And then there were three

I can't believe that in less than two weeks I'll be back in California. It's been more than a year, and when I was there last it was only for a few days.

This time, we'll be crashing with my parents for a few months. Me and the babies, anyway. I'm keeping the apartment in Provo just in case I feel the need to come back to my own home, but I'm hoping that I'll get a fair amount of help from Mom to make it worth staying.

Josh enlisted with the Air Force Reserve this past May, in the Delayed Entry Program, and the delayed entry happens to be the first week of January. So he'll be in Texas for approximately four months doing basic training and then tech school.

Anyway, all this to say if anyone wants to meet my kids and catch up on life, I'll be around for a while. Let me know.

The Democrats are making me angry. I know the Republicans do shady stuff right and left, too, so this is more about campaign issues than anything.

I respect your right to vote for Obama if you've done your research and agree with him.

I do not, however, respect the Democrats' suddenly changing their opinion about campaign financing. For a party who has fought hard for "taking the big money out of campaigns", it's more than a little bit of hypocrisy to see Obama's team opt out of public finance funds to go ahead and raise the largest amount to support his campaign this country has ever seen. For someone who talks about "fairness" so much, McCain's hands are practically tied behind his back while Obama decides he wants to co-opt several major TV stations for a half hour. Oh, and then of course dominate the news cycle about his decision to take 30 minutes of TV time for a campaign ad for at least the next 24 hours.

As if that's not bad enough, they opted out of all the DEFAULT fraud checks on credit card payments that would require the name and address entered to match that on the credit card. And that the card was registered to someone with an address in the US. To prevent illegal campaign donations. Nah, we'll take the money first, and ask questions later, thank you. AND THEY ADMIT IT.

AND THEN THEY HAVE THE NERVE TO SLING INSULTS AND THREATS TO A NEWS REPORTER WHO DARED ASK A QUESTION TO WHICH AMERICA WANTS THE ANSWER. Bad idea, guys. Makes you look like a bunch of nasty socialists. For more info, go here. I, for one, am wholeheartedly unimpressed. Let's call her nasty names and refuse to talk to her anymore, because OBVIOUSLY she's a filthy, nasty, dirty, mud-slinging REPUBLICAN. It's not like the questions she asked McCain were all ponies and butterflies, people.

Yeah, because I REALLY want these kind of people running the country.

This is why I don't believe in same-sex marriage. Because those who lobby for it also lobby to indoctrinate the younger generation that same-sex marriage is the best!

First graders taken, on state money and school time, to the same-sex wedding of their teacher.

Seriously? I mean, come on, California. Get your heads out of the sand. This isn't about rights for homosexuals. It's about taking away the rights of those who disapprove of homosexual unions.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/first-graders-taken-san-francisco/story.aspx?guid={BE66F84A-F38F-4858-9A7B-DF325F3AC9A0}&dist=hppr

Massachusetts parents have already lost the battle to opt-out of same-sex indoctrination for their kids all in the name of "tolerance". Give me a break.

From the Washington Times:
Records show McCain more bipartisan
Stephen Dinan
Monday, September 15, 2008

ANALYSIS:

Sen. John McCain's record of working with Democrats easily outstrips Sen. Barack Obama's efforts with Republicans, according to an analysis by The Washington Times of their legislative records.

Whether looking at bills they have led on or bills they have signed onto, Mr. McCain has reached across the aisle far more frequently and with more members than Mr. Obama since the latter came to the Senate in 2005.

In fact, by several measures, Mr. McCain has been more likely to team up with Democrats than with members of his own party. Democrats made up 55 percent of his political partners over the last two Congresses, including on the tough issues of campaign finance and global warming. For Mr. Obama, Republicans were only 13 percent of his co-sponsors during his time in the Senate, and he had his biggest bipartisan successes on noncontroversial measures, such as issuing a postage stamp in honor of civil rights icon Rosa Parks.



I find this rather surprising and unexpected--and I don't even like Obama.

but wish I could still vote there.

Reasons why you should vote Yes on Prop 8:

I don't want my bishop to get sued for refusing to perform a homosexual union. Remember freedom of religion? I have the right to believe in a religion that treats homosexual behavior as a sin. Note--you can be an open homosexual and a member of the LDS religion. But you cannot practice homosexual acts. Love the sinner, denounce the sin for what it is.

I don't want to be labeled a "hater" and punished for having a belief system contrary to activists' opinions. Tolerance is NOT about recognizing every opinion and belief as valid. That is illogical and unrealistic--not all belief systems are created equal. It's about letting you think what you want as long as you don't infringe on other people's rights (i.e. don't go suing me because I would rather hire a Christian to clean my home than an atheist-yes, it happened in CA).

If you vote no, you're also opening the way for polygamy to become legal. Do you have issues with the FLDS way of life? Hope not--because that's the next logical progression. Same thing with the age issue. "Tolerance!" Cuts both ways, folks. You can't have a moral society and preach this new tolerance of all ideas. Think child pornography is wrong? How about prostitution?

I'm also peeved that CA already voted on this, and the voters made a decision. Which the courts disregarded. What happened to democracy? Apparently it's dead in CA. Long live some other form of government, where those at the top get to make all the decisions REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE VOTERS SAY.

IMPORTANT: The GLBT community have a right to live their lives, yes. They do NOT have a right to teach their methods of living in public school to my 6-year-old when the same 6-year-old can't even say a silent prayer over his lunch for fear of being suspended. (Yes, this also has happened)

When they can advocate their lifestyle in public school and Christians can't advocate theirs you know there's something wrong happening. You have to tolerate Christians if you demand tolerance of your beliefs.

Lastly: RESEARCH SHOWS KIDS NEED STABLE HOMES WITH TWO PARENTS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX. Research does not show that two mothers or two fathers provide a sufficiently stable home.

You may believe that there's nothing wrong with a single parent adopting a kid, or with a homosexual couple adopting a child. The rates of juvenile delinquency for kids in such families is APPALLINGLY HIGH but nobody's saying anything about it.

And to the Obamas--if you don't want your daughters to be saddled with motherhood before they're truly ready, then encourage them to NOT HAVE SEX. It's doable, believe me. The best form of birth control? ABSTINENCE. I am sick of the media ignoring the fact that sex outside of stable relationships is damaging to one's self-image and self-respect and can cause pregnancy--even when you're using reliable birth control methods. Not to mention it's a ridiculously complicated emotional act that is best dealt with in the bonds of a relationship that is solid.

I'm closing comments on this because I've discussed these issues enough lately with other people. Think about it yourself. I respect your right to vote no on Prop 8, but I don't have to respect the desire to take away my rights as a Christian.

So, McCain? Sarah Palin?

There's a woman I think I can get behind, once I learn a little bit more about her. What I already know impresses me immensely.

And after being depressed over a Pat Buchanan article this morning regarding the media making race a bigger issue than it should be and the possible ramifications, having a woman on the Republican ticket is going to help counterbalance the ridiculous "You didn't vote for Obama? YOU'RE A FILTHY RACIST, AREN'T YOU!" arguments.

Delightful! And my favorite? A press release from the Democrats skewering Palin for her lack of foreign policy experience.

Um, can we say the pot is calling the kettle black? Just a teensy bit?

I haven't posted very regularly on either of my blogs.

Probably because I feel really vulnerable and lonely right now. I have lots of thoughts swimming through my head, and plenty that would make interesting blog posts.

But really? I just wish I were back in Provo. It's hard for me to be positive. I ran into the one other person I know in Philly today and her husband. I felt silly because practically all I did was cry and complain, but I know that's how she felt when she first moved here, too. Then I found out she'll be gone for the next week and a half. I haven't seen her the whole time we've been here because she's had school. She's a great friend, just busy.

I'm beginning to understand more fully what we've lost as a society when we're all so transient and don't form solid communities. If I were a woman living in the same town she grew up in, along with all her relatives, I'd have plenty of help with Guy, groceries, and lots of friendly company.

We're heading up to Scranton tonight for the weekend. It will be a relief. Josh is struggling with the job---it's pretty boring and there's not a whole lot to do. Plenty of bureaucracy it seems, too.

I feel rotten complaining so much in my head and to others about this situation. But frankly, it's the hardest thing I've ever done. I feel like no matter what we try to do, every path is blocked and we're just twisting and turning.

Well, it's been quite the week.

I have partial placenta previa, the baby has a soft marker for Trisomy 18, and as soon as we got to Pennsylvania we checked our e-mail and found out that our sublease fell through. Oh, well--at least Josh has family here in Scranton to help us out in the meantime.

I'm switching to blogger. I've never been any good with LiveJournal, so I'm over at threecoynes.blogspot.com

It's private, so shoot me an e-mail if you'd like to read. I figure this way I can post more pictures.

Also, we're heading to Philadelphia tomorrow! This means frantic packing, a lot of cleaning, and praying that everything goes well on the trip. Wish us luck!

I think we found a place to live. Better yet--it has two bedrooms! And a washer/dryer! And we can afford it!

But public transportation? NOT CHEAP! It's going to be nearly $200/month for Josh to get to work unless we get him a bike. Hmm . . . .

Not super serious, the car is still drivable.

I got clipped on University Avenue. I was slowing down in preparation to get in the left turn lane and stop. The person behind me didn't see me until I had already swerved mostly out of the lane--she was going at least 15 mph faster than us.

Guy and I are okay. I'm feeling really tired because I didn't get to eat anything until 11 a.m. and still haven't had enough water to make up for the hour spent in a sunny car on the side of the road waiting for the police report.

Ugh. At least it wasn't my fault and I got almost completely out of the way before she hit us. It's just the tip of the bumper and the plastic covering the lights that took the brunt of it.

And now? Naptime. *sigh*

I seriously hate throwing up. Throwing up, being pregnant, and nursing an 18-month-old is just a recipe for COMPLETE EXHAUSTION.

I spend most of yesterday on the couch, bed, or floor. Eating crackers and applesauce. Ugh.

Here's to hoping today is better.

So we had a nice breakfast this morning, and Guy and I were in the car driving to do some errands when I hear a strange choking noise from the backseat.

I turn around to see scrambled eggs all down his front.

By the time I pull over, he's thrown up five more times, essentially emptying his stomach. This is the one time I really don't like having a child who's a very hearty eater.

So the car seat is clean, the baby is clean, I have more laundry to do, I haven't done my errands, and he threw up four more times on my carpet. And has nursed five times today. But he's napping now!

I really hate vomit.

Ever have a week when it feels like everybody's ganging up on you, and things explode in your face left and right?

In this same week, Josh has cracked three eggs from one carton of twelve that had double yolks. Neither of us had ever done that before. Pretty cool.

In happy news, Josh bought me a Nintendo GameCube and MarioKart Double Dash! It's been fun to play with. Guy's been really good-natured, albeit a tad clingy (to Josh! All the time! Won't let him leave the house!).

The glucose test went fine, for anyone who's interested. I didn't puke, and at least the drink was refrigerated, so it was easier to swallow. I'll find out the results soon, hopefully.

Josh and I are off to the mall to see if we can find a MarioParty game or two. Here's to hoping it'll be a good day.

The good: WE HAVE A HEARTBEAT! And I haven't gained any weight yet, but as my midwife said, "Whoa! Your uterus is big!" Translation: none of my pants fit.

The hilarious: Guy went down for his nap, and turned on his light and played for a few minutes. After he was asleep, I went in to turn it off and he was lying face down with his bum up in the air, up on his knees. It was cute :-)

The not-so-good: I have to do a one-hour glucose test. This week! Since Guy was so huge, I'm at a higher risk for gestational diabetes. This stinks because I'm not out of the nausea stage of pregnancy yet. It would also appear that I am no longer immune to Rubella. Not good, either, but there's nothing to do about it until after the baby's born.

And Shauna--I thought of you as I bought a Big Mac, fries, and a Coke from McDonald's after my appointment. Then Jack Johnson came on the radio---and reminded me that I'm excited to come home for a while.

Today, walking to the HFAC from the BYU Bookstore on campus, I saw a girl with a plastic human skull full of pins in her lap and a notebook working on a homework assignment of some kind. She was simultaneously breaking up with her boyfriend on her cell phone. "I'm sorry it has to end this way."

That amused me greatly. I always enjoy walking around campus, and today was no exception--especially with the beautiful weather. It's been gorgeous the last few days.

Do you want to know what I've eaten so far today? No? Well, it's my blog, so I'm going to tell you anyway. Breakfast was a bologna (baloney?) sandwich. Mid-morning snack was a Snickers bar. Lunch was two fried eggs and two pieces of toast. My afternoon snack was a bottle of BYU Orange Juice and a doughnut. REAL healthy today, folks. I need a green smoothie, stat. Maybe once Guy gets up.

And the new Steakhouse Burger from Burger King? It's really good. Really, really good. But there was too much sauce on mine--I had to wipe a lot of it off about halfway through the burger. But dang, I enjoyed that fine sandwich.

I don't even remember what my last post was about. Probably about feeling gross and pregnant. The feeling not-so-great comes and goes, mostly I'm just tired now.

Josh has started spring term courses, and is taking two rather difficult Economics courses to get started on his Masters of Accountancy. He says he's sick of school, but I think he's just frustrated that he's having to get into a new groove with different teachers, and a very different style from the super structured Junior Core classes he's had for the last eight months.

We've eaten out too much, but at least I've gotten back into green smoothies again. Even Guy enjoys his :-) I take the valve out of his sippy cup so he can suck it down just like Mama.

I got my hair cut. I know I promised you a picture, Shauna, but I keep forgetting when Josh is around to take one. Maybe I'll have to do the mega-long-arm self-picture-taking trick. I loved the salon I went to. They give free scalp massages, and a wash, cut, and style was only $29. Can you believe that? And everyone was very professional. And I love my haircut. It's pretty simple, just past my shoulders with some nice layers, but it looks so much cleaner than my grown-out-mullet from the bad haircut I had more than two years ago. Yeah. That long. I know. Scary, huh?

I went to the Utah Valley Women's Expo today, and it was a ton of fun. I went with three of my good friends, and none of us had children with us! It was fun looking at the booths, seeing what people had to sell, trying samples of things, and laughing a lot. I had my blood sugar tested (normal), tried out lotions and potions of various kinds, entered to win a lot of drawings, and realized that I'd really, REALLY like to try one of those DreamDinners kind of places. You know, where you show up and assemble the meals and take them home. Within 2 hours you have 72 servings of food, ready to cook.

All in all, life is going well. We're getting ready to head to Philadelphia at the end of June, trying to decide whether or not we want to be Community Aides when we get back, and oh, yeah--Josh joined the Air Force Reserve.

Bit of a bombshell? He's always felt compelled to serve in the armed forces, and he found a way to do it without interfering with his school plans. It does mean he'll be taking winter semester off from school to go train for 14 weeks or so.

Which will leave me with a 2-year-old and a 2-month-old by myself. Hey, Shauna--want some company for a few months?

Ugggghhgghhhhhh.

Morning sickness, that is. It's only uncomfortable in the morning, and I feel better when I eat lots of veggies and not too much sugar. And take my vitamins.

Other than that, I'm doing well. Haven't thrown up yet. Yay!

Now, it's off to the grocery store and to Costco. Woo-hoo. I'm not too thrilled, but that's okay. Gotta eat.

Ex-boyfriends always make me think about where I am in life. I start to re-evaluating just what I'm doing with my time.

Today was an interesting day. I sure didn't sleep well, as Guy has four teeth and one molar coming through. And, when I went to get him this morning, he had his toothbrush stuck down his pajamas. You know, the ones with feet and a zipper up to his neck. Crazy!

We walked down to the church in the cold this morning to clean the church. Nobody else showed up, as usual (don't even get me started on how poorly organized this endeavor is). Guy did all right, and I felt okay. Came home and did dishes, cleaned up the house, lounged around on the couch.

Guy went on a little Easter Egg hunt this afternoon with neighbors at the playground. It was fun, and Guy ended up with chocolate all over his face.

Tonight we went to Ray's wedding reception. I always think about these things too much beforehand, and then I'm inevitably disappointed. I had hoped I would recognize somebody there. I knew Ray. And Charlotte's mom, who pulled into the parking lot when we were pulling out.

But the food was good, and I'm pleased I could go. Now if I could just get my emotions in check. Talk about a roller coaster today with Josh. Ha. Only nine months to go, right?