This is from when my parents visited in August. Those beautiful girls are our cousins, Kenadie and Katelyn. Fun times, but they don't happen often enough anymore!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
We Love Our Grammy and Papa
This is from when my parents visited in August. Those beautiful girls are our cousins, Kenadie and Katelyn. Fun times, but they don't happen often enough anymore!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Accomplishment
My accomplishments this week have been many (rotfl), but my best accomplishment--and I use this term loosely--has been the potty-training of this cute little thing. We had no accidents yesterday. Woohoo!!! We're not out of the woods yet, but my diaper bills are going down. And incidentally, in the picture above, sweet Sariah is eating pickles dipped in key lime yogurt. And NO, this is not an example she has seen set by her mother, fyi.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Today's Writing Prompt: Parents
Have you ever done something that makes you think you're turning into one of your parents (or another childhood authority figure)?I read a book once that said something along the lines of, "You open your mouth and your mother comes out...." I have to admit that this happens to me quite frequently, for better or for worse, most often as a parent. And that's all I have to say about that. :)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Thinking Out Loud Here....
As many of you will know, I rarely talk politics here, or anywhere else. My personal politics are a mix of bizarre and Gen X: I'm a registered Republican, but only because you can't vote in the primaries in Oklahoma if you are registered independent. I was brought up in a home with one parent who leaned Democratic and one who leaned Republican, but I wasn't really aware of that until I'd left home. In political terms, I never know whether I'm coming or going. And then there's that Gen X component, the apathetic one that allowed me to not care about voting in the first presidential election for which I was eligible (it was Clinton's reelection, I believe). Since then, I have learned to vote consistently from the major elections to the minor town ones. As a matter of principle, I never take the "vote straight party" option. I believe one of the greatest strengths (and one of the greatest pitfalls) of our country is the two (or more) party system. I just can't figure out which party I belong to. Maybe I'm a Venn diagram. Sounds about right.
I will tell you up front, because I live in a country where I am supposed to be free to do so, that I did not vote for President Obama. But I didn't make up my mind about my vote until the week before the election. I just didn't think there was a good choice.
Having said all that, I am now going to offer my opinion on President Obama's scheduled address to school-aged children next Tuesday. No one's really asked for it, but I'm feeling like I'm in a small minority (funny, I feel that way a lot lately) and that my voice is valid and needs to be heard. I love having the privilege of doing so.
I spent much of my morning surfing the internet, trying to figure out what the heck the story is, since everybody's so up-at-arms over the whole affair. Basically, what I learned is that the extreme right is saying EVERYTHING, and the support base that is supposed to be the President's is staying mum. You want facts? The closest to that I could come was what was on the White House's website, and this seemed fairly tame. Do I understand that this is not The Speech? Yeah. Do I believe that everything out of his mouth will be propaganda? Of course, but everything out of anyone's mouth is propaganda as represented by their opinions, thoughts, decisions, and actions. Would I like for it to be prerecorded so that I could preview it? It would be nice. But how many times have I watched the candidates out stumping or watched the State of the Union address while my kids were sitting in the room? Let's not bother counting. Am I afraid of Big Brother? Well, yeah, I've read 1984, and I do find some disturbing parallels between my world and Orwell's.
However, if my children's school were showing the address (and according to Elisabeth, they are not), I would let them watch it. I am considering showing it to them afterwards anyhow. There are 2 vital parts to this decision on my part.
First, we're talking about the American Way here, people. We believe in freedom of speech, not just for ourselves, but for the people around us, too. We believe in freedom of speech, which means that we believe we can try to influence people with our words AND that our audience can choose or choose not to be swayed by our arguments. This is what the entire political process is about in this country. And it's been this way since before the Declaration of Independence. For goodness sake, the United States Constitution took 3 years to be ratified because the founding fathers were debating every nuance of it. Difference, debate, and division are the catalysts of the political process. There are responsibilities that go with those things, and especially with our freedom of speech. We are each individually responsible for our own choices, and without listening to both sides, there is no way we can make any truly educated choice. Neither can we move forward if we absolutely refuse to acknowledge other perspectives and points-of-view. I said "acknowledge," not necessarily "accept."
Before my children are old enough to vote, they need to understand how this process works and how to maneuver it. My children need to understand how to listen to their elected leaders (or soon-to-be-elected leaders, or out-of-office leaders, or basically anyone who opens his or her mouth) and glean what is truth and what is not from those people's words. They need to understand when and how someone is trying to influence them. They need to understand that the same words can communicate many messages. They need to have the confidence to navigate these muddy waters when we as parents can no longer do it for them, because that day is coming, no matter what. Heck, with my oldest 3 at ages 8, 10, and 12, they already do a bunch of this.
Fortunately, and this brings me to my second point, my kids often try out their questions or concerns on me, and though sometimes their timing isn't ideal, I am so grateful that we can talk with them and to them, and help them choose to make wise decisions. It is not President Obama's responsibility to teach my children this, it is not the governor's responsibility, nor our friends', neighbors', school administrators', bishop's, or anyone else's responsibility. That is my responsibility, and if I don't teach my children to discern and dissect and follow truth's light, then I have truly failed them, for they won't be able to vote wisely, or fight for their freedoms, or even choose decent friends in life (and at this point, I'm far more worried about the friends they choose to listen to than what government official they hear).
If you want your kids to think for themselves, then let them try it under your loving guidance. The White House website says the president is going to speak to students about "the importance of taking responsibility for their education, challenging them to set goals and do everything they can to succeed." If that's all he says, what's wrong with that? I don't believe that will be all he says, but there's only one way to find out, and that's to listen, decide, and choose for myself. The best place to discuss politics and issues as well as influence your children's choices and beliefs (read also: indoctrinate and/or brainwash your children, because that's what every single parent in this country does with their children)? At the kitchen table every morning and every night.
I will tell you up front, because I live in a country where I am supposed to be free to do so, that I did not vote for President Obama. But I didn't make up my mind about my vote until the week before the election. I just didn't think there was a good choice.
Having said all that, I am now going to offer my opinion on President Obama's scheduled address to school-aged children next Tuesday. No one's really asked for it, but I'm feeling like I'm in a small minority (funny, I feel that way a lot lately) and that my voice is valid and needs to be heard. I love having the privilege of doing so.
I spent much of my morning surfing the internet, trying to figure out what the heck the story is, since everybody's so up-at-arms over the whole affair. Basically, what I learned is that the extreme right is saying EVERYTHING, and the support base that is supposed to be the President's is staying mum. You want facts? The closest to that I could come was what was on the White House's website, and this seemed fairly tame. Do I understand that this is not The Speech? Yeah. Do I believe that everything out of his mouth will be propaganda? Of course, but everything out of anyone's mouth is propaganda as represented by their opinions, thoughts, decisions, and actions. Would I like for it to be prerecorded so that I could preview it? It would be nice. But how many times have I watched the candidates out stumping or watched the State of the Union address while my kids were sitting in the room? Let's not bother counting. Am I afraid of Big Brother? Well, yeah, I've read 1984, and I do find some disturbing parallels between my world and Orwell's.
However, if my children's school were showing the address (and according to Elisabeth, they are not), I would let them watch it. I am considering showing it to them afterwards anyhow. There are 2 vital parts to this decision on my part.
First, we're talking about the American Way here, people. We believe in freedom of speech, not just for ourselves, but for the people around us, too. We believe in freedom of speech, which means that we believe we can try to influence people with our words AND that our audience can choose or choose not to be swayed by our arguments. This is what the entire political process is about in this country. And it's been this way since before the Declaration of Independence. For goodness sake, the United States Constitution took 3 years to be ratified because the founding fathers were debating every nuance of it. Difference, debate, and division are the catalysts of the political process. There are responsibilities that go with those things, and especially with our freedom of speech. We are each individually responsible for our own choices, and without listening to both sides, there is no way we can make any truly educated choice. Neither can we move forward if we absolutely refuse to acknowledge other perspectives and points-of-view. I said "acknowledge," not necessarily "accept."
Before my children are old enough to vote, they need to understand how this process works and how to maneuver it. My children need to understand how to listen to their elected leaders (or soon-to-be-elected leaders, or out-of-office leaders, or basically anyone who opens his or her mouth) and glean what is truth and what is not from those people's words. They need to understand when and how someone is trying to influence them. They need to understand that the same words can communicate many messages. They need to have the confidence to navigate these muddy waters when we as parents can no longer do it for them, because that day is coming, no matter what. Heck, with my oldest 3 at ages 8, 10, and 12, they already do a bunch of this.
Fortunately, and this brings me to my second point, my kids often try out their questions or concerns on me, and though sometimes their timing isn't ideal, I am so grateful that we can talk with them and to them, and help them choose to make wise decisions. It is not President Obama's responsibility to teach my children this, it is not the governor's responsibility, nor our friends', neighbors', school administrators', bishop's, or anyone else's responsibility. That is my responsibility, and if I don't teach my children to discern and dissect and follow truth's light, then I have truly failed them, for they won't be able to vote wisely, or fight for their freedoms, or even choose decent friends in life (and at this point, I'm far more worried about the friends they choose to listen to than what government official they hear).
If you want your kids to think for themselves, then let them try it under your loving guidance. The White House website says the president is going to speak to students about "the importance of taking responsibility for their education, challenging them to set goals and do everything they can to succeed." If that's all he says, what's wrong with that? I don't believe that will be all he says, but there's only one way to find out, and that's to listen, decide, and choose for myself. The best place to discuss politics and issues as well as influence your children's choices and beliefs (read also: indoctrinate and/or brainwash your children, because that's what every single parent in this country does with their children)? At the kitchen table every morning and every night.
Found
FOUND:
1 USB cord for the camera
1 iphone charger
Found in a safe place.
A place that, incidentally, had been searched multiple times.
1 USB cord for the camera
1 iphone charger
Found in a safe place.
A place that, incidentally, had been searched multiple times.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Ted's
I love Ted's.
So Ted's proved to be an absolute inspiration yesterday. I ate the yummy complimentary chips and salsa and handmade tortillas, and I ate my yummy cheese enchiladas. I really love their chimichangas, but my stomach can't handle that right now.
When the server came to take my plate, she asked if she could box up my beans and rice for me, and I said, "Nah, they didn't taste right to me today. I'm not worried about it."
Not much later, and after I had eaten my yummy sopapilla with honey, the server came back with our ticket, and my meal was free! Wow, then it was that much MORE yummy.
Hindsight being 20/20, I guess I should have told her it was probably a pregnancy thing.
But then again, I'm practicing not looking gift horses in the mouth too much. :D And I'm sure they've earned themselves a few of my return trips.
So Ted's proved to be an absolute inspiration yesterday. I ate the yummy complimentary chips and salsa and handmade tortillas, and I ate my yummy cheese enchiladas. I really love their chimichangas, but my stomach can't handle that right now.
When the server came to take my plate, she asked if she could box up my beans and rice for me, and I said, "Nah, they didn't taste right to me today. I'm not worried about it."
Not much later, and after I had eaten my yummy sopapilla with honey, the server came back with our ticket, and my meal was free! Wow, then it was that much MORE yummy.
Hindsight being 20/20, I guess I should have told her it was probably a pregnancy thing.
But then again, I'm practicing not looking gift horses in the mouth too much. :D And I'm sure they've earned themselves a few of my return trips.
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