Juliana and friends dancing Sugarplum fairies

Singing…Juliana, Emma and Natalia are all there, but the only one visible is Emma just below the Snow Maiden

At the Yolka, Church Christmas party 2009

We got our Christmas tree at Potato Hill Farm in Augusta, KY!

Decorating gingerbread boys and girls!

John and Isaac in matching sweaters.

Opening presents Christmas eve.

Natalia got a baby, one of her favorite things!

Christmas day!  We made a felt board for Natalia, to the left of the tree.

Emma and her lions, well two of them…she got another one later that day!

Juliana her her new dress!

Emma got another lion, and this one roars!

A cow for Natalia.

Grammie found a Dorthy doll!

Natalia fell asleep on Grandpa.

]]> http://soakley.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/christmas-tree-2/feed/ 1 susanna456 DSCF9145 DSCF9210 DSCF9211 DSCF9235 DSCF9238 DSCF9267 DSCF9268 DSCF9280 DSCF9286 DSCF9289 DSCF9291 DSCF9294 http://soakley.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/so-disappointed/ http://soakley.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/so-disappointed/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:33:33 +0000 susanna456 http://soakley.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/so-disappointed/ ]]> So disappointed that Hemain Cain is out of the Republican race.  I hope they primary Obama, because a democrat may be better than our republican choices.  While Michelle Bachman is awesome and Ron Paul is OK, their ratings are too low and they won’t win.  So Gingrich and Romney seem to be our only choices?!  What on earth is wrong with Republicans?  They stink!  Democrats stink even more.

I love voting. It is the one time that my voice is heard among a huge group of people. I love teaching my kids about politicians, issues, levies and voting with them.  Sometimes they say pretty bold political statements in front of other people, and it embarrasses me at first, but I’m proud that they are not afraid to speak up.

Our 2 mil school levy failed!  HOORAY!!!!!!  So grateful!  That would have meant an extra $400 in property tax for us and every single person on our street. They claim they’d bring back bus service with that. Are you kidding?! I could run a shuttle service for that price. I’d like to see the superintendent take a salary cut, something slightly lower that the $300,000 he currently receives would be nice.  I’d like to see curriculum writing duties given back to the teachers, unnecessary administration removed, and teachers paid based on individual work performance.  Even with that, I’m not sure I would consider using a government run institution for my children.  Public schools aren’t what they used to be and I don’t see them returning to what they were ever.  I’m happy homeschooling, but would really like to see the schools improve for the benefit of those around me.

Lastly, I am furious about Issue Two, Senate Bill 5!  Unions are a bunch of lying controlling thieves.  I am so angry that I had to walk through their barricade at the polls yesterday.  I will not cry like a sore loser, but I won’t stop fighting for this one.  Never.