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NFL’s Biggest Blunder?

Now that Osama Bin Laden is dead, who is the most hated man in America? Another terrorist leader? A presidential candidate? The guy that made that terrible film that is creating such tension? Not even close. The most hated man in America is actually two men – two National League Football refs. That’s right. I went to sleep last night and left my husband downstairs watching the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks playing football. I am not really into football, but I couldn’t help but notice something odd had happened in last night’s game when I logged into … Continue reading →

Would You Give Up Millions to Serve God?

Would you give up millions to serve God? One 19 year old did just that. His name is Will Hopoate. Watch his video here. He is a professional rugby player in Australia, and has decided to postpone his career to go on a mission. While this isn’t the first time this has happened in the history of the church, it is still just as admirable. There have been others that I have heard of that have done the same, however, sharing the same faith that they do, I can’t help but ask myself, would I have done the same? While … Continue reading →

Technology Designed for Dolphin Helps Disabled Girl

A special gel that was designed to help a disabled dolphin has been repurposed in order to help a girl who has lost one of her legs. The dolphin is featured in a movie that will be released in theaters soon, and the girl is living in California with her adopted family. It always amazes me when people are able to adapt things so that they can help kids who have special needs. “Winter” is the name of a bottlenose dolphin that lives in the Clearwater Marine Aquarium that is located in Clearwater, Florida. When Winter was three months old, … Continue reading →

More Proof that Exercise Helps You Sleep

This message couldn’t come at a better time for me: I’ve been having a hard time falling asleep. Bedtime comes and I’m tired (or so I think) — but then I sit there staring at the ceiling for a good hour before shuffling off to snoozeland. Maybe more exercise is the answer. It certainly works for kids. A new study from the University of Auckland in New Zealand found that the more activity kids get, the faster they fall asleep at night. And the converse is true, too: the more sedentary a child is, the longer it takes them to … Continue reading →

So You Think the Olympics Ended in August? Think Again!

Why would I be writing about another Olympic role model with adoption ties a month after the Olympic Games ended? Well, in reality the Games ended just this past week. From September 6-13, the Paralympic Games took place in Beijing. The world’s second-largest sporting event–elite competitions for athletes with physical or visual disabilities–draws the best disabled athletes from all over the world. The “para” in Paralympics is for “parallel”, on a par with, rather than paraplegic as some people assume. The Paralympic Games are held in the same year and at the same location as the Olympic Games. Cities and … Continue reading →

Just When Could Youth Learn About Adoption and Life?

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In a recent blog, I suggested that students be prepared for practical life—learning about parenting and adoption, community resources such as basic and emergency medical care, food and financial assistance, etc. (I do not think becoming aware of programs such as food stamps and WIC makes people who could work more likely to depend on these programs. Indeed, in my experience many people who rely on these programs are working, sometimes full-time, in lower-paying jobs–such as child care or social services, I might add!) I will say here that I do completely sympathize with the lament that schools are asked … Continue reading →

Super Summer Savings to Salt Lake City

The mountainous city and well-known skiing destination wants you to experience its summer side. If you are a family of adventure seekers that love to swim, fish, hike, picnic, or bike, Salt Lake City is waiting for you. And to help you get there without breaking the bank JetBlue is offering a package deal that includes airfare and hotel accommodations. The “Salt Lake City Getaway” is good through the month of July and includes round-trip airfare and three nights’ accommodations from $295 per person when departing from Long Beach, California (add $170 to-from New York City, $220 to/from D.C., and … Continue reading →

Thomas Finchum (2008 Diving Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. As a child, Thomas’ grandmother (a former city parks diver) noticed him jumping off houseboats on family trips and encouraged his parents to sign him up for diving lessons Meet Thomas Finchum Thomas Finchum is the son of Thomas and Audrey Finchum. He comes from a family of athletes: his dad is a high school athletic director and coach, and his brother, Luke, was a catcher on the baseball team at Concordia University Wisconsin. His … Continue reading →

Cheryl Haworth (2008 Weightlifting Hopeful)

Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing. Cheryl was undefeated as a junior weightlifter. Meet Cheryl Haworth Cheryl was born in Savannah, Georgia, the middle daughter of Sheila and Robert Haworth. Her father, a businessman, and her mother, a nurse, were both athletes and encouraged their daughters to play sports. Cheryl was sickly and thin as a toddler and suffered from allergies, ear infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia. After having her tonsils and adenoids removed at age 6, she gained weight, and family members and … Continue reading →

David Durante (2008 Gymnastics Hopeful)

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Welcome to our Focus on the Olympics articles that introduces you to our Olympic athletes and hopefuls that will be competing in Beijing this summer. In 2004, after not being named to the Olympic team, David traveled to Athens to cheer on his friends in competition and take in the Olympic experience so he’d be ready in 2008. Meet David Durante David Durante is the middle of three children born to Robert and Juliana Durante. He graduated from Stanford University with a major in human biology and a minor in psychology. David’s older brother, Marc, 31, works for Merck Pharmaceuticals … Continue reading →