It's been a while, but here you go...

Here's a recent picture of Grant.

He got a buzz cut. His first real hair cut.

More to come.

I'm Back

I haven't posted in a while. The last two are from my wife who told me I should stop sulking over Romney pulling out of the race and continue blogging. I told her to do a post.

So I'm over it. I can honestly say I haven't paid a cent of attention to the race since Romney suspended his campaign. The real question is this:

IS IT A CRIME TO TAKE DOWN A ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT SIGN AND PUT IT IN MY GARAGE?

There is one left a few miles from my house and I want it. I think it would be a rad garage decoration. Yeah, rad.

I no longer go to work. I go to MY OFFICE. I proudly introduce the Law Office of Chris Dutkiewicz, P.C. Today, I saw my first client. It was awesome.

My office is a small office in a suite of offices. I have an "L" Desk, a credenza, a two drawer filing cabinet, and Dell pimped my computer (22" screen!). I may have purchased too much furniture, but I need it. My clients can sit comfortably, but I may take out the credenza if I get too many honest opinions about the office being cramped.

I have a website, which is "under construction". I have to submit to my web guy some links and pages and so on. If you want to follow up on the progress, you can go to http://www.chrisdlaw.com/

I will be practicing mostly bankruptcy and will and trusts and probate law. I'll do minor civil litigation stuff, but right now, my money will be from bankruptcy.

I will post some photos of my office just as soon as I get my decorations up.

Dutkiewicz

Year In Review

Grant's Birthday -- 1 YEAR

Grant had an airplane party. Dad and I decided on an airplane theme because he loves looking at airplanes in the sky. Everytime we are in the house and he hears an airplane he points to the ceiling. It is really cute!!!

From Super Tuesday to Sucky Thursday

DO WHAT IS RIGHT, LET THE CONSEQUENCE FOLLOW.

Mitt Romney did the right thing today. May we all be able to put aside our differences and get the vote out for our Republican Nominee, John McCain. Three good things about John McCain:

1. Pro-Life

2. Anti-pork

3. Prepared to be Commander in Chief

Mitt's Farewell Speech:

Governor Mitt Romney Addresses CPAC

Thursday, Feb 07, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Kevin Madden (857) 288-6390
Washington, D.C. – Today, addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Governor Romney announced that he was suspending his presidential campaign for the sake of Republican unity and the future of our country. In 2008, Republicans must stand united if we are to prevent Senators Clinton and Obama from taking the White House. As a nation at war and facing uncertain economic times, the American people cannot afford the Democrats and their agenda for retreat and economic slowdown. With today's speech, Governor Romney outlined the significance of this election and the need for the Republican Party to remain strong. Governor Romney's Address To CPAC (As Prepared For Delivery):

"I want to begin by saying thank you. It's great to be with you again. And I look forward to joining with you many more times in the future. "Last year, CPAC gave me the sendoff I needed. I was in single digits in the polls, and I was facing household Republican names. As of today, more than 4 million people have given me their vote for President, less than Senator McCain's 4.7 million, but quite a statement nonetheless. Eleven states have given me their nod, compared to his 13. Of course, because size does matter, he's doing quite a bit better with his number of delegates. "To all of you, thank you for caring enough about the future of America to show up, stand up and speak up for conservative principles. "As I said to you last year, conservative principles are needed now more than ever. We face a new generation of challenges, challenges which threaten our prosperity, our security and our future. I am convinced that unless America changes course, we will become the France of the 21st century – still a great nation, but no longer the leader of the world, no longer the superpower. And to me, that is unthinkable. Simon Peres, in a visit to Boston, was asked what he thought about the war in Iraq. 'First,' he said, 'I must put something in context. America is unique in the history of the world. In the history of the world, whenever there has been conflict, the nation that wins takes land from the nation that loses. One nation in history, and this during the last century, laid down hundreds of thousands of lives and took no land. No land from Germany, no land from Japan, no land from Korea. America is unique in the sacrifice it has made for liberty, for itself and for freedom loving people around the world.' The best ally peace has ever known, and will ever know, is a strong America. "And that is why we must rise to the occasion, as we have always done before, to confront the challenges ahead. Perhaps the most fundamental of these is the attack on the American culture. "Over the years, my business has taken me to many countries. I have been struck by the enormous differences in the wealth and well-being of people of different nations. I have read a number of scholarly explanations for the disparities. I found the most convincing was that written by David Landes, a professor emeritus from Harvard University. I presume he's a liberal – I guess that's redundant. His work traces the coming and going of great civilizations throughout history. After hundreds of pages of analysis, he concludes with this: "If we learn anything from the history of economic development, it is that culture makes all the difference. Culture makes all the difference. "What is it about American culture that has led us to become the most powerful nation in the history of the world? We believe in hard work and education. We love opportunity: almost all of us are immigrants or descendants of immigrants who came here for opportunity – opportunity is in our DNA. Americans love God, and those who don't have faith, typically believe in something greater than themselves – a 'Purpose Driven Life.' And we sacrifice everything we have, even our lives, for our families, our freedoms and our country. The values and beliefs of the free American people are the source of our nation's strength and they always will be. "The threat to our culture comes from within. The 1960's welfare programs created a culture of poverty. Some think we won that battle when we reformed welfare, but the liberals haven't given up. At every turn, they try to substitute government largesse for individual responsibility. They fight to strip work requirements from welfare, to put more people on Medicaid, and to remove more and more people from having to pay any income tax whatsoever. Dependency is death to initiative, risk-taking and opportunity. Dependency is a culture-killing drug. We have got to fight it like the poison it is. "The attack on faith and religion is no less relentless. And tolerance for pornography – even celebration of it – and sexual promiscuity, combined with the twisted incentives of government welfare programs have led to today's grim realities: 68% of African American children are born out-of-wedlock, 45% of Hispanic children, and 25% of White children. How much harder it is for these children to succeed in school and in life. A nation built on the principles of the Founding Fathers cannot long stand when its children are raised without fathers in the home. "The development of a child is enhanced by having a mother and father. Such a family is the ideal for the future of the child and for the strength of a nation. I wonder how it is that unelected judges, like some in my state of Massachusetts, are so unaware of this reality, so oblivious to the millennia of recorded history. It is time for the people of America to fortify marriage through Constitutional amendment, so that liberal judges cannot continue to attack it. "Europe is facing a demographic disaster. That is the inevitable product of weakened faith in the Creator, failed families, disrespect for the sanctity of human life and eroded morality. Some reason that culture is merely an accessory to America's vitality; we know that it is the source of our strength. And we are not dissuaded by the snickers and knowing glances when we stand up for family values, and morality, and culture. We will always be honored to stand on principle and to stand for principle. "The attack on our culture is not our sole challenge. We face economic competition unlike anything we have ever known before. China and Asia are emerging from centuries of poverty. Their people are plentiful, innovative and ambitious. If we do not change course, Asia or China will pass us by as the economic superpower, just as we passed England and France during the last century. The prosperity and security of our children and grandchildren depend on us. "Our prosperity and security also depend on finally acting to become energy secure. Oil producing states like Russia and Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Iran are siphoning over $400 billion per year from our economy – that's almost what we spend annually for defense. It is past time for us to invest in energy technology, nuclear power, clean coal, liquid coal, renewable sources and energy efficiency. America must never be held hostage by the likes of Putin, Chavez, and Ahmadinejad. "And our economy is also burdened by the inexorable ramping of government spending. Don't focus on the pork alone – even though it is indeed irritating and shameful. Look at the entitlements. They make up 60% of federal spending today. By the end of the next President's second term, they will total 70%. Any conservative plan for the future has to include entitlement reform that solves the problem, not just acknowledges it. "Most politicians don't seem to understand the connection between our ability to compete and our national wealth, and the wealth of our families. They act as if money just happens – that it's just there. But every dollar represents a good or service produced in the private sector. Depress the private sector and you depress the well-being of Americans. "That's exactly what happens with high taxes, over-regulation, tort windfalls, mandates, and overfed, over-spending government. Did you see that today, government workers make more money than people who work in the private sector? Can you imagine what happens to an economy where the best opportunities are for bureaucrats? "It's high time to lower taxes, including corporate taxes, to take a weed-whacker to government regulations, to reform entitlements, and to stand up to the increasingly voracious appetite of the unions in our government. "And finally, let's consider the greatest challenge facing America – and facing the entire civilized world: the threat of violent, radical Jihad. In one wing of the world of Islam, there is a conviction that all governments should be destroyed and replaced by a religious caliphate. These Jihadists will battle any form of democracy. To them, democracy is blasphemous for it says that citizens, not God shape the law. They find the idea of human equality to be offensive. They hate everything we believe about freedom just as we hate everything they believe about radical Jihad. "To battle this threat, we have sent the most courageous and brave soldiers in the world. But their numbers have been depleted by the Clinton years when troops were reduced by 500,000, when 80 ships were retired from the Navy, and when our human intelligence was slashed by 25%. We were told that we were getting a peace dividend. We got the dividend, but we didn't get the peace. In the face of evil in radical Jihad and given the inevitable military ambitions of China, we must act to rebuild our military might – raise military spending to 4% of our GDP, purchase the most modern armament, re-shape our fighting forces for the asymmetric demands we now face, and give the veterans the care they deserve. "Soon, the face of liberalism in America will have a new name. Whether it is Barack or Hillary, the result would be the same if they were to win the Presidency. The opponents of American culture would push the throttle, devising new justifications for judges to depart from the Constitution. Economic neophytes would layer heavier and heavier burdens on employers and families, slowing our economy and opening the way for foreign competition to further erode our lead. "Even though we face an uphill fight, I know that many in this room are fully behind my campaign. You are with me all the way to the convention. Fight on, just like Ronald Reagan did in 1976. But there is an important difference from 1976: today, we are a nation at war. "And Barack and Hillary have made their intentions clear regarding Iraq and the war on terror. They would retreat and declare defeat. And the consequence of that would be devastating. It would mean attacks on America, launched from safe havens that make Afghanistan under the Taliban look like child's play. About this, I have no doubt. "I disagree with Senator McCain on a number of issues, as you know. But I agree with him on doing whatever it takes to be successful in Iraq, on finding and executing Osama bin Laden, and on eliminating Al Qaeda and terror. If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror. "This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family, my friends and our supporters – many of you right here in this room – have given a great deal to get me where I have a shot at becoming President. If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must now stand aside, for our party and for our country. "I will continue to stand for conservative principles. I will fight alongside you for all the things we believe in. And one of those things is that we cannot allow the next President of the United States to retreat in the face evil extremism. "It is the common task of each generation – and the burden of liberty – to preserve this country, expand its freedoms and renew its spirit so that its noble past is prologue to its glorious future. "To this task, accepting this burden, we are all dedicated, and I firmly believe, by the providence of the Almighty, that we will succeed beyond our fondest hope. America must remain, as it has always been, the hope of the Earth.

"Thank you, and God bless America."

Gordon B. Hinckley Video

This is a great video tribute to President Hinckley. If you want to teach me how to put a YouTube video right on my blog, I'll let you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DONH655IR1E

Dutkiewicz

Maine Rocks!

Unless you're Inspector Gadget, you don't know that Romney won the Maine Caucus by a landslide, even though McImarriedmysecondwifeformoney had the support of both Senators in Maine, who even stumped for him. Now, as I understand it, tonight's win is the first step in Maine, as they have the Caucus results transferred to binding delegates on...February 10? I think.

Anyway, another good win for Mitt not reported by the MSM. But you will find in the headlines that Sarkozy married a model. Hurray for France. Viva French bread and

French kisses! (Yeah, I know viva isn't French.)

Dutkiewicz

Politics Break

Well, I'm taking a break from Politics. A few updates from the Dutkiewicz Family Homestead:

1. My mom got a job! My mom recently graduated from Chapman University with a degree in Marriage and Family Counseling / Psychology and moved from California to Prescott, AZ. She searched long and hard for a job in her field. At first, it was really difficult for her and sometimes she felt as though maybe no one wanted to hire her because of her age. But she stayed determined and stuck with it. She got a job near her home in Prescott and is very excited. Her efforts were a great example to all of us of persistence and following your dreams. All her life she has had jobs. Now, she has a career. Way to go, Mom. Way to go.

2. Grant has turned ONE! We are having a small party tomorrow and will post pictures of the festivities. We're proud of him for learning to walk, babble, carry spatulas, run around naked, and push a stroller all in his first year.

3. I quit my job. Really. And I don't have another waiting in the wings. I won't go into detail as to what happened, but basically, I got fed up with the powers that be. My goal is to start my own little solo practice, but I will be looking for employment as well, in case my little crack at a small business doesn't pan out the way it does in my 1:00 a.m. ponderings.

Dutkiewicz

Pssst...Go Mitt (I couldn't resist!)

LIES ARE GOOD! HA! HA! HA! I (PUFFY HEART) ILLEGALS

Excuse me while I go vomit.

Hanging Chad, Anyone?

McCain told a lie. He saw the polls moving in Romney's favor and wanted to change the subject from the economy back to IRAQ, where he can display his "expertise." His lie? Well, he said that Romney had advocated for a date certain of removal of the troops from IRAQ. Romney clearly did not say this. Even the liberal newspaper that endorsed John McCain called him dishonest:

The New York Times says of McCain's charge: "The charge appears to be misleading." Will the paper be withdrawing its endorsement of McCain?

But it worked! The Floridians fell for it. And as they should. It was a shrewd political move and Romney had no choice but to defend himself and thus, the topic was back on IRAQ. Perfect move by McLame. He knew that most people don't read anything but the headline of a newspaper and don't watch more than the evening news on t.v. which reports via "soundbite."

History shows that momentum is everything when it comes to Super Tuesday. McAmnesty has momentum. Romney needs to open the warchest and advertise heavy in all states over the next week. Otherwise, he'll be a Quizno Sub: Toasted!

By the way, has anyone noticed that Aw Shucksabee is not dropping out? Want to take a guess as to why not? Because his base won't transfer over to McNasty even if he endorses him. Many of them would support Mitt Romney, even if they have a "Mormon" problem. But stay in the race, and those religious right who still believe in miracles will stay with Iowa Luckabee. It's the best way for him to endorse McCain - Stay in the race.

Thanks Florida! Thanks for nothing!

Dutkiewicz

Rest In Peace, President Hinckley

President Hinckley was the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He passed today from old age, as the news reports read. Really, though, he passed from a life well lived.

The best way I can honor him, is by posting the following talk with a small confession. There was a time in my life when I felt too frustrated with life, and felt that God had abandoned me. I was a Returned Missionary who had felt that life was too hard to go on as a member of the Church. I contemplated leaving the church and questioned even the existence of God. A wise church leader made one last bargain with me after I told him I would not be attending church anymore. "Chris", he invited, "Please just come to Priesthood meeting with a prayer in your heart that God will give you a message that will let you know he lives and loves you." So I did. The following talk by President Hinckley moved me in a powerful way. I repented of my selfishness and lazy attitude and committed myself to the cause of the gospel. I take comfort in the reasonable irony that when President Hinckley died, I was at my monthly Stake Missionary Training. Where were you and what were you doing? Hopefully, we can all take a moment to think about the great influence this great Prophet had on us. I know I can thank him for my marriage, my son, and my great life, as without this talk, I'm afraid I would have taken some wrong paths in my life and never would have found my sweet, dear wife.

Gordon B. Hinckley, “Living Worthy of the Girl You Will Someday Marry,” Ensign, May 1998, 49

A week ago President Faust and the Young Women general presidency spoke to the young women of the Church in this tabernacle.

As I looked at that gathering of beautiful young women the question moved through my mind, “Are we rearing a generation of young men worthy of them?”

Those girls are so fresh and vibrant. They are beautiful. They are bright. They are able. They are faithful. They are virtuous. They are true. They are simply wonderful and delightful young women.

And so tonight, in this great priesthood meeting, I wish to speak to you young men, their counterpart. The title of my talk: “Living Worthy of the Girl You Will Someday Marry.”
The girl you marry will take a terrible chance on you. She will give her all to the young man she marries. He will largely determine the remainder of her life. She will even surrender her name to his name.

As Adam declared in the Garden of Eden: “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. …
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:23–24).

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as young men holding the priesthood of God, you have a tremendous obligation toward the girl you marry. Perhaps you are not thinking much of that now. But the time isn’t far away when you will think of it, and now is the time to prepare for that most important day of your lives when you take unto yourself a wife and companion equal with you before the Lord.

That obligation begins with absolute loyalty. As the old Church of England ceremony says, you will marry her “for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse.” She will be yours and yours alone, regardless of the circumstances of your lives. You will be hers and hers alone. There can be eyes for none other. There must be absolute loyalty, undeviating loyalty one to another. Hopefully you will marry her forever, in the house of the Lord, under the authority of the everlasting priesthood. Through all the days of your lives, you must be as true one to another as the polar star.

The girl you marry can expect you to come to the marriage altar absolutely clean. She can expect you to be a young man of virtue in thought and word and deed.

I plead with you boys tonight to keep yourselves free from the stains of the world. You must not indulge in sleazy talk at school. You must not tell sultry jokes. You must not fool around with the Internet to find pornographic material. You must not dial a long-distance telephone number to listen to filth. You must not rent videos with pornography of any kind. This salacious stuff simply is not for you. Stay away from pornography as you would avoid a serious disease. It is as destructive. It can become habitual, and those who indulge in it get so they cannot leave it alone. It is addictive.

It is a five-billion-dollar business for those who produce it. They make it as titillating and attractive as they know how. It seduces and destroys its victims. It is everywhere. It is all about us. I plead with you young men not to get involved in its use. You simply cannot afford to.
The girl you marry is worthy of a husband whose life has not been tainted by this ugly and corrosive material.

Look upon the Word of Wisdom as more than a commonplace thing. I regard it as the most remarkable document on health of which I know. It came to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1833, when relatively little was known of dietary matters. Now the greater the scientific research, the more certain becomes the proof of Word of Wisdom principles. The evidence against tobacco is now overwhelming, yet we see a tremendous increase in its use by young men and women. The evidence against liquor is just as great.

To me it is an ironic thing that service stations offer beer sales. An individual can get as drunk on beer and be as dangerous on the road as he can on any other alcoholic substance. It is simply a matter of how much he drinks. How absolutely inconsistent it is for a service station, where you get gas so you can drive, to also sell beer that can cause you to drive “under the influence” and become a terrible menace on the highway.

Stay away from it. It will do you no good. It could do you irreparable harm. Suppose you drink and drive and cause the death of someone. You will never get over it as long as you live. It will haunt you night and day. The one simple thing to do is simply to not touch it.

Likewise, stay away from illegal drugs. They can absolutely destroy you. They will take away your powers of reason. They will enslave you in a vicious and terrible way. They will destroy your mind and your body. They will build within you such cravings that you will do anything to satisfy them.

Would any girl in her right mind ever wish to marry a young man who has a drug habit, who is the slave of alcohol, who is addicted to pornography?

Avoid profanity. It is all around you in school. Young people seem to pride themselves on using filthy and obscene language as well as indulging in profanity, taking the name of our Lord in vain. It becomes a vicious habit which, if indulged in while you are young, will find expression throughout your life. Who would wish to be married to a man whose speech is laden with filth and profanity?

There is another serious thing to which many young men become addicted. This is anger. With the least provocation they explode into tantrums of uncontrolled rage. It is pitiful to see someone so weak. But even worse, they are prone to lose all sense of reason and do things which bring later regret.

We hear much these days of the phenomenon called road rage. Drivers become provoked over some small irritation. They fly into a rage, even resulting in murder. A life of regret follows.
As the writer of Proverbs has said, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Prov. 16:32).

If you have a temper, now is the time to learn to control it. The more you do so while you are young, the more easily it will happen. Let no member of this Church ever lose control of himself in such an unnecessary and vicious manner. Let him bring to his marriage words of peace and composure.

I constantly deal with those cases of members of the Church who have been married in the temple and who later divorce and then apply for a cancellation of their temple sealing. When first married, they are full of great expectations, with a wonderful spirit of happiness. But the flower of love fades in an atmosphere of criticism and carping, of mean words and uncontrolled anger. Love flies out the window as contention enters. I repeat, my brethren, if any of you young men have trouble controlling your temper, I plead with you to begin the work of making that correction now. Otherwise you will bring only tears and sorrow into the homes which you will someday establish. Jacob, in the Book of Mormon, condemns his people for their wickedness in marriage. Says he: “Behold, ye have done greater iniquities than the Lamanites, our brethren. Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you. And because of the strictness of the word of God, which cometh down against you, many hearts died, pierced with deep wounds” (Jacob 2:35).

Work for an education. Get all the training that you can. The world will largely pay you what it thinks you are worth. Paul did not mince words when he wrote to Timothy, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Tim. 5:8).

It is your primary obligation to provide for your family.

Your wife will be fortunate indeed if she does not have to go out and compete in the marketplace. She will be twice blessed if she is able to remain at home while you become the breadwinner of the family.

Education is the key to economic opportunity. The Lord has laid a mandate upon us as a people to acquire learning “by study, and also by faith” (D&C 109:14). It is likely that you will be a better provider if your mind and hands are trained to do something worthwhile in the society of which you will become a part.

Be modest in your wants. You do not need a big home with a big mortgage as you begin your lives together. You can and should avoid overwhelming debt. There is nothing that will cause greater tensions in marriage than grinding debt, which will make of you a slave to your creditors. You may have to borrow money to begin ownership of a home. But do not let it be so costly that it will preoccupy your thoughts day and night.

When I was married my wise father said to me, “Get a modest home and pay off the mortgage so that if economic storms should come, your wife and children will have a roof over their heads.”
The girl who marries you will not wish to be married to a tightwad. Neither will she wish to be married to a spendthrift. She is entitled to know all about family finances. She will be your partner. Unless there is full and complete understanding between you and your wife on these matters, there likely will come misunderstandings and suspicions that will cause trouble that can lead to greater problems.

She will wish to be married to someone who loves her, who trusts her, who walks beside her, who is her very best friend and companion. She will wish to be married to someone who encourages her in her Church activity and in community activities which will help her to develop her talents and make a greater contribution to society. She will want to be married to someone who has a sense of service to others, who is disposed to contribute to the Church and to other good causes. She will wish to be married to someone who loves the Lord and seeks to do His will. It is well, therefore, that each of you young men plan to go on a mission, to give unselfishly to your Father in Heaven a tithe of your life, to go forth with a spirit of total unselfishness to preach the gospel of peace to the world wherever you may be sent.

If you are a good missionary, you will return home with the desire to continue to serve the Lord, to keep His commandments, and to do His will. Such behavior will add immeasurably to the happiness of your marriage.

As I have said, you will wish to be married in one place and one place only. That is the house of the Lord. You cannot give to your companion a greater gift than that of marriage in God’s holy house, under the protective wing of the sealing covenant of eternal marriage. There is no adequate substitute for it. There should be no other way for you.

Choose carefully and wisely. The girl you marry will be yours forever. You will love her and she will love you through thick and thin, through sunshine and storm. She will become the mother of your children. What greater thing in all this world can there be than to become the father of a precious child, a son or daughter of God, our Father in Heaven, for whom we are given the rights and responsibilities of mortal stewardship.

How precious a thing is a baby. How wonderful a thing is a child. What a marvelous thing is a family. Live worthy of becoming a father of whom your wife and children will be proud.
The Lord has ordained that we should marry, that we shall live together in love and peace and harmony, that we shall have children and rear them in His holy ways.

And so, my dear young men, you may not think seriously about it now. But the time will come when you will fall in love. It will occupy all of your thoughts and be the stuff of which your dreams are made. Make yourself worthy of the loveliest girl in all the world. Keep yourself worthy through all the days of your life. Be good and true and kind one to another. There is so much of bitterness in the world. There is so much of pain and sorrow that come of angry words. There is so much of tears that follow disloyalty. But there can be so much of happiness if there is an effort to please and an overwhelming desire to make comfortable and happy one’s companion.
When all is said and done, this is what the gospel is about. The family is a creation of God. It is the basic creation. The way to strengthen the nation is to strengthen the homes of the people.
I am satisfied that if we would look for the virtues in one another and not the vices, there would be much more of happiness in the homes of our people. There would be far less of divorce, much less of infidelity, much less of anger and rancor and quarreling. There would be more of forgiveness, more of love, more of peace, more of happiness. This is as the Lord would have it.
Young men, now is the time to prepare for the future. And in that future for most of you is a beautiful young woman whose greatest desire is to bond with you in a relationship that is eternal and everlasting.

You will know no greater happiness than that found in your home. You will have no more serious obligation than that which you face in your home. The truest mark of your success in life will be the quality of your marriage.

God bless you, my dear young men. I could wish for you nothing more wonderful than the love, the absolute total love, of a companion of whom you are proud and worthy in every respect. This choice will be the most important of all the choices you make in your life. I pray that heaven may smile upon you in the choice you make, that you may be guided, that you may live without regret, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Too Much Support for a Candidate?

The other day my brother Shawn accused me possibly being related to Mitt after I praised him in an e-mail that was supposed to be praising my mother for getting a recent interview.

Today, my co-worker asked, "What will you do if Mitt doesn't win the nomination?" "Will you be o.k?"

I have contemplated a loss from time to time. It is during these moments of introspection that I realize that life can deal us some very hard blows. I guess I'll just have to deal with it. But it just doesn't seem possible to me. Mitt is the best choice for POTUS. He's got the IT factor. Plus, he's not asking his staffers to go without pay, as Julia Gulia has and as Mike "Aw" Shucksabee has. Money is important in a campaign. Mitt is often criticized because he has spent a lot of his own money on this campaign. But he has also raised the most money out of any candidate. That says something about his candidacy. People across the board are supporting him. Read the exit polls. The Republican party loves him. The Mainstream Media hates him. That's good. The MSM loves John McCain. That's not a good thing, you know.

I will vote the party, no matter what. Although, it will be tough to cast a vote for Rudy or Johnny Boy, I will do it over the other folks.

But I don't dwell on the possiblity of a Romney loss. For now, I just hope that the U.S. is able to make the right choice.

Go Mitt!
Dutkiewicz

Think Politicians Don't Matter?

Learning About the 'Three Sexes' By Rick AmatoTuesday, January 22, 2008

A new law requiring California public schools to, among other things, allow students to 'choose their own gender' when deciding whether to use the boys or girls restroom and locker room is a glaring example of the cultural assault taking place in America. At stake are the minds, values and ideals of the children who parents send off to school each morning. The law went into effect on Jan. 11.

SB 777 as it is known, claims to be about creating safe schools, and prohibiting discrimination against students based upon gender. Instead it is another example of how the influence which special interest groups hold over our lawmakers results in poor legislation that is out of touch and unrepresentative of the values of the American people. The law alters the definition of the word "sex" as being biological in nature and replaces it with the word "gender" in California's Education Code. It further defines "gender" as "sex" based upon a person's gender identity or gender-related appearance and behavior, and not upon their natural sex at birth.

A supporter of the new legislation, Debbie Look of the California State PTA, told me, "We believe in the right to provide a safe school environment for all students. A 2001-2002 survey indicated that 7.5 percent of students reported being harassed based upon sexual orientation, which in turn leads to poor grades, skipped school days and worse."

But Jim Kelly — one of four Board members of the Grossmont Unified High School School District in San Diego who is currently suing the state of California over SB 777 — had this to say, "No one is arguing against anti-discrimination. There are current laws ... which protect students against the harmful effects of discrimination." But "what they have done here, however, is turn a disorder into a civil right. Gender identity issues are classified as a disorder by The American Psychiatric Association. This law makes it a civil right."

He added: "Furthermore the guidelines are vaguely written. Who enforces whether or not a 16-year-old teenage boy is permitted into the girls locker room? The teachers? The teachers I have spoken with want no part of this. How do we know when someone has selected their gender? Do they give us written notice, verbal notice, same day notice, what?"

State Assemblyman Joel Anderson, who co-chaired a referendum to overturn SB 777, went on to say, "Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gave his word to all the state legislators that he would not sign this bill. Then one week later, when we were out of session and our guard was down, he signed it — the exact same bill he vetoed last year."

When pressed on why Mr. Schwarzenegger said one thing but did another just days later, Mr. Anderson responded, "I am only speculating, but it is my belief the governor has aspirations to be elected to the U.S. Senate and is courting support among certain special interest groups."
The special interest group that sponsored SB 777 is Equality California. It describes itself as "California's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights and advocacy organization, leading efforts for civil rights at the state level through strategies, including sponsoring legislation and efforts to ensure passage, lobbying legislators and government officials."
There could be national ramifications that go beyond the state of California. Some interpret the law as forcing California textbooks to no longer be able to use words like "mother and father" and "husband and wife," because they suggest that heterosexuality is the norm." Since California is often the largest purchaser of textbooks, schools across the nation may be impacted because publishers are not likely to create separate textbooks for other states.

Where does it go from here? According to Mr. Anderson, "First of all, it is now the law in the state of California. "Secondly, this legislation was strategically written (without proper guidelines) so that it would be enforced in the courtrooms. The lawsuits are coming. In the meantime we are forming an initiative to overturn it, which is where we prefer to fight this battle".

It used to be parents sent their children off to school to learn about the three Rs. Now, in California at least, children are about to be taught about the three sexes.

Rick Amato is a radio talk show host, Washington Times columnist, political commentator and a frequent guest on CNN. 'The Rick Amato Show' is heard on 1170 KCBQ in San Diego. Rick blogs at http://rickmato.townhall.com.

Dutkiewicz Comment:

My sister-in-law first told us about this and to be honest, I thought she must have misinterpreted a rumor she heard in the teacher's lounge (she teaches Junior High School). So I googled it and found she was dead on. That was a few months ago and when I saw this article on Townhall.com, I had to post it.

Can you believe this? Think it's only going to happen in crazy California? Think again. Participate in the process, people. There is no greater tragedy than when good people do nothing.

Dutkiewicz

Romney Economic Plan

Take a read, if you are voting on Issues.

http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Romney_Agenda_1.19

Dutkiewicz

My Doctor Phil Moment

Readers,

I've changed the poll as I realized, with the help of a friend, that I had some potentially offensive language there. I had thought previously about my choice of words and meant it in good fun, but realized that there are some things I shouldn't joke about. My friend pointed out that my use of the word "Nazi" is potentially offensive in the way I used it and I agree. So I've changed it. Please revote. Last I checked it was 3 to 4, with Romney leading the left wing liberals.

Mitt Wins in Nevada, South Carolina chooses some other guy

Mitt Romney took Nevada (51%). He won across all areas, and if you do your research, he would have won even if the "Mormons" would have not shown up. But they did, and you know what? The other candidates did not even contest the state, except for Ron Paul. Now, you tell me, are we going to sing the same song for Nevada as for Wyoming? If Mitt wins a state, all of sudden it's not as important? Ridiculous Media Bias. Fox even suggested Mitt now has three wins in "low profile" primaries. Michigan is "low-profile"? Got to love it!

South Carolina is home to more veterans than any other state (point McCain). South Carolina is home to many Evangelicals (point Huckabee). Romney is from the North, never served in the Military, and is LDS. On to Florida!

Hopefully, Thompson bows out. When Huckabee loses Florida, he should bow out too. Romney will be poised to take the nomination.

Go Mitt!

Dutkiewicz

Jen's New Favorite Quote

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in ashiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived." -Marjorie Hinckley

Jen is a Brainiac!

Jen might have a chance to work for the New Brain Institute. She got involved when Grant was 9 months preggo by attending a free seminar on brain development in infants. She was later invited to be part of a dvd presentation that was distributed statewide. She's also participated on a talk show that aired early on a Sunday morning a few months back (we forgot to listen!).

They have opened the door to an opportunity for her to make some Saturday morning presentations sometime in the future. We don't know if it will happen for sure, but we're excited at the prospect. The program is called "Wired for Success" and Jen really believes in the concepts presented by this group.

Of course, Grant and I are proud that Jen is even considered and support her one hundred percent!

Go Jen!

Dutkiewicz

MItt is IT!

Mitt Romney won Michigan tonight. The idiotic MSM (mainstream media) had headlines such as "Mitt Edges McCain in Michigan", (see http://www.townhall.com/) even though it looks like he'll win by 9 or 10 points! When McLame won N.H., the MSM called it a "a convincing win" and headlines like that. Why the bias? Who knows, who cares. MItt is IT people! Join the Romney Revolution. Help fix Washington. http://www.mittromney.com/

Dutkiewicz

Our Home is Now Complete!

We bought a piano! Jen was wanting to get back into playing and of course we really want to be able to teach our children how to play. I want to learn as well and Jen has promised to teach me to play a little ditty.

Jen has always enjoyed these lines from a talk by W. Eugene Hansen of the Presidency of the Seventy:

Our living room furniture would never have made the cover of House Beautiful, but we did have two very significant items: we had a piano and we had a bookcase. How significant those two somewhat simple possessions were in the development of productive talents and interests so important in our early years.
The influence of good music and good books carried well over into the next generation. Even television has not replaced the piano and the bookcase in the lives of our families.

We hope to enjoy our piano in the years to come.

Answering a Question About the Book of Mormon

As anyone who might read this blog knows or should know, the Dutkiewicz Family are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or commonly and sometimes affectionately referred to as "the Mormons".

Recently I received a question from a close relative regarding an article which appeared at the following link:

Have you seen this? Curious as to what your take on it is. Honestly speaking, it would appear to me to be yet another example of the many inconsistencies in the LDS doctrine.http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0111az-mormonbook11-on.html

I read the e-mailed question on Friday and thought I would post the question and answer on my blog, as all of my close relatives are not LDS and some are, quite frankly, anti-Mormon and have very strong feelings against our faith. I think it would be fair to say that some of our close relatives would shout for joy if we ever disavowed our faith in the church as they believe that our salvation is as stake because of it.

Sometimes, when such a situation exists, it can be difficult to separate the deep love and affection one might have for a close relative with the deep feelings one might have for a faith. Indeed, when it comes to matters of salvation, who other than our loved ones do we want to share our beliefs and thereby enjoy what we believe is the pathway for salvation? Certainly this is true for members of my faith, and I would imagine for those who suscribe to most faiths, especially those who would espouse the various forms of Christianity out there, as Christ's command to Peter was thrice given: Lovest thou me? Feed my lambs...Feed my sheep. Thus, most Christian churches have some sort of "missionary" aspect to them.

I therefore acknowledge that when I get a question such as this from a loved one, whom I know has a conviction for his or her own faith, I assume a few things:

First, I assume that the person asking is not asking because they really want to learn about my faith for the purpose of someday converting. In fact, after fifteen years of membership in the church, I have come to the conclusion that my family members are not interested in joining the church and that if they are, they have all the knowledge necessary to go about doing that. And after a couple of years of marriage, I have come to the same conclusion about my wife's side of the family as well. We just do our best to live our lives and always try to answer any questions given us regarding our faith because if people are going to disagree with us, it's nice to know they disagree with the facts, and not some anti-Mormon literature they've obtained which they allow to define us.

Second, I assume that because the person asking has no sincere interest in becoming a member of the LDS faith, then there are only two reasons to ask the question: Either a) the person is just interested on an intellectual level about our faith or b) the person thinks that someday, they will bring the right question to my attention, I won't be able to answer and POOF! I'll see the light and renounce my faith. I may be missing another category of reasons to ask such questions if you aren't really interested in joining the faith, but I think these are the two main ones.

That being said, I'm going to answer this question under both frameworks. It's important though that the reader realize that I find no offense in being asked any question about my faith. In fact, there are a lot other more interesting questions to ask me other than the change (or addition, really) of a word in the introduction of the Book of Mormon. If any reader out there is interested, just e-mail me the question at cdutkiewicz@yahoo.com. Please don't use my blog for asking more questions, as the purpose of my blog is for the Dutkiewicz Family to put what WE want on here. I reserve all rights to edit my blog because it is a quasi-journal for me. So I put stuff on here that interests me and my family. So just respect that. No one is forcing you to read my blog, so don't give me any grief about how I choose to put what on my blog.

Now, on to the answer.

First, I take exception to the form of the question, which seems to require me to accept the suggestion that there are any other inconsistencies in the LDS doctrine to even answer the question. I identify such a suggestion as a false premise and reject it. There are no more inconsistencies in the LDS doctrine than there are with Christianity as a whole.

Second, I note that the article is referencing a change that occurred with the 2006 Version of the Book of Mormon. This change took place more than two years ago and the Arizona Republic is picking up on it now? Talk about making "the news" an oxymoron. While I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, it seems convenient that such old news that just so happens to criticize the LDS faith comes up two weeks before Super Tuesday. The comments to the article are by and large hurtful and show the common prejudice people have against our faith.

Third, I will admit to the questioner, no, I did not see that and to be honest, I had no idea the change had even occurred. To us, it is so insignificant that there was no "churchwide" announcement about the "big change" in the introduction.

What's my take? Well, I don't think the change is a tacit admisison of anything. The author cites Thomas Murphy, "a Mormon" who had some harsh criticism of the church, as though if someone is a "Mormon", whatever they say has merit. Many people call themselves Mormon and then go on and do or say things that very non-Mormon. I don't espouse anything that individual said and frankly, neither does the church. There are other comments on there, such as the one by John L. Sorenson, which are not necessarily the Church's either, but I would probably agree with them.

The church's position is apparently found in the quote from the Church spokesperson:

"That change takes into account details of the Book of Mormon demography which are not known," church spokeswoman Kim Farah said, adding that the change will also appear in future editions of the book.

Whether the Lamanites are or are among the ancestors of the American Indians seems to me to one in the same idea. We believe that the Lamanites came from the bloodlines of Lehi, who was a prophet who originally lived in Jerusalem. Apparently, there is "DNA" evidence out there that suggests this is not scientifically possible. Really? So what? Please see this link which opposes that DNA evidence might refute or support the Book of Mormon: http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/dna.php?selection=dna&cat=dna

My point though is this: I could care less whether some nerd in a laboratory did a chemistry experiment and determined that something is wrong with my belief. My faith isn't founded on scientific proof. If it were, I would have problems with:

The fact that Adam and Eve's children slept together, produced child after child and yet no maleffects whatsoever occurred, or at least were recorded in the Bible.

The fact that the Bible doesn't adequately explain scientifically how the animals survived on the ark for the amount of time they did.

The fact that the Bible teaches a man lived inside of a whale for an extended period time.

The wonderful fact that a man, a God even, resurrected himself after he was crucified.

These things are all part of the Christian faith and are laughable by the scientific world. But Christians believe them. Why? Faith. We believe that God makes things happen for his own purposes and we do not rely on science to qualify our beliefs. We believe because the Holy Ghost puts feelings into our hearts and we react to them.

For some reason, it is o.k. for mainstream Christianity to believe in something that seems to fly in the face of reason and science, but if a Mormon does that, or even appears to do that, well, it's just another inconsistency of the doctrine. Proof the church isn't true.

That's naive. I would like to discuss the various changes the Bible has gone through over the years, but first I'd have to pick which one. The Bible, which didn't even exist in the form it is now at the time of Christ, has been interepreted various times, and has various forms and versions. Depending on which "kind" of Christian you are, your version of the Bible will vary. I can hear the reaction to that, "Well, the message is still the same, the version doesn't matter." Really? Well try getting a congregation that uses the KJV to switch to the NSV. See how that goes over.

If you made it this far in the post, get a life! But thanks, for reading. I believe the Book of Mormon is true not because there is scientific backing for the claims made therein, but because the Holy Ghost tells me in my heart it is true. Am I concerned about the change mentioned in the article? Nope. I believe that this Church is run by a Prophet who does what God wants him to do. Therefore, if they want to add "among" to the introduction of the Book of Mormon, then so be it. It has no effect whatsoever on my position that it's true, that the Book of Mormon has changed my life for the better, that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and that Gordon B. Hinckley is the Prophet and President of the Church.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for the question.

Dutkiewicz

Article from National Review.

Some food for thought if you are considering McCain and consider yourself a Republican:


The Real McCain RecordObstacles in the way of conservative support.Mark R. Levin - January 11, 2008 - National Review Online
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YjUzOGY0ODA1YzBmNjFhOWE5NWU0OTY5NTZiOGNhOGQ=


There’s a reason some of John McCain's conservative supporters avoid discussing his record. They want to talk about his personal story, his position on the surge, his supposed electability. But whenever the rest of his career comes up, the knee-jerk reply is to characterize the inquiries as attacks.The McCain domestic record is a disaster. To say he fought spending, most particularly earmarks, is to nibble around the edges and miss the heart of the matter. For starters, consider:

McCain-Feingold — the most brazen frontal assault on political speech since Buckley v. Valeo.

McCain-Kennedy — the most far-reaching amnesty program in American history.

McCain-Lieberman — the most onerous and intrusive attack on American industry — through reporting, regulating, and taxing authority of greenhouse gases — in American history.

McCain-Kennedy-Edwards — the biggest boon to the trial bar since the tobacco settlement, under the rubric of a patients’ bill of rights.

McCain-Reimportation of Drugs — a significant blow to pharmaceutical research and development, not to mention consumer safety (hey Rudy, pay attention, see link). And McCain’s stated opposition to the Bush 2001 and 2003 tax cuts was largely based on socialist, class-warfare rhetoric — tax cuts for the rich, not for the middle class. The public record is full of these statements. Today, he recalls only his insistence on accompanying spending cuts. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, McCain was consistently hostile to American enterprise, from media and pharmaceutical companies to technology and energy companies. McCain also led the Gang of 14, which prevented the Republican leadership in the Senate from mounting a rule change that would have ended the systematic use (actual and threatened) of the filibuster to prevent majority approval of judicial nominees.And then there’s the McCain defense record.His supporters point to essentially one policy strength, McCain’s early support for a surge and counterinsurgency. It has now evolved into McCain taking credit for forcing the president to adopt General David Petreaus’s strategy. Where’s the evidence to support such a claim?Moreover, Iraq is an important battle in our war against the Islamo-fascist threat. But the war is a global war, and it most certainly includes the continental United States, which, after all, was struck on 9/11. How does McCain fare in that regard?

McCain-ACLU — the unprecedented granting of due-process rights to unlawful enemy combatants (terrorists).McCain has repeatedly called for the immediate closing of Guantanamo Bay and the introduction of al-Qaeda terrorists into our own prisons — despite the legal rights they would immediately gain and the burdens of managing such a dangerous population.While McCain proudly and repeatedly points to his battles with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who had to rebuild the U.S. military and fight a complex war, where was McCain in the lead-up to the war — when the military was being dangerously downsized by the Clinton administration and McCain’s friend, former Secretary of Defense Bill Cohen? Where was McCain when the CIA was in desperate need of attention? Also, McCain was apparently in the dark about al-Qaeda like most of Washington, despite a decade of warnings.My fingers are crossed that at the next debate, either Fred Thompson or Mitt Romney will find a way to address McCain’s record. (Mike Huckabee won’t, as he is apparently in the tank for him.)

— Mark R. Levin served as chief of staff to Attorney General Edwin Meese in the Reagan administration, and he is a nationally syndicated radio talk show host.

Check out my Slide Show!

Political and Religious Musings

Sunday night was the Fox Debates and they were probably Mitt Romney's finest moment so far. Unfortunately, there was not enough time to turn that performance into votes.

I found that Mike Huckabee said something really interesting in the debate while talking about immigration. Here's a quote:

"And I know I’m going to be questioned, do I still stand by that idea that we treat the children differently, who didn’t commit acrime? And let me just be very clear, yes, I do stand beside that,because I don’t think you punish a child for what a parent did." Mike Huckabee answering a question on immigration from Chris Wallace during the Fox Debate on January 6, 2008 (link to transcript: http://thepage.time.com/fox-news-forum-transcript/

"...because I don't think you punish a child for what a parent did." I thought about this commnent for a long time because I was always under the impression that LDS theology was the only Christian based theology that rejected the concept of original sin. In fact our second Article of Faith reads:

2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression. http://scriptures.lds.org/a_of_f/1/1-13#1

Am I mistaken that Baptists believe in original sin? I found this quote on the internet, so who knows how reliable it is:

Man and Original Sin
"About “man” the SBC (Southern Baptist
Convention) teaches that “Man is the special creation of God, made in
his own image. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His
creation. The gift of gender is thus part of the goodness of God’s creation.
In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with
freedom of choice. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin
into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan man
transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence
whereby his posterity inherit a nature and environment inclined toward
sin.” http://www.orlutheran.com/html/baptist.html"

So if I get it right, Huckabee the Baptist believes in original sin and that we all suffer for Adam's transgression, but Huckabee the Governor believes the children of illegals should not be punished for the crimes of their parents. Likewise, Romney the Mormon believes that we are to be punished for our own sins, and not Adam's transgression, but Romney the Governor believes that children of illegal immigrants are also illegal immigrants and should be punished accordingly.

Isn't this an interesting paradox? It reminds me of the bizarro Seinfield episode where the gang encountered another gang who all looked and acted the opposite of them.

Speaking of interesting paradoxes, remember this one?:

Zeno's Paradox
In order for a person to cross a room, that person must first cross the halfway point of the room. In order to reach the halfway point, the person must first reach the midpoint between the origin of the walk and the halfway point. And to reach halfway to the halfway point, the person must cross the halfway to the halfway to the halfway point.

Zeno argued that the process could be continued forever. The gist of the argument is that in order to reach the other side of the room, an infinite number of points must be crossed. And logic tells us that an infinite number of points cannot be crossed in a finite period of time. Therefore, it is impossible to cross a room.

So how are you going to get your ice cream tonight?

Dutkiewicz

New Hampshire

Well, the Mittster lost a close one again. Thankfully, he still leads the delegate count, so if the convention was today, he'd be the nominee.

I've included a link to the Clinton News Network delegate count to keep you informed. No matter who you vote for this year, please vote. It's important. I was thinking today that I would bet more people had a bumper sticker than vote in presidential elections. That's sad.

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/scorecard/#R

Go Mitt!

Dutkiewicz

Grant's First Wound

Dateline: December 15, 2007...Gilbert, Arizona

Grant got a scratch on his forehead and it drew blood. That was unfortunate. Even more unfortunate was the fact that Dad was watching him when it happened.

The Christmas Tree was clearly at fault here, though. Grant was standing next to it, and even though he had been well taught not to touch the tree ("not for baby!") he reached out to feel a lush, green, plastic branch and lost his balance. Luckily, he did not get his eye poked, but he did get a gash.

If you think Grant's gash was bad, you should have seen Dad's after Mom found out.

By the way, if you have use for a slightly dented pot, let me know.

Dutkiewicz

Mitt Romney called me tonight!

Here's a picture of Mitt Romney calling me. I told him he had my vote! We couldn't talk long because I was low on minutes.

Dutkiewicz

Highlights from Fox News Debate

If you want to hear what a President sounds like here you go:

http://mitt-tv.mittromney.com/?showid=728837

Community Jen

Jennifer made it her mission to have a portable dumpster removed from our neighborhood. The stench was awful (and in part, still is due to the liquid waste that leaked on to the street). Jen bothered workers in the street, called the Town of Gilbert, and called the numbers on the dumpster (which was always "busy").

We're grateful that it is gone and hope that the street is cleaned too. (Editor's note: We took photos of a similar dumpster just around the corner to show you a quasi before and after look).

Jen's next project: Getting infant swings in our community parks.

Go Jen!

Dutkiewicz

Grant's "Music" Day

Today Grant, Jen, and Grandma Larinda went to the Perry Library in Gilbert for a musical experience. Jen reports that the hostess was a "dud". She showed no enthusiasm and her rendition of "The Wheels on the Bus" needed a tune-up. We're investigating some classes you can pay for that expose the little anklebiters to music, but then it's so hard to choose Grant's intellectual development over say, a new pair of Nikes.

One interesting note: Jen met another 12 month old named Grant. This was the first youngster we've encountered that shares (or has stolen) Grant's name.

Jen didn't get a chance to bring the camera for a photo-op, so here is Grant posing with "Brown Bear, Brown Bear", which is included to make the reader think we are great parents who read often to our little Hemingway. Truth is, it's just a prop.

Dutkiewicz

Jen's New Do

On December 20, 2007, Jennifer donated 12 inches of her hair to Locks of Love. Bottles of Shampoo are cheering everywhere!

State of the Family

Everything is going well for the Dutkiewicz Family. We are looking forward to 2008 for many reasons. To name a few:

1. Tax Refund: This year we will deduct Grant! Whoohoo!

2. Another Year on the Job: Chris will enjoy another year on the job. No longer is he a "first year attorney".

3. Vacation: We are committed to going on a real vacation. We have been inspired by other blogs we've seen with pictures from places other than the living room of the blogger.

4. A Mitt Romney Win: Yes, we support Mitt Romney. We've donated a whopping 100.00 to his campaign. We have been asked if it's just because he is a Mormon, but truly it's more than that. Mitt is the smartest candidate out there. The U.S. is a huge corporation and Mitt can run a corporation better than anyone. We know he won't embarrass the office. We could go on, but really you should visit http://www.mittromney.com/ to learn more.

5. Chris is committed to losing a few pounds: The whole family is excited. We are going to have charts and graphs, and a few Venn Diagrams. Maybe we'll post them on the blog.

Ok, well keep checking the blog for more stuff!

Dutkiewicz

Stupid Iowa

Well it looks like Mitt Romney got off to a rough start tonight, coming in second to Mike Luckabee. Hopefully, the pundits are right and Mike will be a one hit wonder.

Doesn't anyone listen to Rush anymore?

Romney/Dutkiewicz in 08!

Our First Blog

Happy New Year! We've joined the world of blogging. We have no good reason other than everyone else is doing it. We hope to provide a way for family and friends to keep up with us and watch Grant grow from afar.

Plus, if others are paying attention, we'll have to go out and do something interesting so we can put it on our blog.

Dutkiewicz