I started another blog at We the People.... at the behest of my children. They were growing weary of reading anything political on THISfunctional Family's blog and wanted me to start a separate blog for this reason, so I finally complied :)

THISfunctional family will stick to family updates and We the People.... will be more about current events.

A quote by Pastor Martin Niemoller

In Germany they first came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me — and by that time no one was left to speak up.

Here is Daniel Hannan, a Conservative for the South East of England addressing the European Parliament on 3/24/09. Does any of this ring true with you as it did with me???

Happy Birthday Tommy Boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dad and I remember your arrival like it was yesterday--We were sitting in Central Park trying to decide on a name for you before heading into the hospital. I was in labor but not too bad, we were at a park bench enjoying the quietness of a beautiful day and going back and forth with different names. I wanted Kenneth-but for some reason Dad didn't (a decision I think he later regretted), He said how 'bout Michael?? No. I said how 'bout Kenneth Michael?? No. There were other names but it came down to Timothy or Thomas. I'm happy we agreed on Thomas. We later found out that there were many great Thomas' in each of our families: My great-grandfather, Dad's great-grandfather, my great-uncle and my uncle and when you were little you would tell us that you were also named after Thomas Jefferson :)

Anyway, hope your day is as special as you are to us!!!!!!!!!!

We love you,
Mom, Dad, Lauren, Alison and Kelly
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxox

Mark Levin's "Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto"

Last week Mark Levin had a book signing out in Long Island and drew over 6,000 people. It was the bookstore's largest crowd EVER--even larger than any past president--WOW!!!!

Yesterday I went to Barnes & Noble to purchase "Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto" When I entered, the "New Arrival" table was right inside the door. It crossed my mind that Mark's book may not be on display and would have to order it. In the past I've had a problem finding popular books written by either Christian or Conservative writers--never seems to be a problem with Liberal writers though--makes you wonder. But on the table there were about four copies. I grabbed one and walked around the table before heading over to the register. When I came around the table an older woman was standing there and said "I heard about that book on the news last night" I said this guy is really good; you should read his book--she said she would. Then a B&N employee came over and told me that Liberty and Tyranny was moving like crazy. Great! When I got to the register the woman behind the counter said to me in a whispered voice "I saw him (Mark Levin) on Fox & Friends this morning--she continued "This book sounds VERY interesting--I'm going to read it" I explained that this is a guy who knows The Constitution..........Anyway, I walked out very encouraged.

Here's Mark on Neil Cavuto's show discussing his book and Conservatism:



A quote on the back of Mark's book:

"We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word, we do not mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; with others the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men’s labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same names--liberty and tyranny".

Abraham Lincoln, 1864

End of basketball season, Ceili Rain Concert and Lauren winning the church logo contest..................

• On Saturday night, Kenny, myself and the kids along with good friends and their kids went to a Ceili Rain Irish concert (pronounced Kay-lee). We had great seats, the music was fun, and the company was exceptional. Oh, and Sound of Life Radio was at the concert too. I met and talked with Joe Hunter, the DJ I listen to every morning--I told him he looks nothing like his voice-he said he gets that a lot :)



• The church we've been attending was in need of a logo and asked the congregation to come up with a logo that would best represent the Hyde Park Baptist Church and its Biblical focus, the church would then vote on the top 5 and the winner would receive a gift certificate to the local pizzeria. Lauren, Alison, and Tommy entered about ten logos and were able to come up with some really creative ones. This past Sunday was the day to see the top logos and vote on one. Out of the top five, one was Lauren's--A cross on a hill with the church's name in block type letters. One was Alison's - A steeple with the church name next to it and one was a combination of Lauren's logo with three other entries mixed together - that was the one that won. Anyway, the kids thought it was cool to see their drawing's put into computer graphics and displayed on a screen in front of the church.

• This was the last week of basketball for Lauren, Alison and Tommy. It was the first year for Hyde Park Baptist Church to have a basketball program and it worked out really well--the coaches were great and the kids game has really improved--they're like animals on the court now--I posted some video so you can see for yourself ;)

**The first three videos are Tommy's group 8-11yr olds--he's the one taking the foul shot. The last two are from Lauren and Alison's age group. You can see its a co-ed league and the age range in their group is from 12-15/16 year olds. We're proud that our girls were able to hold their own with the guys. Our good friend Paul organized the league with the pastor's and members of HPBC. They really did such a great job not only teaching the kids the fundamentals of the game but also about God. Before each game the kids prayed together and at the end of each game there was a Bible challenge. Kenny was asked to step in a couple of times when a coach was out and he loved it.
(Alison is in the neon pinny and Lauren in the orange one.)

A Great Big Birthday Shout-out to you Mom/Grandma!!!

Happy, happy birthday and may your day be as special as you are to our family.

Love,
Trish, Kenny, Lauren, Alison, Tommy and Kelly.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

A GREAT BIG BIRTHDAY SHOUT-OUT TO......

My niece Emily on Sunday the 8th--Celebrating the big 13 and her entry into teen hood!!!!!

My Mom (Grandma) on Wednesday the 17th--Celebrating the.....I won't go there ;)

My nephew Joseph on Saturday the 21st--Celebrating the big 21--I don't care what the law says ;)

Uncle Boo on Sunday the 22nd--Only one year younger than my husband.

Aunt Michelle on (I think) Tuesday the 24th--It's just a number; that's what my kids keep telling me.

My nephew Christopher on Monday the 23rd--Celebrating his 22nd b-day--It feels like yesterday that I was in the waiting room anticipating the arrival of the first grandchild.

And my son Tommy on Thursday the 26th--Planning to celebrate his 11th b-day with friends and of course baseball.

And to the many friends who have already celebrated and will be celebrating their birthday this month.

Happy, Happy birthday to you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! May your day be filled with all things wonderful :)

I haven't been able to update my blog or even surf the web since our computer was being attacked by some forty virus' but thanks to my Uncle Richie I'm back and protected (thanks again). So here are some updates:

At the end of January the girls started piano lessons. Except for Kelly they have taken lessons on and off for the last five or six years. We found a great teacher and she comes to our home which has been a huge help--I can actually get housework done while she's giving the lessons as opposed to sitting in a car for an hour thinking of all the things I could be getting accomplished.

Lauren, Alison and Tommy are in a co-ed basketball program that is new to our church this year. It has worked out well. Alison has scored several baskets, a number of steals and has no problem keeping up with the boys in the 12-14 age group. Lauren fights hard for the rebound even if it means falling on the floor in a struggle for the ball. Tommy does well and proves to be one of the better players of his age group.

Lauren celebrated her 14th birthday on the 21st with lots of friends, pizza, soda, cheeseballs and cake. The fun continued on Sunday with a trip to Roller Magic Skating Rink along with church family and friends. The extravaganza finally came to an end with a trip to Chili's Restaurant. Our big birthday present to Lauren was contact lenses. She was so excited to get them but it has added years to her appearance :)

Kelly got half as many baby teeth pulled as her cousin Kelsie and we could hear her screaming from the waiting room while her father was holding her down in the chair and telling the dentist to "Hurry up and PUULLLL!!!!!!!!!!"

Tommy is back attending AWANA on Wednesday night's after a long hiatus. He works very hard at memorizing scripture to move on in his work-book. It also gives Kenny or myself an opportunity to go to an adult Bible study while he's at AWANA.

We (I'm) are having a GREAT time in My Father's World studying early American history--more on this later.

So there's a quick update of what's been going on with our THISfunctional family the last couple of weeks. I will continue to share with you my political opinions and frustrations while my daughter Alison tries to force me to change the name of this blog to something more politically appropriate--but I refuse :)

"SO GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH!" *pounds fist on table*