Daddy and Hailey ready to carve a pumpkin.
Hailey Ready for Trunk or Treat
PEEK-
-A-
BOO!
Happy Halloween!
Alright- no more politics. Last night was trunk or treat at our church. Hailey was given her halloween shirt by one of the 4 year olds in our ward. So we got her a mummy beanie because it was super cold, and some way cute pumpkin bootie rattles and she had a very cute Halloween outfit. We'll get her in her costume tomorrow for trick or treating. I thought I'd just share some pictures.
Daddy and Hailey ready to carve a pumpkin.
Hailey Ready for Trunk or Treat
PEEK-
-A-
BOO!
Daddy and Hailey ready to carve a pumpkin.
Hailey Ready for Trunk or Treat
PEEK- -A- BOO!
A MUST READ...
A friend of mine sent this to me. You can see below where they called and confirmed the sender is a real person (not just some made up email floating around) I don't forward too many political emails but thought this should be one. If you would like this letter forwarded to your email, let me know. I was going to post some lame useless trivia-until I read this, I know it's long but please take the time to read it.
An impassioned letter from a "nobody". But he gives his telephone number at the end.
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 at 3:19pm
Subject: A letter from Illinois
Dear Friends:
My name is Joe Porter. I live in Champaign, Illinois. I'm 46 years old, a born-again christian, a husband, a father, a small business owner, a veteran, and a homeowner. I don't consider myself to be either a conservative or liberal, and I vote for the person, not Republican or Democrat. I don't believe there are "two America's"- but every person in this country can be whomever and whatever they want to be if they'll just work to get there-and nowhere else on earth can they find such opportunities. I believe our government should help those who are legitimately downtrodden, and should always put the interests of America first. The purpose of this message is that I'm concerned about the future of this great nation. I'm worried that the silent majority of honest, hard-working, tax-paying people in this country have been passive for too long. Most folks I know choose not to involve themselves in politics. They go about their daily lives paying their bills, raising their kids, and doing what they can to maintain the good life. They vote and consider doing so to be a sacred trust. They shake their heads at the political pundits and so called "news", thinking that what they hear is always spun by whomever is reporting it. they can't understand how elected officials can regularly violate the public trust with pork barrel spending. They don't want government handouts. They want the government to protect them, not raise their taxes for more government programs. We are in the unique position in this country of electing our leaders. It's a privelege to do so. I've never found a candidate in any election with whom I agreed on everything. I'll wager that most of us don't even agree with our families or spouses 100% of the time. So when I step into the voting booth, I always try to look at the big picture and cast my vote for the man or woman who is best qualified for the job. I've hired a lot of people in my lifetime, and essentially that's what an election is-a hiring process. Who has the credentials? Whom do I want working for me? Whom can I trust to do the job right?
I'm concerned that a growing number of voters in this country simply don't get it. They are caught up on a fervor they can't explain, and calling it "change."
"Change What?" I ask.
"Well, we're going to change America," they say.
"In what way?" I query.
"We want someone new and fresh in the White House" they exclaim.
"So, someone who's not a politician?" I say.
"uh, well, no, we just want a lot of stuff changed. so we're voting for Obama," they state.
"So the current system, the system of freedom and democracy that has enabled a man to grow up in this great country, get a fine education, raise incredible amounts of money and dominate the news and win his party's nomination for the white house-that system's wrong?"
"no, no, that part of the system's okay-we just need a lot of change"
And so it goes. "Change we can believe in"
Quite frankly, I don't believe that vague proclamations of change hold any promise for me. In recent months, I've been asking virtually everyone I encounter how they're voting. I live in Illinois, so most folks tell me they're voting for Barack Obama. But no one can really tell me why-only that he's going to change a lot of stuff...
"Change, change, change." I have yet to find one single person who can tell me distinctly and convincingly why this man is qualified to be President and Commander-in-chief of the most powerful nation on earth-other than the fact that he claims he's going to implement a lot of change.
We've seen the emails about Obama's genealogy, his upbringing, his Muslim background, and his church affiliations. Let's ignore that for a moment. Put it all aside. Then ask yourself, "What qualifies this man to be my president? That he's a brilliant orator and talks about change?"
CHANGE WHAT?
Friends, I'll be forthright with you- I believe the American voters who are supporting Barack Obama don't have a clue what they're doing, as evidenced by the fact that not one of them-NOT ONE of them I've spoken to can spell out his qualifications. Not even the most liberal media can explain why he should be elected. Political experience? Negligible. Foreign relations? Non-existent. Achievements? Name one. Someone who wants to unite the country? If you haven't read his wife's thesis from Princeton, look it up on the web. This is who's lining up to be our next First Lady? The only thing I can glean from Obama's constant harping about change is that we're in for a lot of new taxes.
For me, the choice is clear. I've looked carefully at the two leading applicants for the job, and I've made my choice.
Here's a question-"Where were you five and a half years ago? Around Christmas 2002. You've had five or six birthdays in that time. My son has grown from a sixth grade child to a high school graduate. Five and a half years is a good chunk of time. About 2000 days. 2,000 nights of sleep. 6,000 meals, give or take."
John McCain spent that amount of time , from 1967 to 1973, in a North Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp. When offered early release, he refused it. He considered this offer to be a public relations stunt by his captors, and insisted that those held longer than he should be released first. Did you get that part? He was offered his freedom, and he turned it down! A regimen of beatings and torture began.
Do you possess such strength of character? Locked in a filthy cell in a foreign country, would you turn down your own freedom in favor of your fellow man? I submit that's a quality of character that is rarely found, and for me, this singular act defines John McCain.
Unlike several presidential candidates in recent years whose military service is questionable or non-existent, you will not find anyone to denigrate the integrity and moral courage of this man. A graduate of Annapolis, during his naval service he received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. His own son is now serving in the Marine Corps in Iraq. Barack Obama is fond of saying "We honor John McCain's service... BUT...," which is to me condescending and offensive-because what I hear is, "Let's forget this man's sacrifice for his country and his proven leadership abilities, and talk some more about change"
I don't agree with John McCain on everything- but I am utterly convinced that he is qualified to be our next President, and I trust him to do what's right. I know in my heart that he has the best interests of our country in mind. He doesn't simply want to be President- he wants to lead America, and there's a HUGE difference.
Factually, there is simply no comparison between the two candidates. A man of questionable background and motives who prattles on about change can't hold a candle to a man who has devoted his life in public service to this nation, retiring from the Navy in 1981 and elected to Senate in 1982.
Perhaps Obama's supporters are taking a stance between old and new. Maybe they don't care about McCain's service or strength of character, or his unblemished qualifications to be President. Maybe "likeability" is a higher priority for them than "trust". Being a prisoner of war is not what qualifies John McCain to be President of the United States of America- but his demonstrated leadership certainly DOES.
Dear friends, it is time for us to stand. It is time for thinking Americans to say, "Enough". It is time for anyone who wants to keep America first, who wants the right man to lead their nation, to start a dialogue with all their friends and neighbors and ask who they're voting for, and why.
There's a lot of evil in this world. That should be readily apparent to all of us by now. And when faced with that evil as we are now, I want a man who knows the cost of war on his troops and on his citizens. I want a man who puts my family's interests before any foreign country. I want a President who's qualified to lead. I want my country back, and I'm voting for John McCain.
Phone# ********** (It's in the email if you would like that forwarded to you).
I TRULY HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO SAY! THIS MAN HAS EXPRESSED MY THOUGHTS- ONLY MUCH BETTER THAN I EVER COULD. IF YOU WOULD LIKE THIS EMAIL FORWARDED TO YOU LET ME KNOW-SO THAT YOU CAN FORWARD IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. OR HAVE THEM READ IT HERE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS SO IMPORTANT TO POST TODAY WITH THE ELECTION DRAWING CLOSER!
An impassioned letter from a "nobody". But he gives his telephone number at the end.
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 at 3:19pm
Subject: A letter from Illinois
Dear Friends:
My name is Joe Porter. I live in Champaign, Illinois. I'm 46 years old, a born-again christian, a husband, a father, a small business owner, a veteran, and a homeowner. I don't consider myself to be either a conservative or liberal, and I vote for the person, not Republican or Democrat. I don't believe there are "two America's"- but every person in this country can be whomever and whatever they want to be if they'll just work to get there-and nowhere else on earth can they find such opportunities. I believe our government should help those who are legitimately downtrodden, and should always put the interests of America first. The purpose of this message is that I'm concerned about the future of this great nation. I'm worried that the silent majority of honest, hard-working, tax-paying people in this country have been passive for too long. Most folks I know choose not to involve themselves in politics. They go about their daily lives paying their bills, raising their kids, and doing what they can to maintain the good life. They vote and consider doing so to be a sacred trust. They shake their heads at the political pundits and so called "news", thinking that what they hear is always spun by whomever is reporting it. they can't understand how elected officials can regularly violate the public trust with pork barrel spending. They don't want government handouts. They want the government to protect them, not raise their taxes for more government programs. We are in the unique position in this country of electing our leaders. It's a privelege to do so. I've never found a candidate in any election with whom I agreed on everything. I'll wager that most of us don't even agree with our families or spouses 100% of the time. So when I step into the voting booth, I always try to look at the big picture and cast my vote for the man or woman who is best qualified for the job. I've hired a lot of people in my lifetime, and essentially that's what an election is-a hiring process. Who has the credentials? Whom do I want working for me? Whom can I trust to do the job right?
I'm concerned that a growing number of voters in this country simply don't get it. They are caught up on a fervor they can't explain, and calling it "change."
"Change What?" I ask.
"Well, we're going to change America," they say.
"In what way?" I query.
"We want someone new and fresh in the White House" they exclaim.
"So, someone who's not a politician?" I say.
"uh, well, no, we just want a lot of stuff changed. so we're voting for Obama," they state.
"So the current system, the system of freedom and democracy that has enabled a man to grow up in this great country, get a fine education, raise incredible amounts of money and dominate the news and win his party's nomination for the white house-that system's wrong?"
"no, no, that part of the system's okay-we just need a lot of change"
And so it goes. "Change we can believe in"
Quite frankly, I don't believe that vague proclamations of change hold any promise for me. In recent months, I've been asking virtually everyone I encounter how they're voting. I live in Illinois, so most folks tell me they're voting for Barack Obama. But no one can really tell me why-only that he's going to change a lot of stuff...
"Change, change, change." I have yet to find one single person who can tell me distinctly and convincingly why this man is qualified to be President and Commander-in-chief of the most powerful nation on earth-other than the fact that he claims he's going to implement a lot of change.
We've seen the emails about Obama's genealogy, his upbringing, his Muslim background, and his church affiliations. Let's ignore that for a moment. Put it all aside. Then ask yourself, "What qualifies this man to be my president? That he's a brilliant orator and talks about change?"
CHANGE WHAT?
Friends, I'll be forthright with you- I believe the American voters who are supporting Barack Obama don't have a clue what they're doing, as evidenced by the fact that not one of them-NOT ONE of them I've spoken to can spell out his qualifications. Not even the most liberal media can explain why he should be elected. Political experience? Negligible. Foreign relations? Non-existent. Achievements? Name one. Someone who wants to unite the country? If you haven't read his wife's thesis from Princeton, look it up on the web. This is who's lining up to be our next First Lady? The only thing I can glean from Obama's constant harping about change is that we're in for a lot of new taxes.
For me, the choice is clear. I've looked carefully at the two leading applicants for the job, and I've made my choice.
Here's a question-"Where were you five and a half years ago? Around Christmas 2002. You've had five or six birthdays in that time. My son has grown from a sixth grade child to a high school graduate. Five and a half years is a good chunk of time. About 2000 days. 2,000 nights of sleep. 6,000 meals, give or take."
John McCain spent that amount of time , from 1967 to 1973, in a North Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp. When offered early release, he refused it. He considered this offer to be a public relations stunt by his captors, and insisted that those held longer than he should be released first. Did you get that part? He was offered his freedom, and he turned it down! A regimen of beatings and torture began.
Do you possess such strength of character? Locked in a filthy cell in a foreign country, would you turn down your own freedom in favor of your fellow man? I submit that's a quality of character that is rarely found, and for me, this singular act defines John McCain.
Unlike several presidential candidates in recent years whose military service is questionable or non-existent, you will not find anyone to denigrate the integrity and moral courage of this man. A graduate of Annapolis, during his naval service he received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. His own son is now serving in the Marine Corps in Iraq. Barack Obama is fond of saying "We honor John McCain's service... BUT...," which is to me condescending and offensive-because what I hear is, "Let's forget this man's sacrifice for his country and his proven leadership abilities, and talk some more about change"
I don't agree with John McCain on everything- but I am utterly convinced that he is qualified to be our next President, and I trust him to do what's right. I know in my heart that he has the best interests of our country in mind. He doesn't simply want to be President- he wants to lead America, and there's a HUGE difference.
Factually, there is simply no comparison between the two candidates. A man of questionable background and motives who prattles on about change can't hold a candle to a man who has devoted his life in public service to this nation, retiring from the Navy in 1981 and elected to Senate in 1982.
Perhaps Obama's supporters are taking a stance between old and new. Maybe they don't care about McCain's service or strength of character, or his unblemished qualifications to be President. Maybe "likeability" is a higher priority for them than "trust". Being a prisoner of war is not what qualifies John McCain to be President of the United States of America- but his demonstrated leadership certainly DOES.
Dear friends, it is time for us to stand. It is time for thinking Americans to say, "Enough". It is time for anyone who wants to keep America first, who wants the right man to lead their nation, to start a dialogue with all their friends and neighbors and ask who they're voting for, and why.
There's a lot of evil in this world. That should be readily apparent to all of us by now. And when faced with that evil as we are now, I want a man who knows the cost of war on his troops and on his citizens. I want a man who puts my family's interests before any foreign country. I want a President who's qualified to lead. I want my country back, and I'm voting for John McCain.
Phone# ********** (It's in the email if you would like that forwarded to you).
I TRULY HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO SAY! THIS MAN HAS EXPRESSED MY THOUGHTS- ONLY MUCH BETTER THAN I EVER COULD. IF YOU WOULD LIKE THIS EMAIL FORWARDED TO YOU LET ME KNOW-SO THAT YOU CAN FORWARD IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. OR HAVE THEM READ IT HERE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS SO IMPORTANT TO POST TODAY WITH THE ELECTION DRAWING CLOSER!
Everybody's an expert...
I'm going to take a quick minute to rant and rave on something I need to get out. So I'm sorry if this offends some of you. I'll expect the emails about why you think I'm wrong on this.
Rant and Rave #1
At church one sunday, one of our home teachers wanted to hold Hailey, which is great. But then he starts going on and on about how his only son (now 12years old) loved to be held over the forearm. It was the only way to calm him blah blah blah. I politely told him that Hailey doesn't like that position because of her reflux. Well, apparently he now had to prove his point that of course she would like that position too. So he put her over his forearm and of course she immediately started wailing. So then he starts bouncing her assuring me that she would calm down, right then BLAT! She spit up all over his suit pants and shoes, and it wasn't a little. (Ha Ha Ha) So as he was giving her back to me he was so surprised that his position trick didn't work- his son just loved it. Again I politely said "she's not your son".
My question is this: why is it that no one listens to the mother? I spend more time than anyone with my child, but what do I know? And it wasn't just the home teacher it's at the pediatrician's office (where Chris has to come with me to every appointment so I can get some information), the grocery store, family gatherings, etc.
Rant and Rave #2
This has happened more than once or twice, and really gets me all fired up. I was at Wally World the other day with Hailey in her stroller. The check out line was really long and it was passed time for her to eat so she was getting fussy. To prevent a total breakdown I was moving the stroller back and forth. The lady behind me told me "you better not do that, or you'll spoil her". The lady across from her chimed in with "oh yeah, don't rock her." Then when I finally got up to the check out counter the cashier instead of saying hello said "you're going to spoil that baby". So all 3 ladies felt they needed to tell me all the "don't do" rules.
Here they are if you don't want to spoil your baby:
1. Don't pick up your baby unless moving her from place to place.
2. Don't tend to your baby as soon as she cries. Let her cry it out or "self soothe" before you go to her. (if you know she's hungry, don't feed her until she's lost all hope that you are going to care for her)
3. The mother should not hold the baby for more than a few minutes at a time so the baby will get used to being away from her and take to other people.
4. NEVER NEVER NEVER Rock the baby.
Here's my opinion-again just my opinion (although the NICU nurses agree with me) THAT'S THE BIGGEST LOAD OF CRAP I'VE EVER HEARD!!! Aren't those rules the exact reason that children in orphanages grow up with trust and relationship issues??!
Of course I think the mother should hold her baby- I'm the only thing that's familiar to her in this world. And as far as not caring for your child until they cry it out- how do they learn they can trust you as their caregiver. And as their caregiver shouldn't you care for the child. I have another word for that "neglect". Now I understand that I'm a new mom and don't know squat about babies, no make that I don't know diddly squat about babies, but I know when my child needs me and more importantly that I need her too. I didn't get a wonderful bonding birthing experience, and it broke my heart that she bonded to the NICU nurses first (who by the way rocked her and rocked her). I went through hell and back to have a child and I am not going to pass any opportunity to show her she can trust me and that I love her. One day she's not going to want me to rock her, so yes I'll rock her to sleep. Does this mean that I never let her cry? No-If I have done everything I can to tend to her needs and she's still screaming I would rather her scream in her crib than in my ear. But notice I tend to her needs first.
I think it boils down to this: it's the quiet moments holding and rocking her that make the loud ones, the sleepless ones, and the smelly ones easier to bear. So yes my child is "spoiled" she is loved and cared for and the most important part of our lives. In fact just this morning at the pharmacy another lady told me I was spoiling my child. I told her "yep, she's very loved. thank you"
So here's some new pictures of my spoiled child:
Rant and Rave #1
At church one sunday, one of our home teachers wanted to hold Hailey, which is great. But then he starts going on and on about how his only son (now 12years old) loved to be held over the forearm. It was the only way to calm him blah blah blah. I politely told him that Hailey doesn't like that position because of her reflux. Well, apparently he now had to prove his point that of course she would like that position too. So he put her over his forearm and of course she immediately started wailing. So then he starts bouncing her assuring me that she would calm down, right then BLAT! She spit up all over his suit pants and shoes, and it wasn't a little. (Ha Ha Ha) So as he was giving her back to me he was so surprised that his position trick didn't work- his son just loved it. Again I politely said "she's not your son".
My question is this: why is it that no one listens to the mother? I spend more time than anyone with my child, but what do I know? And it wasn't just the home teacher it's at the pediatrician's office (where Chris has to come with me to every appointment so I can get some information), the grocery store, family gatherings, etc.
Rant and Rave #2
This has happened more than once or twice, and really gets me all fired up. I was at Wally World the other day with Hailey in her stroller. The check out line was really long and it was passed time for her to eat so she was getting fussy. To prevent a total breakdown I was moving the stroller back and forth. The lady behind me told me "you better not do that, or you'll spoil her". The lady across from her chimed in with "oh yeah, don't rock her." Then when I finally got up to the check out counter the cashier instead of saying hello said "you're going to spoil that baby". So all 3 ladies felt they needed to tell me all the "don't do" rules.
Here they are if you don't want to spoil your baby:
1. Don't pick up your baby unless moving her from place to place.
2. Don't tend to your baby as soon as she cries. Let her cry it out or "self soothe" before you go to her. (if you know she's hungry, don't feed her until she's lost all hope that you are going to care for her)
3. The mother should not hold the baby for more than a few minutes at a time so the baby will get used to being away from her and take to other people.
4. NEVER NEVER NEVER Rock the baby.
Here's my opinion-again just my opinion (although the NICU nurses agree with me) THAT'S THE BIGGEST LOAD OF CRAP I'VE EVER HEARD!!! Aren't those rules the exact reason that children in orphanages grow up with trust and relationship issues??!
Of course I think the mother should hold her baby- I'm the only thing that's familiar to her in this world. And as far as not caring for your child until they cry it out- how do they learn they can trust you as their caregiver. And as their caregiver shouldn't you care for the child. I have another word for that "neglect". Now I understand that I'm a new mom and don't know squat about babies, no make that I don't know diddly squat about babies, but I know when my child needs me and more importantly that I need her too. I didn't get a wonderful bonding birthing experience, and it broke my heart that she bonded to the NICU nurses first (who by the way rocked her and rocked her). I went through hell and back to have a child and I am not going to pass any opportunity to show her she can trust me and that I love her. One day she's not going to want me to rock her, so yes I'll rock her to sleep. Does this mean that I never let her cry? No-If I have done everything I can to tend to her needs and she's still screaming I would rather her scream in her crib than in my ear. But notice I tend to her needs first.
I think it boils down to this: it's the quiet moments holding and rocking her that make the loud ones, the sleepless ones, and the smelly ones easier to bear. So yes my child is "spoiled" she is loved and cared for and the most important part of our lives. In fact just this morning at the pharmacy another lady told me I was spoiling my child. I told her "yep, she's very loved. thank you"
So here's some new pictures of my spoiled child:
You Might Be A Redneck If...
If your idea of pest control is diesel fuel and a lighter.
If when you look out the back window you see ladies walking patio furniture in a shopping cart down the street.
If your dog has to use the pine tree as a scratching post.
And finally- you might be a redneck if you can't afford a pony so you make your child ride the family dog.
Hope this made y'all laugh. This is what happens in my world. That is here in nowhere Alabama.
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