Shades of Grey

Lately my Facebook news feed has been littered with two things -- smocked clothing sales and posts about MS26.  One of these items, I can ignore.  The other, I cannot.  I am AGAINST MS26.  It's not because I don't love God or babies.  It's because I value my privacy.  I believe in a woman's right to choose.

It has been stated repeatedly that this is a poorly written amendment, full of unintended consequences.  In this day and age, things must be written clearly.  If there is a loophole or any room for interpretation, people will take advantage of these situations in the most extreme forms.  The people who proposed this amendment cannot guarantee that these unintended consequences will not be carried out.  Our state has bigger problems than worrying about what method of birth control women use, or what happens to embryos that do not get implanted.  Women's health is important and teaching women how to take care of themselves should be of the utmost importance.

I've seen several political ads that show candidates in support of MS 26.  I am sick to my stomach about the upcoming election.  I thought we had some educated, informed people running for office, but it's obvious that they can't take time out of their busy schmoozing schedules to educate themselves about the implications of such a ridiculous amendment.

I've been told that I could never be a politician because my opinions are not black and white.  To me abortion is not a black and white issue though.  There are always exceptions (rape, incest, immediate danger to the mother).  It should be between and woman and her doctor to determine the best course of treatment.  I can't say what I would do if faced with any of these consequences, but I would at least like to have an option.

Ladies, I would ask you this:  Do you want your state senator to accompany you to your gynecologist appointment?  Do you want your doctor to have to ask permission from the government before saving your life?  Infertility is a painful enough issue to deal with, so do you want to have to petition the state for the right to undergo treatment?  Imagine after having been through IVF, finally conceiving a child, and then having to spend your pregnancy (a time which should be celebrated!) fighting lawsuits because you and your doctor "killed" people (embryos) during the process.  Can you imagine what a colossal waste of time and money this could amount to?  Don't even get me started about the issues regarding birth control pills.  Mississippi has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the country and has had for the last 10 years!  Can you imagine what would happen if we were to limit access to birth control for these young girls?  I shutter to think!

Do I wish every baby were born? Yes.  While I'm wishing, I might as well make a list:
I wish every baby were born into a loving family.
I wish everybody who wanted to have a baby could.  I know some people who would make fantastic parents.
I wish rape and incest never happened.
I wish young girls were not encouraged to get pregnant so they can get a check from the government (yes this happens).
I wish people wouldn't use abortion as a means of birth control.
I wish no woman had to make their choice to save her own life or that of her unborn child.

I also wish for world peace, but it doesn't look like that's happening any time soon.

Do you get my drift here?  We can live in a fantasy world or we can choose to live in reality.

The bottom line is this -- It is none of your damn business what I choose to do with my body.  It is not the government's job to decide what method of birth control I use, how I get pregnant, or what I choose to do about it.  This amendment does more harm than good and I don't see how any doctor who truly believes in the oath they took can stand in defense of it.




parentsagainstms26.com

Am I "miss"ing something?

So, Italian fashion house, Missoni, has released a collection especially for Target.  It includes women's and girls' clothes, office supplies, shoes, even cute little espresso cups... how very Italian of them.  I went to Target this morning for a few essentials and almost thought it was black Friday.  People were buying Missoni in bulk!  It was like extreme couponing + hoarders + shop til you drop all rolled into one.  Seriously.  One person ripped open a box of shoes before the poor guys stocking the shelves could even get to it!  Another woman bought almost every Missoni letter box they had.  Just looking in her shopping cart gave me vertigo.  I get that Missoni's signature pattern (horizontal zig zags) is appealing.  It is very unique and recognizable.  However, it is not something that everyone should wear.  And it's definitely not what I would want my entire office decorated in.  I think maybe I'm missing something.  I just don't understand the frenzy.  Enlighten me please!

All That Glitters

My baby girl is growing up so fast!  It seems like she does something new every day.  Her newest accomplishment is using her hands to reach for things.  She reaches for her brother and often ends up swatting him in the face.  He's learning not to take it personally.  :)  She also loves and I mean LOVES shiny things.  A shiny silver Diet Coke can is enough to stop any fussiness.  Her reaction to seeing my watch is hilarious.  Her eyes get wide, she makes a perfect circle with her lips, and then uses every ounce of strength and concentration she can muster in order to lay her tiny hands on it.  Yesterday, she noticed my ring for the first time.  She was mesmerized!  Once Brian saw how taken she was with it he was reminded what a long road he has ahead of himself; he now has two girls to provide with shiny sparkly things!  As much as he is dreading the day he hears the words, "Daddy, I've met a boy..." today, he was comforted by the fact that it will be a long time before any boy will be able to show her something small and shiny and evoke the same reaction.

Open for Business!

Hopefully, one of these days, I'll be more consistent with blog updates!  

For those of you who don't know, I have recently started my own business.  I am now an independent sales consultant with Arbonne International.  Arbonne specializes in pure, safe, botanical products for anti-aging, skincare, cosmetics, and health & wellness.  Those of you who know me well know that I have always been self-conscious about my skin.  I used to joke that one of my goals in life was to be able to go out in public without makeup on and not feel like I had to hide!  These products are the best I've tried... and I've tried A LOT!  I can definitely tell a difference in my skin!  

As a consultant with Arbonne, I have the opportunity to create my own schedule and run my business in a way that works for my family.  I'm also part of a team that encourages me and helps me to reach each goal I set.  Most recently, I became a first step district manager, and did so in only two weeks!  

If you have a specific skincare, health, or body concern, please let me know!  Arbonne has products that help with a wide range of issues from crows feet to psoriasis, slow metabolism to fibromyalgia.  Check out our products online at www.arbonne.com.  I would love to help you!  If you are interested in owning your own business without the small-business-owner hours, being part of a fabulous team, and helping others to look and feel their best, let me know!  I'd love to have you as part of our team!    

The Mamaw Roses

Three years ago my grandmother was killed in a car accident.  A few months later, we moved into the house where we live now and inherited several rose bushes.  The following spring, we watched with anticipation to see what color blooms each bush would produce.  Just outside my bedroom I watched fuchsia buds begin to form, which later gave way to beautiful pink blooms.  My grandmother, a former educator and Mary Kay consultant would have loved them.  The buds were her signature shade.  When my husband saw me looking at the rose buds and noticed the tears that were beginning to well in my eyes, he knew what I was thinking: those buds are the same color her lipstick and fingernails always were!  It's funny the little things that can bring back the strongest memories, isn't it?  Now, after a little T.L.C., the rose bush is bigger and filled with buds that will soon bloom into beautiful "Mamaw roses."

One Cool Dude

Video of the day!

Always Playing Catch-up

Obviously, I've been a little out of touch lately, so for those of you not on Facebook, here's a quick recap:

I was admitted to the hospital four weeks ago in pre-term labor and have been on bed rest since.  Brian has stepped up to the role of Mr. Mom (his ego may never recover) and Joseph has been so sweet and understanding.  I have spent many nights crying over all the things I can't do-- take him to school, play soccer, go to the park, even sit on the floor and play cars-- but he handles these limitations with such maturity and grace.  We are so grateful for our friends and family who bring us meals, come over and play, and even take Joseph for the day or weekend.  When we're home together, Joseph has begun putting on short shows for me and I've had my trusty iPhone handy to capture most of them.  New videos will be posted soon!