Vote NO on Cap & Trade!!

In case you haven't heard - the President is currently seeking to quickly (as in by today when it was barely released) push a Cap & Trade bill through (see below - the Waxman-Markey legislation). This isn't a small matter- it's HUGE. He is seeking to push it through before anyone has time to read it or go through it. No one knows much about it other than what few items they've been able to go through and that information alone is enough to call for a STOP to this bill. If the majority of people do not understand a bill that is being forced upon them - then it should be stopped immediately until the ramifications of it can be fully realized. the projection thus far of how much each family will be responsible for $4k/year in response to what this bill implements. That's for this bill alone, not for what we'll be responsible for with all of the other bills that have been and are being passed. President Obama is allowing NO time for people to go through this bill to make an informed decision because he knows it wouldn't pass (sound familiar? Stimulus, Government Owned GM, cabinet nominations, etc...). This bill is fraught with severely increased taxes due simply for the sake of funding more of the liberal agenda and 'green' power. This is energy madness all while almost 10% of all Americans are greatly suffering and afeared because they are unemployed and we are facing more unemployment yet still. How long can we supply the extended unemployment to these increasing numbers? Where are the stimulus jobs or job security in general that we were supposed to see because the Stimulus bill absolutely had to be passed through immediately for this purpose? How can we overlook or give the President a pass on a $700BILLION mistake? When asked about the stimulus he passed recently, he simply passed it off as not understanding the magnitude of the situation or being uninformed of the true gravity of the recession. The stimulus is just one thing that he has tried so far (literally his words paraphrased). If you go back and read his speeches immediately following his inauguration and when passing the enormous stimulus bill, he was certain that the bill had to be passed by a date or unemployment would pass 8% (it is now almost 10%). $700 Billion is not a mistake or just one thing to try. How many of these 'experiments' do we endure before we stop him in the name of total chaos and ruin? This isn't about our children's children paying off the debt from the stimulus anymore, this is about sending our country so far under that though we're bankrupt, at least we've funded the liberal agenda. This is really scary stuff. Next on his list is Nationalized Healthcare. You really need to hear what he has to say about that as well. No more undeserved surgeries, just keep with your painkillers (he literally said that). Please get involved. See the email below to easily contact your Congressman to let them know what YOU think and desire. I also recommend Glenn Beck's new book "Common Sense" based on Thomas Paines original "Common Sense". We can each make a difference and even get rid of the corruption in our politics- we must inform ourselves first.

LDS & Homosexuals Unite....against LDS

I recently heard about this on talk radio and was fairly disturbed by it initially, now however, after checking it out for myself, I have realized people are going to do what they are going to do - and, for the most part, they are entitled to it....as am I.

There is now a non-profit site called LDSApology.org whose premise is based upon 'healing' the damage that the LDS church has placed upon the shoulders of the homosexual community, esp. the homosexual LDS members. The site has initiated a petition that they plan to send to the church on the first anniversary of Prop 8 being passed in California... I normally would not check out anti-Mormon sites for many reasons, but this caught my ear because the site is founded and supported by current LDS members as well as non. What? Together they seek reparations from the Church. They seek vindication for perceived wrongs perpetrated against them and their loved ones. They seek a permanent change in church doctrine and to our strong foundation of principles.

In their own words, "We will deliver the Petition to Church Headquarters on the first anniversary of Proposition 8 being passed in California. By signing the Petition and spreading the word about it, you will be sending a message to the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that it is time for reconciliation. More importantly, you will be showing support for those who have been harmed by Church policies and practices because of their sexual orientation."

I'm not entirely sure what this 'reconciliation' is that they are calling for here. According to an article that was written in the Salt Lake Tribune, of course, "The petition, which had more than 240 signatures by Monday evening, invites both sides to be "open" to understanding, forgiveness and apology." Hereagain, I am unsure what lack of openness, understanding, forgiveness, and apology they are demanding...I mean requesting. It is a doctrine of our church that homosexuality is a sin, much like adultery and things of that nature (all things to be found in the Bible as well as in a myriad of other religions). I wonder if people who've committed adultery, committed murder, been lack in attendance or paying tithing, or have been ex-communicated for morality reasons (hetero as well as homo) will all band together now and demand that the church just drop requirements for worthy membership altogether and join hands with this 'diverse' group of people and sing Kumbaya. Goodness, why don't we all just lose all religion that we have in token to those who don't believe as we do, yet seek to force us to believe as they do...doesn't that make sense? The world would be a much better place then wouldn't it? No religion or morality to hinder anyone's decision-making processes or be contributing to a healthy society...wow, sign me up!

There are many things that this site states that seeks to justify and demands change and acceptance for all of the 'hurt' that has been done to them. Reparations all around - though that would never be enough either, even if they were deserved. This is supposed to be a nation of people who came together to fight for freedoms and rights, not against the freedom and rights of others. What is going on anymore, why does no one call it like they see it anymore??

We all GET TO HAVE choices to make in this life. If you feel like you are being unjustly discriminated against or want to pick and choose doctrine to follow, then you have the right to leave that religion and go to another. Or better yet, you can start your own. What you may not do, however, is seek to destroy the doctrine or teachings of another or demand reparations from it. It's called the freedom of rights. Glenn Beck is right on the money with his new book, "Common Sense" based on Thomas Paines original, "Common Sense" which was written to bring people back to reality when the country started to go 'south' and turn into the tyrannical societies that people had worked so hard to escape from. It changed the course of history and gave us the Constitution which has served us so well. We see it everyday now, where common sense is replaced by LOUD and angry demands, extremely self-serving government agendas and its corrupt politicians, and the like.

Good golly- this is bigger than demanding apologies from everyone who 'harms' our delicate sensitivities or giving apologies to the undeserving. This is about how our rights are being stripped away, in slippery slope mode, by people who can yell the loudest (or control mainstream media). It is quickly approaching the time when we can't just sit back and watch American Idol and expect others to keep society healthy for us. Actually that time has long since past. The time we are approaching is a time when action will be actively required from the majority who are still vastly Conservative and value still what our Founding Fathers did for us and know everything that we have been given has come from our Heavenly Father. This is a society for all, not for minorities who WILL boo hoo louder than the rest of us who are content to enjoy what we do have. Why do some always have to ruin it for all? Good grief.

Isn't it Ironic...don't ya think?

Just had to get a word in about Obie's most recent idocies (seriously, if Bush EVER did even 1/4 of the crazy things that Obie does, he'd have been impeached by the libs. before the first 100 days was up).

I just can't get over this most recent travesty of justice perpetuated yet again by The One (well, I really cannot fathom ANY of the choices HE has been making on our behalfs lately - from turning General Motors into Government Motors, letting it file B. now that we've already dished out millions to it and will continue to do so with a blank check though that defeats capitalism and ROBS other reputable car industries that can still stand on their own feet b/c of being responsible...ah, the injustice. Or how about picking and choosing who does and does not get to have Nuk's according to Obama despite the Nuclear Treaty signed at the UN? Nevertheless...I digress, oh so many issues and so little time left...for freedom, that is)/

So Baby-Killer Tiller gets popped by a crazy white man for making MILLIONS and gaining notoriety for being one of the few doctors to perform LATE-term abortions and Obie sends out a statement immediately declaring his outrage, sending FEDERAL MARSHALLS to guard the other abortion doctors/clinics (and yes, once again the Conservatives get the tab for this - getting blamed, of all things, for bringing this man to the spotlight for his 60k+ baby killing spree for people to take aim at him).

Same time, a man who was converted in prison to the Muslim religion takes it upon himself to start a religious killing rampage (though he did not get very far) and pops some recruits at a local Army recruiting station. He had more on his hit list, but as all of these jihadists are- he is an idiot and the plan never got past point A. It takes being bashed by Conservatives and a few days to stew by Obie to finally make a statement to say that he is "saddened" by the senseless murder of one of the recruits and hopes the other has a speedy recovery. Ah, touches your soul doesn't it? It wasn't senseless, it was planned and he was converted in prison - the VERY place the libs. are suggesting we send the Gitmo detainees. Is anyone connecting the dots here? It has been proven how many converts to the Muslim religion in prision at an astounding rate. What do these wonderful citizens to when we let them out? Hmm....go back to the beginning of this paragraph for an answer to that one. Has Obie sent anyone to guard the Military recruiting stations like he did for the Abortion Clinics? Um, no- that doesn't apparently compute in his world - and this in the wake of his most touching answer that the ones who matter the most to him are those who serve in our military and their families. Gotta protect the killing of innocent babies over military soldiers though - that's what life's all about isn't it, well, Obie's agenda anyhow.

I LOVE reading Michelle Malkin's blog for some comic relief to all of this as she combines facts with idiocy. Read here for more details and a good laugh: http://michellemalkin.com/2009/06/03/finally-obamas-limp-statement-on-the-jihadi-attack-in-arkansas/

A breakdown of our budget: Mortgage, food...GIFTS!

Mark and I have always tried to be conscientious of how we spend our money monthly - moreso with the economy as it is. We even attended a 13-week long class from Dave Ramsey last year to teach us how to become financially independent ASAP. We do great with savings, retirement, paying extra on the mortgage, ect...but when we've sat down each month to plan out our next month's budget we keep running into our gift budget. Mark thinks it's completely out of control (he's quite the penny pincher in many ways and doesn't believe in all the gift giving that goes on for weddings, babies, showers, and the like) and I've always balked at him and called him a grinch. Lately, though, I'm starting to feel gift exhaustion as well. We keep saying, "Well, ok, so how many more babies, weddings, showers, and/or birthdays could we possibly attend anytime soon?" Turns out that every month we are shelling out for at least 2 of these categories or that's how it's been averaging looking at a yearly summation of our budgeting anyway. That's like $50 - 100/mo. at minimum. Now, I LOVE to give gifts (and get them occassionally :) but man, that's at least $1k in gifts (not including those we give to each other...or tithing, fast offering, or charities) per year. Does that seem like a lot to anyone but me?

Am I just becoming a grinch as well? Maybe it's the thoughts of all the diaper purchases we're going to be swimming in soon or the extra mouth to feed (thank goodness I nurse, that'll take care of our gift budget for at least 2 years!). Well, at least this go around we won't be buying all the baby stuff again and we've already got the boys clothes.

More Single Women Are Having Babies...

I just read this article and thought it important/interesting enough to share. Is anyone else as worried by this as I? Do we just assume the actions of others like this (esp. as it has risen so dramatically in such a fundamentally damaging way) don't affect us or the ones we love and that it's just none of our business? Too bad the social stigmatisms are failing us today in lieu of being politically correct and nonjudgmental - it's not about judging, it's about what has been protecting our children and providing healthy, happy lives for them. How sad that the ones who are supposed to care the most for their offspring are the ones who care the least and give the least amount of rational thought to how they will provide all that these children need in their lives and deserve? Stop to think- with this information on how drastic this has become - this is going to affect you and the ones you love and certainly not in any good ways. The definition of family is unrecognizable along with all of the amazing and irreplacable attributes it affords society - do we care? Why is this happening??

Wed, May 13, 2009 (HealthDay News) -- The number of unmarried women having children has risen sharply in the United States and several other countries, according to U.S. health officials.
In the United States, 40 percent of births are now to unwed mothers, and most of these are to women in their 20s, not teenagers, according to a report, Changing Patterns of Nonmarital Childbearing in the United States, released Wednesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"After having relative stability in births to unmarried women from the mid 1990s to 2002, we've seen really big increases between 2002 and 2007," said Stephanie J. Ventura, director of the Reproductive Statistics Branch at the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics and author of the report.
In the United States, out-of-wedlock births increased by 26 percent between 2002 and 2007, according to the report. In 1980, the rate of out-of-wedlock births was 18 percent.
Though the reasons for the increase are not clear, Ventura said, one factor might be that having a child when you're not married is no longer stigmatized.
"The whole thing about social disapproval pretty much evaporated in the last 10 or 15 years, and it's even more so now," Ventura said.
Also, the numbers of women having out-of-wedlock births in the United States is so large and widespread in all population groups that it cannot be accounted for by socioeconomic factors, Ventura said.
The trends, though, are concerning, she said.
"Births to unmarried women are at higher risk for poorer birth outcome," Ventura said. "They are more likely to be low birth weight, be preterm and die in infancy. Other research has shown that children are better off being raised in two-parent families."
In addition, because most of these births are unplanned, she said, there could be substantial public health concerns.
Bill Albert, a spokesman for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, said he thinks that many Americans don't take having children seriously.
"This puts the nail in the coffin of this misperception most Americans have that nonmarital childbearing is something that is primarily a teen activity," Albert said.
Also, the report confirms that the United States is not alone in the high rate of out-of-wedlock births, he said, adding that "this is not a social and cultural revolution that is unique to the United States."
The real issue, Albert said, is the welfare of these children. "We now have about two decades of good social science research that comes to the conclusion that, as a general matter, children do better in low-conflict, loving, two-parent families," he said.
There needs to be more education about the responsibility that goes along with having children, as well as education about contraception, he said.
"Young people need to understand that having children and raising children is a rewarding but extremely challenging task," Albert said. "It is not something that should be undertaken lightly. As a general matter, everyone needs to take the important issue of sex, contraception, pregnancy and childbearing seriously."
For comparison, Ventura looked at out-of-wedlock births in other industrialized countries between 1980 and 2007 and found a dramatic increase there as well.
The largest increases were seen in the Netherlands, where out-of-wedlock births rose from 4 to 40 percent. In Spain, out-of-wedlock births increased from 4 percent to 28 percent, in Ireland the numbers went from 5 to 33 percent and in Italy they rose from 4 to 21 percent.
Other findings in the report include:
Countries with a higher percentage of births to unwed mothers than recorded in the United States include Iceland (66 percent), Sweden (55 percent), Norway (54 percent), France (50 percent), Denmark (46 percent) and the U.K. (44 percent).
Countries with lower rates of out-of-wedlock births than the United States include Ireland (33 percent), Germany (30 percent), Canada (30 percent), Spain (28 percent), Italy (21 percent) and Japan (2 percent).
In the United States, out-of-wedlock births are highest among women in their early 20s and lowest among girls younger than 18 and women older than 35.
The majority of births to teens are to unmarried teens. For those aged 15 to 17, 93 percent of births are out-of-wedlock, as are 84 percent of births to teens 18 to 19 years old.
Among women in their 20s, 45 percent of births are to those who are not married. In 2007, among women 20 to 24 years old, 60 percent of births were out-of-wedlock, up from 52 percent in 2002. Almost 33 percent of births to women 25 to 29 years old were out-of-wedlock in 2007, up from 25 percent in 2002.
Hispanic women have the highest out-of-wedlock birth rate (106 births per 1,000). The rate for black women is 72 per 1,000 births; for white women, it's 32 per 1,000.
Laura Lindberg, a senior research associate at the Guttmacher Institute in New York City, sees the findings as a reflection of social change in the United States.
"As fewer people are married during their 20s, they have more opportunity to have a nonmarital birth," Lindberg said.
"These changes are happening throughout the industrialized world, and nonmarital childbearing has become much less stigmatized," she said. "What we have is a changing definition of family."-- Steven Reinberg

We're having....

a boy! The ultrasound went well yesterday. We'd all decided I was probably having a girl since this pregnancy has been a little different- but we found he's most definitely a boy. A wiggly one at that.

I'd been worried for a few weeks now b/c I wasn't feeling him move around or kick like I felt with Slade and thought maybe something was wrong and was prepared for the worst. Turns out, the worst is that my placenta is placed right in front of him in my tummy so that is what has been taking the brunt of his kicks and movements.

We're right on track with the due date (Sept. 20, 3 days after Slade's 2 year B-day) and everythng looked great. Everything was there and functioning properly (yes, I was envisioning either a limbless child bobbing around in there or a child without a brain to tell him to move- I know, I am a bit nutsy, I come by it genetically) and he was moving a ton (I'll have to upload the pictures they gave us b/c the one of his hand really appears as if he's giving us the 'bird', we had to laugh at that).

I have been back and forth with emotions with this pregnancy (postpartum back to rear its ugly head again) and I was honestly hoping for a girl- a sweet little buddy to hang with me when the guys did their thing. Maybe someday I'll get one. I'm sure I'll love this little guy as much as I do Slade and in the meantime I will do my best to remember that there are people who'd love to have a baby- any baby, especially a healthy one.

I am grateful for this new blessing and pray I can be the best mommy for him.

Kudos to all the moms out there - raising children isn't easy!

Is it possible...

I was looking back on some pictures of Slade as a baby in part of my progressing attempt to prepare my mind for our next baby (we find out Friday what we're having... YAY!!!) and the thought crossed my mind, "Is it possible that other people do not see my child as the adorable and wondrous creature that I do?" Ok, so the people who see him struggling in church b/c of this darned 1-4pm schedule (isn't that the worst time to have church for little children - that's like worldwide nap time to my knowledge?) may not think he's the cutest...

I see people and friends post pictures of thier children as well and they seem to feel the same way they do about their children, but some of the children I see, while sure to grow into their looks someday, are not quite as aestetically or otherwise pleasing as their parents deem them to be.

That's what parenthood is all about. I will put up with my child's crazy antics, frumpy hair, and stinky binky any day over anothers'. I love just about everything about my kid- from the way he 'meows' when I ask him what a kitty says to the wet kisses and 'duv yous' he blesses me with daily.

Is it possible that we are not as enthralled with one another's children as much as we are our own? Most definitely yes and I'm sure that's just the way God wants it. As parents we love our children unconditionally (though we still punish ill behavior) and only see the good in them or potential to become better.

I'm so blessed to have a wonderful child, to be pregnant with another wonderful child- and best of all to have the best husband (hereagain, I'm sure many women would contest theirs is the best :). He is the most loving, devoted, unconditionally loving and honest, best daddy I know. He also thinks his child is the most beautiful creature alive - when he wonders aloud how we got such a beautiful boy or prepares him and his crib for bed by stocking it with his favorite stuffed puppy or monkey while explaining what he's doing for Slade in his baby voice (which he swore he'd never use when we first had a baby) and then cuddles him to sleep I am grateful to tears that I got so lucky in my life.

Is it possible to be too grateful? Sometimes I'm afraid to show my gratitutde to my Heavenly Father for all that I have for fear that it'll disappear- but I am so grateful!!

Go TEAm USA!

Slade & I attended our first protest together today (along with Grandma & Auntie). Can I just say it is amazingly cool to be in a group of people who so strongly believe in what is right that they are willing to come together all over the country to say it loud and proud!

Today was awesome- thanks Auntie Bekka for getting us to go despite the weather and missed naps (darn that global warming, eh?).

Allergies & Pregnancy do not mix

My child in utero is estimated to be like 5 oz. right now- the size of an apple/avocado or some other like fruit (according to Babycenter). Seems small to me but my bladder doesn't think so. It's tired of the abuse already!

I'm allergic to a lot of things but as long as I keep my distance from them I'm fine. Every March-April, however, whatever is in the air sends me into a month-long nightmare of waking up every hour or so to sneeze, blow my nose, not breathe or snore too loudly for Mark. I'm already more tired every day from pregnancy so this is not helping.

But the real issue for me is my slight loss of bladder control EVERY darn time I sneeze! This is a true affliction people. The kind of medication I need to squelch this pain is a no-no for pregnancy thus I am left with no other options than to endure it with a little help from Claritin. Yes, I am a big baby. I am also a very cleanly person and very much do not appreciate what is going on here. My child is going to come to this Earth already knowing a certain word I am certainly not proud of using but that pops out with each sneeze and release. I'm lucky so far that Slade has not picked up on it yet as he is becoming quite the cute mimick lately!

On a side note, we tried to track how many words he knows at 18 months and stopped counting at 250. Like many other parents, my child is destined to be a genius...I'm praying he's got his father's smarts!

Ah, the joys of pregnancy. On the upside, our official ultrasound date is May 1st. I'll definitely be far enough along by that point to know what we're having with some declarative degree of clarity or certainty. Mark thinks it'll be a girl and is worried that he should start reading up on raising girls. I'm fairly certain it'll be another boy. I'm truly happy and equally frightened of another child- sex irrelative. How do people have more than 1 and feel confident in their ability to do a good job (I even question myself with the one)?

Going Private...

For those of you who can read this it means you accepted your invite to this blog- I've 'gone private' with the blog just because, well and we've added the BoyScouts Blog to my Dashboard and it seems more appropriate that way. I'd also like to post more private goings on from my brain (no more politics though, can't handle it anymore - I don't want this baby coming out crazed) and you who I've extended the invite to likely already understand the seeming oddity that my direction of my thoughts can sometimes take and have accepted me regardless. :)

With all the craziness going around and that I will pretty much only be using our blog for family matters to share with friends and other family anyway so it seemed unnecessary to allow other strangers to view and comment on it (and they do, I receive some strange emails that only serve to remind me that there are people out there just a little more odd than I. Plus, I just think blog hopping has got to be insanely time-consuming/wasting and a little odd).

Hopefully we should have some fun news to post about the new baby soon. Slade continues to be Slade. He is always adding funny new things into his personality and adding love into our lives as I continue to work on being more normal, a better more unselfish mother, and putting the gospel first in my life.

I promise, though, I'll be better and start posting more pictures and fun kiddie things (just because I love you that much Terra :).

Weight Loss Medley- very effective!

Despite the exercise and watching what I ate I wasn't noticing any differences in weight loss or muscle gain, but I've now found a very effective medley for losing unwanted pounds!

First you get pregnant, wait 6 weeks for the nausea to hit and lose about 10 lbs. Then get a stomach bug, lose another 5. Once you gained back a little just get another stinking stomach bug and lose the 5 again!

I am so sick of being sick!!! I am achy and have pains and have residual sickness from my recent bought with the darn stomach bug that is plaguing households all over UT! My son has been suffering all week and is now developing new symptoms and now my husband has contracted some form of it that is reeking its own havoc on him! Being pregnant, tired, constantly sick, and now emotionally drained and a little peeved has turned me into a very un-fun mom!

Why God, is pregnancy so torturous and do we women have to suffer so? All the aches and pains of pregnancy only to be followed by a saggy belly, unsightly stretch marks, and a little human who needs you 24/7 leaving you with serious lack of sleep, sore boobs, and someone else who doesn't care what kind of day you're having....why did I just do this to myself again?

YES, I still have quite a ways to go with correcting my extremely selfish tendencies (and maybe this is a little bit of the FUN pregnancy hormones talking right now)! You'd be surprised at the progress I've made. Ah, my poor children!

P.S. I'm also SICK of this cold weather- I have very few maternity clothes that work with cold weather and it needs to be over anyway!

Love Song for a Baby

Slade is addicted to this book. He could probably sit eating pop-ickles and look through it all day long and be happy. We read it to him at least 5 times per day - it is filled with pictures like the one on the cover- eye candy for him, if you will. Since cousin Sage was born he has been very attentive to and observant of her and has now expanded his interest to all other babies and says "Beybee" continuously as long as there is one in sight.

It's a good thing because this year for his birthday he'll be getting one! It's official, today Slade & I heard the heartbeat and found out all is well so far! The baby is due a day after his birthday - and God willing- it will NOT be like my last experience. I envision that this go around the birthing process will go smooth as butter and I'll be a well-rested lady for it! We're shooting for a VBAC but we'll see how big this one gets before resting our hopes on it.

We've got plenty of girl names picked out, but if it's a boy....? Like Teresa, we're stumped. Well, Mark's not, but I am. :) We'll be happy for whatever the good Lord sends us, but for my sanity I'm hoping it's a nice, laid back, easy-going girl! :) Last time I said that and believe it was a girl until the ultrasound tech forced me to acknowledge reality...so knock on wood.

Any name suggestions are welcome.

Well Said...

I am finding great blogs to read to appease my poor mind as I watch our rights and the reasons of why we work so hard being taken away from us one by one while we sit by the wayside and praise the very same person for doing so. It cannot go on for much longer because either a) the resources will run out and we'll all be running for the border, or b) the American people are starting to catch on and the Tea Party's will only mark the beginning of a nice revolution against our wonderful new half-black socialist President (can we really call him African-American? His parents weren't slaves, he's not from that region....? I'm just saying, come on. No wonder why they're still screaming for reparations and that we don't talk about race enough. I'm telling you- my BEST friends, Joyce Craig and Angela Taylor, from the ages of 12-16- til we moved again, were full-black and one was part Japense, part black and neither they nor I ONCE ever talked about race or felt the NEED to and never once did they demand reparations from me (though there were notable differences in how we fixed our hair). We were about unity, not celebrating diversity and forget let's talk about you...what do you think about me?). There's a great talk by Dallin H. Oaks called Weightier Matters that you can read that really lays out the meaning of diversity vs. unity as well as going into why free agency isn't limitless. You can read it HERE. While everyone is busy fighting for free agency for women who kill their babies or gays who want to force the majority to accept their demands to be allowed to marry they are putting our society further and further in the hole and it is becoming a place where marriage is meritless, children don't respect or obey their parents (because they don't respect or obey their promises to each other, and we place no expectations on people to behave responsibly. Heaven forbid we rob THEM of THEIR free agency in the name of letting them do it to others (which is interesting to me b/c it's such a small percentage from what I hear, of gays that actually want to marry and yet quite the war to obtain rights for them. Since when was it ever open for discussion - 'straights' came up with it a long time ago. Can't they go figure out something else to describe what it is that they want to do to be joined together. I'm not saying this to be sarcastic either, well not this time, because how do they figure they can force something to change that by definition is what it is. I know everyone views the Constitution that has served us so well for all of these years, as well as other people's religions as 'Living Document's that should be able to be changed at whim, but this is just crazy. If you change the fundamentals of the thing, you change the thing- therefore you must come up with a new word for it, right??).

I just recently read THIS and found it to be a great read. It's rare to find a good writer these days, especially a Conservative one, amidst those who outweigh them in this occupation - so when I do it makes my day. Actually I think it's rare to find good entertainment or writing these days period. I know we all need a break from real life occasionally, but when I turn on the TV or read from a recommended blog or site I'm always disheartened to see what my fellow American takes in on a regular basis and views to be worthy of being committed to watch and becoming part of. We can't watch it and/or read it and not take it in and let it become part of us - that's always been taught to us anyhow. I think that's true and I think that's a HUGE part of why our society is the way that it is today but we're just too wrapped up in our own lives to really think about or care how it affects us all as a whole.

I'm convinced that's why Barry O. is where he is, why we torture and murder innocent babies yet treat terrorists like guests in our home, and think it's ok to rob from those who work hard for what they have to give to those who want to skip the working hard part and partake in the reward. Hasn't anyone ever read Chicken Little? It's like they say, we could go back to the basic children's books to find all the lessons we need in life- I don't need an inexperienced agenda-driven thief and liar to tell me what Hope and Change are all about. More indoctrination in preparation for what is to come next on his agenda...no thanks.

Turn off your TV's people and crack a book or go to a rally or write your Congresman/Senators/Governor/President- do something that makes a difference so at the end of the day you won't be asking for a Bailout too and you'll be able to be a real role model for your children untainted from the world's warped (yet entertaining?) views.

Can you stop at just ONE Otter Pop?

Mark finds it fascinating, and maybe a little revolting (maybe that's too strong a word) that Slade and I can down 5 otter pops together in less than 5 minutes. He thinks we have built up a tolerance to the sugar rush b/c 10 minutes later we are ready for bed.

Slade is addicted to pop-ickles as he calls them. He pulls open the freezer door whenever he can and calls out their name affectionately pleading with us to relent to his desire. They are totally his crack.

I'm pretty convinced that he has developed a true love of all things sweet and none vegetable due to nursing for 15 months straight from a source that only contributed things of this nature. I now have to resort to hiding veggies in his food, luckily he loves fruit and everything else that is good for him...he just also love love love love loves all that is also not as good for him - much like his mother.

Mark is very good about eating well and being concerned about his health. As for me - during my 'anorexic days' as I like to refer to them I was an exercising fool and I subsisted on all things sugar and Chinese. I weighed 120 at the time - now postpregnancy I am a much healthier eater, MUCH, but as my lifestyle has changed so, I'm not hoping to get back into those size 6's anytime soon....but someday!

Mark and I have very different upbringings- mine were filled with moving an average of every year or so up until the age of 14 (when we settled down for awhile finally when dad retired from the military). Mark was a very stable country boy who earned more than enough merit badges for his Eagle, put himself through college full-ride scholarship to boot graduating very top of his class and with high honors, bought a home very responsibly at a young age. He and I are very different with very different backgrounds- but our most interesting difference (well, to me anyhow) fall into the category of our rewards systems.

Mark is rewarded by a job well done or by personal satisfaction of having utilized his time wisely. My rewards in life always came in the form of an edible treat in one way or another. Very often I begin a story from my childhood when some treat has sparked a fond memory. Such as when we'd go to my PawPaw's house, he'd always give us Klondike Bars and Oatmeal Creme Pies. Or when we'd travel cross country- to get us to behave my parents would intermittently offer us various fun treats like Sixlets or M & M's or Gummy Bears. Or when we'd go to the beach we'd get to buy Pringles (we were a very large family on a not-so-large budget so these were a big deal!). Or when we'd visit my Aunt in Orem, UT we'd get to go to the corner store and buy Bonkers or Fun Dip. Or when we'd go on family picnics or have birthday picnics we'd get KFC! Now that was a REAL treat! To this day when I feel like celebrating that is often where I go, or think to go fondly, to get the food. My siblings all recollect memories the same way as well, so it's not just me.

In our home you'd have to HIDE the good stuff that mom brought home if you ever wanted to have any of it for later. We'd often forget we'd even hid anything until one of us was cleaning the kitchen later and would find it stuffed behind the cleaning supplies and more than stale and being T.O.'d that it had gone to waste b/c they were greedy (despite being guilty of the same myself). I remember our parents taking us to the PX when we'd do our grocery shopping together as a family (everyone had to have a hand on the cart at all times, it was crowded!) - we'd shop in the dented cans section or just out of expiration isles/stores and our parents would reward us for our good behavior by letting us each choose our OWN box of sugar cereal for Saturday mornings!

Now, I always thought this was normal and fun and think that way to this day. I like to reward Slade accordingly and Mark thinks that I'm a bit wonky and is sometimes concerned of what Slade's memories will be based on someday.

Is there anyone out there in this same (or similar, I'll take similar) predicament? I mean, in our defense, we moved around so much always having to sleep in hotelrooms, make new friends only to leave them shortly thereafter, never really get settled into life or build memories around environmental hobbies - the only one true thing we could depend on for comfort was TREATS! Ok, now I am scaring myself a bit!

I love you Bobby!!

After another extremely disappointing speech from His Holiness tonight my sister and I were estatically overjoyed when Gov. Bobby Jindal (R - LA) came on and put a straight up smack down on all of the crap Big 'O' has been laying on so thick over the past few weeks since he has come into "power". It was AWESOME!!! It started out a little shaky and I was unsure what he was getting at then he unleashed it all full force and put Big Government in its place. You can read it in full HERE.

Do many of the things that the Dems want to come to pass sound good in a lot of ways (a better healthcare industry, better education for Americans, etc...) - yes, but they want to have someone with their finger on every aspect of our lives- especially our paychecks. Bobby says yes to the great ideas but NO to Big Government- YEAY!! Do Republicans need to set themselves straight and fix what the Bush Administration has done to its party- um, YES- and he has proposed that they are determined to put us back in line with the party's core principles and beliefs. I would vote this guy into office as President any day of the week.

I'm so glad that there are so many people still out there who also feel like they live in crazytown right now and are speaking "revolt" to having our futures stolen from us by a very inexperienced, yet earmark, agenda-driven scoundrels.

The biggest things about Big O's speech tonight that drove me up a wall were (and yes, there were MANY, ok pretty much the speech in its entirety...and what was with Pelosi popping up like a Pop Tart from an overzealous toaster whenever Big O. had to but make a point? My word, she was quite the Jack-in-the-Box tonight, but the real comedy was when Barry referred to Joe Biden as a man not to be messed with, "No one messes with Joe." I could almost hear the chirping from that one!):

1. The No-Earmarks thing. Are you kidding me? How he can say this with a straight face after he just passed a bill chalk FULL of the stinking future-robbing things is so far beyond my scope of reasoning or ability to comprehend. It is so blatantly deceptive and just outright prejudiced that, much like Sean Hannity, I do not know whether I should scream or cry. How many more of these are already in the works (the next with 9,000 earmarks all ready to go!! How will he talk himself out of THAT one?)He always does these proactive speeches acknowledging that he is not going to acknowledge all of his deception and lies in a few eloquent words- and it makes me physically sick to behold. He has spent more in his past month of Presidency than Bush spent in his terms of Presidency on the war (or was it everything)- an issue that has been on the tips of the Dems. tongues for as long as I can remember. Where are the outcries of injustice now though, especially in these times of our economic woes?! (BTW, so Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, and whats-his-face are never going to have to pay recompense for getting us into this situation eh?) So while he's all whiny about how he "inherited" the national debt, he will have all but at LEAST doubled it when all is said and done. So if he does live up to his promise of cutting it in half, then he'll only have succeeded in taxing the last breath out of the big, bad, mean ole CEO's and businesses who actually EMPLOY people as well as mortgaging my children's futures to pay off what his pet projects cost us all. Wow, now that really is great leadership!

2. The education thing. Ok, so one minute he is talking about how the education system needs to be revamped (yes, we should not continue to bow down to the illegals or those who need the educational bar continually lowered at the cost to everyone else b/c they are not doing the work but the system does not want them stuck there forever) and that we need to find a way to keep the half of the college population that drops out before graduation in until they reach graduation. He then continues to talk about how the new Spendulus bill he has passed will enable 7 million more Americans to attend college than could previously have done so (I'm still confused about this one- first of all, what exactly was it from the spendulus bill that enabled this, and secondly, with all of the grants, federal aid, and SCHOLARSHIPS to even those who only earn them from being a minority or whatever - when has anyone NEVER been able to attend college? I did it on my own dang dime, so why is it that the other hard-working Americans out there can't seem to find a way to do that as well???).

I'm thinking we should have FIRST fixed the reason why ONE-HALF of the college population is dropping out BEFORE enabling SEVEN MILLION more into college on MY DIME to do the same dang thing- only now dropping out AFTER MY MONEY and MY KIDS FUTURE PAYCHECKS have been spent. Did anyone else catch that? We seem to be in the process of throwing out money first, then thinking about it after the fact...when it is too late. You could call it hindsight if it weren't for the obvious nature of it from the start!

Oh Lordy Lordy- The incessant, adamant, and especially controlling idiocy that is now so rampantly invading our 'justice' system anymore,- I cannot fathom another 3.9 years of this. I do not know how his supporters sleep at night or how they somehow evade thinking about what he really says or even checking the facts of what he is always throwing out or even reading up on his history to realize that he never was, has been, or will be the man that they worship so adoringly. I feel like it's backwards day in a nightmare that I'm having but for some reason I cannot wake up from.

20 Things All About Slade!

To copy Claudia- my sister gave me a journal to chronicle all of the daily Slade-isms that I enjoy but the task has for the most part been neglected. I've had so many inquiries from family and friends about him and how he's developing that I thought I'd knock them both out here. These are the adorable things that Slade is currently doing that make us laugh hard. We rarely watch TV anymore with this character around!

1. He loves toothbrushes! I've bought at least 10 for him thus far and can only account for 2 at the moment- he likes to put them in fun, creative places where they are discovered later. They are always funny finds. He always loves to have them in hand (from the start it was highlighters. They fit perfectly into his baby hands and he'd love to have one wherever we went- I even started matching them to his outfits!).

2. He says 'Hi' to everyone, but most pointedly at pretty girls and women- he has a definite preference there! He makes eyes at them and offers them his toothbrushes- a sure sign of flirtation on his part.

3. He loves tools. You can't fool him with the fake, safe baby tools either- he prefers the REAL thing and whenever daddy leaves his work toolbag in the house, Slade is sure to be found rifling through it as soon as he gets a chance. We call him Slade-the-toolboy-Taylor. Fitting, we think.

4. When he gets excited about things he goes, "OOOOOHHHHHHH" (sounds like ewwe but with an o0 you'd have to hear it) - probably from all the times I try to get him excited about veggies or something. The funniest time he gets excited is over Mark opening up the garage to do projects with Slade at his side. He's like a kid in a candy store- he says ohhhhh for a long time and jumps around excitedly before deciding where to start.

5. The kid LOVES Baby Einstein (yes, it is definitely one of the things that elicits an oooohhhhh each and every morning after breakfast when I tell him what time it is - many thanks to Claudia for letting us pirate copies from hers- yes, it was wrong, but man did it turn out to be the biggest blessing yet in baby soothing!) and we cuddle up on the recliner every morning to snuggle under his new favorite blanket and watch together. He sits transfixed for the WHOLE 30 minutes!

6. The kid LOVES string cheese (also another oooohhhhh elicitor). He hasn't tired of it so far and enjoys it for his morning snack every day without fail.

7. He is starting to do many things for himself, which is always nice for me, and so cute to see him do. He will go to the fridge and get his milk out and drink to satisfy then put it back in and shut the door. It may not sound like much, but it shows more of his own mind and that he knows what he wants and how to get it. Plus it's darn cute! He is also throwing away his own diapers these days- now THAT is nice!

8. He loves babies! Whenever he sees one in his books or his baby cousing Sage he says, BEYBEE and runs to give it kisses or be sweet to it. Sometimes a little overly sweet and if I'm paying the baby too much attention he gets a little pushy - but otherwise loves them. It makes me glad for when we have our next!

9. He says "Uh-oh" to the funniest situations and gets a very concerned look on his face with his lips shaped in an 'O' until the situation is remedied.

10. As much time as we spend together and as tired of me I think he must become - whenever I am gone he will ask for me continually and when I leave him at the gymn's childcare when I come back for him he stops whatever he's doing, breaks out into a HUGE grin, and runs (with his arms out aerodynamically) to me (toothbrush in hand of course).

11. His big opened mouth kisses, but more of a favorite are the closed-mouth ones followed by the kissing sound! It is especially cute to see him give them to Mark and I think they're Mark's favorite thing. He loves his boy!!

12. He loves the big boys and going to scouts / priesthood with Mark. It is so cute to see him in the gymn with them on scout nights as they gently toss him the basketball and he excitedly tries to handle it, gives up, and settles for bouncing up and down on his legs going....yes, OOOOHH! The boys are so sweet with him and look out for him and try to include him in as much as they do.

13. He doesn't mind playing with girls, even if they mind playing with him. Mark said he took some good elbows to the head and some eye pokes when he went to nursery for the first time this past Sunday while trying to use the oven on the girl's play kitchen. He was not deterred!

14. When he's really excited and runs- he throws his arms behind him (as if aerodynamically faster) and runs as quick as his little baby toddler legs can carry him with a huge grin on his face. We often mimick this in our house b/c it's soooo cute!

15. He's learning so many words daily- it's amazing to see him putting concepts together and repeating words appropriately. I realize this is the appropriate course for him, but it's so exciting to watch for us!! My favorite words to hear him speak are 'cereal' and 'bup' (for up), 'mess' for whenever he makes a mess and then in turn identifies it as being such to me, and 'peease' with his hand out for something he really wants from me.

16. He is forever in constant motion (yes, even unfortunately at church, in Sacrament meeting. I always swore I wouldn't be one of the parents who let them run around, I relented a little last week b/c I was so tired of fighting it- sigh)- he is only not in motion AND awake when we are watching the aforementioned Baby Einstein. He will come up to us and cuddle for a moment or two, but then he's off again to play with his toy car, push his landmower, or do something very important and critical to entertain himself!

17. He's learning to entertain himself! A LARGE feat for the both of us, only now I sit and watch him instead of getting things done b/c he's so funny and it's so interesting to see how they process things. He largely ignores his toys and gets out the canned goods and pots and pans to play around with while I cook. Unless he IS helping me cook, which has grown to be another favorite of mine! A friend's sister of mine who has ELEVEN kids realized how much utilization can come FROM teaching the kids some basics in cooking. Instead of them watching her while she prepared meals or waiting for her- they would get up before her and start preparing them for the rest of the family! Though it takes a little in the beginning, man does it pay off for her now!

18. He LOVES the great outdoors. I always know when he's ready to go outside b/c he starts brining me his boots, then coat, then hat. Mark can't wait for him to grow up some more so he can justify buying more of the fun camping & fishing things that he's been dying to get and take us out to do! He just loves being out and about in general seeing the world and interacting with it as he knows how to right now!

19. I love to see his excited dance. He will dance around excitedly as he is awaiting something fun and it so cute!

20. My personally favorite thing to do with him is to fall asleep with him in my arms. I used to have him sleep with us when he was first born then later only on Sunday afternoon naps. Now I only really get the chance when we're out travelling and staying at a hotel and he won't nap or sleep unless I'm next to him. I love cuddling my crazy boy all night- I'm the only one he'll nap with and I'm often the only one who can comfort him down when he's really upset. Talk about feeling important! I'm his mother forever- though it can be a very daunting idea at times, with all the great examples I have in my life, I figure it'll work out with just one step at a time. What a wonderful blessing to have children to enrich our lives and return to us the love that we give to them.

I realize all of the above things are simply the regular advances of children as they progress, but every little milestone he makes and adorable things he says or does just endears him to us all the more and reminds us to just sit back and enjoy life. We're so grateful to Heavenly Father that he is part of our eternal family!

I'm so grateful to have him in my life and love watching him grow and take on more personality by the day. There are gazillions of funny things he does during the day that would probably sound boring to anyone who's not his parent or a doting aunt or grandma- but these are just a few of my favorite things to share to those of you who have been asking for some news.

Found a spider on my pillow today...

Yes, I am traumatized.

Nationalized Health Care IS coming

Is there anyone still defending Obama on the terms that he isn't attempting to turn our society socialist? No, not all at once, but one at a time- he is introducing, nay sneaking in, the ways to make this happen. He has already proposed some very interesting terms for his nationalized health care and you don't even realize it b/c of how he did it- he snuck it into the "stimulus bill". No one on either party side has pointed it out thus far and this is perhaps the most interesting aspect of this foul bill.

Check it out HERE- it has quite serious implications for how our future health care needs will be met- as in the government deciding what we do and don't need and those darn Seniors are just going to have to deal with reality and suffer like they're meant to. Again, Tom Daschle proves to be the useless authority on another huge issue- and this was the guy Obama was going to put into control of all of it. This was Daschle's own idea- just check out his book!

Really people, are you not a little bit frightened yet? Write to your Senators!!!

Cafe Rio

Oh man- I love Cafe Rio. I have been having Cafe Rio cravings for awhile now but am never in the area to fulfill them or when I am it seems like too much of a hassel to drag poor Slade out of the car to wait in a long line just for lunch.

The other day I was visiting the World Market over in Fort Union and I just had to go. There is not much I crave out there in the restaurant circuit, but from the day I was introduced to the stuff (thank you Wells Fargo!) I have been an addict!

I love the pork- I could roll in it (clothed of course), lounging for hours, slowly licking my fingers and savoring every moment (sorry Sarah, guess in the right circumstance I could totally be a finger-licker!). What is it that makes it so darn addictive? I cannot express my love for their pork. I love it, I could eat it everyday.

I totally and completely heart Cafe Rio.

Wise Words!

Obama at National Prayer Breakfast (yesterday): "There is no religion whose central tenet is hate. There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being."

Yes, because babies in utero OR who were not wanted when they were born alive are NOT innocent human beings and must be put to death tortorously immediately upon request. We must make funds available for this and provide government support to these industries who rely on killing babies to make a living and try to sneak in stimulus money to them whenever possible. We must also send money abroad in our times of greatest economic need to ensure that we are killing babies of other nationalities as well - gotta spread the wealth after all don't we? No, we don't aim to torture as U.S. citizens - we aim to tortorously murder our own and abroad! As Nancy says, there's no way to stimulate an economy like killing its children! Watch out nursing home folk - you're next!

I become ever more endeared to this man and to his abstract and religiously unencumbered logic.

Also, I STRONGLY question his logic on there being no religion whose central tenet is hate. For example, read HERE.