Cherished Chaos

Untitled

2012-02-07T17:41:00.001-05:00

I am raising boys. I can only hope i raise them to be the type of men who, when seeing a girl dressed in any clothes don't think it's ok to attack them just because of what she's wearing. I'm raising boys who i hope would be the ones to stop the others at the party from attacking a girl just because she's dressed a certain way. I'm raising boys who i hope become the type of men they would want their sister to date.

I am also raising a girl who i hope won't ever be attacked for looking a certain way, or smiling a certain way. AND if she ever is, i can only hope that society would look to the person who attacks her as the bad guy, and not decide that it was her fault just because of what she was wearing.

Would you circumcise your daughter?

2012-02-02T19:12:00.000-05:00

Woman, Uncensored: Would you circumcise your daughter?

" In a time where we've fought for the rights of minorities, children, and women, we've left one portion of our population out. We've trampled on the human rights of our baby boys, and we've done it holding our heads high and justifying ourselves. "

2012-01-26T11:14:00.001-05:00

"He's coming"
Time seemed to stop.
The midwife was on one side of me, the nurse on the other.
Lucas was born at 4:30 pm on Jan 26th 2007, after an hour of 'active' labour.

I can't believe that was FIVE years ago!

Happy 5th birthday Baby Boy!

2012-01-17T21:02:00.001-05:00

1 Corinthians 13:4–8a
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails ...

Thought For Friday

2012-01-13T11:39:00.001-05:00

A lot of my friends status' on fb today are about how much they hate the snow. I may hate it sometimes, especially since no one seems to remember how to drive in it.
Then, when i see something as simple as children giggling in the snow, ready to throw a snowball, or make a snow angel, i remember people who don't get four season the way we do. Who don't get to experience the simple joys of making a snowman, or seeing it glisten when the sun hits it just right. Then i remember how truly blessed we are to live in a country where we experience all four season s that nature has to offer.

Blast to the past

2012-01-11T19:02:00.002-05:00

If you could travel back in time, what would you tell your 10-year-old self?

I know right now you feel lonely, with mom not there all the time, and most of those kids at school being jerks to you, but don't worry, in a few months you are going to meet an awesome girly who you will become fast friends with, and you will remain friends with her for the rest of your childhood and well into your adulthood. We are still friends as i write this to you!
Those other kids, the bullies, you won't see them again once you leave school. They don't really matter in the real world.

I know right now you are in a hurry to grow up and make your own choices, but slow down. You have it pretty good right now.
In eight short years you'll lose your beloved papa. It will break your heart. Enjoy the time you have with him now. Even when he embarass' you.
Trust me, you may not understand it right now, but you are going to miss him. Bad.
Try to go easier on your grandma. She'll be gone soon too. She loves you, even though she doesn't show it.
She may not be your biological mother, but she is the best mother you could have asked for. Hold on to her love.

2011-12-24T12:29:00.001-05:00

Wow. November & December have really been a crazy couple of months!

We spent a lot of November shopping for new things for the house plus started Christmas shopping (online shopping is win. Thank you Disney Store!)

December was spent organizing and wrapping presents, and prepping for Hannah's THIRD (already!!) birthday on the 14th. I can’t believe she’s already three… and yet, i can’t believe she’s only been with us for three years if that makes any sense. It feels like she’s always been here. Life with a three year old girl is a lot different then life with a three year old boy. Both good, equally, just different.

Speaking of time. I can’t believe it’s already Christmas eve! Today was spent buying last minute food stuff for tomorrow and (later on) baking cookies and decorating the gingerbread house, then dinner, putting out the presents (so excited, i can’t wait for the kids to see them tomorrow!) and then sleeping and waiting for Santa!!

……i think i get more excited then the kids sometimes……

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!!!

multicultural

2011-11-08T07:53:00.001-05:00

I think the status update going around fb about not celebrating Christmas and everyone adapting to the 'Canadian way' is hypocritical.
It's not just about people from other places, there are a lot of Canadian people that don't celebrate Christmas or believe in God either. Before the settlers arrived the native people didn't celebrate Christmas or believe in our God. People came from other countries and forced THEM to adapt to their way.

Our Soldiers fought for everyone's freedom, including those who's religions and points of view differed from theirs. You may want to remember that when posting status in their name!

Canada is a multicultural community. It's not about making them "adapt" to our ways, it's about all of us living TOGETHER. Instead of putting down those that aren't like us,we can all learn about one an others cultures.

This Moment

2011-11-04T10:34:00.001-04:00

{this moment} – A Friday ritual i got from Jessica, a fellow mama blogger (who got the idea from Soule Mama)

. A single photo (or two) – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your “moment” in the comments for all to find and see.

This is my first ‘this moment’ (which is different from wordless Wednesday because ‘this moment’ is from this week, wordless Wednesday for me is any picture from any time…)

This week I'm savouring two moments.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-02T13:20:00.000-04:00

Taken Halloween night.
<3

Charlie Brown Quotes

2011-10-31T22:20:00.000-04:00

"Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. He's gotta pick this one. He's got to. I don't see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there's not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see." L. Van Pelt (& Charles Schulz)

Halloween 2011

2011-10-31T21:08:00.001-04:00

We’re back home from trick or treating. This year I was accompanied by Mario (played by Christian) Luigi (Played by Aiden) Lightning McQueen Pitt crew (played by Lukie) & a Pink Poodle (played by Hannah) we were joined by a ninja & a twister board. Ottis went in a suit and played a professional from wallstreet, while i played a protestor (who had no sign because he took all my money) ... It was a good night. A bit of rain, but nothing too bad (at least there was no snow this year!!)
This year Hannah totally took to saying trick or treat and knocking on doors, and Christian got to go off with his friends (and their dad) without us (BIG step for him!)

October 2011- you will be fondly remembered.

Occupy London

2011-10-30T17:05:00.001-04:00

I’ve been quiet about it, mostly because I've been too busy to keep up and feel like i don’t really have a ‘right’ to say anything without really knowing…. but.. reading the news the other day got me questioning the whole movement here. I feel like i'm missing some important piece to the puzzle.
Why?
Why, when the protestors here have someone in power, in government (The mayor) willing not only to listen to them but to actually sit down and ‘work with them’ to work out something together, are they still protesting so hard.
Isn’t the point to get someone to listen to them? To get someone to start changing things?
Well, they have it. What do they want now?
They want the mayor to ‘bend the rules’ to allow them to camp in a public park overnight?
What makes them special snowflakes?
“People don’t necessarily have to … live in the park to get attention,” Fontana said during the town hall broadcast. “The rules are for everyone. … The law is the law for everyone.”
They have been told they could protest there between 6 am & 10 pm, and a nearby church has offered to allow them to camp out on their private property, and still a lot of them are upset by this?
I just don’t get it. They have someone willing to listen. Willing to help make the situations of joblessness, homelessness etc better, why not work with him instead of being stubborn?
“I believe in peaceful protest,” Fontana told the occupiers after about 50 of them all but took over his virtual town hall meeting Thursday at the Covent Garden Market. “I want to work with you.”
Dear protestors in london (ont) : Your protest has been heard. Now it’s time to go and actually do something to help. Putting up tents and breaking bi-laws isn’t going to help joblessness and homelessness in this city. Sitting down with Mayor Fontana is at the very least a step in the right direction.

Found on the occupy london page
" I think they're really starting to prove that they just want to have a camping trip.

They wanted the mayor's ear, they've got it, even an offer of biannual meetings with the group. But now, after getting that, they're still demanding their right to hang around in a tent in a public park."

I want to go back to a time when....

2011-10-29T12:29:00.001-04:00

a.. Decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-mo."
b.. Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, "do over!"
c.. "Race issue" meant arguing about who ran the fastest.
d.. Money issues were handled by whoever was the banker in "Monopoly."
e.. Catching the fireflies could happily occupy an entire evening.
f.. It wasn't odd to have two or three "best friends."
g.. Being old referred to anyone over 20.
h.. The net on a tennis court was the perfect height to play volleyball
and rules didn't matter.
i.. The worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex was cooties.
j.. It was magic when dad would "remove" his thumb.
k.. It was unbelievable that dodgeball wasn't an Olympic event
l.. Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a slingshot.
m.. Nobody was prettier than Mom.
n.. Scrapes and bruises were kissed and made better.
o.. It was a big deal to finally be tall enough to ride the "big people"
rides at the amusement park.
p.. Getting a foot of snow was a dream come true.
q.. Abilities were discovered because of a "double-dog-dare."
r.. Saturday morning cartoons weren't 30-minute ads for action figures.
s.. No shopping trip was complete unless a new toy was brought home.
t.. "Oly-oly-oxen-free" made perfect sense.
u.. Spinning around, getting dizzy and falling down was cause for giggles.
v.. The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team.
w.. War was a card game.
x.. Water balloons were the ultimate weapon.
y.. Baseball cards in the spokes transformed any bike into a motorcycle.
z.. Taking drugs meant orange-flavored chewable aspirin.
aa.. Ice cream was considered a basic food group.
ab.. Older siblings were the worst tormentors, but also the fiercest
protectors.

via laughnet.net

Random & Christmas shopping

2011-10-26T07:33:00.002-04:00

Remember that nice weather we were having?
Yeah. that's old news now.
The last week or two has been nothing but rain, drizzle and gloom.
I hate that. I love this time of year for the colours and the crispness in the air, but hate the gloom.
I wish it was winter already. Yes, you guys can totally throw that in my face when i start complaining about the winter. I don't want the gloomy winter days though. I want the sparkly snow days. The days when you can curl up warmth and drink hot chocolate while watching the snow sparkle out the window, or build a snowman with the kids.

Yeah. that was random.

I have started Christmas shopping. With four kids and one of them with a birthday 11 days before christmas it's insane not to start. We went to walmart yesterday. We're going to costco next week sometime because they have some pretty awesome deals on kids toys, then next month we're going to the samco toy warehouse when it comes. I get the best deals there, plus the kids school gets a kick back from them. Win/Win

I've created so many good blog subjects in my head, then forget to blog when i get to sit down. Things just get crazy sometimes.

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

2011-10-09T09:14:00.001-04:00

It's thanksgiving weekend in my part of the world.
That means i'm spending the day getting my house ready for 15 people. I'm spending the day cooking. My Sis-In-Law, Kat, is here helping move things along today. & My Aunt is cooking a ton of the vegies at her house and bringing them over, so it won't be too much work.
Last year it was so beautiful outside that we ended up eating out there. There's something about eating thanksgiving dinner in the crisp autumn air surrounded by leaves that makes it even better.Today should be beautiful enough to do that again! According to the weather we're going up to 24°C (48 °F) which is pretty warm in these parts for october.

If you're celebrating this weekend, Happy thanksgiving (Or happy harvest!)

Whales are beautiful

2011-10-04T23:52:00.001-04:00

A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:
"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.

Mermaids do not exist.
But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?

Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.
At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.
We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror,
I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "

(The girl on the picture is French model Tara Lynn)

Happy October

2011-10-01T17:49:00.001-04:00

2011-09-29T18:57:00.000-04:00

I can’t believe it’s been seven years since aiden made his quick debut into the world.
Happy birthday Aiden!!

Happy birthday Christian!

2011-09-26T20:42:00.001-04:00

Holy crap, today i am the mother of a ten year old.

When did that happen?

I can’t believe it has been a decade since they handed me my first teeny, tiny (not so much haha) baby

Happy birthday to Christian! <3

---Bring on the tween age!

Slut Walk

2011-09-24T23:15:00.001-04:00

via front.moveon.org

2011-09-21T23:10:00.001-04:00

We need to teach our daughters to distinguish between a man who flatters her - and a man who compliments her. A man who spends money on her - and a man who invests in her. A man who views her as property - and a man who views her properly. A man who lusts after her - and a man who loves her. A man who believes he is God's gift to women - and a man who remembers a woman was God's gift to man...And then teach our boys to be that man. ♥

Welcome Fall!

2011-09-21T21:22:00.001-04:00

“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.”

John Burroughs

Hey You

2011-09-18T15:18:00.001-04:00

safety

2011-09-15T14:41:00.001-04:00

2011-09-13T21:06:00.001-04:00

I joined a new page on fb geared towards parents of four or more kids, and they have ‘community questions’ for the moms & dads of many to answer. You answer as a comment, but i thought the question was blog worthy (especially, since i haven’t blogged in forever)

[via 4 kids or more]

do you believe in giving your kids individual time? And if so, how do you make the time?

As a mother of four kids, under 10, all in various stages of development, this is a loaded question.

my response:

Do i try to make equal, separate, individual time for them? Of course i do. Does it always work out? Not always.
Am i going to beat myself up over it? Nope.

A long time ago, when i was still a mother of two, i read a quote somewhere that stuck with me.
It said “Treating everyone equal does not mean that everyone gets the same, it means everyone gets what they need” and it works, even for parenting.
Not always do each of my four children get the exact same amount of time, but they do get the time they individually need, and with the same amount of attention, love and patience.
It may mean that my #2 gets 15 mins of a story, but #1 only gets 10 mins of serious talking, #3 gets a story and snuggle for 20 mins while #4 gets 30 mins of nursing and snuggling. I don’t think the time is going to be what they remember. I don’t think #1 is going to grow up thinking about how he only got ten mins of my time on friday while #2 got 15. I like to think what he’ll remember is that his mom stopped, and listened, uninterrupted when he needed me too.

Quality, not quantity, i guess that’s what we do.

I’m not saying that christian *always* gets the least, or hannah the most. I’m also not saying that it’s always like this.

What my point is, i’m not going to hate myself or feel guilty if they don’t all get exactly the same amount of individual time everyday.

Nine-eleven Ten years later.

2011-09-11T09:38:00.001-04:00

Ten years ago. Has it really been that long? I remember it like it was yesterday.If you asked me if I remembered what I did last Tuesday I couldn't tell you... but if you asked me if I remembered what I was doing 10 years ago on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I could tell you exactly what I was doing.
I was in the bath, almost due with Christian. My grandmother was yelling down the hall "they hit the towers" I got out to find her white as a ghost, with the news on, and she said "i can't live through another world war" as the second plane hit.

Remember the oneness which occurred immediately following the attacks that day? Remember how it didn't matter what "party" you belonged to? Remember THAT? Remember you made eye contact with people everywhere you went because we all had something in common? Let us not forget THAT. (quote & painting via Job Description mommy)

“Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew. “
- President George W. Bush, December 11, 2001

For the husband who told his wife he loved her before his plane went down in a field. For the wife who stopped in the stairs to call her husband to say she will love him forever. For the mothers and fathers who kissed their kids goodbye that morning for the last time. For the policemen, firemen, and other rescue workers who rushed in to help others and lost their lives. For the soldiers who fought back and made the ultimate sacrifice. a decade ago we lost over 3000 lives in new york city. and they will never be forgotten.

Today, tomorrow, ten years from now,

we will remember.

may they rip. much love to their families. ♥

Phoenix

2011-09-07T21:43:00.001-04:00

It’s been a while since i really posted anything. I’ve been neglecting pretty much everything online the past few weeks.
The last three weeks has been especially hectic for my family.
Last Thursday my brother and his wife had a house fire that left them and their two young children with pretty-much nothing.
It started in the kitchen, as a grease fire. My brother got his children out, but realized his wife was still in the house, upstairs, napping. He ran through the smoke, up the stairs, nothing over his face, to get her. She panicked and ran back in the room. He had no idea since he couldn’t see. He ended up having to go back up three different times, but managed to get her out.
My brother is an every-day-hero!
Of course, their tragedy didn’t end there. What wasn’t damaged by smoke was ruined with chemical. Their fridge and freezer caught fire and the freon blew up & traveled in the air. Pretty much anything that may have been damaged by freon had to be taken out, and that was pretty much everything.
The good news? the two communities (theirs and ours) have been overwhelmingly helpful. They have clothes for the kids and even some stuff for their house, when they can move back in (in a couple of weeks, when the landlords get it fixed back up)
Plus we’ve been going through some stuff here at the house for them.
In the end, the best thing is that they are all safe, apart from being a little shook up and emotional. The kids break your heart though, they’re young (4 & 2) and don’t really understand why they can’t go back and get their toys.

GT: Miss Spelling

2011-08-26T17:10:00.000-04:00

This week is the last week for language (boo :( ) and it's all about words you misspell.

Mine is necessarily. I always mess up the C & the S (here, i just used spell check to make sure it was right, which it wasn't- thank the lord for spell check!!)


Want to join in the fun?			Try Girl talk!

2011-08-25T14:40:00.002-04:00

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world. - Jack Layton

Rip Jack Layton

2011-08-22T10:20:00.000-04:00

CP24- Jack Layton dies after second cancer battle

Rest In Peace Jack Layton.
You fought bravely and hard for Canadian families.
You will be missed by many!

“If I have tried to bring anything to federal politics, it is the idea that hope and optimism should be at their heart,” “We can look after each other better than we do today,” “We can have a fiscally responsible government. We can have a strong economy; greater equality; a clean environment. We can be a force for peace in the world.” -Jack Layton

These were the last words Mister Layton left to his party, and us, in his press release. I can only hope that we can follow them.

Pain is no longer pain once it has passed

2011-08-19T08:06:00.002-04:00

This has been a long week in our house. One of the hardest weeks ever.
On Monday this world lost a good person. My husband’s grandmother, Marg. Ottis and her were close, so this has been hard on him, The only saving grace for us is that we knew it was coming and she was in pain. The pain is over now, which of course is a relief to everyone. It doesn’t make the missing her part easier though.
She had pneumonia, they had sent her to the hospital a few days prior to her birthday on the 12th.. They were trying to drain her lungs and get her on medication to help with the pneumonia. They had her on a breathing machine while they were administering medication and trying to cure her.
Ottis went to see her last Saturday and she grabbed his hand and told him to take care of the kids and me. It was a sign. She was telling him, reminding him, that he had a family and people to love him and that he loved even if she left..
Sunday morning my MIL called and said that they had taken her off the breathing machines because the medication wasn’t curing her. Her lungs were filling with fluid slowly. They had done all they could. Marg had signed a DNR and since the hospital knew that the medication wasn’t working they had to abide by her wishes not to be kept alive unnecessarily. We quickly got a babysitter and went up to see her. The nurse warned us that she would likely not talk because all her strength was going to breathing. Ottis had what he knew would likely be his last moments with his grandmother. It was bitter sweet to watch.After she fell asleep we went home.
Monday we called the hospital. They said her condition was no worse then before. A few hours later my MIL called to tell us she had passed.
We had the viewing last night, and the funeral is today.
Ottis is keeping it together better then i thought he would.

GT: Weirds the Word

2011-08-18T09:48:00.000-04:00

"This week we’re talking about that one word which we find weird and/or funny."

This week is going to be hard. Simply because I can't think of a word i find weird/funny.
What i do find funny/weird are words that sound the same but don't have nothing else in common (as in they don't share a simillar meaning)
For instance "know" (I know the words to the song) and 'no" "no, you cannot go to the store."

The English language is filled with many words like this, and i have never understood it.


Want to join in the fun?			Try Girl talk!

Wordless Wednesday: Grandma Marg

2011-08-17T22:26:00.003-04:00

GT: I learned a new word

2011-08-11T20:41:00.001-04:00

They’re talking languages over on girl talk. Last week we all posted about our favourite words, and this week is about new words we’ve learned. I guess the newsest word i learned was from BeautyQueenGene on her entry about the monthly themes.
I learned the word “Pinay” , which i had to google, and found out it is a slang word that is used for Filipina/Pilipina. I should have known this. One of my first boyfriends was pilipino., i just never heard him refer to anyone as a pinay or a pino.
I guess we learn something new every day :)


Want to join in the fun?			Try Girl talk!

GT Thursday: Favourite Word

2011-08-04T17:25:00.000-04:00

This month is all about language over on GT. For those that know me, you know i absolutely adore language, so this month is going to be fun for me! YAY!

This week is all about your favourite word.

Just one? Really? .. i don’t think i have just one, so one of my favourite words is ‘exacerbate’

I mostly like it because people almost always confuse it with exasperate, which means something totally different. The principal at my son’s school actually confused the two at a meeting, i laughed a little inside.

I also like it because it rolls of your tongue nicely.

Wanna play girl talk? Join the fun!

Wordless Wednesday: These always remind me of her.

2011-08-03T16:54:00.002-04:00

I used to pick these by the handful for my Grandma <3

Girl Talk: Best Birthday Ever

2011-07-29T15:40:00.001-04:00

This week's Girl Talk is "the best birthday ever"

I don't really think i have a 'best' birthday 'ever' i've enjoyed many. MY sweet 16, my 19th, my 21 (the first birthday where i was a mommy) but.. best?
I'm not sure, really.
One of my favourite one's was my 29th birthday. Ottis took the boys to the store, where they picked out cake and flowers. They made me presents. It was simple, and beautiful.
My favourite things are simple, and thought out. I guess it makes sense my favourite birthday was based on simplicity.

Wordless Wednesday: Taken after a long day.

2011-07-27T23:25:00.000-04:00

Snagged from a FB friend..

2011-07-26T22:19:00.002-04:00

I love twilight, but i found this funny as heck.

A hero died today - Macon Pets | Examiner.com

2011-07-26T16:49:00.001-04:00

A hero died today - Macon Pets | Examiner.com

You won’t hear about this on the evening news, but a hero died today. K9 Capt. (retired) Morgan was one of the first cadaver dogs to reach Ground Zero with her human partners John Frank and Jason Berrang, and her K9 partner Molly and Molly’s human, Doug Sahlberg. They traveled nonstop, lights and sirens going, from Savannah to New York City, answering the call from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for help.

Continue reading on Examiner.com A hero died today - Macon Pets | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/pets-in-macon/a-hero-died-today#ixzz1TFLVE3r6

I was touched by this story. I think that service dogs deserve just as much recognition for service as human heroes.
Rest in peace, Capp Morgan. Thank you for your service.

Fb Deletion: part two

2011-07-25T20:11:00.001-04:00

My BFF got her facebook account back. They claimed it wasn't her pride picture, instead it was a picture of a baby's profile that apparently looks like a breast. (I have a labeled version at the bottom, for those having a hard time)
It seems odd to me that facebook claims it was this picture, and yet when i looked up my friend's profile on goggle, and looked at the cached version, it had her old user pic, not the pride one. I also find it odd,since a few months ago facebook deleted this picture from other profiles pretty regularly, until someone explained to them it was a baby's profile picture. Thirdly: this picture has been on her profile, in her album, for months. Literally. Now suddenly their flying on that old plane again?
I think they realized it would be a huge mistake to admit it was the pride picture they had deleted by accident, and instead choose the good old breastfeeding scapegoat.

Even if that's not the case, and they seriously got upset over the picture, then i'd start to wonder. Since when is a baby's cheek offensive or against the TOS on fb?
Don't post pictures of your babies guys. FB may take offense.

Gay pride= fb violation of terms?

2011-07-24T19:47:00.002-04:00

It's a sad day when a simple picture depicting love gets you deleted from a networking site.
My best friend had her facebook account totally removed, without more then an hour's notice, because she choose to upload a picture. A picture, which apparently violated their terms.
Was it a picture that was violent, or full of nudity?
No.
It was a simple picture of a silhoutted couple kissing, in front of a rainbow flag, with the words 'happy pride"
Nothing volitile, or harassing. Nothing sexually explicit.

Not only did facebook ping her for a viloation. They gave her a notice telling her the deleted the picture (not asking her to delete it and giving her oppurtunity to do so) then an hour later her whole account was gone.
Cousins and family she had just reconnected with. Gone.
Pictures of her children. Gone.
No 24 hour notice. No real warning. Just gone.

This isn't the first time facebook has gotten a little delete happy over pictures. Earlier this year (and in the past few years) facebook has deleted (and,at times, reinstated) breastfeeding pictures. A simply google of the terms "facebook deletes breastfeeding pictures" and you'll find multiple stories.

It would seem, unless you're a young 20 something beauty showing your clevage, facebook deletes you. Even over something as simple as expressing pride in ones sexuality.

Please feel free to share, rt, pass around, or blog about this story. Facebook needs to stop deleting accounts over stupidness. They need to start checking the reports on photos to make sure that they are, in fact, in violation. They need to start sticking to the own terms, and stick by what they say.

Follow the story A Complication Happened....Stand By...: Facebook commits hate crime (?)

Girl Talk: BIrthday Wish

2011-07-21T16:50:00.000-04:00

When we're younger, our birthday wishes are usually big. We want the newest, hottest toys. We want what our friends have, or better. We want ponies and other extravagant things.
As we get older we realise those things aren't really that important.
My birthday wish for my next birthday is that I celebrate it surrounded by good friends, loving family, and that we have fun.


Join the fun on Girl Talk

Wordless Wednesday: Look mama, I found DIRT!

2011-07-20T07:00:00.003-04:00

Post Secret Sunday

2011-07-17T22:16:00.001-04:00

Every sunday i read the post secret blog & every week i save one or two (sometimes more, sometimes none) that stick out for whatever reason. Not always do the secrets i save have anything to do with me, sometimes i just like the sentiment, or they made me laugh or feel something. Some weeks I like to post my favourites. I also have a facebook photo album of some of my all time faves

This week I <3d this one.

I've been lucky in love, but i know too many people who spend their lives looking for something (maybe not love, but something) and seem to forget we're supposed to be living and enjoying life, not just sitting around waiting for something to come along.

If you're waiting for something, stop it. Get out there and enjoy this moment, right now.

GT Thursday: Best Birthday Gift.

2011-07-14T13:35:00.000-04:00

This week's topic over on girl talk is your best birthday gift.
I found it hard to really pinpoint my 'best' birthday present. I have had man thoughtful, beautiful presents throughout the years. But a best? I can't pick one specific best.
So, i will go with the one that meant the most to me.

My grandfather (who raised me) was in the hospital. He had cancer. We knew he wouldn't be with us long. On my eighteenth birthday he called me into his hospital room. He had a card in his hand that said "everything will be alright"
He said 'happy birthday in his tired voice then handed me the card. The inside was blank. He had told my grandmother he couldn't fill it out, but it had to come from him. He told me how no matter what it was going to be alright. He gave me the card and a locket that said '18' on the front, and his nickname for me on the back. It was the most meaningful, memorable gift i ever received. I carried that blank card through 3 moves. It's downstairs in my important papers. Every time i open it i can hear his voice, telling me all the things that would be alright. The card itself holds more meaning then the locket.


Join the fun at Girl Talk.

Too beautiful not to share

2011-07-13T22:00:00.001-04:00

I found this here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/brady-bunch-gilligan-sherwood-schwartz and thought it was too beautiful not to share.

We shouldn't have to wait until the end to realize what we have around us.

Thank you for reminding us of that Mr Scwartz.

<3 Rest In Peace <3

Wordless wednesday: What I wouldn't give for this moment again...

2011-07-13T08:31:00.002-04:00

♥ my mom with me & my brother [early 1984]♥

2011-07-12T15:00:00.001-04:00

Things I have to get done today:
~~Tidy the kitchen (dishes, moping, counter wiping etc)~~
~~Tidy living room (ok, ottis will do that)~~
G~~ather up dirty clothes to take to helen's (thanks for breaking, washer, srsly)~~
~~Fold some laundry from the stuff we went through (folding never, ever ends) <--doing later tonight.~~

It's a productive day.

Random to-do list

2011-07-12T11:55:00.001-04:00

Things I have to get done today:
Tidy the kitchen (dishes, moping, counter wiping etc)
Tidy living room (ok, ottis will do that)
Gather up dirty clothes to take to helen's (thanks for breaking, washer, srsly)
Fold some laundry from the stuff we went through (folding never, ever ends)

(maybe not today, but at some point online
make about me page
make button wall page
make a button of my own

What i am doing:
watching Hannah blissfully nurse herself to a nap. <3

Pool Party (pretty much)

2011-07-12T11:43:00.001-04:00

I went swimming last night for the first time in a long time. Years really.

I took Christian to the rec swim with my aunt, her daughter & Rachelle (my BFF) and a few other kids. The kids had to get out at 9, because that's when adult swim was, so they walked home together, while my aunt, rachelle and I stayed for adult swim. There were two other people there, besides us, and they were over in the lanes, so we had the whole pool to ourselves. There was lots of talking, and laughing.
I think we're going to make this a weekly thing. It was good for us to get out together, and awesome exercise. I was hyped up on endorphins. My knee (i have an issue with my meniscus in my left knee) feels awesome today.
I just feel really, really good.

Did i mention there was a hot tub?

Remember the little things.

2011-07-09T21:59:00.001-04:00

Nine Davids: And some are very, very bad.

2011-07-09T11:23:00.002-04:00

Nine Davids: And some are very, very bad.
(taken from the post: with permission. Click the link to read the whole post)

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish...

"Who is the bad fish in this picture?"

...I asked my husband, with a pit in my stomach, as I read to our 13-month old son.

He raised an eyebrow and said, "Uh, the red one, obviously."

I always thought it was the yellow one.

My whole childhood, in the thousands of times I've read Dr. Suess's wonderful book "One Fish Two Fish", I thought the bad fish on this page were the little yellow and blue fish. The red fish, in my child's eyes, was their father. The yellow fish was in trouble and had been "very very bad." The little blue fish was smug because he'd gotten away with it and his sibling was taking the blame. The red father fish was spanking the little yellow fish.

I saw this page last night through adult eyes and decided, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that our home will never be a spanking home.

------------------------------------------------------------------

I came across this while going through the list of blogs I follow (weeding through them, eliminating dead ones or ones I'm not interested anymore) and the post made me think.
I have read this book multiple times and it never occurred to me that people would think the yellow one was the bad fish.
I showed Ottis the picture and asked him who was bad, he said the red one. Christian & Lukie were in the room too, so i asked them. They both said the red one. When i asked why, Christian said "Red is always evil" (thank you video games *sigh*) and then Lukie (4) came out with "no, he's bad because he's hitting."

Personally I always thought the red fish was pushing the yellow one over the blue one.

Cry it out (CIO): 10 reasons why it is not for us | PhD in Parenting

2011-07-07T22:06:00.002-04:00

I found this blog post randomly as i was checking into facebook today.
Cry it out (CIO): 10 reasons why it is not for us | PhD in Parenting

1. CIO can cause harmful changes to babies’ brains
2. CIO can result in decreased intellectual, emotional and social development
3. CIO can result in a detached baby
4. CIO is harmful to the parent-child relationship
5. CIO can make children insecure
6. CIO often doesn’t work at all
7. Even if CIO does “work”, parents often have to do it over and over again
8. CIO is disrespectful of my child’s needs
9. Deep sleep from CIO is often a result of trauma
10. Our world needs more love

Read the original post on the blog, along with the details that go with each reason (to long to post here, plus i'm sure the blogger would rather you read the post on their blog)

I am a firm believer in non-cio. I don't understand this need parents today have with having their child un-attach from them at an early age. It just isn't natural to not respond to a child's needs. Babies cry for a reason, even if that reason is just that they need you. Go to them. Pick them up. Respond to them.
Responding to a baby only fosters security. Security in knowing someone will be there for them when they need it. I don't think that is a bad lesson to teach your child, do you?
Security makes for children who know they can do things, they grow to become independent. They grow to become secure adults.
It all starts with something as simple as you responding to their cries and needs.

Sure, if you let them cry long enough they will eventually stop.
If i cried out for someone to come help me and no one came, eventually i would give up to, wouldn't you?

Girl Talk Thursday: History of your birthday

2011-07-07T09:59:00.012-04:00

Over on the Girls Talk blog, this month is all about birthdays.

Today's topic is: Know more about your birth month

My birthday is April 21 [1981]

April 21 is the 111th day of the year (112th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 254 days remaining until the end of the year.

Just a few interesting events from my birthday:

753 BC – Romulus and Remus founded Rome (traditional date).
43 BC – Battle of Mutina: Mark Antony is again defeated in battle by Aulus Hirtius, who is killed. Antony fails to capture Mutina and Decimus Brutus is murdered shortly after.
1509 – Henry VIII ascends the throne of England on the death of his father, Henry VII.
1942 – World War II: The most famous (and first international) Aggie Muster is held on the Philippine island of Corregidor, by Brigadier General George F. Moore (with 25 fellow Texas A&M graduates who are under his command), while 1.8 million pounds of shells pounded the island over a 5 hour attack.
1945 – World War II: Soviet Union forces south of Berlin at Zossen attack the German High Command headquarters.
1962 – The Seattle World's Fair (Century 21 Exposition) opens. It is the first World's Fair in the United States since World War II.
1994 – The first discoveries of extrasolar planets are announced by astronomer Alexander Wolszczan.

Some of the other people born on my birthday:

1729 – Catherine II of Russia, known as 'Catherine the Great' (d. 1796)
1774 – Jean-Baptiste Biot, French physicist (d. 1862)
1810 – John Putnam Chapin, American politician (d. 1864)
1816 – Charlotte Brontë, English author (d. 1855)
1898 – Maurice Wilson, Everest climber, Yorkshire hero (d. 1934
1915 – Anthony Quinn, Mexican-born American actor (d. 2001)
1926 – Elizabeth II, Queen of the Commonwealth realms
1947 – Iggy Pop, American musician (The Stooges)
1951 – Tony Danza, American actor and comedian
1959 – Tim Jacobus, American artist (Goosebumps)
1960 – Michel Goulet, Canadian ice hockey player
1971 – Michael Turner, American comic book artist (d. 2008)
2007 – Princess Isabella of Denmark

Holidays and observances on my birthday:

Aggie Muster (Texas A&M University)
Birthday of Rome (Rome)
Christian Feast Day:
Grounation Day (Rastafari movement)
Heroic Defense of Veracruz (Mexico)
Inauguration of Brasília (Distrito Federal, Brazil)
Kartini Day (Indonesia)
National Tree Planting Day (Kenya)
Parilia, in honor of the Pales. (Roman Empire)
San Jacinto Day (Texas)
The first day of the festival of Ridván. (Bahá'í Faith)
Tiradentes (Brazil)

Some more fun birthday stuff i found on a different site (which was way more amusing)

Your lucky days are Tuesday (Conceivement date, Your parents decided to not to have an abortion, You were born) and Wednesday (Your first cell is built, Your mother suspects she is pregnant, Your heart beat for the first time).
You are exactly 30 years 12 weeks 9 hours 34 minutes 47 seconds old.
You will receive your next birthday gift in 41 weeks 1 day 13 hours 25 minutes 13 seconds later
If your hair were never cut since 21.April.1981, it would be 4.403 m. today.
If your nails were never cut since 21.April.1981, they would be 1.092 m. today.
An apple tree seeded on 21.April.1981, bore 2,683.022 kg. apple till today.

$10,705.3

4,502

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-06T21:12:00.003-04:00

On behalf of National Kiss Day

2011-07-06T20:48:00.003-04:00

I want to start actually blogging here (I know, i'm shocked too)
I'm going to start following some of the memes to get back into the swing of things, hopefully the blogging bug will bite me again.

So, today being wednesday I'm going to follow the worldess wednesday meme.
It's my first, so if i do it wrong someone tell me...

Casey Anthony: My thoughts on the verdict

2011-07-06T15:47:00.003-04:00

[a cross post from my wordpress]

The verdict is in. Everyone is up in arms about the Casey Anthony verdict. Many think that the jury is wrong, that the should have convicted her. I understand the passion people feel towards this. A little girl is gone. Forever. She didn't even have a chance to live her life. That right there is the saddest part of this whole case. That and the fact that we may never know what happened to her. A child's life lost forever and no one will ever know how, or why.

Everyone thinks Casey got off easy, but really think about that.She has cut her ties with her family through her court case accusations.
She will live without her daughter,She'll live with the guilt of knowing she killed her or knowing she
didn't help to find her for 30 days.She will live day to day knowing almost everyone still thinks she's guilty
and hate her. I don't think she'll be able to have a normal life again.

That being said, I don't think that the jury is wrong in their verdict. I know, you're seething right now. I can feel the dirty looks. Bare with me though.
I am not saying that i believe she didn't do it. I am saying that, given the evidence and facts, there's no other conclusion a jury could have come to.
I have to ask myself could i, without a doubt, have found her guilty of murder based on the evidence and not just theory?
Could you?! I don't know that i could.

"Despite the baseless defense chosen by Casey Anthony, the family believes that the Jury made a fair decision based on the evidence presented, the testimony presented, the scientific information presented and the rules that were given to them by the Honorable Judge Perry to guide them."
---Anthony Family ( ‎http://news.yahoo.com/anthony-trial-lack-evidence-good-defense-000636253.html)

"You have to believe in your judical system amd trust that the jurors took in consideration all the testimony brought before them. They must find them one way or the other beyond reasonable doubt" [via FACEBOOK comment]

“Let’s all not be confused here: Casey Anthony being found not guilty of first degree murder does not indicate a flaw in our justice system. Not guilty isn't innocent, it just means guilt wasn’t proven.”

—	Andrea Kahn

Bottom line: the prosecution failed to bring a solid case to a table where it was their job to do so. They should have waited to charge Casey until they could get a stronger case against her, or against whomever did this. They need to get to the bottom of what happened to that poor little girl. Whether Casey did it or not--the case needs to be solved so the child can R.I.P.

"I don't think it was Baez' great lawyering that won the case," said Richard Rosenbaum, a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney who closely followed the trial but wasn't involved in the case. "I think it goes back to the prosecution and the weaknesses in their case.[Via Yahoo News]

I do feel that the jury should have charged her with some sort of child neglect at least, though. I don't know how it could not be neglect if she willingly didn't report a child missing or know where she was for a month., but i don't know the laws in FL, and i don't know if they had any legal basis to convict her on that. I do know there is a campaign to create a new law that would make it mandatory to report a missing child (common sense, right?) You can sign the petition HERE.

Clearly Casey knows something happened. Maybe she did kill her. Maybe some horrible accident happened and she didn't know what to do. Maybe she couldn't -mentally- deal with it, so she made up these lies that she believed. Who knows. Those answered are left in her mind.

No matter what, it's a sad day when a child leaves this earth too early.
Rest little Caylee. Your life here was cut way too short <3

Post Secret Sunday

2011-07-03T17:57:00.002-04:00

Potty Learning

2011-07-03T17:26:00.004-04:00

I can't believe summer is here already! The boys are done school until september, when they will be going into grade FIVE, TWO && JK! (wait.. what? weren't they just tiny babies???!!!)

These kids are growing way too fast... Miss Hannah is potty learning! About a month or so ago she started wanting to use the toilet more and more (previously we were just putting her on at bath time) She was staying dry most nights, and was doing pretty well through the day. She saw strawberry shortcake and princess under ware at walmart and wanted them. I told her she could have pretty under ware if she started to potty. She said ok, and started to try. The next time we went shopping and passed the under ware she said "mommy I get strawberry shortcake undies, I go potty!" so I bought her some. Of course there's some accidents, but she's doing well. So well that we packed up her cloth diapers in a box (**crii**)
She's becoming more like a girl every day (sassy and bossy.. lol) .... she's so different from her brothers at this age, she's got her own little personality, and i just adore it.
We set her room up, not that she sleeps in it yet.. lol ... but she's got a princess toddler bed (yeah, sue me, we let her play with princess' -- sorry i don't buy this whole "liking princess' is bad for little girls and will teach them their worth is in beauty" stuff any more then i believe that if a little boy plays with a doll he will be gay, but that's a rant for a whole other day....) and all her little babies,etc are in there (currently her favourite ones sleep on the bed since she sleeps on her crib/toddler bed in our room still)

I've been neglectful. I'm hoping to be able to blog more. I want to blog more, it just seems that i'm too busy making memories to post them. *sigh*

2011-06-19T20:08:00.001-04:00

What Happens When You Tattoo “Daddy’s Boy” on Your 3-Year-Old-Son « Thought Catalog

2011-04-13T20:29:00.001-04:00

What Happens When You Tattoo “Daddy’s Boy” on Your 3-Year-Old-Son « Thought Catalog

This man tattooed his 3 year old.
He forever altered the three year old child's body. Without medical reason, or consent.
For that he is going to jail.

Sadly, our society allows the same situation to happen to thousands of baby boys every day. They are having parts of their body removed, for no valid medical reason, without their consent.
Are the parents who consent to this jailed or even punished? No.
Are the hospital staff punished? Nope.
We allow it. Every day.

Just because it's what is considered normal, and it's what our fathers and their fathers have done, we allow it.

Just because it's what we've always done, doesn't make it ok.

Why is altering a child's body ok in certain circumstances and not in others?

Room

2011-04-11T19:02:00.002-04:00

Room by Emma Donoghue

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can't even put into words what I think of this book.

To say it's amazing seems to be underselling. This book is beautiful and shows strength,determination and love,in both Jack & Ma.
I could hardly bare to put the book down, and often found myself reading it out loud to my husband.I still find myself telling others about the book, and quoting it.

View all my reviews

Spring, finally?

2011-04-10T18:03:00.001-04:00

The weather this weekend has been absolutely gorgeous. I’m a little afraid of getting used to it and saying out loud that spring may in fact be here to stay. *knock on wood*

We here in London (On) have had one heck of a winter. Starting in december and continuing for a long time. We had a snow fall recently. Now we have some awesome weather. Kids are running around playing, adults are starting to garden. Spring is definitely in the air… let’s just hope it stays!

2011-04-08T15:41:00.003-04:00

"Infant formula has only been around for about 100 years, and has only been widely used for about 60. Every time a deficiency is fixed in the product, it is heralded as being 'closer than ever to breast milk'. I could take a step out of my front door and be 'closer than ever' to California. Doesn’t change the fact that I’m still thousands of miles away."

--Snagged from The Leaky Boob on FB

2011-04-08T15:19:00.000-04:00

I've been neglectful of most of my blogs.
I go through this periodically. Some months I want for nothing more then to blog all_the_time, then other times i get caught up on other things. Currently I am in the second phase.
Between keeping up with daily life stuff, and spending time with Rachelle (my BEFF-Best Evar Female Friend) I sort of forgot to keep up. I've been reading my lj flist, with a few comments here and there but nothing really.
I'm sorry.
I've also started reading a phenomenal book this week, thanks to the reviews on goodreads by friends, i picked it up and thought why not. To say it's amazing is underselling it.
It's called 'Room' I suggest everyone go read it. It's a beautiful story! I can't put it down. Usually I am limited to reading in the bath (it's the only time that i get that's quiet) but lately i can't help it, i'm reading it all over. Even during DAYS. Yeah, i know right?!

Today i feel so tired, and i'm not sure why. Hannah & Ottis are both out of sorts too. Christian & Aiden are home (pa day) and they are their normal selves. I'm not sure what's up with the rest of us. Weird. Hopefully we feel better tomorrow.

what-my-children-learned-at-the-breast

2011-04-07T21:24:00.001-04:00

I ran across this at another blog, and thought it was beautiful. I had to share it.

http://blog.nurturedchild.ca/index.php/2010/11/13/what-my-children-learned-at-the-breast/

Top Ten (snagged)

2011-03-27T09:01:00.000-04:00

I ran across this on another blog a long time ago, and randomly found it while cleaning out my inbox. Re-reading it, i loved it all over, and figured i would share.

From: Mama MLDB:

After being a mother of 2, I've had some time to think and evaluate my job as a mom. So...I've developed my own Top 10 list of how you know that you are a mom....

10.) When your child looks like they might puke, you do not run away...instead, you form your hands into a cup, and shove them under your kids chin.

9.) You use your pinky finger to pick your child's' nose.

8.) You stop double checking your hair and makeup in the mirror before leaving the house, and instead, double check your back...to make sure there is no spit up running down.

7.) You wake up in the middle of the night, sleeping curled in a ball on the bottom of the bed, with no pillow...because your child is sleeping sideways on your pillow, and the bottom of the bed is the safest place NOT to get kicked.

6.) You switch purses, not to match your outfit, but instead to accommodate multiple diapers, juice boxes and toys.

5.) You have over 5 layers of nail polish on, because the only way your child would sit on the potty long enough to go #2, was to allow her to paint your nails...over and over and over.

4.) You've read more pages of "Good Night Moon", "Olivia", and "Go Dog Go" than you've read of any grown up magazines or books in the past year. (Hello...I have "The Lost Symbol", and "The Book Thief" sitting unread on the end tables).

3.) Instead of contemplating politics, world issues, or the meaning of life...instead you find yourself thinking..."why doesn't Little Bear wear pants?", or "Why is Dora's map so dang snotty?"..."Where the heck are Max and Ruby's parents?"

2.) You realize at 5pm that the only thing you've eaten all day was a spoonful of leftover mac and cheese and a half eaten apple slice with hair on it.....yet you still gain weight.

1.) You drive home alone in the car, only to realize that you were listening to your kid's CD the whole freaking way...AND singing along to 5 Little Monkeys...ARGHHH!

What would you add?

I love being a Mom. The End.

He Returns

2011-03-23T18:41:00.000-04:00

Christian had an amazing march break in Kentucky! His first airplane ride, and he loved it! When he came back he couldn't wait to tell us how he climbed Tango Tower, a huge 50-Foot high tower with ropes. He climbed all the way to the top. He has always been scared of heights, but he did it. He was so proud of himself!
The last full day at camp (friday) most of the kids were hanging around in their shorts. It was 20 degrees Celsius there. Our london kids were laughing after the winter we've had ;)
Christian had an amazing time, i am glad for the opportunity to have sent him, even though i missed him like crazy and am equally as glad he's home. It's amazing how different the house was without him. <3

March Break-Kentucky Camp

2011-03-13T08:56:00.001-04:00

I just got back from putting Christian on the coach bus that will take him to Detroit, where he will catch a plane to Kentucky where he'll be spending his march break.
I didn't cry. Not even when he signed I love you just before they pulled away (that took everything i had not to cry)
We're all excited (and I'm nervous, of course!)
This is going to be an awesome experience for him.
I know he's going to have tons of fun. His cousin ( B) is also going, as well as a classmate of his, and one of his friends from the area, so at least he knows people. ♥

‘Intactivist’; anti circumcision activists want to outlaw circumcision - Health - The Imperfect Blog

2011-01-22T09:57:00.003-05:00

‘Intactivist’; anti circumcision activists want to outlaw circumcision - Health - The Imperfect Blog: "

There are bigger things to worry about? Baby boys are having parts of their body hacked off for no reason at all. baby boys are bleeding to death. Baby boys are being horribly maimed.Baby boys are having their own rights to make choices about their own bodies. If their very basic human right to choose what does or doesn’t happen to their own bodies isn’t worth worrying about, I don’t know what is. It’s not their penis intactivists are “obsessing” about, it’s their own right to choose.

Yes, i am an intactivist, and i do think it's mutilation. I am also pro choice. Most argue that you can't be both, because you should be arguing for the babies lives as much as you do for their genital integrity, but really it's about choice.
The choice to decide what happens within your body.
The choice to decide what gets cut off your body.
Does it really surprise you that someone who is pro choice when it comes to abortion, is also pro-choice when it comes to circumcision? Leave the choice up to the person who's body it is, and stop hacking off baby boys body parts.

Woman, Uncensored: Neglect-o-Matic

2011-01-20T21:46:00.000-05:00

Need to know when it's time to check on and settle your baby?
Well don't worry, there's an app for that!

Features:

Checklist (Nappies, wind etc) that must be completed before the app can start.
Alarm* that sounds when a wait period has completed and it's time to settle the baby.
Automatic doubling of the wait period after each settle.
Ability to select any of the the preset wait periods after each settle.
History kept of the time taken to get baby to sleep.
Customize app with baby's name and sex.

Disgusted yet?

Me too. I can't imagine leaving my baby to cry until some stupid app told me it was time to check on him/her.
I couldn't imagine leaving my infant to cry period.

And i'm not the only one:

Woman, Uncensored: Neglect-o-Matic:

"Apparently CIO isn't ridiculous enough, now cheap technology can tell you whether it's time to parent your child or not. 'No sweetie, ignore the sounds of Susie vomiting from distress... my phone hasn't beeped at me yet' Maybe they'll add features that let us know when we're allowed to feed our kids as well. Little alarms can go off if we've given them too many hugs and kisses or *god forbid* held them too long! Brilliant. Evidently we're not smart enough to actually pay attention to our offspring and our instincts, eh? Save yourself a few bucks and love your kid. If you expected a full night's sleep, you should have gotten a plant."

I couldn't have said it better.

2011-01-18T21:24:00.003-05:00

2011-01-18T21:15:00.002-05:00

I want to move out of this place so badly i can taste it. I can visualize myself in a different house, out of this place.

I really, really hate it here.

It's not ottis, or the house itself, it's the community. I used to love this community, and now it's like high school, only worse. I just can't stand it.

New Years Resolution

2011-01-17T19:51:00.002-05:00

I just found this over on the Post Secret Community and thought it was perfect.

It means more to me then most of you will understand.

This infuriates me…

2011-01-17T19:45:00.001-05:00

^{(I originally saw this link posted on Cafe Mom's "the stir" Image is also from there)}

Water-Drinking Pregnant Woman Asked to Leave Bar 15 Minutes Into her Night Out

Why? not because she was doing anything wrong, or illegal, but because she was pregnant.

She wasn’t even drinking!

The bouncer took it upon himself to tell her to leave. Many people argue he had a right.

Why? because she was pregnant?

Last time i checked being pregnant in a bar wasn’t illegal. They argue he was worried and trying to protect the bar.

Oh, fine, but wouldn’t it be his job to protect every patron in that bar and not just the pregnant one? Then why did he only ask her to leave?

If she wasn't doing anything wrong, the.y don't have a right to ask her to leave, and there is nothing illegal with a woman being in a bar pregnant.
Hell, she can smoke & drink if she wants to (i'm not agreeing, or saying that's ok!) it isn't illegal, and that means the bouncer doesn't have a right to make her leave simply because she's pregnant.
It would be akin to asking someone to leave just because they're gay, straight, white, black, purple, liberal, democrat, vegan, whatever. Just because the bouncer didn't agree with a pregnant woman being in there, doesn't mean he had a right to make her leave.

It’s discrimination. He discriminated against her just because she happened to be pregnant.

"We live in a country where people feel increasingly empowered to make decisions for pregnant woman."

Important Things I've Learned From Kids

2011-01-01T13:29:00.010-05:00

Randomly stumbling on stumbleupon,i came across this:
http://parents.berkeley.edu/jokes/important.html

(author unknown)

1. It's more fun to color outside the lines.

2. If you're gonna draw on the wall, do it behind the couch.

3. Ask why until you understand.

4. Hang on tight.

5. Even if you've been fishing for 3 hours and haven't gotten
anything except poison ivy and a sunburn, you're still better off
than the worm.

6. Make up the rules as you go along.

7. It doesn't matter who started it.

8. Ask for sprinkles.

9. If the horse you're drawing looks more like a dog, make it a dog.

10. Save a place in line for your friends.

11. Sometimes you have to take the test before you've finished
studying.

12. If you want a kitten, start out asking for a horse.

13. Just keep banging until someone opens the door.

14. Making your bed is a waste of time.

15. There is no good reason why clothes have to match.

16. Even Popeye didn't eat his spinach until he absolutely had to.

17. You work so hard pedaling up the hill that you hate to brake on
the way down.

18. You can't ask to start over just because you're losing the game.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-27T13:49:00.000-05:00

Christmas morning Christian & Aiden woke up at 5:45 am and ran in the room. Both Lukie and Hannah had been up and down all night, so I told the boys we were going to wait for them. Christian and Aiden were ok with that and decided to play on the computer for a bit.
Everyone but Hannah was up by 7, and I let the boys have their stockings. I made French toast for the kids (egg nog French toast for ottis) and then Hannah woke up. They all ate breakfast and then Hannah opened her stocking. After that we started opening Santa presents. Once the boys had a basket full they went to play while we started dinner. The turkey was still a bit frozen (our new fridge was full and set to high- opps!) but we got it stuffed (although the neck gave us the hardest time coming out!) and put it on.
We opened more presents (and took breaks) then ate dinner.
Everything turned out wonderfully =)
I can't remember what they all got, but I do remember the highlights.

Christian got this huge bakugan thing he wanted, some chaotic cards, diary of a wimpy kid #1 + a bookmark, diary of a wk uno & puzzle,a zhu zhu pet plus some other various bakugan,disney monopoly jr pjs and some clothes.

Aiden got toy story everything, woody, buzz, Jessie (WITH yarn hair) mister & miss potato head, some games, clothes and toy story pjs.

Lukie got the stinky the garbage truck and dance star mickey he wanted,an iron man, super why guy, pjs, clothes and a bunch of cars.

And Hannah got baby dolls, princess dolls, and more baby dolls,mister potato head bucket plus pjs and clothes.

They all got colouring stuff and puzzles of some sort.

Ottis got his chrome, a pocket watch, slippers, star wars colouring book (Santa knows he's a star wars freak and figures the kids would like daddy colouring with them!) a statuette that I found that totally screamed ottis and some other stuff.

and I got a comfy sweater, valentine's day, spread, and beyonce heat gift pack.

Everyone was happy =)

I hope you all had a blessed, happy holidays <3

Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T22:38:00.000-05:00

Today was spent with me going to get some last minute groceries at no frill with Rachelle.It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
When I got home I Santa cookies with the boys. We were going to make a gingerbread house too, but we ran out of time.
Then we had our dinner and did our usual placing of the presents under the tree. I find putting them under on Christmas eve is less nerve wrecking then having them out for days before.
We put out our Santa cookies & egg nog, then put our reindeer food that Lukie made at daycare out on the porch.

Now the children are all snug, so Santa can come and Ottis and i can go to bed ;)

Happy second birthday little lady!

2010-12-14T23:10:00.000-05:00

Our little lady turned two today!
She had a birthday filled with shopping with mommy and daddy for Christmas gifts, opening presents when her brothers got home, and cake.
She got some clothes, a new play kitchen, a book (Disney nursery rhymes) and a new baby doll that potty's and talks. She loved it. =)

Let It Snow

2010-12-06T15:25:00.004-05:00

It seems December has brought the winter weather with it.
Six days in to December and we already have our first official snow day at school, and it looks like tomorrow may be another one, unless this snow stops (which i highly doubt)
This means we'll miss the kids Christmas concert, unless the reschedule it. I hope they do.
Slowly the city is shutting down, schools, libraries, rec centres, city hall, mail etc are all shut down with the buses scheduled to shut down this evening.
We're getting anywhere from 40 to 60 cms of snow. Crazy!

But, it's beautiful and putting us all in the Christmas spirit =) so i say, Let it snow <3

Aiden-isms

2010-11-27T09:20:00.001-05:00

Man, I've been busy.
Rushing to try to get Christmas stuff done before the stores get crazy.
On Monday we ended up out at walmart and winners. We happened to find the toy story three Mr and Mrs potato head.
Ottis said he wanted to get them both for Aiden, I said he would probably be happy with just Mr potato head, but he insisted so we got both. I figured I'd talk to aiden and get a feel for if he'd be interested in Mrs potato head as well, and if not I could give it to Hannah.
So, I sat down with him and the conversation went like this:

V: Remember how you said you wanted the toy story Mr potato head for Christmas?
A: yes
V: Do you think you would like Mrs potato head too? or just Mr potato head?
A: *really thoughtful* I need them both mom. Really.
V: OK, if you need them...
A: Yeah, because they in love that means they have to be together mom!
V: = mush

It was the cutest thing. ever.
I'm glad we got both of them now.

This weekend I'm hoping to get a start on Christmas decorating.
We'll see how that goes..
We've at least changed the living room around so the tree has a spot, that's a step =)

Lukie has a party at day care on the 15th, that the family is invited to. It says there will be treats and music and a special visitor! I'm excited!!
And my mom's group will be having a family brunch. The boys will be in school for it, but Hannah and ottis will be there. The lady that runs it (lynda) is trying to see if Santa can visit too!

Christian's at the age where he's asking questions about Santa. Some boy at school told him Santa is his parents wrapping presents.
Christian said he told the boy that wasn't true.
I don't want to lie to him, but I don't want to take away the joy and innocence just yet..
I told Christian that Santa was a magic spirit of giving and as long as he believed in the magic, it would exist.
not a lie, right?
Christian was good with that answer.
I didn't have to lie or ruin it for him. Yay.

totally random: the febreze cinnamon roll and home scent is amazing. I'm stocking up on it.

2010-11-11T10:19:00.003-05:00

I was looking for a perfect quote to sum up today, and what it means. This is the most innocent, perfect quote to capture everything that today stands for. I quote it from my friend, Becky's facebook.

Becky and her family reside in the UK.

So, I picked (my daughter) up from nursery and we were talking about what she did this morning...She showed me her drawings etc then said '...and we stopped Momma... we stopped playing for the soldiers...' I asked her did she understand why... 'we stop playing and are quiet to 'member that they don't come home to play sometimes and we were quiet hoping they stop fighting...'

I couldn't have summed up today in better words.

Remember those that have fought so that we may live in freedom. Remember them everyday, not just one day a year. Remember the ones that are still fighting.
For all your freedoms, thank them.

Even if we’re apart.. I’ll always be with you.

2010-11-10T08:44:00.004-05:00

A cross post from my lj

One year ago today I got the phone call that changed my life.
My step father called to tell me that my mother was gone. I still remember the cry in his voice as he told me.
I remember saying no, what are you talking about? My mom was a healthy 45 year old. She couldn't be dead.
She hadn't met Hannah yet. She was coming up to meet her that summer. how could she have died before meeting her.
Sometimes I'm still angry and hurt and sad by that, though part of me knows that even though she never met her, she knew her.

Like one of my good lj friends, markshoneybear, posted back then "Your Mom never had the chance to meet Hannah in person but she loved her just the same. Distance was the only reason. I'm sure she heard all about her, heard her in the background when you talked on the phone and felt she knew her beautiful granddaughter as well as if she had met her." Those words helped me more then you could ever know, Carol. ♥

A year ago I was struggling, trying to figure how to get out (to newfoundland) to say good bye to my mother, between the community, family and some awesome lj people, I made my way there.

I found a peace there that I will never be able to fully explain. I smelled the air my mom smelled, walked the paths she walked and I saw the beauty she saw. I could understand why she went there and stayed, leaving my brother, me and our children behind. I know in my heart that my mother had found her peace before she died. She was surrounded by love and friendship. By my stepfather's family, who took her in without a second thought.

I still miss her.
I still wish for just one more phone call.
Sometimes I wonder why she hasn't called me lately, then I remember.

I watch Hannah grow up into this beautiful little toddler and everyone who knew me as a child tells me she is so much like me. I wonder if my mother would think so.
She would have liked her. I mean, I know she loved her, and would have no matter what, but I mean I think she would have liked Hannah's personality. Her curiosity. Her mannerisms.

I will not be too sad today.
Today is a day to remember, not to cry.
My mom will live on in memories, in me,in my children. As long as we remember, she isn't completely gone.

Guy Fawkes/ Bonfire night

2010-11-05T11:26:00.004-04:00

When i was little my grandmother (who was from england) used to tell me that poem all the time.
It wasn't until i was older that i knew the story behind it.

Sadly, we don't celebrate here in ontario, but happy bonfire night to those that do!

2010-10-31T21:48:00.001-04:00

We're pooped, so my halloween entry will have to wait until tomorrow.
I hope you all had a safe & fun halloween!

2010-10-30T14:09:00.004-04:00

One more day until Halloween.
That brings almost as much excitement as christmas and birthdays when you have kids in the house.
This year i went out and bought their costumes early, i was quite proud of myself.
Christian wanted to be batman: The Dark Knight, Aiden & Lukie wanted to be iron man and war machine (the grey iron man from iron man two). I managed to get the costumes they wanted in their size. I even managed to get Hannah a warm butterfly costume that i had my eye on.

SCORE right?
You'd think. You would think that would mean that i wouldn't be dragging myself to the mall the day before halloween to buy a costume, only that's what i was doing this morning.
Aiden & christian had a Halloween dance party at school, and got to wear their costumes. Aiden came home and had left his costume at school. The boys are bussed to school, which means by the time they are home the school is closed, so i couldn't just call and get the costume.
Instead i went to walmart and went through the costumes that were left there, praying they'd have something that aiden would love.

I found Superman, which is right up there with Iron man in a 6 year old little boy's books.
Whew.
Crisis averted.
Super Mommy to the rescue!

baby wearing II

2010-10-22T14:50:00.002-04:00

Two entries ago I posted a link to a beautiful poem about baby wearing. I mentioned how,since Hannah's on the go so much, she's not interested in being wrapped as often. I miss those moments.
On wednesday we used the wrap. We were going grocery shopping and i didn't want to have to fold the stroller into the cab with all our groceries, so i wrapped her.
We were walking down the street and she was all cuddled into me. At some point she looked up, grabbed my face, smiled all big and said "mommy!" in her gentle, excited little way.
It was so adorable. My heart melted.
In that moment I remembered why i had missed them so much.

10 reasons i didn't circumcise

2010-10-16T18:29:00.002-04:00

I love it!
10 reasons why i didn't circumcise my boys

peaceful parenting: I Will Carry You

2010-10-16T17:34:00.002-04:00

peaceful parenting: I Will Carry You
A beautiful poem about baby wearing.

Now that Hannah's *almost* two and a whopping 27 lbs (as of a month ago) our baby wearing days are getting few & far between. She's an on-the-go toddler who has three older brothers to chase after and doesn't seem as interested as the wrap as her newborn baby self did, but there are still moments. The other day when i was doing the dishes and she was being extra clingy, we put the wrap on and she got her snuggles while "helping"me with the dishes. It was sort of bittersweet. As if she was saying "hey mom, i know i'm growing up fast, but sometimes i still need this"

Help if you can!

2010-10-10T10:22:00.000-04:00

I got on facebook this morning and one of my friends had posted this link which is a link to a couple of her friends that are trying hard to have a baby. They are asking for donations (and offering "perks" for the donations if you check out the site)
I can't donate, so i figured i could get their story out there. Someone on the internets will see it and (hopefully) be able to help or at least pass it on (hopefully as you're reading this, you're passing it on too!)

Having my children is an absolute joy (yes, even on "those" days) and it makes me sad that not everyone that wants a baby can have one. Yes, i know there's adoption, but who am i to judge someone who wants to carry their own child? Plus, have you ever tried to adopt? It's not the easiest thing in the world.
Anyways. I thought i would get the message out there.

Happy Canadian Turkey Day.

2010-10-10T10:14:00.004-04:00

It's thanksgiving weekend here in Canada. We celebrated with family and friends yesterday (for those that were taking the bus, Saturday was more preferable then Sunday or holiday schedule)
We had tons of food. Seriously, we could've fed an army. Which is good, because we pretty much were. We had 16 people (planned for 19, but three couldn't come) that's four families.
The break down: Our six (4 kids, 2 adults) My brother's family (2 kid,2 adults), my aunt and her kids (1 parent, 1 adult kid, 1 teen, 1 kid) and my bff and her son.

That's 7 adults, 8 kids & 1 teen.

Thankfully the weather was beautiful so a lot of people ate outside in the yard making it less crammed in the house.

Lots of fun was had by everyone :)
♥

There were so many leftovers, everyone had more then enough to take home.
Right now i'm boiling bones for soup, so my house smells like turkey all over again! =)

Happy thanksgiving everyone!

Monster nails

2010-10-02T16:06:00.001-04:00

When we picked Lukie up at day care yesterday he had green (painted) nails. Ottis was kinda put off by the nail polish (i think it was paint) but i thought it was adorable.
There are more girls then boys in the class (there are four boys, including lukie) and the rest are girls. the girls wanted "pretty"nails, and the boys wanted to join in.
Lukie said the were monster nails (which made it way easier for Ottis to accept lol.. men are funny sometimes!)

I Think I'll be six Forever & Ever!

2010-09-29T16:01:00.001-04:00

These kids are growing way too fast.
Time needs to slow down :(
I can't believe our second born is SIX already!

AA MILNE: NOW WE ARE SIX

When I was one
I had just begun
When I was two
I was nearly new
When I was three
I was hardly me
When I was four
I was not much more
When I was five
I was just alive
But now I am six,
I'm as clever as clever;
so I think I'll be six now
for ever and ever

♥ happy birthday Mister Aiden ♥

Happy Ninth birthday Christian!!!

2010-09-26T14:06:00.002-04:00

Wasn't it just the other day that i found out i was pregnant with you? It couldn't really have been nine whole years since i gave birth to a teeny-tiny you, could it?
In the last nine years you have taught me so much. Yes, you. You were my first born, you and me have learned so much together.
I remember them handing you to me and me wondering what i was going to do with you. Wondering if i was worthy of being your mom. Now, nine years later, i can't imagine my life without you.
I love you little boy.
--------------
The boys & Hannah had breakfast, then christian got to open his presents,
which included a webkinz hamster, some ben ten things (including a "cool" ominatrix), bakugan, pokemon cards and some other things.

Then i put on the roast for dinner (slow cookers are the best invention ever, right?)
We didn't do anything huge this year, just sort of hung out around the house. In the afternoon i made him a cake (butter pecan with french vanilla icing and autumn coloured sprinkles)
After dinner he blew out the candles, and we all had cake (which turned out yummy!!)

He said he had a nice birthday. I felt bad that we didn't have a big party, but christian seemed to enjoy just having a day with his family.

Quotes From Winnie

2010-09-16T18:59:00.003-04:00

I was googling winne the pooh quotes for something over on my private journal (on lj) and i came across this one
" If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we’re apart.. I’ll always be with you."

It made me tear up.

First Week & Routines

2010-09-14T18:03:00.001-04:00

The first week of school has gone by without any trouble.
Aiden had a bit of trouble listening the first day, but has since been doing wonderfully.We're so proud of him!
Lukie had a little set back at daycare, probably due to the change in routine. He's getting used to it though.
We've started to go to the playground at the public school where lukie's day care is at.Mostly due to some drama here in the complex.
We pick up the boys, and hit the park, then pick up lukie (who has playtime in the day care playground when we pick up the other boys)
Then we get home, do the homework, dinner, get school stuff ready, and get ready for bed routine.
It's working for us. It gets us away from the stress and gives us time alone. Win/Win for everyone =)
Ottis and me have been taking the time to totally re-organize the house now that we don't have the boys here all day. Let me tell you, reorganizing a house without three boys under feet is way easier, plus everything looks awesome. We rearranged the kitchen and the living room so far. Ottis got a fake fire place, which he adores. He's always wanted a real one, for now this is the second best option. =)

School days

2010-09-09T07:22:00.003-04:00

The boys' first two days of school seemed to have gone off without much of a hitch.
Christian is in grade four now (really? wasn't he just in preschool?!) and is in a portable, which he is excited about. One of his best friends is in his class.
Aiden is in grade one now (*sniff*) full day *every* day :( but he was super excited. He got Christian's old grade 1/2 teacher, which is awesome. She is such a great teacher.
I'm anticipating a good year.

It's kind of surreal having all three boys out of the house everyday (with lukie in daycare and the boys in school) Ottis and me are spending the first couple of weeks really organizing. We're moving around almost every room in the house, to give it a fresh look. Throwing things out we don't use/need or want.
After that, i think I'm going to join some activities with Hannah. There's story time at the library, playgroup on Fridays, and preschool swimming most afternoons. I'm sure we can find some thing to do together :)

Toddler Nursing

2010-08-21T22:01:00.002-04:00

This is going to sound bad to anyone that hasn't experienced it, but those of you that have will totally get it; I love toddler nursing.
Don't get me wrong, newborn / baby nursing is an awesome bonding experience, but it's all about a need for nutrition. For the baby, nursing at that age is just a means to get that nutrition. Something their instincts tell them to do. Sure, there's still the cuddling and touching need, but on the whole it's nutrition.
As they become toddlers though, it's about way more. It's nutrition mixed with comfort and cuddling.

When Hannah's blissfully nursing, she looks right at me (when she's not busy trying to look at everything else) for that moment it's just the two of us. And you know she wants to smile. Her face is lit up. Then she points to her eye, then her chest, then at me (it's something ottis started when Christian was little, to say I love you, that he's done with all the kids)
It just melts my heart.
All the cracked nipples, thrush, bad latches, growth spurts and leaking are worth it in those moments.
Sure, i could do without the nursing aerobics that come with nursing a toddler, but those moments? I'm going to be sad to see them go.