Not fitness related: Reality TV is poisen for Families

Case in Point-The Gosselins. This is my opinion, so you can take it as you want.

The popular reality TV show, "John and Kate plus 8" on TLC USED to be one of my faves, and also a good family show to watch. Recently, in their highest rated TV show ever, with almost 10 million viewers-I watched a family fall apart. They sat on different couches to talk, and at the end when they were on the chair together...let's just say the body language speaks everything. What I noticed that Kate was saying over and over again, was that "she lives and breathes for her kids, they are the reason I get up in the mornings, my life is all about them, #1.." and so on. THAT is the first mistake right there. I'm no expert, by any means, but I do not think that in a family environment the kids should come first. Your spouse should absolutely come first, and family dynamic will naturally fall into place. It's just a tried and true statistically speaking fact, (and biblical, I might add, which surprises me since Kate speaks at churches alot). Children CRAVE a strong parental unit, and if they see that it is always intact, and never separating, they will feel more safe and loved in the end, because they know that their homelife will never be disrupted or torn apart. All I saw on that show was Kate (excuse my french, I'm not perfect!) being a major beotch on TV, even to her children. John (not making excuses for him) was very mellow, and just trying to fair under her constant controlling ways. Of course nobody knows everything that is going on under the scenes, but come on, they ARE on a reality show, so viewers get to see ALOT. It saddens me that the children have to go through something so horrific and so public, and I just wish they would have said no to the initial offer to be on one. Maybe it would have turned out different for them. I think a solid family unit is worth more than all the money in the world than speaking engagements and a TV show could offer them, ever. I just hope and pray that they put their marriage first, and kids second, and to not just throw it away.

Just my rant for the moment. :)

Have a blessed Sunday!

In Him and Health-Demi

My "Personal" Review of Kate-from the popular show, "John and Kate + 8."

Yes, again, this is my personal opinion, and one should take it as such. And nothing against the church I go to..they are awesome. I know they don't have much control over how their speakers perform..

Anyhow, the show was sold out. Our auditorium is pretty big, like megachurch big. You can go to the website and click on the Mt. Pleasant, SC location and see that this church is growing like a wonderful "weed" in North America.

I have watched this show plenty. I (like everyone else) fell in love with their adorable kids, and was just in awe of how this family makes "it work." I knew they were Christians before hand, but even if they weren't, I still would have bought my ticket.

First off-everyone in the auditorium had "psycho eyes." If you don't know what I mean, it's the glazed over, WIDE eyed, OMG look..because there is a "celebrity" in the house. Second, when she is introduced, she is welcomed with standing ovations and mad screaming (which I do not agree with, I sat my happy ass down, thank you. The only one who gets me to stand is Jesus..) A girl even shouted, "I love you!" from the audience..how embarrassing. People had signs drawn out even...like people do at concerts. So weird. THIS part of the review is what I want to emphasize most. How we, as Christians put certain people on pedestals. Oh, I do it too. And it reminded me of yet another thing I have to work on, ha. Of course, there are TONS of people that I respect deeply, and they inspire me. But this kind of reaction for a great Mom, is a little bit over the top. I think every mom should get a standing ovation..not just her.

Her speaking..was well, BORING. There. I said it. Please don't kill me. It was monotone. There was no new insight I didn't know already. No video clips. No pics of the babies. She just sat in a chair and talked. Even when she was done-she had to say-"That's it!". Then the applause came. It was a verbatim speech that was memorized. I think if you're going to go on a speaking tour-it better be damn GOOD-and the speaker better be good. I firmly believe that if you are gifted in a certain area-explore and expand on that. But if you are not-then let.it.to.someone.else.

Then comes the fun part. Our sweet senior pastor gets up and mentions that she will be signing books for only an hour. People around me start to get nervous. They start packing up their things, and putting on their jackets. They practically get into running position. As our pastor starts to say, "Oh and if you are new to the area, please fill out a card, and thank you for coming.." kind of thing. Before he could even finish, people started running out of the auditorium. Running. I was like, "OK, maybe it's time to go now." While I didn't have a book to sign-I just had to make my way out of the place. I got pushed against the wall by 2 10 year olds. Ladies handbags were swaying in all sorts of directions. Mayhem. I thought I was going to be trampled. I was there with a friend, so we just tried to make it out alive.

Kate-advice for you. (Since I'm SUCH an expert! LOL) We need pictures. Of your kids. Some video clips of them waving, and saying "Hi Charleston" would have been nice. Ultrasound pics. A little commentary of John talking about something. ANYTHING. And maybe a little 5 min Q and A at the end. I've seen great guest speakers, and this is what they do, so maybe you can try that. Just walking quickly off the stage as soon as your done made me feel extremely "unfinished." I did not like that in the least.

Seacoast-You might need to invest in some crowd control! And maybe those fabric line things they have at theme parks to line people up for signings. It was CRAZY, to say the least, in the signing area. I thought people were going to fight for spots. Seriously.

Ok, so I think that's it. If you're a fan, I'd suggest just buying the book and reading it. My 10 bucks for the ticket almost had me trampled, stuck in traffic, and home late.

Love to all!

Katie and Kevin Engagement Pics...and The Gosselins

I LOVE this picture of them..it just spills JOY. I can't wait to see them get hitched in July! It's going to be a wonderful day!

So, the weird transition and totally unrelateable title of this blog..Kate, from John and Kate Plus 8, is going to be at Seacoast! I'm not sure when, but she will be a guest speaker. Looking forward to hearing how she shares her testimony with us all.

Hmmm, on another note-we are watching Isabel closely. We took her to the doc today, because she wasn't peeing much. The doc assured us that she looked good, and to load her up on water and juices, no solids, and of course her formula. Hopefully we will see some good, peed on diapers, and nothing else will come of this crazy ordeal with her. Continual prayers please!

P90X-Still kicking my ass. I love it though. I'm starting to throw in alot of doubles, and ooOOOH I did my first UNassisted pullup today! wooot! I am starting to wear my jeans that I wore PRE baby, which makes me crazy happy and delirious. So kudos to Tony Horton. Pounds, lbs, inches, and sweat are lost every day, and it is SO worth it.

P.S. Pics of the beautiful Katie and her soon to be hubby were taken by the talented Whitney Buffington! (Link on right side). :)