Somebody Else Sees It Too

Rob forwarded this article on to me and I liked it so much that I just have to share it. Here are some highlights:

Find a fairer way to judge Mitt Romney by Rich Lowry

“For once, the media aren’t so thrilled by a “first.” Usually being the first African-American, woman, Latino or anything else to run for a major office gives a campaign a frisson of excitement in the press. Such pioneering campaigns are said to hold important lessons about the tolerance of the American public.

But former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney represents the first “first” that has elicited a lukewarm reaction from the media. Journalists constantly run stories about whether Romney can become the first Mormon president — with an undercurrent suggesting that they’d be just fine if he can’t.

…A trope in Romney-as-Mormon stories is that evangelical Christians won’t be able to vote for a Mormon. There is a whiff of wishfulness to this, as if reporters hope evangelicals prove as bigoted as reporters have always suspected they were…

…If Romney is the Mormon church’s intended instrument as president, it must be because the church has hatched a sinister plot to bring better management techniques to the federal government and cut wasteful spending, Romney’s rather unthreatening campaign pledges. There is zero evidence of the church having ever “controlled” Sens. Harry Reid, Orrin Hatch or Gordon Smith — all Mormons — let alone Romney while he served four years as governor of Massachusetts…

…Indeed, rather than recoiling at his Mormonism, Republican primary voters may conclude that the handsome, “golly”-exclaiming, (newly) down-the-line conservative is simply too good to be true.That wouldn’t necessarily be a “first,” but it would certainly be a fairer way to judge Romney than on his religious faith.”

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Pinewood Derby Champ

Hunter worked hard on his pinewood derby car for the big Cub Scout event! He and Rob went online and found plans for the perfect car. They ordered the pattern, got all of their tools and set to work. Hunter did most of the work, while Dad supervised. Mom supervised the painting, but Hunter did that too. The car is called Inferno, and it was super hot last night! Check out the gallery to see it in action. There were twenty cars entered in the race, and after all seven rounds were finished, Hunter came in third place! He took first place in every race he was in except the two he came in second! He was also awarded with a certificate for “Most Artistic” entry. Great work Hunter! We are so impressed!!

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Support Mitt Romney!

Unfortunately, we missed the debate last night, but we have been following the presidential nomination race pretty well. A friend e-mailed a link to Mitt Romney’s Sign Up America and I joined his team. Watch this video to see if he has the things you want in our next president too. Rob and I both feel that Romney has the best qualifications to lead our country. He’s got a great track record for saving failing endeavors, with large corporations and the Salt Lake Olympics. Since America has recently reached a low point both with our reputation in the world, and with our lack of unity among ourselves, I think he is the man to turn us around. So sign up to join him for 2008!

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Light Tent

For my birthday Rob got me a light tent. It looks a lot like a small white pop-up tent, and came with two lights and a black or white background. I hadn’t gotten around to setting it up until last week, and it is so much fun. I haven’t done much with it yet, but it is a great way to get an even light when photographing objects. I have also seen a lot of blogs that show you how to build your own, but it’s nice to have one that is a bit more substantial. I took a picture of some toys Hannah picked out for me, and a bowl Emma painted in an after-school art class. For anyone that’s big into Ebay, you might want to try this out!

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The Divine Role of Mother

This photo by Dorothy Lange is so expressive, and makes one question why life should be so difficult. Being a mother I have come to understand a little better the role of my Heavenly Father in allowing these difficulties. As a child, a teenager especially, and sometimes as an adult it is easy to ask questions like:

Why do we need to have rules?

Why do I have to do hard things?

Why can’t I be given an allowance instead of working for it?

Why should I serve others? What about me?

Now as a mother I understand His role in my life better, and why these things must be so. I have learned that children are actually empowered by rules. They know what is expected of them, and gain confidence when they follow those rules. I think it’s also true with adults. We like to know what God expects of us, and feel good when we make good choices.

When we stick through a hard task, the sense of accomplishment we feel can help us discover our true potential and give us the motivation to try more new things and better ourselves. The struggles we face will show us our strengths, and help us strengthen our weaknesses.

It’s true that when you work for something, you value it more than if it is given to you because of the feeling of accomplishment you get from the process. I remember starting to buy my own clothes by age ten and learning the value of work. If the Lord gave us everything we would not be as grateful for the blessings we have.

As much as we hear about the importance of knowing yourself, it is even more important to be able to put the needs of others before your own sometimes. Showing compassion for others helps you appreciate your own circumstances, and learn to see the world through another’s eyes. Empathy is a virtue that can be overlooked, but there is a peace that comes from seeing another perspective and being able to appreciate it even if you don’t agree with it.

It’s hard to watch your children struggle, and even harder when they resent you for letting them struggle, but I’m grateful that there is a purpose to it all, and that in the end, my children will be better for it.

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