Not Choosing Is Still A Choice

I'd like to link to a post by Colleen from Martin Family Moments in which she comments on an article about two parents in Canada who have chosen not to reveal the sex of their baby. I read this article a few days ago and was completely struck by the idiocy.

Colleen's post is here: http://martinfamilymoments.blogspot.com/2011/05/child-abuse.html

For a full article, click here.

Here was my comment on the post by Colleen:

My husband found this on yahoo a few days ago and it made me sad and confused.

Yes, I agree that we give everything in our culture a gender identification even when it's not necessary. I mean...why can girls only wear pink? Or why can't boys wear long hair? Why does everything have to be black and white (or in this case, pink or blue)?

But at what point are you turning your child into a social experiment to see if your ideas about gender in society are correct? Isn't our job as parents to give our children direction, and make the best decisions for them when they are unable?

Besides all that, how deplorable it is that they are encouraging their older children to engage in this scheme? What kind of message is it sending them?

CHILDREN ARE NOT SOCIAL EXPERIMENTS. THEY ARE BLESSINGS FROM GOD AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH.

Catholic Bender

The Colbert Report

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more Daybook entries!

Outside my window... the sun is in the process of setting, and I can hear the mommy and daddy birds working on their nests under the eaves of the roof. The weather has been so perfect lately - low 70's with sunshine and clouds and a soft breeze. My favorite!

I am thinking... about what a wonderful relaxed weekend we have had and how hard it will be to return to the grind of work tomorrow.

I am thankful for... our parish and our priest - his homilies always speak to me. Isn't that great, when you have a wonderful priest who can make the gospel come alive?

From the kitchen... strawberries and chocolate, mango mochi ice cream, and the lovely smell of fresh baked muffins. 

I am hoping... for a pleasant week at work, and enough energy to get things done around the house. I need to start crocheting again.

I am hearing... Brian tidying up in the kitchen, the pitter patter of kitty feet, and EWTN on our television.

Around the house... the cats are being naughty and picking on each other. Being brothers and sisters they have difficulty sharing toys. My vase is empty and I am wanting some new flowers for my table. The coffee table needs dusting (again!). 

One of my favorite things... Listening to Mother Angelica on ETWN. Lately I've been listening to her in the background while I'm at work. 

A few plans for the rest of the week... Finishing up a Shutterfly album of our wedding to give to our German family when we visit next month, and albums for our parents. 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Ella loves her Daddy's shoes, and will do anything in her power to get as close as possible to them.

Saturday Mornings

Our Saturday mornings are always yummy.

Childless By Choice

There's a very interesting article posted by Jennie that I wanted to link to here.

I've come across a number of these "child free" books on Amazon and was flabbergasted to learn there was a "movement." How very, very sad.

I completely agree with her, when she states:

Ultimately, though, I feel pity for these couples. I would think that despite all the travels and adventures and money saved or spent, eventually life would become a little dull. A life of self-indulgence and one that glorifies the “me” is an unhappy life indeed. Sure, it may be fun for a while, but all that glitters eventually fades. Plus, I have never heard a person or couple complain that they shouldn’t have had that fourth or fifth or thirteenth child, but rather wistfully looking back on life, wish they had just one more child. That is one regret I hope to never have.

No one ever gets to the end of their life and regrets having had children, but there are plenty of couples who regret not having had more.

SB Fair and Expo

Brian and I had a fun time at the fair last week. Having grown up in a big city and never gone to a proper fair, I have relished going to this every year. I love the animals, the food, the dancing, the bands, the sales, etc. Brian and I enjoy looking at all the prizes in the exhibit hall. I'm determined to enter the crochet exhibit next year, and possibly the canned food as well!

My new best friend. For some reason none of the other animals would eat out of my hand, but this guy gobbled down the pellets! And he was fluffy.

Brian's eyes teared up at the sight of the elusive Death Star Lego set. Maybe if he's a good boy Santa will bring him one next year. :)

I've decided I don't want nine kids.

Alaskan pig racing! Boy was this way more fun than I thought it would be.

Look at that! Pigs can fly!

We spotted this guy on the way back from the fair (yes, I walked two miles. Mark the day because it will never happen again). I had no idea what it was. Brian thinks it's a gopher...but I thought gophers were big and furry like the one in Caddyshack?

Sunset walking home.

Very strange flower we found near the golf course. This was the only one that had bloomed...Brian called it the Ascension flower because it only blooms around Easter. Not being a plant person, I have no way of confirming this.

Close up...can you see the ants?

I bought Brian a pizza stone for his birthday. Here is out first attempt! It was a little too doughy and I thought there was too much cheese, but Brian was immensely proud of himself and we can't wait to try it again.


Hope everyone had a lovely Mother's Day! By this time next year I hope to be doing some celebrating of my own, God willing!

Under Construction

Please be patient while we hammer some of the kinks out...or iron...whatever...

Praise God

This weekend has been one of highs and lows, taking all of us on a wild, emotional ride.

The royal wedding showed us that true love still exists.
The tornadoes in the South reminded us that we are not invincible.
The beatification of Pope John Paul II brought the holy spirit into our hearts.

And finally, this:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/05/02/bin.laden.dead/
The triumph of good over evil.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.