Donny Osmond Announces His Competitive Side-On Dancing With The Stars!

      Donny and Marie Osmond were taping a show with comedian Bonnie Hunt when she asked him if he ever considered following Marie on Dancing With The Stars.  Donny grinned and said that he was seriously considering it and then he said, I guess I let the cat out of the bag.  That sounds like a confirmation to me…although, I dont think the contestants have been formally announced for this upcoming season of Dancing With The Stars.

        I dont know how ABC will feel about the premature announcement…but if it is true that he will be on Dancing With The Stars…then I think it will be a fun season.  Remember that Donny sort of did some impromptu interviews behind the scenes when Marie was on. 

        Marie is famous for her witty sense of humor and her ability to razz her brother…all with the trademark Osmond grin.  It will be fun to watch that competitive nature come out between brother and sister.   Not to mention, it gets me wondering who else will be competing against Donny.   Also, wonder who will be Donny’s dancing partner…which pro?  Julianne Hough won’t be back this season last that I heard…so it will be interesting to see this season’s premiere.  Best of Luck Donny ( I am sure Marie will say that you are going to need it!  >wink< >wink<)

Update:  Donny has c0rrected the impression that he gave that he would be on the upcoming season.  He says, he plans or is shooting to be on the fall season of DWTS.

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John and Kelly (Preston) Travolta Lose Their Son In The Bahamas

     Sad news today; John and Kelly Travolta lost their son Jett today in the Bahamas.  Jett had developmental delays and was prone to seizures.  He was found at the Old Bahama Bay Hotel on the Grand Bahama Island; which is where they were spending time on a family vacation.  Jett was sixteen years old.  He is the only son of his parents; he does have an 8 year old sister named Ella Bleu.

       All attempts to revive Jett Travolta were unsuccessful.   I am sure that there will be more information coming down the road on this tragic situation for the Travolta family.  There is never a good time or a good place to lose a child to death.  It is a terrible thing to go through no matter who you are…rich or poor.   Sending prayer skyward for their family and friends. 

        The Bahamas is such a beautiful place and now it is the tragic scene of two celebrity family deaths… Anna Nicole Smith and her son Daniel; and now, Jett Travolta. 

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Vehicle Related to Jennifer Hudson Tragedy Found-Body of Child Inside

       Breaking news…a vehicle possibly related to the tragedy of the murder of Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother…as well as, the kidnapping of Jennifer’s sister Julia’s son, Julian has been found.  There is a body of a young black child inside.  Police were looking for Julian since friday; when he disappeared after the murder of his uncle and grandmother.  Jennifer had offered a $100,000 dollar reward for the safe return of her nephew Julian.  This is heartbreaking all the way around.  Will update when the information is available.   See related post:  https://writeasrain.wordpress.com/2008/10/26/when-your-safe-place-has-been-invaded/

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When Your Safe Place Has Been Invaded

       For those of you who have been following the tragedy of the murders in Jennifer Hudson’s family and the kidnapping of her young, seven year old nephew; think about this, what happens when your safe place, your place of foundation has been invaded or attacked?  This family is going through a nightmare of epic proportions and because of fame, they are having to do it publically.

       Jennifer and her sister Julia have lost their mother, Darnell Donerson and their brother, Jason Hudson; and, Julia’s son Julian is missing.  This home that the murders took place in was Jennifer’s refuge from the crush of the world that she stepped into as a celebrity when her star began to rise from her singing and her acting over the last several years.

       The Hudson family was and is a family of faith.  Jennifer has said that she grew up in that home, that neighborhood and her home church.  It is an integral part of her support system.   It is part of who she is.  Her mother did not want to move when her daughter became famous…they didn’t want that celebrity to change who they were as a family.  Their home was the center of their family.  It was where all things sprouted for them.  Where they came to; to be together.  It was a safe place.  A place of nurturing.

        What happens now; other than trying desperately to get answers to where Julian is….and what happened to their mother and their brother?  Julia and Jennifer are on automatic pilot i am sure at the moment.  Trying to make sense of things…hoping and praying for the safe return of Julian.  But, their safe place has been invaded.

        How will they ever be able to look at that home and feel what they once felt.  Will it ever feel like home again?  Or will they always feel loss and hurt when they look upon the face of the place that has so many memories for their family.  What about Julian when he comes home…did that poor baby witness the murder of his beloved grandmother and uncle?  Will he ever feel safe there again?  Will he ever feel “at home” somewhere else?  What does this kind of trauma do to a human mind and soul? 

         Many people experience such traumas in their lives…it is something that can be overcome…but, it does shake the foundation of a person/family to rebuild that sense of trust and safety.  Please pray for the Hudson family…as well as, anyone else who has had to go through something so violent and traumatic.  Their faith in God will help them through this time.  However, they are human…and will go through much before they are able to recover and overcome.  Have you ever gone through a trauma that has made your safe place feel violated or unsafe to you?  How did you handle it?

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Stand Up To (2) Cancer

        Do you know anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer?  Did you know that 1 out of 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime…1 out of 2 men.  So unless you are a family of one, with no friends and you are the luckiest person in the whole wide world…cancer is going to touch someone you care about, at some point.  If you haven’t had to deal with the enemy cancer yet…consider yourself blessed beyond reason.  There is a movement afoot to Stand Up To Cancer.  It doesn’t matter if it is breast cancer, colon cancer, blood cancers, brain cancer,ovarian, or any other kind of cancer…it is a destroyer and needs to be eliminated.  Please join forces to battle a plague on the world that we live in…help fight cancer.

        The goal is to Stand Up To Cancer and understand it…take it apart…so that we can more efficiently battle it and WIN!  That is the end goal.   Cancer is the enemy…it is a thief…it has stolen enough, artists, doctors, mothers, muscians, pilots, cab drivers, babies, teachers, clerks, lecturers, fathers, students, writers, researchers, husbands, factory workers, miners, fire fighters, sons, nurses, daughters, child care workers, politicians, sisters, waitresses, brothers, lecturers, speakers, wives, caregivers, grandparents, role models, athletes, neighbors, librarians, friends, social workers, police men & women, military men and women, designers, dancers, clergy, you get the idea…Cancer is not picky about who it chooses to invade and try to destroy. 

          It could be you next, or someone you care about.  Cancer claims one life a minute each day!  Can you believe that?  One person a minute per day is too many loses! That is 1,500 deaths per day… that is unacceptable.    Protect your health best way that you can, eat right, exercise, protect your environment, take your vitamins, stay away from contaminants, be aware and educate yourself.  Honor those who have fought with everything they have…help out someone in a health crisis with cancer…be a supporter to someone in need. 

          Once cancer strikes…there are many needs, physical,spiritual, medical, emotional, financial, transportation, and daily care needs.  Do what you can to lift someone up!  Life is precious.  Will you make a commitment to be a force to be reckoned with and help make an impact in the fight against cancer?

         For us to win the war on cancer it requires courage, support, awareness, education and funding.  The television networks are joining together to bring those tools to the public and try to create a historic event that will hopefully rev up the odds of winning.  http://abcnews.go.com/Health/StandUp2Cancer/  There are many celebrities who are adding their voice and their talents to the project.  They have a wonderful website that you can view here that will explain more.  In the meantime, look for the program to hit the networks on Sept 5th, at 8 pm.  You can go to the website and read up on the idea here:  http://www.standup2cancer.org/  Let’s not be idle and let others do the fighting…there is something that we all can do…what are you willing to do to help?  Let’s envision a future without cancer!!!

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The Unwritten Sibling Rule

     In my family (and I expect many other families as well) there was an unwritten sibling rule.  It was understood that no one else, in my presence, could pick on any of my siblings.  It would be a punnishable offense to pick on one of my siblings; if i was around…no one was allowed to do that…unless it was me, of course.

       Oh to be sure, we had our differences…every family does.  However, on the school playground, in the neighborhood, on the buses or anywhere for that matter…we protected one another.  It was a matter of loyalty.

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That’s Not Me On Tape…That’s My Brother from a Different Mother

         I keep hearing about the differences of opinion about the identity of the people video taped in an intimate setting in the R. Kelly trial.  People keep questioning who is in the video.  The alleged principals in the film deny their involvement.  It reminded me of the old joke that says….that’s not me…that’s my brother from a different mother.  The joke is meant to be funny…this issue before the court is not.  An adult having a sexual relationship with a under-aged girl is illegal.

          The testimony about the young girl on tape is conflicting.  Friends, relatives and co-workers are in disagreement over whether the girl in question is the young girl that the prosecutors say it is.  Some say it is her and others say it is not; for the record…she denies that it is her.   That is important because at the time of the video, that young girl was approximately 13-15 years of age.  That is definately a crime.  It has been ten years and the young lady says it is not her on tape; R. Kelly also allegedly says it isn’t her (or him for that matter).

        R. Kelly says that it is not him on the tape because he has a mole on his back and the man on the tape does not.  A video expert allegedly says that yes there is a mole on the tape and that the video has not been altered.

        The background of the video is extremely familiar to those who knew him back then, as a room in the house that R. Kelly owned at that time.  The young girl was in his acquaintance in those years.  A friend of the girl has identified her as the woman on the tape.  She knew her quite well at the time that the video would have been filmed.

         Another witness says that she participated in a three way relationship with R. Kelly and the girl when she herself was 18 years old.  She also supposedly says that R. Kelly was never far from a bag that he carried full of video tapes of sexually explicit images.   Also, some have spoken of his often discussed, alleged, secret marriage to Aliyah ( deceased singer) when she was just 15 years old.

          The outcome of this trial is serious business…if proven guilty…R. Kelly could spend 15 years in prison.

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Tragic Accident Befalls The Steven Curtis Chapman Family

          I read today that the family of Steven Curtis Chapman lost a daughter to a tragic accident yesterday.  The Chapman family’s youngest daughter 5 year old Maria was hit by a car driven by her brother.  It happened at their home in Nashville.  Worse still, it was witnessed by other family members.  What a horrible thing to see.  Maria’s brother needs alot of prayer.  It is a heavy burden to be in the position of being the driver who didn’t see the child.   May God bless this whole family during this time. 

           Their daughter Maria was adopted from China.  The Chapman’s have three children born to them and three others who they adopted.  I remember reading in an adoption magazine a few months ago, how the family felt called to adopt a child from China.  The family’s oldest daugther encouraged her parents to do so.  The Chapman’s committed to missionary work in China a couple of years ago.  I am sure with the recent tragedy that China has been going through has affected them greatly. 

           Steven Curtis Chapman is a gifted Christian singer.  He has been a huge force in ministering through music.  The family also has created a ministry foundation for those wishing to adopt called Shaohannah’s Hope; it helps the families to be able to afford to adopt.  I am sure the whole family’s heart is heavy.  For a child makes a huge impact on a family whether they are adopted or birthed into the family.  A child’s death leaves a huge empty spot.  Please pray for healing during their time of grief.  You can learn a bit more here:  http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

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