Karin's Response

So my younger (not youngest) sister has a response to my statement that she has an inner liberal. You can read it on her blog: The Ramblings (you should read other posts too -- she's really funny!).

Maybe she doesn't have an inner liberal... just an inner hippie. :-P

On a side note, I had read earlier in the year that Mitt Romney may be the Republican forerunner for the 2008 Presidential elections. Mitt Romney is a Mormon. Mormonism is NOT, I repeat NOT, Christianity. For the sake of argument let us say that it comes down to Mitt Romney, a Mormon, and a Democrat who is a Christian (or at least professes to be). Then what, dear conservative friends? Having lived in a city that is second in Mormon population only to Salt Lake City, rest assured that we have done our homework on that "religion" and I am absolutely not comfortable as a Christian with a Mormon in the White House. It down right scares me.

Mitt Romney is also the commencement speaker this year at Hillsdale College. That also bothers this Christian moderate conservative.

I have very, very grave concerns. If you believe that God should be a part of politics, then you should not be supporting this man. Email me if you want more details on Mormonism. I have a great study on Mormonism from the Christian perspective written by a former Mormon (he is our Young Couples minister at church). It even comes with a DVD.

Anyway... I'm jumping on Karin's bandwagon. I'm not liberal, I'm not moderate, I'm not conservative...

I am just smart.

The Politics of Diapers

I am a conservative Christian politically and morally speaking. I believe in an absolute truth, in limited government and privatization. I do not like to be labeled "moderate" or even "liberal".

But I have a few secrets.

I don't believe in gun control. I believe we should take guns off the street and make everything except hunting rifles illegal. I am tired of white men sitting in the White House. I will probably vote for a democrat in the next election just to move this country ahead (even though the thought if higher taxes annoys me).

And... I am "green". I would shop at Whole Foods and buy all organic if my budget allowed (it doesn't). I hate disposable anything thus I don't allow paper plates in my house (much to the chagrin of my husband). And I really hate disposable diapers. So I am switching to cloth not only for their "Green" benefit, but because I can spend about $200 and never have to buy another diaper again. Ever.

Cloth diapers have come a long way since they were used on my baby bum. The ones I'm using now are all in 1 piece -- diaper and cover. They have Velcro or snaps -- no pins needed. They are so SOFT! It means a bit more laundry and organization on my part, but Ella seems so much more comfortable in them. I couldn't even smell her dirty diapers (she's used 2 and pooped in them both!). Plus the come in a rainbow of gorgeous colors.

I also found a company who provides "Diaper Grants" to missionaries. They send them cloth diapers to use on their kids, free of charge. You can find them here and hopefully I'll put a permanent link up on this blog.

There you are. The "liberal" in me has reared it's head. My father will be ashamed. My younger (not youngest) sister will be proud (she has an inner liberal as well!). And my daughter will be diapered in soft cottony bliss until she learns to use the potty.

My Guy

For numerous reasons, this past April was absolutely horrendus for us. We were both very, very busy, Ella turned a very sassy 9 months old and we just had a heck of a month. It all ended with a big old BANG a week or so ago.

But now... it's May!! The last full month of school - YEA! Gorgeous weather - YEA! And a whole new month to love and enjoy each other.

This post is for my gorgeous, wonderful husband.

I love you, Mitch! Thank you for all the things you do!!!

First Swim in the Big Pool

Ella has been swimming before in the hot tub, but yesterday was her first day in the "Big Pool" with her floaty. She absolutely loved it! And now I really want to sign her up for swimming lessons. I pay $25 for a week of swimming lessons for Sarah -- that's 5 lessons total. For Ella? It's $122 for 10 lessons. Hello?!?! Give me a break. But I really want her to learn to go under water early in life and how to swim. Mitch pointed out that he never had swimming lessons as a baby and is doing just fine in his adult life. He can even swim and go under water. Why is life so expensive?

Anyway, enjoy the pictures! Any comments are welcomed!

Swimming: The Movie

We've accidentally recorded a few things as movies on our camera the past few days. Mitch caught this yesterday at the pool and I am putting it up despite the fact that it has me in a swimsuit on it. If I can figure out how to do this....



(I uploaded the video to You Tube and then cut and paste the html it provided to put it on here -- for anyone who wants to do this!)

NB: I have now tried this about 4 times and it still isn't working. HELP!!!

Ok, you have to convert your video from an .mov file to another type that I can't recall right now...

They aren't in Kansas anymore...

Doug, Bonnie, and Scott Randolph were most definitely in Las Vegas! One of the best things about living here is that pretty much everyone in your life will at one time or another show up for a long Las Vegas Weekend!

Ella was on her best behavior and even showed the Randolphs how much she likes salmon for dinner!

Thanks, Karin!

Thanks to Aunt Karin... many new members of our extended family have bookmarked our blog! The pressure is on to put up pictures! Here are just some random photos taken over the last few days.

We are going swimming when Daddy gets home so we'll try to get some pictures there.


Ella is very mobile now so wherever you go, she follows. We put a bowl and wooden spoon on the kitchen floor in hopes of keeping her occupied when she is in there with us! Thus the very pink bowl!


Ella has been making this face since she was about 4 months old. It used to mean she didn't like whatever it was you or she was doing at the time. Now it's just fun to make it!