I shouldn't post this, but I am - Don't look Julie

A story I read today from another mom....it's probably not sure and just an email circulation, but it gives pause for reflection.

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed.Once in the restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference -- just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.

October 15th

October 15th is the National Day of Remembrance for Pregnancy and Infant Loss.

I'm reminded today of the journey that Scott and I took to become parents and the two pregnancies that we lost before welcoming Samuel into this world.

We have no idea whether the first baby was a boy or girl. We know the second was a girl.

Each person is different; each journey is different.

A wise woman told me after I lost my first pregnancy that I had just joined a club that no one ever wants to be a member of. Then she hugged me. A wise, wise woman.

So much has changed since we were in that ultrasound room at the hospital in 2005 hearing that our baby's heart had stopped beating. On that day we questioned whether or not we'd ever be parents. We looked to our future together and suddenly questioned our dreams of building a home filled with the noise and chaos of children. Some days we were hopeless. Some days we were hopeful. Through it all - we were together. I'm not sure anything could have solidfied our marital bond like walking that road together.

Today - we have a 21 month old beautiful boy. Sam makes us laugh, keeps us laughing, and drives us to our knees in prayer almost every day. Seeing the love two people share learning to walk, learning to talk, learning how to throw a sippy cup from their carseat - well...it's a good thing.

AND....much to our surprise...we have a little girl on the way. Soon, our family of three will be a family of four!

But with all the happiness we have here in our lives right now, today I'm reminded of our two babies that sing with the Angels in heaven. What a beautiful reunion that will be some day for us!

So today - if you are a mom who has lost a pregnancy or infant - let's join together and remember our angel babies.

Update on Baby Girl

1) Baby Girl needs a name. We thought we had one. We don't. She can't come home without a name. :)
2) She's doing great. I had a 30 week check up this morning and she's growing perfectly. She's moving more and more and I'm feeling it a lot! She's active almost all day at this point.

Sam loves to say good night to her. He'll raise my shirt, kiss my stomach, and say either night-night or bye-bye. lol. He's going to be a good big brother.

She's still on target for 12/24 - although I think if she's not here by the 18th, I'll be induced.

Yikes! Only a short while left - must, must, MUST start the nursery!!!!!

Long Overdue Update

We recently got to visit Aunt JoJo and Uncle Bear in Oklahoma. Sam had a blast. I stole these pictures from Sister's site and will try to post some more soon.

We got there Friday night and went to Uncle Bear's football game. Sam LOVED the game. Turns out - he's a big football fan. He clapped and cheered and thought every play ended in a touchdown. The tigers won in the last few moments of the 4th quarter. It was awesome!

Saturday Sam went with Papa Tom and Aunt JoJo to do a little shopping and playing. I was still feeling sickly and spent the afternoon resting (SO nice to be able to lay on the couch and do NOTHING!!!) and Scott headed to the OSU/A&M Football game in Stillwater with Barrett.

Sunday was Baby Riley's shower. It was great seeing how loved Jodie and Barrett are by their community. We went to church that morning and then spent the afternoon eating leftover cake from the shower.

Monday was a LONG drive home (9 hours) but Sam was so exhausted from all the fun and literally slept all but an hour of the trip.

It's my blog; I'll type what I want!

This is election season and we've been talking a lot about politics at home. However, I've been hesitant to mention that on my blog.

1) I have few readers :) and...
2) I didn't want to offend anyone.

But, it's too important.

We're a McCain family. College friends - please sit down. This former democrat is now a republican. It only took Scott 4 years. :)

I can't vote for Obama and here's why -

1) He's not a friend of small business. His tax policies would leave my family paying much more than we currently pay - in some areas we'll be taxed at 50%.
2) I don't know if he's a Christian. His religious affliation is murky at best. He's never come out firmly on one side or the other.
3) He's pro-choice. It's been difficult to determine his stance on this, but I recently listened to a speech he gave for the Planned Parenthood association and there was not doubt where he stood. He also voted against legislation that would give babies who survied an abortion procedure a chance for life. As a momma with a little one kicking away at my ribs as I type this - I cannot, will not vote for someone who does not recognize life as starting at conception. It's a deal breaker for me. A nurse who testified before Obama on this issue said this:

• A quote from the article (Obama More Pro-Choice Than Naral 12/26/2006) states that"Jill Stanek, a registered delivery-ward nurse who was the prime mover behind the legislation after she witnessed aborted babies’ being born alive and left to die, testified twice before Obama in support of the Induced Infant Liability Act bills. She also testified before the U.S. Congress in support of the Born Alive Infant Protection Act.Stanek told me her testimony “did not faze” Obama.In the second hearing, Stanek said, “I brought pictures in and presented them to the committee of very premature babies from my neonatal resuscitation book from the American Pediatric Association, trying to show them unwanted babies were being cast aside. Babies the same age were being treated if they were wanted!”“And those pictures didn’t faze him [Obama] at all,” she said."

We have a responsibility to participate in this election with eyes wide open and heart attune to what God would have us do. It's not about parties - it's about issues.

The Kenley family is voting for John McCain.

There...I said it.

My southern husband

Driving back home today with Scott. We have a 9 hour drive; the kid is sleeping.

We passed a truck hauling a trailer.

Scott: I know that man.

Me: Really? How do you know him?

Scott: I went to school with his boy.

lol - with his boy. That's how we describe sons here.

"Did you hear about that adoreable Sam Kenley?" "Oh yeah, Scott's boy."

I love it.

Sick days

I.am.sick.

This is horrible. I've had this no good, nasty, get away from me, terrible, awful, ruin your day cold since MONDAY!!!! That's 4 days, people. 4 long, long, LONG days.

This can NOT happen.

Moms simply cannot be sick. There is too much to do. My house is a wreck. My boys have eaten like vultures for 4 days - I don't think we've had a single meal that would even count as a food group. I'm pretty sure last night Sam ate chocolate chip cookies for dinner. The horror.

AND....

I feel bad. I can't breath. I can't think. I can't function like this.

AND....

The list of medications I can take make me want to cry.

No dayquil. No nyquil. No real drugs.

How did they survive in the dark ages before the "quils" came along? How did mothers make it?

A lot of them probably died.

I'm just kidding. They probably sucked it up and carried on with their work.

The agony. The pain. I don't want to suck it up. I want to pamper myself. I want to sleep. I want to breath normally again.

Last night I would have traded my left pinki toe for two hours of sleep. I went to Walmart at 1 a.m. for some supplies. I looked around for someone to offer my toe. Do you know the kind of people that go to Walmart at 1 a.m.? Desperate people.

I saw mothers wandering the isles looking for drugs.

I saw fathers with cartons of ice cream and pickles.

Desperate people. People wanting sleep. People who might buy a toe.

I asked a man - he said no. I had the manager page my request. There were no takers.

So - I crawled back into my truck and drove home.

Tonight...tonight *maybe* I will sleep.