I guess now I am officially a blogger. So, I am suppose to name 7 strange or weird things about me. Where to start? This is really hard for me. I know my husband would think it quite easy, but I have a rational explanation for everything I do. Just not rational to anyone else. I will have to look at myself from someone else's perspective.
1. I love to read and learn. This is not strange or weird per say, unless you knew me in Junior High and High School. I probably could have been voted least likely to make it to class, or school for that matter.
2. I home school my children. Again, see #1.
3. I absolutely detest shopping of any kind. I would rather do anything than go shopping. That is strange considering most women love to shop. In one area I used to live, there was a group of women who would go shopping together on a regular basis. I think I would pull my hair out. I think this relates to my being a tight wad. I hate to spend money. Every purchase I make terrifies me.
4. I dislike housework and cooking and I am not very organized. See #2.
5. I do not enjoy watching television or movies. There are too many other things I would rather do.
6. I am married to a man who loves television, movies, and shopping, and hates books. I guess opposites really do attract.
7. I do have my extravagances. I have to have my raw, grass-fed cows milk every week which sells for $3.50 per half-gallon, my REAL maple syrup and other great foods that I love that are worth the high price tag. I also am willing to spend money on books that I love, although I try to get them as cheap as I possibly can, and I have to really love them to pay full price.
There you have it. That was actually kind of fun. I tag anyone else that reads my blog, who hasn't been tagged yet and wants to do it.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Some alone time
A wonderful neighbor came this morning and took my 3 older kids to Pumpkin Land today. I'm excited for them because they have pretty much been cooped up in the house since Oliver was born. We are trying to keep them away from other kids for atleast a week or two since the stomach flu seems to keep making the rounds in our house. They were pretty excited to go. Oliver and I are just hanging out and will probably do some grocery shopping while the kids are gone. McKay has started a blog and he would really love to get some comments so if you have some extra time check out his blog. The link is on my side bar.
I am so amazed at how much easier it has been to have a little baby this time around. It is so great to have older kids around to help. I don't think Oliver has ever cried longer than 30 seconds because there are so many willing people to hold him and make him happy. The one exception is when I give him a bath. He does not like it at all. He screams through the whole thing and it tears my heart strings to hear him. He is a wonderful baby though, and I feel so blessed to have him and 3 other wonderful children. Well I just fed the baby, so I better hurry and go to the store before feeding time comes around again.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A Lost Tooth
Alexia wants everyone to know that she lost a tooth last week and the tooth fairy gave her two dollars.
Birth Story
On Sunday morning, at about 5 AM, I started having intense contractions that woke me up. I didn't really think much of it, because I had been having some pretty intense contractions on and off for several weeks. These were a little more intense but they were 10-15 minutes apart, so I decided to go ahead and get ready for church because the kids really needed to practice for the primary sacrament program, and I had gotten to the point where I was convinced I would never be in labor. So, we all got ready to go. At about 8:30, a half hour before church was to start, I had a few really intense contractions that made me decide to stay home. Thinking I had plenty of time, I called a friend in the ward and asked her if she would take my kids to church with her. A few minutes later, Elena informed me that her tummy hurt. I thought she was probably just excited that I was having labor, but I decided to keep her home. Thank goodness I did because a few minutes after McKay and Alexia left, Elena threw up and then again a half hour later. My contractions at that point were intense enough that I decided to lay down and listen to my hypnobirthing relaxation CD's. By 11:00 AM The contractions were 2-5 minutes apart and I knew that I needed to get ready to go. We packed bags for the kids, grabbed my previously packed bag and called my mom and the nurse/midwife to let them know we were coming. When the kids got home at 12:00, we had them hurry and change and then we left. Clarence stopped at his work to get his boss's cell #, then off we drove to Cedar Hills to drop the kids off to my mom. Clarence asked me if I was sure we should go to the hospital because I was so relaxed, he could not tell how intense the contractions were. I reassured him that I was sure we should go right now. When we finally got to the hospital, a little after 1:30 PM, I knew that I was in labor, but I figured it would be awhile. Much to my surprise, they told me I was dilated to an 8+. I was so elated. At exactly 4:00 PM, Oliver made his grand entrance into the world. Because of meconium in the amniotic fluid, and the cord being wrapped around his neck, he lacked oxygen, and was wisked away from me before I had the chance to bond with him. They sucked a bunch of meconium out of his stomach, and then I only got to hold him for a few minutes before he was taken away again because he was so pale from lack of oxygen. He is a wonderful reward and I am so grateful that he is doing so well now. We left the hospital Monday night at around 7PM and we have just been taking it easy and enjoying him since. I hope this all makes sense as I have not had much sleep in the past few days and I am a little delirious but very happy.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Introducing...
Oliver Clayton was born Sunday, October 12th at 4:00PM. He weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz. and was 20 inches long. We are so excited to welcome him into our family. I will post more later, when I get more time and energy, but we are all home now and doing well and he is beautiful.
My camera is not very great, sorry for the cloudyish pictures. I will post more pictures later too.
My camera is not very great, sorry for the cloudyish pictures. I will post more pictures later too.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
New Book List
After I wrote the last post, I thought it would be fun to make a list of liberty promoting books and works. I will put more as I think of them. I hope this will help me and anyone else interested in learning about the principles of liberty. Most of these I have not read, but are on my to read list. If anyone else has any suggested works you may post them in the comments and I will include them.
Opinions of Maria
As I was studying the famous speech by Patrick Henry, entitled "Give me Liberty or Give me death," I was struck by these words in the text: "...Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings. ...it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and to provide for it."
This passage has inspired in me a renewal of my commitment to study the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, The Federalist Papers and all things that will help me to understand my role in this great country which has a Divine heritage.
I can not afford to be ignorant in this regard any longer. While watching conference this past weekend, I was struck by the words which President Packer spoke. He told of the first 24th of July Celebration in the Salt Lake Valley. He told of 3 important things which happenned in that celebration.
1. The young men carried the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
2. The young women carried the Bible and The Book of Mormon.
3. The older and wiser generation were honored.
It is time for me to embrace our countries great heritage, the heritage of Truth, and to study the works that our Forefathers studied, which led to the establishment of this God-given land of liberty. If I have learned one thing in the small amount of studying which I have done, it is that liberty is not free. We are going to have to fight for it as much as any generation past or it will be taken from us, just as history tells over and over again.
These are a few of the sentiments I have had as I have pondered the recent bill passed in Congress to the tune of 700 billion dollars. I feel ignorant in this matter, but everything I have read, leads me to believe that this is fundamentally wrong. Some of my reasons for believing so are as follows:
1. A problem with overextended credit can not be fixed with more overextended credit. There will be a point when we will be overextended beyond the point of no return.
2. It has never been the government's role to meddle in the free market. It is no longer a true free market when this occurs. If it were a true free market economy, the low and high times would balance each other out, and recover in a much shorter time.
3. Ezra Taft Benson in his "The Proper Role of Government" said, and I paraphrase, That the government should have no power that we as individuals do not have. (Do I have the power to take money from all American citizens, and give it to whomever I choose?) Frederick Bastiat calls this legalized plunder.
4. I believe that the majority of people in this nation are against this bill and it was still voted through. There were many other options submitted to our congress and representatives and no other solution was even considered. It was passed through way too quickly without enough deliberation.
I feel so underqualified to share my opinions on this matter. Mostly because I lack the ability to explain what I have learned. However, I would refer you to other great works and sites that have helped to lead me to these conclusions.
-"The Proper Role of Government" by Ezra Taft Benson
- The Law by Frederick Bastiat
-Whatever Happenned to Penny Candy (can't recall the name of the author, but it's a great book that teaches simple economics.)
-The Declaration of Independence
-www.gwc.edu
-www.causeofliberty.com
There are so many more, but these are the ones I can think of off hand. This is not meant to be preachy by any means but as an attempt for me to share some of the things I have learned, so they will be more deeply embedded within myself. I love this country and desire to do my tiny part in preserving it.
Oh, and by the way, Yes, I am past my due date and still no sign of baby. It is the hardest thing in the world for me to be patient, but I can't be pregnant forever and I'm definately not the first to go past the due date, but it is still hard for me, especially considering the fact that my last baby was almost 9 lbs. and she was a week early, and I am measuring pretty largish. Oh well, it will all work out. I am sending out positive affirmations for myself, so if you have any to share it will be much appreciated.
This passage has inspired in me a renewal of my commitment to study the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, The Federalist Papers and all things that will help me to understand my role in this great country which has a Divine heritage.
I can not afford to be ignorant in this regard any longer. While watching conference this past weekend, I was struck by the words which President Packer spoke. He told of the first 24th of July Celebration in the Salt Lake Valley. He told of 3 important things which happenned in that celebration.
1. The young men carried the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
2. The young women carried the Bible and The Book of Mormon.
3. The older and wiser generation were honored.
It is time for me to embrace our countries great heritage, the heritage of Truth, and to study the works that our Forefathers studied, which led to the establishment of this God-given land of liberty. If I have learned one thing in the small amount of studying which I have done, it is that liberty is not free. We are going to have to fight for it as much as any generation past or it will be taken from us, just as history tells over and over again.
These are a few of the sentiments I have had as I have pondered the recent bill passed in Congress to the tune of 700 billion dollars. I feel ignorant in this matter, but everything I have read, leads me to believe that this is fundamentally wrong. Some of my reasons for believing so are as follows:
1. A problem with overextended credit can not be fixed with more overextended credit. There will be a point when we will be overextended beyond the point of no return.
2. It has never been the government's role to meddle in the free market. It is no longer a true free market when this occurs. If it were a true free market economy, the low and high times would balance each other out, and recover in a much shorter time.
3. Ezra Taft Benson in his "The Proper Role of Government" said, and I paraphrase, That the government should have no power that we as individuals do not have. (Do I have the power to take money from all American citizens, and give it to whomever I choose?) Frederick Bastiat calls this legalized plunder.
4. I believe that the majority of people in this nation are against this bill and it was still voted through. There were many other options submitted to our congress and representatives and no other solution was even considered. It was passed through way too quickly without enough deliberation.
I feel so underqualified to share my opinions on this matter. Mostly because I lack the ability to explain what I have learned. However, I would refer you to other great works and sites that have helped to lead me to these conclusions.
-"The Proper Role of Government" by Ezra Taft Benson
- The Law by Frederick Bastiat
-Whatever Happenned to Penny Candy (can't recall the name of the author, but it's a great book that teaches simple economics.)
-The Declaration of Independence
-www.gwc.edu
-www.causeofliberty.com
There are so many more, but these are the ones I can think of off hand. This is not meant to be preachy by any means but as an attempt for me to share some of the things I have learned, so they will be more deeply embedded within myself. I love this country and desire to do my tiny part in preserving it.
Oh, and by the way, Yes, I am past my due date and still no sign of baby. It is the hardest thing in the world for me to be patient, but I can't be pregnant forever and I'm definately not the first to go past the due date, but it is still hard for me, especially considering the fact that my last baby was almost 9 lbs. and she was a week early, and I am measuring pretty largish. Oh well, it will all work out. I am sending out positive affirmations for myself, so if you have any to share it will be much appreciated.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)