Honestly, I have no real idea who is behind the latest. From what I can tell a good case can be made either way. I think where I see things from a slightly different perspective than some is that the situation over there has been very real to me for a couple years. It didn't just start with the most recent attack. Although, it has been real to me from a relational perspective. Finding actual news about it has been like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack. ;( Very frustrating. I appreciate this conversation very much as I want to make sure I do not become too myopic in my perspective.

Well I was waiting to see what are diochese was going to say on the issue. If anyone is interested this is what our Metroplitan has asked of us. http://www.antiochian.org/metropolitan-philip-urges-faithful-contact-congress-syria-vote There seems to be no easy answers. :(

Obvioulsy the dates are a bit switched around, but this brings up the fact that over here in the US we are not being given the facts that the rebels have previoiusly used chemical weapons. One line of reasoning I heard that it had to be Assad was because the rebels could not get there hands on chemical weapons. A mess! Ugh!

Bill, just needed to say thanks! That was some of the context I was needing on the Christian side. I have been listening to dear friends, (first generation immigrants from Sryia) and they are very "anti-rebel" I won't say pro-Assad, because that is not the feel I get from them. The Western media seems to have some glaring logical holes in its reasoning for why it HAS to be Assad (not saying it isn't, just that the resoning is not sound). The situation seems much more complex than I am hearing in the news and I am finding that to be a bit frustrating. For example, this morning I watch a supposed video of Rebels firing the chemical weapons. Quite a few resposnes said it was faked because the recent attacks happened at night. Well, a few other posters pointed out that it was at night in the US...not Syria. :P Whatever the case, the idea of a vacume over there is terriffying and not something I want the US to take the vanguard on. ;(

This news agent kinda states what I am concerned about. Not sure how reputable the site is. http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/gerard-oregan/christians-have-most-to-fear-if-us-helps-topple-assad-29541266.html

A year and a half ago my Priest and a delegation of priests were invited into Syria to give an first hand appraisal of what was happening to the general population. This was at a time where the countries leader had kicked out all media for a season. He met with Assad, the Muslim leader in the country (and other high ranking officials) as well as went into some of the villages that were reported as being the hardest hit. When he returned from Sryia we were breifed on much of what he saw (Antiochian Orthodox Church with many members having familiar members in Syria) and I learned a few things I did not know. I did not know that Assad's government was a secular governmemnt. It was presented to me that the government is in a very difficult position between Muslim and Christian people groups. Over the last year, I have watched what seems to be thousands of Christians killed (although very little media coverage). I am struggling to come to terms and fully understand what is going on over there and why on earth we would get involved now. Does anyone know how many Christians have been killed since the Arab Spring started? What could we hope to accomplish over there that would protect both Christians and Muslims? I just find that I am struggling to really ascertain what IS going on over there and yet I feel I have been very fortunate to have had some almost first hand experiences. (Note-I am not saying Assad is some sort of great person. Really I think there is a ton of horrific things happening on both the government and the rebel side. But, it iseems there are other victims (Christians) that are being overlooked by our nation.)

Perosnally, I was more disgusted with Robin Thicke. :(

I love Audrey! I had an entire Halloween party themed around Twin Peaks and went to sleep to the soundtrack every night as a teenager. I am so weird. :)

Traverse, Alden, Bellaire, Charlevoix, Petoskey. I can definetly recomend trail riding and Shorts ( the Brewery) in Bellaire. ;)

I just realized I used that one a couple years ago, but struggled with the calorie restriction thing. Have there been any changes to it recently?

(Weight Watchers. I am balking at the cost.) I am looking for some really good dieting tools. Food logs, exercise logs things like that any thoughts? Thanks!

I would soooooo pick the Transylvania!!!! But, I have a bit of a dark humor. ;)

(((((hugs)))) I am so sorry! I would be so frustrated as well.

Thanks guys. I am just feeling a bit bewildered. It is good to know that their can be very different reactions. It was definetly wasps, but twin A did get stung by a bee a couple days ago and did not react other than mild irratation.

I could really use some help understanding my twins and their recent allergic reactions. If you have experience with intense allergic reactions, please read further and see if you have any thoguhts. Last year, twin A was stung 5 times by a wasp. I quickly gave benadryl and claritin (as that was what I had on hand), but with seconds he was convered in hives, his face started to swell and he lost vision. I threw him in our car and quickly got to an emergency room (wasn't thinking that calling ambulance would have been better.) The ER took good care of him, we left and I promptly filled his epi-pen script. When we followed up with his ped, the Dr. mentioned that if he was stung again it was likely that he would have an ever stronger reaction, but he wanted me to watch him closley, give benadryl and make sure he needed the epi before adminstering it. It has been a year. Last week both twins were stung by a wasp. Twin A was stung twice. Twin B (who has never been stung before) was stung once. Here is where it gets weird. Twin A did not react at all! Didn't even need Benadryl. Twin B, had almost the same reaction as twin A the year before...extreme swelling and hives head to toe. Can anyone explain to me why they react so strongly the first time they are stung, but seem to not react (at least twin A) for future stings? Feeling a bit baffled.

Wondering if I will get one. Edited: Nope. Edited again. Never mind. got it on the edit. Ruh roh. :)

I am there right now with the dd's snide remarks. :( (((((hugs))))

(((((((hugs)))))) I have been mulling and trying to find some words of wisdom, since I have been in a very similar situation, but I am just not sure I have them. I know that I have spent a long time being angry and sometimes I just don't want to be mad anymore. Not sure if that makes sense. If you are already a bit distant with your mother, I would just let it go. She sounds very awkward with the whole situation. Do everything you can to continue your own healing. Enjoy your dh and children and the life you are building. Take pleasure in the now and try not to give this man any more of your "present." I know it is hard. Yesterday, dh and I were walking in our tiny town and a tourist drove by in the same car my former Sr. Pastor drove. I looked at dh and with a big grin said, "Holy Trigger Warning Approaching!" He saw the car and laughed with me saying, "Your not kidding." Again, I don't know when I began to be able to laugh at the painful consequences, but somewhere along the way it happened. I guess it was when I found a way to REALLY pity the man who did this. Yes, it angers me that he was and potentially is able to continue these types of behaviors, but even then he IS pitiful.

Congrats on your new addition! I am smiling to myself picturing my own mother 20+ years ago in your exact situation. EXACT! Down to the Grandmother who is a former horse owner. :) I will say that after a few months of doing the horse thing by myself, I saddled my horse (without a saddle pad, because I didn't know they needed one) road miles down the street wearing my bike helmet (not realizing bike helmets are unsuitable for horse accidents) and presented myself to the nearest stable I knew of. That was one very happy accident since I landed at the secluded barn of a former USET/Jr Olympian team rider and trainer. She took great pity on me and took me under her wings for many years. Your dd is going to need a support system in the equine world. I would start with your local 4-h horse program. Good luck! ......and the safety release (knot) is a must!

They are from my hometown. Still in a bit of shock here. Many young families are effected by this. Prescott is an amazing town. She rallied around my Mother when she was stabbed in her gallery. My sister and fiance when we had the rash of teen suicides last year (fiances sister) and now this. It just hurts. :(

I have been absent from the bards for quite awhile, but wanted to give a little insight into my own journey towards EO. After, leaving Evangelical ministry I started asking similar questions as you. There were two things that helped me along my path (and hurt me. Quite the double edged sword.) One was traveling to Rome and time spent in the catecombs and Paul's prison cell. The Icons, the incense burners, the altars. The other was reading the ECFs (Early Church Fathers). Reading the ECFss is like reading primary source documents on the Original church. I had to let it sink in that these were writers within a generation of the Apostles, and with the great oral traditions of the jewish faith (from whence many came), their attention to detail and truthful discription of events and practices...I could find as accurate as possible account of the Early Church. This was good and bad. It settled that the religous practices, the rituals were a more original aspect of the church, but I also found much that I did not admire in the ECFs personal pregudices and outlooks. Many of these I could graciously understand in light of the world they lived, but it has colored my faith with some somber tones. I then had to settle in myself if it had changed as little as was proported. Much of that was resolved for me in reading more on the history of the Orthodox Church. It is not a bad idea to read the ECF's for yourself, just be prepared for more questions. Becoming Orthodox has not been a cake walk for me. I wish you the best on your and your dd's journey. I also realize that I did not answer your OP. I think I would muddy the waters even more with my answer, but with my understanding of Heaven and Hell I do not believe that ANYONE who truly loves God and wants to experience His love will be cast away from the very presence and embodiment of LOVE.

Thanks all! He is the first pitcher of my little brood, combined with it being the first time I have had a coach only bring up 1 pitcher. Dh is more aware of these things, but he has been at the twin's games while I go to our youngest's. Thankfully, dh will be able to attend youngster's game tomorrow. Scratch that....dh just walked in as I was typing and said, "There is no way I will let Coach play him as pitcher or catcher tomorrow." So, I guess that settles that. :D

Figured I would give a little bit of an update. The twins are doing great being coached by their father on the side. The last three games have been interesting to say the least. The first after dh spoke with the coach, the coach played the twins the entire game. Interestingly enough, the twins played amazingly well and both hit well and got in about 3-5 runs each. Another parent complained that the twins got to play the whole game and his son had to sit out 1 inning as a result. So the next game, he only played them a half game again. One twin went up to bat with bases loaded and got everyone home and himself to third. The other got in 1 runner. That was just with being up to bat one time each. Tonights game, twin A hit a home run as a last batter and recieved the game ball. He was also played the whole game. Twin B, had a rough time up to bat and was only played half the game. Tomorrow we have another game and after that only 4 more. I will be so glad when this season is over!!!!!! I am impressed with how well the boys are adapting to only being coached on the side. I can see the coaching gleam sparking in dh's eye again, so I know he is excited to jump in next season. We are running into the opposite problem with my youngest son. His coach was able to see from the begininng that he had skill. The first few games he rotated all the youngsters through the field positions, but starting a couple games ago he has placed my youngest as the pitcher. He has pitched every inning of every game since and asked me tonight if I could talk to his coach about allowing him to play another position. Tonight he came home and just crashed on the couch totally exhausted and he has another game tomorrow night. I am hoping his coach will honor the "only pitching 6 innings a week" rule, but something tells me it might not happen. Thanks for all your wonderful advice and letting me figure out how to salvage the season for the boys!

Under normal circs I would totally agree about the leaving the dugout thing. When they played Select we would have never considered it. But, it is the confusion and long bouts of being alone in the dugout that are causing us to question this. Until this point, I have kept sending them back to the dugout, but after dh spoke with the coach we are no longer convinced that is the best approach for "our" kids right now. There are other things I have not gone in to. The coach encouraging the boys to do some very petty chanting against the opposing teams pitcher and such. Part of me doubts dh will let them come out to him, but he will probably stand at the dugout and talk with them. Things are pretty lax and chaotic here. :( My boys actually do like playing in the outfield. It was ever used a punishment in Select, here it is a shame thing. But again this is just different, When they were on Select they were coached how to throw the ball in such way as to get enough momentum to get it from the boundary of the outfield to the opposite bases infield. It involved some sort of crow hop (something they cannot do in pitching, but is great for small kids in the outfield). This coach has FREAKED and berated them for doing this...even when they get the ball where it needs to go. There have been a few other things that he has freaked over as well, that they were taught...while at the same time allowing his infield kids to throw from the ear and just have horrible technique in general. At this point we are trying to salvage and recoup the good coaching they have had. Seriously, they look like the Bad News Bears out there, but I have the impression that my twins have taken on the scape goat role. Again, this is way outside the norm for us. Dh has coached at the Select and Competitive level for both Baseball and Soccer.

Alright, here is the plan. The only reason dh didn't volunteer to coach in the first place was because he was working a project down state at the time. He offered to help with any weekend practices, but that never developed. So, we are now going to approach this season as extended practice with Dad. We will in essence be using what play time they get as a chance to utilize the field. Dh will go to all of their games (we have another younger child playing, but if the games overlap I will go to his) so that if the coach continues to yell at them for doing something wrong, when they aren't, he will be right there to reassure his kids. When they have to sit out for half the game, they will go sit with dh so he can coach them on game theory and strategy. During the week they will continue to work with their dad at home. The boys understand that things won't change with their coach. They also know that they will have their Dad and he will sign up to coach them next year as well. Sound alright? :)