Connections and Hope

I've been thinking a lot about how totally connected we are on this planet. Part of that is just a train of thought that circles the track in my mind and comes center-stage (the track runs across the stage of my mind, of course) sometimes. It's coming round again and it feels that Father wants it there, too. I say this because a just read a story I found in one of the blogs I read. You could go to that blog, but I decided to link to it right here because it was really THAT wonderful!

The Awesome Story

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did (still do as I'm pondering some of the ideas in it even now)! I like the symbol of a woven blanket or tapestry as the "fates" are often illustrated. But the images the author uses work really well for me, too. I think the 6 degrees of separation and the idea of cycles and circles in experience are real and really fascinating. I also feel hopeful and somehow brighter (not as in smart, but as in a way of feeling hope sort of IN me) for reading it! I hope you will, too. Please let me know what you think after you read it!

Focus on My Family

Jessie
Jess is working 2 jobs still. The part-time job is REALLY part-time right now. And the full-time job is pretty much part-time. UGH! But, amazingly, we're doing better financially. I have even greater hope now that we'll be able to make it without food assistance from the Church. It's been around 6 months now. That's not terribly long, in the scheme of things, but I've been feeling the urge to be fully independent once more for a couple months. I hope it will truly happen!

Ria
Ria is still reading wonderfully well. She's definitely a solid second-grade reader. I would wager she's more a 3rd grader in that regard. Her comprehension is amazing, too. So, she's not just decoding! YEAY! Mary Kay says she's doing really well with piano, too. I'm so happy about that. She's been practicing on her own all morning today. While this is a bit unusual, it's definitely a pleasure for me! Her Math is coming along nicely - though slowly. She's having a bit of difficulty with the 'teens', but seems to totally get the higher numbers (at least through the 100s!). I LOVE MATH-U-SEE! We're going to be moving into some addition either today or Monday... AWESOME, right? I'm excited. ^_^ Ria writes pretty well (penmanship). If you haven't received a letter from her and would like one, let me know. Her spelling ability is right at Kindergarten level, but I'm sure that will improve quickly as we focus on it more. She's still loving Dance, too. They are working on the recital pieces now, which is totally exciting. For ballet she will be dancing to "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" from Cinderella. Tap will be something different, but the costume is a two-in-one pink number. SO cute! I'm excited to see it and Ria is SUPER excited to be on stage again. What a pleasure to me that she's so happy to be there again!! I hope Kat will have such a proclivity (and Tea for that matter)! ^_^

Kat
Kat is sweet and wonderful, too. She's very compassionate and tries really hard to make people feel better when they don't feel well. She's also protective of her big sister! Funny, right? But she is. It's SO sweet to see and hear. Kat is just barely over 2 and we've started some reading lessons. She's VERY into music and enjoys playing the piano (especially when Ria is supposed to be playing). She enjoys playing with the Math-U-See blocks and counting to 5. She especially loves Dance. I would say Ria enjoys having her hair done more than Kat, but Kat LOVES to have her hair put in a bun for Dance class. Of course, she's still not TAKING a class, but she gets dressed up each Thursday, just the same. I'm so excited to put her in a class this summer. I already have permission (even though she'll only be 2.5 and they normally don't accept girls under 3).

Tea
Tea is still a sweet baby. She's a bit more demanding lately. I've been thinking that maybe she's come out of a sort of newborn coma - sort of. She is 3 months old, after-all. Perhaps, since the first 3 months are sort of like the missing trimester (so some say), she's actually coming alive to the world she's in now. I don't know. I'm trying to understand why my sweet, sleepy, quiet, happy girl is not as much of those things any more. *sigh* She's still sweet as long as she's held and often has a focused amount of attention. I think she's going to be in the Moby a bit more than she has been. Thankfully my back/body are a bit stronger than they were a couple months ago.

sitting

This baby. Please remember that she did just turn 3 months on January 25th. She sat up last night! No, seriously! She was sort of laying back in a basket I have in the bathroom in my room while I used the toilet and she pulled herself up into a sitting position. She swayed there for a moment and I just got so excited I said something to her about it, in an excited and congratulatory manner and she lost her focus and plopped right back into the position I put her in - in the basket. OH, what a pleasure. She just got this self-satisfied joyful smile on her face and started gooing and giggled at me! Even in her greater difficulty, there is the other side of the "coin" that she is even more responsive and interactive - which, of course, is joyous!

rolling

She's rolling over confidently. Her first manouver was about a month ago (when she was 2 months old), but she didn't repeat it much, so I wasn't sure it was on purpose. Well, she's definitely rolling purposefully now. And it's none of this tummy, lean the heavy head and flip... she went for the physical, the REALLY hard work way: lift the legs into some crazy muscle-bound reverse sit up, lean them over to the side (like a Yoga stretch), lift with the obliques and gently swing the free arm while lifting the head, just so... to end up on the tummy. I know... I have to watch out for this one! Yes, she also goes from the position to the head flop right back onto her back. She's not happy with going through both positions once... she keeps going until she almost rolls off my bed. Poor girl isn't allowed on the FREEZING floor as yet (BECAUSE it's freezing!), so she can only roll as far as the edge of the bed. She LOVES it, though! I'll try to get some video. I haven't had my camera back there with me thus far, though.

grabbing

Have I mentioned that she's grabbing things really well. She loves to hold dolls and other things and feel the textures of things with her tongue. Often enough she does simply stuff things in her mouth, but she also thoughtfully feels things with her tongue. It's amazing to watch! It's like I can actually SEE the little gears turning in her head as she tries to categorize and understand what she's experiencing. I've tried to define things for her when I see this very thoughtful experiencing of her surroundings. I feel so attached to words and desire for my children to have a grasp of them, but I think Tea will speak earlier because she seems SO much to want to understand (already!).

pincer

Along with the grabbing... Tea has already done the hand exchange thing! She also uses the pincer grasp periodically. Sometimes she grabs full-fisted. But when she's wants to work (and she gets REALLY fussy if she wants to work and I'm not giving her something to focus on: like grabbing for something!) she often grabs with the pincers (index finger and thumb... this is a big deal because, they say, this is what separates us from the animals because it enables much greater range of motion, dexterity with tools, and so forth). The pincer grasp is usually associated with 6 month olds and Tea has been doing this for a couple of weeks now! I know, right!!!!

comparing my girls

For some comparison... I know they say you shouldn't do that, but I find it helpful to know them as individuals. I can see similarities and differences and better understand how to deal with them. If that makes any sense. Anyway... Kat was much more of an observer. (Believe it or not. If you know her, you might not beleive me because she's such an ACTIVE part of things now.) She didn't care to do "work" the way I've described Tea wanting. However, Kat did start walking 1/2 a month earlier than Ria, at 8.5 months. Tea and Ria could almost be twins (strange how that works out AND they have rhyming names, right?) with regard to their focused desire to work and efforts. I've already observed Tea watching her sisters the same way Kat used to watch Ria... which, I believe, led to walking earlier than Ria's 9 months. So, I think Tea will beat Kat's early walk. And I'm REALLY okay with that. Contrary to many Mothers, my children feel easier in MANY ways once they take to their own two feet! I enjoy their independence... perhaps that's because THEY enjoy it so much. I'm not sure. I am sure I'll let you know how it goes. To that end I should share that Tea already REALLY likes standing up. Her legs are pretty darn strong (especially considering how chubbers they are/she is!). AND she's pretty stead when I hold her loosely under her arms. She's happiest standing when I can let her do it.

MAN, I love my girls!!!

Oh. And then there's me. Hmmm...

Me, Myself, and I: Tori
Did I tell you about the ongoing service progject with Relief Society? We've been asked to quilt, crochet, and/or knit lap blankets and shawls for a nursing home (and we might keep some in the closet at church). I've completed 1 Mobious Shawl. It's REALLY cool. It was neat and SUPER easy to make. If you crochet an can read directions at all, it's really easy and wonderful to have a finished project in a short time...unless, of course, you're a heavy girl like me and then you have to make a larger one, which take a LOT more time. But still cool.

I'm ever-so-slowly working to finish Tea's things (blanket, jacket, hat, and Tigger stuffed animal) that I didn't complete before she was born. I made those things for Ria and Kat except that I made an Eyeore for Ria and a Pooh for Kat. Many excuse me because of already having 2 children, but the reason I didn't complete it was chasing after missing money since Jess quit his part-time job.... ahwell

Homeschooling is still goind pretty well. Ria has seemed, this week, to be entering a critical period with her piano playing... it's like she's clearing the top of the first mountain. When this happened with reading she went from a K level to 2nd in a matter of months. So, I'm excited to see what happens with piano! I'm still busy with keeping that going, but Jess is helping a lot more with implementation. That's SUCH a blessing... I've read about women whose hubbies feel it's none of thier job to keep homeschooling going (even when there's a new baby in the house). I do not even want to imagine the stress of that kind of situation. Thankfully we don't even have to BE schooling either Ria or Kat yet since they haven't yet turned 6. ^_^ I'm stilly researching and reading on the subject, but it's not my main focus right now... I'm more focused on getting the Calling squared up.

And there is, of course, the Calling. We're having our first Activity with me as facilitator on the 13th (Valentine's Dinner), which means that I've had to do all my facilitating this week so that we can get the word out tomorrow. Exhausting. But, I hope, rewarding. I hope to stay in the WAY background during my time in this Calling... I loved my secretary calling for that.... We'll see.

P.S.
I walked away. While thinking about my daughters and the BIG difference I kind of focused on in this post, I realized in a sort of "light bulb" moment that the internal motivation to work OR not is very much like Jess and me. One of us has an almost ceaseless internal push to DO while the other's is almost absent in comparison. Can YOU guess which is which? DO tell me what you think! I'm totally curious.

Will You Do It? Please DO!

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The New Calling

I didn't update you on the new calling yesterday because I was, honestly, too busy with it and an ongoing service project with Relief Society to even sit in front of the computer. I KNOW, amazing, right!?

Yesterday I was sustained and set-apart as my Ward's Activity's Committee Chairperson. Neat, huh? Well, maybe that's not the best way to describe: exciting, nerve wracking, tense, fun, and anxiety ridden. But, I think that understatement is sometimes the only way to go! ;)

In the calling and a V-Day dinner/fund-raiser for our Boy Scouts to plan. Yeah. See above for thoughts. Actually, though... the Lord has been VERY merciful. I'm ACTUALLY feeling very calm and happy about it all, thus far. I'll let you know more after the dinner (either the 13th or 14th, I'm not really clear on that yet).

I almost forgot to mention the interesting part about Jess. They didn't ask him to accept a calling - since he's not a member. But they did ask him to be an official support for my calling (part of the committee without the call? After Bro. McLaughlin went through the process of sustaining me he also mentioned that "Brother Jessie, even though he isn't actually brother" is going to be assisting me with the calling. AND after I was set-apart, Jess was asked if he would like a blessing. Jess accepted. Interesting, huh?

Neat.

Interesting Blogs to Check Out (Interesting to Me, at Least)

So, I'm doing some research for my new calling... okay, I suppose it's not really MY calling until I'm sustained and set-apart, but I feel that inspiration after prayer has begun to spring into my mind quickly since learning of the calling I've been asked to accept. Somehow, I'm not sure how, and I think it's pretty normal with the internet... I've come upon a couple blogs I think I'm going to start reading regularly (appearing on my blog list soon, if not already). They are very interesting to me and I just wanted to share.

The blog posts to which I'm linking are related in subject to a particular subject I find fascinating. If you know me, you'll probably have some understanding of what I'm talking about if you glance at the posts. The one is called Dead Seriously. Interesting title, eh? Don't know what that's about yet, but the subject matter is interesting, anyway. ^_^ The other is called Mormon Mentality. If you didn't know, yes, I am Mormon. I think the interest for me, then, is obvious. Or not. Either way, I AM interested.

Anyway... I just wanted to share something I've found as I try to keep my head on straight at the end of this sick day (for Ria, just stress for Mama).

Extreme Motherhood... Only in "Civilization"

It's amazing and rather depressing to me that the natural way is considered by SO many today to be "unnatural". Makes me wonder if there are yet ways I still remain brainwashed by the modern! I mean, home birth was always, thanks to my Mom, pretty easy for me to accept. Because I could so easily accept it and because I knew my Mom could do it, I had the strong hope that it could be for me, too.

Again, thanks to my Mom, breastfeeding has always been THE way to feed babies in my mind. I can honestly say that it seems rather odd to me to continue breastfeeding beyond 4 years of age... but I, just as honestly, cannot say it will never happen to me. I dare NOT say such a thing because in my life, that which I have said will never transpire soon occurs! There's no leap, though, for me to say and think that it would be odd, at this time in my life, to imagine myself with a nursling older than four years old.

Given that I have successfully experienced (and hope yet to again complete) home births, combined with the fact that I breastfeed beyond infancy, I would be considered an extreme Mama. If you know me, I'm pretty normal... aren't I? I mean, I'm not extreme... no Goth or Tatooed Mama here.... just a Mama who is trying to do what I believe is best after learning as much as I can... I guess by the standards of today I may well be "extreme." *ahwell* I suppose I have to abide such labels since I do live IN this world. I hope the culture will change to be, at least, more accepting of the natural way!

Saying Good-Bye is HARD to Do

Family Visiting!
It was exciting and easy to welcome my brother Josh and his wife Caroline and their kiddos into our home for a visit this week. I was, personally, a bit frazzled because my home was not up to par as a result of the previous week's illness, but I was SO excited to see my brother and his family after more than a year apart!

We had SUCH an amazingly wonderful time. At least, the Gollihughs sure did! I can only hope that visitors had as wonderful a time visiting! I felt love, touched, and trusted when Caroline shared her preconceived fears about the visit in my home and then told me that she'd not been troubled by the reasons for her anxiety. YEAY! I'm making progress, I think. You see, I have been told rather often (especially within my family) that the way I speak my mind can be a bit intimidating and off-putting. I have been consciously working on changing myself in MANY ways (that being one of the many) and it's gratifying to feel that, perhaps, I'm making SOME progress. I hope all ended as well as it started in her mind as well as my brother and their children!

So, the arrived on Wednesday evening. I don't really remember much from that night. Jess had dinner already ready, so we did enjoy a family meal of Turkey... hmmm... I can't remember what the dish was called! Well, it was yummy.

First Full Day
Thursday was our busy day. Jess made pancakes from breakfast. Josh and his two eldest accompanied us to the library and, later, the whole clan came with us to Dance. We walked everywhere, so that was fun - especially to dance because we had all the kids in strollers (three, to be exact). I'm sure we were a sight on the street! For dinner Jessie made meatballs in caper sauce over rice. DE-LISH!!! ^_^

Second
Friday we had a laid back morning. I think it was around 1pm that we finally headed out to Matanzas beach. That's our FAVORITE beach because the waves are really REALLY gentle even when it's high tide. Well, when we arrived the tide was out SO far that we could walk REALLY far out into the little inlet near which we park. And we did. The water was REALLY cold in the deep places, I must say. Josh was determined to ford the deep part, but his kiddos, even as tall as they are, were a bit too short to make it across on their own feet and stay dry. So, Josh put one on each shoulder and started across. It was a SIGHT to see! I hope they upload THAT picture and then I'll link to it (if they don't mind!). We forgot our camera a lot. :( On the way home, we stopped at a grocery store and our guests purchased makings for a meal. Steak, salad, guacamole and chips, cantelope for the next morning, and rissoto. Another hit for the Chef-Daddy!

Last Full Day
Saturday the two eldest visitors stayed with the Gollihughs while Josh, Caroline, and their baby went to meet a friend of Caroline's for lunch. Jess and I packed up a few things (mostly water) and the FIVE kids and headed out to meet J&C at a playground we'd seen a while back, but never visited. We were quite late. I think it took about 30 minutes longer than I expected... maybe that's 15 minutes for each extra child?? ahwell. We made it safely! The park was great. It was PERFECT, really. You see, Josh is a firefighter and the playground is right next to/behind a fire station and the actual equipment is fire fighter themed!!! ^_^ Isn't that too awesome!? It was fun. We had beef stir-fry a la Jessie for dinner.

The Day of Departure
Church this morning. I was under the impression that my brother would be sort of rushing off to get on the road directly after church. He was really laid back about it, though. He was cool with waiting for Jess and me to get out of a meeting with a member of our Bishopric. He and Caroline offered us a picknick lunch after. It was REALLY lovely! The best part, to me, was, certainly and, of course, the opportunity to spend another 45 minutes around this sweet family that I'm lucky enough to call part of mine! ^_^

Ria actually cried as we were driving away from her cousin. These two were amazing together! They were inseperable. They played together ALL day long and really did NOT fight! K became perturbed with Kat a few times, but Ria and K never really fought. I was a bit surprised, but VERY pleased about that!!!

What did they play? Well, I think their favorite activity was dress-up. Saturday they spent about 30 minutes in thier dress-up clothes dancing to J playing the piano. When J was tired of that (little boy not interested in dressing up with his sister), he told them he was done. From there the two girls took turns playing the piano and being the primary dancer on the stage. J danced for a little while after he was done on the piano, but he went back to play in the room when he was bored with the dancing. This lasted for at LEAST 1.5 hours! They were really wonderful. All the kids played very nicely together.

About J dancing... he looked like a little break dancer before they learn their big moves! Seriously! It was amazing to see how BOY-like he really danced! ^_^ SO cute! Of course, I would notice a huge difference since I have only girls to watch as they move, in general.

The Meeting
Did you guess what the meeting was about? Yep. I've received a new call. I was a bit surprised because many other new mothers have been left calling-less for 6+ months after the new arrival. I was actually REALLY bummed to be released soon after Tea was born. I was hoping to keep my lovely Primary Secretary calling. It was not to be. Someone else need it more than me!

I'll be sustained and set apart for me new calling next week. I'll tell ya more about it next Sunday. I'm nervous and even a bit scared. Definitely overwhelmed! You'll see once I can tell ya about it!!! All WILL be well, though.

An exciting twist to my call involves Jessie. Bro. Mclaughlin was very specific that Jessie needed to be in the meeting after church. I figured it was because he, as leadership, needed to ask Jess for his permission and support for me to receive the call - sort of standard operating procedure, I think. Well, that wasn't really it. And I'll tell ya more about THAT next week, too! ^_^

Other News (exciting to me)
A new family moved into our Ward during the time that I was out WAY too often in December. They have 6 kids who are all 1 year apart! Their ages range from 3 to 8. Can you imagine? I'm already impressed by the Mama!! ^_^

Well, not only was I excited by the prospect of more kiddos with whom mine might associate, but their Mama has decided to homeschool!!! Can you believe it?? Okay, well, you might not know why this is SUCH A big deal to me. You see... as of this school year there were two families who decided to homeschool. One a family of 3 (now 4) and another of 5 kiddos! So, now we have 4 homeschooling families in ONE Ward with a total of EIGHTEEN children! Isn't that amazing!? I'm excited and thrilled, really!

The funny thing... somehow the new Mama has learned about Ria reading. This is funny to me because I was planning to share with her the book Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons when we could get together sometime. But someone else has beat me to the punch and told her that Ria is an amazing reader and that she needs to talk to me about it. So cool! I don't have to tell anyone about Ria's reading ability - others tell them for me! ^_^ Funny, right?

Obama Will Fix It

The title for this post, or very near it, is the response I received from two intelligent and well-educated women just this last week when I was trying to inform them about and ask for their help in calling our representatives about the CPSIA issue that is still not tied down/resolved.... I was beginning to inform them of the ALREADY MADE LAW when the first woman I was addressing cut me off and said, "Obama will fix it!" And she totally turned away from me and wouldn't hear any more. Her inattention may not have been helped by the comment someone else present made about not coming to Story Time to talk about Obama, but still.... It was totally obvious to me that she wouldn't hear about a problem ALREADY in existence because she believes Obama will solve it all. Ummm... He IS still a man. (NOT our Savior!!!) He is ONE man. And he may not even KNOW about this issue! After-all... most people don't REALLY know about it!

I was planning to talk to my librarian about the law and deadline as well as some other things, but another lady preempted me, regarding the CPSIA info I wanted to share. My librarian did come to speak to me about it - to get clarification about what the other lady told her. After I briefly described what was happening, she seemed to get the impression that it was something pending. As soon as she had that impression, she blew me off and raised her hands in the air in an almost worshipful gesture!! and said, "Obama has it!"

While I am grateful these intelligent women feel hopeful, I am astounded that these women are (and I believe they are representative of the populace in general rather than Obama fanatics) SO fully trusting the words of the politician made President AND empowering him with omnipotence and omniscience! COME ON!!! He is STILL a MAN!!!! I did speak to her about the issue again and was able to convey why the situation is more than one man and she was determined to look into it... thankfully!

That all sort of brings me to another couple of bits I wanted to share. I hope you will see how they are connected. If not, feel free to email me and I'll try to specify more clearly.

The first is a video of still pictures and quotes that touched me. It is entitled In God We Trust. Click either of the previous links to see it. If the title is off-putting, please give it a moment because the quotes are from notables in American history and totally appropriate to reminding us of where we came from, why we're here, and what the U.S. SHOULD be about.

The second item is a YouTube that I believe is pertinent both to this day (current events) as well as to the link I hope you will watch. I saw this YouTube on my friend Val's blog and felt like I'd JUST seen something that fit with it perfectly... well, I HAD! The link I above! It felt to fit perfectly together and I wanted to share them in that way. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

What's Up?

Want to know? Check out my friend's blog and watch the video there. It's The Monteith Family blog in the first group of blogs to the left of mine. :)

I WILL do a real update soon.

Nuthin Much, But Busy All The Same

We haven't had anything special going on lately. I've been trying to get things caught up from when we were ALL sick... and then from when just Kat was sick. I'm still behind. But at least almost all the laundry is clean... even if it's not folded. The dishes... another story!

On top of regular stuff, I am trying to do a little bit more to get ready for a family visit. We, at the Gollihugh household, are VERY excited about my brother Josh and his family coming to visit! It's going to be interesting with SIX kids in this house as well as FOUR adults... I'm sure there will be stories to tell. :) They'll be here for our busiest day of the week (Thursdays, of course). So, that should be interesting.

So, basically I haven't had much worthy of note in my blog, on my mind. I'm reading a compilation book in my spare moments and some of Tea's sleepier breastfeeding moments. It's actually 4 books about Amish life and relationships. While it is VERY interesting to me, it may not necessarily be exciting to anyone else. Thus, the quiet blog. I hope I haven't disappointed anyone.

I do have to mention that today, January 18th, is my Jessie's birthday. He turned THIRTY! I had SUCH A problem with that birthday, myself... so I was wondering how he would take it. No problem for him. Amazing since he had SUCH a problem turning 25... of course, he thought he was turning 26 but still!

Happy happy birthday, BABY!

Sisters and Angels

I was feeling all beat up by this week I've already had (and it's only Wednesday!??), when my phone rang this afternoon. It was just shortly after Jess left for work, as a matter-of-fact. He often calls me to check on me before he gets busy (only since the baby's arrival). I answered it, which is uncharacteristic of me as late because I've been avoiding the phone a LOT. I just haven't been able to DEAL with anything more than just getting by in my own home.

Who is on the phone but one of my sisters from church. She's calling to check on me because she saw me at church and then I was gone. After we exchanged brief pleasantries, and as I loaded ANOTHER load of puked on poohed on linens and things, I just started BAWLING! She was so sweet and just listened to me sniffle and whine about life as it has been for me lately. I haven't been able to do this because I hate to call my Mom and cry about something like this because she feels bad that she can't be here to help out. I can't cry to Jess cause he just gets all anxious that I'm going to break down further (and unfortunately he knows how my breaks go down! hahaha) He still doesn't understand that crying lets some of the pressure in my head/heart/body out and I feel better afterward as long as he doesn't try to just shush me. But my friend and sister from church didn't feel bad about not being able to come right over, and she didn't try to shush me... she was exactly what I needed RIGHT when I needed it!!!

I'm so grateful for angels. I haven't yet seen the mostly invisible kind that artists portray on chapel ceilings, but I see Earth-bound angels galore! Tammy certainly is one of those to me today and has been any number of times before!!! She's even bringing me some chicken-n-dumplins tomorrow for dinner.

I have to say, I'd always read about chicken-n-dumplins... but then I had some Jessie made and I was, honestly, TOTALLY unimpressed. (I know, right!?! I RARELY ever say such things about my chef-hubby's cookin, but sorry to say, his dumplins were un!!inspiring....) Tammy brought some over for a meal after Tea was born. Jess knew what it was and named it. Because of my previous (not so lovely) experience with the dish named the same, I was apathetic toward to meal. But then... I ATE IT! ... ... ... MAN! I think I ate almost the whole thing!!! (and it was a BIG dish) over the course of 4 days! I'm totally serious. It was so delisi-o-so!!!! I asked her for the recipe, but she told me today she was pretty sure I just asked to be nice.

Nope. I asked because I'm hoping to make some of my very own. Of course, looking forward to more of HERS tomorrow... WOW... my mouth is actually watering right now. SO strange, but TOTALLY true!! The funny thing about the recipe is that I was just thinkin last week that I needed to get that recipe from her because I wished to have some chicken-n-dumplins... and now I get HERS!!!! I'm the luckiest girl... I guess there are some yummy things that can come from bad experiences, eh? ;)

Have you seen YES, MAN, the movie?? The last line of the previous paragraph made me think of it... GREAT movie, by the way. I recommend it. ^_^ Let me know what you think of it, if you watch it.

To wrap this up (since I've been all over the page in my thoughts!) being able to be a blubber baby with one of my sisters-in-the-Lord has made SUCH a difference for my day! I've been calmer than I've been in DAYS! I've felt happier. I've been able to sit down and enjoy some time with all my girls, even if Kat is still sick. (When my kiddos are sick I tend to WORK almost non-stop because I feel like that's the only way to keep my head together. If I sit, I worry.) Whether Kat is well or not is still in the air. I totally thought she was well when she woke up this morning, but... nope. Obviously. Anyway... I'm sure it'll pass soon. Thankfully she does seem to be on the mend. I sure wouldn't want anyone in our house right now, though, in case there are any bugs still scootin around. I'm going to go around the house with some bleach tomorrow, me thinks.

I thank you for prayers offered in our behalf. I'm certain they have been heard and we are experiencing the benefits (and angels) as a result!!!! ^_^

SICK of Being Sick!

I've lost a day. I thought today was Monday ALL day long. Why? Because I slept practically ALL Monday away! HOW can a nursing mother sleep over 24 hours straight?? Well, it wasn't spent ALL sleeping... I did awaken to sit on the pot, stoop over it, and nurse! Jess brought Tea to me whenever he thought she was antsy for booby juice! WHAT a man, right!??!!! He called out of work for THAT! Poor guy.

I think I'm on the mend.

Thankfully Jess has the immune system of a super human. I put him to bed when we came home from church (only sacrament meeting because I noticed during it that he smelled WAY off). He slept and slept and slept. But when he woke up he was totally well! Right in time to take care of me and KEEP takin' care of Kat.

Poor Kat. It seems that she may be on the mend as well, but she's been sick since Friday or Saturday afternoon (my brain is so fried I can't keep it all straight)! It's been a rough patch, let me tell you. Unfortunately (fortunately?) I thought we were all well - so we went to church. But now I'm all worried that we've made others ill. ARGHHH!! At least I got to take the sacrament....

If you think of it, I would appreciate it if you'd keep us in your prayers that we might experience a turn on the healthy side of life. I feel like we've been bombarded by illnesses (since we HAVE!). I'm quite certain I will appreciate wellness quite a lot (and isn't that what illness is for?).

Wish YOU wellness!

Good News

Coming to light among the those greatly concerned about the CPSIA stuff is some pretty good news... somewhat of a relief to many who sell handmade goods (natural fibers, gems, and so forth) intended for children. Some more info.

Having said that and provided you links to research at your leisure, it's still important to make our voices heard about generalization of this and other laws... this law is still the first step toward making firefighters into fire starters of book burnings (see Fahrenheit 451 if you don't understand my allusion). Check out the post just before this one for an iPetition you can sign as well as info for your congressional representatives.

We CAN make a difference!!!

Can you BELIEVE this!?! PLEASE READ this unreal reality!!

I'm going to cut and paste some disturbing - VERY disturbing - information. I hope you will feel it worth your time to act as I believe it will impact you even if you never homeschool.

It's one of my worst nightmares... Farenheight 451 (the novel) come to life! If you haven't read it, you might want to - to see what we could WELL be fighting the first stages of!!!!!

The Sale of Children's Books to be Banned

---

Oh, how I wish this were a joke!  But it is a grim and looming,
almost Orwellian, reality.

Effective February 10th, in the United States, the sale of
all children's books (books intended for children ages 12 and
under) is to be PROHIBITED.  Every single book printed prior
to the ruling is affected, whether new or used.  New books in
production are required to include a "lead-free" certification
and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale.

What does this mean to the homeschooling family?

Well, for one, curriculum fairs across the country will be
cancelled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to comply
with the new ruling.  Complete book inventories will have to be
destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books!
Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have to
close their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army.

Clothing, toys and books -- even CDs and DVDs are included in the
ruling.  Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or process
anything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child.

No more library sales.  Libraries will not be permitted to give
away or sell book donations.  It is unsure yet, however, how
the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the ruling
doesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or
giving them away).  The key word, however, is "distribution" --
libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.

(The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA has
since made a statement that clothing, books and media are included
in "children's toys".)

Just how serious is this new law?

Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply.
No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to
compliance.  And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manu-
facturing stage.  At the time of this article there is no clause
to be able to grandfather-in older books or even rare out-of-print
books.  It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead.

I happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living books
from the 1950s and '60s.  My punishment for selling a book after
February 10th?  Up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail.  And yes, it is
a felony charge.  For selling a SINGLE book.

(Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become a
reality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantly
violating Federal law.)

So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore that
sells children’s books?  Or that homeschool curriculum business?
Or your EBay business selling children's items?

ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines:

1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at
   888-531-9070.  http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx

   Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30,
   2009.  Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov

2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact informa-
   tion, just enter your zip code.
   http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/

3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue!  The top 3 in
   each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.
   http://change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

4) Sign the petition.
   http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

5) Spread the word!  Forward this article.  Send an email.  Write
   about this on your blog.  Tell others about this issue and
   encourage them to do the same.

For the complete story, read the following links:

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Consumer Product Safety Commission Summaries on Legislation Index
page for Children's Products Containing Lead; Lead Paint Rule and
other rulings

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/legislation.html#summaries

Office of the General Counsel FAQ on retroactive inventory require-
ments -- The use of forward effective dates appears to force current
inventories to adhere to the ruling on February 10th, 2009

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/summaries/101brief.html

Specific FAQ on their interpretation of books and other media to be
included in the testing of lead based products

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/101faq.html

Effective Date: Lead content limit of 600 ppm becomes effective 180
days after enactment. An advisory opinion regarding the application
of the new lead limit to inventory existing at the effective date
can be found on our web site at
http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/advisory/317.pdf

Getting the Lead out:  There is no lead in children's books
http://news.bookweb.org/news/5695.html

There is no lead in Children's books: From a Pedtrician
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/childhealth/3955/is-there-lead-in-baby-books/



Please!  If you want to keep low-cost avenues for children's clothing, books,and toys available, please make your voice heard.  I, for one, feel physically sick about this and I'm going to do whatever I can to change this ridiculousness!

How Do You Know If Your Family Is Complete?

I think there must be millions (or more) ways to know. I think, sometimes, that the innate knowledge of our family size is pre-programmed... like, we always pretended to have a certain number of kids when we were kids and that's exactly how many we're supposed to have. Probably, in those instances, it's a memory we're allowed to retain to help us in our life here.

When I was younger, my Mom would tell people (and I heard, of course) that she started to feel someone missing when she had 2 or 3 kiddos. She would count us when preparing to leave the grocery store or something and feel like she was missing a child. She KNEW she had all the children she'd given birth to, but still felt someone missing. I asked her, after Eddie was born, if she still felt anyone missing. She didn't think she did. So, I felt confident that our family was complete. Pretty neat. Right?

Given that I came from a family whose Mama was so secure in knowing that her family was complete, I wished and hoped that I would have such a sense for my own family. As it happens, the sense has come in a different form, but is much the same in its purpose. I'm SO grateful!

Right after I had Ria, I ached to get preggie immediately and have another baby. Kat wasn't born until Ria was 2 years and 7 months old, but I knew I would have (needed) another baby.

When I had Kat I felt a peace in the moment after her birth and thought to myself, "This is wonderful! Two daughters. I can wait this same length of time or longer between this one and the next." To my mind the whisper of the Holy Ghost came (which I could recognize at this time, but would not have known before), "DON'T COUNT ON IT!" It was clear as a bell, firm, and undeniable. So, I rather expected to get preggie really soon after Kat's birth. As it happened, she was just a tiny bit older than 2 years when Tea joined our family. Kat was born Oct. 10th and Tea was born Oct. 25th.

Tea was born and I didn't have either of the previous sorts of feelings, really. I think the lack of feeling came more as a desire to do the Lord's will than to really have my own plan for things... since my own plans seem to be opposing the Lord's will much of the time. (How depressing, righT?!) I suppose it's an exercise in humbling myself to the Lord's Will, eh? So, I started to feel sort of sad, thinking that maybe we wouldn't have any more children. (As a child I always thought I would have AT LEAST 4... probably more like 6 kids. So, 3 felt really incomplete to the way I thought things would be.)

My Mom came to visit, if you recall. While she was here I had "a moment." Tea was about 2 weeks old. The sister missionaries were leaving. Ria was outside, just outside the front door. My Mom was holding Kat and I was holding Tea. In "the moment" I felt scared half to death because I was sure Kat was in the driveway (as the sisters were pulling away). Now, this is taking into account that I could see my Mom with a child (Kat) in her arms, I knew where Ria and Tea were... I thought Kat was Tea, though! Even though I could plainly SEE her, I thought Kat was Tea. I thought I was holding a new baby... not Tea! Immediately after sort of realigning my sense of time and reality, I realized that this was the answer to my concerned queries to the Lord. I WOULD and SHOULD have another child. What a relief... via a REALLY odd-feeling experience!

I haven't had any doubt about that addition to our family. I'm not excited to go through pregnancy OR labor again as yet, but I know there will be another to join us sooner or later. I'm all right with that. Happy to know, for sure. Given that I feel secure in this knowledge, it was rather disconcerting when a couple of weeks ago I had another "moment". I can't help but wonder if our next child is calling to us... or, maybe, tagging along as we live our lives and I only feel her/his presence once in a while!?? It also strikes me that the first time I had "the moment" was when Tea was 2 weeks old and this last time when she was 2 months old! Strange, ne/eh?

How do YOU know? Have you just decided and are sticking stubbornly by your once made decision? Or are you open to the promptings that might suggest that you should increase your family regardless of your circumstance? I certainly wouldn't think that we should increase our family right now, given our financial situation. And, given my history, my breastfeeding amenorhea will enable me to stay barren for the short-term... until Tea moves from our bed, it seems my experience suggests. BUT, if the Lord want that next child to enter our family sooner than I think possible, it will surely happen! Anyway... just my thoughts. :)

I Succumbed

succumbed
WHAT an odd word, huh? Say (or see!) it only a few times and is seems to lose its meaning. For me, most words do that when I say, think, or see them too frequently (like in the high tens or hundreds of times)... not succumbed.

Anywho...

I succumbed to the series. I only started hearing about it a few months ago via ChaCha questions. I saw the movie... online, of course. And then, I finally read the series. This may not go over with those who are HARD, but it feels incomplete to me. ahwell. WHAT am I talking about?

The Twilight series, of course.

I'm not sure, exactly, why I finally decided to read the books. The movie was all right, but not WOW.... But when I decided to read them I WANTED to read them. The first book, Twilight, was checked out after I made this decision (though not before, of course). I waited a few weeks, but it didn't come back. So, I finally checked out the second book New Moon, I think. And then the 3rd and 4th. I read them all within about 10 days (and that includes a few days of having to wait to go to the library because it was closed for the Christmas weekend).

I'm not exactly a fast reader. But I DO tend to be obsessive... not just about reading, unfortunately.

Anyway. The books are great. I'm currently reading Twilight (last... and NO, I didn't do that on purpose just to be different... SEE ABOVE) and it is quite a lot better than the movie. At least, I think so.

So, I succumbed to pop culture and have been pleased and even, perhaps, edified. CAN vampires be edifying? In this case, I think they actually CAN be. :)

And Stephanie Myers story is inspiring.

I've had one particular story trying to come out since I was preggie with Ria. I've written on it many times, but never quite kept going. I'm trying to be more enduring this time round. It seems like there are TONS of indications that I "need" to write RIGHT now.

My dear friend, Ryushin, quoted something in a recent letter. It's a sentiment that is stated many times and in many different ways and about many different subjects/expressions, but I felt like it was speaking to me about writing. I really want to share it because it has touched me and resonated with me and my own ideas SO keenly:

Martha Graham (a famous dancer):

There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated
through you into action and because there is only one of you in all
time, this expression is unique.

And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and
will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to
determine how good it is nor how valuable it is nor how it compares with
other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and
directly, to keep the channel open.

You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to
keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you.

Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction
whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a
blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive.