my thoughts on the election

One of the many benefits of living in Colorado is the fact that it is a swing state. Meaning, Obama and Romney's campaign constantly flood my television viewing with political ads bashing each other. This pretty much leaves me feeling not so nice things towards both of them.

But before I express my thoughts on the intense opinions surrounding this election (and all the others before it...), know that Will and I both have already voted. Even though I do not stand strongly behind one specific candidate, the fact that everyone (even if you do not speak English) can vote in this country is something that should not be taken lightly. I imagine those that live in countries where there is no public voting option, would do just about anything to get a chance to change the way their government is being led. So please, even if the election season is just as annoying to you as it is to me, vote. Just do it.

Now my opinions on politics is coming from a faith point of view. This probably automatically makes me naive and apathetic, but it makes sense to me. I have made a decision, probably around the time Obama was running in 2008, to not partake in the fear associated with the possible downturn of our country. The idea that Obama might be the anti-christ or that Obama will take away all of our rights, or whatever else circulates around in this false email chains, I have chosen to ignore them. Tax-cuts, foreign policy, women's rights, welfare, war, all of these political stances are formed from one mindset; the mindset that we should save a failing world.

In the end, this wonderful country or the person in charge of it, do not hold the well being of my future. Christ alone does. 

The thing is, there will never be a solution to any of these issues people so adamantly debate. The world is made up of fallen, sinful people in need of a savior, including our future, Mr. President. 

I find confidence in knowing that there is hope for my soul beyond this world. That in the end, no one can take all the money they saved with them (even if they invested in a way that the government could never touch...). The kingdoms we all build will eventually fall, unless we live for something more than the here and now have to offer. 

There is a song by JJ Heller, that really sums up how I feel: 

"Oh this silly heart of mine
Looking for new things to buy
Nothing really satisfies
In the end, in the end
Greed is making fools of us
Waging war betraying trust
Empires only fade to dust
In the end, in the end

Safety is not for sale.
(You can not buy peace of mind)
Earthly defenses fail
(There's nothing new under the sky)
Build your kingdom all your life
And say goodbye
In the end, in the end"

So go vote, but no matter that outcome, I pray, you will find hope in something else besides the winner. 

we love visitors, hint, hint

 This past weekend my friend from high school, Claire, came into town. We have been friends since we were freshmen in high school. I am really thankful for her friendship because through out each stage of our life she has always made an effort to keep in touch with me. From letters we would write in college to long emails when I was lonely in Bozeman. She has shown such support and enthusiasm for me through out every life change that has occurred, especially Madison. It means so much to me, that she will think of Madison when she is casually shopping in Target and purchase her the most adorable coat and then insist on buying her something when are looking around the shops in Estes Park, it is just so thoughtful. 

The point being, I am thankful for her friendship and the effort she made to come and visit us, I had so much fun. 

We went to a fancy dinner on Friday night when she arrived and Madison behaved beautifully, it was awesome. 

We then woke up Saturday morning and spent all day in Estes Park. Claire was such a great sport about us dragging her all over the town, even up a mountain. I am sure she was worn out by the time her flight left on Sunday, but she never complained, ha! 

So hopefully all this super fun looking pictures Claire took, will inspire others to come and visit us. It would almost be like a vacation. If a vacation to you involves waking up at six in the morning, having a baby wipe snot on your sleeve, and having a desperate-for-attention dog smother you with kisses.

Madison will show you all her tricks, like putting herself in luggage. 

 We could go exploring in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Since most of you will come from sea level, you could also be subject to altitude sickness, sorry Claire!

You could be our photographer and take pictures of us.

 We could also take pictures with you!

You could watch Madison beat on Aspen.

Madison could steal your iPhone and take self portraits of her belly.

And you could to see all the sides of a baby. This was right before she entered into a no-nap induced scream fest. 

Overall, we just really enjoying sharing our lives with other people. We spend most of our days just the three of us (well, four if you count Aspen), and it is nice to have some company. 

It snowed all last night and so it seems all the fall colors are gone for the season. We did manage to finally decorate for Halloween before the snow hit. So we have a scarecrow out front that is covered in snow.

hawaii, hawaii

my travel recap, a bit out of order

Hello out there! I am finally back from our whirl wind month. After we attended my sister-in-law's wedding in Bozeman, I had about a week to catch my breath and head out to HAWAII. I have several pictures from that trip, but I am having trouble getting them on my computer. Then less than a day after I came back from Hawaii, I left for Texas. I finally arrived back home on Sunday, whew. In the midst of all that traveling, I also finished my first graduate school class, woohoo. 

So here are some pictures from our Texas adventure.

We went to this pumpkin patch across from where my mom lives, hoping for some good photos. Madison did what she always does and ignored the camera and did her own thing. She really enjoyed rearranging the little pumpkins and riding in the wagon. I think she rode in a wagon 90% of the time we were at my mom's house. We also went to the scarecrow festival in Chappell Hill on Saturday. It was a lot of fun, but pretty exhausting for me. I chased my independent child around the whole thing, but she loved it.

I am thankful to be back home in our little house. The fall colors have really hit Denver and I loved all the leaves that crinkled underneath my feet when I went running yesterday. 

My friend Claire is coming on Friday and we are going to take her to Estes Park. Hopefully the Elk will be out and the leaves will still be on the trees, can't wait! 

I am already a bit sad that October is over half way over, it is my all time favorite month, so many wonderful things have happened to us in October.

Half the Sky

I am not one to really push a charity or social cause on anyone. I think it is wonderful that some people feel so passionate about one specific cause they want to let everyone know about it. However, I think it is difficult to try and force a social cause on someone.

BUT, the big but, is that I do think attempting to bring awareness to some social injustice is necessary. There are certain atrocities that go on in this world that people could very well never know about unless someone informs them.

The world-wide state of women and young girls is an example of an epidemic I had no real knowledge about. From the daunting statistics of the number of girls sold into sex slavery, the widespread, socially accepted gender based violence, the number of women who die tragic deaths simply trying to give birth, its tragic.

The book, Half the Sky, is written by a husband and wife who both worked for the New York Times as journalists. They wrote the book after years of research and first hand accounts of these wicked acts towards women. The book is necessarily graphic and informative. It brings to light issues I did not even know existed. 

So when Will, my thoughtful husband, saw that PBS was going to show the documentary on Half the Sky, I was excited to watch the video footage. The documentary is in two parts, each about two hours. We watched the first part on the PBS website. 

To see the faces of these girls as young as three who have been sold into brothels, is heart-wrenching. To hear them sing their stories about the torture they endured everyday, is sickening. But, also to see the tremendous work of certain individuals to rescue these girls, to give them hope, to provide funds for their education, its incredibly moving.

As a woman, and as a mother to a daughter, these stories touch almost too close. Imagining my wide-eyed, beautiful, baby girl experiencing such horrid abuse, is too much for me to handle.

I am not sure yet what my role will be in helping these women across the world flee their situation and help them in their quest for education, but I am thinking hard about it.

I encourage you to either read the book Half the sky or visit the PBS website and watch the documentary. It will be eye-opening.