-the Hoffman's -the Zoo and -the Boyz

The past week has been SO much fun!!!

The highlight was having the Hoffman family stay with us for a few days. Their kids are SO good and all the kiddies got along great. Pictures below...but first, I took the boyz to the Zoo on 'free day'...along with the rest of the state.

The giraffes are now my FAVORITE zoo animal. They are just SO beautiful!

And the little baby giraffe nursing was so cute!

Oh! More nursing animals! Made me want to whip out my baby and nurse him as well  :)

-I actually did right by the lions!

The elephant doing tricks.

This guy was scary. Seriously! He would kick his...poo...all over the place. We steered clear of him after he peed...on the wall...like a fire hydrant. No kidding! It was weird, gross and funny all at the same time.

Can you tell I am the mom of 5 sons?

The brood.

Yet more fun was awaiting us. The bear in the background IS doing his business. And is stunk SO BAD that we had to walk away.

Watching the lions and wishing they would get up and roar.

When the Hoffman's were here we took the kids to the bass Pro Shop that is as big as a mall. We all had fun!

Luvbirds

This will be the motif for my next child.

*cough*

Oh, if only we had a boat!

Tarin and Bretton

Lookin at all the big fish!

Ethan+Sushi=inseparable 

Bree LOVED Laz!!!

Wasn't it nice of Kellen to write his name on their car?

I was mortified.

Oh. A bear.

AAAHHH!!!!!!!!!! A BEEEEAAARRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lazzy-Wazzy

6 of the 8 Hoffman/Flamm kids

Tarin and Breelyn

My Presley

Beautiful, sweet Asher!

McCain blog

Meghan McCain (John's daughter) has a blog that follows them on the campaign trail. Check it out!

'Nough Said

Boyz boyz boyz

My sweetie and his super hero cape. 

Cowboy Pres

At the Castle.

The boyz 'dress up' almost everyday in some sort of concoction. Typically they are super heroes and take turns being the good guy and the bad guy...and they make up their own super powers and uses of said powers. It is hysterical to listen to!!!

No one better mess with this crowd.

Ethan's super power today..."Gadget Man"   :)

Kell with his hair 'swooped' to look nice. He loves to comb it this way and hairspray it rock hard!

I thought he had a fever...and after the whole eardrum/doctor thing I was still a bit freaked out. He was annoyed that I made him take his temp! He wanted to do math uninhibited.

And yes, they do dress up every morning and do school in their super garb.

Never a dull moment!

Politics

Had I been more enamored with the political candidates I might have spent more time blogging about them. 

I am just not impressed.

I feel that John McCain chose Sarah Palin to secure the women vote as well as the hard core Christian/conservative vote. I like her in many respects and she is a tad bit more 'normal' than the average politician. However, it seems that SHE is possibly going to carry the election of McCain singlehandedly. 

Why?

Because I have been hearing of SO many people that did not care for McCain at all till he chose Palin...and they are now planning to vote for him on her behalf.

WHAT?

Is she going to be our commander and chief?

No.

Is she really going to able to do...anything...of great importance as VP?

No.

So it just seems a tad off to me. 

Vote for the guy not because you are particularly happy with him...but because you like his sidekick.

Odd. 

She did do pretty well in the debate last night...far better than I had anticipated. It did bug me, however, that she did not answer some of the questions. AT ALL. But I guess that is typical of any politician so I should stop my whining.

I read on Fox news that Palin has -once again- boosted the ratings for McCain. It seems that when McCain is in a slump and things are looking bleak they push Palin out on stage and allow her to salvage the votes for McCain. Again, does this make sense? We are not voting just for her!

Yes, I am voting for McCain/Palin...so this is why I can dish on the whole thing so freely. 

I just feel...used.

And what the HECK is going on with this bailout crap? Seriously folks...this is madness.

Common Sense

I am against the $700 Billion dollar 'bail-out' that Bush is pushing.

It is...insane.

So here is a better idea from my man, Dave Ramsey:

The Common Sense Fix 

 

Years of bad decisions and stupid mistakes have created an economic nightmare in this country, 

but $700 billion in new debt is not the answer. As a tax-paying American citizen, I will not support 

any congressperson who votes to implement such a policy. Instead, I submit the following three- 

step Common Sense Plan. 

 

I. INSURANCE 

a. Insure the subprime bonds/mortgages with an underlying FHA-type insurance. 

Government-insured and backed loans would have an instant market all over the 

world, creating immediate and needed liquidity.  

b. In order for a company to accept the government-backed insurance, they must do two 

things: 

1. Rewrite any mortgage that is more than three months delinquent to a 

6% fixed-rate mortgage.  

a. Roll all back payments with no late fees or legal costs into the 

balance. This brings homeowners current and allows them a 

chance to keep their homes. 

b. Cancel all prepayment penalties to encourage refinancing or 

the sale of the property to pay off the bad loan. In the event of 

foreclosure or short sale, the borrower will not be held liable 

for any deficit balance. FHA does this now, and that 

encourages mortgage companies to go the extra mile while 

working with the borrower—again limiting foreclosures and 

ruined lives. 

2. Cancel ALL golden parachutes of EXISTING and FUTURE CEOs and 

executive team members as long as the company holds these 

government-insured bonds/mortgages. This keeps underperforming 

executives from being paid when they don’t do their jobs.  

c. This backstop will cost less than $50 billion—a small fraction of the current proposal.  

 

II. MARK TO MARKET 

a. Remove mark to market accounting rules for two years on only subprime Tier III 

bonds/mortgages. This keeps companies from being forced to artificially mark down 

bonds/mortgages below the value of the underlying mortgages and real estate.  

b. This move creates patience in the market and has an immediate stabilizing effect on 

failing and ailing banks—and it costs the taxpayer nothing.  

 

III. CAPITAL GAINS TAX 

a. Remove the capital gains tax completely. Investors will flood the real estate and stock 

market in search of tax-free profits, creating tremendous—and immediate—liquidity in 

the markets. Again, this costs the taxpayer nothing.  

b. This move will be seen as a lightning rod politically because many will say it is helping 

the rich. The truth is the rich will benefit, but it will be their money that stimulates the 

economy. This will enable all Americans to have more stable jobs and retirement 

investments that go up instead of down.  

 

This is not a time for envy, and it’s not a time for politics. It’s time for all of us, as Americans, to 

stand up, speak out, and fix this mess.  

 

 

We had a girl, but we sold her.

The adventure today was a trip to the doctors office to have Kellen's ears cleaned out.

Long story, but it needed to be done. The kid could not hear me tell him to clean  his room. (strangely enough, though, he could hear me tell him to get a cookie...)

Just kidding :)

The whole experience was traumatizing for us all.

For Kell because is was very painful. The ear wax had grown into his eardrum...yeah.

For the other boys because they had to be in there with us and watch. I actually had 4 children crying at the same time...only one of which was in pain...but I found it very sweet that the other boys has such empathy for their brother.

For me because I have never had to hold one of my children down while someone else inflicted pain on them. It was terrible. My kids have never even had a shot so this was a new experience for me.

The doctor, who was very sweet through the host of questions and tried to hide her shock at the answers, "No, Kell has never had a 'well' visit in his 8 1/2 years of life", I think actually enjoyed our little visit...minus the pain infliction, crying brothers and hippie mom.

The highlight of the visit was at the end when the Dr asked me, "So, all boys. No girls at all???"

My reply, "Nope. Just 5 wonderful boys."

Tarin, the ultra sensitive, truthful, everything-must-be-perfect child chimes in....

"Well. We did have Lily. But we sold her."

The look on her face registered, in an instant, what she was thinking:

"Hippie Mom. Homeschool. No shots. No doctors. They have SOLD a kid!!!!!!"

I immediately set the record straight. "Lily was OUR DOG."

She put her hand over her heart (no kidding) and said, "You do not know how glad I am to hear that Lily is a dog!"

We had a good laugh.

Apparently 'our kind' of people are capable of anything.

REI

Oh my word.

Take a look at the AMAZING deal we got at REI!!!!

Cold Stone

Now that I am an avid couponer we can actually afford to ALL get a Cold Stone  :)

And obviously, the boys enjoy the ice-cream immensely.

Hence the chocolate faces.

These were just to cute to not include  :)

Brunch with GG Mom and GG Dad

We had brunch with my grandparents today. The original plan was breakfast, but the boys love the idea of 'brunch'...so brunch it was! 

GG Mom and Laz

A rare moment of calm.

GG Mom, GG Dad, Grammy and the Boyz.....brunch at MiMi's...could this day get any better?

Yes, it could. Chocolate chip pancakes. Syrup. Does anyone want to watch my kids for me today?!

Yummmmmmm-o

Update

We met Sarah and Brad in Ft collins on Sunday and had a great time with them! We only had 4 kids 'only' cause Kell went to the mountains with Grammy and Granddad.

Handsome devil.

The boys climbing....always climbing.

Tarin resting atop the Wooly Mammoth.

Running....always running.

Kell and little Laz

In the Yukon on our way to Ft Collins

As Sarah was holding Presley we discovered something...about his pants...that he had earlier put on...

backwards  :)

"...WHAT?"

the newlyweds!

Yummmmyyyy......

Obama and Abortion

I am fairly confident that anyone who knows me knows I am very pro-life. Against abortion. It is murder.

The following video is an excerpt from an interview on FoxNews. The lady in the video is named Gianna, and 31 years ago her mother chose to 'end her pregnancy' at 30 weeks. In this type of abortion the baby is burned with saline until dead, then labor is induced and the mom has her dead child.
In Giana's case, her mother underwent this 'procedure' and after 18 hours gave birth...to a live, screaming baby girl. Ginana. She survived!
I read her book years ago and was amazed at her story. I have since learned that babies survive abortion pretty regularly...regularly enough to have laws in place for when it happens.
These laws typically call for action to be taken to ensure this baby survives if born alive after a 'botched' abortion.
And some of these laws state that the baby NOT be given care. Allowed to die.
Even many pro-choice people agree that not taking measures to help the baby is infanticide...although my question is...how come it is okay to kill a baby inside the mom...with only a few layers of skin and muscle between the baby and the world...but after it is born it is not okay?
Anyway, that is another post in itself.

Obama voted 4 times to allow the baby born alive to be killed.

Yes, the wording was changed a few times, but the gist is that he thinks it is okay. He is apparently afraid that allowing a doctor or nurse to give care to this child would lead to eventually overthrowing Roe vs Wade.
Naturally we should just kill the baby instead. That way women can make 'sad choices' without having to think about it (ha) or rethink their 'choice' or have it effect them in any way.





Might I add that I have been working with pregnant mothers for 11 years. During the beginning I was shocked at the number of women who had at one time or another gotten an abortion. I am not shocked anymore, but I now see a very different side to the whole issue that most people do not see.

These women regret it.

They have guilt.
A LOT of guilt.

That guilt causes them much fear during the next pregnancies...the ones they 'want'.

This guilt and regret can inhibit labor. Birth. Bonding. Their life.

I have seen it for years now and that is the side of the issue that is never discussed.
The dirty little secret of abortion is that the mom KNOWS she is killing her child.

Unforgivable?

Never.

God forgives and restores LIFE. Blessings. His mercy is new every morning!
But let's not continue to hide our head in the sand with this issue. It is not just about a mothers right...it is about the baby's right as well. It's right to live.

Politics and Humor

The guys from JIBJAB have done it again!

HERE is a hysterical video about the upcoming election.

Enjoy!!!  :)

Birth Center in DC

HERE is a wonderful story about a midwife in Washington DC who opened a birth center for low-income moms.

The national infant mortality rate is about 6.8 deaths per 1,000 live births...and in Washington DC the rate is DOUBLE that and 12.2 deaths per 1,000 live births.

There is NO EXCUSE for such a travesty.

So this 81 year old midwife decided to spend more time with her clients and be there for them. So these moms on medicaid (considered 'high risk' just for that and their social status) have been receiving midwifery care for the past 8 years. And what do you know, the infant mortality rate has lowered and the premature baby rate has been sliced in half.

Proof that midwifery care is superior and time spent with clients can make all the difference in whether a child lives or dies.

This midwife is a wonderful example to us all!!!

more media

A News Story here in Paradise about homebirthing....

"The Doctors" on Dr. Phil

Americans are obsessed with doctors.

And since money is the all-important end of every endeavor by the media...why not make a show called "The Doctors" for all of America to idolize and watch? That way 'we' can tune in everyday to see what the LATEST in medical technology is and figure out how to put it to good use!

YEAH! (dripping sarcasm)

Check out this link for some more information on this newest TV show by Dr. Phil and what it might mean for the homebirth/natural community.

I have already written my letter. Now it is your turn!

YEAH!

I AM EXCITED!

The powers that be have delivered (ha) again!

Another way that hospitals prove they do not care for the laboring mom but only for their own convenience. 

I really could go on and on here, but I will leave THIS for your own eyes to see and to help make your own choice.

Perhaps I will rant on my Endless Rhetoric blog.........

Sarah Palin

Although I may not agree Biblically with her career choice, I thoroughly enjoyed her speech at the RNC and feel she is right on track.

Track...also her sons name...her kids names are way cool  

Let's just say I would not want to be Obama right now. 

She ground him into the dirt. 

How does it feel to be beat up by a mommy of 5 kids?!  :)

Laz and The Bean

Laz is 8 months old.

He does not eat solid food.

For several reasons:

1. He does just fine with strictly nursing. He is well nourished. (a polite way to say he is a chunk)

2. It is a pain to worry about making baby food

3. The older a child begins eating real food the less allergies, asthma, stomach issues, respiratory issues the child will have. (not to mention longer immunity)

4. God made people to eat real food WHEN THEY HAVE TEETH. So babies obviously are not ready for real food at a young age

5. As this video will show...Laz HATES food. I am giving him a little piece of a bean and he about hurls. He actually did throw up the other day when I gave him part of a sweet potato. He burst into tears!

So far the only acceptable food to Laz is icecream. 

Go figure.

Labor Day Meme

Happy Labor Day!

In honor of Labor Day, a bunch of bloggin mamas have been recording their own 'labor' stats and posting their blog on THIS site.

Such fun! Although I have posted my birth stories before, they are quite long and really I am the only one who enjoys reading them  :)

So, in a nutshell........(and you mamas do not forget to post your stats and put your own link in!!!)

How long were your labors?

baby #1.  44 hours on the dot

baby #2. 23 hours

baby #3. 24 hours

baby #4. 26 hours

baby #5. 15 hours

How did you know when you were in labor?

#1. awoke at 4:30 a.m. contracting

#2. waters began leaking

 #3. waters began leaking while watching Pres. Clinton give the State of the Union address

#4. bloody show, contractions

#5. back labor contractions from the start

Where did you deliver?

#1. In a birthpool in the kitchen

#2. in a birthpool in the living room

#3. In a birthpool in the same living room

#4. In a birth pool in a different living room

#5. In a birthpool in my bedroom...in Colorado

Drugs?

Nope. I wanted to experience every second. You only get to do it a few times in life and I did not want to give that up.

C-Section?

Almost with #1. Had I been in a hospital I would have a scared uterus and most likely less children. Thankfully I had a wonderful, patient midwife who supported me all 44 hours!

Who delivered?

ME.  :)

We hired a midwife to be there for safety and encouragement...and my hubby was great support...and I had friends/family there as well. But I BIRTHED MY BABIES with only the Lord's help. No one delivered me!

As a closing thought...last Labor Day I was in Texas with my dear Noelle as she gave birth (in her living room) to her #3 Findlay Carter Griggs.

So here is a  shout out to my Noelle, Jon, the girls and Fin....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  :)