Monday, June 29, 2009

Let's Apply It

Here is my first attempt at a discussion.

Let's take this idea of Unity and apply it to Jon and Kate as our case study. In doing this we are making a lot of assumptions. We are assuming 1. that Jon and Kate are believers, 2. that Jon and Kate believe God brought them together, and 3. that Jon and Kate believe/believed that God wanted their marriage to be a reflection of the church. In doing this we are also only able to use what we have been given on the show and the media some of which may or may not be true and may or may not be "reality".

Someone said to me recently that they thought that Jon was okay with Kate "ruling the roost" until the show started getting really popular. When it got more popular, this person believes that people started pointing out Kate's faults (divisiveness) to Jon and thus started a spiral. Don't we find our partners faults enough on our own? Imagine if the media joins in the game. Thus, Unity was broken.

I suggest that Jon and Kate were more unified in the early shows. They had to be. They were both working and they had to rely on each other much more heavily to get things done. They had to stay united to remain in control. As the show progressed, they received more help, and needed each other less. When this happened, they didn't make it a priority to continue fostering their unity.

I also suggest that their communication skills began to deteriorate as their unity did. They go hand in hand. I saw a pretty good example of communication on one of the early shows. It was the Christmas shopping episode. Here they all were in the toy store shopping for everyone in the family. Kate was stressed as usual. Jon felt that he was doing his part. At one point Kate began yelling rather loudly to Jon across several aisles. Now, for the good communication. Outside when they were loading the car Jon expressed his feelings to Kate. He said something like he felt very embarrassed when she yelled at him like that and that he felt like she was treating him like a child in front of the whole store. She responded in a very positive manner and I believe they allowed us to see something close to an apology. The best communication and conflict resolution I saw from them. A true unity builder.

On every episode, Jon and Kate share their thoughts and feelings at the end of the show. The producers ask them questions and lead the discussion in the direction they want it to go. At times they just share funny stories about the kids. At times they share about their frustrations about their marriage (mostly Kate the talker). How can this ever unify a marriage? Sharing your grievances in front of everyone instead of with each other? Unity killer. Maybe they did set aside time to talk about the days events off camera, but from everything they said, this never happened.

Please feel free to share your thoughts or experiences from your own life.

Unity

A very timely message given my venture into Jon and Kate's lives.

I heard a very timely sermon yesterday about unity. Our pastor gave many scriptural references to the importance of unity in a church and in relationships. I know I have heard many times how marriage is to mirror the church, but sometimes the same old thing said at different times in my life resonates differently.

The pastor explained that we know what divides a church: Lack of unity. We know that when people talk about all the faults of the pastors and the church that it causes divisiveness. If you have a problem with the church (pastor or policy) it is your responsibility as a believer to go directly to that person. By gossiping and “venting” (I consider venting to be a Christian’s excuse to gossip) you are dividing what God has created.

In the same way, a Godly marriage requires unity. If you believe that God has joined you together with your spouse as a mirror to the church, the relationship needs to be taken seriously. If you have a problem with your spouse, you go to the source. Going elsewhere is divisive. The pastor said that God’s spirit is only present when there is unity.

He also went on to talk about the possibly of disagreements in the midst of unity. He used the example of his disagreements with a young, more modern, pastor in the church. Yes, they disagree on issues at times. But then he said something very important: he is for that other pastor regardless because both of them are for the Lord.

I took from this that if you allow divisiveness to enter into your marriage, you are not allowing God to show himself in your marriage. How can other people see God in you if you are divided. You’ve been in churches or around people who are divided and you know that they are not turning you in God’s direction. Be wary of those that cause divisiveness. They are not encouraging the spirit of the Lord to live in your relationships.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Jon and Kate Plus 8

Suppose you see someone walking down the street and they are approaching a gigantic pit. You keep watching and notice that this person doesn’t seem to know what is coming. There he is in his own ignorance about to fall in a pit that may kill him. Would you say anything? Would you shout, “Hey there, you’re about to walk into danger?” Would you do everything possible to help this person avoid something traumatic?

I think about this analogy related to a lot of marriages. Specifically this time I think of Jon and Kate (you know from the hit TLC show “Jon and Kate Plus 8”). It was so obvious to all of us. Kate was continually nagging Jon. Jon knew that he had trouble communicating and just let her do it. They never took time to work on their marriage. They spent a lot of time apart. So, who here is at fault? Of course both of them, but my beef this time is with Jon. I’ve had my own issues with Kate, but this time it is Jon.

On the show where Jon and Kate announced their divorce, Jon almost seemed gleeful at his new freedom. If you’ve seen him lately he has grown a lot more hair, put in earrings, and been driving a sports car. Can anyone see the midlife crisis here? He kept saying during the show that everything is about his kids. They are most important. I’m sorry, the best thing you can do for your kids is to fix your marriage. If you really have the best interest of your kids in mind, you’ll do whatever it takes to fix it.

I believe that Jon is the one who stood by and let the family fall into a pit. He knew he wasn’t happy. He knew he didn’t like Kate controlling everything. He knew he was making poor decisions when he went out at night. He even said on the announcement show that he let Kate rule the roost for far too long and now he was putting his foot down. What a man. Putting his foot down by allowing divorce to tear his family apart. He knew this pit was coming and did nothing to resolve the problem. I propose that he is the responsible party. If you know your family is headed toward something terrible and you do nothing about it, you are at fault even though you may try to blame the other person for all the wrong things they have done.

So Jon, I’m disappointed. I expected more. I cannot believe a family could work so hard to get somewhere to now get there and let it all fall apart.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Are we headed toward censorship?

ABC news has struck a deal with the President to host his Obamamercial promoting his health care reform ideas. ABC is claiming that this will not be an infomercial for the President and that the audience will be asking the President real questions. However, ABC would not sell airtime to advertisers with views that oppose the President's plan. How balanced can the coverage be without a word from the opposition? What happened to giving ad space to the highest bidder? This sounds a little like something called censorship.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Obama brings more Chicago politics to Washington--helping his buddy before the people.

Where are all the people who were so angered by President Bush's "illegal" acts? Our President has done something completely illegal this week and no one is saying anything. If this had been George W., you can bet the media would have been shouting from the roof tops. President Obama has taken an honorable man who was serving the people and torn his reputation apart for one simple reason: Gerald Walpin caught his buddy misusing Americorp funds and he called him on it as his job requires. Obama seems to know that the media will help him hide the facts. Check out this article on the Gerald Walpin story and call your congressman.
By the way...two days before President Obama fired Gerald Walpin without cause, he had asked him to give a speech. Would you ask someone who was disoriented and confused, reasons for which you would fire him, to give a speech?
Something stinks.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/17/fired-ig-calls-white-house-explanation-baseless-says-hes-targeted/

Monday, June 15, 2009

Disneyland Kennel

Our dog has visited the Disneyland Kennel on two occasions and we have been very pleased with the service. The Disneyland Kennel is just that, a kennel. This is not your high end dog resort where your pup can frolic and socialize while you have a day in the Magic Kingdom. However, for the price and the convenience, the Disneyland Kennel was just right for our yellow lab.

The Kennel is located to the right of the main Disneyland gates and works on a first come first serve basis. The Kennel keeps the hours of the park. The Kennel does open a half an half before the park so you have time to drop off your pooch and still make it into Main Street before the park officially opens. The cost is $20 for the entire day and they will feed and water your dog. A vaccination record is required with proof of Hepatitis, Rabies, and Distemper vaccinations. The kennel has larger dog runs for big dogs (that's what we use) and small crate style kennels for smaller dogs. There is an area for your dog to do his duty for which they expect you to return every few hours. Your dog can also go off leash in this area when no other dogs are present, but you do need to be aware that some people may unexpectedly open the gate that leads out into the plaza. Your dog can ride the tram with you to get to the kennel. This is sure to surprise some folks.

Both times we put out dog in the Disneyland Kennel were great. The Cast Members were very friednly and really seemed to like dogs. We recommend this service.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Vitamin A and Bone Deficiency

My pediatrician is a strong advocate of multivitamin supplements. I am not sure whether it is the irresponsibility of parents or his strong opinions about supplements that drive his advocacy, but he believes children should be receiving them.

As long as I was breastfeeding, I did not give my child a vitamin supplement. When he was quickly weaned and switched to milk I began giving them to him worrying that he might be missing something. I always try to give him very complete meals using the food groups and I feel incredibly guilty if I fail to give him all that he should be getting. After all, his dietary needs are completely my responsibility and will be for a long time. What pressure!

Last week I was reading an article in the June issue of "Parents" when I read something that alarmed me. The article begins by saying that if children are eating a variety of foods then they do not need multivitamin supplements. If they do not drink 4 cups of milk each day then they will need extra vitamin D. One place this can be found is in fortified orange juice (which is often fortified with calcium as well). Now for the alarm. "Unfortunately, many multivitamins contain too much vitamin A, which in high doses, can lead to bone weakening or other side effects". It goes on to say that children ages 1 to 3 should get 1,000 IU of vitamin A each day and children ages 4 and up should get 1,300 IU. This is one case where more is not better. When I looked at my child's multivitamin, it had more than the recommended amount.

I chose to stop the multivitamins immediately and continue giving well balanced meals until I can discuss this with my pediatrician. I was surprised by this information because I had not read it elsewhere.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Acid Reflux

Chances are you know someone with it. This diagnosis has become very popular these days, especially in children and babies. I have talked to several moms who gave their babies medication for Acid Reflux and at one point I was concerned that my baby had it. There was a period of time where he spit up almost everything after breastfeeding. I quickly ran to my computer and began researching because I did not want to give my baby medication for what seems to be a problem that is over diagnosed. The advice I found most helpful was to change his nursing position by making sure that he was angled head up and to avoid bending him in half. This was somewhat difficult given that he was so flimsy at the time but I gave it a try. It took a while (and I do not give up) but he got better without medication. He did not starve or lose weight so I figured we were okay.

I started researching the causes of acid reflux and began to see a connection with the way our world works now. Acid Reflux can be caused by poor diet, eating late, laying down after eating, eating acidic foods, overeating, and being overweight. If this is not a wake up call to parents, it should be. Parents are so busy these days that children are given premade meals, they eat late because that is when they get home, and they probably overeat because they are so hungry by the time they finally sit down to eat.

Some of the suggestions I found for children are to eat frequent small meals throughout the day, eat less sugar and acidic foods, do not eat late, and do not lay down after eating. I would suggest the typical 3 meals and 2 snacks that all children should be getting. Take away the sugary foods (chips, candy, soda). Do not feed a child with reflux right before bed.

Of course some children have an abnormality that will cause reflux, but giving them reflux aggravating foods can only make it worse. Once again I think it all goes back to the way things used to be. The more we conform to the world's standard of being over scheduled and way too busy to care for our children appropriately, the more we (our chidlren) will suffer.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Is Obama making progress on Iran?

Here is an excerpt from Joel Rosenberg's blog http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/ on the topic of America's popularity in Iran. Rosenberg is the author of the political thriller series "The Last Jihad" as well as two other best sellers "Epicenter" and "Inside the Revolution". I consider him and expert on the topic.

What’s happening? Why were we more popular in Iran when George W. Bush was in
office? Because President Bush told the truth. He didn't kowtow to the Radicals
in Tehran. He accurately described them as members of the “axis of evil.”
President Obama, by contrast, keeps apologizing about American shortcomings —
real and perceived — and keeps beseeching Iran’s Radicals to please, please come
to the table and talk to us. Iranians by and large hate their government for
lying to them and enslaving them and destroying their economy and their
children’s future. They don’t respect Western leaders who legitimize the tyrants
who oppress them, plain and simple.

Dinseyland Gluten-Free

We recently made another trip to Disneyland. This trip was different than the others because we had a relative with us who has celiac. Ahead of time I googled information on how to eat gluten-free at Disneyland. The easiest thing to do is to get there early. Go to City Hall. Ask for the gluten-free menus.

I was amazed at the number of places that are now accommodating this disease. There is a place on Main Street that will prepare gluten-free pancakes. The popcorn is gluten-free. There are numerous restaurants that will specially prepare gluten-free meals and I believe they take cross contamination very seriously.

We had one issue when my sister-in-law went to a Mexican Food place in the food court at California Adventure. The list said that the rice was gluten-free, but the workers confirmed that it was not. Always ask despite what the list says.

We did not get the menus for other allergies, although I am sure they are available as well.