WISHES FOR SOLDIERS

Last night's Three Wishes was awesome! I love that show. It was a tribute to military families in Ohio. Four returning soldiers were decked out with homes, jeeps and a wedding to thank them and their families for their service. And one family who lost their brave father in Iraq was also honored for his service. It is nice to see American military personnel getting the recognition and praise they deserve. May we as a nation never again turn our backs on our men and women in uniform.

Mrs. Media Matters and I have vowed to do our part. We joined Soldiers Angels and our first Marine, Staff Sgt. Brian, was recently allowed to return home to his family in Chicago after his tour of duty in Iraq. Praise God! We just got our new assignment. We don't yet know much about Staff Sgt. Shannon, but we're honored to be a part of his life and his mission. My job is the writing of the letters and occasional E-mails. The Mrs. loves to shop for him and his men. She always gets excited when she finds out new items that they are requesting. And at least once a month the care package gets mailed. If you can, join Soldiers Angels and make a difference in the life of a brave soldier in harm's way.

MAY THE FOURS BE WITH YOU

Last night's Apprentice was awesome. In the boardroom, The Donald fired 4 (count 'em) people: Josh, Jennifer, and I can't even remember the names of the two baseball fiends. They all deserved it. The team lost by more than 100. They sucked so bad their sales actually decreased. No increase whatsoever. They totally forgot that their mission was to sell and started enjoying themselves too much. They were overconfident. And on the Apprentice that is always a curse. When someone says "there's no way we'll lose this task" they always do. Mrs. Media Matters is relieved that the annoying Jennifer is toast. I'm surprised Josh did so poorly. I don't really have a favorite this season. And the game seems wide open. Who's your pick?

PRAY FOR THE PRESIDENT

During the Hurricane Katrina aftermath, when President Bush was getting unfairly criticized, I wrote him a note. I simply wanted to do something, anything to try and encourage him and tell him that not all Americans believe the distorted lies the MSM conveys. I told him I was praying for him and that I admired him. I never expected a response. And then yesterday one came. I was very pleased. It's actually signed by him, and not by a signature stamp. Very cool. I realize he didn't write it, he has a staff to do that. And he has the free world to lead so it's not like he doesn't have more important things to do. Still, he signed it -- so in some small way he knows that someone out there in Northern California is praying for him, proud of him. He has been having a tough couple of months because the MSM, the Democrats, and even the elites in his own party have been beating up on him lately. He is a good man, and he deserves a break. And my prayers are still with him.

YOU OUGHTTA BE IN PICTURES

Check out Baby Media Matters. Here's hoping this child gets it's looks from Mrs. Media Matters. It was a fun experience today getting to see our child grow and move inside it's womb with a view. The ultrasound technician, however, needed a course from Dale Carnegie. This woman had no friends, no personality for that matter. You're dealing with people in one of the happiest times of their lives and she can't even muster a smile or a congratulations. It was as if the sheer beauty and charisma of our baby didn't even faze her. How rude!

Congrats to the Chicago White Sox. It was an exciting, but low-scoring, final game. Can you say "SWEEP!"?

HEARTBEAT...LOOKING FOR A HEARTBEAT

Do you remember that corny, old Don Johnson song from the 80s (yes, Don Johnson once thought he could sing, like Eddie Murphy)? The chorus was catchy, "Heartbeat. I'm looking for a heartbeat." Well, yesterday Mrs. Media Matters and I found one. For the first time we heard the heartbeat of our almost 12-week old baby growing inside mommy's tummy. It was very emotional. My wife teared up. I teared up just a few weeks earlier when the ultrasound allowed us to see our baby's heartbeat for the first time. A previous miscarriage had resulted in an ultrasound where there was no heartbeat to see (or hear). So hearing and seeing the baby's heartbeat this time around were moments of relief and excitement for us parents-to-be. Modern technology is marvelous. It allows fathers a glimpse into the life of their unborn baby. The child doesn't grow inside us, kick us, or get our attention in any way besides noticing the growth in the size of our spouse's belly. But now we get to see inside and I think that helps us feel less detached from the process, and more emotional about it. At least it did for me. They have been saying for years that technology would make it more difficult for the pro-choice movement. And now I understand why. When expectant mothers (and fathers) can hear and see their baby's heartbeat and development on a monitor, it becomes more difficult to abort the child. It is no longer an abstract idea, one you can detach yourself from. It becomes a living, breathing entity growing inside. And for me at least, that moment was a bonding experience. The baby doesn't live inside me, but from that moment I saw the heartbeat it began to live inside my heart. And so hearing (and seeing) my child's heartbeat is music to my ears.

TITHE FLIES

The biggest fear in my life right now has to do with impending fatherhood. Don't get me wrong. I am thrilled to be having a baby. As is my beautiful bride. It is an honor and a privilege that I/we look forward to. Especially since the fertility doctor had told me it might be difficult for us to get pregnant. The fact that we are is even more of a miracle. But I must admit to being overwhelmed by the financial responsibilities of being a father. It is still several months away, but I am already worried about paying for diapers and daycare. Recently the pastor gave a sermon on the importance of tithing, dedicating 10% of your income to your local church for the purposes of supporting the body of believers. When my faith has been a vital part of my life, this has always been an easy commandment for me to follow. Now as I approach fatherhood and the financial woes have increased, the temptation or desire not to have to tithe has crept in. So far, God is still winning. And that is a good thing. But I struggle with believing that God will faithfully provide all of our needs. I know that I shouldn't. A promise from God is as good as it gets. Honestly, though, I do. I just keep going over and over in my head "where is all the money going to come from?" and "how are we going to cut our expenses?" And I don't know, at least not now. When the baby arrives it will be a blessed thing and I can switch over some of my worry to whether or not I will be a good father in other areas. The arrival of our child may actually take some of the burden off the financial picture by bringing other concerns to the forefront. Until that happens, though, my record seems stuck on the financial picture. This is probably common. Nevertheless, it is also uncomfortable. Just putting my thoughts down on paper before I go off to church this morning...to tithe.