MinuteMom Magazine - June 2012

MinuteMom June 2012• Volume 1 Issue 10

Rites vs. Rights Patience

Fathers

war on what?

From the High School

YYPresident’s Letter Welcome Dear Moms and Moms-at-Heart, June is not only a time of blooming flowers, growing gardens, picnics and children running amuck, it is a time to reflect on the Fathers This month on June 17th we will be celebrating Father’s Day. Fathers come in many different forms. Who will come to mind as you reflect on the father or fathers in your life? Will it be the father whom you called Dad, your husband, grown sons or maybe another who was actively involved and a strong influence in your life?

What about the Fathers of our Constitution? Have they ever crossed your mind on Father’s Day? Their inspired work and dedication, released us from the stifling rule of England. What an incredible work to be respected and honored. Each of us have been enriched and blessed by fathers. Whether it is in the traditional role of a father or the men who laid the path to freedom, I invite you to join AAM in honoring the many fathers in our lives and also recognizing and reflecting on the Founder’s important role in the fight and foundation of this free nation.

Withing the pages of this month’s edition of Minute Mom, there are a wonderful variety of topics you will find. The continuation of our Constitution Series part 2, the journey of a new homeschooling family, and detailed Prepping articles that will give you hands-on information to use. Our new “Teen-Talk,” section, as well as an informative section for children about Betsy Ross and her role in history, will be sure to please every member of the family. Don’t forget that we want to hear from you, submissions are requested in both the teen and children’s section, as well as a few others. We hope you enjoy this month’s edition, there is something here for everyone.

If you think our youth have all gone to the left... We have a special treat for you not one, but two of our articles are from the class of 2012. Not only are they graduating high school but they took the time to share with us. Thank you!

We know that you will find great information and resources in this month’s edition of Minute Mom Magazine!

Amber

Photo Provided

Amber Toone National Vice - President As a Mom… A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots® Inc.

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MinuteMom Magazine June 2012• Volume 1 Issue 10

6 Features 6 A Rite is Not a Right

the rite of marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

By Lori Parker, President As a Mom...

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8 The Father Factor: Passé or Priority?

The impact of growing up without a father is seen in practically every aspect of a child’s life.

By Traci Osuna

12 THE REAL WAR: Our Principles and Values 18

Go down each of the 9-12 principles and values and find a war raging against each of them.

By Lori Parker, President As a Mom...

18 KEEPING IT COOL

Food can be saved during power outages with some preplanning.

By Auntie Anne

22 Putting Homeschooling to the Test To homeschool or not to homeschool; answering the question.

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By Carrie Christiansen

28 The U.S. Constitution

Here is one high school senior’s perspective on, “Why the U.S. Constitution is unique.”

By Zachary Beyer

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June 2012

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30 The US Constitution: A Primer- Part Two

We are also a Constitutional Republic – this is greatly different than a Democracy.

By Catherine G. White

36 SOS LIBERTY: HOPE FOR A NEW GENERATION These high school students may surprise you .

By Charlie Kirk

Departments President’s Letter

2

Welcome

16 Values Patience

26

Preppers Ask the Grainlady

34 Restoring Humor 38 In Your State State News from AAM Groups Betsy Ross: A Patient Heart

44 As a Family Patience: The India Rubber Man

45 Country Our American Flag… Symbol of Freedom

Publisher: As a Mom...

A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots.® Inc. www.AsAMom.org Editor Diana Learn Coordinator Kami Watkins Contributing Writers: Auntie Anne Zachary Beyer Carrie Christiansen Charlie Kirk Lori Parker Traci Osuna Marlene Peterson Kami Watkins Catherine G. White MinuteMom Magazine is published 12 times a year

by As a Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots, Inc. MinuteMom Magazine is available free, on-line.

Copyright © 2012 by As a Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots, Inc. All rights reserved. MinuteMom Magazine is not responsible for errors, omissions or contest fulfillment from third parties.

The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising or editorial material. Advertisers, and/or their agents, assume the responsibility for any claims against the publisher based on the advertisement. Editorial contributors assume responsibility for any claims against the publisher based on published work. Signed articles do not necessarily reflect the official organization policy.

As a Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots® is a registered trademark.

Cover detail from Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull in the US Capitol rotunda.

Please send all article submissions to: editor@minutemom.org

MinuteMom Magazine is looking for people to share their talents by producing articles, essays, opinion pieces and original poetry. Artists share your original artwork. Send us photos showing your adventures As a Mom...

Advertising inquiries contact: sponsor@asamom.org Note that submissions are welcome but are not guaranteed inclusion in the magazine.

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A

Rite Is Not a Right

By Lori PARKER As a Mom... pRESIDENT & cO-fOUNDER

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www.AsAMom.org

Stock Free Images- old photo wikimedia

Note: several groups including the NAACP have come out proclaiming that gay marriage is a “right.” This spelling challenged Mom believes they are challenged by a simple homophone.

As American citizens we are guaranteed a broad array of rights, from the right to vote, to the right to have a speedy trial. From freedom of the press, to the right to own and bear arms. But no one has ever been guaranteed the right to marry. Why? Because marriage is a rite, not a right.

When we look at the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, all of these are individual rights. We each have the right to vote-whether or not we choose to exercise it- independent of any other individual. The only restriction being one of age. It doesn’t matter if our father, sister, best friend votes or is eligible to vote, this right is not contingent on any other human being in order for it to be granted. As we continue reading through the Constitution we find that the other rights granted are also not collective freedoms.

Each of these freedoms is given without bias and to everyone equally. Some rights may be removed from an individual due to personal exercise of poor judgment, a felon for example. However at the moment each person becomes a citizen each of them has an equal opportunity to exercise their individual rights.

Marriage cannot be granted to one person independent of all others and therefore cannot be a “right.” The act of getting married is dependent on another being willing not only to be married, but married to the person in question. Cinderella’s two stepsisters did not have the right to marry Prince Charming because of being cursed with their mother’s enormous feet, but simply because he did not wish to marry them. If marriage was a right then when I turned 27 and desperate, surely I could have sued someone. (Somewhere in the US at least three men must be sighing with relief.) Instead I waited two more years before finding my Prince Charming.

If marriage was a right we wouldn’t be entertained by shows like “The Bachelor.” There would be steeple chasing lawyers and divorce would be completely redefined. The marriage ceremony As a Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots®

would be rewritten “We are gathered here today to force this man to join this woman…”

The romance novel and chick flick movie industries would be completely turned upside down because even they recognize the truth that marriage is a privilege not a right.

The wedding industry thrives on the fact that marriage is a rite complete with many traditions and rituals that feeds photographers, bakers and dressmakers across the country. Bridesmaids, diamond rings and bouquets of flowers, each as unique as the bride and groom, are sought after.

Then on the given day, the marriage rite is performed, often by an ecclesiastical leader. The bridesmaid who catches the bouquet, again, is not guaranteed anything other than an awkward dance with the man who caught the garter.

Marriage is a privilege! No one is guaranteed that they ever can or will get married much less live happily ever after. Those who demand that marriage is right have not thought through the repercussions of turning a rite into a right.

As a Mom… A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots believes that the rite of marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

Share your thoughts on this article at AsaMom.org

www.asamom.org/forum/topics/when-a-rite-is-not-a-right

June 2012

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The Father Factor: PassĂŠ or Priority?

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by Traci Osuna

www.AsAMom.org

As I work on this article, my husband has just returned home from an outing with our two young sons. The older one had a soccer game (not his favorite sport…), the younger tagged along.

After the game, my husband took them both to the batting cages and then to the arcade. While he said he’d get them out of the house so I could work, I know they would rather be with Dad, even if it was just to go to the hardware store.

Dad is always their first choice; Dad is fun, Mom is bossy. Dad is strong, Mom is bossy. Dad is good at sports…Mom is…well, you know.

Looking back on when I was a kid, I remember the distinct roles and effects that both my parents had on our family and how they related to us. Even today, now that we are all grown and have families of our own, my siblings and I still respect and value both our parents and the vital roles they have in our lives. I still call my Dad when I have car questions or a computer problem.

And Mom is always there to help organize my home or advise me on my finances. Neither one is more important than the other and I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I did not have both of them raise and influence me throughout my life.

I realize that growing up today is far different than growing up in the 70’s and 80’s. The word “family” doesn’t mean the same thing as it used to. We cannot take for granted that a family will include two parents of the opposite sex; or that it will include a parent at all. Grandparents are raising grandchildren. Domestic partners are coparenting and single mothers are becoming more and more common, often by choice and not necessarily unforeseen circumstances.

According to the 2009 Census Bureau, 24 million children or 33% of the all children in the United States live in homes without a biological father present. More specifically, one in four white children, two in three African American children and one in three Hispanic children grow up without the regular influence of their biological father; a dramatic increase from the 11% of children living in fatherless homes in 1960.

The impact of growing up without a father is seen in practically every aspect of a child’s life.

From his or her socio-economic status to their mental well being to their likelihood to drop out of school, the lack of a strong male figure can be very detrimental to a child even well into their adult life.

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Children raised in a home without a father were five times more likely to be poor. According to the 2002 U.S. Census Bureau, “7.8 percent of children in married-couple families were living in poverty, compared to 38.4 percent of children in female-householder families.”

In the Study, The Fragile Families and Child Well-being Study: Baseline National Report.

Princeton, NJ: Center for Research on Child Well-being, 2003, by Sara McLanahan, the author states that prior to giving birth, 43% of unmarried mothers relied on welfare or food stamps to help support her and her unborn child; over 20% depended on a housing subsidy.

While relying on government assistance may be necessary for some families, including those with both parents living in the home, it is far more likely to occur when the mother is raising children by herself. And while many still may use the government’s help as a short-term fix while they get on their feet, it is becoming more and more acceptable and the norm to depend on those funds and not to be in a hurry to find a way out of the situation. In fact, today’s government is making it easier and easier for people to get the assistance and harder and harder for them to leave it behind.

Today’s mentality of “I can have what I want, when I want” has lead to a whole new generation of unwed mothers as well as those who turn to the government for support of their decisions.

Our God-given freedoms used to be “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Today, however, many in the misguided generation believe they have the liberty to do whatever they wish: be free from a spouse, be free from traditional, old fashioned responsibilities and free from dealing with consequences of decisions they have made.

June 2012

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Single celebrities focused on their careers, as well as their ticking biological clock, turn to any means necessary to bring home a baby. Artificial insemination, children outside of marriage and even adoption are all easy ways for celebrities to create a family on the fly. Single moms, and same sex couples living in the limelight all seem to be able to have any number of options available to 10 MinuteMom Magazine

them. But traditional families struggling to adopt a baby run into roadblock after roadblock…thus putting the alternative lifestyles into the forefront and into the acceptable and even preferred status.

Once again, tradition is lost in the shuffle.

With these influences, it’s almost easy to see why so many of today’s young people may view a happily married couple and an intact family as rarity, something attainable, but not really probable.

Even if the family cannot remain intact, the presence of a strong, positive father figure is still vital to a child’s development. According to a study mentioned in Science Daily, children with a positively involved father figure were less likely to smoke and less likely to get into trouble with the police. They also tended to achieve higher levels of education, as well as develop and maintain good solid friendships among children of both sexes.

The magazine went on to say that more research needed to be done to determine whether the results would differ depending on whether the male figure was a biological father or simply a positive male role model. But the main conclusion, that a positive male figure active in a child’s life is a truly beneficial, was confirmed.

The same article said that while children who lived with both parents had fewer behavioral problems than those being raised by a single mother, it was not clear whether it was because the “father figure was more involved, or whether the mother is able to be a better parent if she has more support at home.”

Of course, there are times when it is not possible for both parents to be actively involved in raising the children, such as instances of death or illness; Or perhaps fathers who are active military or travel for work. In such cases, when it is www.AsAMom.org

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Over the past few decades, with the loosening of morals and standards, the increased access to contraception and the lapse in religious practices, previously black and white issues have gradually blurred to gray. The traditional family roles of mother and father have been deemed by much of society to be out dated and obsolete. And with these “evolutions” of thought and attitude have come a slow and uncomfortable devolution of the United States and the American dream.

Our country was built on strong faith-based families: hard work was its own reward and success was icing on the cake. Families gathered around the dinner table, thankful for what they had. Parents set the rules and children obeyed them…or paid the consequences.

Gradually, single motherhood has become less of a hardship and more of a badge of honor.

Today’s youth is constantly bombarded by images of sexually active teens, and young men and women alike on reality television living the fast life and constantly partying. Even teenage moms have their own reality show, glorifying the life of a young lady juggling the responsibilities of caring for a baby while trying to “win” the love of the elusive “baby-daddy”.

Host your own: beyond the control of either the mother or the father, hopefully there is a strong support system and positive male role models for the children to look up to. Fathers who are deployed or travel, though not always physically present, are setting the examples that all fathers should be setting: to work hard, strive for honesty, honor, and responsibility. They are present when they can be and are setting a good example even when they cannot.

There are also times when, though it may be possible for both parents to be present for the children, it may not the best situation, such as in instances of physical or mental abuse. Again, hopefully there are friends and family members that can act as positive male role models: Grandfathers, uncles, big brothers can all impact the life of a child and show them how to be strong, respectful, and responsible.

We cannot always control our circumstances, but we are in control of the decisions we make. And that is one thing that more and more people are forgetting. By making good decisions, we can help ourselves out of a negative situation. By making poor decisions, people end up feeling helpless and falling deeper and deeper into a hole that they cannot get out of.

American writer Clarence B. Kelland is quoted as saying, “My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” Fortunately, I can identify with this statement, through my memories of my own father and what I witness from my husband on a daily basis. Both men are devoted husbands and fathers, both have worked hard all their lives and earned the respect of family and friends. Both men are positive examples to my sons. And I pray that my children will follow the path that these two fine gentlemen have laid for them.

Today’s youth are told a lot of things by their peers, by society, by the educational system, by the government. But when we can actually show the next generation how to be responsible and honorable by our actions; that hard work is its own reward and that a man’s word is his bond, then we can all get back to the basics this country was built on by our forefathers; what made this country great and will be again.

Traci Osuna is a happily married mother of two boys, as well as a substitute teacher and teaches Religious Education to 5th graders.

She been freelance writing for about 12 years and write for several local publications, as well as ZENIT, a Catholic on-line newsservice.

She wants to do what she can to preserve the greatness of our country.

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THE REAL WAR: Our Principles and Values

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Over the last few months we have heard much about wars on women, classes and so forth.

According to the media I identify with the conservative group that is supposedly behind some of these wars…So why do I feel so beat up?

Because the real war is on all of the principles and values that we hold dear. It didn’t take long to realize that I could go down each of the 9-12 principles and values and find a war raging against each of them.

American people are good. By and large the people in the United States are good and decent however the media chooses to focus on the negative showing the vile and degrading to be the norm. This of course leads us to believe that we are standing alone when we are not. Just look at what happens when there is a natural disaster; we help each other, usually before the government gets involved. The American people are good. America is good.

1. America Is Good.

America the way the founders envisioned and the way most of us have lived all of our lives is good. We do not need to go apologize to other nations for what we believe, or how we live. Do we have problems? Yes, Americans have made mistakes, American presidents have made mistakes, but that is no reason to lay down in submission to other countries, and apologize for our very existence.

2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.

Somehow over the years the First Amendment has been turned upside down by a phrase taken completely out of context and found nowhere in the Constitution. The founders never intended to remove God from our country. According to John Addams they intended us to be a Godfearing people. “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly www.AsAMom.org

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By Lori PARKER As a Mom... pRESIDENT & cO-fOUNDER

inadequate to the government of any other.” The amendment assured that no particular denomination would become the religion of the state thereby allowing religious leaders to control the government or in reverse for the government to control religious leaders that they were to be independent of each other.

Recent events including an atheist rally in Washington DC, law suits seeking to remove the 10 Commandments from public buildings, and outcries against Christmas nativity scenes have all been waged in the name of the First Amendment. Those who reject new social norms on the basis of religion or morality are labeled and scoffed at.

There are those who would have us believe that the only way to follow the First Amendment is to remove God from our country. Unfortunately these people apparently have missed the reading entire Declaration of Independence which makes it clear that our country was founded on God’s laws and the inalienable rights that our Creator gave us.

3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.

Do we even expect honesty anymore? Honest Politician is the ultimate oxymoron. Men and women of the integrity are belittled for being old-fashioned, out of touch, or religious zealots.

Sadly, news of extramarital affairs, bribery and corruption have become the expected norm in the daily media. Movies, television, and music have plot lines and lyrics that not only celebrate but reward dishonesty. Gossip magazines survive on dishonesty.

Dishonesty has come to be expected. At a school near me a girl was regularly put in the corner when she took a test because cheating was so rampant that the teacher did not want other students to be able to see her paper. This child was essentially punished for being honest as the teacher’s actions made her the victim of a junior high style of social justice. Many of us have been greeted by shock when we have tried to correct financial errors at stores that would have been in our favor. We have come to look at some public As a Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots®

figures though the glasses of who is lying least.

Yet each of us mingle daily with many honest people. It is a standard we can and should expect and be rewarded for keeping, not looked upon as something old fashioned.

4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.

The very existence of parental rights organizations shows just how much the government thinks they can run our families better than we can. Thanks to addendum to the stimulus bill, public education institutions are gathering more information on our children and us than ever.

These educational institutions are often unwilling to recognize the parent as the ultimate authority on their children touting their own degrees in education as giving them higher authority to know what to do with our youth.

The very institution that creates families, namely marriage, has been attacked and changed in many states, enabling those who by the laws of nature could not have families, to be called one.

A recent article in Huffington Post pointed out that one thing that couples needed to do to have at least a 15 year marriage was to stop thinking of it as “temporary” in our society. Many in America do not think the marriage contract is permanent or binding. Last time I checked “til death do you part” seemed rather permanent. The thought that if things get too tough you just walk away from your family is prevalent in all forms of the media—as entertainment. There are legitimate reasons for divorce, however viewing marriage as temporary situation no doubt increases divorce rates.

Families are under attack everywhere, mothers who choose to stay at home are told that they either “do not work’ or are not contributing positively to society. How is raising tomorrow’s Americans not contributing to society? Statistically children from a traditional two parent home are much more likely to receive a higher education, be gainfully employed, and stay out of trouble with the law than their counterparts. Many of us yearn for these types of families even if our current circumstances do not make it possible.(A 2007 Pew Research poll showed that only 21% of mothers of children under 18 felt that working full time outside the home was the “ideal” situation) Yet those who would seek to protect the traditional family are labeled as unsympathetic, or bigots.

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5. If you break the law you pay the penalty.

Justice is blind and no one is above it.

Tryvon Martin. That this case was clearly tried in the media before charges were even brought is just one example of what has been happening to American justice. The very fact that this case has so much media exposure as compared to other similar cases is a form of injustice. Many spend time justifying their acts of by shifting blame to others. Some seek to be forgiven in the public eye for their crimes and circumvent justice by justifying themselves on talk shows.

Judges in many areas, either out of their own corruptness, or simply out of a misguided sense of mercy, to ease overcrowding of jails, allow justice to be blinded as criminals run away. Helicopter parents seek to protect and remove penalties and natural consequences from their own children’s actions. Inmates jam the system with frivolous lawsuits seeking to be released from the sentence they have been given. Money, power and media access often rob Justice of her scales.

6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.

While the Occupy Wall Street protesters sit in their tents and yell obscenities at the passersby many others of us recognize the truth that we are responsible for our own lives and the direction it takes. We do not begrudge those who have gained fortunes legally what they have earned. In our schools the participation ribbon has become the norm. My kids were quite disappointed to learn after a few months in a news school that everyone eventually got the “terrific kid” award.

Some districts have adopted grading standards that are intended to ensure that children not feel inferior. The result is something so odd that it leaves both parents and children wondering how they are doing in school.

The term “all men are created equal” was simply never meant to mean that all men should have everything equally. How boring would a snowfall be to a child if every snowflake looked the same?

7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with whoever I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable Charity, often translated as a love for fellow man, cannot be forced. Government programs that 14 MinuteMom Magazine

may have started out with the honorable intent to help often become a handout and not a hand up as recipients are neither required nor encouraged to find their own way out of the dilemma. Many feel they are entitled to help without doing anything to help themselves, and become enslaved to the government in order to keep receiving their handout. Laziness is rewarded, those with no desire to work cry out at the discrepancies they see in the world, and those who work hard to attain what they have are ridiculed.

Many private charities work as a hand up giving what is needed when needed and helping by “teaching men to fish” rather than encouraging dependency on the system. These same charities find themselves in battles with local, and federal governments as they are regulated out of existence.

8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.

This is truly what was meant by the First Amendment. Not a justification for pornography, or filthy lyrics in a song or saying anything you wish, but the right to stand up and tell your government when you feel it is wrong. However the media would portray those who stand up on the conservative side as complete idiots. Even our president has made fun of us. We are told and pressured from all sides to keep silent.

9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.

Somehow we have been fooled into believing that the government is bigger and better than us. I recently saw a high school student defend a position that the only reason we had safe food in this country was because of the FDA. His father, who works in the food industry, pointed out to no avail that the standards his company keeps are for customer satisfaction and market share and have little to do with the FDA. They will meet the FDA’s standards but often surpass them in areas where they feel it is better for not only for customer safety but also their satisfaction.

Instead of working for us, the government often hampers our ability to move forward and to move on. The government seems to think that we have a complete lack of common sense that such things as buying food for families, wisely using our own money, and even choosing our own www.AsAMom.org

doctors is beyond our intelligence. Regulations and red tape have in many areas destroyed tradition and tie up the intelligence our Creator gave us.

Children are a gift from God and a sacred responsibility.

This bonus Asamom.org principle was added to the 9-12 on our creation and has been under increasing fire for more than 40 years. It has become a matter of political and religious contention. Those who would thwart the biological laws guarantee future generations of humans, look upon pregnancy as a disease rather than a natural outcome of a union between a man and a woman. They demand government provide birth control, and abortions in order to circumvent this natural law. Those of us who rejoice in children, and find every life is precious are told that we hate women.

A new ad by Planned Parenthood tries to label those who oppose government funding of their institution as those who hate women and don’t want to help women get basic health services. Yet as one who has read Margaret Sanger’s views I cannot abide my tax dollars going to an organization that is so clearly fluffing her mission.

Ironically by the laws of our country, a yet unknown species of fruit fly is offered more protection and right to live, than our own species.

As millions of dollars will be spent to protect wetlands and stop construction in order that this fruit fly habitat is preserved, giving it a higher status than the child yet to be born that has tax dollars available to kill it.

Honesty, Reverence, Hope, Thrift, Humility, Charity, Sincerity, Moderation, Hard Work, Courage, Personal Responsibility, and Gratitude. These simple one or two word values are also being hammered and are under contestant fire.

YY Honesty ~ discussed in principle number three YY Reverence ~ is lost not only on our generation but generations after. Reverence for the flag, our elders and God. Watch most comedians utilize this complete lack of reverence for a laugh at any turn.

YY Hope ~ now used as a political buzzword.

To truly find hope is because of heart felt conformance to the other principles and values which we hold.

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YY Thrift ~ save money not spent to keep up with the Joneses rule only is this something our government takes completely for granted but it is something much of America has forgotten is necessary.

YY Humility ~ among other things humility requires us to acknowledge the help of others in all that we accomplish. Such acknowledgment is a rarity for many of our leaders.

YY Charity ~ discussed in principle seven YY Sincerity ~ with many ties to honesty and it is the quality that is missing from so many political and public figures as they attempt to attract citizens to following them.

YY Moderation ~ home loan best moderation is often ridiculed. Part of having freedom and is understanding the freedom to choose simply not to do something even though it may feel good.

YY Hard Work ~ more than any other principle this one leads to the validation of self worth as we recognize we have tried hard to accomplish what we have done. Yet those who work hard on a ridiculed from the treatments they make.

YY Courage ~ how many courageous people can you name who have been called names for standing up?

YY Personal Responsibility ~ acknowledging your mistakes, accepting your weaknesses and your circumstances is not something we see touted often.

YY Gratitude ~ the thank you card has all but disappeared from our culture. Giving thanks to God, to others and our founding fathers is something that never will make the headlines.

We are at war for our values and principles.

Moms have long been the teachers and moral background of this and every country. As moms must stand up for these values and principles and for what we believe in, women continue to live them regardless of ridicule and name-calling that we are subjected to.

Lori Parker is the President and Co-founder of As a Mon... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots. A mother of four, she has a passion for saving this country for her children. She firmly believes that every one can make something happen for the better if they just begin.

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YYValues

The George Washington Challenge

You can tell the measure of a person, not be their successes, but by what it takes to discourage them.

I will preface this article by sharing a recent event in my life. After spending numerous hours of working on my latest value article, I went to retrieve it, and it was gone. I saved it, or so I thought, and it has been completely eliminated from my files, my Word program and my computer, as if it never happened. Needless to say, this was a turning point for me. Now, I did not mention that this particular article was on the blessed value of… patience! You can stop laughing now.

And, after the week I had, I thought I had learned my lesson, however, our Creator likes to put a little icing on the proverbial cake, just to spice things up a bit, just for me.

I thought last week tested and tried my patience enough. I usually have no problem waiting for anything, really.

Although, last week it seemed every part of my life was being put on hold for some reason or another. What was to be a regular trip to my doctor’s appointment, turned out to be the hurry-upand-wait-game. Everywhere I drove, it seemed I was waiting for a red light, driving behind a pokey driver, running into detours of detours and even my usual shortcuts didn’t seem to work in my favor. This pattern seemed to continue for the rest of the week. And I noticed that I was sabotaging my efforts by being in a hurry and making hasty mistakes. I was reminded that in all of my waiting and hurriedness, 16 MinuteMom Magazine

I needed to exercise patience. Then this thing with my article happened and it seemed as if my Divine Creator, not only had a sense of humor, he had decided that I have not learned the all important lesson of patience just yet.

I’ve been around long enough to know that one does not pray for this value unless you want the unthinkable unleashed… the very same trials that teach you by experience. I know that instead, one prays for tolerance just to cope! Anyone who has spent time devoted to any one thing resulting in the loss of your efforts can understand my overwhelming frustration at this point. After all, this was not one isolated incident, it was an accumulation of many things ‘testing my patience,’ and this just happened to put me over the top. One could over analyze the circumstances, one could even dwell on the loss, for goodness sake, one could even try and figure out the lesson to be learned from such an experience, but as with all things that require a patient heart, that would take time.

And, while I wanted to scream out in frustration, because I thought that I actually did save my last article (after hours of painstaking work), I had a few choices.

I could get up from my seat, walk in the other room and cry, shout expletives, curse the world or anyone who had recently walked within five feet of my computer. But, while these are all choices, they didn’t really help the situation. I could of thrown in the towel altogether. I could also have

just given up or passed the responsibility to someone else. Regardless of all of these choices, and no matter how stressed and upset I was about the whole, ‘losing my article,’ and my mind thing, I really had only one option. If I wanted to achieve my goal with the best possible results…I had to press forward! I knew what my goal was, and that’s all I really needed to know.

The obstacles were just static, trying to deter me from my objective. But, even then we have to be sensitive to the fact that in between our efforts and our goal, time is of the essence, which is why patience is so imperative. I’m reminded of the phrase, “Good things come to those who wait,” and might I add, “and wait, and wait cheerfully with a patient heart.”

Now, in thinking upon the value of, Patience, and I use that word very conservatively and somewhat detached. I understand that I was undergoing something similar to that of the creation of a diamond. Under extreme pressure and heat, what is once a rough material with jagged edges, is compressed into the most amazing, crystal clear, exquisite piece of stone ever seen. It is pure, because it has survived under extreme pressure. It is clear, because all of the impurities have been removed through heat. It is revealed only when friction and movement push it to the surface.

It is beautiful, because it has been given the ‘time’ to become so. It still amazes me that such natural circumstances can create something of such beauty and value. Yet, I know that as www.AsAMom.org

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Title

Patience

Over 700 children were recipients of Blankets, Books and Buddies program thanks to generous donations of As a Mom... members. A tapestry is being made for the wall of the school from some of the smaller blankets.

Thank you for turning this disaster into a memory.

for myself, I have a long way to go.

The diamond has been tested. And, like most tests, time and pressure are two undeniable attributes necessary to create greatness. Although, you can’t tell me that if a diamond could speak, it wouldn’t say, get this darn mountain off my back.

Each of us is under pressure. We are being tested as citizens, as parents, and as a Judeo-Christian society. Yet, we must persevere! Nothing great was ever achieved easily. Great achievements require opposition, otherwise there would be no ‘side’ to take, and nothing to work toward. We would not achieve growth or progress. It requires a constant, steady effort. And, while we may often see patience as a waiting game, patience involves more than just waiting. It involves having faith in God and in others, trusting in ourselves and enduring to the end. It involves doing the right thing, at the right times, and pressing forward (and the save key) when the unpredictable happens.

Some things are out of our control and there are some other things that As a Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots®

are in our control. Our human nature is one that most of us do not like waiting…for anything. We may be praying for answers for something in particular, we may be waiting on the actions of others for a certain outcome, we may even be waiting for one result or another, hoping that something wonderful will come to fruition very soon. Sometimes we become impatient, anxious and nervous and we end up pressing for answers, now! We may even be pressing the Lord for immediate answers- and because we are not willing to wait on His time, His terms- we end up settling for something much less. Nothing ever done in haste will help us achieve the greatest possible outcome. If you want mediocre and just good things to happen, by all means accept a premature outcome.

But, we must be patient if we want to see great things happen.

Because it often seems like patience and ‘waiting’ are synonymous, we would be wise to remember that during those periods of ‘waiting,’ God works through other people, makes miracles happen and uses those moments to

work things in our favor, but that takes time even for Him. And sometimes, He just wants us to work through things once more for a better resolution. This is why we must trust in ourselves and have faith in His works.

But, even if what we’re expecting does not come to fruition in the time we are hoping for, it does not mean our labors were for nothing. It means we’ve just gained greater insight, experience and the wisdom to hone our skills even more precisely for the next time.

While many of our efforts may be lost for some reason or another, we must not throw in the towel. We must not hand our responsibilities to any other person. We must not cave under the pressure, or we will not realize our worth as citizens, as parents or as the God-fearing people that we are.

And, like the diamond in the rough; the pressure, the heat, the friction and even time itself will help us to achieve those things that are above all, worth the wait.

—Kami Watkins * -George Washington Challenge http://www.beinggeorgewashington.com © 2012, Mercury Inc

June 2012 17

KEEPING IT COOL One very hot summer afternoon my electricity went off as a result of a particularly bad wind storm. Trees were down all over the neighborhood and had dragged both electrical and telephone lines down with them. The weather folks had actually predicted high winds the night before, so I had quickly tucked three 2-litre pop bottles filled with water into my freezer. When the power went out, I removed two of those bottles from the freezer and put them into the refrigerator. Even though my kitchen got pretty hot, the food in my refrigerator and freezer remained viable for more than 3 days.

Depending on your refrigerator and/or freezer and the ambient temperature of your kitchen, food should be kept safe a minimum of 4 to 24 hours as long as you do not open the door. The fuller your fridge and freezer, the longer the food will stay safe. Even the ambient temperature of your house can even make a difference. Use your common sense! If you have an old refrigerator that barely keeps food cold enough to begin with, you don’t have a lot of food in it and the temperature in your kitchen is pushing 95° F….. your 18 MinuteMom Magazine

milk and meat aren’t going to be good very long without electricity. Your best bet is to eat and/or cook what you can – share it with the neighbors even – before you have to throw it away. On the other hand, if your unit has a good seal, is full of food and your kitchen is warm but not dreadfully hot, your food could be good for at least 24 hours or even longer. You can extend that by adding bags of ice to your freezer and refrigerator – dry ice would be even better if you can get it. I bought an inexpensive refrigerator thermometer and hung it inside my fridge so I could keep track of the temperature. If your refrigerated, perishable food remains even slightly above 40° F. for more than two hours, it should be tossed out.

When I opened my refrigerator after three days, the thermometer inside still read under 40° F. Another time my electricity was off over a week due to a huge snow and ice storm, I was able to put some food in a couple picnic coolers and set them out on my back porch; but, if you do this, you need to keep them out of the sun and be acutely aware of how cold it is outside. Under the right circumstances, the winter sun can actually www.AsAMom.org

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By Auntie Anne

defrost frozen food, even if it is laid directly on top of the snow and ice covering the frozen ground during sub-zero air temperatures.

What if you had to live without electricity for an extended period of time? Try using your Internet search engine and see how many alternative refrigeration methods are discussed!

If you live where there is a definite winter and summer, you could build an ice house and fill it full of ice blocks that you cut from the frozen river waters during winter. (Actually, you can line wooden frames with plastic tarps – adding water and freezing a layer at a time – until you’ve filled up your ice house. By the way, you’ll need sawdust and/or straw for insulation. Check the Internet for detailed instructions.) Then you would have ice even in the warmest of summer months.

And, you could build an old fashioned icebox for your kitchen to keep food cool. An ice box has hollow, metal walls that are packed with insulating materials (cork, sawdust, straw). There is a space at the top into which you place a large block of ice. Since cold air is heavier than warm air, it circulates down toward the bottom of the icebox where you put the food to keep it cold.

The old rendering shown here is from Wikipedia – note how it indicates fruits and vegetables were kept at the top, while uncooked meats and dairy were kept at the bottom. As the ice melted it would be caught in a drip pan that had to be emptied at least once per day. When the ice was melted, it had to be replaced with another block of ice – usually from the village’s iceman As a Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots®

who would circle the town with his horse-drawn wagon delivering blocks of ice to his regular customer – but if you have your own icehouse, you’d have your own supply of ice. At least, until your neighbors found out.

A ‘Zeer’ has been used by people in warm climates for thousands of years to help preserve food. You can build one by taking two clay pots (no lead, not ceramic, not painted – plain earthenware), one slightly smaller in diameter than the other. If there are holes in the bottom of the pots, stop them up permanently so that there are no leaks – use plaster of paris, for example. Set the smaller pot inside the larger one and fill the space between the pots with plain, clean sand.

Pour water on the sand so that it its very damp.

Put the food to be cooled inside the small pot and cover the top of the whole thing with a damp cloth. You might want to place a thermometer in the bottom of the inside pot to monitor the temperature. As the moisture evaporates, the inner pot is cooled. You’ll need to keep that sand and covering cloth wet in order for the ‘Zeer’ to work properly though. While it won’t keep your meat or milk from spoiling, it will extend the life of your fruits and vegetables by several days. It works best when the humidity is low and there is air movement around it.

I read about one guy – living totally off the grid – who has a root cellar under his house and has plumbed it with running water from an underground spring that runs through his property.

The root cellar stays pretty cool to begin with, but by running the cold spring water through the June 2012 19

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A Zeer cellar in copper pipes, and then through zigzagging copper tubes inside an insulated metal box – he’s built himself something similar to a sustainable icebox! He claims the box stays cold enough to keep milk and meat from spoiling, even in the middle of the summer heat. The spring has enough pressure to keep the water moving without additional assistance; but he’s added a pump upstairs so that he can get a cold drink of water any time he wants one. He says he also sleeps in the root cellar if the heat gets too bad in his house, but he hates to do that because he needs a sleeping bag to keep warm! What a setup!

Need some ice for that lemonade? (Do an Internet search on making ice with fertilizer for further details.) Just fill a small bucket three quarters full with equal parts ammonium nitrate (fertilizer) and water. Place a small, metal bowl half full of water into the bucket and just wait.

Although it takes several hours, the water in the bowl will freeze and you can break it up for your lemonade. Of course, I’m not sure what you’d do once you run out of ammonium nitrate……..

Electric freezers are great things to have – until you no longer have electricity. If you have a freezer full of food, you might want to invest in a generator and a way to store enough fuel to run that generator – at least until you can eat or can or otherwise safely dispose of all that food.

It would be a shame for it to go to waste, especially if it’s part of your food storage plan. If your electricicy does go out temporarily and your food starts to defrost, keep in mind that as long as the food has ice crystals in it, it is safe to re-freeze;

but, if there are no longer ice crystals in the food, it must be cooked thoroughly and cooled before it can be frozen again – else disposed of.

There are solar and gas refrigerators available, although they are expensive. The last alternative is to simply do without. If you find yourself without any way to keep foods cool, make sure you only prepare the amount of food that can be immediately consumed. Leftovers could turn bad fairly quickly and you don’t want to risk food poisoning!

How about keeping yourself cool? I have two battery-operated fans along with two dozen “D” cell batteries and some rechargeable “D” cells and solar battery charger as well. Those two little fans have already paid for themselves as far as I’m concerned. We had a storm last summer that left us with sweltering days and muggy nights – and with no electricity for almost four days! Thanks to my special fans, I actually managed to get a little sleep at night and could stay cool enough to get dressed so I could at least go outside and sit in the shade for awhile.

When I was a kid, I had an aunt who worked at a local greenhouse. She told me about several methods for staying cool: YY First, try to stay out of the severe heat of the day – do your work in the early morning and late evening hours when possible.

YY Wear a big floppy hat to keep the sun off your head and shoulders – wear loose fitting clothing made of a lightweight dark fabric and keep most of your body covered. While it may seem counterintuitive, Bedouins have been dressing this way for centuries.

They use lightweight, loosely woven, dark fabrics to make their clothing. Ever notice how hot you feel when you have a sunburn?

Keeping your skin covered protects it from the heat of the sun. Lightweight, loosely woven fabrics allow air to get in and perspiration to get out. Very loose clothing helps any existing breeze – even if it’s just what you make by walking – assist in the evaporation of perspiration. The dark color allows perspiration to evaporate slowly, cooling the body. Natural fibers like cotton or linen will help in evaporation of perspiration.

YY Run cold water over both wrists for several minutes – it cools the blood circulating in your body and will bring down your temperature.

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YY If you have any hot water, try taking a tepid shower – your body will stay cooler longer after you are done.

YY Wet a bandana and tie it around your neck – the moisture acts as an evaporator and cools the blood circulating through your body.

YY Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water!

Avoid caffeine and alcohol as they help dehydrate you.

YY Instead of big, heavy and hot meals, try eating lighter – salad and fruit, for example.

YY Use an outside grill, solar cooker or other method of cooking – keep the heat out of your house.

YY Fill a spray bottle with water and spritz your face and wrists, while you sit outside – somewhere in the shade where you will catch any existing breeze.

YY Fill a dish basin or small washtub with a couple inches of cool water and soak your feet while you read a book.

YY Spritz your bed sheets lightly with lavender-scented water and point one of those battery-operated fans onto your bed – jump into bed and enjoy!

YY To keep your house as cool as possible, install thermo shades and/or drapes to reflect heat As a Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots®

back out and away from the house.

YY Basements are usually at least 10 degrees cooler than the first floor of your house.

Second floor bedrooms are going to be hotter than sleeping on the first floor too.

YY Stay off of concrete or asphalt areas – opt for the shady grass under a tree.

YY Keep in mind that it takes about three weeks for people to get used to a change in temperature. People all over the world live without air conditioning and easy access to ice.

A few of you out there may already be using solar, wind and/or waterpower – and are totally off the grid. Good for you! Most of us are not so lucky. I looked into solar power and found it to be cost prohibitive for me – even a system just large enough to run a small fridge and the toaster was expensive and impractical for me to purchase! I’m not savvy enough to build my own system or even read a schematic of someone else’s plans. The same thing applies to wind power I’m afraid. Plus, I live in a residential section of a small town, so my options are pretty limited to begin with. But – as you can see – I have a few tricks up my flowing, long sleeves!

June 2012 21

Putting Homeschooling to the Test To homeschool or not to homeschool; for roughly three years that has been the prominent question on the minds of my husband and me. When our kids were about two and a half years and eight months old we moved from the Pacific Northwest to northern Colorado for a less expensive, more family friendly environment, and ironically, better schools. My husband and I have flip-flopped on homeschooling a couple times in these 3 years. And after two years being a part of a school, we are more sure than ever that homeschooling seems to be the best choice for us.

Despite being concerned about the generally poor cultural climate in America’s schools, I had never given homeschooling much consideration until one conversation with a friend about her wish to start a charter school and a resulting conversation with my dad, who simply said, “Starting a charter school is a lot of work. Why not consider homeschooling?” I looked online for 22 MinuteMom Magazine

information, education philosophies, curriculum types, blogs, and local organizations to contact.

I attended “Intro to Homeschooling” seminars and curriculum fairs. I talked with my friends and family, some of whom are former teachers.

With a few exceptions, the general consensus has been one of (mostly) polite skepticism expressed with forced smiles and raised eyebrows and built of the most common concerns about homeschooling: what about socialization? How will you teach them if you’re not a trained teacher?

How will you get any time to yourself?

For us, “socialization” is one of the biggest reasons to keep our kids out of public school.

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “socialize” as “to make social; especially to fit or train for a social environment.” A school setting is only one very specific kind of environment.

In a traditional school, kids are segregated into groups of kids all the same age. Unless parents www.AsAMom.org

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By Carrie Christiansen

make a serious effort to get their students to spend what little non-school time is available in activities that involve people of other ages and abilities, a public school student’s main example and influence will be his classroom peers. By joining a homeschool support group or co-op or even frequent dates with family friends, my children will benefit from regularly interacting with people of all ages. The opportunity to learn from older kids, teach younger kids and hopefully develop patience and compassion for kids at different levels and abilities will better prepare them for interactions in real life. And as parents, we will expect so much more from our childrens’ behavior and put so much more effort and love into training them up. Teachers just don’t have the time to devote to every individual student and help them through each challenge they will face the way loving parents would.

I believe that every parent is a teacher by default.

We have to be. We all have our own skills; some are especially patient, some better at administering consistent discipline, and some fantastic at creative activities or playing outdoor games.

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We all help our babies learn to find their noses, walk, talk, and later to read, make their beds, do their laundry, and drive a car. Depending on the personalities involved, homeschooling will be more challenging for some than others, but with a solid motive, dedication, and a willingness to find help, adjust your approach, and address your own issues if necessary, I don’t see failure or quitting as an option.

Unfortunately, I don’t see an easy solution to finding leisurely “me time” as a homeschool mom. And, I have yet to hear of someone who does. I have been frankly reminded in more than one blog post about this topic that “me time” is nowhere mentioned in the Bible. Instead stories and instruction on serving joyfully and finding purpose in your challenges are repeated. Solemn biblical truths aside, at least I know I have a few supportive, generous friends and a husband who is willing to take the kids away for a few hours to let me collect myself as I need it.

Despite our certainty on those issues, and both feeling a strong urge to homeschool, we gave into peer pressure and enrolled our son into preschool

June 2012 23

Attorney, Speaker, and Mom

KrisAnne Hall

has some great tools for parents!

Teach your children about American Exceptionalism, History of the Constitution and some of the Forgotten Heroes of America’s founding.

KrisAnne presents information that you’ll find in no other book or curriculum.

Take a look at her books:

Bedtime StorieS For Budding Patriots Essential Stories For Junior Patriots Not a Living Breathing Document - Reclaiming our Constitution

www.KrisAnneHall.com when all our friends were doing the same. Even after feeling like that first year of preschool was something we could have skipped, and feeling renewed commitment to homeschooling my son for his Pre-K year, doubt in my abilities and worry that we were depriving our boy of something consumed me and a fantastic Pre-K private school opportunity fell in our laps. The school had everything we were looking for long term: a rigorous curriculum, a focus on character and faith development, an opportunity for the younger and older students to participate in activities together, a strict code of conduct and sports opportunities. We signed a check, and a stack of papers, to reserve the last coveted spot in the class.

This Pre-K year 24 MinuteMom Magazine

at school has been very positive. We have been impressed with the staff and families at the school and appreciated being a part of a community. Funny thing is, in the nearly 8 months of being part of this fantastic school, I have never felt totally settled and secure about dropping my kid off to have someone else teach him. It’s not that I don’t trust his teachers; it’s that I feel like my husband and I should be the ones to educate our children. It’s a weird feeling. An unexplainable, true gut feeling. Like most people, I went through the public school system. I don’t have any formal teaching education or experience. I don’t feel like I have life figured out. I certainly don’t feel like a perfect model citizen or a perfect Christian mommy, but I feel compelled to homeschool.

Soon after my son brought home his Kindergarten registration packet for this fall, which we filled out and returned, the new issue of my favorite curriculum catalog showed up in the mail. I studied that catalog for hours; dogearing and marking up the pages with selections, thoughts and questions. My husband and I talked for hours about pros and cons of school and homeschooling and our concerns. We knew www.AsAMom.org

As A Mom... Loves Ice Cream Social and Silent Auction Friday July 27, 2012 7- 9 PM Pantego (Arlington), Texas* Early Bird Price - Before May 1st $5 per person After May 1 price increases to $7.50 In conjunction with Mercury One’s Restoring Love Event.

Due to limited space we must sell tickets. Only 200 tickets are available.

If you have something you would like to donate for the silent auction please contact: Mary McDonald AAM Secretary.

Silent Auction proceeds to go to the AAM general fund. * No disrespect to the Town of Pantego, but to help those not familiar with the area we have used the City of Arlington in our literature. Pantego is an independent town located near the heart of Arlington.

Get Your Tickets Now what our guts were telling us to do, but we determined this is also the logical thing for our family to do. We want control over what our children are learning. We want to have the flexibility to use a different teaching method, adjust our pace, or to be able to focus subjects around a particular topic of interest if that will help our children learn most effectively and enjoyably. We want the freedom to utilize the knowledgeable people and resources we see as fun opportunities for handson learning; like learning about astronomy from my husband at the local observatory or ecology from my father who lives on the Yellowstone River at the foot of the Absaroka Mountains in Montana. We want to be purposeful about teaching those important home economics and daily life skills that are no longer taught in schools and that school schedules, with the typically accompanying afterschool activities, barely leave any time for.

So here we are again,100% committed. Private school registration fee forfeited. Kindergarten curriculum bought and spread out on our basement floor. I’m so excited and extra confident having tried a couple years in a school, a top-notch school, and still coming back to this. People often As a Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots®

ask how long we plan to homeschool, and our desire is to go all the way through high school.

We do feel committed to making this work, are expecting it to be a major adjustment to our lives and know it will be just plain hard at times. I will continue to pray for wisdom and patience through this adventure with my family and stay focused on why we have continued to come back to this decision.

I wonder how many other moms/families are struggling with this decision. And to the seasoned homeschooling mothers reading, I ask how challenging life was during your transition to homeschooling. And, how did you get through the rough patches?

Please send all submissions to: editor@minutemom.org with ‘homeschooling’ in the subject line.

Carrie Christiansen is a Seattle native, now residing in Loveland, CO. She earned a B.S. degree in Animal Science from Montana State University, which she now puts to good use as a wife and stay-at-home mom of two young children.

June 2012 25

YYPreppers Ask the Grainlady: Frequently Asked ‘Prepping’Questions Janet asks: Is there any nutritional value in using sprouted bean flours? I can find info on bean flours or sprouts, but not sprouted bean flour. I have a lot of beans in my garden and room to plant more. If it is healthier to sprout I will do that if not, I will continue to grind as I have been.

Also, if they should be sprouted, how long should they sprout to make flour?

Thanks!

Reply by Grainlady: JanetSprouting beans makes them easier to digest, increases the available vitamins and minerals, increases the protein, and decreases the carbohydrates. “...phytic acid is a problem in grains and legumes because they block mineral uptake. Some people have enough phytases (enzymes that break down phytic acid) in their gut so that this is not the problem but there are many other antinutrients in grains and legumes, such as gluten, enzyme inhibitors, tanins, and lectins.

Proper preparation gets rid of these along with the phytates.” Check out the books: Nourishing Traditions (by Sally Fallon) or The Sprouting Book (by Ann Wigmore) for more information.

People who have digestive problems with grains and legumes might well benefit from sprouting or sprouting/ drying (and also nuts - which I always sprout and dry before eating - secondary benefit, sprouted nuts keep longer in storage). Sprouted beans produce less “gas” when sprouted and cooked.

Sprouted and dried beans cook much faster.

You can find charts on-line for soaking and sprouting.You must dehydrate sprouted beans/grains thoroughly 26 MinuteMom Magazine

before milling into flour. You can also purchase sprouted grains or beans that have already been dried. I just do my own to save money. As an example: I make a lot of sprouted lentils, and if I can’t get them used in a reasonable amount of time, I’ll dehydrate them to use later and not waste any. These will cook much faster than regular lentils, and if I add some seasonings to the damp sprouted lentils before I dehydrate them, they make a nice crunchy snack food or I can add them (plain) to cookies instead of nuts. I’ve also milled the sprouted/dried lentils into flour and used the flour in baked goods. I make a waffle recipe using sprouted lentils and oatmeal soaked overnight (no flour, no egg and no leavening needed). I made a pot of chili and used sprouted lentils instead of beans in the recipe for something different to do with them. Figuring out ways to use sprouted lentils has become a hobby lately ;-).

Do a search on - sprouting beans for making flour - for more information.

Sara asks: Got the grain mill and would like to make flour for bread baking that would be like “All Purpose Flour”. Do they mix red and white wheat? Also, what corn is used to make “Corn Meal”? Do I buy “Field Corn” or is it Sweet Corn or some other product?

Reply by Grainlady: SaraI often use 100% whole wheat flour, sometimes I use spelt or even a mixture of leftovers from baking day I stick in the freezer (I use all freshlymilled flour within a week of milling and tortillas are a good place to use it).

I’ll add bean flour if I happen to have

some of that, which increases the protein profile and also makes the tortilla a complete protein (bean + grain). The recipe I linked above has other variations towards the end of the recipe.

What I like best about this recipe is using a zip-lock bag for mixing. I’ve got a couple tortilla recipes I use, and I now make them all in a bag.

A favorite whole wheat recipe from Natural Meals in Minutes by Rita Bingham.

Wheat and Sesame Tortillas [These are wonderful cut into wedges and baked until crispy!!!]

2 c. whole wheat flour 3 T. dry milk powder 1/3 c. sesame seeds extra flour for board 2 T. butter or applesauce (I use coconut oil) 1/2 t. salt 2 T. yogurt (I use homemade kefir) 1/2 c. lukewarm water Combine dry ingredients. Use hand or electric beaters to cut in butter or applesauce until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Slowly pour in water and yogurt, mixing lightly with a fork.

On a floured board, knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.

Shape into a ball, cover and let stand for 10 minutes.

Divide and shape dough into 8 balls.

Cover, removing one ball at a time and roll paper-thin on floured board.

Place on heavy, hot, ungreased skillet, over medium-high heat. Blisters should appear right away. Brown on one side and turn. Cook about 30 seconds. Makes eight 9-inch tortillas.

Look for more in Preppers Pantry on AsAMom.org http://tinyurl.com/79cyvvb www.AsAMom.org

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Teen Talk

The U.S.

Constitution

by Zachary Beyer High School senior

It’s often said that, ‘We are raising the future leaders of the free world.’ Is it any wonder why it is of utmost importance to instill in our youth the value of the United States Constitution? This endeavor to enlighten the minds of our youth about our Constitution, is a passionate plea for the future of our country, and is not to be taken lightly. We have great examples of insight from the youth of today. Here is one high school senior’s perspective on, “Why the U.S. Constitution is unique.”

Our United States Constitution is unique, not only in what it provides for, but also in what it does not. We are guaranteed our rights and prosperity, while conversely protected from the dangers of big government. It does more than merely establish a new type of government, the likes of which had never been seen during the time of the Founding Fathers, it sets forth the framework for how government and politics will function. The 28 MinuteMom Magazine

Constitution defines an undeniable relationship between the people, the states, and the government established under it.

In the first sentence of the Constitution’s Preamble it reads, “We the People of the United States…” already in the first sentence of the Preamble, the Constitution presents a unique idea; popular sovereignty. This idea, that the power of the government comes from the people and that the government can only function and exist by the consent of the people, is key to the function of the U.S. Constitution. This provision is what protects us from a tyrannical government and oppression by that government. Our Founding Fathers witnessed the tyranny of an unrestricted government- a government that could take away their rights without cause- usurp their homes and arrest under false pretenses. Our Founding Fathers came to America to escape oppression and create a government for the oppressed. www.AsAMom.org

During the creation of this valuable document, the Founding Fathers set out radical ideas that often conflicted with the ideas of others in the Constitutional Convention. Our Constitution was not made by a group of people that all agreed on every aspect of what should be put into the Constitution and what should not. It was made by a group of people who had conflicting ideas and heated arguments over what they believed was necessary and wanted in this new Constitution.

The creation of the U.S. Constitution cannot be characterized as pleasant discussions between the Founding Fathers over tea, rather as the heated, temper-flaring debates and arguments that was the creation of the Constitution. The uniqueness of our Constitution is in this; that despite the different arguments and views and despite the many different agendas, the Founding Fathers were able to compromise, set aside their differences, and create the near-perfect Constitution that Americans hold as the supreme law of the land today.

One could argue that the U.S. government is far from perfect, and while that may be, it is the least oppressive and most equally balanced. Measures in the Constitution prevent the government from ruling over America. For example, Measures such as; Separation of Powers so that no branch of government holds all of the power, Checks and Balances so that each branch can check the powers of the other branches, and Federalism the organization of government on local, state, and national levels. These measures are what keeps the government in place and from overexerting power. In addition, in nearly every article of the Constitution there is a unique idea set forth, such as consent of the governed and a three branch government, as well as the guarantee of civil liberties. The Constitution is the law of the land, not only because the Founding Fathers made it so, but because the authority with which it organizes our nation and our government is given by the people. Only when the people no longer uphold the Constitution as the supreme law of the land will the Constitution lose its authority.

Our Constitution is the bond that keeps all of America together, without it, these United States would only be united in name and not in actuality. Due to all the Constitution does for America and her people, every American citizen, organization, business, and agency that enjoys As a Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots®

these freedoms and rights laid out in the U.S. Constitution should, at the very least, value its contents. Without our Constitution we would not be guaranteed our rights or our liberties. We would be oppressed by big government because we would have no protection against it. The Union itself would never have been able to unite and come together during times of crisis and war.

The Republic that Americans everywhere hold dear would not exist.

The U.S. Constitution, with all its articles, provisions, and amendments is what sets the tone for a great country, citizens and government following that document as the supreme law is what makes America the great nation it is today. In some cases, critics of the U.S. Constitution, often American citizens themselves, deem the Constitution as outdated or irrelevant to modern day America.

However, the U.S. Constitution will always be up to date and it will always be relevant, as long as freedom is relevant. Our Constitution serves as an example to other countries that study it as an example of how to frame their own constitutions. Although it frequently is, our Constitution should not be taken for granted.

It is to be valued for what it is and what it does.

It is not to be just valued, it is to be cherished, loved, protected and defended. This duty falls to every American citizen. Our Constitution should be valued above gold and the most precious of materials. It should be cherished even more than ones fondest memories. It should be loved as a child loves their mother, who gave them life, because the Constitution gives them the right to live that life unimpeded. Our Constitution should be defended at any and all costs because it is what makes America free.

We are seeking submission from teens. Tell us: “Why you value freedom?” Or “What the Constitution means to you”. Please send your submissions to: editor@minutemom.org.

Zachary Beyer is a High School Senior in Southern California. He is soon to be attending Chico University where he will major in Mechanical Engineering.

His strong work ethic has helped him to achieve many notable honors awards. His hobbies are basketball, reading and preparing for his future.

June 2012 29

The US Constitution: A Primer Part Two

“WE the PEOPLE of the united States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessing of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

–Preamble to the US Constitution Our government, under our written Constitution, is the first and only government ever founded upon sovereignty residing in the PEOPLE. There is a well-established principle in law that the created entity is never greater (in power, in extent, in authority) than its creator.

That makes sense; how could a town’s highway department, for example, be greater in power and authority than the town that established it in the first place? We, the People, created the 30 MinuteMom Magazine

government; we retain sovereignty and grant the government PRIVILEGES in order to perform the duties with which we have charged it. We the People can REVOKE those privileges whenever we have the guts to demand it.

We are also a Constitutional Republic – this is greatly different than a Democracy. Back in elementary school, I asked what the difference was – no teacher could explain it to me; they didn’t know themselves – yet this is a crucial piece of information. The difference is that a Republic is based on LAWS that NO vote of the majority can overturn. A majority-vote democracy can vote to take your property from you – up to and including your life – and you have no recourse.

(Remember “community rights?” That is an example of unfettered democracy – as is a lynch mob.) In a Republic, the safety of your life and property cannot be revoked by majority vote – even if every single voter votes to take your property. In a Constitutional Republic, those basic rules are written at the start; plain and clear for all to see and to depend upon. www.AsAMom.org

WikiMedia

by Catherine G. White

Let us make a brief detour for a pertinent sidenote here. There is a huge push (currently, and over the past several decades) to divide us into “left” versus “right,” telling us how utterly different those two political viewpoints are from each other. That is absolutely the WRONG differentiator, and serves as a distraction from the true difference. The TRUE difference is the desired degree of government control – from NONE to TOTAL. We will discuss this in more detail in a later article. For now we will merely note this issue and illustrate the actual spectrum of distinction, below, and note the approximate location on this spectrum of the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution as originally conceived and written.

The Preamble is the “mission statement” – WHAT were the Founders trying to do? The new country had been governed under the Articles of Confederation for ten years. The government was NOT working; the experiment was falling apart. The Confederation was an imperfect union; in practice it had too little power, and was too close the 0% side of our illustration. There was no national authority to levy and collect any kind of tax – instead the government had to beg & cajole the states for money (including the money needed to repay the loans to finance the Revolutionary War, from Spain and France). The states themselves imposed tariffs against goods from other states – treating them as though they were foreign countries instead of Confederates in the same Union. There was rampant inflation at the national level (the Continental dollar’s inflation led to the phrase “Not Worth a Continental,” which is still heard – if rarely – today). The states had their own internal currencies, as well, which were grossly debased and inflated.

Desperate to keep the new country from collapsing, Congress called for a Convention to re-vamp the Articles of Confederation – and that convention instead came up with the new Constitution.

The Preamble, the mission statement, shows the clear intentions of the Convention. A more perfect union – more perfect than the Articles of Confederation. The next three items provide a stable society. “General welfare” consists of those things that are good for the public as a whole (roads, commerce, shipping). The final item is the crux: the reason we FOUGHT the Revolutionary War in the first place – liberty, for us and our children, and their children.

As a Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots®

June 2012 31

Be a

Mollytician

Actual political spectrum

moll•y•ti•cian |mäl i´ti sh en| noun

Read the Constitution and write a list of things you see that are being violated. .Send your list to your Senators and Representative.

Remember Moms stand boldly and with dignity, as you write.

* Mom: a member of Asamom.org may be a mom or mom-at heart.

32

Total, 100% Government Control

In essence, what IS the Constitution, and how is it supposed to carry out its mission statement? The Constitution is a political trust – the Founders were the creators of that trust; the trustees are the elected President, Congresscritters and every one who takes the legally binding Oath of Office to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution”; and WE are the beneficiaries.

Keep in mind also that the sovereign STATES were very jealous of their own power and did not want to be subsumed into one nation. We are a confederation (league or alliance) with Dual Sovereignty – Federal and State.

(More definitions here: federal – pertaining to a compact or league; national – pertaining to an organized whole or independent political unit.) The Federal Government was given power BY THE STATES AND THE PEOPLE, via the Constitution, ONLY to deal with those few areas where a united front is crucial – international relations, defense, currency, problems between states. Even on those occasions when government IS the solution; the Founders were certain that the government best able to address most issues is local, not national – most issues were to be addressed by your STATE, your COUNTY, your TOWN. In order to prevent the new government from usurping power, it was split into three branches. The Constitution is divided into Articles, and the first three are Ye Olde “Checks and Balances” that deliberately and explicitly limit, divide, and balance the government’s authority.

Some authors claim that the first three articles are based on the division of power noted in Isaiah 33:22, “The Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us.” www.AsAMom.org

Graphic provided

1. a mom* who is involved in politics, 2. a mom holder of or a candidate for an elected office. antonym – politician: a person who acts in a manipulative and devious way, typically to gain advancement within an organization.

Want to do something really important for America’s future?

m:

NO, 0% Government Control

Articles of Confederation US Constitution, as written(after Skousen) Thomas Jefferson wrote, “The two enemies of the people are criminals and government; we must tie the latter in the chains of the Constitution, lest it become a legal version of former.” He also stated, “My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.”

Next month’s article will begin our examination of the Articles, and it would be very useful to have a copy of the text nearby as you read. Free copies are available online at http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html http://constitutionus.com/ http://law.justia.com/constitution/us/ (this one is annotated), and other locations.

Primary References: “Good To Be King” Michael Badnarik, 2004, The Writer’s Collective “The 5,000 Year Leap” W. Cleon Skousen, 1981, National Center for Constitutional Studies

Starting tonight put down the book, look your kids or grandkids in the eyes, and tell them a story from your heart of why you love America.

Pajamas recommended.

YOU WILL FIND A PLENTIFUL SUPPLY OF STORIES TO DRAW FROM THAT WILL INSPIRE PATRIOTISM, CHARACTER & FAITH AT:

gardenofliberty.org Catherine White grew up in Massachusetts where she also graduated from M.I.T. She is has two terrific daughters and a wonderful husband. She became involved early on in the 912 Project. Catherine has given several presentations on the Constitution in the past year. The most recent talk was at Brandeis University (sponsored by the Brandeis Tea Party) this past March, and it should be available on YouTube in the near future.

As a Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots®

Look for the Freedom Series12 volumes of stories drawn from pre-1923 literature written for young people.

Receive a book-a-month.

“A love of liberty is best grown in the home.”

YYRestoring Humor

Reposted by permission Antonio Branco

http://conservativedailynews.com/category/political-cartoons/ 34 MinuteMom Magazine

www.AsAMom.org

As a Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots速

June 2012 35

SOS LIBERTY:

by Charlie Kirk www.facebook.com/sosliberty

Editors Note: We met Charlie via the As a Mom...

Facebook page. We were so impressed by what these high school students are doing that we invited them to share their story, we hope you enjoy!

For years, patriots have beckoned the youth of our glorious nation to step up and demand a drastic transformation in Washington, D.C. Sadly, many young people have left this call unanswered – until Standard & Poor’s downgraded America’s credit rating in August 2011. Two concerned high school students, Mike Diamond and Charlie Kirk, responded to this downgrade by founding SOS Liberty. SOS Liberty is a student-run, youth-led movement committed to fiscal responsibility. Mike and Charlie gave their first presentations on out-of-control federal spending at Arlington Heights, Palatine and Mount Prospect IL Tea Party events. Instantly, these two charismatic speakers instilled a sense

36 MinuteMom Magazine

of hope in their audiences and inspired them to take action against the spiraling debt.

After an endorsement from Congressman Joe Walsh, SOS became aware of its duty to lead the youth of this nation from within. From two courageous students to a dynamic organization 2000 members strong and growing, SOS Liberty is now an unstoppable movement.

With support firmly in place, SOS has spread its message far and wide through its website, www.sosliberty.com. SOS Liberty sends student speakers throughout the Midwest delivering speeches, videos and PowerPoint presentations followed by a question and answer period. SOS has appeared on local radio, TV and numerous podcasts. SOS student activism has been covered by NBC News, SouthFloridaTeaParty.org, Illinois Review, IllinoisTeaParty.net and the Dallas Morning News. www.AsAMom.org

Photos provided

HOPE FOR A NEW GENERATION

Above all else, SOS Liberty seeks to raise awareness of the future consequences of America’s debt.

Right now, each high school student is inheriting a debt of $870,000 without ever casting a ballot. There is but a single way to characterize this: generational theft. While recognizing the good intentions of politicians, SOS believes it is imperative for young people to defend their interests as a result of the failure of previous generations.

SOS Liberty is not unconditionally devoted to the Republican or Democratic Party; it is a principled solution-driven group that attracts individuals from all ideologies. Conservatives, liberals and independents rally together to support fiscal responsibility. Cutting wasteful spending, instituting term limits, balancing the budget and tying congressional pay to deficit reduction are ideals that appeal to all of America’s youth.

Founding member Charlie Kirk recently wrote an article for Breitbart.com on liberal bias in textbooks: http://www.breitbart.com/BigGovernment/2012/04/26/Liberal-Bias-Startsin-High-School-Economics.

This article has allowed SOS to gain a national platform. SOS Liberty’s Facebook page (www. facebook.com/sosliberty has supporters from nearly every state and even a few foreign countries.

From the Bella Dangelo Show in North Dakota to On the Narrative in Texas, SOS Liberty has reached a nationwide audience through radio and remains committed to advocating its message of fiscal responsibility to Americans everywhere.

There is hope and the call to battle is still heard loudly by SOS Liberty’s passionate members.

SOS is not content to be just a youth movement but intends to become THE voice for youth in America. SOS Liberty will ensure the voice of a new generation will be proclaimed valiantly.

A wise woman once had the dream to change the lives of women for the better.

Join me in sharing in the commitment of caring and community.

That is Mary Kay Ash’s legacy.

AsLet’s a Mom...

A Sisterhood of Mommy all make a difference - onePatriots® woman at a time.

June 2012 37

YYIn Your State State News from AAM Groups The Presidential Primary/Caucus Information Notice that the two most delegate rich states, Texas and California, have their primaries in May and June thereby, in effect, removing their abilities to determine the outcomes of choices for each party. We will watch to see if they work to change that so they can have more say in the political process in the future.

Special thanks to: The Green Papers http://tinyurl.com/7b2g9fo 279 to Win http://tinyurl.com/77mz6h9 Background information and previous elections for primaries, caucuses and states’ participation can be found in the Minute Mom Magazine: editions Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr. and May 2012, Dec. and Oct. 2011. http:// issuu.com/minutemom As A Mom has shown the earliest known political activity in each state.

To make the greatest impact on your state elections, it is suggested that interested individuals be involved as early and as often as there are opportunities to make a difference. Often these are at straw polls, at mass meetings, conventions and early caucuses as listed by state and by party.

A review of terms: A review of terms: binding: delegates must vote for a certain candidate until released by that candidate non-binding: candidates may, at further conventions, change their votes, depending on viability proportional: delegates must vote in proportion to the percentages received non-proportional: or “winner take all” viability: a term for having a minimum percentage of votes for a candidate required to have them proceed in the caucus/convention race. The viability percentage is often 15%. delegates-look at the number of delegates from each state and look to see 38 MinuteMom Magazine

if they are bound or not when looking at possible outcomes from the National Convention. Many states lost one half of their voting strength (delegates) to the Republican National Convention due to holding their primaries early**. Since caucuses are nonbinding, this rule did not hold true for caucus states. **”No primary, caucus, or convention to elect, select, allocate, or bind delegates to the national convention shall occur prior to the first Tuesday in March in the year in which a national convention is held. Except Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada may begin their processes at any time on or after February 1 in the year in which a national convention is held ...” [Rules of the Republican Party. Rule 15(b)(1)] brokered convention: there are not enough delegates to support a “win” for one candidate on the first vote. The pledged delegates are released from their pledged candidates and can vote for anyone they choose. Before the era of presidential primary elections, political party conventions were routinely brokered. Adlai Stevenson (of the 1952 Democratic Party) and Thomas Dewey (of the 1948 Republican Party) were the most recent “brokered convention” presidential nominees. The last winning U.S. presidential nominee

produced by a brokered convention was Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1932.

PLEOs The Democratic Party has what has been termed “Superdelegates” or PLEO’s- Party Leaders and Elected Officials who are non-pledged going into National Convention.

Third party candidates are generally elected at Conventions only. Please look at your own state’s Secretary of State’s or voter information website to find links to viable Third Parties for your state.

Please be aware that there is voting going on the US territories also.

California California Republican

• Primary: Tuesday 5 June 2012Delegate Selection: WinnerTake-All (by district and statewide), • Voter Eligibility: Closed Primary • Voter Participation: Party members • 172 total delegates - 10 base at-large / 159 re: 53 congressional districts / 3 party

California Democrat

• Pre-primary Caucus: Saturday 28 April 2012 • Primary: Tuesday 5 June 20121 • Delegation Meeting: Sunday 24 June 2012Delegate Selection: Proportional Primary, • Voter Eligibility: Modified Primary • Voter Participation: Party members and Independents • Voter Affiliation: Party affiliation is www.AsAMom.org

unchanged • 611 total delegate votes - 365 district / 121 at large; 61 Pledged PLEOs; 64 Unpledged PLEOs

An Interesting look at California Politics: The California Presidential nominating primary, which ...(had)...a history that goes back to the Progressive Era. The first California primary was held in 1912.

The Presidential nominating primary, however regressive it may seem at times today, was a Progressive reform. It was step away from the smoke-filled rooms.

California was a big part of the Progressive Era. Progressive Bull Moose candidate Teddy Roosevelt carried California in the 1912 general election and the great Progressive Hiram Johnson was Governor of California from 1911 until 1917 and Senator from 1917 until his death in 1945. Johnson was Teddy Roosevelt’s running mate in 1912.

More on this article and history at http://tinyurl.com/8x6odel More on the California GOP can be found at http://tinyurl.com/c6phkzk More on the California Dems can be found at http://www.cadem.org / Montana Montana Republican

• Non-binding Primary: Tuesday 5 June 2012 • State Convention: Thursday 14 June - Saturday 16 June 2012Delegate Selection: Winner-Take-All, • Voter Eligibility: Closed Caucus • 26 total delegates - 10 base at-large / 3 re: 1 congressional district / 3 party / 10 bonus

Montana Democrat

• Primary: Tuesday 5 June 20121 • County Caucuses: Thursday 7 June 2012 • State Convention: Saturday 9 June 2012Delegate Selection: Proportional Primary, • Voter Eligibility: Open Primary • 31 total delegate votes - 16 district

As a Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots®

/ 6 at large; 2 Pledged PLEOs; 7 Unpledged PLEOs

Montana has been reliably Republican in recent presidential elections, having voted for only two Democrats since 1952. Interestingly, prior to 1952, the state had voted gone Democratic five times in a row – four times for Franklin Roosevelt and then for Harry Truman. Montana is one of seven states with the minimum three electoral votes. The race in 2008 was close, with John McCain defeating Barack Obama by just a 50% to 47% margin, the 4th closest race in the country. Depending on who faces Obama in 2012, Montana may be considered a swing state.

More on MT GOP can be found at http://mtgop.org / More on MT Dems can be found at http://tinyurl.com/89hln9v North Dakota North Dakota Democrat

• Legislative District Caucus: Tuesday 5 June 20121 • State Delegate Selection Meeting: Saturday 16 June 2012Delegate Selection: Caucus/Convention • Voter Eligibility: Open Caucus • 27 total delegate votes - 15 district / 5 at large; 2 Pledged PLEOs; 5 Unpledged PLEOs

North Dakota has participated in 30 presidential elections, voting Republican in 24 of them. Of the five times it went “blue,” only 1916 (Woodrow Wilson’s second-term victory) was not a landslide for the Democratic candidate. As a result, North Dakota is a very safe state for the Republicans in presidential elections. In 2008, John McCain defeated Barack Obama by a 53% to 45% margin. The state’s population of about 673,000 is little changed from what it was in 1920. As a result, North Dakota is one of seven states with the minimum three electoral votes.

ND GOP can be found in the March issues of Minute Mom Magazine More on the ND GOP can be found

at http://www.ndgop.org / More on the ND Democrat NLP can be found at http://www.demnpl. com / New Jersey New Jersey Republican

• Primary: Tuesday 5 June 2012Delegate Selection: WinnerTake-All, • Voter Eligibility: Modified Primary • Voter Participation: Party members and Independents • Voter Affiliation: Party affiliation is changed • 50 total delegates - 10 base at-large / 36 re: 12 congressional districts / 3 party / 1 bonus

New Jersey Democrat

• Primary: Tuesday 5 June 20121 • State Committee: Saturday 16 June 2012Delegate Selection: Proportional Primary, • Voter Eligibility: Modified Primary • Voter Participation: Party members and Independents • Voter Affiliation: Party affiliation is changed • 171 total delegate votes - 102 district / 34 at large; 17 Pledged PLEOs; 18 Unpledged PLEOs

New Jersey, one of the 13 original colonies, joined the Union in December 1787 and has participated in all 56 presidential elections. Thanks to the density of its population, New Jersey has more electoral votes per square mile than any state except Rhode Island. Its 14 electoral votes make it a rich prize; formerly a swing state, New Jersey has gone Democratic in the last five elections, after voting Republican in eight out of the previous 10. Barack Obama won the state by a margin of 57% to 42% in 2008.

While the “blue” trend is expected to continue, New Jersey could be in play for the Republicans if the right matchup came along.

More on the NJ GOP can be found at http://njgop.org / More on NJ Dems can be found at http://www.njdems.org / June 2012 39

TRENDY WEB & GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR HIP BUSINESSES TM

[ [

Managers of The912-Project.com site WEB DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT WEB SITE RE-CREATION & DEPLOYMENT WEB CONSULTING GRAPHIC DESIGN Special packages for AD CREATION As A Mom Members!

LOGO IDENTITY & DESIGN eLEARNING CONTENT CREATION

NETFUSIONSTUDIOS.COM Jason Roberts, president

* also serves on the 9/12 Project board

330.697.4428

jroberts@netfusionstudios.com

New Mexico New Mexico Republican

• Precinct Meetings: April 2012 (tentative) • County Conventions: Saturday 12 May - Saturday 19 May 2012 • Primary: Tuesday 5 June 2012 • State Republican Convention: Saturday 16 June 2012 (tentative) Delegate Selection: Proportional Primary, • Voter Eligibility: Closed Primary • 23 total delegates - 10 base at-large / 9 re: 3 congressional districts / 3 party / 1 bonus

New Mexico Democrat

• Primary: Tuesday 5 June 20121 • State Party Central Committee and District Conventions: Saturday 9 June 2012 • State Party Central Committee: Saturday 16 June 2012 • Delegate Selection: Proportional Primary, • Voter Eligibility: Closed Primary • 50 total delegate votes - 26 district / 9 at large; 4 Pledged PLEOs; 11 Unpledged PLEOs

40 MinuteMom Magazine

                                          

New Mexico has participated in 25 presidential elections through 2008, with the results split almost down the middle 13 for Democrats, 12 for Republicans. Democrats gained the historical edge when Barack Obama won by 57% to 42% over John McCain in 2008. That large margin is striking, particularly given that Senator McCain is from neighboring Arizona, and may indicate that the state is now leaning Democratic as opposed to being a swing state. Whichever party they’ve chosen, New Mexico voters have been remarkably good at siding with the winning candidate, only getting it wrong in 1976 (Gerald Ford) and 2000 (George W. Bush).

More information on the NM GOP can be found at http://tinyurl.com/ bmeukd8 More information on NM Dems can be found at http://www.nmdemocrats. net / South Dakota South Dakota Republican

   

• Sioux Falls Straw Poll: Saturday 5 November 2011 • County/Regional/State National Delegate Selection Meetings: March 2012 • Primary: Tuesday 5 June 2012Delegate Selection: Proportional Primary, • Polling hours 7:00a CDT (1200 UTC) / 7:00a MDT (1300 UTC) to 7:00p CDT (0000 UTC) / 7:00p MDT (0100 UTC).

• Voter Eligibility: Closed Primary • 28 total delegates - 10 base at-large / 3 re: 1 congressional district / 3 party / 12 bonus

South Dakota Democrat

• State Legislative District Caucuses: Saturday 10 March 2012 • Congressional District Caucuses: Saturday 24 March 2012 • Primary: Tuesday 5 June 20121 • State Convention / State Party Central Committee: Saturday 30 June 2012 • Delegate Selection: Proportional Primary, • Polling hours 7:00a CDT (1200 UTC) / 7:00a MDT (1300 UTC) to 7:00p CDT (0000 UTC) / 7:00p www.AsAMom.org

MDT (0100 UTC).

• Voter Eligibility: Closed Primary • Voter Participation: Party members • 29 total delegate votes - 15 district / 5 at large; 2 Pledged PLEOs; 7 Unpledged PLEOs

South Dakota is reliably Republican in presidential elections – only voting Democratic four times, most recently in 1964 when Lyndon Johnson won a landslide victory over Barry Goldwater. South Dakota is one of seven states with the minimum three electoral votes. In 2008, John McCain defeated Barack Obama there by a margin of 53% to 45%.

More information on the SD GOP can be found at http://southdakotagop.com / More information on the SD Dems can be found at http://www.sddp.org

Utah Utah Republican

• Precinct Caucuses: Thursday 15 March 2012 • State Convention: Saturday 21 April 2012 • Primary: Tuesday 26 June 2012 Delegate Selection: Winner-Take-All, • Voter Eligibility: Modified Primary • 40 total delegates - 10 base at-large / 12 re: 4 congressional districts / 3 party / 15 bonus

Utahans voted for Democrat Franklin Roosevelt four times (1932 through 1944) and for his successor Harry S. Truman in 1948. Aside from that period, the state has only voted for Democrats twice, the last time being in 1964. Like many other Rocky Mountain states, Utah is now solidly Republican. In 2008, John McCain bested Barack Obama by over 28%.

Utah Dems held caucuses in March.

Fundraising Campaign All We Have Left is Change.

For over 2 years our all-volunteer board and team have been working with members “to empower Moms and Moms-at-Heart in preserving our Constitution, country and children’s future.” We would like to continue to expand the message and support Moms everywhere. But we need more than kind hearts to do so. The change you find this week can help fulfill our budget needs.

Look around… under couch cushions, in the dryer, under the dresser…

Lori’s kids would like to point out that children’s piggy banks are off limits… and donate your extra change! * Our budget has been very carefully thought out, and we have made every effort to economize where we can. These funds will cover needs such as software, bookkeeping services, state group and travel needs. There are also ongoing fees for the web domains, mail box and legal services.

As A Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots, Inc is a 501 (c) (4) entity under the IRS code Your donations are very much appreciated, however they are not tax deductible.

Information is in March Minute Mom Magazine.

More information on the Utah GOP can be found at http://utgop.org/ index.asp State Wide Primaries Smart patriots vet the candidates, share information and get out the vote! Many think that our state wide elections including Congress and especially the Senate will be the major mover in these elections.

All state wide elections will be posted each month unless those elections are on the same day as the primary.

JUNE “state-wide offices” primaries 5th- CA, IA, MT (*WI-RECALL ELECTION) 12th- ME, ND, SC, VA 16th- CO 26th- NY, OK, UT

YYAs a Family

Betsy Ross: A Patient Heart

42 MinuteMom Magazine

worked on the sea as a mariner. He was often gone and at sea, which at the time of the Revolution, was a very dangerous place. In 1780 his ship was captured and he and his crew were taken prisoner to the Old Mill Prison in Plymouth, England. During this time, their nine-month old daughter Zilla died and their second daughter Eliza was born. Joseph died in captivity in 1782 from an unknown illness.

Betsy was devastated by the death of her daughter and the death that separated her from her husband. During this time, although she was grieving, she remained dedicated to helping the cause of liberty.

Later that year Betsy was informed of her husband’s death by fellow prisoner and old friend of Joseph’s, John Claypoole. They became quite close and married May 8, 1783. She returned to the Quaker life with her husband John. They joined the Free Quakers Society that sought to maintain freedom from British power. She and John had five daughters, one of which died. She was finally able to enjoy a lengthy marriage and family life, although not free from loss.

Betsy was faced with death much in her life. In 1793 she had to endure the death of her parents, Samuel and Rebecca Griscom along with her sister from yellow-fever. The death of her sister left Betsy’s niece alone and with the responsibility of raising her.

Along with this responsibility, she and John’s young widowed daughter Clarissa moved in along with her young children. This left Betsy with a houseful of mouths to feed and children to care for. Whether she was

assisting in the care of family or for soldiers, she had many responsibilities in caring for others. She learned patience through sacrifice and service.

During her mid-life she cared for her husband, who because of war injuries, was in bad health and died in 1817.

Betsy and Clarissa continued to pursue the business of upholstery and flag making until she retired at the age of 76. She lived a devoted family life and died in 1836 at 84 years old.

While there are accounts of her being the first to make the American Flag under the direction of George Washington, some accounts cannot be verified and are left to speculation.

However, what is most fascinating about this revolutionary woman, was that she was dedicated to the cause of freedom. And though she suffered much during her lifetime, she remained true to the cause. She has woven a legacy of love and patience and has likewise set the example for how to endure hard times with dignity and honor.

Flag Day Facts: The Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act on June 14, 1777.

This was to establish a flag for the newly liberated nation. This clarified that the American flag, “…be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.” Flag day is said to have originated in 1885 by B.J. Cigrand, a school teacher feeling the need to allocate one day specifically, June 14th, to recognize the symbol of our liberty. Over the www.AsAMom.org

WikiMedia

Sometimes the patient heart is the one stitched together with the threads of hard work, sacrifice and perseverance. This is evidenced in the historical figure, Betsy Ross. While there has been much debate about her place in history, she is no doubt one who has shown that patience is necessary to enduring times of crisis and seeing a worthy cause fulfilled.

Elizabeth Griscom, or Betsy Ross as she was affectionately known, was born on January 1, 1752. She came from a large family and was the eighth of seventeen children. She met and fell in love with John Ross a fellow apprentice while working for John Webster, a well known upholsterer.

She was raised by Quaker parents.

However, she went against her family’s wishes and married John Ross, an Anglican. This was an act that allowed for her expulsion from the Quaker community. Nevertheless, she was very much in love and she and John married November 4, 1773.

They lived a happy and industrious life on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia.

She worked hard to develop their business and perfected her needlepoint and upholstering skills. Sadly, during the war for independence John’s life was cut short in a munitions accident.

They were married just over two years when this happened. As a widow with no children, she remained strong and against many odds, continued to run the upholstery business. Her talent for sewing came in handy as she was able to use it to earn extra money by repairing uniforms, tents, and flags.

In 1777 Betsy married her second husband, Joseph Ashburn. He

years many individuals, teachers and groups used this day to celebrate the American flag. What was established by proclamation as Flag Day in 1916

by President Woodrow Wilson, later became nationally recognized in 1949 after President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th as National Flag Day. Pledge of Allegiance Facts: I pledge allegiance to the Flag Of the United States of America, And to the Republic for which it stands, One nation, under God, indivisible With liberty and justice for all.

This is what we are familiar with as our Pledge of Allegiance. However, on September 8, 1892 “The Youth’s Companion,” a Boston magazine published these few words, “I pledge allegiance to my flag, and the Republic for which it stands-one nation indivisible-with liberty and justice for all,” which were to be recited by students each Columbus day. These were the original words of our Pledge of Allegiance.

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Changes were made June 14, 1923 at the National Flag Conference in Washington D.C. These changes were as follows, “my flag,” was replaced with “the flag of the United States.” Although other changes were suggested over the ensuing years, none were adopted. In 1942 Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance, and in 1943 the Supreme Court ruled that reciting the pledge was not mandatory in schools. In 1954 President Dwight D. Eisenhower supported the amendment to add “under God,” to the pledge. Of this he said, “In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war.”

KidSmarts: With your parents permission send in an email answering this question: “What does the American Flag mean to you?” Please submit a one paragraph

statement to: editor@minutemom.org, with the question in the ‘subject’ line of the email. We will notify you via email if your submission is chosen for publishing. Please submit by June 15th.

Time Matters: The time we spend instructing our children is always time well spent.

Take the time to make it count now!

Ideas for Parents YY Read through the Declaration of Independence as a family.

YY Spend a moment each night as a family reading a section of the Constitution.

YY Have a mock election in your home, to explain the process of electing representatives.

—Kami Watkins Resources: http://historicphiladelphia.org/betsy-rosshouse/woman/ http://womenshistory.about.com/od/ rossbetsy/a/betsy_ross.htm http://www.usflag.org/history/pledgeofallegiance.html

June 2012 43

YYAs a Family Patience: The India Rubber Man

44 MinuteMom Magazine

But Goodyear kept on trying. He thought that he was just going to find out. Years went by, and still he kept on trying.

One day he was mixing some rubber with sulphur. It slipped out of his hand. It fell on the hot stove. But it did not melt. Goodyear was happy at last. That night it was cold. Goodyear took the burned piece of rubber out of doors, and nailed it to the kitchen door. When morning came, he went and got it. It had not frozen.

He was now sure that he was on the right track. But he had to find out how to mix and heat his rubber and sulphur. He was too poor to buy rubber to use for trials. Nobody would lend him any more money. His family had to live by the help of his friends.

He had already sold almost everything that he had. Now he had to sell his children’s schoolbooks to get money to buy rubber.

At last his rubber goods were made and sold. Poor men who had to stand in the rain could now keep themselves dry. People could walk in the wet with dry feet. A great many people are alive who would have died if they had not kept dry by India rubber.

You may count up, if you can, how many useful things are made of rubber. We owe them all to one man.

People laughed at Goodyear once. But at last they praised him. To be “The India rubber man” was something to be proud of.

—Marlene Peterson (From Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans by Edward Eggleston found in the Freedom Series. For more stories like this, visit gardenoflibety.org.)

WikiMedia

Many years ago a strange-looking man was sometimes seen in the streets of New York. His cap was made of India rubber. So was his coat. He wore a rubber waistcoat. Even his cravat was of India rubber. He wore rubber shoes in dry weather. People called this man, “The India rubber man.”

His name was Charles Goodyear.

He was very poor. He was trying to find out how to make India rubber useful.

India rubber trees grow in South America. The juice of these trees is something like milk or cream. By drying this juice, India rubber is made.

The Indians in Brazil have no glass to make bottles with. A long time ago they learned to make bottles out of rubber. More than a hundred years ago some of these rubber bottles were brought to this country. The people in this country had never seen India rubber before. They thought the bottles made of it by the Indians very curious.

In this country, rubber was used only to rub out pencil marks. That is why we call it rubber. People in South America learned to make a kind of heavy shoe out of it.

But these shoes were hard to make. They cost a great deal when they were sold in this country.

Men tried to make rubber shoes in this country. They got the rubber from Brazil.

Rubber shoes made in this country were cheaper than those brought from South America. But they were not good. They would freeze till they were as hard as stones in winter. That was not the worst of it. In summer they would melt. Goodyear was trying to find out a way to make rubber better. He wanted to get it so that it would not melt in summer.

He wanted to get a rubber that would not get hard in cold weather. The first rubber coats that were made were so hard in cold weather, that they would stand alone, and look like a man.

Goodyear wanted to try his rubber.

That is why he wore a rubber coat and a rubber waist coat and a rubber cravat. That is why he wore a rubber cap and rubber shoes when it was not raining. He made paper out of rubber, and wrote a book on it. He had a doorplate made of it. He even carried a cane made of India rubber. It is no wonder people called him the India rubber man.

He was very poor. Sometimes he had to borrow money to buy rubber with. Sometimes his friends gave him money to keep his family from starving. Sometimes there was no wood and no coal in the house in cold weather.

www.AsAMom.org

YYCountry

Our American Flag… Symbol of Freedom One of the memories I have as a little girl is the day I was to be enrolled in elementary school with my brother. As my Auntie drove up to the school, she paused in shock and stared at the torn and tattered flag that stood in front of the school building. As I looked up I remember that most of the flag was torn, so much so, that the only visible parts were the field of stars. The words out of her mouth impacted me a great deal. Pointing to the flag she said, “A school that does not care for the American flag, will not care for its students!” Needless to say, we did not enroll in that school, but I did learn an important lesson - attitudes of respect to our nation and its citizens are evident in how we care for the symbols of our beloved country.

I have since witnessed wonderful examples of respect and honor for our American symbol of liberty and freedom. My daughter who is in the fourth grade participates with her class in the raising and lowering of the American flag each school day. This is something she anticipates with excitement. As I drop my daughter off at school, I marvel at the care in which these fourth graders raise the flag in the morning sun. There are about four children in all, and each one has a duty to make sure the flag does not touch the ground. One attaches and hoists the flag with the pulley, one helps by holding the flag, one gently unfolds the flag, and one stands with

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hands stretched out to watch as the flag is raised to make sure it does not touch the ground. It gives me a sense of great pride to watch these 9 and 10 year olds showing such respect for the symbol in America that represents the united strength and sacrifice of its people.

Our American Flag is a symbol.

And as such, it helps to connect us, remind us and encourage us to remain committed to the virtues this country was founded upon. Historically, our flag represents sacrifice, devotion, liberation and freedom. Every time I see it wave I can’t help but stand in awe at the grandeur and eloquence with which it buckles in the wind, each movement a symphony and testament to our America and its citizens that freedom is worth fighting for.

Gazing upon those stars and stripes, I can’t help but think how, over the generations of our country’s existence, many have likewise sat in heavy reflection about what it means to them. Soldiers in far off places seeing the contrasting colors of red and white stripes with the bold blue and white field of stars, against a backdrop of artillery fire, tanks and the destruction that is so commonplace during wartime, see the flag as a symbol of hope. Devoted citizens that often sit and watch their flag drift and curl in the sky as they hear the Star-Spangled Banner play during the Fourth of July, see it as a symbol of freedom.

Small school-aged children waving their little hand-held flags, singing our national anthem, see our flag as a symbol of strength.

Whatever the flag represents to you, the devotion and respect we show to the symbols of our nation ground us.

The American Flag reminds us that we can endure and persevere through all odds. The way in which we honor the American Flag and other symbols of our country is an external expression of what we feel inside about America and our freedoms. These symbols connect us to those that have fought for freedom both at home and abroad because it represents something we all believe in…Freedom!

As I look back over the years to poignant moments in history, I think of the conflicts that we’ve had to face as Americans. And, like others who have been on the front lines, we are faced with a struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. During times like these we can look to the symbol of our country, our American flag, like a beam of unending light. We can push through the storms and darkness that threaten our freedoms-standing strong and steady- looking to Old Glory as she ripples in the wind and waves us home.

On Flag Day, June 14th wave her proud and with great honor as a representation of your conviction to the truths you hold dear.

—Kami Watkins

June 2012 45

The Save the Constitution - Read It! Campaign is not a group or a program.

It is an Attitude.

The purpose of Save it! Read it! is to encourage patriots everywhere to do two things: 1. Commit to reading The Constitution and review it often.

2. Encourage others to read the Constitution.

We have received challenges to read and defend the Constitution of the United States of America from various sources. All of us must commit to reading the Constitution of the United States of America and review it often. Only by understanding the principles upon which our government was founded can we recognize Constitutional abuses and be able to step up and stop that abuse.

The Save the Constitution - Read It! Campaign started as an extension of the Patriot Pin Program developed by As a Mom... A Sisterhood of Mommy Patriots to encourage patriots everywhere to save the principles of the Constitution of the United States of America.

Classroom packs of 25 bookmarks are available from www.AsAMom.org Pins, Pendants and bumper stickers are at www.asamomestore.com

www.SaveItReadIt.org Š2010 As A Mom...A Sisterhood of Mommy PatriotsŽ www.asamom.org