Shake Your Beads!

To Cheat or Not to Cheat

I just read a really disturbing quote about monogamy in a CNN article.

No wonder many people believe monogamy is completely on its way out. French author Jacques Attali in recent years wrote, "Monogamy, which is really no more than a useful social convention, will not survive. It has rarely been honored in practice; soon, it will vanish even as an ideal."

The article mentions that there are more than half a million "polyamorous families" living in the United States. Polyamorous couples are married but get involved with other people outside of the marriage. These are not just affairs, but long-term relationships. There are also the people that just have affairs or people that go from one long-term relationship to the next. The article states that the United States sees monogamy as more serious than much of the rest of the world where affairs are more tolerated.

CNN sums up the benefits of monogamy as follows:

"Because whether it's raising children or avoiding emotional chaos and drama, like what David Letterman is facing, or whether it's building an estate and avoiding conflict about estate planning, there are lots of reasons that two people who cooperate are better off than one person alone or one person who is a cheat."

I am so grateful to belong to a religion that stresses monogamy. I'm grateful to live in a community where monogamy is the norm. I prefer my religion's definition of fidelity and family.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord." Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. (Read the complete statement here.)

I'm grateful to be the daughter of parents who have honored their marital vows for 43 years and counting. I'm grateful to be married to a man who believes in monogamy and never causes me to doubt his fidelity. True happiness and true love is found in these types of relationships.

Free Adoption Conference

For those of you in the Utah County area, Utah Valley University is offering a free Conference on Adoption on November 2. They have something for everyone with a professional track, pre-adoption track, post-adoptive track and an options track to discuss current events. It's a great opportunity to learn more about adoption and meet other people in the adoption world. Register here.

Pumpkin Patch

We went to a local pumpkin patch to look at the huge pumpkins and try out the corn maze. I love fall! I'm even starting to like Halloween. Imagine that!

And here's picture of Baylie with her fall braids.

Note to Self

It is no longer safe to put the eggs in the front part of the shopping cart. (These were 'gently' tossed to the pavement in the Target parking lot.)

Matching Mondays - Utah Children

One of my favorite blogs is the r house blog. Every Monday, mrs. r lists children that are available for adoption and that need loving families. She has challenged her readers to start showing children from their own state each Monday. I really admire this effort and hope I am together enough to remember to participate each Monday.

Here are some adorable children currently available in Utah.

Elijah, age 10

David Beckham, Michael Jordan, and Tom Brady better keep on eye on Elijah. Whether it's soccer, basketball, or football, this guy loves them all! Elijah, who likes to be called "Eli" is quite the well-rounded athlete and has talent to spare. He enjoys using his skills in many different ways such as biking, skateboarding, building and drawing. Eli is a very creative kid who likes to learn and try new things. He's got a very sweet and thoughtful personality and has good relationships with his siblings (whose birthdays he never forgets). With all the activity surrounding Eli, you can expect that he would have one healthy appetite and he does. He enjoys an array of foods and is not afraid to try something different.

Tawnie, age 15

Tawnie loves to sing and dance! She loves listening to music, but especially enjoys pop and country. One of her hopes is to someday have a restaurant of her own. A people person at heart, Tawnie shows compassion and is intrigued by individuals she meets. You’ll find her showing great interest in things that are important to others so that she can get to know them better. She was just recently baptized in the LDS church and has found that attending church and church activities is really important to her at this time. Tawnie really likes to be of help and wants to be a good kid.

Zack, age 7

Being outside is what Zackkery (who likes to be called “Zack”) loves best. He is an active little guy who enjoys playing with blocks, string, and in the water. He does really well with a consistent schedule and is very bonded to his older sister. He has also developed a great relationship with his eldest foster brother with whom he will do just about anything. Zack is currently in the second grade where he is showing progress. He has done great with his new schedule in school, which includes a picture system. It is expected that Zack will need assistance as an adult, but he can have a great life.

Alisia, age 12

This very athletic girl loves to ride her bike and play outside. Jumping on the trampoline, dancing, and singing are three activities Alisia enjoys doing. She is a mover! Having one-on-one time with adults and helping people make Alisia happy.

For more information on these and other children, contact Utah's Child & Family Services Adoption Connection.

Pumpkin Carving

I thought Baylie would have a blast carving her pumpkin this year.

It started out great. She and Daddy were happy.

But Baylie was soon freaked out by the gooey mess. She didn't want anything to do with it.

She decided to check out her daddy's work.

I guess she thought it was okay!

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

We spent the weekend in Las Vegas where Baylie had a blast playing with her twin cousins. Grammy bought all the girls Disney jammies.

Everyone had fun at the shark reef. I made the mistake of putting Baylie in white pants, which no amount of Clorox can clean after she slid around on the floor.

On the way home we stopped at the St. George temple to commemorate the one year anniversary of our family being sealed together forever. We hope to always find a temple to celebrate the day.

Baylie really liked the flowers.

Not How It Looked In The Cookbook

And this, my friends, is why I am not known as a great chef.

Where is that coupon??

Gap Kids

Gap is holding an open casting call for the next face of Gap kids. Go here to vote for Baylie. You can vote for each picture once a day.

I doubt Baylie will win by votes because some kids already have over 1,000, but hopefully the gap people will see how cute she is. They select their own models separately from the voting.

Best Deal on Snow White

If you're a Disney fanatic (like me) and want to buy Snow White, the best place to buy it is at WalMart where it's only $19.99 (it's $24.99 everywhere else). Even better, go here and print a coupon for $10 off. That way it's only $9.99! The coupon is only good through October 10, so you would need to buy it by Saturday. (If you live near me, I accidentally printed three extra, so I can give you one.)

It's also $19.99 at amazon.com. According to comments on the site, if you enter the codeword 'snowhite' (note there is only one 'w'), you'll get $10 off there as well. I haven't tried this one, so no promises. Plus, you'd pay shipping.

And on another note - Princess Tiana merchandise is finally available at the Disney Store! I'm afraid I've already spent an irresponsible amount of money for Baylie's Christmas.

Fall in Utah

I love being in Utah during the fall. The leaves change colors and it's so beautiful. On Friday, David, Baylie and I hiked to the big Y on the mountain (for BYU). On Saturday, Baylie and I got to spend the day in the mountains with my dear friend Sandy from Houston. My soul is just full with the beauty that surrounds me: love from family and friends and the beauty of nature. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's so true!

Park City, Utah - a fun place to visit any time of year.

Chair lift at Sundance. This is a great ride, even though I'm a little afraid of heights. I tied Baylie to the chair with my scarf to avoid completely freaking out.

Sandy and Baylie on the chair lift.

Fall leaves - how awesome is this?!

Ready to hike the Y (p.s. I'm still sore...).

It was cold enough one day for Baylie to wear her winter coat. She's not a big fan because she kept tipping over, but she looked so cute!

Write Your Congressman About Adoption

I've been really disappointed to learn that Congress is planning to reduce or do away with the Adoption Tax Credit. Adoptions are incredibly expensive (most range from 20-30K). While a biological mother can obtain insurance to cover the cost of having a baby, adoptive parents hardly ever have this option. There are very few financial options open to adoptive parents. One of the few glimmers of light has been the Adoption Tax Credit. I am frustrated that Congress would not support this initiative to help families.

Read more here and here.
Contact your representative here.
Contact your senator here.

Feel free to copy this post in writing your congressman if you'd like.