annual credit report

If you use any kind of electronic commerce--credit cards, atm, on-line bill pay, etc--you must be vigilant in regards to your identity. While I don't know about all states, Virginia passed a law allowing Virginians one free credit report check per 12 months. I check mine around tax time, just to pick a time and it is good just to review and keep up to date with how creditors determine your credit score.

This is what the FTC has to say . . . actually now that I read it, everyone should be able to use it.

"A recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. But there’s only one online source authorized to do so. That’s annualcreditreport.com. Beware of other sites that may look and sound similar. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises consumers who order their free annual credit reports online to be sure to correctly spell annualcreditreport.com, or link to it from the FTC’s website to avoid being misdirected to other websites that offer supposedly free reports, but only with the purchase of other products. While consumers may be offered additional products or services while on the authorized web site."

I actually just did mine. You have to put in all your sensitive information and then it asks you about a recent payment, so you may have to get out a recent bill if you don't know it off the top of your head. It will offer you a credit score--which is not free--but the report will tell you about the accounts you have opened and what other creditors are looking at when considering offering you a loan.

Anyway, if you haven't done it, I would encourage you to do so. :)

Tax return is in the mail . . .

or going through e-file, really. TurboTax has really improved this year and I thought it was easier than ever; however, we did have a fairly basic return.

One wierd thing that happened this year and last is there is a section under the income section where I put some contracting work I did several years ago and I can't figure out how to get rid of it. It doesn't show up in any of the income options; however, when I go through the 'error check' it always comes up and I have to put in a value. It is happy with zero; but that that is my only complaint.

Anyway, taxes are always a pain, but it is nice to get some of your money back in the process. Let's hope we never owe any. :) I still remember the first year my Dad owed--he was not happy. In fact, I think he has been grumpy ever since. (Love you Dad)

Etiquette activity

Our etiquette activity went well. We had fun and there was good food. Our cook canceled at the last minute so I spent quite a bit of time in the kitchen, but I had lots of ordering around help from the sisters. No, they were extremely helpful.

We ended up with one of the older ladies in the ward presenting the 'lesson' and I think the kids enjoyed it. They enjoyed eating and I think for the most part their etiquette improved, but there's always next year. :)

Virginia's Political Weekend

Well, the candidates hit Virginia this weekend, and the democrats spent a little more time in Richmond than did the republicans. It was my intention to go see President Clinton but somehow I got the day wrong, so I got nothing. HRC and Barak were here Saturday evening, but 1) you had to pay to see them--it was the democrat's yearly fund raiser, 2) I had to go to chaperon the youth dance that evening and 3) I wasn't invited.

Huckabee came by this morning at 8AM, but I didn't find out till noon. McCain swung by the airport which is about 3 minutes from our house so I went to see and be seen. There were several former governors and other Virginia legislators. Jerry Kilgore spoke--lame, no wonder he didn't win the governor's seat--George Allen spoke--boring--Senator John Warner spoke and chastised George for speaking too long only to tell a story about Reagan, two stories about McCain, and go on about how long they had served together. McCain thanked everyone for coming and I had to split as it was family night and I promised my family I would meet them for dinner.

I was caught of guard and I missed the onslaught weekend of future presidents. As much time as I have committed to following from afar, I am embarrassed at how much time I spent while the candidates were in my backyard.

Heather--I read the link you sent and have some thoughts, but haven't organized them enough yet. Now you know why I have so few posts.

Mac is Back???

Well, I am sure you know by know that Romney decided to drop out--hugely disappointing especially for a candidate who is willing to say this (emphasis added by me)

". . . 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."

I did not like the fact that Romney was standard bearer for conservatism--a word I don't entirely find appealing, but I did enjoy that he would always bring the family into his dialog.

What I find so sad is that I could hop on the Barak rock concert if I knew he would be a bigger supporter of marriage, chasity, and personal responsibility. I think Barak would make a good president; however, like so many others he forgets about the small and important elements that make a great society--strong families--especially when his family helped him become the person he is today.

Dining Etiquette

Our youth have chosen to have an Etiquette dinner next week. We plan to have a spaghetti dinner with a salad and a lite dessert. We will try to have a nice place setting; however, all the silverware will be plastic.

Does anyone have any simple etiquette rules/ideas they would like to pass along?

Is it over yet?

ouch! My man Mitt, did not do so well on Super Tuesday. We vote in Virginia this next Tuesday--if he doesn't win Virginia, I think I will stop following presidential politics for a while.

Perhaps everyone should watch this and then they would see . . . even if the end is a little cheesy.

Super Tuesday

Ok, people if today is your primary voting day, get out there and vote!!!

Mason Wayne Abbott

My sister, Rose-Marie, went into labor yesterday--at my house--and had the baby at 12:37 AM that next morning. He was 7lbs, 2oz and was 20 and 1/2" long. Here are the first pics, courtesy of her big brother. I think he looks like Grover--with long hair. :)

For the record . . .

I don't believe in Santa, but I do believe in the Spirit of Christmas. Jesus Christ is the reason for the season and I know he lives. Through him we can return to the Father and live together as eternal families.

I hope each of you have a Merry Christmas and may the light of Christ enter into your homes so you might have an increase of peace this year.

Whoa--It is getting nasty over there . .

way too heated on my sisters blog--silly Santa!

Anyway . . . Here are some more pictures/vids of Laurie. I managed to get a few of her gas smiles. The girls and Emily are doing well--The girls sure like to hold the baby.



We have been extremely fortunate to have so many friends help us out with presents and dinners. My in-laws are got here the end of last week. Must be time to Celebrate Christmas!

Sisters in Action :)

Little Miss Laurie has quite the sneeze! I have been trying to get in on camera and I finally did. The first one includes Miriam trying to say something. We get into a laughing tizzy because Emily's belly was shaking and Miriam noticed. It took us several minutes to finally catch our breath!

Here are three videos pieced together showing the big sisters helping. :) It is a little long, but it does eventually end!!

A few more pics--and a video!!

Emily is still not quite home--hopefully in about 2 hours or so. Then the fun really begins!!!

A few more pics

It is a little strange to look at the family pics and see three kids!! Miriam finally got to see the baby this afternoon. Oh, we decided to scratch the Claire from her name, we may use that next time--your welcome Ana-Christine. :)

Laurie Adeline Claire??

Miriam really likes Claire and it just might make it into her name. Hope you enjoy the pictures. **Update** Emily made it fine through the night and she has started eating and it looks like we are in the clear now. Thanks for all your prayers!!**
First Pic

Just Scrubbed down

Proud Parents

With Lainy today

Welcome Laurie Adeline!!

Well, it took a little longer than we thought, but Laurie Adeline Chacon was born at 9:14PM is looking good!! She was 6lbs 14oz and was 20 3/4" long. Emily started pushing about 5 after 9 and was extremely tired. She has dark hair like Miriam and is nice rosey pink color.

We had a bit of a scare afterwards; however, as I write this both Emily and the baby are fine. I will save you the gory details--you ladies can chat all about it later; however, the scary part came when the doctor said "we might need to take out your uterus". This was about 80 minutes after the birth. Both Emily and I got a little scared at that point, and I gave her a blessing, but for about 2 hours there they really had us going. We are not totally out of the clear yet, but things are looking up.

We are glad to welcome another child into the work and thank all those who helped take care of our kids in the process.

ok, it is going to happen tonight!

The doctor just came in and said Emily is ready to start pushing. They aren't back yet, but hopefully by 9:30 we will have this baby!!! What a day! Emily is doing well, just really tired and frustrated it didn't come sooner.

We forgot the cord to the camera so pictures will have to come later. Sorry!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and you are ready to spread some holiday cheer!!

It was my turn to carve the turkey this year. There were only a handful of us together and I was a little nervous, but luckily we had plenty of turkey(13lbs) for the 6 of us. Needless to say, I didn't have to cut every morsel of meat for us the get plenty of Turkey, but we could sure use my dad next year!

We still have a few leftovers, except the rolls, if anyone ran out already. :)

So you wanted to raise a boy . . . ?

This has definitely been a week of surprises for me. I feel ashamed I every second guessed or tried to find fault in my leaders--I guess I still have little growing to do and apparently I haven't been pushed quite to the edge yet. This morning Emily and I met with the Bishop and I was asked to serve as the Young Men's president. Now the kicker is that I was release from my previous calling to serve in this one==how do you like that--I bet the bishop was wondering what all my complaining was about. What a whiner!

Well, the Lord is in the details of our lives. See at the beginning of the year if I had been asked to serve with the youth I may have said no. The youth are intimidating and I didn't think I would do well. Well, at the beginning of the summer I decided I was going to start camping again and wound up camping multiple times with the young men. I believe it was the Lords hand that led me to spend those handful of nights with the young men so that I might feel more comfortable around them. Now, ask me how I feel in a couple of months. :)

I'm here to release you . . .

That's what President Anderson said to me Wednesday evening. After serving as the "EQP" for almost 2 and 1/2 years, I was done. I was in and out of his office in less than five minutes. Just before we met, I thought I was getting an assignment to speak in stake conference . . . How clueless I was!

Needless to say, I was shocked--and a little hurt. Here I had been on the inside all this time and the next minute it's all gone; with a nice thank you of course. I was upset I hadn't gotten some type of warning, especially since I thought my release would have come next summer. My emotions told me I was being let go a little too early, that I had somehow lost favor . . . I still had young men to advance and brethren to strengthen.

Of course, the next day and with each new day I see the wisdom with how the Lord works. Not that I liked it, but I believe it is all for the best and wisdom prevailed. The bitter taste of pride I had is gone and I am looking forward to a little R&R, no telling how long that will last. I have come to love about 90% of my quorum really well (the other 10% have a face only a mother could love. :) ) and I will miss certain aspects of my calling and HT reporting will not be one of them.

While it might have been nice to 'know' beforehand, it instead come at the right time, by the right person, in the right place. Ok, where did I put that tissue . . .