I'm stuck inside staring out the window of my office today... but Chris and Cameryn were able to enjoy the beautiful day and went to the zoo .  Chris called me on their way back and said that they would like to stop by the office to show me something.

I never, never, never talk about politics because I don't feel as if I really know what the hell I am talking about most of the time.  And, I find people who 'talk politics' all the time can be more than slightly annoying.  I prefer for people to keep their politics out of my Facebook feed, too.

However, today I feel inclined to have a little PSA here because this is my little space on the internet, and simply put, I can.  I'm not backing one candidate or the other here.  I won't tell you who to vote for or who I will be voting for.  I do read everything that I can get my hands on when it comes to standing behind a candidate.  When it is my turn to step into the voting booth, I won't choose by saying eeny-meeny-miny-moe.

First, let me clarify that I understand that the media and the general public make certain issues more relevant than others, that they deliberately use women as a campaign strategy.  I also understand that all of the candidates have personal beliefs that may or may not actually be pushed into law. 

However, women's issues are at the forefront of this election and women's rights are in serious jeopardy [depending on which candidate you listen to.]  I, for one, do not believe that women [today] should have to fight for the same rights that my grandmother once shouted for.  I, for one, do not want my children to have to grow up feeling inadequate and second rate because someone else decided what was best for them. 

Don't get me wrong - nationally, the unemployment rate is still high while graduation rates are at an all time low, and our ongoing conflicts with other countries are maddening.  These statistics alone are absolutely mind numbing and important to our country.  But, if they're going to use women and their rights as a topic of discussion for votes, I have every right, as a woman, to educate myself in order to make the best decision. I encourage you to do the same.

Educate yourselves. Please. Don't vote just to vote. Don't vote for a candidate because they are affiliated with a particular party. Listen, really listen, to what each candidate is saying, figure out what they believe in, see if their beliefs align with yours. If they don't, find another candidate who does.

Cameryn and I spent the weekend in Greenville to celebrate my niece's second birthday.  Cameryn and Quinn are so different, yet so alike.  Quinn is so tall and petite (thanks to both her mom and dad!) while Cameryn is a bit more stocky.  Both have strong, fiery personalities.  They both love their baby dolls but also love motorcycles!  I just love seeing them together!

Quinn was excited about the balloons and her wagon!

The Bitty Baby and stroller was a big hit!  She didn't let it out of her sight!

Cameryn loved Quinn's drum set.

Cameryn is actually pretty good and can hold a beat.

Cameryn loves her Uncle Zach and his toys...

She wasn't thrilled about the mini-four wheeler though!

Showing Aunt Tina her necklace.

Birthday princess!

My mom gave Quinn this outfit and Quinn immediately took off her dress and put this on.  She is such a girly girl!

Cameryn played in Quinn's room by herself for about an hour.

Zach called Quinn "Bozo the Clown" when she came out with this outfit on!

Cameryn cleaned the swing so that she could put the stuffed rhino in.

Happy Birthday, Quinn!

Sweet girl.  She carried her plate over to the couch and sat to eat her cake like this, all by herself, while everyone else was playing.

I traveled this weekend weekend, alone, with a child who packed only their cranky pants.  The last thing that I wanted to do was come home to a dirty house and then cook dinner.  But, I did, because it's what had to be done and by 7:30pm, I was downright exhausted.  My husband was also tired after working 6 days straight and he, like me, hoped for a nice quiet evening.

However, when it comes down to food and bedtime, my husband and I have different opinions.  I'm pretty old school - if I offer food and you don't eat it, that's your problem, not mine.  The kitchen is closed after dinner and a snack.  When it's bedtime, it's bedtime - GO TO SLEEP.  My husband doesn't feel the same way.   He tends to give in to the demands of the little blonde person who lives in our house and pulls at his heart strings. (Which means that I'm in serious trouble with another little blonde person on the way.)

Last night, we had dinner and Cameryn chose not to eat.  I reminded her that if she didn't eat she would be hungry at bedtime.  She acknowledged that and said that she wasn't hungry (and it was definitely a meal that she liked!)  One hour later, bedtime rolls around, I tuck her in, say goodnight, and ten minutes later she is crying because she is hungry.  I go to her room, remind her of her decision not to eat dinner, and tell her that she can eat in the morning.  Did it hurt my heart to see her sitting there crying?  Sure.  But I also feel that she has to learn that when food is offered you should eat, especially dinner.  I also feel as if she just didn't want to go to bed and was thinking of every possible thing to stay awake.  She cried for a few more minutes and when she started screaming I went back into her room.  She told me that she made a bad decision by not eating her dinner and that now she was hungry.  I told her, again, that she could eat in the morning.  Did she like my answer?  No, of course not.   She was hungry, starving, and definitely didn't want to go to bed.

My husband didn't like my answer either.  He said that letting her go to bed hungry was just downright mean, and less than two minutes later my child was sitting at the table eating a banana and a fruit bar.   Personally, I would have rather given her brussel sprouts and a jelly sandwich, both of which she does not like, because if she was that hungry she would have eaten it anyway.

I was annoyed, threw up my hands, rolled my eyes, and walked away.  What lesson did she learn exactly?  That whatever Mommy says is total bullshit and that she should just ask Daddy next time?  Or that midnight snacks are acceptable?  What's next - cake for breakfast?!   My husband and I agree on most things, definitely not everything because we're adults, with opinions about how to raise our children.  While we're a parenting team 95% of the time, food and bedtime definitely fall into that other 5%.

Sometimes this parenting thing totally blows and I just want to lock myself in a closet with a bottle of vodka and a couple of limes.  Especially when you're parenting cute little blonde girls with big blue eyes...

I love weekends that leave you smiling long after they are over and that's exactly how I feel after this past weekend.  Little moments sneak back into my mind and I am laughing all over again.  We headed up to Charlotte to see our dear friends Janette and Kyle.   Who, by the way, are so ridiculously good looking that standing next to them makes me squirm.  I think its the hair.  They are also so, gooey happy in love (you can read that story here and here). I mean, he bought her roses on Sunday just because.  Sigh.  Newlyweds.

 
Anyway.  Back to our weekend.

Thankfully, after a Saturday morning of storms, the sun came out and we headed up to the Lazy 5 Ranch.  We had the best time!  We opted to drive through in our truck instead of taking the wagon ride, and of course, my camera battery died first thing.  (Note to self:  CHARGE THE BATTERY BEFORE A TRIP!)  But that didn't stop us from playing paparazzi with the animals who are absoutely the biggest camera hams and so much fun!  They would come right up to the windows for feed and stick their heads in your lap if they thought it would get them some extra grub.  Even the ginormous bull wasn't afraid.. but we were.  There was no way in hell that we were feeding the bull or allowing it to stick its head in our window.  See that bull in the picture below?  Its entire head was in the window of the car in front of us.  Whoa.

Size of Baby: About a pound and a half. 


Big Sister Cameryn:  She's said multiple times, "I'm so 'cited to see baby J!"  She has also asked multiple times when her baby sister is coming and if it will be soon.  Cam's decided that she would like to give her a rose from our rose bush and a birthday cake when she sees her.  She's going to be such a good big sister and a very big helper - her number one wish?  To help dress her baby sister in jammies.  (It's really important that everyone be in jammies at our house when we are at home.)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +7-10. I didn't go to the doctor this week, so I don't have an exact number.  I don't step on our scale at home.  At this point, I'm going to gain no matter what!  Let me explain it to you in picture form.

Please excuse my 3 day unwashed hair.

The weather has been so beautiful this week - mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 70s. Yes, we have had some storms but we've been really lucky that they have mostly been at night.  Cameryn and I took advantage of the balmy afternoon and had a picnic dinner yesterday!  I let her choose our meal - macaroni and cheese, pineapple, and yogurt, complete with frosted animal cookies for dessert.  I threw some towels down in the backyard and we really enjoyed our little mini-date night.