Something to stir the pot:

So - I'm pro life. I just think there are too many alternatives to end the life of a baby before it's born. Starting with abstinence, but we won't get into that today. Then there's planning and protection and straight up responsibility . . . then there's adoption - to which I believe is the answer to a lot of prayers . . . our best friends have reveled in that blessing and seeing that first hand - it's hard to swallow the argument "Pro-choice" since in most cases those choices have landed one there in the first place! I do acknowledge that there are cases where a woman has NOT chosen the events leading up to conception - or where a woman has not chosen to sacrifice her life just to risk a possible sacrifice of her baby's as well. Yes, I acknowledge that there are a very small percentage of pregnancies that should end. But that decision should not be taken lightly . . . and the term "unwanted pregnancy" should explain it all . . . if it's so unwanted, steer clear of the situation . . . see my alternatives above . . . or think of your own!

I also believe we, as humans make mistakes - we are all flawed, so I'm not trying to point out those who believe in abortion to be evil - quite the contrary - I believe all lives to be of very high value . . . case in point -

Anyway, I didn't intend to be on this slippery soap box, however, the link below led me to post . . . If there were more "Abortion Survivors" to hear from . . . I think the world would start to take a different stand.

(Thanks to Ms. B for sending me the link!)

http://www.shininglamp.com/page2.html

I have a writer on my hands

Harrison is a very gifted child . . . and in a very good way . . . he's read far beyond his grade level since he's been able to put the abc's into context. He loves stories and has an amazing imagination. If you've never heard his version of the three little skunks and the big bad porcupine, you should ask him to share it with you . . . because the sound effects alone are golden! Not to mention the clever vocabulary and story structure. Anyway - he had the opportunity in class to write and illustrate a book, then bind, sew and produce an amazing hard-bound copy of his masterpiece . . . "The Case of the Missing Jerky Bits" which has kept our family on pins and needles with curiosity of how it ends. Let me tell you - it was worth the wait. The day he brought it home, we went for some McD's shakes & ice cream and an author's reading. Fabulous I tell ya'!!! Love the ending!

My cute little pig

Here's the scene . . . the kids are making mud pies on my deck and I strongly admonish them to get it cleaned up before I go out there again . . . in the kindest way, of course! So much to my dismay I see them passing back and forth from kitchen to deck with one of my pitchers - what'dya gonna do??? Anyway - I go out to inspect and see my little Jack Jack rolling on the deck . . . hmmmmm - he says, "I'n a pig roying in da mud. Oink"

He just can't get enough of the outdoors!

It's quickly becoming apparent that Aidan will be an outdoors kind of guy . . . He LOVES being outside - doesn't matter the weather. He brings us shoes, mittens, hats, you name it - if it's outdoor gear, he brings it . . . we wants it on . . . and he wants to go outside. He is giddy and happy out there . . . but if you bring him in . . . be ready for a HUGE melt-down. It's strange to see our little happy dude put up such a tantrum - but it's true - he'd probably sleep out there if we'd let him!

My Sweet Eme

So about 2 weeks before Emery's baptism . . . with the weather starting to allow for outdoor existence, Emery headed out to ride her bike. Not 10 minutes later, she comes inside and tells me, "Mom, I had a feeling of danger outside. I don't know - but like an animal or something like that." So we talked about her feelings and that our Heavenly Father speaks to us through the Holy Ghost - in promptings and feelings . . . we talked about how she may never know if those feelings she had were because of real danger, or just a fear. We talked about how glad she was that she followed those feelings regardless . . . and she went on to play inside.

About 30 - 40 minutes later, Harrison and Jackson were out on the trampoline - with a view into the next culdesac over . . . they came inside to tell me they spotted a moose over there - hmmmmmmmm . . . Emery and I concluded that perhaps this moose had been closer to our house - in the woods that run along both culdesacs - and maybe just maybe - her being outside alone was not such a good idea. The next morning . . . from our front door - we saw the moose again. It was hanging around our house that week . . . probably more than we knew. All of this was a perfect and beautiful lesson for her - just 2 weeks before her baptism. It solidified her understanding of the Holy Ghost and gave her experience in feeling and listening to it. After she was baptized, she was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost - a constant promise to have that spirit with her to guide, comfort, warn and testify of the truth. We are so proud of her - she really is a very special daughter of God!

The older I get, the more I realize . . .

Democracy exists so the quiet voice can be heard.

I admit it . . . I was TOTALLY into American Idol this time around - from the first humiliating auditions. I think that's how you get sucked in . . . if you see those first horrific clothing ensembles and wails with the humorous criticisms, I mean critiques - surrounding a gem or two, you get stuck on the couch, same time twice a week . . . anyway . . . I was a Gokey fan through and true until a generic, common-face cutie started showing his guitar and piano talent accompanying a great voice and fresh, genuine style - that continued with each and every theme . . . being just versatile enough - but being so . . . well . . . Kris. So yes, again I admit . . . I voted - with two phones - for almost the entire 4 hour voting block. Silly - I think I've only voted twice before - a couple for Underwood and a bit more for Cook - just to say that I added my opinion . . . but this time - it was on principle. I really like Adam . . . really, I do! And no one that voted for Kris will say Adam isn't an AMAZING singer - with stage presence and conviction. However . . . after he butchered a Johnny Cash song (don't ever do that!) - and repeated his token tongue-out-of-the-mouth scream and token smoldering look into the camera and token Elvis snarl in each and every song - throwing in a few extra here and there . . . well . . . it all got too predictable. And boring. And dare I quote Simon, "Indulgent!"

So marking my checklist off . . . great last performances by Kris - check, Gokey fans likely on his side - check, doing my part to vote as much as possible - check, hoping the Lambert "Rock God" titleling (is that a word) would work in Kris' favor - check . . . I still worried. Especially as I watched the final results show . . . with enough star power to fill the milky way . . . it seemed very much a build up to Lambert's final performances . . . really, do you think they spent half as many Idol-bucks on Kris' celebrity duet w/ Keith Urban (who I LOVE by the way!!!) and set as they did on Kiss' makeup, elevator, platforms and fireworks show??? Not to mention those sparklies outlining Adam's eyes - probably real diamonds. I thought for sure it was all leading up to Adam's crowning moment when Kiss, Queen, Kara and all of San Francisco would circle him - lift him to heaven and watch him rule the world.

Then it came . . . the moment when Ryan announced Kris' name and he couldn't believe it himself! It's one thing being called the underdog, and quite another when they throw an "UNDERDOG" labeled feeding dish out at lunch time only half full with dry pellets while you see your competition fed with a silver spoon every delicacy available on the planet . . . no wonder he was surprised.

But this just proves my theory . . . that voting is the only way to hear the quiet voice. The loud voice just cannot believe that Kris won - have you seen the horrible things on the internet - the accusasions, the excuses for why Adam didn't win??? Homophobia, fear of those who are artistic, shutting down anything different!!! REALLY? Maybe, just maybe the majority is made up of people who DO like Kris better - who prefer his style - who would rather just quietly vote than scream from the rooftops or laptops that their King is superior.

It's happened with Prop 8 - the majority has spoken
It happened when Bush won - twice - the majority spoke

So it makes me laugh a little bit when that loud voice claims to speak for the majority - cuz what I'm hearing is that Kris Allen is the new American Idol!!!

"What's YOUR favorite part of the day?"

So every evening when we're sitting at the dinner table, we go around to each member of the family and ask, "What was your favorite part of the day?" The tradition then expanded to begin with "What was your worst part of the day?" first, then move on to the best . . . so yesterday . . . before dinner, mind you . . . Dan and I happened to be in an appropriate embrace accompanied by a kiss. Jack was nearby and out of nowhere we hear, "THAT was the worst part of my day!"

A few hours later, out of curiosity of its impact - Dan asked Jack, "What was the worst part of your day?" To which he responds, "Seeing you guys kissing."