Ok- I can't help but rant a bit here..

For those of you who don't know, we don't vaccinate our kids. It's a long story, but we don't. We are considering introducing some vaccines as our children get older, but it's not a done deal.

I receive the NVIC's (National Vaccine Information Center) emails on vaccine news. I must say, my jaw hit the desk with this one. (I copied and pasted this directly from the email sent out from NVIC on June 1st)

"In the past few months, the American public has been informed that two infant diarrhea vaccines - GlaxoSmithKline's Rotarix and Merck's RotaTeq - are contaminated with pig virus DNA. But there's a difference between the two vaccines: Rotarix contains parts of a pig virus that does not make pigs sick while Merck's RotaTeq contains parts of a pig virus that kills baby pigs. How many mothers know that, when Merck's diarrhea vaccine is squirted into the mouths of their two month old babies, they are swallowing parts of a pig virus that suppresses the immune systems of baby pigs so badly, they waste away and suffer respiratory, kidney, reproductive and brain damage before dying?"

Insert my sarcastic voice- "And people wonder why we are being cautious?!!"

If you'd like to read more, here's a link to the NVIC's website article.

Confessions

Confession #1: Gabe makes fabulous crepes. I do not. :-) I'm trying to learn, but just can't bring myself to make the batter as runny as milk. I always think, "Oh, that's close enough," but it still ends up "fluffier" than his! And I'm making progress with cottage cheese- it's one of my "mind over matter" foods... (it so helps to have raspberry jam to eat with it!)

Confession #2: I still haven't finished copying Genesis. I know, I was almost done a LONG time ago, but it fell off my radar. I did chapter 47, and am halfway through 48. I'm sooo close! Only 2 1/2 to go! I have been working on Revelation though; I copy it during church because we are going through it during service, and having just finished our class not so long ago, I'm not learning a whole lot of new material. I listen with one ear and write with the other... wait, not really... ;-) I'm on Chapter 17 of that book. I still love the process- since starting I've had occasions where I remember that I read/copied that somewhere in regards to something someone was saying, and I'll go look it up. It sticks in my memory so much better when I've actually written it out. :-)

And, just for fun.... Kiera, helping with a big batch of breakfast burritos for the freezer.

Kiera... again :-)

I had finally been able to pull the sliver out from beneath Kiera's fingernail where it's been living the past week or so. She asked, "How can you possibly do that?" I said, "Mommy smart, that's how." She then said, "Mommy, you're kind of smart, but not really."

I tickled her until she said I was really smart :-)

Kiera Sleeping Pictures

Because we take at least a couple every week. She sleeps so hard, and doesn't care much where she lands...

Happy First Birthday Isaac!

Happy birthday darling smiley face!

Although, you have a serious "thoughtful" face on more often than you used to!

At twelve months, you are not walking yet, but have taken a step here and there. Walking is probably not far away as your balance is increasing by the day, but we think you'll only walk for a bit, just until you learn how to run! You love looking at everything that is not a toy, especially the flashing lights and DVD's by the computer! You've torn into my wallet a few times recently, and those funny plastic cards are your favorite to run off with.

I am trying to understand how your little man mind thinks- you are eager to find out how things work and what you can make them do. You turned and slapped the pen I was using to train you not to touch the computer with yesterday! Your screams have only gotten more angry- discipline and "no-no" are not on your list of things to experience. You also scream now for fun; this makes for interesting trips away from home, especially when we start screaming back at you! You still have only 7 teeth, 4 on bottom and 3 on top. It's easier to take you out than to stay at home because of all the distractions. You still adore your sisters, but you'd rather Kiera not always get all up in your face :-)

For some reason I find disciplining and training you harder than the girls, probably because you scream so well. I hope you learn soon that Momma means for her word to be law, but I'm afraid because of my tendency to fix the problem instead of train the problem that this won't happen like I want. You are a persistant little thing; I am learning to be more consistent through you! You like to bear-walk on the grass so it doesn't touch your legs, and everyone loves to laugh at your funny gait. Your favorite place to play is sisters' room because the toys are always all over the floor! Recently, you've enjoyed closing everything from the dishwasher to drawers to doors. You've also started pushing the garbage can around the kitchen, and just a few days ago started doing it with only your head. You are a HOOT to watch!

Isaac, we adore you. We love watching how your personality develops and how you talk and think. I also can't wait to see how soon you catch your sisters- you love to watch them play. Your hair might get trimmed soon, but I am not eager to cut off that little hint of red on the ends. Happy Birthday Little Man!

Happy 30th Gabe!

Happy Birthday! Thank you for everything you are, everything you will be, and loving me through all of it. I am blessed to have you as my husband. I love you more every day. Love, me.

In case you're wondering...

I do have a birthday post for Isaac. But I was wanting to put pictures in it... and I can never find the right card, or the right card reader. In all the ways that I appreciate technology, it also drives me nuts. A love/hate relationship.

In the meantime, we had a great time yard sale-ing today. (I know, but does yard saling really look like it's spelled right?) We picked up a lawnmower, for us or someone else, Gabe found a tree stand for hunting, the girls got some free stuff from a nice lady who wanted it gone :-) and I picked up a couple books (crime and punishment & a redwall book) plus a complete Hooked on Phonics set, including the CDs. A few clothing items, a Japanese maple... But no carseat for Isaac, or sectional sofa for us... A good day. Although I ended up dehydrated so I've been chugging the ice tea to get my migraine to go away!

My Most Infuriating Bad Habit

I have many bad habits. I probably have more bad habits than I even know about. But the one that makes me so mad over and over and over is my "good intentions." I find things that I've been missing, and then I put them in "special places" because I know the next time I need it, I'll remember where I put it, in it's special place! Problem is- I ALWAYS FORGET! ALWAYS!

This morning I'm trying to finish up the girls sundresses, and I'm looking for my little ruler... I can picture it in my head, and I know I put it somewhere just right... I just cannot find my "just right" place!


ARGHHHHHARAHHHHHAHAHAHJGFAHF! CAN I SCREAM ANY LOUDER?
thanks for letting me vent at myself...

Loving Baker's Dozen right now

Baker's Dozen is a blog I follow pretty regularly; I am keenly interested in how they homeschool their large family, and the fun stuff she posts as well.

She is expecting #14 (not all are biological), and has begun blogging about the births of her children. I am LOVING reading them. If you have any sort of interest, you should read them.

Oh, and her kids' names are fun too ;-) Don't think we'd do that, but it's still fun.

Check it out!

Ya Know, I think HE gets a kick out of blessing us...

So tonight, Mom and I were taking the girls to the Circus Gatti at the Town Toyota Center... We were going to the last show to get the cheapest prices, since it's still a decent amount of $$ to get in.

Remember last year? When Mom and Dad and I took the girls to see the Lipizzaner show and were handed free tickets for all of us?

Guess what happened tonight? We are walking through the parking lot, and I hear some lady behind us hollering to another group asking if they've bought tickets yet. I'm curious, so I look, and notice that the things she's giving them are a different color than the coupons I have... And she has more, heading towards us. Yep- they're 1adult/1child get in free tickets, enough for all 4 of us. I am nearly in tears, thanking the Lord for His AMAZING surprises. I truly think He really loves blessing us when we least expect it.
(pics to come, when Gabe shows me how to get them off my phone... :-)