{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

 ~ Capturing the context of everyday life ~ This has been quite an eventful and fun week for my family!  We had all sorts of fun outings and even a "camp out" in front of the fire on Friday night.  I have more pictures than usual for a week in the dead of Winter in Middle-of-Nowhere, Wyoming!  I love it! {Pretty}

 Beautiful view of our "across the street" neighbors, and the lovely Wind River mountains from our front porch.

 My new favorite color of nail polish: I'm Not Really a Waitress, by OPI.

  The fireplace in full blaze.  This adds such a nice ambiance to our home, especially on days like today (foggy and snowing!).
{Happy}

 We went bowling with friends last Friday, such a welcome outing!  The girls had a great time with their friends and bowling, and I enjoyed chatting with the other moms while my angel baby slept the whole time!

 Charlie always impresses me with his mad Dad-skills.  He invited the girls to have a "camp out" in front of the fire place, after a sticky round of s'mores.  What happy memories for them!

The next morning, we arose extra early, prepared a thermos of hot chocolate and a portable breakfast, and rambled up into the mountains to watch a sled dog race.  It was very exciting, and something none of us had EVER experienced before!
{Funny}These photos aren't very good, as I took them on my iPhone while all the craziness happened.

 My 3 biggest girls take ballet in the K of C hall at our church.  During the 3 & 4 year old class this week, our beloved priest's two HUGE (but very friendly) dogs came tearing down the stairs and started a hilarious riot of miniature ballerinas.

Some of the poor little ladies were terrified, mine were obviously chasing them and trying to hug them, or crying because they were too excited to hold still for a good petting.  Either way, it was the funniest moment of the week.
{Real}

 My big girls are big enough to operate my camera.

 Sisterly love.

 I make everyone work on school work while they're not in ballet class.

Oh sweet baby.

Observations

I generally avoid posting about politics or really even matters of faith much on my blog.  There are such better sources for those topics, but mostly I don't always feel like sharing my opinion with the world.
However, today I found the whole Susan G. Komen/Planned Parenthood media show down so very interesting.

Breast cancer awareness and research is an important thing.  Of course I find it important, as a woman, a daughter, a niece, a granddaughter, a friend and as the mother of four girls and the oldest of 5 sisters.  There are a lot of important females in my life.  I don't want any of us to suffer this horrific disease.

On the other hand, I believe in respecting the dignity of women and I believe in not killing children in the safety of their mother's wombs, for any reason.  By linking with Planned Parenthood, the darkest, most vile player in the Culture of Death, the Komen organization lost my respect and made my life quite complicated.  Especially in October.

In October, my local grocer is covered in pink tags and "sale" items that promise a percentage of the sale price as a donation to Breast Cancer awareness organizations (aka Komen).  I expect to spend more money in feeding my family as I avoid these sales and am forced to pay premium prices for items because I know that I do not want one penny of our money to go toward an organization who claimed to be pro-woman, yet turned around and gave to the most anti-woman group around.  Not to mention they denied the scientifically proven link between abortion and breast cancer.  After I spent all that extra money on groceries that had just the plain yellow price tags, then I was accosted by my friendly checker asking if I wanted to add a donation to my bill.  I would ask, "Well, what organization does it go to?"  If the answer was Komen, my answer was no.  And because I questioned the organization, they would want to know what the reason was.  And I'd have to tell them, in no uncertain terms, but with kindness, that I am anti-abortion and Komen supported PP and denied the link, blah blah blah.

Whew.  For completely selfish reasons, I'm glad I don't have to do that anymore.  I don't really like to chit chat in the store while I also need to tend to my children, or "herd cats" as my friend calls it!

However, when this financial aid was severed between Komen and Planed Parenthood yesterday, I knew it was sure to be a blood bath.
So, after spending my morning (in between copious amounts of coffee, breakfast, 2nd grade math melt downs, nursing and bouncing a baby, and preventing the 2 y/o from deleting sweet videos off of my iPhone...) watching the social media outlets, emailing Komen with my support, and reading the news stories coming out ever 5 minutes about it.

Here are my observations:

1. Komen wasn't really giving PP THAT much money.  And they didn't say they wouldn't support them again after the federal investigation took place, if I understand correctly.  So, why did Planned Parenthood come out with a nasty PR release attacking Komen and mobilize their followers to give them more money?  Why did they burn the bridge, when it wasn't even permanent?

2. Pro-choice posters on the Komen Facebook page frequently made mention of financially supporting Planned Parenthood now, instead of Komen.  I don't really understand this.  If you want your money to support women's health care, a free flow of contraception, and abortion, why don't you give to PP in the first place?  Why give it to a BIG name organization that filters it out for you, after paying all their people the big bucks?  I don't get it, and I'm not trying to be sarcastic or rude.  I really don't understand.  Planned Parenthood doesn't do research or obtain grants to cure breast cancer, which I assume is the draw of supporting breast cancer research organizations.  No?

3. The comments were nasty.  They were mean spirited by and large, and they made personal attacks all over the place.  There was the occasional, and respectful, "we hope you'll change your decision."  Even, "I'm disappointed in you" or "Shame on you" don't really bother me.  But for the most part, the attacks on the Komen organization, their higher-ups, people of faith, and pro-lifers were cruel, and insulting.  Even I was told that I should "get an education." I expected this, of course, and didn't engage or provoke it, but what's that old adage about catching more flies with honey....?

I'm still skeptical of Komen, but I hope they prove us wrong and show that they will reject the link between abortion and breast cancer, and remain steadfast in their refusal to link themselves with Planned Parenthood, who is certainly not beyond reproach.  I don't pretend to think that it's because they're anti-abortion.  But, it's a step in the right direction.  Praise God!

Mish-Mash and 7Q's v.17

Ok.  I'm a blogging slacker.  I haven't really posted much, and I really haven't been reading other blogs much (until yesterday), and it's been over 20 days since my last real post!  I know it's bad when people in my real life start making comments, especially Charlie.

So what's been going on?

Oh.  Just life.

I have an almost 2-month-old.  He and I spend a lot of time together.

Then there's the toddler and the preschooler who not only need a lot of attention, but quite a bit of discipline.

First and Second grades are back in full swing here.  It's lots of fun this semester with cool Science units and a whole section on Ancient Egypt in History.  Not to mention all that other stuff...reading, writing, math...art classes, ballet, etc.  (Thank goodness, F's reading has finally improved SO much!)

Of course, there's cleaning and people like to eat, and have fresh clothing and diapers.  Dealing with 5 children's worth of clothing is a job unto itself, I believe.

Charlie and I have been P90X-ing it since the beginning of the month.  So far, I've lost 6 lbs. and several inches from my waist and hips, most of my clothes are fitting correctly again.  It's only been 3 1/2 weeks, so I'm feeling good about that.  Mostly, I just like spending time with him though.  That makes the torture of plyometrics or pull-ups worth it.

Also, keeping me from blogging has been the Kindle.  But, more on that later.

So, mostly, babies are on my mind.  I thought I'd do a post on the top 7 best baby-related items that are new to me this time around.  Here they are in no particular order:

 1. FuzziBunz
So, I've used cloth diapers on 4 out of 5 of my children so far and until Joe was born, I used prefolds with Thirsties covers on my newborns.  One magical day a few years ago, however, I found a HUGE deal on some lightly used FB's in medium, perfect for Colette (who was a toddler at the time).  They won my heart and when Baby Joe was on his way, I knew I wanted to have a few in my stash.  Well, a few turned into several, and now that's pretty much what I use exclusively unless I'm washing, in which case he's sporting a prefold and wrap.
I love the ease of the FuzziBunz with a newborn, I love how soft the fleece is, and how easy they are to wash (not that the prefolds aren't, they are so easy to wash).
Funny enough, I really like both the one sized elite diapers, as well as the sized diapers, for different reasons.  But that's a whole post unto itself.  Either way, he always looks super cute.  And this guy LOVES diaper changes!

2. Trend Lab Storage Caddy
This thing is such a simple concept, but SO helpful.  While I'd prefer a lovely and basic bedside table with a lamp, a book, and a beautiful vase of flowers, that just isn't where I am in life, so I have this thing right within reach all night and all day.  And when we leave town, I just grab it and bring it along as is.  It can fit a whole box of wet wipes, which was very handy in the early days before I switched to cloth (before the umbilical stump fell off).  Now I keep all sorts of things in there that I need for him, and it's not too alarmingly "BABY."

3. Carters Keep Me Dry Flannel Lap Pads
Since baby sleeps with me, I have to protect my sheets from drooling and leaky diapers (which is very rare with cloth) and so forth.  I have found these flannel lap pads to be indespensable, and just place them under his head when we go to sleep, so that my sheets don't get destroyed.  I also take them along when we go out for a changing pad.  They fold up small and fit in my purse, which is perfect because I renounced the diaper bag 4 babies ago.  These things wash beautifully and stay soft while remaining waterproof.  Brilliant.

4. Nosefrida Nasal Aspirator
Ok.  This one seems really gross.  But it's really not.  Those little blue blub syringes always get so disgusting, and apparently they can harbor all sorts of bacteria and whatnot.  Living here in such a dry and cold climate, this baby is constantly stuffed up.  The Nosefrida (and the occasional drop of saline solution) get him all happy again, and typically, he doesn't cry.  Which is remarkable - babies usually hate having their noses suctioned out!

The last three are all nursing related.

5. Bravado

These were listed on one of my favorite Betty Beguiles posts.  In the past, I figured this brand was probably over priced and overrated.  I was so very, very wrong.  They have changed the whole experience.

6. THESE

I hate the name of this product, but I LOVE how they work!  I've never used anything but disposables, but these are awesome.  If you ever want more details on why I love them, feel free to email me!

7. Kindle Touch

My life has been changed for the better by this little device!  Charlie got it for me for my birthday and it has been such a wonderful blessing!  I always feel like the year+ that I'm nursing a baby, I don't get to read.  I just can't manage nursing and books/magazines.  The Kindle makes it easy just by touching the screen to turn the page, nobody can close it on me, and it's not flashy like my iPhone, so the kids don't try to mess with it.  It's been just over 3 1/2 weeks since my birthday and I've read 3 1/2 books (well, and another half of another book, but that doesn't total 4, does that make sense?! hahah) and have quite a few I can't wait to read next.  I'd love any book suggestions!

So long for now!  

(For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at Conversion Diary!)

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

~ Capturing the context of everyday life ~ {Pretty}

 Over the weekend, Charlie installed my double oven and the gas line for my counter top cook top.  I love the new look of my kitchen!  I think we're still going to paint the cabinetry and add hardware, but other than that, I think its pretty!
{Happy}

I can't tell you how happy I was to get my hair cut last weekend.  I'm so bad, I really only go once a year at most.  Anyway...it was SO long and I haven't cut it this short since I was 18.  I love it.
{Funny}

Gab's current favorite thing to draw is the zoo.  I just think her drawings are so cute!
{Real}

For real time is flying and this guy is 2 months old now!  He's such a sweet baby.  I'm so blessed. 

Hi!

Sweet readers - I have a real post in the works.  I know it's been a long time.

Today, I just wanted to post real quick and beg your prayers for a special intention.  Will you pray?  It would mean so very much.

God's will be done!

Today is my birthday...

...and here's my favorite gift so far:

V. 16 7 Quick Takes

1. Merry Christmas!

I hope yours was full of joy and happiness!  Ours was.

God made himself small so that we could understand him, welcome him, love him...  Christmas has become the Feast of gifts in imitation of God who has given himself to us.  Let us allow our heart, our soul, and our mind to be touched by this fact! - Pope Benedict XVI

2. Greetings
Growing up, my mom used two of the door ways in the main hallway downstairs to hang up all the Christmas cards.  I would love to stand around and look at the beautiful images, read the update letters, look at the photos, and grill my mom on who people were that I didn't recognize.  At our home, I only have one small door that works for this, my pantry door in the kitchen.  I love getting Christmas cards - and I even got several from blogging friends, which is always fun!

3. Partying
There have been so many festivities over this Christmas season.  The males in my life are exhausted (both of these pictures were taken just moments ago).

Incidentally, all three of these guys (Charlie, Joe, and Bree) sleep in my room.  And they all snore.

4. Speaking of Joe...
Oh my goodness, is this guy growing like crazy or what?!  He's outgrown all of his newborn sized clothes (obviously), and is already too long for many of his 0-3m clothing!  And I've had to move out to the second snap on his Fuzzi Bunz. 
I can't even describe how precious, how moving, it was to celebrate Christmas this year with an infant son.  I thought about doing a blog post about that, but I think it's something I'd rather just keep close to my heart.  It was a wonderful blessing.

5. 2012
How are you ringing in the New Year?  Any great goals or resolutions?
I don't set resolutions.  But, I do have some goals I'd love to meet this year, one being to read X number of books.  Any book suggestions?  Any suggestions on how many books to read?  I still haven't decided.  I'm a fast reader, but realistically, I'm not so great at reading while holding a nursing baby - and let's face it, that's what I'll be doing for the bulk of 2012.
We also start P90X on Monday.  That timing has more to do with healing post-baby than the new year, but it's a great time to start because everyone and their mom is pinning great healthy recipes and inspiration on Pinterest.  I guess I had better hurry up and eat all the Christmas candy. heh
Another goal I have is to carve myself a niche somewhere in the house, a place I can go to escape, read said books, nurse the baby, and enjoy a cup of coffee and a Magnificat.  The location of my living room causes everyone to wake up if they hear me stirring, which is no bueno.  It makes me a better mom and wife - which is better for everyone who is stuck here with me all day.
I thought about posting on these 20 Questions for Reflection on 2011, but I think I'll just journal them.  I thought it was a neat list though.

6. And now-
The excitement of Christmas, New Years, and my birthday (I'm about to turn 29 - eeeeek!  I remember my mom's 29th birthday!) will be over soon.  I naturally turn my thoughts to Spring and Summer, which doesn't really fly with the long winter that is yet ahead.  This year I'm going to try to embrace it, and to try, *try* to cut out my whining.  I can't make any guarantees if it snows the last weekend of May again though.  Anyway, our wood stove is finally fully installed, we got a bunch of new games for Christmas, and I have plans to spend afternoons with the girls reading aloud and listening to them read.  We were the very lucky recipients of a membership to the local Children's Museum for Christmas (THANK YOU!), so that will give us somewhere fun to go during the winter months ahead. 
I'd love any tried and true suggestions for getting through the winter months!

7. Head, Heart, Hands
I stumbled upon this wonderful blog recently that has renewed my enthusiasm for homeschooling, which is great because we're back to school on Monday.  Today, she posted a lovely post that got me thinking, and I thought I might share HERE.  I liked this Head, Heart, Hands concept she suggested, and I think we naturally tackle the first two without a problem.  It was the "hands" that made me want to explore further - my girls would love to work on some of the ideas she mentioned, and I'm thinking naptime in the afternoons would be the perfect slot.  I'd just have to be very intentional, well prepared, and maybe a bit more energetic.  Anyway, it's something I would really like to think about further.


For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at Conversion Diary.