Friday, October 30, 2009

The Truth is Black and White

For those of you who know me, you know I'm no politician. I don't like to beat around the bush, curtly dancing on some line between right and left, not trying to step on anyone's toes. That's just not how I roll. I just don't see the point in trying not to hurt someone's feelings, when we all know that sooner or later, that certain someone will be offended anyhow, because the truth, the REAL truth, always comes out. Somehow, someway.
Last night Drew and I had the privilege of attending a banquet for a local pregnancy center. It was our second year to go, and I always feel moved. But this year, this year was different. I have my own sleeping babe at home. I have been awakened to a parents love. I have gone through the pregnancy, birth and post-partum process. So this year, I suppose my heart was extra sensitive. The key note speaker was Dr. Tony Levatino, an OB/GYN and former abortionist. His story is incredible. It's heart breaking, shocking, gut wrenching and TRUTHFUL. I am sure that his story makes Satan shutter in his fire feet. Dr. Levatino stepped up to the podium, introduced himself, and quickly went into graphic detail of a 2nd trimester abortion. Props and all. GRAPHIC. I am pretty sure a minute into his description I wanted to throw up every ounce of chicken and salad I had previous devoured. If you'd like to read his exact words, his exact description of what he did day in and day out for almost 10 years, you can read it HERE. I must forewarn you, it is graphic and disturbing. But it's the truth. Hiding from the truth does not make it go away. Abortion is abortion. There are no niceties about it. I'm not here to beat you over the head with my bible, picket your fence, or yell at you for voting a certain way. But I believe that abortion is murder. I believe that it kills the baby, wounds the woman and definitely wound the doctor performing it. Don't believe me? Click on that link above. Medically necessary you say? How about talking to my friends who were told that their baby would not live, that the mere fact that my friend was pregnant was risking her life as well. They believed that life is not ours to give or take. And today, that baby that should have been aborted according to many in the medical community, is alive, well and completely healthy. So is mom. God is bigger than a medical textbook. My God is BIG. He is AWESOME. And He is SOVEREIGN.
One thing that really stuck out to me during their testimony is the unwavering spirit of those who came beside them, with grace, and showed them the greater grace of Jesus (ever heard that verse, "...but He gives a greater grace..." LOVE IT!). They urged everyone attending to not hold lightly the fact that God is bigger. To pray for the abortionist. Pray for their family (they spoke of the struggle and torment it brought to the entire family, not just Dr. Levatino). I was so convicted. I pray. Sometimes. But rarely do I pray for the doctor committing such callous, for lack of a better term (or perhaps it's the best one), murder. So I have decided that every morning, I will pray for the local (we only have 1 abortionist in the area) doctor that performs abortions. For his wife. His children. It's what God wants me to do. Grant them grace, and never give up. For "He gives a GREATER grace" than I can bestow, but I must show His grace first. He'll do the rest.
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The Many Faces of B-Man



 
Drew thinks the pic above of B is terrible. But I think his face is so funny-- this is what he does all the time when I try to get him to smile for pics. To me, this so embodies my son... it's who he is, what he does. So for all of you who think I am a terrible mother who puts ugly pics up of their kids, just remember that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder parent :o)
 

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Thursday, October 29, 2009

Sun Flare

Here's my first attempt at sunflare. Unfortunately the only subject I had to work with was grassy weeds at Gaston's.

And this next one is not really sun flare, but is still blog worthy because I just think it looks cool.


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Little Holes


Silly little moles

dig little holes
and dogs don't know what to do
except to make messes
that make mommy stresses
thank goodness I love my dog as much as I do!


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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

One Little Monkey

One little monkey, crawling all around...



rocking up



rocking down

Cute little monkey, can't you see



I love you, and you love me!

PS-- this little monkey isn't quite crawling, but he is definitely working on it!



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Knashing of Gums

Poor Little B-man. He's in the trenches of teething right now, and I just feel so helplessly bad for him. The bottom two are definitely in, and shiny as ever, but the top 2 are just taking their blessed time breaking through, causing Brayden what I can only imagine is unnerving pain and annoyance. He's waking up early in the AM, generally happy, but the past 2 nights he has woken in the middle of the night. Last night he woke up twice. This may be normal for some people, but for us babywise families, oh, it's a shock. Brayden hasn't woken in the middle of the night since he was 7-- yes 7-- weeks old! I am giving him tylenol, and I have teething tablets although I haven't used them in a while, because, quite frankly, I didn't feel like they helped that much. Other than loving on him, I really am at a loss for what to do. Any suggestions from seasoned veteran mommies?
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Monday, October 26, 2009

Weekend in Review

We had a great weekend filled with fall weather and traveling. It was Drew's birthday this weekend, and so to celebrate the occasion Drew's dad treated us to a trip to Gaston's White River Resort. It's a quaint little resort with trout fishing galore, a small air strip and lots of nature trails. The boys fished on Saturday morning while B and I walked around the grounds. When they got back we watched the pathetic performance of our Hogs (that's all I say on that matter!) and then strolled around some more before enjoying a nice peaceful dinner. Brayden was a bit fussy so we took turns walking him around the restaurant while each of us ate. I think it was the first time I'd seen Drew visibly frustrated with B's noise; as a mom I think we tend to start overlooking it because it really is just a part of every day life. The fun story of Saturday night was that I left dinner early to go put B down for bed. Well, when I got back to the cabin I had to let Toby out to go potty. I figured since we were just stepping outside there was no use for his leash, and went out with B & Toby. Mind you, it was about 50 something degrees outside. Tobes did his business, and I turned back around to go inside, and, yep, you guessed it, the door was locked. AWESOME. So I turned around, dog in tow (with no leash), fussy baby, and had to walk ALL the way back to the restaurant. When I got back Drew and his dad were leaving, so thankfully I had extra hands at that point. Drew asked if I cussed on the way back down there, and unfortunately I had to say yes. But only twice. Toby kept running to the doors of each cabin, and so that's what led to the mouth. Overall it was a great weekend. We're glad to be back though, as Brayden just does so much better in our own home. Traveling combined with teething (not to mention having to pack all of the dagum baby crap!) can be an interesting experience. Below are some of my favorite pics from the trip. I actually still have about 20 more pics to edit, but figured I should do something a little more productive than picture editing all day :) Have a great week!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Halloween Dress-Up

This is my entry to the I Heart Faces Photo Challenge this week. We haven't dressed up B-man yet, so Toby gets to pose :) Dog faces count, right? :) Check out the rest of the entries at I Faces by clicking the button below my picture.




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Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Wordless Wednesday


 
 
 
 
 

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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Fourth Time's the Charm

Yesterday we had to travel to the county health department for Brayden's shots. We have previously just gotten his shots during his well visits, but since Drew's benefits at his new job take 6 months to go into effect, we had to go to the county. I was pleased to find out that they now do appointments, but I quickly realized that government appointments are not like doctor appointments. For you see, with the government, they service (mainly) the poor and needy. It doesn't matter how freaking slow you are, you still have your job. My appointment was for 11:30, so I promptly arrived at 11:25, baby, bag and toys in tow. Window #7. Shuttle on over. The lady blankly stares at me, asks me to fill out the form and that she'd call me when she was ready for me. Remember that scene in Meet the Fockers (or Parents, I can't remember) where Ben Stiller's character goes up to the gate at the airport and is asked to be seated since priority passengers were boarding (even though clearly there were no other passengers in sight?) I totally felt like him yesterday. So I went back to my seat, played with Brayden for 15 minutes and then went back up to the window when I was called up. Paid my $5, sat back down, and sat for ANOTHER 45 MINUTES. (Welcome to Obamacare people-- it will only get worse if the freaking government takes over!).
The toy fell on the floor within 5 minutes, so that was out. Brayden wouldn't take his bottle because he was being distracted by all of the people in the waiting area. Thankfully he finally started eating, and right about the time he finished we were called back... by possibly the crabbiest nurse in all of our area. I asked her how she was doing, and she gave the obligatory smile. Nice. This is the lady about to stab my son with needles. We get in the room. She informs me that our previous pediatrician gave Brayden the HepB vaccine at 4 months when it wasn't needed. He will have to get a 4th dose. I was a bit taken aback, and kind of was freaking out in my head, but what do you do? The vaccine is not complete until the 6 month booster. So he got the shot. On the way home I had a breakdown. I am not against vaccines, but I don't want to give more than he needs. I called Drew crying, saying that if Brayden got sick it was all my fault... yada yada yada... motherly worrying blabbers. Drew quickly calmed me down reminding me that God is in control. Not me. Not the county. Not Obama. GOD. Thank you dear husband. Off to Sams to finish errands and go home with my sleeping, vaccinated child.
Tonight I read this article, and breathed a bit easier. It reminded me of why we decided to vaccinate Brayden. By vaccinating, I am recognizing the fact that I believe the risks of vaccinating far outweigh the risk of not doing so.
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