here is a better picture, it shows more of the ooozingThursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Dear Mr. President
Dear Mr. President,
We've never met, sir. And probably never will. It doesn't matter if we meet. I'm no one important. A wife, a mother, an aspiring writer, basketball fan & old movie buff (among other things.) We have little in common although we do share one thing in common, we both picked UNC to win the Men's NCAA Basketball Championship.
But right now, I'm tired, Mr. President. So very tired. It's after 3:00 in the morning and I can't sleep. It will be worse in the morning when my toddler wants to get up at 7:00am. But I'll manage. I always do. I just can't get rid of sick feeling in my stomach from the questions floating in my head.
I love my country, Mr. President. I've lived outside of these borders and I can say without a doubt that I love my country. I love the quirky things that make America what it is. From summer barbecues with hot dogs & watermelon to Gershwin tunes to Tar Heel Basketball (especially in March.) I love that there are people who can't stand any of those things. It's wonderful to be part of a culture and a society where people are allowed to have and express their own opinions about everything, from Hot Dogs to Movies to Politics.
So why Mr. President, am I told I'm basically a terrorist if I express an opinion contrary to the one you have expressed? Why am I asked to visit your website and tell on my friends if they express contrary opinions? Doesn't that go against part of what makes this such a beautiful country? We can respect one another even if we don't agree. And to know that we live in a place where we can express those differences without fear of being punished. I don't think there's been a single president in the history of this country and certainly not since I've been a voting age adult that I agreed with 100% of the time. But I always felt free to express my displeasure or frustration before, because that's what freedom of speech is all about.
Now I am labeled a closed-minded idiot if I think my respresentatives in the government should read bills before signing them? Growing up we're taught by parents, teachers, advisors and friends not to sign so much as a class schedule without reading it through first. You can't donate blood without acknowledging you've read all of the documentation. Responsible people don't sign any kind of legal agreement without reading it first. So why are the people who make our laws, allowed to change them without reading the fine print? Why is there such a rush to pass these bills, that we can't allow our representatives even a few days to read through them first?
Which is another reason I'm awake sir, I see so much money being spent. Programs which are supposed to be getting us out of a recession. But where is that money coming from? Who's paying for all of this? Is my beautiful baby boy going to have to shoulder the burden of a debt that he had no part in creating? If so, I don't want any part of it. I'm willing to work hard and tighten my belt to weather the financial storm. I'll do what I have to do, but why should this become my son's burden? How are our children supposed to ever repay a 9 Trillion dollar debt? What kind of future can they possible have? How will they ever come out from under it?
Mr. President, I know that you want to help people. Your whole campaign was based on bringing hope of a new era to all people. And I appreciate that. We all need help now and then. But how does trying to push through a health care system, which tells me when, where, how and if I can get health care helping me? Don't think I'm not concerned. Obviously there are flaws in the current health care system. I myself have been through several periods of not having health insurance in my life. Believe me, only a couple of years ago when a simple case of flu ended up costing me more than $900 between Dr. visits and medications, I was wishing there were a different way. But it was my illness and my body, so I found a way to pay for it. I don't expect anyone else to pay for my food or clothing or shelter. Why should I expect someone else to pay for my health care? It's my body, it's my responsibility and my choice to take care of it. So why is your health care bill trying to take those decisions away from me? (Under the provisions in your bill I would have been denied the foot surgery I recently had, despite the daily pain I lived with.) Am I just so dumb that I don't recognize what's going on with my body and when I need to seek medical care?
There are so many questions Mr. Presidents. Questions I don't know how to ask. But it's after 4 & I should try and go to sleep. My son will be getting up soon. He's very much a morning person.
It is for him that I'm most concerned. I don't want much for myself. Just the basic freedoms that I've always enjoyed. The freedom to work hard to earn my pay. To spend that pay however I see fit. To worship when, where and how I see fit. To visit a Dr. of my choice when I'm not well. To go to a grocery store and buy the food I not only need, but want to prepare. To enjoy a basketball game, an old movie and a poignant book (with a side of dark chocolate of course.) The freedom to travel this country and to experience our rich history and quirky character.
But for my child I worry. Will he have those same experiences? Will he be able to choose a career that (should he work hard) will be lucrative enough so that he can provide for himself and perhaps someday a family? Will he be able to read the books I've read that provoke thought and conversation? Will he be allowed to worship in the way he may choose? Will he be able to go to a Dr. of his choice when he feels ill? Will he grow up knowing that he can have an opinion that is different from his friend or neighbor or leader? Will he be able to express that opinion? Or will he live in a society where he fears retribution if he dares to express a contrary opinion? Will he be told when and if he's able to see a Dr.? Will he spend his entire life trying to work off a debt that was in no way his doing?
You've made a lot of promises Mr. Obama. Please, please, please, if you promise nothing else, please make one promise that you can keep. Promise me that my child will enjoy the same freedoms many of us have so long taken for granted.
Perhaps then I can get some sleep.
We've never met, sir. And probably never will. It doesn't matter if we meet. I'm no one important. A wife, a mother, an aspiring writer, basketball fan & old movie buff (among other things.) We have little in common although we do share one thing in common, we both picked UNC to win the Men's NCAA Basketball Championship.
But right now, I'm tired, Mr. President. So very tired. It's after 3:00 in the morning and I can't sleep. It will be worse in the morning when my toddler wants to get up at 7:00am. But I'll manage. I always do. I just can't get rid of sick feeling in my stomach from the questions floating in my head.
I love my country, Mr. President. I've lived outside of these borders and I can say without a doubt that I love my country. I love the quirky things that make America what it is. From summer barbecues with hot dogs & watermelon to Gershwin tunes to Tar Heel Basketball (especially in March.) I love that there are people who can't stand any of those things. It's wonderful to be part of a culture and a society where people are allowed to have and express their own opinions about everything, from Hot Dogs to Movies to Politics.
So why Mr. President, am I told I'm basically a terrorist if I express an opinion contrary to the one you have expressed? Why am I asked to visit your website and tell on my friends if they express contrary opinions? Doesn't that go against part of what makes this such a beautiful country? We can respect one another even if we don't agree. And to know that we live in a place where we can express those differences without fear of being punished. I don't think there's been a single president in the history of this country and certainly not since I've been a voting age adult that I agreed with 100% of the time. But I always felt free to express my displeasure or frustration before, because that's what freedom of speech is all about.
Now I am labeled a closed-minded idiot if I think my respresentatives in the government should read bills before signing them? Growing up we're taught by parents, teachers, advisors and friends not to sign so much as a class schedule without reading it through first. You can't donate blood without acknowledging you've read all of the documentation. Responsible people don't sign any kind of legal agreement without reading it first. So why are the people who make our laws, allowed to change them without reading the fine print? Why is there such a rush to pass these bills, that we can't allow our representatives even a few days to read through them first?
Which is another reason I'm awake sir, I see so much money being spent. Programs which are supposed to be getting us out of a recession. But where is that money coming from? Who's paying for all of this? Is my beautiful baby boy going to have to shoulder the burden of a debt that he had no part in creating? If so, I don't want any part of it. I'm willing to work hard and tighten my belt to weather the financial storm. I'll do what I have to do, but why should this become my son's burden? How are our children supposed to ever repay a 9 Trillion dollar debt? What kind of future can they possible have? How will they ever come out from under it?
Mr. President, I know that you want to help people. Your whole campaign was based on bringing hope of a new era to all people. And I appreciate that. We all need help now and then. But how does trying to push through a health care system, which tells me when, where, how and if I can get health care helping me? Don't think I'm not concerned. Obviously there are flaws in the current health care system. I myself have been through several periods of not having health insurance in my life. Believe me, only a couple of years ago when a simple case of flu ended up costing me more than $900 between Dr. visits and medications, I was wishing there were a different way. But it was my illness and my body, so I found a way to pay for it. I don't expect anyone else to pay for my food or clothing or shelter. Why should I expect someone else to pay for my health care? It's my body, it's my responsibility and my choice to take care of it. So why is your health care bill trying to take those decisions away from me? (Under the provisions in your bill I would have been denied the foot surgery I recently had, despite the daily pain I lived with.) Am I just so dumb that I don't recognize what's going on with my body and when I need to seek medical care?
There are so many questions Mr. Presidents. Questions I don't know how to ask. But it's after 4 & I should try and go to sleep. My son will be getting up soon. He's very much a morning person.
It is for him that I'm most concerned. I don't want much for myself. Just the basic freedoms that I've always enjoyed. The freedom to work hard to earn my pay. To spend that pay however I see fit. To worship when, where and how I see fit. To visit a Dr. of my choice when I'm not well. To go to a grocery store and buy the food I not only need, but want to prepare. To enjoy a basketball game, an old movie and a poignant book (with a side of dark chocolate of course.) The freedom to travel this country and to experience our rich history and quirky character.
But for my child I worry. Will he have those same experiences? Will he be able to choose a career that (should he work hard) will be lucrative enough so that he can provide for himself and perhaps someday a family? Will he be able to read the books I've read that provoke thought and conversation? Will he be allowed to worship in the way he may choose? Will he be able to go to a Dr. of his choice when he feels ill? Will he grow up knowing that he can have an opinion that is different from his friend or neighbor or leader? Will he be able to express that opinion? Or will he live in a society where he fears retribution if he dares to express a contrary opinion? Will he be told when and if he's able to see a Dr.? Will he spend his entire life trying to work off a debt that was in no way his doing?
You've made a lot of promises Mr. Obama. Please, please, please, if you promise nothing else, please make one promise that you can keep. Promise me that my child will enjoy the same freedoms many of us have so long taken for granted.
Perhaps then I can get some sleep.
Friday, August 21, 2009
How did you spend your last day?
I'll never forget the day before I left on my mission. For that matter, most of the world won't forget either. It was April 20, 1999. I spent the day running around SLC sight seeing and spending time with my family. We even met Elder Perry on Temple Square and spent a few minutes visiting with he and his wife. It was so cool! We got back to our hotel that night and learned all about a little place call Columbine High School.
Cody also spent the day with family, only this time, there's more family to spend it with.
And of course he did his very favorite thing. Wrestling! Granted, his competition was slightly different than before, but still.Gideon's Story
Okay so it's no secret that I'm not really into crafts at all. And I'm definitely not into scrapbooking. But I had all of these beautiful blog posts and journal entries about Gideon's adoption and I wanted to put them together somewhere.
So I made a book using Heritage Makers. It turned out so beautiful, I just can't help but brag a little bit. The book is 12 x 12, so as you can see from the pictures, it didn't fit on my scanner.
I have loved having it already. Even though I could access my journals and blogs anytime, it's nice to have it all together in one place with beautiful pictures. Anyway I'm thrilled with it and so happy to have it all together now in one place so that someday Gideon can have it.
So I made a book using Heritage Makers. It turned out so beautiful, I just can't help but brag a little bit. The book is 12 x 12, so as you can see from the pictures, it didn't fit on my scanner.
I have loved having it already. Even though I could access my journals and blogs anytime, it's nice to have it all together in one place with beautiful pictures. Anyway I'm thrilled with it and so happy to have it all together now in one place so that someday Gideon can have it.
According to my sister, Jesse, "It's a lot of words" (yeah, no duh, coming from me!) so it's probably boring to the rest of the world, but if anyone else is interested in ever reading it just let me know.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Is Your Family This Much Fun?
Today was a busy day. We spent most of it running from store to store with Cody buying all of his last minute mission stuff. When we got home all of the cousins came over for a sleep over at Gideon's house.
I was informed that we have really great climbing trees!
So I had gotten dinner for everyone (okay actually my friend Natalie got dinner for everyone. She brought over a Shepard's Pie last night that turned out to be a Godsend! Thanks!!!!!) Anyway so we had dinner and I started running water in the tub for baths. I was in the other room when I heard a splash. Gideon was apparently very excited about his bath tonight because he climbed in fully clothed. He thought he was pretty darned clever.
Emily Mae (my oldest niece) decided that since we were having a sleep over that our family night needed to be a pajama party. Even the adults were required to participate. So we had a PJ Party family night.
Uncle Cody got Dogpiled.
And I'm not entirely sure how to even begin to explain this.We even got to have some serious "Monkey Business." And then we capped it all off with popcorn and home made milkshakes.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
It was cold, but we partied on anyway!
So Saturday may have been windy and quite chilly, but we had planned Cody's birthday/bon voyage party and we weren't going to miss out.
We started things off with some mid-afternoon skeet shooting.
Adrianna watched from a safe distance away.
Cody's Amazing Technicolor Cupcakes. (We had about 8 "helpers" with the decorating so some of them turned out quite interesting.) And don't worry. We had plenty!
When it turned out to be cold and rainy, we had to move the food inside. Good thing mom and daddy have a house that will handle it.
Cami & Jacob made a slide show presentation about Cody to show to all of his friends. It included highlights like wrestling, traveling, the Hawaiin lip-sync and the infamous "tight-whitey" dance.
We had a nice fire for hot dogs and S'mores though!
Gideon loves playing with his cousins!
Watch out for the wind, it will get you!
Lily pulls the best faces in the world!
Gideon and Lydia get a bath!
Okay the boots & hat belonged to guests at the party. We had some explaining to do after we caught Adam being a ham in them.
Games in the house until dark, and then outside for fireworks and an "Epic" Capture the Flag battle.
Okay I still want to know who gave my son a chocolate cupcake after his bath. How was this a good idea?
P-Dawg wants a cupcake please!
Don't ask me why her hoodie is on backward. I think she said something about it being her "zombie" face.
Dude, you're only 19! You don't need that much air!
These boys were definitely ready for bed! They were all partied out!
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