HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Mary Catherine Zundel Lewis

During my younger years in Achievement Days, I was asked to pick out a scripture to describe my mother so that it could be typed up and made into a magnet. With the help of my sister [I think it was Lindsay], I picked Moroni 7:45 that says:

"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

This describes Mary Kay to a tee. My mom is the most patient person in the world, most long-suffering, least envious, and just all-around most awesome. She puts up with my friends, complaints about my friends, my obsessions, and my less-than-reputable qualities.

Thank you for the Law&Order marathons, political and history education, pictures of my dog while I'm on vacation, shopping trips, pedicures, birthday parties, chicken and broccoli bake, Cutler cookies, Dick's cakes, Creme savers, rides/drives in the BMW, counsel and words of advice, and wonderful example. I'm sorry I'm not there to help celebrate your special day, but I sure do love you and so does the rest of us. Happy Birthday!!!

Why I am supporting John McCain

Lindsay has done a post about the debate, and she wanted a response. I had more to say than the comments would allow for.

I don't watch the debates. They really don't influence my vote. I am happy when my candidate does well, but that is not always the case.

Some of the reasons that I admire John McCain:

He was a prominent candidate in the 2000 election. He was the darling of the media. He won the New Hampshire Primary, and it was a big surprise. He set George W. on his heels. George W. had to win in South Carolina if he wanted to get his party's nomination. The Bush campaign played very dirty, and they won that primary. It was over for John McCain. He was a bitter man. He went through having melanoma, and having his wife's substance abuse made public at that time. The democrats wanted him on their side. I am sure it was a very difficult period for him. In 2004, John Kerry would have loved to have him as his vice-presidential candidate. They even had talks about it. John McCain stayed with the republicans because he believed in the same things that they stood for, and he couldn't turn his back on the principles that he believed to be true. He campaigned at the side of George W. Bush during the 2004 election, and he made a significant difference for him in that election. Without a doubt it had to be a very difficult thing for him to do. I have had a tremendous admiration for him since that election. He has had many disagreements with George W. and he has never been afraid to go public with them. Beliefs about torture and the surge come to mind. Sad to me that George W. is doing him harm again and this time it is unintentional. The idea that he would be a third Bush term is a very bitter pill. He has shown me to be a man that stands by what he believes in even when it seems his party did not stand by him.

The most important thing for me this year is to elect someone who will bring our country together. I believe that both candidates will say anything at this point to get elected. Therefore, the only way to judge them is to look at their records. So I have.
During the last two congresses, John McCain sponsored legislation with 55% of his cosponsors from the democratic side. For Barrack Obama it is 13% from the republican side. John McCain has sponsored legislation with democrats involving climate change, government spending, torture, patients' bill of rights, campaign finance reform, tax cuts, and gun control. John McCain voted with his party 85% of the time. Barrack Obama voted with his party 97% of the time. Which one will be more likely to "reach across the aisle"? In my opinion, it will be the one that has already done it.

Conference was great, I really enjoyed watching it this past weekend.
But, did anyone watch the debate tonight? I just can't believe how incredibly different these 2 men are! One seems to really know what he's talking about, and the other just seems to dance around questions and ignore answering the real questions. I thought McCain did awesome tonight. I think he really addressed the issues (something he has been constantly criticized for in the press), and I think he was extremely confident in his answers, you could tell he had experience in what he was talking about. He didn't come off as being polished or having memorized answers and I really liked that. Of course, I'm sure according to the press, he lost. He could only win if he told the American people he was going to raise taxes to pay for everyone's health care, deflate the military, and continue to beat down off shore drilling.
Your thoughts family? Mom?

Fall Conference

Without a doubt, one of my favorite fall activities is conference weekend. The world is so beautiful. I have been so ornery about the changing leaves this year. I have been resentful of the colors turning gold and orange. I was feeling like it was the coming of cold and dark. I don't like the cold and dark. I like spring and the world when it turns green. Watching conference this weekend has helped me to remember that I love fall also. It is a beautiful time of year. I love listening to the leadership of our church. I loved when President Monson talked about enjoying the journey. I thought about the years when my girls were little. He talked about the regrets that we have when our children are gone. I have plenty of things that I know I could have done better. But I have so many wonderful memories of good times. The girls and I spent many happy hours together....watching TV late at night, running to movies, getting pizza, and treat runs to Smith's. Sitting together at church and holding hands during the Sacrament, reading the scriptures together, and listening to conference together. I am so grateful for the many memories of good times. It is so fun to make new memories with all of you as you mold and develop your own families. It is such a blessing in my life to see you grow to love the gospel and teach it to your children. Remeber what President Monson said and "Enjoy the Journey".
http://lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,23-1-947,00.html

Welcome Joshua Welti Lewis

We would like to welcome Josh to the family. Weighing in at 10#9oz. he has made a big impression. Congratulations Jeff, Brooke, and boys. We are so happy that he is safely here, and you are all doing well. Way to go Brooke!!