Literary Gangstas

Saw this guy,
sagging pants, shaved head, gold tooth,
checking out a fat copy of a book called HOMEBOYZ.

And that, my friends, is why I love the public library.

That's My Girl

Opened my e-mail a few minutes ago to find this note from Jensie's teacher in my inbox:

Hi Erin!
I just wanted to share such a sweet experience that happened today with Jensie and Cate. Cate was very distraught about her uncle's health. Several things had reminded her of his illness and caused her sadness. Jensie had her hand on Cate's back, just soothing her with "It's okay, Cate. I've felt that way before..." and sharing her own experiences with Cate. She continued to comfort Cate until Cate could calm down.
I just thought you'd be so proud of her. It was so touching to see her compassion! Great job, Mom! I know she's learned this at home.:)
Have a great week!
Lisa

Or Better Still

I think what I love most about this one is that the only thing pictured that might actually be a part of the party is the 3rd ID patch. Everything else is just wishful thinking. Really wishful thinking.

Who's Up For a Little Pillow Fight?

Your tax dollars hard at work, folks! 

A Word of Advice

to everyone getting on my nerves:

Kindly refrain from insisting that I can't ride a bike everywhere. I can, and I will. If you actually think me incapable, you don't know me at all. I am not stupid. I know it will be hard. I know it will take some planning. I know it will be exhausting. I'm looking forward to it.

to that guy at the mall selling Dead Sea salt scrubs:

BACK OFF.

to Asher:

Grow. I am tired of buying wimpy baby clothes. Did you know that once you wear a size 5 T-Rex actually has pointy teeth? Seriously buddy, think about it.

That is all.

Looking Forward

to a sweet Georgia summer.

A Trace Williamson Original

________________________________________________


My brother, he makes me laugh.

A Pinch to Grow an Inch

turning 28 at the One World Cafe

I am twenty-eight. It's the end of an era. I've lived my first adult decade, and I've learned a thing or two. Take it from me:

Do travel the world.
Don't hire a travel guide.

Do learn a new language.
Don't be afraid to sound stupid (you totally do, no one cares).

Do spend money on decent hair cuts.
Don't spend money on designer clothing.

Do call.
Don't send an e-mail.

Do buy these.
Don't buy these.

Do wear makeup.
Don't cover up your freckles.

Do eat farm-raised fish.
Don't eat wild-caught fish.

Don't hire a contractor.
Do learn to use power tools.

Don't run red lights.
Should you run a red light...do wear new dress pants to court.

Do wear a mask to sleep (look like a diva but feel well rested)
Don't waste time with expensive eye creams.

Do kiss on the first date.
Don't play footsies (maybe, ever).

Happy Birthday Hijack

(LEGGNET.com photo)

Erin I love you like I love the mountains. The way I love you is hard to describe but also tangible and magnificent.

After our first date, we talked all night about everything, including our love of being outside. My first impression of you was so striking that I was hooked. Our saga started that night and holds too many tales to tell here.

Our story includes snow caves, home birth, 100 yr eggs, and war. Don't forget our Central America adventure together. You have endured being a single mom for about three of the eight years we have been married because of Army service. You amaze me with your solo-pregnant construction projects, your intelligence, and your activism.

When I think about why I love you and why our marriage is great, I think of your sense of adventure, your ambition, your values, and your dedication to me and to our kids. You are amazing and have been inspiring and challenging me for years and life keeps getting better.

Happy Birthday Erin. I love you. Nate.

Packing

The last time Nate was deployed I had the luxury of living in my own home, and could thus make improvements whenever it occurred to me to do so.

The other night a friend mentioned on Facebook that she was bored for the first time in a long time. Weird. Mind numbing boredom hits me like a brick every night just after the kids have fallen asleep. It's too early for me to go to bed myself, which also means it's too early to hope that I'll catch Nate online. He usually doesn't pop up until I'm about ready to pass out. So convenient, right? It's ok, I don't mind.

To stave off my boredom the last time around I painted my kitchen. Twelve times. Ceiling, trim, walls, cabinets, the whole shebang. Twelve times.

This time though, giving the cupboards a fancy face-lift isn't the answer. So instead, I am packing. Yes, re-packing the same boxes I only finished unpacking a month ago. There are lots of things I enjoy more than packing boxes, but I miss Georgia. Packing makes me feel like it's almost time to go back.

So many of our things are in storage at the moment that the house doesn't feel like home anyway. What good are a couple of throw pillows on the couch, when there are no pictures on the walls, rugs on the floor, or Nathans in your bed? By the time I'm through we should be down to just a couch, a few chairs, some dishes, and our clothes.

Am I crazy? Maybe. Am I busy? Absolutely.

Mission accomplished.

Me, I'm a Mormon

For the past four years I've slowly been making my way back to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. That is to say, the Mormons. Why I left in the first place is a long story, perhaps one for another day. This is a story of faith.

I hadn't set foot in a church house for several years when we moved to Columbus, GA and I found myself in a foreign land without a friend.

Just after we arrived I announced, "I'm going to church."

When Nate asked why, I told him simply, "Because I need a friend and I know someone there will be nice to me."

The people of the Bradley Park Branch did not disappoint. My first week there I was greeted by a gaggle of friendly Southern folk--warm hellos and an invitation to lunch from Amelia Hoggan (Frankie's namesake) dispelled all worries I'd had of being far from home.

So as not to mislead I was quick to inform those I met that I was "in-active" (our church's term for members that do not attend meetings regularly, makes sense right?) and not interested in doctrinal discussion or the bearing of my testimony. After all, honesty is the best policy.

"I only need a friend" I said. They rose to the challenge. Certainly they were being used, but as they'd been fore-warned I did not lose sleep over it.

Because they were kind, I kept showing up. I guess that's the way most friendships work, but it seems particularly key in the telling of my story, because while I attended meetings week after week I began to realize that many of the talks (our equivalent to sermons) left a lasting impression on my mind. Particularly those given on the subject of eternal families.

I love my family. More than anything. Mormons believe that families can be together forever. Isn't that great? I'd desperately like to keep mine. I decided that if all it took to get to "forever" was some good clean-living and a pair of magic underwear*, you could sign me up. A life without coffee is a small price to pay for eternal exaltation with your hubby by your side.

As eager as I was to jump on that glory wagon, a few nagging questions, held me back again and again. Many were answered quickly and reasonably--even those pertaining to polygamy and priesthood authority, but the question of why we (as a church) don't support same-sex marriage was not such a one.

"The Family: A Proclamation to the World" was first introduced to the members of the church by President Gordon B Hinckley in 1995. Since then, it has served as our creed. In clear concise language the proclamation spells out exactly what it is we believe about Eternal families. Members are encouraged to to "hold fast to this great proclamation, to make it a banner... and to commit ourselves to live by its precepts."

The proclamation states:

"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” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and 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."

Do I agree? Yes, I do.

"All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose."

Right? Of course right.

"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. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed."

Fidelity? Check.

Providing fathers? Check.

Nurturing mothers? Check.

But "Marriage between man and woman"...only? This is where things get a little if-fy for me.

Christ told us to love everyone. It's pretty cut and dried, and definitely all-inclusive, which is why I've had a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of any exclusive clauses. We love you, but...no.

Growing up, I lived next door to a girl named Sarah**. She was anything but pretty and struggled in school because of severe learning disabilities. About a year after Nate and I were married, Sarah was engaged to a really nice guy. He committed suicide the day before their wedding.

Last summer, I called my dad in tears, demanding that he drop everything and explain to me how God could make someone gay (yes, I believe you can be born gay) and then refuse to let them be a part of His true church. (Says me.) My dad gave some standard Sunday School answer about how we don't know everything God intends for us to experience in this life, and how some people suffer trials that others don't.

He accused me of judging God.

"Because it's not fair." I wailed.

And my dad, my patient intelligent dad, replied. "You tell me how it's fair that you get to be six feet tall and beautiful with a man who loves you, and Sarah gets to be dumb and ugly her whole life."

You know dads, they don't mince words.

It has taken me a year, a whole year, to admit that my dad was absolutely right.

I don't know what's going on inside our Heavenly Father's head. I hate the idea that love might not be just love, and that all love is not created equal. Life's not fair and I don't know why.

When I left the church I decided that if I didn't believe the church was true, there probably wasn't a God either. After Jensie was born though, as I laid her down into her crib for the night I would often think to myself Watch over her. Keep her safe while I sleep.

I began to wonder Who am I talking to? I realized then that even if I didn't really know there was a God, I hoped more than anything that He was out there somewhere.

Several times, often through music and during sweet still moments with my beautiful children, I've felt impressed that there really is a God, who loves me and is indeed watching over my sweet babes as I've asked.

And so, as I type this, I put the last of my fears and questions behind me. I trust that God knows the things which I can't yet hope to understand. I apologize for my hypocrisies and shortcomings, but I can no more apologize for my faith, than I can deny it.

I'm back. And I believe.

*Magic Underwear- to my knowledge, not actually magic.

**I changed her name. You know why.

Singing Telegram

Dear Nate STOP
You make my heart sing, Valentine END

Vegetarians--What What?

As of right now, we are vegetarians. It's been a long time coming. I talked to the kids about it at dinner tonight--Asher's thrilled.

This is a week for beliefs. PETA says chickens enjoy music, and pigs can play video games. Well humans can be crack addicts too, but I just don't think it's what the good Lord intended.

I believe in eating meat. Just not slaughter-house style. Someday I'll have a farm, and I will eat cows again. Until then, it's all tofu, beans, and nice leafy greens.

Happy Home, Bleeding Heart

You probably don't know that I am exceptionally good at making beds, Spanish omelets, and Public speeches. You don't know that I use Nate's toothbrush to comb my eyebrows. In fact, I'm not sure even Nate himself was aware of that until just this moment--which leads me to believe that there may be something else you don't know about me; I believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

I believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

I claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of my own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

Forgive me for not telling you sooner. I have not always been forthcoming about my convictions and apologize for my cowardice. These beliefs comprise, for the most part, my entire “core value system”. I define myself by these standards. I am a wife, a daughter, a mother, and friend. But above ALL else I am a Christian. My simple faith in Jesus Christ is the driving force, the motivation, for each thought and action I make day-to-day.

It was my love for Christ that caused me to respond vehemently to an e-mail I received recently. I strongly reproached the person who’d sent it to me for showing such poor judgment in passing it along, and have deliberated long and hard about whether to share it again on my blog. I have decided that I will indeed show it to you so that you might understand my perspective, but wish to make it known that I in NO way condone its contents.

USPS New Stamp
If there is only one thing you forward today.....let it be this!?
REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of PanAm Flight 103!?

REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the?World Trade Center in 1993!?

REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the Marine
barracks in Lebanon!?

REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the military
barracks in Saudi Arabia!?

REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the American
Embassies in Africa!?

REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the USS COLE!?

REMEMBER the MUSLIM attack on 9/11/2001!?

REMEMBER all the AMERICAN lives that were lost in those vicious MUSLIM attacks!?

Now the United States Postal Service REMEMBERS and HONORS the EID MUSLIM holiday season with a commemorative first class holiday postage stamp?
WHAT AN INSULT TO THE PEOPLE of the USA.

REMEMBER to adamantly and vocally BOYCOTT this stamp
when purchasing your stamps at the post office.
To use this stamp would be a slap in the face to all those AMERICANS who died at the hands of those whom this stamp honors.

REMEMBER to pass this along to every patriotic AMERICAN you know.

Though I’ve received many such e-mails in the past I felt it necessary to speak out against this one in particular. I responded to EVERYONE on the mailing list because I refuse to have my name associated, in any way, with something I find so vile. I will not be a part of anything that propagates hatred and fear--even something as seemingly innocuous as an e-mail.

This is what I said:

“Dear So-and-so,
I know you are not the author of this e-mail, but because you forwarded it on to me, I can only assume you agree with its content. To suggest that we boycott Eid stamps as a way to show respect for Americans who died at the hands of Islamic extremists is absurd. It is no different than saying that we ought not to buy stamps with Christmas trees or the Virgin Mary to honor those Christians who died at the hands of Christian extremist Timothy McVeigh in Oklahoma, City.

There were Catholic priests that abused little children--but we know most Catholics are great people. Warren Jeffs, leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is a frightening criminal who was convicted of rape. However, Latter-Day Saints, or Mormons, would be appalled to be associated with him. Muslims are no different--only a handful of extremists hate America. The rest of the Muslims living in the US are peaceful citizens who hope, like we do, to simply live the American dream.

Many Muslim citizens were born in the US and are no different than you and me. However, some have immigrated here to escape religious oppression and extremism in their own countries. They hoped to find a home that afforded them the opportunity to worship the God of their choosing without persecution, just as our forefathers did nearly 300 years ago.

Many of our patriotic soldiers fighting in Iraq right now are Muslims themselves. While Nate was in Iraq, several of his US comrades celebrated Eid at their division headquarters in Baghdad, just as Jewish soldiers observed Hanukkah and Christians enjoyed Christmas festivities.

The tenor of this e-mail is disturbing in its bigotry and hatred. It suggests discrimination toward an entire people, not just those who would do us harm. Our nation has 7 million Muslims who are our colleagues and neighbors. Surely we would do better to celebrate our diversities than to make enemies of those who might be our friends.

Sincerely,
Erin”

And then boy oh boy, my inbox began to fill with “love.” Several people responded to my letter, many of them angry by my Un-American response.

One man wrote “This Country is being crippled by: [sic]"Political Correctness" as not to offend anyone. What is happening to this Country? Say what you mean and mean what you say, if someone doesn't like it, tough, they have a choice not to like you and that's ok. Its [sic] called the First Amendment remember "Freedom of Speech", it is not "Freedom of Speech as long as it doesn't offend Anyone"

He went on to accuse me of using the e-mail as a means to get up on a soap box to preach my beliefs to people who “don’t care.” I very much disagree with his opinion that I was merely being “politically correct”, but I’m afraid he may have been onto something with the bit about the soap box. So I have decided to continue this “discussion” here on my own blog, where the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am solely responsible for its contents. No one will force you to read—there will be no innocent bystanders.

It’s interesting to note that each person who responded to my letter closed their response with something about the upcoming election or the presidential nominees (yeah, I got this BEFORE Tuesday.)

Someone said: “Go out and Vote for Obama, and stand back and watch them rip the guts out of the First and Second Amendment, and the rest of your freedoms will follow shortly. Who knows, maybe some day in the future, I will be thrown in jail for saying "Merry Christmas" to the wrong person.”

Another person signed off with an enthusiastic “God Bless America!....PS-Go McCain and Palin!”

Perhaps this person was still operating under the mistaken notion that Barack Obama was himself a Muslim, and therefore might want to buy an Eid stamp or two? Or was someone worried that if Obama were to be elected we’d all become enslaved to a “liberal stealth agenda” and be forced to purchase Eid stamps against our will? Whatever the reason, it is clear to me that this e-mail was about more than just a postage stamp.

While I fail to see the correlation between the presidential candidates and a suggested boycott on Eid stamps, I’m saddened to find that this type of stereotyping has become all too common in our day-to-day vocabulary. This e-mail incriminates innocent people by ushering all Muslims under one giant “terror umbrella.” Because I believe that “man will be punished for his own sins” I say it is unfair, nay, unacceptable to accuse all Muslims for the heinous crimes of few. We must hold ourselves above this type of judgment. Christ admonished us to love one another even as He loves us. [1] Too often we--as a country, as members of one political party or another, and as members of a particular religious group--take up this idea of “us vs. them.”

The recent election cycle brought to the forefront our collective thoughts and opinions on several divisive issues—leaving us feeling animosity towards our friends, neighbors, and even fellow family members, who dared to express differing opinions. I made a list of a few of those issues—they include topics such as abortion, war, immigration reform, environmentalism, welfare/socialism, and gay marriage. It’s a heavy list. And I’m not sure I have the stamina to tackle each subject individually. But I’d like to briefly express my ideas about a couple of these things:

Welfare/Socialism:
Many of my friends seem wary of our new president elect because of his “socialist” tendencies. I would like to point out that the recent bailout of our financial system proves that ALL of us have some leanings towards socialist ideals. In a true capitalist system those who lost their money and homes in the recent crisis would have been expected to simply starve in the streets. But I’m glad to find that none of us really have the stomach to witness that kind of suffering—at least not on such a grand scale. Capitalism basically says “You made your bed, you sleep in it.”

But Christ taught us a better way. In his parable of the Good Samaritan we learned that the one who showed mercy on the man in the street was the one most in accordance with God’s laws. And Christ admonished us to “Go and do thou likewise. [2]” Barack Obama’s proposed plan for national health care coverage is not simply socialism. It is an idea that we as a country have a responsibility to care for our fellow citizens—our brothers and sisters. We whine about the idea of paying taxes to support the poor, but if we don’t pay for them WHO will? To whom much is given much is required. [3]

Last week Jensie came home from school and told me she had learned about voting in class. She told me excitedly that their teacher had given them a chance to cast pretend ballots and they’d all voted for John McCain. She was momentarily disappointed to learn that I would be voting for McCain’s opponent when the time came. (She cheered when Obama won by the way.) In the simplest of terms I did my best to explain why I thought Obama would be the better candidate. My five year old daughter understands the principle of the Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I would never deny a mother the right to medical care for her sick child whether she could afford a doctor or not. If needs be I would help her foot the bill.

We are not rich by any means. But I have a comfortable home and my husband earns a decent wage. I have never met a man dying in the streets as the Samaritan did on the road to Damascus. But in a small way I can still contribute to the poor and the afflicted. To offer up a small percentage of our wages to provide help to those in need is my honor as both an American and a Christian.

Environmentalism:
What gives? Say whatever you want about Global Warming it doesn’t change the fact that we have a responsibility to care for the Earth and our environment. The Lord has awarded us the privilege of being stewards over the earth. [4] But “we have learned by sad experience that it is the nature of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion." [5]

I am a Christian first and foremost. I wish to reiterate my point here, because I, like many of you reading this, fervently hope that Christ WILL come again and we will have no need of this earth. I get you. I really really want to go to heaven just like you do. But let’s suppose, just for the heck of it, that because we’re not EXACTLY sure when He’s gonna show up, that it might be a good idea for us to take care of this beautiful planet in the mean time. He may not come tomorrow. He may not arrive next week. He may not even arrive in my lifetime. For this reason, it is absolutely critical that we preserve our resources for those who might still be around waiting after we’ve passed on. I want my kids to have clean water to drink. I want their kids to have clean air to breath. I want THEIR children to enjoy the mountains and streams I have enjoyed. You see where I’m going with this. Unlike most things, when it comes to environmental conservation there’s NO CATCH.

Turn off the lights when you leave the room, turn down your thermostat on your water heater a few degrees, open the window instead of run the A/C…It’s so easy. “Too easy!” as our soldiers say.

There’s no downside to recycling. There are no hidden dangers in riding a bicycle to work instead of driving your SUV. Sure you might have to get up earlier in the morning, but in this Christ has counseled us too—He wants us to rise early to work and to worship Him. [6] Oh yeah, and the exercise will cause your brain to produce endorphins making you happier. Your heart will thank you, and your muscles will bulge. You’ll feel invigorated—have more energy to really PLAY with your children and maybe even some left over for, dare I say it, SEX! Gosh, yeah, that sounds like giving up the car would really suck.

Proposition 8:
I am wary of the seeming lack of a separation of church and state that our founding fathers prayerfully crafted into the Constitution. John, Paul, George, and Ben (as Jensie would say) were really onto something there. But perhaps more troubling is the reaction of my friends and family to the news of the Prop 8’s passing. Many seem to recognize it as a celebratory event. They are jubilant. Some have expressed their JOY over the results of this particular ballot initiative—“Yippee for Prop 8.”

I know of at least one person who had to audacity to write “I’m sorry for anyone this has hurt. It’s too bad your marriage doesn’t mean anything, but then you never should have been married in the first place….”

I realize it is not always easy to do what God asks us to do. Nor do we always understand the reasons we are asked to do these things. I am well aware that those of you in California who voted in favor of this proposition felt that it was somehow your duty to your church, country, and yes, even your God to vote the way that you did. I disagree with the decision but realize that the voters did what they thought best according to their own consciences. Supporters of Prop 8 could have started riots; they could have incited violence. Instead they went to the polls and made their wishes known through a simple vote. That’s the beauty of the democratic process.

Still though, my heart is breaking for all those gay couples this will affect. I keep asking myself how I would feel if I woke up tomorrow morning to find that my neighbors had put my marriage to a vote and decided that my union with Nate was no longer legitimate. The truth is I would be devastated. So I can only imagine that there are several couples in California (and across America) who are truly suffering right now. I am sick of people using God as an excuse to hate others. Can we not, as Christians, show at least a modicum of compassion? There are many who are hurting greatly at this time. I get that you did what you thought you had to do. I get that you did what you believe God wanted you to do. But for Pete’s sake, as Abraham tied Isaac to an alter, he didn’t do a happy-dance! Christ admonished us to “mourn with those who mourn,” [7] not to rejoice in their loss and rub their noses in it.

Okay there, I've said my piece. I’d like to know how you, my faithful readers, are feeling about some of these issues. A few of you probably disagree with me, and I look forward to a healthy debate. Please feel free to comment as you will. I hereby declare myself the moderator of this “discussion.” Biased though I may be, this is my blog so I make the rules. Speaking of rules I can think of only one by which you must abide: No name calling. You can call me wrong, but don’t call me stupid! Failure to comply will result in having your comment deleted (and I might give you the evil-eye at playgroup.) Please, let’s hear what you have to say…

[1] John 13:34
[2] Luke 10:25-37
[3] Luke 12:48
[4] Psalms 8:6-8
[5] Doctrine & Covenants 121:39
[6] Proverbs 6:6,9-10; 19:15; 20:13, Ecclesiastes 10:18, Ezekiel 16:49, Doctrine & Covenants 88:83, 124
[7] Romans 12:15

Last Time Around

I love this picture.