I have one thing to say

How about them Cowboys......Merry Christmas

Where Have I been

Yes, it's been July the last time I posted on my bolg. Since then plenty has happened in my household. The twins turn one, Phoenix has joined the cheer leading squad and had her 8th birthday.

If you think I'm falling behind on things you would be correct. Having a seven member household in not easy, but never boring. We go to church, school events, and in between we break up fights between the children and that includes the twins. When there is time we have our fun events.

When the twins turn one this summer, we had our little party with the family. The first birthday is always more fun for the parents. Some people have big parties with lots of friend and family. Once your passed two kids the first birthday party is better with just your nuclear family. Sorry I do not have any picture of this event. If I remember correctly, we couldn't find our camera; that happens sometimes. The next event to come about was Phoenix's Birthday.

We also had a small party with just the family. By this time we had the camera, but the batteries we dead and we couldn't find the charges. We did get some pictures with the camera on the cell phone, good thing for those little gadgets. Phoenix was happy to get her balloon and Hanna Montana cake.

It was interesting this year for Phoenix in school. She told us she wanted to join the cheer leading squad. Never had a cheerleader in the family so that was OK with me. I didn't know how good they would be, but Chris and I had the pleasure of seeing her first cheer at the school two months ago. They were all good and Phoenix did a fantastic job. I was very impressed. A few weeks ago Phoenix and her cheer squad was able to participate in our town's parade. It was a cool parade lots of old cars,floats and fire engines. The best part for me was seeing Phoenix's second cheer. This time they were better than the first. They did three cheers, all were great.

Our whole family was there. Chris and the twin were sitting in the car, Stone & Avery were hanging with me. Stone was having fun. Not to be out done by her sister Avery found her way on the MOT Float. All in all it's be a good few months.

Forwards:

If you get these, you know what I mean. I would never read them. I would just look at who sent it. Then see if there was a personal message to it. Next I would just delete them. Recently, I just started reading them and I got two in my mail box that I thought was pretty good. The first one was title "if you ever lived in New Jersey". Since that doesn't apply to everyone, I decided to but this one on my blog. But as a rule, I never forward any forwards.

Movie Clip Game

I recently played this game with my team at work. The most anyone correctly was 9 out of the ten. I don't think the movies were too hard, but see if you can guess all ten.

A message from Avery

This is a quick post, but will show you how crazy my life is. Avery never wants me to leave for work and sometimes will call my cell phone. This time she left a message. Listen close to the background comments.



Enjoy

How Do I Know I'm a Prejudice?

From Wikipedia the word prejudice refers to prejudgment: making a decision before becoming aware of the relevant facts of a case or event. Lets face it, we all have made some prejudgments. So by definition are we all prejudice, the answer is yes and no and to some degree. I found myself thinking that all old people drive too slow. Now that I'm old and I drive slower, I see grey hair people pasting me on the road all the time. I'm sure some Elderly Drivers pose a problem on the road, but just to say all old people drive too slow is a prejudgment. Other prejudgments can be more serious than others.

The way elderly people drive is one thing, but in America we have choices that we need to make, and a country with a long history of prejudice I'm not surprised that the this question still comes up. The other day, I was reading a News Week article about the Democratic Primary Campaign for President. The article was give all different kinds of statistics from exit polls on how whites would vote and how blacks would vote in Pennsylvania. The out come of the poll is not important to this conversation. Never mind the candidates resume, will get to that in a second, but what I hear mostly is we have a black candidate and a woman candidate and which one will be able to win in November. Example from MSNBC Web Site: Polls: Obama falters with working-class whites Impression of presidential hopeful among important group is getting worse. Also from the same site: Obama seeks to settle racial doubts.

Shouldn't the media focus on the issues and what he stands for? This is straight from Barack Obama's Web Site. This is just his plan for civil rights, what was first link under issues:

Barack Obama's Plan
Strengthen Civil Rights Enforcement
Obama will reverse the politicization that has occurred in the Bush Administration's Department of Justice. He will put an end to the ideological litmus tests used to fill positions within the Civil Rights Division.
Combat Employment Discrimination
Obama will work to overturn the Supreme Court's recent ruling that curtails racial minorities' and women's ability to challenge pay discrimination. Obama will also pass the Fair Pay Act to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work.
Expand Hate Crimes Statutes
Obama will strengthen federal hate crimes legislation and reinvigorate enforcement at the Department of Justice's Criminal Section.
End Deceptive Voting Practices
Obama will sign into law his legislation that establishes harsh penalties for those who have engaged in voter fraud and provides voters who have been misinformed with accurate and full information so they can vote.
End Racial Profiling
Obama will ban racial profiling by federal law enforcement agencies and provide federal incentives to state and local police departments to prohibit the practice.
Reduce Crime Recidivism by Providing Ex-Offender Support
Obama will provide job training, substance abuse and mental health counseling to ex-offenders, so that they are successfully re-integrated into society. Obama will also create a prison-to-work incentive program to improve ex-offender employment and job retention rates.
Eliminate Sentencing Disparities
Obama believes the disparity between sentencing crack and powder-based cocaine is wrong and should be completely eliminated.
Expand Use of Drug Courts
Obama will give first-time, non-violent offenders a chance to serve their sentence, where appropriate, in the type of drug rehabilitation programs that have proven to work better than a prison term in changing bad behavior.

On the other side we side we have Hillary Clinton. Let's take a look at some headlines about Hillary's campaign.
Clinton Apologizes to Black Voters

Mar 12 11:16 PM US/EasternBy DEVLIN BARRETTAssociated Press Writer

Hillary Clinton risks rift in Democrats by ‘cheating’ black voters
By Hill Truth The Hillary Project

Then from Hillary's Web Site under issue we have Hillary's plan for the Middle Class.

As president, Hillary will:
Lower taxes for middle class families by: extending the middle class tax cuts including child tax credit and marriage penalty relief, offering new tax cuts for healthcare, college and retirement, and expanding the EITC and the child care tax credit.
Harness the power of innovation to create high wage jobs of the 21st Century. Investments in alternative energy can create new jobs for the 21st century; expanded access to broadband will bring opportunities to underserved and disadvantaged communities; the manufacturing base can be re-energized through creative partnerships; and increased government support for research will stimulate the development of new technologies and life-saving medicines. Hillary will restore integrity to science policy, reversing Bush administration policies that are holding our nation back.
Empower our workers and ensure that all Americans contribute their fair share. Hillary will ensure that unions, which have played an important role in forming and sustaining the middle class, are strong. She will also ensure that trade policies work for average Americans. Trade policy must raise our standard of living, and they must have strong protections for workers and the environment.
Restore the basic bargain. Hillary will restore the basic bargain that if Americans work hard and take responsibility, government will do its part to make sure they have the tools to get ahead.
Return to fiscal responsibility. After six and a half year of President Bush's fiscal irresponsibility, Hillary wants America to regain control of its destiny. She will move back toward a balanced budget and surpluses. Hillary believes that we should develop a set of budget rules similar to those we had in the 90s which required us to fund new expenditures with new revenues or cuts in other areas.

Let's face it, they are both well qualified to be the Democratic Nominee. If the words that come out of your mouth that Barack Obama is well spoken, but I don't think he would be a good president. You might want to do some soul searching. If you are saying that Hillary would be too emotional as President. Look yourself in the mirror and say that, it comes out pretty silly when you think about it.

That was kind of long winded about Politics and candidates. Lets get down to some real life examples. Some people are so prejudice and convinced they are right it amazes me at the things they will say in a open group. I was with this group of people and we were talking about the power ball and some workers at the Con Agra Foods Factory who won 365 million dollars. This one person started mouthing off about how they were probably illegals and they can't speak English. And how bad it was that "they" won. I had to speak up and say how great is was that the workers won, illegal or not. Hard working people doing a job that many people won't take, don't have to work another day of their life. How lucky, and it's something very American about that.

I think the one way you can really tell you are prejudice is when you tell a story and you make it a point to describe a person by their race when you didn't have to describe them at all. Growing in a racially mixed community, I would hear all the time I was talking to some black guy or some black chick. Chris had me read some one's blog about how he didn't know why people asked him why he joined a church that wouldn't let blacks obtain a higher level of priesthood. He made a valid point, his point was that there are lots of churches that denied African Americans equality in church. The real questions are why was the Church of Latter Day Saints different in so many ways from other churches, but very much the same in their treatment of people who were different. Second question, why did it take so long to change this policy? The most hideous form on prejudice is the prejudice within one's own family. As the dichotomy of America changes, views toward the children of generation X,Y and Z will need to know from their families that there is no room for prejudice of any kind.

One last thing about Barack Obama, his mother is white. So the last question is wouldn't that make him the first racially mixed President if he were to win? The answer to the question would be no.

This is my first post in a month, the next one will be light on topic.

Play Ball

Today was the first day of Tee Ball Season. It was the first time I got to meet my team of 15 five and six year old boys and girls. I'm not sure how I get roped into these things, I guess I just can't says no. Last year, I volunteered to coach a team because Phoenix was going to be on the team. Chris got her to choose soccer this year. Last season, I told the other parents I would coach again even if Phoenix decided she didn't want to play because I had so much fun coaching. Well, I forgot about it until last week when someone from the league called and asked me if I wanted to coach the same team, The 98.6ers. Of course without thinking I said yes.

Well you should have seen me out there today. The practice was at 3pm, and in true form I started getting ready at 2:30pm. I was about 3 minutes late, all the parents were standing around. I had plan a practice our in my head, but didn't write it down. When I got there I forgot pretty much what I was going to do. Going through my agenda in my head, I decided that we would first do Simon Says calisthenics. That went over very well. I couldn't get their names right. I know it was the first time I met them and their were 15 of them and their parents. That's a lot of names to remember, but when you call Alec, Alex and Alex, Alec 5 times in a row and they start correcting you it gets embarrassing. Speaking of embarrassing, I forgot to bring the Tee for batting practice, but more embarrassing then that when I was showing them how to stand in the batters box, I confused the right handed stand with the left handed stand until one of the parents pointed it out to me. How fun. Anyway after running around the field, and the bases, giving them high fives as they crossed home plate, and don't forget the snacks, and our 98.6ers cheer. When the practice was over, a lot of the little buggers came up to me and said they had a lot of fun, hopefully I'll be able to keep that up.

Don't forget to visit the site and vote: Who Cy looks most like.

Friends

I use to hate the TV show "Friends". The actors on that show annoyed me so much. Their crazy dumb situations really got on my nerves. It was so unbelieveable to see people who barely could keep jobs, live in New York City in big apartments, drinking coffe all day. Their stupid problems always got solved in 29 1/2 minutes. What makes a "Friend"?

I started this blog to stay in touch with my family. There has been any interesting and wonderful by product. I'm hearing from friends that I haven't seen for a long time. These are the kind of friends that are like family, brothers from another mother. You know the kind of people that will get you in trouble, but will always have you back when you need it.

I kind a grew apart from the guys I grew up with, but we shared school, played sports, car pooled, got arrested, went to concerts, the beach. Almost everything you can think of, we been through together.

Ron sent me an email the other day. It was interesting becuase it was a religous message. Ron and I used to philosophize for hours about the exist of God or not. Ron was on the side of the affirmative, I'm a former agnostic, was on the opposite side of the argument . I don't even think Ron knows that I joined a church. Craig also emailed me. I always think about Craig and how he invented the "Flounder". It's a crazy dance, you fall on the floor and shake like a fish. I'll never do that dance again. I don't I'll be able to get back up if I dropped on the floor and shook like a fish. I can't stop thinking about the time we when to some bar on someone's birthday and took over the dance floor with the Flounder. Jeff is someone I respect very much. He has a good head on his shoulders. Is very funny, and a great friend. I don't think I could have made it through college without Jeff. He drove me to Burlington County College when I lost my driver's licence and didn't have a car. What about Tom? That crazy kid. He's about 38 years old, but I still think of him as a kid. He has great determination in spite of the self destructive behavior. Tom has the biggest heart of anyone I know. I just wanted to give a special shot out to Bill. I've known him ever since the 6th grade. He was a great person. It took a lot of courage to sit down friends he knew for a long time a come out. People who made fun of gay people. Not that any of us were homophobic, but to hear us talk you would have thought we were. Bill put up with that for years, and then trusted us enough to share his secret. Bill died ten years ago in a drunk driving car crash.

That's why I hated the show "Friends", because the people on there we no were close to being real. They couldn't compare to the friends I had. None of the story lines could compare to what we had to go through growing up.

Why I Love My Wife

This year will be my tenth year of marriage. If I were to go back and think about what I wanted in a woman and a wife, it would have been totally different that what I got. The reason is because I didn't know what I wanted. I got lucky, and was blessed with a woman that is perfect for me. Over the years we both made lots of mistakes, and I think we both are more understanding of each other. If you asked me this a year ago, I probably would not know how to answer the question. It would be because I was taking things for granted. I asked myself, why I love my wife and this is what I came up with.

First, She loves me. Some people may take that as a given, but one should not think that's the way it is or the way it should be. I can tell she loves me because she calls me at work every day to see how I'm doing. When I get home she sits right next to me, just to be near me. These things could be seen as annoying or needy and sometimes I wonder, but these things are exactly what I need. Secondly, she takes care of me. Chris makes most of the meals in our home. My idea of making dinner is calling for pizza. She comforts me when I get too stressed out about the bills, work, the kids, etc, etc. Chris gives me a boost when I'm feeling lazy and I don't want to do anything. Thirdly, Chris is a great caregiver to our children. Chris lobbied to stay at home with the kids when I thought it would be better if we both continued to work. After being home for the first six months, and taking care of three small children I thought she would have opted to go back to work. Then something happened where Chris as been all over the duties of child rearing. There are doctor visits, parent conferences at school, there are church obligations, birthdays, soccer games, family reunions, of all that Chris takes care of the scheduling and taking the kids to most of the events. I get to meet her there after work. I could go on and on, but the reason I love Chris the most is that she puts up with me. I think I'm a pretty nice guy, but I'm HM (High Maintenance). I hate to admit it, but it's true. I'm opinionated, and stubborn. I can't be the easiest person to live with, Chris and I have different opinions on lots of things. The greatest thing about it is we can laugh and have a good time. She gets my jokes. She tell me when I went overboard on something. We have our good times and our bad times, but as long as we are together we can get through anything.

Daddy's Little Girl

If there was ever a daddy's girl, it would be Phoenix. She greets me at the door. When I take off my suit jacket, she puts it on. When I go to the store, Phoenix is the first one to say she wants to go with me. Is it hard having a shadow, sometimes, but it's fun having someone pay so much attention to you. When I hear "Daddy just to let you know", it's going to be one of two things. First, it could be that someone is about to get told on, brother or sister hitting, yelling or taking something from her. The other thing it could be is something I didn't know before or something I do know like what 10 x 10 is, 100. I pretend that I didn't know that and Phoenix gets so excited, to have something on her father.

This spring Phoenix as decided to play soccer and not t-ball like last year. Last year Phoenix played on a t-ball team I coached call the 98.6er. Sponsored by a local Pediatrics Office, get it 98.6. We had a great year and Phoenix was a big help. I think she was only excited about it because I was excited about it. By the end of the year, she was not interested in playing. Sometimes refusing to take the field, which I had to stop because she almost caused a mutiny on my team. One day she didn't want to play center field, she wanted to play catcher. So she refused to take the field, then 2 of my other players decided that they didn't want to take the field either. After I got the field positions filled the 3 players and I had a little sit down about not playing and team work. After that I didn't have any problems with players not wanting to play.

One of my favorite things is to visit Phoenix's Classroom. It seems like Phoenix knows everyone in the school. We walk down the hall and either phoenix is saying hi to someone by name or someone is saying hi to Phoenix. I'm happy to see that Phoenix can get along with the people in school. Her teachers tell me she is very helpful in class, which doesn't surprise me. Phoenix is the one who dresses herself and makes her bed, and will prepare her own food, Little Miss Independent.

Phoenix is great with her new baby brother and sister. Phoenix will hold them and play with them. She'll make them a bottle and feed them as well. I working on getting her to change dirty diapers. I can't wait until that happens.

One thing I can wait to happen, but I know it's going to be here sooner than I think. Phoenix has already told me she thinks she has a boyfriend. She said she's not sure, the boy said hi to her and she said hi back. We'll need to think about having the little talk sooner than later. The last boy conversation made me feel good. Phoenix told me a friend knew someone that wanted to be her boyfriend. Phoenix said she told the boy no and that he was yucky. I told Phoenix the next time a boy asked her to be his girlfriend tell them that her Dad said she can't have a boyfriend until she is 25 and they'll have to meet me first.

All put together Phoenix is kind, sweet, and a little sassy. She is my good friend. She is my little girl.

A is for AVERY

Avery is the sweetest girl I know. She always greets me when I get home with a big surprise! I act surprised like I'm supposed to, and then she jumps all over me. This is all good. When I was sick last week, who do you think was taking care of me, that's right Avery. She made sure I was resting and when I got up she told me to lay back down. Not only that, she laid down with me for most of the weekend. When I woke up she was there smiling at me. Since I have Avery on my mind, I made this little video for her. Hope you will enjoy it.

Mitch Fatel with the 2005 Eagles

Lenharr Beach Trip

It will soon be time for the Lenharr Beach Trip, see the count down in the right margin. In years past, it has been at Rehoboth Beach. This year, they will try something new for the first time in 50 years and grace the Outer Banks, NC. I don't know if NC will be ready for this. I'm sure I won't be. Chris and I pack on the night before we leave. That will be the least of our problems. A week of following the Lenharr family around, and we won't have Dollies to sit in front of and eat ice cream. What will we do? The good thing is I'll save $75 bucks in candy with Dolly's being 300 miles away. This will be a time to build on memories, like the time Chris and April got in to a sand fight on the beach. I'm sorry the video camera wasn't rolling for that one. Let's not forget the time we went crabbing and caught "a crab" with one claw.


Let the good times roll, as Kim would say. It should be lots of fun. All the cousins will be there and it's good that they get to know each other. With all the equipment Chris and I will have to bring with 5 kids. Can you say I can't get off from work. I don't think that's going to fly this year.

Black History Month

I wanted to write something about Black History Month, but dealing with work, kids, and a wife, I didn't have time to get to this and now Black History is over. I'm an armature historian (meaning I watch the History Channel a lot). We are seeing history in the making, look at the current political environment to see that in 2008 we may have the first African American Presidential Nominee for a major political party. If you take a look at some of the laws that were pasted in this country, it is almost amazing how any person of color could rise above the status quo. For example, lets take a look at the Mississippi Black Code of 1865, section 7:

Section 8. Upon affidavit made by the employer of any freedman, free negro or mulatto, or other credible person, before any justice of the peace or member of the board of police, that any freedman, free negro or mulatto legally employed by said employer has illegally deserted said employment, such justice of the peace or member of the board of police issue his warrant or warrants, returnable before himself or other such officer, to any sheriff, constable or special deputy, commanding him to arrest said deserter, and return him or her to said employer, and the like proceedings shall be had as provided in the preceding section; and it shall be lawful for any officer to whom such warrant shall be directed to execute said warrant in any county in this State; and that said warrant may be transmitted without endorsement to any like officer of another county, to be executed and returned as aforesaid; and the said employer shall pay the costs of said warrants and arrest and return, which shall be set off for so much against the wages of said deserter.* Could you image quiting you job and having an arrest warrant issued, then being returned back to your employer having to pay back the cost incurred by the state in your capture. If you take a look back even further and in another state, Ohio 1804 Black Code.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio , That from and after the first day of June next. no black or mulatto person shall be permitted to settle or reside in this state, unless he or she shall first produce a fair certificate from some court within the United States, of his or her actual freedom, which certificate shall be attested by the clerk of said court, and the seal thereof annexed thereto, by said clerk.* Not even being able to settle in a state unless you can produce papers and have that information backed up. If you're thinking in today's terms you would think we are speaking about Germany in the 1930's and 1940's. The reality is that we are talking about the United States, in a time that is less than 4 generations.

Not everyone in this country and the world agreed with general thought of blacks should be enslaved. The Quakers, Religious Society of Friends, were early members of abolitionist movements that would last for centuries. Over the course of history, many African Americans were able to live and advance in this country, not just exist. Let's take a look at a few or their stories.
The Greeks describe a hero as a demi-god, the offspring of a mortal and a deity. The practical definition would be a person displaying courage and will in the face of danger to extend the greater good. There are many name less heroes of slavery times but the three that I can refer to are Harriet Tubman, Nat Turner and Frederick Douglass. Harriet Tubman was one of the most effective leaders of the Underground Railroad. Born a slave and escaping to freedom, Harriet put her life and her freedom in jeopardy by returning again and again to help other slaves gain their freedom. Nat Turner was born a slave in 1800 in Virginia. Deeply religious from childhood Nat was a natural preacher and had influence among local slaves. Claiming to have visions, many people believe Nat to be a prophet with the task of leading an uprising against his oppressors. In 1831, Nat plotted a revolt with a band of 60 African Americans mostly slaves and some freed blacks. The revolt lasted for two days killing 55 white people. The military and volunteers put down the revolt, Nat was jailed and executed six weeks after the revolt ended. Nat is a very controversial person in American History. As to the question hero of Nat Turner, out of the 55 his group killed, many were women and children. In a place where his people were oppressed and subjected to all sorts of atrocities, Nat was able to rise a resists force to declare war on the oppressor. Also there is a bigger question because while in jail Nat gave his confession of sorts to Thomas R. Gray where Nat describe his motives where given to him by God. If you believe in revelations and God speaking to a mortal human, then it may not be too out of the ordinary to think that Nat was truly given by divine inspiration. One of the most well know African Americans, out of the 18th century, is Frederick Douglass. Born in Maryland on the Eastern Shore, Frederick was born into slavery. Born of a woman slave and a white man, Frederick would never know who his father was, and only saw his mother 4 or 5 times before her death. Frederick taught himself to read and write. In one of his books he describes a story of a slave the refused to be beat and slave Foreman that was know for is brutality. In this story the slave was supposed to be whipped. The slave not wanting to be beat ran into the river up to his neck. The Foreman order the slave out of the water, when the slave refused the first time the foreman took out his rifle and shot the slave in the head. It was stories like this coming from first hand knowledge to help the abolitionist movement. Frederick went on to publish his own newspaper. These people and many more help shape this country. If it wasn't for people of the civil rights movement these stories would be lost. History books when I was in high school mention very little about the accomplishments of African Americans in the building of this country. As you can see, Slavery as a institution didn't work for the people of both sides of the equation.

Black History Month always puts me in the mood to understand my genealogy. My next few blogs will focus on my African American Roots.

How Quickly They Grow Up

Stone is not feeling well today. He's caught that bug that seems to be going around. It got me to thinking about him and how much fun we had when he was a toddler. The boy was always laughing and getting into things. Well not much has really changed except the laughter is louder and the getting into things is bigger. When I look at this video it reminds me of the fun we had back then. Pheonix is also on this video, but it just goes to show that the oldest is going to have the most amount of documented memoirs.

My First Blog

For my first blog, I want to write about why I'm starting a blog, my inspirations for blogging, and what I would like to get out of this. My wife and I have five beautiful children. The oldest is Stone he is a wonderful son. He has a great personality and wit. He is the one that ask me the most questions. They are not why questions, but Dad how does this work questions. It could be from anything like how do ants carry things bigger than they are to how do the cloud formations form on Jupiter. I guess I should really stop watching the Discovery Channel with him. It's all good, I'm usually saying I'm not sure how that works and I get excited when I can answer one of his questions without making something up. It's ok; he knows when I make up answers. The next one in line is Phoenix. She is a wonderful person and she never ceases to amaze me. At her very young age she has proven to be an independent woman. She can make her bed better than I can; she cooks her own meals, and wakes up early in the morning and gets prepared for school. She organizes dance parties on the porch with her friends. Her motherly nstincts have already kicked in because she is fantastic with her younger sisters and brother. With all those things said she is always looking out for me. The next in line is Avery. She is an incredible spirit. She is so funny and will talk your ear off if you let her. She calls me her "Best Friend" when she likes me and I'm not her best friend when she's unhappy with me. That only last a few minutes because as soon as I hear that, she get whatever she wants. My youngest children are Zion and Cy; they are twins, a boy and girl. They were born last July and it was an awesome day for me and my wife Chris. The few months before were challenging with Chris being on bed rest and them arriving two months early. I love the way they smile at me when I'm in their sight. Along with my wife Chris these are my inspirations for blogging.


What I would like to get out of this is to share my family with my extended family and be able to stay in touch with them. My mom and my dad had big families and I feel very much that I lost touch with so many of them. It would be fun to learn more about what is going on with my relatives and to learn some family history.



I like to thank Chris, the love of my life for helping me in everything she helps me with and giving me the idea to start this blog.