Potato For President

This blog is quickly turning into a "sister brag" fest, but how can I resist when each day presents me with so much great material. Bizzie had to write a book for her "Young Authors Day" at school, and this is what that busy little mind produced. Think a little Spongebob and vegetarianism mixed in with politics. Let me also preface this by saying this story in no way reflects my actual political beliefs, or endorses one particular political party :) Enjoy the following:

Potato For President

by Bizzie

Pete the potato is a fry cook at Crispy Cone Restaurant in Idaho. Pete is a good cook and he loves his family. His wife is named Christy and their two kids are named Tater and Tot!

Pete loves his job, but he thinks he can do something better. Pete wants to run for President to make the world better for potatoes and all starches.

Pete thinks he would be a great President for the country. Pete is honest and he works very hard. He thinks the citizens would be proud for him to be the right spud for the job.

Pete is right! The citizens do want him to run for President. Soon Pete is in the campaign for President as the leader for the Starch Party, and he meets the other vegetable running against him- Broccoli Obama.

Broccoli Obama is a member of the Veggie Party. Just like Pete, Broccoli Obama believes that he would be the best President, and that he is honest and would take care of the country. Pete thinks Broccoli is pretty good, but he prefers potatoes instead of vegetables. 

Soon it was time to pick running mates for Vice President. Pete picked a good stalk of corn from Iowa named Connie Cobb because he thought she had good ears and listened well! Broccoli chose a strawberry from California named Berry Sweet. The Starch Party and the Veggie Party were ready to meet their fellow people and convince them to vote.

Pete's campaign slogan got every one's attention: "THIS SPUD'S FOR YOU!!" Pete and Connie visited people all across the country telling them about how they would be the best President and Vice President in the world! Lots of people came to hear them speak. Apparently Starch was very popular all across the country! Everyone loved potatoes! 

But many others prefer Veggies and Fruits, and Broccoli Obama and Berry Sweet had many fans too. The competition for the presidency was very close. 

Every day Pete and Broccoli gave speeches and talks and met lots of people. They were on TV and there were many articles about them in the newspapers. The main thing everyone talked about was the race between Starches and Veggies. Which food group was the most popular? What did the people prefer?

Finally, it was Election Day. Pete and Connie were very nervous but proud of their campaign. They felt pretty confident that the people would agree. They were right! At the end of the journey, the people made their vote. The final count was: Starch got 2,000,000 and Veggies got 1,999,999. Pete won by just one vote and was the winner. The Potato was chosen for President. Broccoli Obama was fried.

On the big day, Pete, Christy, and the kids, Tater and Tot, moved into the President's mansion so that Pete could begin his new job as President. President Pete was the most Famous Potato from Idaho.

Sisters

My job is to be a sister. To say the least, I have one of the most fabulous jobs in the world. It demeans it to refer to it as work. It's not a job, it's just life. 

First, there's Katie. Twelve (if you read this, she'll want you to know that 13 is JUST around the corner) going on thirty. With that gorgeous smile and dimples, she makes the big sister come out in me as I find myself wanting to hide her away from those little horrors known as junior high boys. You can't imagine the sigh of relief that came out of me when she announced one day "I think I just want to be single for awhile." Of course right after the sigh of relief, I thought to myself "Wait a second. That's the kind of stuff my mid-twenties friends and I say! What in the world?!" There is a depth to this girl that I love. There is a budding writer there, and I look forward to the day where I can say in my little old lady voice, "I picked her up from school..." Empathy and compassion make that smile even more beautiful. She feels deeply (a quality every good writer must have) and she is the rock that her friends depend on. I can't count the number of times I have proudly watched her negotiate those tricky teenage friendships with integrity and wisdom. Now just indulge me in this little whim, but I have to say it. The girl just has some amazing hair. Now I'm not a girly-girl, but I can't help feeling like I'm in a shampoo commerical everytime I'm around her! Please people, don't be distracted by the fabulous hair, there is real girl there. 

               Then there's Bizzie.... the name says it all. Elizabeth, that's what we call her when she is sick or depressed. Bizzie is who she is all of the time, a force of nature to be reckoned with. Our powerful little pixie, who somehow, in spite of her diminutive stature, manages to fill up an entire room with her presence. Like her older sister, she is wise beyond her years, and yet the most random stuff will just come flying out of her mouth. "Bizzie, what is your greatest athletic achievment thus far? I did 45 butt bounces in a row on the trampoline!" "Bizzie, what would you like to pass on to the next generation? My eyebrow!" She's part rockstar, part artist, part skater, part revolutionary, part emcee, part DJ, and hostess with the mostest. But don't let her rockstar ways fool you, this girl has a heart of gold like the big sister Katie she so idolizes. Her softspot is best seen with little kids, in particular her cousins JD and Rawley. They adore her and she adores them. Bizzie was one of the first kids I really saw her cousin JD (who has autism) really try to engage with. And in true Rockstar fashion, Bizzie can rock any hat she wears including the hard to wear fedora. 

               My life is now complete in the sense that I have little sisters to brag on and nag on. Love you, my Rockstar Chicas! 

Grace Like Rain

I just wanted to devote a blog to praising and thanking God for his grace like rain in my life, and the lives of those I'm blessed to know.

1. For my family and their constant pursuit of God's grace rather than perfection. I am so blessed by being able to be in a strong Christian family. And thank you to all the friends who have reminded me of this blessing!

2. For my 2nd family, the Winkles (Jack, Julie, and Noah) for letting me be a part of their family for these very sweet 8 months. Jack and Julie, for allowing me the privilege of seeing God work his grace out in your marriage, your parenting, and your friendships! Noah, you are the best big little bro I could have ever asked God for. You have taught me so much during the time I've known you.

3. For my little "sisters", Katie and Bizzie Ward who have filled that void in my life of being and only child. Thanks for indulging me in that, and thank you to their parents, Rob and Teri, who are gracious enough to entrust their most precious gifts to me (and for letting me take them to a concert and get henna tattoos! You're the coolest parents ever!). You all mean more to me than you'll ever know!

4. For all the families of children with disabilities that I've had the privilege to work with and know; the Daltons, Twiggs, Chediak's, Malles, Baxters, Hopkins, Winkles, Flaherty... and the list continues to grow! Your love and faithfulness to your children has given many priceless gifts to me and others who watch you. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives. Also all the amazing co-workers and mentors who have been so influential in making me a better teacher.

5. For my Cornerstone family... you all are amazing, and you teach me so much about our beloved Savior! Thank you for being Christ to me and my family. I wish I could devote an entire blog to the blessings we have experienced through our church family. I am so excited to be able to move back, and be a part of this amazing church body.

6. For my high school girlfriends; Holly, Vanessa, Lindsay, Heather, Meredith. How many people remain friends from elementary school to the present! It's such a joy and an honor to know you all! We have all been through our share of tough times these past few years, and you've all just become stronger, more beautiful women of God. Love you all!

7. For my fellow Sweazy RA's and RD; Sam and the three Sarah's! I see you all once a year, and that event is a highlight. To see God's grace in your lives over the years is beautiful to see.

8. For my TMC friends and mentors too numerous to name, but each so significant in their roles in my life. I am so proud of all of you, and what you are allowing God to do in your lives in the present. I am so grateful UCSD rejected me!

9. For the high school friends I've only really gotten to know after high school! Mike, Lisa, Jayson, Ms. Cramer... Wish we could have all been closer back in the day, but so blessed to know you now and looking forward to receiving more inspiration from all of you!

10. And last but certainly not least, all my numerous friends and family spread out in Uganda, Kenya, and Sudan. I miss you all, and am so honored to call you friends, brother, sisters. It's painful and difficult to be separated, but I look to the day when we'll be united in our Father's presence and all things will be made right before Him.

This list just barely begins to scratch the surface of God's grace like rain, but I pray it encourages, inspires, delights all who read it. I pray it causes the Holy Spirit to move your hearts in gratitude, awe, and praise of our great and mighty Savior.