This will be the first of a new ‘Quote of the Week’ (QOTW) series on PTM. I’ll probably focus on current issues as well as those that I am more interested in exploring. You are welcome to guess who might have voiced these words. There will be no prize…only the satisfaction of knowing that you were right. =) And my hope is to promote learning something new and/or seeing something from a new perspective. Feel free to simply read or to read and comment to voice your own opinion of the quote.

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“I do not suggest that the debate surrounding abortion can or should go away. No matter how much we may want to fudge it – indeed, while we know that the views of most Americans on the subject are complex and even contradictory – the fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable.

In this world of competing claims about what is right and what is true, have confidence in the values with which you’ve been raised and educated. Be unafraid to speak your mind when those values are at stake. Hold firm to your faith and allow it to guide you on your journey. Stand as a lighthouse.

There are really only a few people (outside of family) that come into your life, stay awhile, and make such a difference that you never really are the same after having spent time with them.

But that is what these ladies are for me!

Yep, that’s right – my college roomies! Since our freshman year, we have remained friends!!! We rotated in and out of apartments throughout our time at BYU and whenever any of us happened to be living in Provo and still single we always lived together. All six of us graduated with degrees. Alot of us either served missions or went abroad to serve/study. We also represent places all over the U.S. (mostly in the West and MidWest – but KU and SF have certainly shown us how to live it up back East).  I’m also ‘Auntie A’ to three boys and 1 girl (with another on the way!) I admire each one so much and each for very different reasons

I am so glad Jimmy snapped this photo at my reception – i LOVE it!

But you really gotta notice the shoes. They say it all! Pictured left to right are:

KU – perfectly worn sneakers. independent, sturdy, and practical. an urban cowgirl livin’ the life in the District

AE – classic heels. prim, proper, and tan. a Cali girl that does it ALL and does it well.

EJ – black slip-ons. petite and pretty. soft-spoken, but don’t be fooled…she’s witty and feisty too.

AF – red flats. hello…6′ tall and all Wo-mahhnn. =) loud, proud, and incredibly loving

Don’t worry, SF, I certainly won’t forget you…

(She’s pictured below and not above since she was in never-never land earlier this year just like me…)

This photo says all you need to know about SF.

(And just in case you didn’t guess…she’s definitely barefoot under all that wedding dress.)

So here’s to my ladies! You make me smile, you inspire me, and you’ve made me a better person for it!

Thank you.

ps. I think that her jockey has a striking resemblance to Pee-wee Herman…

I’m not at all what you’d call a feminist. But yes I am of the female persuasion. And when a lone female horse goes up against the ‘Big Boys’ you better believe that I’m ditchin’ ‘Bird’ to pick her. =)

Rachel Alexandra. That’s my Preakness pick and I’m betting the entire balance of the FIBM.

Besides any woman that has two first names has got to have something up her sleeve.

Also, another little know fact is that the jockey that rode Mine that Bird at the Derby (Calvin Borel) is really Rachel’s jockey. (She did not run in the Derby). And even though Bird is running the Preakness too, Borel chose to saddle Rachel instead. Hum….I’m guessing that Borel knows something that I don’t since that’s a virtually unheard of move.

WE’s rootin’ for General Quarters and throwing in his TSF. =)

And we’re off to the races!!!

So WE and I discovered the coolest thing ever in Ryland Home history!

After a long and annoying search for a new dining room table, spanning numerous websites and multitudes of over-anxious sales people – we found the perfect solution…

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So it turns out that the Derby is just the beginning…

I wrote last week about my first run in with the Kentucky Derby and the amazing last-to-first story of Mine That Bird. Well, now we’re off to the races in Baltimore at the Pimlico track for the second of three (Derby, Preakness, Belmont) in the series. Thirteen contenders will race for the Woodlawn Vase – a silver trophy created by Tiffany and Co in 1860 that is worth at least $1 million dollars. (The winner, of course, actually only gets to take home the $30k replica) But more than just trophies and Black-eyed Susans…this race is about style, endurance, and bragging rights!

Included in this year’s 13 are Big Drama, Mine That Bird, Musket Man, Luv Gov, Friesan Fire, Terrain, Papa Clem, General Quarters, Pioneer of the Nile, Flying Private, Take The Points, Tone It Down, and the lone female Rachel Alexandra. Click here if you want to read more about each of the horses and thier owners/trainers/jockeys.

So there you have it – the Preakness Stakes. What will you put at stake this race and who is your pick?

I’m thinking WE should pony-up his TSF. And I’ll throw in my FIBM. Stay tuned for our picks.

***Little-known fact*** The Preakness has been staged on every other day, except Sunday. Now that’s something that I can get behind. If you are going to wager, at least don’t do it on Sunday!

On Saturday I hugged a lady in the driveway. She was a complete stranger that had stopped to chat with me as I was working out in the yard. Well, okay…she had actually stopped to give me a pamphlet that she was evangelizing. But she was nice enough and I was fine to listen. As I have replayed the conversation in my mind, I still haven’t quite figured out why in the world I felt the urge to hug that woman. (I mean come on…the fact that I was gross/sweaty and she was nicely dressed didn’t even stop me!) Maybe a part of me saw myself in what she was doing and just instinctively assumed that she needed a hug (like I so often did!)? Maybe I got so jazzed up about the article in the pamphlet about Bulgaria that I was just wanted to hug someone because that brought back so many good memories? Maybe I’m just a freak? Seriously, who hugs the Mormon missionaries for no reason when they interrupt your life to give you something that you weren’t asking for (or at least that you don’t even yet know that you want)? No one!

But that’s not all. I actually took the pamphlet (the front page article was about abortion…an issue that I was interested in reading more about anyway) and then when she asked I said that she could come back if she really wanted. She knows I’m a Mormon so we’ll see if she actually does – but still! I’ve never been one to back down from a good discussion on religion – but then I also wonder if any good would come of this. When I was told “I’m Orthodox, go away” I always got so irritated that they didn’t even take the time to listen to know what they were bypassing. I would be upset because I couldn’t see why they didn’t get the fact that learning more about religions other that your own can only do one of two things: 1) convert you to theirs or 2) make you stronger in your own. But even if I do take the time to listen I’m sure that we’ll come to disagreements. And since at least one of the two parties will be in an evangelizing role, won’t those disagreements just bring defensiveness or awkwardness? Then what?

So here’s my question of the day: Is it even possible to have mutually beneficial inter-faith discussions? And further, if one or both of the parties involved are evangelizing, can it be done? And if so, how?

I guess that’s more than one question for the day! Good luck. I’ll expect your hand-written, 500-word responses by next Friday

Last night, WE and I watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Can I just say, I LOVED it! I thought it was delightful. And not to mention completely fascinating to watch Brad Pitt age backwards. I give David Fincher major props for that (and of course the film’s no-namer-technology guru).

So…if you decide to watch the movie you’ll find Big Fish-esque storytelling, an interesting perspective on time and how we use it, a not sad but not your typical happy ending love story, and of course a beautiful tribute to mothers.

Hence my post today.

Some people give their lives to give birth. Some people sacrifice all to care for others. Some people love you no matter how different you are. Some people are always right there watching/cheering at your most triumphal moments. These people have Mother hearts.

[Benjamin learns to walk with his mother looking on]

Thank for “making a dent” in my life, Mom! ILYPTM…

So last Saturday was a lazy day in the WE household. I mean, come on, what in the world is a newlywed couple supposed to do inside all day on a rainy Saturday in May???

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So, when I moved to Dallas – one of the first things that WE told me about this place was that people in Texas cling to 2 things: their guns and their religion. I believe him. But there is one thing he forgot to mention…

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