---scouraged

Thanks to the nursery at our church, Lincoln has learned how to make happy, sad, mad, and scared faces. In addition, we have taught him --mystified, excited, and grumpy--and this kid makes some pretty great faces.

You should see him during "IF YOU CHANCE TO MEET A FROWN."

Yesterday in the car we had the following conversation:

LINCOLN: "Mama, tell Henry that Lincoln is mad."
Me: "Henry, Lincoln is mad."
LINCOLN: "Mama tell Henry, Lincoln is sad"
Me: "Are you sad, Lincoln?"
LINCOLN: "Yeah.:
Me: "Are you discouraged? That is another word for sad."
LINCOLN: "Yeah. I'm discouraged. nahhh. I'm sad-scouraged. No, I'm scared-scouraged. No! I'm MAD-scouraged. MAMA, I'm MAD-scouraged!!!"

And just in case you were wondering how cute Mad-scouraged is:

IN other news:
How can you not love this face:

Typical

I was starting to feel overwhelmed tonight, so I thought I would write it all down to remind myself that it can all get done--one thing at a time:

DAILY:
Read Scriptures and Read to my kids.
Read ongoing list of blogs
Dishes
One of the following: Park, museum, zoo, library
Compose basic so thousands in Brazil can learn English.
Brush teeth,
Eat--but cook first so we can eat
Dancing at dinner--yes we do this and we love it!
Mother's guilt
Choose to be happy

Weekly:
Clorox the bathrooms
Laundry
Grocery shop
FHE
Date my husband
Play group
Church-lead the music in Sacrament
Pick up Laurie's kids from school.
(If I put dusting/sweeping the floors here I would be lying, but thinking about it definitely goes here!)
Blog: this is sometimes daily, but...

Monthly:
YES. that's all I'm going to write about that
Visiting teaching
Bills: garbage, water, cable/internet, electricity, gas,
Book Club
Record those basic songs so thousands in Brazil can learn English
paint a room in the house

Yearly/Twice a year/Every other year:
A1C tested
Visit ObGyn
Renew Temple Recommend
Pay Geico
Phone Bill
HHS application- I have to write it here bcause it is 17 pages long
Family pictures: it's about that time!

LIFELY:
inventor of new words like lifely
Wife
Mommy
Daugher
Sister

Tomorrow when I wake up, I will probably have twenty things to add to this list...so if you can think of anything--let me know!

Friends and Enemies....

Talking about politics in a multi-party group of people is not my idea of fun.

You make friends.

and consequently, you make enemies.

That being said, it is wonderful that we live in a country where we can agree, disagree, and agree to disagree.

That's the beauty of being an American.

Since politics is a touchy subject in most circles to which I belong namely family, church, and community, I will state how I feel on my blog. Then I can laugh at my sarcasm, and delight in my ability to express my opinion to myself with no badgering from anyone else around.

I welcome any comments--even those who are in complete opposition to everything I believe.

THAT BEING SAID:

I am registered as a Republican. I do however, reserve the right, to vote on issues any way I choose. I believe it would be ignorant to say I am a republican therefore, I must vote every thing republican.

HERE WE GO:

I am not a fan of McCain, but I really feel like his saving grace is his running mate, Sarah Palin.

I will preface all of my thoughts on her with this: when I listened to her give her opening speech, I was impressed by more than just a good vibe. The Bible would explain my experience as filled with love, joy, and peace. If this still doesn't help you understand my experience, email me your name and I'll send two representatives from my church over to your house. I knew that this woman was a good leader, an honest leader, and that she would be an outstanding choice for this country.

As a member of the LDS church, I have heard this statement too many times--
"I can't support her because she should be home with her kids."
I agree that a mother's priority is to her family, but I also think the Lord foreordained a lot of good women to be strong leaders.

I love that she is Pro-Life. (she is even more-so than I am)

Palin On war:
Sarah Palin told ministry students at her former church that the United States sent troops to fight in the Iraq war on a "task that is from God."

Did you hear that? The mention of God! Finally, a strong leader who is not afraid to acknowledge the Author of our country.

Palin on Universal Health Care:
"I support flexibility in government regulations that allow competition in health care that is needed, and is proven to be good for the consumer, which will drive down health care costs and reduce the need for government subsidies. I also support patients in their rightful demands to have access to full medical billing information.

So, allow competition in a free-market economy? Lower health care costs? give rights to the American people...can't complain with that.


Continuing on:

I am not a fan of Obama, and was a little dumbfounded that he picked Joe Biden to be his running mate. (Do they really even like each other???) It's hard for me to get past his refusal to cover his heart while the national anthem is being played. I don't care if he wears a pin on his lapel, but let's show respect for this land that has been good to us...

I am opposed to abortion as a cop-out to an irresponsible decision. I do, however, believe that if the mother's life is in danger, or she was raped, that she still has a right to do what's best for her.
I get sickened when I hear Obama talk about abortion:
“I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby."
Sorry Sir, all I hear you saying is that you don't feel that people should have to be accountable for their decisions. So go ahead and punish that future grandchild by um....killing them.

Obama on universal health care:
Every American should have health care coverage within six years, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama said Thursday as he set an ambitious goal soon after jumping into the 2008 presidential race."I am absolutely determined that by the end of the first term of the next president, we should have universal health care in this country,"

Senator, I would like to give a shout out here for the feel good message of everyone being taken care of. Seriously. Consequently, In England,this hasn't worked so well. My brother-in-law lived there at the Air Force Base. A woman in the same area had a lump in her breast. Thankfully she had "socialized medicine." The doctor could get her in, in ....11 months. Yikes, when it turned out to be cancerous, she was certainly glad she flew home to the USA to get help.

I am a diabetic. Supplies for my disease cost $1000.00/ month. I have no insurance.

But, I don't want to wait a year to go to a doctor who is thinking about quitting his job because he isn't making the money he went to school to make in a free-market economy.

I would rather have good health care that is accessible to all rather than crappy health care that is free for all...you get what you pay for.

Obama on the war:
“Here is the truth: fighting a war without end will not force the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own future. And fighting in a war without end will not make the American people safer.
So when I am Commander-in-Chief, I will set a new goal on day one: I will end this war. . ."

(hmm....interesting that responsiblity enters the pictures here seeming as how he wouldn't want his daughters to be responsible for their actions...)

I believe that this war is bringing about great results.

Captain Moroni (in the Book of Mormon) shares my feelings on war. He says:

"And it came to pass that he sent a petition, with the voice of the people, unto the governor of the land, desiring that he should read it, and give him (Moroni) power to compel those dissenters to defend their country or to put them to death.
And it came to pass that Moroni commanded that his army should go against those king-men, to pull down their pride and their nobility and level them with the earth, or they should take up arms and support the cause of liberty.
And it came to pass that the armies did march forth against them; and they did pull down their pride and their nobility, insomuch that as they did lift their weapons of war to fight against the men of Moroni they were hewn down and leveled to the earth."

war is not:
Teaching our children to kill other people's children...
Subsequently, this is not a war without a purpose.

war is:
taking responsiblity for our land, our American family, and our freedom.

I guess we could stop the war, and let the terrorists come in, and try and welcome them. And not try and stop them from harming this promised land. We could do that if we end the war.

Come Friends. Come Enemies.

Let's hear it.

No you Don't!

I always thought I would be devastated

when my child said something along the lines of,

"I hate you."

Or even worse, "

You don't love me."

So it was rather hilarious today

when I had the following conversation

with this handsome two year old.

(while driving)

Lincoln: Mom, I would like some juice.

Me: You have to wait until we get home

Lincoln: Please

Me: son, you have to wait until we get...

Lincoln: I WANT JUICE

Me: I love you Son.

Lincoln: "No You Don't!"

Me: Yes I do.

Lincoln: "No You Don't!"

a few minutes later:

Lincoln: "Mom, I love you the most.

I love you Tons Bit."

Me: I love you Tons Bit too Lincoln.

The Atlantic Ocean....

Today, I am feeling so humbled by the Lord's hand in my life.

In 2007, we found out that we were infertile.
There were no explanations....
Our insurance wouldn't allow us to have any further tests....

We were shocked. I was broken. I hurt every day.

The depression hit hard

My mom called often to check on me.
I smiled
But, she knew better.

I bawled.
every day.

It was hard to be so angry and so devastated all the time.

how did I even begin to explain that it was possible to feel two deeply rooted feelings at the same time: elated for people who were having babies. and completely empty because I couldn't.

If you think the Atlantic ocean is big.

it didn't really compare to the tears I cried.

So:

time passed.

a lot of it.

August 2006
September
October
November

December
January 2007 ( we finally went to the doctor...)
February
March
April
May.
June.
July. (we started the adoption paperwork)
August
September
October
November
December
January 2008 (finally we can be chosen through LDS family services)
February
March

20 LONG months
I felt like I had done everything I could do.
There were no more tears. (okay, there were still some...)

And then
APRIL 2008
Sweet Joanie allowed us to take Henry home.
Each day we thank Heavenly Father for her sacrifice.
We talked to Joanie a few weeks ago and she feels that she needs to move on with her life, and let this part of her life stay in her past.

But, we want everyone who reads this to know how much we love her.

The tears that filled the months and months of infertility have taken a back seat to the joy we have felt through the miracle of adoption.

Joanie, we love you. We want you to know that we will continue to give Henry two hugs and two kisses. We will love him. WE will teach him about Jesus Christ. We will nurture him. We will play with him. And, we will love you forever.

Thank you for this sacrifice.