well spent.  I will be getting a subscription.  Here is a taste of what's inside.  (All photos and magazine summary below were taken from their website.)

Spring 2009
In this issue you’ll find:

*Stylish and whimsical spring finds for every taste and budget
*Ideas for unique garden-related gifts just in time for spring
*Tips for getting out of debt and learning how to use your resources wisely
*Information on the latest sleep research and help for getting a better night's rest

Stories include:
Blooming Branches—Flowering blossoms decorate the trees each spring.

Picnic on Bluebell Hill—Young Dorothy transplanted a few bluebells to dress up her kitchen door more than 80 years ago. Today the bluebells cover the back field of her small cottage, creating the ideal setting for a spring picnic.

Master of Art—Travel to Italy with Life:Beautiful editor Jennifer Ruisch to see divinely inspired art.

Sweet Celebrations—Transform average cupcakes into delicious, eye-catching party pleasures.

Faith of Our Mothers—Five women share testimonies about how God prepared them to succeed in the most important job of all: being a mother.

Happy Easter Part 2!!

Today the kids got their Easter baskets and had a little mini egg hunt in the backyard. Carlie was not happy that she didn't get M&M stickers with her name on them (they didn't have any with her name.) She was happy when she realized Noah didn't get the fancy soaps and toiletries (from the Wynn) that she got. Whatever, I am just glad I found some Peeps because that's the best Easter treat ever invented. I'm sure I will help them eat their Reeses Pieces carrots as well.

Happy Easter!!

We went to the subdivision egg hunt yesterday then attended the 4:00pm Easter service at church.  It was our turn to serve in the nursery for the 6pm service so that is why we went early. Although we don't normally have a 4pm service, regular attenders went at 4pm so there would be more room for visitors on Sunday.  The service was awesome!  Wish we could have recorded it because they had some Drummer Boy included.  If you have never seen Drummer Boy at our church at Christmas, I am inviting you now- it is soooo great!!

What Happened in Vegas...

Wasn't anything that needed to stay there. Overall, we had a wonderful time. The best thing about Vegas is definitely the weather. I think I managed to inhale enough second smoke to develop lung cancer. If the Dept. of Homeland Security is looking for illegal aliens, they can find about 1000 of them passing out prostitute cards along the strip in the middle of the day to anyone and everyone. Ick!!

I must say our hotel, the Wynn, was fabulous. Our room was about the size of the entire first floor of my house. A soda was $4 so I drank a lot of water. The pool was quite nice as well. Although, I don't think Mr. Wynn is happy that the Palazzo now shades his pool at 4:00pm. That was not good. They even have special elevators to take you to the pool so people aren't walking through the lobby in their flips and swimwear. It definitely keeps the riffraff out. If I return I will only stay there, or the Venetian/Palazzo, or the Bellagio. Nothing else comes close.

The Bellagio has the best Patisserie that sells the best gelato. It was so good we got it twice. And, I thought nothing of paying $7.50 for it twice, it was THAT good!! The Bellagio Cafe, however, has great food, but poor service.

On Sunday night Sara and I ventured over to MGM because they were having an All-Star Country Jam that followed the Academy of Country Music Awards. We thought the Jam would be fun. Little did we know it was sold out and that tickets were $125 a pop! But, they had the doors opened to the ballroom so we could still see and hear the artists very well (and inhale more second hand smoke outside.) We decided to stay until 10:30pm, then leave since we were tired of standing. About 10:25pm, this guy comes out and says he had been outside three times and we were still standing out there so he gave us two tickets. Scream!! He worked for Dr. Pepper (a sponsor) and had extra tix. After being inside for less than 10 minutes, we got to see a mini-concert (3 songs) by Taylor Swift. So cool. Then, Trace Adkins, John Rich, Jason Aldean, Randy Rogers Band, Luke Bryan, Jamey Johnson, Heidi Newfield, Jack Ingram, and more. Awesome. The best part was when they said the winner of "Entertainer of the Year" would be performing. The awards had just been that evening so we had no idea who won. We were so excited when it was Carrie Underwood. Scream again! She sang two songs, and let me just say she is the best American Idol EVER. Anyway, hopefully I will have Sara's pics from the event and will try to post some soon.

The Miss USA Pageant will be in Vegas next Friday, the 17th. The contestants were already in town, and they were filming show promos in front of Caesars. The producers told the crowd a few times not to use a flash so the pics aren't that good. It was still cool to see.

When Miss Delaware was filming her bit, some lady in front of me said "Where is Delaware?"  I am hoping the accent meant she was from a foreign land, otherwise our public schools are sadly failing in geography.

Bellagio Fountain Show

Venetian and Mirage

Wynn Waterfalls

This gelato is so good it makes our eyes bug out! As I said, worth every penny of that $7.50!!

More contestants for the pageant.  Miss Illinois is the one you have the side view of.

2nd Chance by James Patterson

Another outstanding book by James Patterson. One thing I am learning is not to get attached to any characters because they probably won't be around long. This second book in the Women's Murder Club series has more "didn't see it coming" plot twists than the first one. These are the kinds of books I enjoy reading. I was scrolling through the James Patterson website and noticed that book four of this series has a new member in the Women's Murder Club. Does this mean one the originals is going to be killed in the book I am currently reading? Gasp!! Hopefully I can finish it while relaxing poolside this weekend...

St. Louis Zoo Loses Polar Bear

Hope the polar bear died Monday at the St. Louis Zoo. They discovered she had advanced liver cancer, and she was euthanized. Most polar bears live 18 years in the wild and 20-22 years in zoos- Hope lived 23 years. We were just at the zoo a few weeks ago so it is sad. I was dropping Carlie off at school today, and she said her prayer request was going to be "for Jesus to raise the polar bear from the dead." They have been studying about Jairus' daughter and Christ's resurrection at school so it was probably on her mind. I told her it might be better to request that the zoo can get a new polar bear. When I asked her teacher after school today what Carlie's prayer request was, she said Carlie requested prayer that the zookeepers wouldn't be sad and be comforted. She really has a sweet heart for others.