Hmm...wow...huh

i read this article about reproduction, women's rights, family planning and how eco-activists are saying we need to have fewer children to save the planet and honestly, i am not sure of my reaction.

D&C 104: 17 says "for the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves." Throughout D&C we read of using what we have with 'prudence and thanksgiving' (D&C 89 to begin with).

for generations, population control was managed naturally-either you could have kids or you couldn't. if you are like me and have had a hard time conceiving you are infinitely grateful for God's gift of modern medicine.

how does this fit? am i being a over-consumer? will i teach my family to consume too much? what is behind the green movement? does it really matter? is the environment God gave us going to fail? how does all this impact me in my life? isn't it just another way to spend more on a product? who are the experts and why does their opinion matter?

globalism. reproduction. life cycle. class-status. gospel weaved in all this.
so, i want to know, what do you think?

Marriage is...

Marriage is the culmination of a lifetime of searching, worry, effort, insecurities, hope and sublime, unadulterated joy.

it is the summation of two parts: completion

it is this completion we defend.

it is a state of such joy the natural law of opposition pulls constantly to rob us.

it is a privilege to fight for the joy and completion of being married.

Toughy

we had the 12 month checkup today.

weight: 20 lbs
Height:30.5 in
heart: perfect
lungs: perfect
belly : perfect
hips : perfect
ears: double ear infection.

me and dr. cosgrove burst out laughing. Caleb had been wandering around the office, exploring, babbling and being happy and full of energy. you would never have guessed caleb has a double ear infection. he has had a cold lately (he gave it to me-thanks kiddo) but i thought it was almost over. ha!
my brother, jake, is notorious for having a rediculously high pain tolerance (ie. broken arm for a week withough knowing at 10 yrs old). i think caleb will take after uncle jake.

One Year older and wiser too....

Today caleb is one year old. i have been having flashbacks for a couple days of "where i was a year ago". it is pretty incredible to remember. don't worry, i won't bore you . i wanted to share pictures of caleb's 'birthday party'. we had pizza and cupcakes with some friends. enjoy















not sure bout the hat





























reaction to cupcake being put in front of him


video of caleb eating his very first piece of cake.















pulled the hat off















new play toy















documentation of mess made by birthday boy














all done.
happy birthday caleb

American Idol

i used to never watch tv. i used to scoff at those who had regular 'shows'. i always wondered how people got 'sucked in' and considered myself above such frivolity. well, my pride has been cut down. i am now an average, tv loving, energy consuming, read-all-about-it-later american.
proclamation: i love american idol (among other shows: Bones and The Office).

On tuesday nights the contestants of american idol perform. unfortunately i am not near a tv for the exhibitions so i watch them on the internet that night if i can find them. then again, the next day on americanidol.com and i also read someone's opinion piece about the performances on msn.com. then i watch the results show on wednesday night. i am a faithful follower-like someone's pet dog-call me fido.

pathetic

i figure i am participating in a great american tradition. i don't vote for any contestants but Rob and I (yes, rob is just as hooked as i am) frequently have decidedly intellectual discussions about contestants, the contest itself, music, performance, pop culture, american culture in general vs. our family culture. overall it is fun for us.

in honor of the shake up last night here is what i think about the contestants:

Adam Lambert
i love him. granted, his makeup makes him look a little feminine, the tight pants last night were a little weird but i love love love his voice. if you like the band Muse, you'll know why. i like his wailing sound mixed with harder rock-so just--speachless. he is totally theatrical which makes him awesome to watch on tv. his obvious confidence on stage seemed to give him an edge earlier in the competition but by now this seems to be evening out. i am not sure that he will win though. he has mad talent but i honestly can't see him as a pop star.

Danny Gokey
i like him. like the back story (wife died few months previous to his audition; church music man) but his voice... don't get me wrong, i think he is totally talented but i dont' love him. i like the glasses but i don't feel a pull when i watch him. i don't want to have him sing another song (unlike adam and kris). perhaps it is a genre-crossing issue between me and Danny that stops me from fawning over him. :)

Kris Allen
love him. i totally think he has the most opportunity to win idol. he reminds me of jack johnson, jason mraz, colbie callet. an easy going, talented, come-from-behind-and-surprise-you type. i love his mellowness. he is confident, cute and overall, i like him. he doesn't interest me on stage much-not showy like adam or even danny but i would probably listen to his music a lot more. it isn't moment specific. i could listen to him while i cook, clean, change poopy diapers, fold laundry and share popcicles with Caleb. his appeal is cross genre-most people like mellow music at some time in the day. he is the contestant with the biggest chance.

there you have it people. i am a true-blue tv watcher. i realize this has no bearing on life in general, helps nobody and watching it probably contributes to dying brain cells and growing fat cells but i love it. perhaps there will be a day when i dont' watch quite as much tv (even if it is on the internet) and when that day comes, i vow not to think less of any other american who chooses to veg in front of the tube.

my insane husband ;)

i have to take this moment to tell you all how crazy my husband is.

our first winter in our condo rob decided he had to get the irrigation system in asap. it was December but he felt like he had to get it in. so, he put it in. it was so cold he took my blow dryer outside to warm up the pipe and glue so it would adhere. he was outside, breath showing in the air and my blow dryer blaring on a Saturday morning with me looking out the window worried about his health. he was lovin' it. he loves to work on his own yard and takes such pride in it, and he does so good.

today, it is raining buckets outside. the yellow and dark green represent heavy rain on the radar-we have the dark green over us right now. rob has been working hard in our yard for a few weeks so he could lay sod today so we can have an outside party for Caleb's 1st birthday. it is raining, muddy and cool outside and my husband is grading topsoil in a t-shirt getting ready to lay sod. when i asked him if he was going to come inside he said 'only if i have to' which means he won't be in until tonight, cold and hungry. if none of this makes any sense here is another way to think of it: when it is raining outside landscape crews stop working-my husband included. yet, today, it is raining like crazy and rob is outside-working.

while i am really excited to have my yard done, i think rob is crazy. it will be one of those stories i tell for a long time. i love Rob. i love how hard he works and even though i think he is crazy for working outside in weather like this i am deeply grateful! really, he is building me eden and i am thrilled.