DISQUS

Just an FYI for those that do not live in Knoxville, if you happen to shop at Kroger and Walgreens, many of the deals posted here are also valid in other areas. I live in Little Rock, AR and this site is a great reference for me! Thanks, Katie!!

I am crying!! God's richest blessings to your sweet family this Thanksgiving.

I'm so glad you guys got all moved in!! Aaron and I would have helped, but I am just now finding out that you moved in last weekend!!! Sorry! When I get home from my traveling next week, I'll call you and set up a time to bring over some food and help you pick out paint colors ;) By the way...where's the invoice for our bathroom stuff? Bring it on...

Hi, Matt! Wow, I don’t know quite where to start in response to what you have said. There's so much to say. I think this debate goes much deeper than Obama and McCain. And it goes even deeper than Republicans and Democrats and their experience. I'll be honest, I have no polls (which are crap, anyway) or research to prove my point about Obama supporters vs. McCain supporters. I'm fully aware that both sides have supporters that are ignorant as to why they are voting. My "theory" about Obama supporters is based on the many, many interviews I've heard on television and the discussions I've had with family members and friends who support Obama. I get a general "vibe" that they don't really know what he stands for...they just like him because he's different than Bush. Again, this is just my opinion, but I think that reason is foolish. If there are those (you, maybe) who actually do know what they believe about government and who know what Obama stands for, then enlighten me...Without considering specific people (Obama, McCain, etc…), share a short summary of what you think the main functions of government should be in a perfect world? More specifically, what roles should the government/the President play, according to the Constitution? Then, tell me about your support for Obama…based on what you know about him (not what he’s SAID he will do, but what he’s actually DONE), what would his answers to the above questions be? I'm also posting these questions on my blog (www.crazylifeofkate.com) if you want to join that conversation.

Here's another Katie to jump into the conversation. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I have yet to meet or hear about an Obama supporter who actually knows what Obama's views are (or what their own are, for that matter). I realize this problem exists in all parties, but it seems to be more prevalent in this election with Obama. People follow him blindly without even knowing what they are following. And they first of all, assume that we are in some sort of Depression ( which we're not...how many people own a cell phone and go out to eat on a regular basis in this country? A lot....we're not in a depression), and they, second of all, assume it's all Bush's fault. Therefore, they want "change." For example, everyone thinks Bush's "No Child Left Behind" education policy has failed and they shout and blame him for it. Well, does anyone know who came up with the whole idea in the first place? You guessed it....Ted Kennedy, a Democrat. Do you hear anyone blaming him? NO! When Katrina hit and everyone saw how horribly the whole thing was handled, who did they blame? Bush! He's the devil who caused the big delay with the FEMA response. But, when Gustav just hit and everything was handled in an orderly fashion, did you hear anyone praising Bush for getting the job done right? NO! Sure, maybe Bush wasn't responsible for the organization, but you have to be consistent and see that he wasn't solely responsible for the response after Katrina, either.

I do have a point here...the point is, don't spend your time blaming the other side for all the problems in the world. This goes for Democrats and Republicans. Know your candidates and know WHY you are voting for them. Don't vote for a candidate solely because he or she is different than George Bush. That is foolish.

Sorry for the long comment....this stuff just makes me a little mad.

Very nice!! We'll pray for it to sell soon.

so true!!

I can relate to your not finishing books...welcome to my life!! If you guys need any help moving, please call us!!

I LOVE Austin City Limits!!! The old and new episodes are great!

Hey! Thanks for the "shout-out!" I'm proud of you for "gouging the eye out" that is causing you to lose self-control in your eating and drinking. It's very hard to change how we eat, I think, because food is such a huge part of our lives. You won't regret this, though. Changing our diet has helped in every area of our lives, so now that we've started seeing the fruits of eating healthier, it has gotten easier and easier when temptations come along. We'll pray for you guys!!

Many might disagree with me on this, but "the rod of discipline" did mean spanking in Bible times, but I do not think the verse is saying "SPANK YOUR KIDS OR DIE", per se. The verse is meant to show the contrast between children whose parents take the time to teach their children and those whose parents do not. Discipline is sometimes part of teaching. This can mean spanking, but not always. Unfortunately, most parents who spank out there do so in a way that teaches their children nothing. Many parents spank because it's easier and there's usually no explanation to the child as to why a spanking was given. This isn't teaching and can be just as foolish as doing nothing at all. In many cases, where physical and emotional abuse is involved, the child is learning to handle conflict with violence. The sociologists out there know this, so they want to eliminate spanking altogether. This isn't the answer, either, in my opinion. I think spanking, when done correctly, is a great teaching tool. Other methods of discipline work well for our kids, too. Since we live in a fallen world, it's no secret that the world's view will conflict with a Biblical view on this issue. I'll pray that God gives you guys wisdom and discernment as you teach your children. Sorry for the huge long comment here!!

When Jack was 2, he had trouble saying "thank you" properly and we ran into the same problem you are in right now. At dinner with my parents one night, my dad handed Jack his sippy cup and Jack said, "F&%^ you very much." The looks on everyone's faces at the table were priceless! We almost didn't want to teach it to him properly because the reactions were so funny. But, we worked on it and he's no longer offending people with his "thank yous." Now he just offends people in other ways, along with his sisters :)

Don't hate me, but I did get a little misty eyed watching all the NKOTB boys on "The Today Show." I might have to write a blog about this, myself.

We need a new mattress, too, so be sure and blog on the results of the poll!!

Many of our family members expressed concern about Cornerstone when we first started going there, mainly because, to them, anything not affiliated with a major denomination is risky. Once they read the doctrine and heard the teaching, they gladly blessed our decision.

And, Aaron and I can say with certainty that
Cornerstone is not a cult because we disagree with a couple of the points you mentioned (we only have 3 kids and are stopping at that, Lord willing, I work part-time, we will probably let our kids date--with guidelines, etc...) and our friends and the leadership of the church have made it clear that those things are not what the church is centered around. Cornerstone is completely Gospel-centered while cults are usually centered around practices and ideas other than the Gospel. I thank God for Cornerstone every day!!!

Good job, guys!! Running is hard, so I know it's a big accomplishment to make even 8 miles! I hope you are doing better.

The Mitchells will sooooo be going to see Susan Tedeschi on April 24th!! We'll be the ones shushing all the drunk people who talk too loud.

I blog because I have a lot to say and my 3 little kids aren't the best listeners.

Aaron and I had government-sponsered health care for 7 years through the military--we can testify that it would NOT be a good option for our entire country. As my favorite talk show host says, the government doesn't do anything well, so it should do as little as possible.

Yes, this is a great band!! They are on our "covet" list right now. Here are some others that we LOVE, just in case you are looking for some more great music to walk your dog to: Ryan Adams and The Cardinals (specifically the CD "Cold Roses"), The Black Keys, Black Mountain, Patty Griffin, and Ray LaMontagne.

I remember the days of not having kids or just having 1 child when I was so opinionated about not using things like gates and outlet covers. I found myself having fewer and fewer opinions when #2 and #3 rolled around. Funny how that works, isn't it? I guess it's God's way of keeping us humble.