SSRI Stories

I would like to direct you to a website I feel is WELL worth your time to look into.

http://www.ssristories.com/

Please take the time, just even a few minutes to only look at the home page. This is IMPORTANT. We like to fancy ourselves as educated and intelligent people full of choices. If this is to be true, we must seek out information in complete forms from every possible aspect in order to make an informed decision, in order to make a real "choice".

This is a "tool" that CAN have benefit in improving lives but is often overused, under regulated, and CAN induce traumatic events.

So I had an interaction with someone proporting Borax and nontoxic and ideal for personal cleanser production. I responded with suspect toward borax being nontoxic and offered Shaklee's GET CLEAN line as a safe, more convenient, time saving, less expensive alternative. Her reply was a bunch of questions about the product ingredients and

Here's the response from Shaklee:

Thanks for passing along the comments made by...[withheld] ...regarding Shaklee products and hope the following information is helpful to her.

Borax (or borate)
Borax, or sodium tetra borate, has been used for many years in laundry products as a booster. It functions in a manner similar to phosphates by increasing the alkalinity of the washwater, as well as the effectiveness of anionic and non-ionic surfactants. While borax is a natural ingredient,it can have a perceptible effect on the environment through use in laundry products, such as contributing to nutrient imbalance in soils as well as algae bloom in waterways.

A study conducted by the Washington Toxics Coalition (WTC), published in October 1990, observed that the presence of arsenic in detergents appeared to be related the amount of phosphates present. Their study included a number of borax-containing products in which the presence of arsenic was also noted. In non-phosphate and non-borate products no arsenic was found.

Get Clean - ingredients
While the ingredient base for most of the Get Clean products are from sustainable sources such as corn and coconut, we do not list the specific ingredients for all of the cleaners as some of the formulae are proprietary. In the case of Basic H2 Organic Super Concentrate Cleaner: the product is 99.95% natural and made from Water, Alkyl Polyglucoside (from Corn & Coconut), Ethyoxylated Fatty Alcohol (from Coconut), Xanthan Gum (from vegetables) and Methyl Chloro Isothiazolinone (biodegradable preservative)

The ingredient information we currently provide for our products actually exceeds the legal requirements for manufacturers of household cleaners - who are required to list ingredients on labels only if they are hazardous, have legal limits, or are required by the EPA. Indeed, if you peruse the labels of many competitor products who claim they do list ingredients, you will note that they often list anionic surfactant, non-ionic surfactant, stabilizer, etc., which is simply a detergent builder list and not the actual ingredients in the product.

Ingredient information we do make available can be found in the attached Ingredient Glossary document.

Get Clean - non-toxic

All ingredients used in Shaklee Get Clean products and FDA-approved, not harmful, and readily biodegradable. However, we do not use a non-toxic claim for all of the Get Clean products. This is because n order to make a non-toxic claim, manufacturers are required to conduct in-vivo (animal) testing to validate the non-toxic claim. As there are ingredients that have enough data that do not require in-vivo test results, a number of our Get Clean products that include these compounds do have a non-toxic claim on their respective labels. Those Get Clean products that do not include non-toxic on the labels is due to the fact that we would have do animal testing to validate -and as we are not doing animal testing, we cannot make this claim. Shaklee Corporation is opposed to animal testing and does not conduct any animal testing of any kind on any Shaklee product marketed anywhere in the world.

Basic H2 Wipes includes the "Not to use as a skin wipe" statement because the product is designed for cleaning surfaces in and around the home. It the wipes were designed for the skin, BAsic H2 would be a personal care product.


Ammonium laureth sulfate
Ammonium laureth sulfate is derived from a fatty acid found in coconut oil, and is a surfactant approved by the FDA monograph for personal care product ingredients that are proven effective and safe based on long-term use by millions of people and tens of millions of applications. Additionally, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel, an expert and independent group of eminent scientists and medical practitioners who assess the safety of personal care product ngredients, and whose findings are published in the Journal of the American College of Toxicology, has approved ammonium laureth sulfate as safe for use in personal care products.

We have found that many customers and potential customers have decided to avoid products based on ingredient misinformation widely available and disseminated on the Internet and in fringe publications. While many outrageous claims about personal care ingredients from causing cancer to myriad other diseases for which there is not a scintilla of evidence scare stories are fond of substantiating their assertions through the crafty use of Material Safety Data Sheets, which are required to be made available to the public, and posted wherever a product containing the ingredient is used in a commercial setting. Under the hazardous data section of these documents, one will find information that states that the ingredient is irritating to eyes and skin, and can even be fatal. What these less-than-honest publications and websites don't say is that such effects may result from misuse of the product.

What consumers should know about hazard data is that it is drawn from tests using concentrations hundreds and even thousands of times more potent than the levels that would ever be found in a personal care product. In fact, ammonium lauryl sulfate is never present in personal care products at more than 1% of the total volume of ingredients.

We recommend you take a look at the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) on the safety of this ingredient when incorporated into personal care products. You can review this information yourself by using the attached link to go to the CIR website: http://www.cir-safety.org/.

PEG
PEG is polyethylene glycol, an ingredient so safe that several children's liquid medications contain polyethylene glycol in place of alcohol since most mothers do not want to give alcohol to their children. Solution of polyethylene glycol is commonly used to cleanse the bowel before gastrointestinal examination or surgery. Polyethylene glycol is considered by the FDA as a GRAS ingredient (Generally Recognized as Safe). There is no scientific or medical substantiation to suggest that PEG is harmful.

Fragrances
The various fragrances used in selected products are compounded fragrances composed of blended natural and man-made fragrance ils and synthesized into the specific aroma based upon our requirements. The fragrances used are already blended, and are compounded with RIFM (Research Institute for Fragrance Materials) approved ingredients that are free of phthalates.

Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol is used included in Hand Wash Concentrate to keep it safe and fresh. As it is the last named ingredient in the product, this means that it is present in an extremely small amount - and very safe to use. You will find the safety of this ingredient verified at the CIR website also.

For the record, Shaklee never has, does not now, and never will use ingredients that are not substantiated by factual data to be safe and efficacious. Our formulations are scientifically tested for safety and efficacy, and comply with the applicable European Union (EU) Cosmetics Directive, the Association of Southeast Asian National List (ASEAN), the California Safe Cosmetic Act, and California Proposition 65 guidelines.

Your Friends at Shaklee

I just LOVE Shaklee!!!

Cesarean; America's Favorite Surgery

C-Section Too Early Risks Baby's Health
Babies Born by Surgical Delivery Before 39 Weeks May Suffer Health Problems
By AUDREY GRAYSON
ABC News Medical Unit

Jan. 7, 2009—

When 37-year-old Alicia Cooney of Cleveland was pregnant with her first child in October 2007, her doctor expressed no concern about scheduling her Caesarian delivery, or C-section, just 38 weeks into the pregnancy.

But when Cooney became pregnant with her second child last April, her doctor was singing a different tune about when to schedule a C-section.

"I did notice a change within the hospital that they really wanted to make sure my C-section wasn't before 39 weeks," Cooney explained.

Cooney said that her doctor expressed concern about the increased risk of wet lung -- or an accumulation of fluid in the newborn's lungs -- in babies delivered by C-section before 39 weeks of gestation.

Cooney's doctor may not be alone in changing his practice in the face of these risks. On Wednesday, a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that C-section delivery before 39 weeks of gestation is, indeed, linked to increased health problems for babies.

According to the National Institutes of Health, a pregnancy of normal gestation lasts about 40 weeks, with "normal" pregnancies ranging from 38 to 42 weeks.

A team of researchers lead by Dr. Alan Tita from the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham examined the results of 13,258 women who had a scheduled, repeat C-section that was planned for no other medical reason than the fact that the woman had previously had a C-section.

The researchers found that, compared to babies delivered by C-section at 39 weeks of gestation, those born at 37 or 38 weeks had a higher rate of breathing problems, blood sugar problems and serious infections. Moreover, those babies were more likely to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

"Early elected delivery is associated with adverse outcomes for the baby," Tita explained. "And the earlier you deliver, the higher it increases the risk."

These findings are in line with current recommendations by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Yet despite the long list of potential complications associated with C-section delivery before 39 weeks, the study also found that a large number of the women studied -- 36 percent -- chose to schedule a C-section delivery before 39 weeks anyway.

"I have seen women induced or have a scheduled C-section because they have family scheduled to be in town, because they want the baby to be born on an anniversary or someone else's birthday, because they want the baby born prior to Jan. 1 for tax purposes, or because they are simply sick and tired of being pregnant," said Dr. Elaine St. John, associate professor of pediatrics in the Division of Neonatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Other experts say that the increase in C-sections before 39 weeks is due to a lack of understanding of the dangers associated with elective late pre-term birth.

"Most women think the risks to their babies are the same whether the babies are delivered four, three, two or one week before the baby is due," explained Dr. Sessions Cole, director of the Division of Newborn Medicine at the St. Louis Children's Hospital. "This study should help mothers understand that there are significant risks to their babies associated with elective late preterm birth."

Patient Pressure Figures Big

Approximately 30 percent of all babies born in the United States are delivered by C-section. A study published in April 2005 in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology found that elective C-sections accounted for about 28 percent of all C-sections performed in the U.S. in 2001.

However, many experts report a growing trend toward encouraging women not to schedule an elective C-section before 39 weeks at hospitals all over the country.

"The recommendations for years have been to avoid elective delivery of any kind until after 39 weeks," said Dr. Lisa Jones, a gynecologist at the New Bedford Community Health Center in New Bedford, Mass. "So all this study really does is reinforce what we already knew."

Still, some experts say that the power of maternal insistence in scheduling an early C-section is enough to convince many doctors to go along with their patient's wishes.

"I think the practice of early [C-section delivery] will only end if hospitals ban the practice," Holzman said. "There is little reason for [obstetricians] to stop since they are often pressured by patients."

The study also outlines some of the risks women must consider when opting to deliver by C-section after 39 weeks.

According to Tita, one such risk is having an unexplained stillbirth while waiting for the 39-week-mark to deliver. This risk is very small, but Tita said that it is still best for women to follow ACOG recommendations by waiting the full 39 weeks before delivering by C-section.

Early Surgical Delivery Sometimes Appropriate

There are, however, certain instances in which an early delivery is appropriate.

"If there [are] firm medical indications of risk to the mother's or fetus's ... health [such as] worsening maternal high blood pressure [or] lack of fetal responsiveness ... then delivery is indicated," Cole explained. "However, the risks of these conditions should be weighed against the risks described by this study."

Moreover, Holzman said, "For most of these [conditions], the risks to the fetus in delaying [delivery] are well known and predictable."

Many experts ultimately hope that this study will prove to the public that the risks of early C-section delivery greatly outweigh the benefits in most cases.

"Hopefully articles like this will help educate the general public and fewer babies will be placed at risk in the future," said Dr. Patricia Chess, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Copyright © 2009 ABC News Internet Ventures

Inducing Labor is Risky

Well, it's about time a study comes out inspite of the very popular money making scheme of convenient induction. What interesting is that even though some of the methods "only" raise the risks %15 and others are a full %100, women around the world and care providers are going to look this in the face and shrug their shoulders becuase "knowing WHEN" is much more important than qualilty care and what's actually BEST Long Term. Convenience and money win out in most cases.

~~~~~~~~~~

Sydney, Dec 10 : Inducing labour in uncomplicated pregnancies can be risky, according to a study.

A quantitative study based on 50,000 first births between 2000 and 2005 showed that induced labours were more likely than spontaneous births to lead to forceps delivery, caesarean section and haemorrhage.

Babies were also more likely to be admitted to nursery care and to require active resuscitation after induced labour.

Mary-Ann Davey of Mother and Child Health Research at La Trobe University, who conducted the study, stressed that the sample included only those women whose pregnancies were progressing in a healthy and normal manner.

"I used data that are routinely collected on all births in Victoria by the midwife attending the birth," Davey said. "I selected those first births that appeared to have no clinical indication for induction of labour.

These were all single pregnancies of normal presentation born between 37 and 40 weeks.

Mothers had no complications, such as pre-existing diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease or mental illness and those younger than 20 years or older than 45 were excluded from the analysis.

Davey believes that many of the labours were induced for reasons of convenience rather than for any medical indications. Sometimes the pregnancies might be induced because they are past the due date but only by six days or less.

The risk of haemorrhage following induced labour was increased by 17 percent, of an instrumental delivery by 20-70 percent, of nursery care for the infant by 24 percent and active resuscitation by 15-100 percent, depending on the method of induction, said a La Trobe release.

The risk of a caesarean was between two and four times more likely after induction.

--- IANS

Mark and Regina: Seminary Class

My freshman year I was not only new to secondary education, I was new to the school district--having moved across town--and new to seminary, too. Seminary started before school because it was a religious class from our church and had to be held when the other students wouldn't be affected by it. It was my favorite "class" because I knew most of the group and I love our religion. I enjoy thinking back to seminary because it's where Mark and I had the most exposure to each other--something I'm now eternally grateful for.

Our clas had about 15 students altogether. We would come somewhere around 7:00 am and spent an hour or so learning gospel principles. Our instructor was excited about teaching using creative off-the-wall examples to teach us and illustrate certain concepts. He also required a morning devotional that we all took turns doing; some of us not so eagerly.

I particularly enjoyed doing the devotionals at that time in my life. I would use music, make little handouts with quotes on them, find verses from scripture I felt especially drawn to, and I'd get up in front of the class leading them in my little devotional. Mark, liked my devotionals, too, but for different reasons than the substance of the devotionals.For whatever reason, he liked that scrawny, huge
frame-wearing, blonde girl in front of the class. He has always been able to see far more than whatever I've made out of the relfection in my mirror each day. Sometimes I really wish I could get a glimpse of who he sees when he looks at me.

Throughout that year we had experiences that brought us closer together as friends, and a one or two that were less wonderful.

It's funny, when we first moved to that side of town I wasn't all that impressed or excited about having to go to school with a whole new group of kids, I now see it as divine intervention bring Mark and I one step closer to our life together.

Mark and Regina

So often I'm asked how Mark and I met, how we found each other after time, everyone just loves the story. So, I thought I'd share, bit by bit, our story in small chapters.

Mark and I met when I was 13 (or there about) and he was 15 outside our church in the parking lot. To tell you the truth, I can't remember the exact time of year but I do know that it was warm enough not to wear a jacket and it was just getting dark around 7:30-8:00 in the evening. We'd been to a youth activity where we had our first encounter.

He was outside talking to someone, my friend, Shawna, I think, and came outside to see what she was up to. Of course, she was talking to a "guy"--Mark, as it turns out--she was dark and beautiful with the curvy figure I'd wanted to possess, thick dark brown hair, and she had a fun personality, it was often I'd find some boy pining away for her. I, on the other hand, was skinny with as many curves as a pencil, glasses, and permed blonde hair, so I was often jealous of her, even if she was being "worshipped" (yeah, that's how I imagined it) by a nerdy guy.

Mark was wearing a light colored shirt and blue jeans. His his short black hair was slick and combed ala 1950--almost, and he was having a conversation with Shawna about pain tolerance. You know how teens are; awkward.

I'm not sure when I got into the conversation and interaction, but there was some lifting and caring involved. Why was this 15 year old boy carrying a 13 year old girl around the parking lot when she had perfectly good legs? I don't know. You'll have to ask a 15 year old boy why that would happen. Why would a 13 year old girl allow herself to be carted off by a vurtual stranger? Again, I don't know, I'm sure my current brain must be newly hatched because I can't imagine allowing anyone to carry me around now! Well, ok, Mark can, and does. Maybe it was some mystical spell he cast on me, I just knew I could trust him,and into his arms I went--my first view of my home.

I would have never guessed that 20 years later we'd be married with ten children to love and care for. He was gangly and awkward, I was scrawny and dopey. Things have changed since then. Today he's extremely handsome, sexy, strong as an ox, tall (well, he's always been taller than me), confident, balanced, and the exact man I would design for all of our girls to marry if I could. I have filled out a bit, figured out how to eat a sandwich, found a curve or two, acquired some contacts and better looking glasses, and mellowed out my obnoxious giddy school-girl angsts.

You never know what a chance meeting will do. I'd say we spent maybe and hour together that night, an hour that I sadly have to say didn't leave that much of an impression because I have to strain for the memories--I really just have one small moment captured in my head, a snapshot of him and a recording of one phrase than ring in my ears whenever calling up that time.

We now have a 13 year old girl and it tickles me yet frightens (maybe "frighten" is a little strong) me to think that she could know today the man she'll be married to when she's 32. If she does, I hope he's even half as wonderful, sweet, devoted, disciplined, and doting as her dad, my sweethear, Mark.

After that night, we didn't really see each other until a year later when I started my freshman year in high school, he was a junior, and we shared a seminary class together before our regular classes. It was during that year that our metamorphasis began.

Soldiers Angels

Visit this link to find out more ~~~ http://www.soldiersangels.org/


Soldiers' Angels was started by a self-described ordinary mother of an ordinary young man turned hero, Sgt. Brandon Varn. Brandon was deployed in Iraq and has since honorably completed his mission and has returned back to his proud and loving family.

In the summer of 2003, he wrote home expressing his concern that some soldiers did not receive any mail or support from home. Being a caring and loving mother, she decided not to allow a situation like that to continue. She contacted a few friends and extended family to ask if they would write to a soldier or two. Within a few short months, Soldiers' Angels went from a mother writing a few extra letters to an Internet Community with thousands of angels worldwide.

With more and more merchants donating services, money and items for packages, the Angels reorganized as a 501 c 3 non-profit so all donations would be tax deductible. Soldiers' Angels currently supports tens of thousands of American Service Members stationed wherever we raise our nation's flag, and that number continues to grow daily. Soldiers' Angels are dedicated in supporting our military during and after their deployment.

In December of 2004 a worldwide support forum was created in the hopes of providing a place where the needs of our heroes could be fulfilled.


Now this ordinary mother's youngest son, Bretton Varn, is serving his country in Iraq as he continues his family's legacy of bravery, honor and commitment. As with all of our brave men and women in the United States Armed Forces, our thoughts and prayers are with Brett and his family as he begins his tour in service to his nation.

May God Bless Our Troops!






"I was with that which others did not want to be,
I went to where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do.
I asked nothing of those who gave nothing,
and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness that I feel.
I have seen the face of terror, felt the stinging cold of fear,
And enjoyed the sweet taste of a moments love.
I have cried pain and hope,
But most of all I have lived times others would say were best forgotten.
At least some day I'll be able to say,
That I was proud what I was, A Soldier."
~anonymous

Treats for Troops

www.Treatsfortroops.com/#

Care packages are so helpful for our soldiers when they're feeling down...please check out this website...you can even look though some pictures of our country's heros.

USA Freedom Corps

About USA Freedom Corps > Special Initiatives >
Support our Troops and Their Families
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hundreds of thousands of men and women from all over America are serving in our armed forces and away from their homes. While they serve our country, those of us “on the homefront” can be making a difference too.

Many Americans are looking for ways to support members of the military and their families. The following are some of the ways you can express your support for our troops, give time and care to their families, and help strengthen their communities.

America Supports You
America Supports You was launched by the Department of Defense to help recognize the efforts of Americans across the country to support our military and to communicate that support to members of our Armed Forces serving at home and overseas.

Using the website, http://www.americasupportsyou.mil, Americans can show their support by posting a message to the troops, requesting and wearing the program’s free dog tag, or finding an organization through which they can donate frequent flyer miles, send gift certificates, help sponsor homes for disabled troops, or send letters, messages, and care packages.

USO Care Package Program

The USO Care Package Program was created to provide a safe and secure way for the public to show their support for our men and women in uniform.

For a $25 dollar donation, Americans can sponsor a care package for a service member who is either en route to an overseas assignment or currently deployed. Each USO Care Package is assembled by volunteers and contains, at a minimum, a 100-minute international calling card, a disposable camera, toiletries, sunscreen, and a message of support from a Care Package sponsor. Over 480,000 care packages have been distributed as of December 2004.

Additional information about the USO Care Package Program is available at http://www.usocares.org or by calling (877) USO-GIVE.

The USO is a Congressionally-chartered non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide morale, welfare, and recreation-type services to military personnel. The USO operates 125 centers, including centers in Kuwait and Qatar, and will soon open a center in Afghanistan.

Other Ways to Show Support for the U.S. Military
Help for Troops

Through Operation Dear Abby, send e-mail messages to deployed troops of any Service from your home state.

Through Operation Uplink, contribute to the purchase of phone cards that will be distributed to military personnel and hospitalized veterans.

Through AMVETS Voices From Home™ contribute to the purchase of instant voice email packages so military families can send voice emails to the troops in remote locations.
Help for Families

Offer your time and resources as an individual, organization, or business to give families of deployed troops help with activities such as household repairs, spring cleanings, and yard work or specialized skills such as financial planning or legal advice. Volunteer by contacting a local chapter of any of the following organizations: American Legion, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, BPO Elks of the USA, Camp Fire USA, National 4-H Headquarters, National Fraternal Congress of America, Rebuilding Together, The Salvation Army, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer Center National Network, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and YMCA of the USA.

Volunteer with one of the youth serving organizations helping to tutor or take care of children while a parent or caregiver is stationed away from home. Some of these organizations include the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Camp Fire USA, National 4-H Headquarters, and YMCA of the USA.

If you want to donate money, there are many organizations that help military families. Each of the branches of the armed services has a military relief society that offer low interest loans and other emergency financial assistance to military families: Army Emergency Relief, Navy/Marine Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance.
Help for Educators

Teachers can find new resources on the U.S. Department of Education web site meant to help them work with students with a parent or other relative deployed in the military. The web site also offers information on effectively working with students generally who may have questions or ideas about war.
Help for Others

Think about sharing your time and compassion with a veteran at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital or other facility.

Search for a way to help in your community through the USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network.

God Bless Grandma

Here's a quote from a government employee who witnessed a recent
interaction between an elderly woman and an antiwar protester in a Metro
station in D.C.


"There were protesters on the train platform handing out pamphlets on
the evils of America . I politely declined to take one.

"An elderly woman was behind me getting off the escalator and a young
(20ish) female protester offered grandma a pamphlet, which she politely
declined.

"The young protester put her hand on the grandma's shoulder as a gesture
of friendship, and in a very soft voice said, 'Lady, don't you care
about the children of Iraq ?'

The old woman looked up at her and said, "Honey, my father died in
Germany during World War II, I lost my husband in the Korean War, and a
son in Vietnam All three died so you could have the right to stand
here, and bad mouth our country. If you touch me again. I'll stick this
umbrella up your [backside] and open it."

~God Bless Grandma, and God Bless America ~

What no one ever told me about breastfeeding

As a woman who has breastfed five children (currently breastfeeding number 5) I wanted to share a few things no one ever told me about breastfeeding.



No one ever told me I would feel so in love, not only with my baby but with myself; I am at awe.

No one ever told me my milk could be used for healing cuts, scrapes, burns, and rashes, yet it works so quickly without any sting and I MADE it for free.

No one ever told me I would feel so sexy and confident.

No one ever told me it could be so fun; I can shoot my hubby from across the room.

No one ever told me I would feel so satisfied with who I am, with what I am, and with life because of my ability to nourish a human being from my body.

No one ever told me my husband would find it so attractive and desirable.

No one ever told me I would feel so connected to my mother or other women.

No one ever told me I would feel so much respect and reverence for motherhood and life.

No one ever told me I would feel so important, powerful, and fierce.

No one ever told me I would feel so incredibly grateful, honored, or at peace.

Things not to say to military spouses

I found this the other day and thought I'd post it for those who are challenged in thinking things through before they speak.

Things NOT to say to a military spouse!!


1. "Aren't you afraid that he'll be killed?"
(This one ranks in at number one on the "duh" list. Of course we're afraid. We're terrified. The thought always lingers at the backs of our minds.)

2. "I don't know how you manage. I don't think I could do it."
(This is intended to be a compliment. Though, its just a little annoying. Here's why: it's not like all of us military wives have been dreaming since childhood of the day we'd get to be anxious single moms who carry cell phones with us to the bathroom and in the shower. We're not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable, we just got asked to take on a challenging job. So we rose to the challenge and found the strength to make sacrifices.)

3. "At least he's not in Iraq."
(This is the number one most annoying comment for those whose husbands are in Afghanistan. What do they think is happening in Afghanistan? An international game of golf? Guys are fighting and dying over there. Any ANYwhere but HERE is difficult.)

4. "Do you think he'll get to come home for Christmas/anniversary/birthday/birth of a child/wedding/family reunion, etc?"
(Don't you watch the news? No! They don't get to come home for any of these things. Please don't ask again.)

5. "What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he's gone?"
(Short answer: Try to keep my sanity. Maybe there's a military wife out there who gets bored when her husband leaves, but I have yet to meet her.)

6. "How much longer does he have until he can get out?"
(This one is annoying to many of us whether our husbands are deployed or not. Many of our husbands aren't counting down the days until they "can" get out. Many of them keep signing back up again and again because they actually love what they do or they VOLUNTEER AGAIN and AGAIN to go back to Iraq b/c there is work that needs to be done.)

7. "This deployment shouldn't be so bad, now that you're used to it."
(Sure, we do learn coping skills and its true the more deployments you've gone through, the easier dealing with it becomes. And we figure out ways to make life go smoother while the guys are gone. But it never gets "easy" and the bullets and bombs don't skip over our guys just because they've been there before. The worry never goes away.)

8. "My husband had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through."
(This one is similar to number two. Do not equate your husband's three week trip to London/Omaha/Tokyo/etc. with a 6-15 month or more deployment to a war zone. Aside from the obvious time difference, nobody shot at your husband or tried to blow him up with an I.E.D., your husband could call home pretty much any time he wanted to, he flew comfortably on a commercial plane, slept between crisp white sheets and ate well, paying for everything with an expense account. There is no comparison. We do not feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for it. Comparing a 12 month combat deployment to a few weeks business trip is like comparing a crappy ford taurus with mercedes convertible.)

9. "Wow you must miss him?"
(This one also gets antoher big "duh". Of course we miss our men. There are some wives who do not and they're now divorced.)

10. "Where is he exactly? Where is that?"
(I don't expect non-military folks to be able to find Anbar Province on a map, but they should know by now that it's in Iraq. Likewise, know that Kabul and Kandahar are in Afghanistan. Know that Muqtada al Sadr is the insurgent leader of the Mahdi Army in Iraq and that Sadr City is his home area. Know that Iran is a major threat to our country and that it is located between Afghanistan and Iraq. Our country has been at war in Afghanistan for seven years and at war in Iraq for five years. These basic facts are not secrets, they're on the news every night and in the papers every day ---and on maps everywhere.)

11. "Well, he signed up for it, so it's his own fault whatever happens over there.
(Yes, ignorant, he did sign up. Each and every day he protects your right to make stupid comments like that. He didn't sign up and ask to be hit by anything, he signed up to protect his country. Oh, and by the way, he asked me to tell you that "You're welcome." He's still fighting for your freedom.)

12. "Don't you miss sex! I couldn't do it!"
(hmmm, no i don't miss sex. i'm a robot. seriously...military spouses learn quickly that our relationships must be founded on something greater than sex. We learn to appreciate the important things, like simply hearing their voices, seeing their faces, being able to have dinner together every night. And the hard truth is, most relationships probably couldn't withstand 12 months of sex deprivation.)

13. "Well in my opinion....."
(Stop right there. Yo, I didn't ask for you your personal political opinions. Hey, I love a heated political debate, but not in the grocery store, not in Jamba Juice, not at Nordstrom, not when I'm out with my girls trying to forget the war, and CERTAINLY NOT AT WORK. We tell co-workers about deployments so when we have to spend lunch hours running our butts off doing errands and taking care of the house, dog, and kids, they have an understanding. We do not tell co-workers and colleagues because we are giving an invitation to ramble about politics or because we so eagerly want to hear how much they hate the President, esp. while we're trying to heat up our lean cuisines in the crappy office microwaves.)

last but not least....

14. "OH, that's horrible...I'm so sorry!"
(He's doing his job and he's a badass. Don't be sorry. Be appreciative and please take a moment out of your comfortable American lives to realize that our soldiers/marines/airmen/coasties/sailors fight the wars abroad so those wars stay abroad.)

If you want to say anything, say thank you. After all, we are sexually deprived for your freedom.

AMEN

My Crazy Eights

Crazy Eights
Yes, I am recycling an idea from Kristina's blog.

8 things I am passionate about:
1. Jesus and his gospel
2. MARK, my sexy, amazing, strong, intelligent, talented, loving, wonderful husband
3. My Children
4. Childbirth, health, and choices for women
5. Friends and Service
6. The United States of America
7. Preparation,education, and freedom
8. Music and other forms of Art and expression

8 things I want to do before I die:
1. Write a book
2. Have a completely organized home
3. Travel inside and out of the US
4. Start a movement
5. Invent something useful and unique
6. Witness all ten of our children build strong spiritually sound and loving families and contribute to the improvement and edification of society including the building of the Father's kingdom
7. Create an oasis for women to learn and become empowered with a focus on natural health
8. Gain a passion and proficiency for genealogy

8 things I say often:
1. Right NOW
2. I Love You
3. Hi Honey
4. Hello (cursed phone)
5. I don't know
6. Excuse Me!!!
7. Be quiet
8. Why are you doing that

8 books I've read recently:
1. The Message
2. The Red Tent
3. Of Mice and Magic
4. Old Testiment of the Holy Bible
5. Book of Mormon
6. Fablehaven
7. Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites series
8. The Book of Revelation Today

8 songs I could listen to over and over:
(this is hard, there are too many to name)
1. The Prayer
2. Amazing Grace
3. The Broken Road
4. Little Wonders
5. Melt the Madness
6. Your Surround Me
7. Anything my sweet friend Kimberly composes
8. Hold On

8 things I've learned this past year:
1. I am a richly blessed woman
2. I have THE most amazing, giving, loving, ...and HOT--might I say, Husband
3. I'have lived in a life of illusion and reality may be much more challenging but extremely more valualbe
4. I NEED my Savior in ways I've never contemplated to depths I've never pondered
5. I have a beautiful sining voice the Lord has blessed me with to share and touch others with.
6. With Jesus all things ARE possible (I can do all things through Christ Jesus which strengtheneth me)
7. I'm ok just being me and I'm a complete person
8. I am like a raging tempest at times

Finally the following 8 should do Crazy Eights:
1. Stephanie
2. Mark
3. Treena
4. Barbra
5. Mardel
6. Kate
7. Michelle
8. Janice

Logan Temple Jan 26, 2008

Oh, it was the most AMAZING day, the most Splendid experience sweeter than any other, this was what Mark and I have waited almost two decades to do...we were in the Lord's house, we were being sealed for time and all eternity. I am without the capability of expressing the shear bliss, the love, the emotion and power of it all, it was satisfying, complete, penetrating, beautiful, magical, peaceful, gitty (oh, wait, that was ME), exciting, ...it was PERFECT and Eternal
We weren't able to get many pictures; however, there's enough to preserve the spledid and lovely day...blue skies, warm sunshine the beams of which bounced from the snow making it glisten and sparkle.

OH, oh yeah...THERE you are...!

Whew! I can't believe how much has happened since last I posted. I think each thing deserves its own post: the death of a dear and beloved friend, I overcame a HUGE mountain in personal growth, CHRISTMAS, I joined a new forum for doulas and LOVE it, Mark and I celebrated our anniversary AND we went to the LOGAN TEMPLE together to be sealed for time and all eternity!

I'm thinking of writing a book about the perfect husband--I live with him you know. :o)

I love being Mark's wife. He is so profoundly generous, loving, and extremely romantic.

If I had four words to say to the world they would be: SEARCH, PONDER, PRAY, and PREPARE!

I'll post more in my individual expressions of those things in my list above.

GRRRR

This morning on the radio I listened as the news recapped a story of a woman riding the city’s light rail transportation. This woman was minding her own business when comes along “Mr. I’m-all-that” who with his irresistible approach bestows the enviable honor of his sexual interest. “Mr. I’m-all-that” puts forward his sexual advances, which, of course, ANY woman in her right mind would instantly melt and right then and there rip off every stitch of her clothing, attacking him for the mighty blessing of his sexual prowess and good looks.
Well, unfortunately for this woman, SHE evidently didn’t understand or realize the grace with which she’d been bequeathed when chosen to experience the superior honor of being the item of desire for this great “Mr. I’m-all-that” and mistakenly thought she had the right to say NO once he has selected her to pleasure him. “Mr. I’m-all-that” was offended, this was simply unacceptable, after all, he is ALL THAT and MORE!! Clearly all his trips into and out of prison have refined him beyond reproach in prestige. Certainly every female on the planet has been sitting locked up in there rooms pining away and praying for the day he would again leave his stay behind bars and look upon them with favor that they may delight him. Surely this woman must be playing a game; after all this is “Mr. I’m-all-that” we’re talking about. It must be modesty she was going for, she was simply playing hard-to-get because as we’ve established, EVERY woman has been dreaming of the moment when this fellow would offer his advances toward her.
He again gave her an offer she could not refuse to which she declined and physically moved herself. Well, let’s just make it clear now that this has to be at the top of the list, the absolute highest cardinal sin there has ever been! This just couldn’t be abided, not for one second…
So, “Mr. I’m-all-that” walked up to the sitting woman and begins to rearrange her face; he plows into her TEN times breaking her nose with the full force of his fiery for having been denied. She sat there trying to defend herself, screaming for help from the FIFTEEN other so-call human beings also riding the city light rail who did a grand total of NOTHING, nada, zip! That’s right, so CLEARLY, this guy had the RIGHT to beat the crap out of a woman declining his advances, otherwise at least ONE of those organ carrying lumps of flesh would have yelled at him, run to her rescue, called 911, or pressed the emergency button to alert someone that there was a problem. BUT since NO ONE did a damn thing other than watch as this woman was brutalized, I guess there had been a memo sent out about this “Mr. I’m-all-that” for which this woman, nor I, received.
This just makes me SICK! 16 beings wasting human flesh and using up oxygen real people need and deserve! How can we sit by and allow things like this to happen? HOW?! For crying out loud, not even ONE call to 911! Should we not expect more...much, much more from each other?!

Good Bye Common Sense

Another goodie from my email that I agree with 100 percent!

My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me Iwould do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by.Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance. For Common Sense has served us all so well for so manygenerations.ObituaryCommon SenseToday we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, whohas been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how oldhe was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons asknowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, why life isn't always fair, and how, on occasion, maybe it was myfault.Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend morethan you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student; but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim.Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Certificate of Merit

My darling Karlie earned herself a Certificate of Merit in the Film/Video catagory of the PTA Reflections project in her age group. She came home with a trophy, a ribbon, a certificate, and a BIG OL' SMILE along with a desire to do more next year.

Her project was based on the theme of : I can make a difference. She made a video titled: I can make a differnce by helping others. We filmed her doing different acts of service and then she ended it saying that by helping others people are happy and happy people make a better world.

She was so cute!

I'm so pleased with her effort and desire to do something MORE, the reflections projects are purely by choice...and to have done so well is exciting!!!

Lets Say Thanks

Below is a web site I'd like you to go to in order to share Thanks with our service men and women who are sacrificing time, sweat, tears, and dreams protecting us and being our "brother's keeper". The link will take you to a web site where you can pick one of several different cards drawn by children, choose a message you like or type your own, and then send it free of charge to you. Our military men and women will get a printed out card to hold and read with a thought of Thanks...wouldn't that be nice?!!! It takes all of 2 minutes--if you look at every card and read every prewritten message...please take the moment to uplift someone who has committed their life for your.

http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1024.html

The Ultimate Gift

It finally happened! I just watched a movie that wasn’t made by a church that is decent in every way. No profanity. No sex. No suggestive innuendoes. No real violence. This is a movie well worth watching. It was beautiful, touching, exciting, and safe to watch with the children around. I HIGHLY suggest you view this wonderful movie!!