My vote is cast

I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said "Either way, we're screwed". I found myself laughing at the credence, though deeply wondering if the statement was true. It has been very distressful to see how how our country's ecomony as drastically weakened over the last few years and it boggles my mind to know how many people are facing forecolsures or other financial turmoil. I'm angered by the Bail-out bill that was passed a few weeks ago and wonder where our free-market society has gone (or was it ever here in the first place? - I don't know). I don't really know what to say about what I feel regarding the state of the economy. I feel a lot of people have succommed to greed for bigger house, faster cars, brighter TVs, and so many other things that sqeeze budgets and open credit lines. Has anyone ever heard of the word stewardship?

Anyway, I knew I was voting for McCain today. I was never on the fence. Obama has said too many things in passing that were like fingernails on a chalk board, like when he said that people can take money out of their IRA's without penalty for instance (what would THAT do to us financially?). But most of all, I am sickened by his position on abortion. Like my friends Kelly and Dana, I was wondering how the man was going to support his position on reducing the number of abortions when the first thing he'll do as president is sign the "Freedom of Choice Act" . What a horrible, horrible bill.

If you're reading this and are on the fence about your vote, do a little more research. Obama has charisma, charm, promises tax cuts for the middle class, and promises bright and shiney health care (which I personally don't see has bright and shiney). But what about his stance on the unborn? Think about it.

And please go out and vote. And remember that neither one of these men are the answer to our problems. The country should not be put first. And Obama will not give us the change we need. Jesus is who we need and we should put Him first.

- Abortion Reduction by the Freedom of Choice Act? - Randy Alcorn
- Barack Obama Takes a Subtle But Deadly Approach to Advocating Abortion

Fall Festival

There was a fall festival at a Lutheran church down the road from our house that we decided to take the kids to. There were infateables (Mal's favorite), bubbles, train rides, horse rides, local crafters and more. We got there towards the end, so the majority of the mayhem was down, which was good for our little girl. She had a GREAT time and cried when the big slide was deflated. We're looking forward to the fall activities this week at our church and in our neighborhood!

Thanks for sharing...

Ethan decided to share his cold with me. Thankfully, Patrick was here this weekend to take the "edge" off my care of the kids. Eventhough Ethan was still pretty goopy, Patrick took Ethan and Mallory out to Bojangles for breakfast on Saturday and then for a little bit of shopping. I had the morning to myself, which was just wonderful. I didn't start feeling the cold until yesterday afternoon, though I took it easy in the morning because I was just tired. I love quiet. I'm sure that when the kids are older and have left the house, which I'm glad is still a LONG way off, I'll miss the noise. But, for now I love quiet. And while the kids were napping I got to watch the Gators put Kentucky through the spanking machine. I love college football season.

Patrick had a great time with the kids and we planned on taking them out later in the evening to a fall festival down the road (more on that later). I took some cold medicine before we left and started feeling like a load of bricks hit me by the time we left the festival. We went to dinner at Cracker Barrel (a.k.a "The Barrel"), which is one of our favorite places to eat because the kids eat there so well. I had 2 cups of coffee, but was still feeling VERY tired and icky. When we got home, I realized I took night-time cold instead of day-time cold! No wonder I was draggin'! We got the kids ready for bed and Patrick watched a video with them before they were tucked in for the night. Patrick hung out with friends while I downed some probiotic and sucked on throat lozenges. Needless to say, I was out by 9:15.

I skipped church this morning since me and Ethan were both ick. E is doing better, but is still pretty goopy. I'm feeling better (I have great cold medicine!). Patrick is at church with Mallory tonight and E is already out for the count. I did vacuum today because my floors were so gross that I just HAD to vacuum! But, I'm on the couch after I fold the laundry...

Patrick and the kids:

Lifting up in prayer...

I was checking out my facebook page when I saw that there were condolences wishes to one of my friends (who happened to be one of my childhood friends from yesteryear). After doing a little bit more digging, I found an article that was posted today stating that her ex-husband, father of her sons, was killed in an accident yesterday in Gainesville near where we used to live. I know she and her boys are going through a lot right now and I ask for your prayers for Teresa and her family.

An interesting news article

I read this article this morning and thought it very interesting. Do you ever think we'll see stuff like this in the US?

Whole Worlk in Hands

The promised video...

Again? or shall I say STILL?

Ethan is sick again. I don't really know if he ever ridded himself of his stuffy nose last month, though it stoped running. Now, it's full blown runny-snotty yellow goop that has taken over his nasal passages. He's coughing, too. I just don't get it. Is it a myth that breast-fed babies rarely get sick? I heard it be true and as much breastmilk that my son has had, he should be well for the rest of his life! But, needless to say, he's been sick almost monthly. It's very sad and I just don't know what to do. I'll most likely sanitize EVERYTHING in the house, which will probably take a couple of days especially tending to a sick baby. Anyway, that's what's going on here. At least both kids are sleeping right now, which is unusual at 10am, but both kids need it. And so do I!

Catching up? Kind of...

I really need to sit down and journal about my time away with Patrick. But, it's such a large hill to climb and my time is pretty much limited, but by my choice. I realized how much time I spent on the computer once I came back from vacation and how the time I spent online majorly creeped into my time with the kids. So, I've really been cutting back - by probably half - of my time on the computer in order to enjoy the kids, walk (b/c my cholesterol is high AGAIN), clean, and get ready for the holidays (Ethan's birthday party is so soon!). Anyway, I hope to keep up with pics and updates for my out-of-town family and friends, but maybe not as often as I'd like.

We went to the gym today, which is our Tuesday and Friday routine. Mallory LOVES the gym and talks about it hours before and after we go. She looks forward to it and it's a cheap way for her to blow off steam and for me to enjoy her happiness. Ethan loves it too. And I'm sure he'll be walking around the entire space soon. Right now, he enjoys crawling all over the mats and bouncing his bum on the trampoline.

Our weather is simply beautiful right now, though still a bit chilly in the mornings to where I have to move my walks to the afternoons now lest I freeze my kids. Our foliage is beautiful and I assume we'll probably peak sometime over the weekend. It's just simply wonderful to live in the mountains during the fall season!

I took some pics of the kids today, along with some video which I'll post when they finish uploading. They kids were playing in Mallory's room after lunch. Ethan got into Mallory's snack that was left over from this morning and Mallory was trying to pick it up quickly (which she's supposed to do if her snack is dumped). Ethan didn't like her taking away food...

Ethan is 11 months

Ethan turned 11 months old while we were on our trip. I just got around to taking his pics and I just can't get over how much he's grown in the last few weeks. He's such a sweet boy and I'm so very thankful for him. Only 3 more weeks until I have a 1 year old!!!

We're back!

It's so good to be home! We had a GREAT time on our vacation, which I'll have to elaborate on later...when I have the time, which may not be until next year! :-) But, I can't tell you how wonderful it was to see my kids after 8 days of being away from them. I missed them so much, but it was a refreshing week with my husband and we were blessed with the time we had exclusively and individually. Though the suitcases are unpacked, I still have 2 more loads of laundry to do...4 are already complete.

Here are a few pictures. And I promise that more details will follow...

Yes Jemmie!

Mallory's "Jesus" medley

Jumping on the bed!

Ethan has JUST started jumping in his bed when I come and get him from his nap/bedtime. Oh, he's just so darn cute!

Getting Ready

There has been lots of list making and bag packing going on over hear. We begin our trek south tomorrow and I still have lots to do. The laundry machine has been working on overtime and I think I have more medication in our first aid kit than I know what to do with. Gommy and Poppy will be taking care of the kiddos while Patrick and I enjoy some much-anticipated R&R.

Mallory has been a big helper to me the last few days and I enjoyed painting her toes for the first time this evening. It's strange getting my toes ready for open-toed shoes when it's in the low 50's outside. Everybody is getting ready for fall while I'm getting ready for white sandy beaches!