An Open Letter to America

Dearest America;

I am a young mother, married, raising wonderful children in a one income family. I am, as are many of you, concerned. The simple fact that I have been impressed to write this letter concerns me; I have pondered writing it since I came home – back to our beloved United States of America.

Just under a year ago upon returning home I sat as an official looked over my family’s documentation to return home to the United States of America. I looked at our national flag and tears came to my eyes as a sense of gratitude and pride grew within me. I cried from a deep sense of all that is good in America, truly a land that I love and one that I had previously taken for granted. My emotions overwhelmed me because of all that I had learned during the time I had spent outside of the borders of the United States of America. My time away taught me just how precious, rare and fragile the liberties we enjoy here are.

Over the nearly two years previous to that moment I had lived in a beautiful, vibrant country that welcomed our young family. Yet, although this country was full of wonderful people, beautiful places and a rich culture it was struggling and in the eyes of the world it was failing. I saw families bind together because that was all they had. I saw extreme hardships. Yet, I saw people filled with a gratitude for what they did have. I saw joy and charity amid what the world termed as chaos. I saw life. I saw how tender the heart of all humans are as I met wonderful people from around the world. I visited with many American volunteers while living abroad. I lived outside of my home – but I came to clearly appreciate the strength, beauty and charity of America.

Then, I returned home. I was not here for the political debates. I had not been a daily witness to the bickering, slandering and gossip that we have come to call the presidential race. I did not hear much of the scandals that unfortunately played out. I was not in the United States of America for the swearing in of our current president. What I did know was from CNN acting as my witness to these events. My personal witness was edited by the media. I celebrated that the voice of the American people had spoken and assumed that all must be as the majority of Americans had hoped. I cheered from afar with the millions of people that watched a historic inauguration. Then, I returned home.

Now, over the last ten months I have become more and more concerned with the state of America. In a mere ten months my tears of gratitude and pride have given way to frustration, resignation and fear. I am writing this letter because I no longer know how the average citizen is to be heard. I am writing because I don’t know how else to address those who could make a difference. I do not believe I am alone. I am writing this for all those who may not feel that they have been or will be heard unless someone begins to speak out. I know that I am only one voice – but I also know that I am one voice in a nation that is to be governed by the voice of the people. I am part of that “voice” – so many of us who feel that we are not and cannot be heard make up the majority of that “voice”. Our concern is that if our leaders cannot hear us or are choosing not to listen – then how will the United States of America be governed by the “voice of the people”?

The majority of the voices that collectively make up the “voice of the people” are charitable, loving, decent people who care equally about people of all races, religions and walks but we care far more about our freedom, liberty and families than what political party you belong to. Most of us simply want the America of our hearts and our history books to once again rise up. At this point, America will need the help of each citizen’s hand to rise. She will need our hands, our words, our works and our hearts. I fear that if we choose not to be heard as “the people” than we will be witness to America’s slow demise.

The current debates and actions taken by the government may have been well intended but they have been wrong. They are continuing in a course of action that seemingly continues to drive our nation deeper into financial, social and spiritual debt. Even going so far as to continue forwarding legislation without the consent of the very voters who elected them to public office – the voters they supposedly represent. How can we claim as a nation to be governed by the people when our leaders are carelessly making decisions against the collective voice of the people?

I am one young mother who has faith that the America I hope for can rise from the misguided body that this nation has become. I hope to lend my hand and heart in this cause. I hope my one voice will be heard. I hope my one voice will make a small difference. I hope I can do my part to prepare this great nation for greater things to come.

Sincerely and Gratefully,
A. Ballard, an American

Wonderwoman, Superwoman... a.k.a. Mother

I have recently realized that Motherhood is nothing less than leaping tall buildings in single bounds and saving your own little universe!

With a wonderful husband off at work - and most of the time he is seriously away (both mentally and physically) - I am the cook, maid, taxi driver, entertainer, referee, consoler, nurse, pillow, teacher, tutor, IT help desk, HR human inter-relationship specialist, dance instructor, singer of lullabies, reader of books and more! All of this constitutes being a mother!

So, wonderwoman had her lasso of truth and superwoman can fly - but, could either of them top the tremendous capacity of a mother? I think not!

When did you realize your greatness as a mother? How did it affect you and your children? I'd love to know...

An evening with Govenor Mitt Romney

Governor Mitt Romney was in Texas last evening on his book tour for "No Apology". My cute husband stayed home and cared for our little ones while I zipped off during rush hour (which is such an ironic name as one cannot 'rush' anywhere) to get to the event.

The event was very well attended, extremely well received and I was impressed with the broad spectrum of people attending. I did notice with concern that my age demographic was very poorly represented - but, that could very well be that many of my peers are rushing home to families and home responsibilities after a full work day.

I was grateful to attend and be able to speak with Governor Romney for a brief, very brief moment. I believe he is a tremendous individual who has a vision for the future of America and I believe that his presence on the national stage can serve to remind us of the important virtues our country was founded upon.

Boys will be Boys...

As if cutting off his toe once - drilling through that same toe's nail again to release blood pressure after a second injury and ending up in the ER for excessive vomitting (after receiving eight immunizations from a nurse who was not paying attention) was NOT enough... my dear son decided to see what a full kernel of corn would do if he stuck it into his ear canal.

Well, one day, three doctors visits and surgery later - his ear canal is empty and he knows that 'the only thing that is supposed to go in my ears is SOUND!'

My husband and I only hope he has learned that lesson through all of this!

Mile Mark...One Year Later

We have been home from Mexico for 10 months now and for 6 of those months I did not have access to a pool. My dear husband surprised me by purchasing a gym membership for me to a gym with an indoor pool! So, today - almost a year after I began swimming a mile a morning... I have hit the 'Mile Mark' again in swimming and I hope to continue from here!

Another Snow Day...

We woke up this morning to a winterland, white world! To many of you - this is a daily reality; but living in the South means that a winterland, white world is a little miracle!



Unfortunately, our children still had school and we are looking forward to picking them up A.S.A.P. so that we can see if the tops to our plastic storage bins will make good sleds. My cute husband came home for lunch and decided that he would rather work from home today! Yeah! So... now we are just enjoying the snow and waiting for our children to come home.



I don't know exactly what it is... but freshly fallen snow brings out the giddiness in me! I love it!

Home Teaching - A 6 year old's Perspective

This week my cute husband took our Lil' Jedi out with him to do Home Teaching. (This is a program within our church wherein each family has two members of the congregation assigned to visit them monthly to share a gospel message and assess their needs.) Well, today the young man my husband Home Teaches with was not available - so our Lil' Jedi felt privileged to go with his Dad to visit these families.

Upon returning home I was fixing our Lil' Jedi his dinner and we were talking:

Me: "How was Home Teaching with your Dad?"
Lil' Jedi: "Good." (while munching on corn on the cob)
Me: "Did you enjoy the visits?"
Lil' Jedi: "MmmmHmmm." (nodding)
Me: "Well, how was everyone."
Lil' Jedi: "Ok - They're not dead yet Mom."

So, I suppose that in the view of a 6 year old - if you are breathing you are A-OK!