And the Winner is......(drum roll please)..JULIANNA BOZONE!!!

I am one proud mama-Julianna just placed 1st in the Regional Spelling Bee at West Palm. Doyle and I were a little dramatic when they announced her name. Let me explain. Our school participates in 2 different Spelling Bees. The first one of the year is organized by FACCS (Florida Association Christian College and Schools). We had a spell-off in each classroom from grades 1-8 to choose the top 3 spellers to go to Regional Competition in West Palm where they compete with about 5 other schools. The top 4 winners go to State Competition in Orlando.

We did not push her to do this since she has so many other things she is involved in: homework, projects, practicing 2 instruments daily, sewing, and band. We told her that if she wanted to go over the lists, bring them to us and we would give her the words. By the way, each grade has 600 words on the list plus they could be given a word up to 2 grades above them, meaning there are 1,800 words to study.

When they get to 6th grade level, the words are pretty hard. We went through some of them, but did not spell each word. She looked over them and we went with that.
On the way to the bee, we were trying to calm her down. We told her that if she got out on the first word, it still had been a learning process and we were proud of her. We stressed that a proper attitude, winning or losing, was extremely important.

Before the bee began, Julianna and Doyle were walking past the table on which the ribbons lay. Doyle jokingly said to Julianna while pointing to a blue ribbon, "Look, this ribbon has your name on it!"

When they had eliminated all but 4 people, I saw that look come into her eyes. At this point, I am glad that my blood pressure was not being monitored. Anyway, she came in first place and there couldn't have been 2 prouder parents. Julianna went around for the rest of the day on a cloud. Hobe Sound Christian Academy was well represented. There were some other winners from our school and I know some of you will hear about that through their blogs. It is off to Orlando in 2 weeks--so here we go!!

Abortion . . . the Real Issue

I decided to share from my heart about the upcoming election. I have been waiting for the real issue to be addressed. I want to go on record that I care very much about the current problems; the economy, energy efficiency, education, health care, foreign policies, and other things that we as a nation simply cannot ignore. There is one issue that I believe decides who I will vote for next week--abortion. I know that in some people's eyes, this issue holds little significance to the failing economy. I will vote for McCain simply on this issue. I agree with him on a host of other issues and disagree with him on some.

Even if I were guaranteed wealth, health, and happiness by voting for Obama, I wouldn't because this world is not just about me. There are multitudes of babies being murdered at the hands of selfish people. The unborn children do not get to vote because they do not have a voice. It is up to me as a citizen of this great country to give them a voice. This is not the first time our country has been at the crossroads concerning the value of human life. If you read the history books, you will find other instances when someone had to speak for someone else. We do not have to look very far back to see an example. Let's look at slavery and the Civil War. I am sure that it was not popular among the slave owners to think about giving freedom to a black person. Why should he/she have a voice? Well, there happen to be some people that thought that all men were created equal. President Lincoln "went to bat" for these precious people and fought for their freedom. I hope Obama thinks about this when he is out campaining. He wouldn't even have the right to run for President of the United States if someone had not fought for his freedom. I hope he realizes that his life is no more valuable that that of an unborn child. There are several of us who were greatly offended by his statement that referred to children as a punishment. Let me clarify. When he was talking about abortion and said that, "I've got two daughters. If they make a mistake, I don't want them to be punished with a baby."


Does it scare you to think that we could stoop so low to elect a president that viewed children as a punishment? I have been thinking about that and would love to ask him a question about his statement. What was the mistake? I find it very amusing that we are surprised when pregnancy takes place. Some of us know how it happens-it is called sex. I believe that abstinence still works 100% of the time. You want to avoid pregnancy, don't have sex. It sounds simple, but people still want to make choices without consequences. That is not the real world!! I will go so far as to say that I don't believe children are accidents. God may send surprises, but not accidents. There is a solution to these problems. Choose to not have sex before marriage. If you choose to marry, enjoy all of the benefits that come with this union, including children. Your body does not know if you are married or not, so when a pregnancy takes place, a human life comes into existence. Why should you punish an innocent life because you made the decison to engage in an activity that we all still knows brings about pregnancy. Don't be surprised--we are all a result of sex. It is God's plan that sex only happens in a marriage, but some time people make desicions that are against God's design. When this happens, the next step is not to make another bad decision and murder your flesh and blood. Ask God to forgive your activity and welcome this little one into your life as a gift from God.


If you looked out your window one day and saw your neighbor with a dead toddler slung over her shoulder, and a shovel in hand, you would call the authorities. Can you imagine when the police came to your home to get more details on what you just witnessed, you began to explain to them that they really should not view this as murder because this lttle kid was a real inconvenience in your neighbor's life. The neighbor had just lost her job and her boyfriend had moved out. It was not a good time for her to have a toddler in her life. I am sure the police would look at you in a peculiar way and probably send you for a psychiatric evaluation. The only difference between abortion and toddler killing is that one form of murder is legal and the other is not.


I know this view sounds "far out" to most people, but let's just face the facts. Our present day philosophy of selfishness is not taking our country in the right direction. I know abortions are given to all ages of women, but I think it all starts with the views we are teaching our children. With that in mind, I am discussing young unmarrried girls. It really bothers me when I hear people say that young people are going to engage in pre-marital sexual activity anyway, so let's just make sure they are protected. Protected from what? Pregnancy is not a disease-and wearing a condom doesn't keep a person from sexual transmitted diseases, let alone the the heartache of giving your moral purity to someone who was unwilling to wait until marriage. I believe that kids are smart and can rise to the challenge if we as adults would set the example. If I tell my kids that I know they are probably not going to make good grades, but try anyway, they probably won't bring home staight A's. On the other hand, if I tell them I believe they can do well, work with them, study, and help them in every area I can, I will get a better result. Why not carry this philosophy into other areas of their lives. When I go into the public library, there are books telling my child that they can do anything and be anything they want to be. Please tell me why that same child can not live a pure life.


First of all, we have allowed our culture to dictate to us what is right and wrong. I live here in south Florida where it is common to see sea turtle nests protected by posts and ropes. Someone is protecting something that cannot protect itself. I think it is pretty obvious that things are a little lopsided when a person is fined for bothering a turle egg and yet it is legal to kill children before birth. We can not depend on society to set our code of ethics. There is a better way to have absolute truth-the Bible.

So, how can we live a life that is pure. Well, I believe that we need help from another Source. I believe that source is God. When we accept him into our lives, he equips us to do the right thing. With His help, we can live a life that is fulfilled and rewarding. I am not living a life just for myself, I am living it to bring glory to God.

I can not imagine any thinking person voting for a man who promises that if he should get into office, he will take away the current restrictions on abortion. This action will guarantee the murder of more little Americans before they get a chance to experience life outside of the womb. Wake up America!!

Something To Think About

--- On Wed, 10/8/08, Pw823@aol.com wrote:

From: Pw823@aol.com
Subject: Fw: Change anyone?
To:
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 12:41 PM

Subject: :-) Change anyone?

I wish I could claim the writing you're about to read. I can't.. This piece was written by a Cuban refuge named Manuel Alvarez, Jr. who escaped from communist Cuba on June 30, 1968. You will find his observations very prophetic... and very chilling. Make sure you get this into the hands of every person you know. Make sure you get this into the hands of every State GOP official you can you reach by email. These remarks could change the election.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Monday, July 7, 2008
Excerpt from 'Letters to the Editor'

Beware Charismatic Men Who Preach 'Change'

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice. On June 30 I celebrate my independence day. On July 4 I celebrate America's. This year is special, because it marks the 40th anniversary of my independence.

On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist Cuba and a few months later I was in the United States to stay. That I happened to arrive in Richmond on Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress.

I've thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The election-year rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there. In the late 1950's, most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, and they were right. So when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at least receptive.

When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with him. They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed in. When he said he would help the farmers and the poor, and br ing free medical care and education to all, everyone followed. When he said he would bring justice and equality to all, everyone said 'Praise the Lord.' And when the young leader said,'I will be for change and I'll bring you change,' everyone yelled, 'Viva Fidel!'

But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner's guns went silent, the people's guns had been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time everyone received their free education it was worth nothing. By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for him. By the time the change was finally implemented Cuba had been knocked down a couple of notches to Third-World status. By the time the change was over more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts, and inner tubes. You can call those who made it ashore anywhere else in the world the most fortunate Cubans. And now I'm back to the beginning of my story.

Luckily, we would never fall --in America --for a young leader who promised change without asking, what change? How will you carry it out? What will it cost America?

Would we?

Manuel Alvarez Jr.
Sandy Hook.

Let me pose a question: By the time Sen. Obama's much-promised, soon-coming (but never discussed) change takes place, and the American people are forced to take to their boats, rafts and inner tubes ...where do we go? Cuba? Haiti? Think about that when you go out to vote on November 4 because this is the most critical election of your life. And, by the way, remember this too, Not one single person has thought to ask Sen. Obama to be very specific in telling us precisely what changes he plans to make in our United States of America.

—Jon Christian Ryter

Family Fun Fan

I always look forward to the next edition of "Family Fun." There is a nice assortment of recipes, crafts, and games to do as a family. We decided to try a few recipes celebrating fall.

The truckload of pumpkins is made from circus peanuts cut in half. Glue the bottoms together with a gummy piece--this also serves as a stem. Squish them together into a ball and make lines with a knife.

Here are some leaves that people don't mind raking into their mouths. Take a piecrust and use a cookie cutter to cut out leaf shapes. Make a glaze of 1 egg and 1t. water to brush on the leaves. Put chocolate chips between layers and add another leaf. Pinch down the sides to hold together. Glaze and add sugar. Bake at 375 until golden brown. I did not fill all of them, I baked some of them with just the glaze and sugar on them. Both kinds were very good.

Abortion-The Real Issue

I decided to share from my heart about the upcoming election. I have been waiting for the real issue to be addressed. I want to go on record that I care very much about the current problems; the economy, energy efficiency, education, health care, foreign policies, and other things that we as a nation simply cannot ignore. There is one issue that I believe decides who I will vote for next week--abortion. I know that in some people's eyes, this issue holds little significance to the failing economy. I will vote for McCain simply on this issue. I agree with him on a host of other issues and disagree with him on some.

Even if I were guaranteed wealth, health, and happiness by voting for Obama, I wouldn't because this world is not just about me. There are multitudes of babies being murdered at the hands of selfish people. The unborn children do not get to vote because they do not have a voice. It is up to me as a citizen of this great country to give them a voice. This is not the first time our country has been at the crossroads concerning the value of human life. If you read the history books, you will find other instances when someone had to speak for someone else. We do not have to look very far back to see an example. Let's look at slavery and the Civil War. I am sure that it was not popular among the slave owners to think about giving freedom to a black person. Why should he/she have a voice? Well, there happen to be some people that thought that all men were created equal. President Lincoln "went to bat" for these precious people and fought for their freedom. I hope Obama thinks about this when he is out campaining. He wouldn't even have the right to run for President of the United States if someone had not fought for his freedom. I hope he realizes that his life is no more valuable that that of an unborn child. There are several of us who were greatly offended by his statement that referred to children as a punishment. Let me clarify. When he was talking about abortion and said that, "I've got two daughters. If they make a mistake, I don't want them to be punished with a baby."

Does it scare you to think that we could stoop so low to elect a president that viewed children as a punishment? I have been thinking about that and would love to ask him a question about his statement. What was the mistake? I find it very amusing that we are surprised when pregnancy takes place. Some of us know how it happens-it is called sex. I believe that abstinence still works 100% of the time. You want to avoid pregnancy, don't have sex. It sounds simple, but people still want to make choices without consequences. That is not the real world!! I will go so far as to say that I don't believe children are accidents. God may send surprises, but not accidents. There is a solution to these problems. Choose to not have sex before marriage. If you choose to marry, enjoy all of the benefits that come with this union, including children. Your body does not know if you are married or not, so when a pregnancy takes place, a human life comes into existence. Why should you punish an innocent life because you made the decison to engage in an activity that we all still knows brings about pregnancy. Don't be surprised--we are all a result of sex. It is God's plan that sex only happens in a marriage, but some time people make desicions that are against God's design. When this happens, the next step is not to make another bad decision and murder your flesh and blood. Ask God to forgive your activity and welcome this little one into your life as a gift from God.
If you looked out your window one day and saw your neighbor with a dead toddler slung over her shoulder, and a shovel in hand, you would call the authorities. Can you imagine when the police came to your home to get more details on what you just witnessed, you began to explain to them that they really should not view this as murder because this lttle kid was a real inconvenience in your neighbor's life. The neighbor had just lost her job and her boyfriend had moved out. It was not a good time for her to have a toddler in her life. I am sure the police would look at you in a peculiar way and probably send you for a psychiatric evaluation. The only difference between abortion and toddler killing is that one form of murder is legal and the other is not.
I know this view sounds "far out" to most people, but let's just face the facts. Our present day philosophy of selfishness is not taking our country in the right direction. I know abortions are given to all ages of women, but I think it all starts with the views we are teaching our children. With that in mind, I am discussing young unmarrried girls. It really bothers me when I hear people say that young people are going to engage in pre-marital sexual activity anyway, so let's just make sure they are protected. Protected from what? Pregnancy is not a disease-and wearing a condom doesn't keep a person from sexual transmitted diseases, let alone the the heartache of giving your moral purity to someone who was unwilling to wait until marriage. I believe that kids are smart and can rise to the challenge if we as adults would set the example. If I tell my kids that I know they are probably not going to make good grades, but try anyway, they probably won't bring home staight A's. On the other hand, if I tell them I believe they can do well, work with them, study, and help them in every area I can, I will get a better result. Why not carry this philosophy into other areas of their lives. When I go into the public library, there are books telling my child that they can do anything and be anything they want to be. Please tell me why that same child can not live a pure life.

First of all, we have allowed our culture to dictate to us what is right and wrong. I live here in south Florida where it is common to see sea turtle nests protected by posts and ropes. Someone is protecting something that cannot protect itself. I think it is pretty obvious that things are a little lopsided when a person is fined for bothering a turle egg and yet it is legal to kill children before birth. We can not depend on society to set our code of ethics. There is a better way to have absolute truth-the Bible.

So, how can we live a life that is pure. Well, I believe that we need help from another Source. I believe that source is God. When we accept him into our lives, he equips us to do the right thing. With His help, we can live a life that is fulfilled and rewarding. I am not living a life just for myself, I am living it to bring glory to God.

I can not imagine any thinking person voting for a man who promises that if he should get into office, he will take away the current restrictions on abortion. This action will guarantee the murder of more little Americans before they get a chance to experience life outside of the womb. Wake up America!!

MANY HANDS MAKE . . . . A MESS!!!!

A few weeks ago our family was pulled into a project for Julianna. The sixth graders had to make a valcano and demonstrate how an eruption takes place.

I don't think the rest of our kids minded getting their hands in the clay. I learned that it is a little tricky to get clay off the floor and table if it is given time to dry.

Julianna shaping the clay over a bottle.

Samuel peeking over her shoulder while she shows us how to mix the baking soda and vinegar.

The end result--Shazzzzaaaaamm!!

That project is done and my freezer is getting full of bugs for Samuel's insect collection due next week. The fun never ends.

A Day at the Ranch

Since the kids were off school Friday, we decided to take them to a local ranch. It really was a neat experience for all of us. Julianna has a great fascination with horses and dreams of riding. The owner showed us all of her animals and the kids got to feed some of them. She also gave each of them their first horse riding lesson.

Julianna meets the horse that they will ride.

I think she was on cloud nine as she learned to start and stop, give commands, and turn the horse.

Samuel and Lydia hold the ferrets.

Two eager sheep wait for food.

Lydia tries to feed two goats and a sheep at the same time.

Samuel makes a friend.

Joseph gets in on the fun.

We got to see some rabbits that were 2 days old.

The cutest rabbits were the ones that were about 2 weeks old.

Joseph gets some assistance from Julianna.

We also got to visit the chickens and take 2 eggs home.

The kids learned how to put on the saddle and groom the horse before their riding lesson.

I love the look on Joseph's face when he got up on the horse.

I couldn't resist taking a picture of the double pony-tail.

Joseph takes his turn. I think he felt pretty important giving commands to a horse.

Samuel thoroughly enjoying himself.

Lydia taking her turn at riding a horse.

Lydia's ice pop looks inviting to this pot-bellied pig.

We left the ranch and went to the mall for awhile. We really enjoyed being together and having a more relaxed schedule for a change. We ended our day by getting Taco Bell and taking our supper to a park by the water. The sunset was beautiful!

We took a walk on the boardwalk and declared it a good day.