Health and Politics

So I have been through a lot medically for the last whole month, so I am not going to be able to do my triathlon, which I am VERY dissapointed about!! We were just plain sick for a couple of weeks, then I threw out my back really bad, then I got pneumonia. It is REALLY annoying!!

I finally held my first "current events" meeting and it was a lot of fun!! I have felt that I should do this for a couple of months, but when I read the scriptures the other day I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. I was just doing my regular reading (wasn't looking for scriptures on liberty or anything) and I was on Ether Ch. 8. I will just put on here part of the heading - it is Moroni speaking, "Modern Gentiles are warned against the secret combination which shall seek to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries." When I read this, I knew it was talking about today, and talking to me. I would advise all to read the whole chapter. The first part of the chapter is about what is going on with the people of Ether, but then Moroni takes a time out to talk to us, the people of the latter days.

A couple hightlights of the chapter is "...the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be. (verse 23)" And then in verse 24 it says, "Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you... (vs 25) For it cometh to pass that whoso buileth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies..."

All I know is that when I stand before the bar of God I want to be able to say that I did what I could to preserve freedom. Our meeting is non-partisan, and I can say that with confidence because what we are fighting is found in BOTH parties. However, the problem does seem to be more prevelant in the Democrate party. What we are fighting is Progressivism. But the main purpose of the meeting is not about "dooms day" - we want to be positive and optimistic at all times. The main thing we want to do is be aware of what is going on at all levels of government - what is being voted on, etc. and attend town council meetings and write our representatives about current issues and VOTE.

I may not be able to single handedly stop Obama from what he is doing, but if enough conservatives stand up and voice their opinion, we can slow him down. We have been through similar things in the past, and we were able to get through it and "clean up" and at least somewhat restore conservative values. We are a LONG way from the 1700's but we can at least make a difference. Not that what Obama is doing is "modern" as he would like to say - People who love freedom and conservative values have been fighting people like him and what he stands for since the beginning of time.

Cute smile!

"Oh I love technology!"

He is getting really tall. Daniel messed up the camera, so I couldn't get a good picture.

Playing in the sprinkler!

Daniel's first experience with a sprinkler. They had lots of fun.

Pulled Muscle

So, I don't know how it is possible, but while I was cleaning a couple of days ago I pulled a muscle in my lower back.  I was vigorously cleaning for a couple of hours and then when I stood up from bending over to pick something up I felt a very sharp pain!!  It has been a couple of days now and it still hurts after taking medication all the time and heating it with a rice sock.  I probably should have iced it at first but I didn't think of that till today.  It is really strange because the heaviest thing I picked up was a pair of athletic shoes.

Knitting!

So, a few of weeks ago or so I had a terrible day - daniel bit me on my chin really hard and he wanted me to hold him all day or he would cry. It was aweful!! My friend and neighbor Marika knew of my aweful day. In the evening I was already at the church for cub scouts (I am a leader) and some women were getting together to knit just as scouting was finishing, so Marika grabbed me and I learned how to knit. I already crochet a lot (but I only know one stitch and just do scarves) so I was used to dealing with yarn.

So I decided that for mother's day I wanted some knitting needles and yarn that is good for making washclothes. I chose to get wood needles even though they were a little more expensive than the cheepest stuff. I am soooo glad that I did! It feels so good to the touch - now when I go back to crocheting the metal feels sooo aweful. I think eventually I will get wood crochet hooks too. Anyways, this is my first wash cloth. There are a few holes in it, but not too bad for the first try. I just need to learn how to do the finishing edge. On the next one I am going to go back and forth between rows of knitting and pearling.

Yesterday I went to a knitting store called Wild Purls and WOW it was inspiring!! I really want to learn to knit lots of things. The only thing I don't like about knitting is that it takes like ten times longer to get anything done compared to crocheting.

Growing up!

My little baby isn't a baby anymore! He is sooo darling! I think he got the best possible combination of Ben and My genes.

Cute little smile.

His new sneaker sandles

Some home decorating

My oil painting - I have always wanted a room decorated in African style

I absolutely LOVE this print!

One of my mother's day gifts (I picked it out). Ben and I are pretty bad about our gifts to each other - we often buy them ourselves, which I did for mother's day this year.

I first fell in love with the white flowers and it took me FOREVER to find something in the store that went with them. I am very happy with the end result.

Good Times

Goin on a walk

Too cute!

Daniel likes to organize!!  He turned them all upsidown himself!  They were in a sac to begin with.

Daniel is One

So, Daniel had his birthday a while ago, but I realized that I never posted his info.  He was 30 in. long (75th%) and weighed 21lb 8oz (45th%).

His favorite things to do are: jam to music, play with anything electronic, and open/close doors (cupboards, doors, lids, etc.).  Lately he also enjoys clapping.  He walks around pretending he is talking on the phone.

Explanation of following posts:

The next few pictures are a tour of our downstairs.  I will post pictures of the upstairs later.  I also missed the half bath downstairs - oh well. 

 Then there are lots of pictures!  Sorry to put them all in at once.  Thereare pictures of my family visiting, Daniel opening presents from them.  Also random pictures of Daniel and pictures of him with Ben.

Enjoy!