I hate to brag, but...

Madeline is reading. I know, it's hard to believe, considering she is only four months old. It's only one book so far, and it's pretty short, but she has read it several times now. No one even taught her, but I guess "brains" do kind of run in the family. (My little sister skipped first grade actually!) If your baby isn't reading yet, don't worry. I'm pretty sure she's advanced for her age. 

I've attached some pictures...because I know it's hard to believe!

Warning: Confessions and Controversial Issues Ahead

Confession #1- I am pro-life.

Confession #2- I am voting for McCain. 

Confession #3-One of the main reasons that I'm voting for McCain is because he is prolife. 

Yes, it's true. I am basing my vote not completely but largely on a "single issue." But this does not make me uneducated, naive, or judgemental. I am none of those things. I'm actually pretty educated and accepting of others and open to change. But, I hate that (I feel like) it has become "uncool" to be someone who feels strongly about abortion, even strong enough to let it affect your decision of who our next president should be. 

I recently read an article that inspired me to write this post. I was going to put it on my blog, but my husband beat me to it. It affirmed for me my belief that all political issues are not equal. I care about the economy, but I do not feel that unemployment or high gas prices or health care  are on the same level of importance as the legal killing of unborn children. 

I am not writing this post to convince anyone that abortion is wrong or to vote for McCain(not that I could even if I wanted to.) I am simply stating my opinion in a time when it's not the most popular opinion to hold. And that's ok. If you feel similarly to me at all, then at least you now know you are not alone, though it may feel like it!

Our Little Lamb

Madeline got to wear her Halloween costume early because the theme for GYRAD this year(Get Your Roommate a Date) was Noah's Ark. So, I made Jon and myself sheep costumes out of sweatshirts and Madeline was a lamb. Jon and I looked too silly to post. Just picture big, fat, fluffy sheep, among about 100 college students wearing animal costumes in which they still managed to look good, like black leggings and and a black shirt with a cat tail and ears. That's not a costume, if you ask me!! (Or maybe I'm just bitter that I didn't think of it.) But, that's ok. At least my baby is adorable! 

Btw, Jen, notice her tongue is out like in several of Sydney's pictures. Don't you just love it?!

Name Change

I just couldn't resist...I thought of this name a few weeks ago, and thought I couldn't change my blog name again, but I'm going to anyway.  It's just too perfect! So, I'm keeping my blog address the same, just changing the title. And in honor of having my blog named after her, 

Madeline insisted I post some recent pictures to go with it. Enjoy!

Walk/Run for Cancer

My aunt and uncle invited us to participate in a fundraiser for cancer research this past weekend in Santa Barbara. We had a really nice time. It was just a 5K, and you could walk or job, so I walked the first two miles with my aunt, then jogged the last mile by myself. The past mile was a lot of hills, and kind of difficult, and I found myself thinking about the people in my life who have been affected by cancer. I became emotional as I ran, but it inspired me to push myself. I thought about my grandma, who battled breast cancer twice, and had both breasts removed eventually. I thought about my dad, who also had breast cancer. He underwent intense chemotherapy, which thankfully helped fight the cancer, but left him with severe nerve damage and pain, called neuropathy. He was in a wheelchair for about six months, and was unable to walk or work. He is now able to walk and he works full time as a chaplain for hospice care. He is still in moderate pain all the time and takes a lot of medication to help with that. He rarely, if ever, talks about it or lets you know he's in pain unless you ask. It was so hard to watch both my dad and my grandma go through these battles, but I am so thankful that they both survived. I realize what a blessing that is. Last year, a friend of ours from church passed away suddenly. He didn't even know he had cancer. He left behind his beautiful wife and four children, all of whom I love dearly. His only son was six months old at the time. He will never get to know his amazing dad. 

I'm sure that everyone reading this has been touched or affected by cancer in some way, directly or indirectly. It is a terrible disease, and it just seems to be getting worse. I know that cancer research has come a long way, and I hope and pray that someday, cancer is not something to be feared, but a thing of the past. 

On a MUCH lighter note, it was a beautiful day in a beautiful place. After the race there was a complimentary breakfast, and we had a great time.  I felt especially thankful for my family and the fact that right now, everyone is healthy. That is not something I take for granted anymore! 

Here are some pictures...

Jon was a volunteer, so I stopped to give him a little love. 

My mom and my aunt Beezie, my mom's best friend. This was the first time my mom has done anything like this, and she did a great job. She has lost 45 pounds in the past 6 months. Yay Mom!!! I am SO proud of her.

Madeline had a great time being pushed in her awesome jogging stroller. 

Check out the hair. It does that all by itself. :)

My sweet grandparents with their first great-grandchild. They love her so much, and I am so thankful that they are able to know her.

My adorable dad...a survivor

My aunt and uncle who invited us to do the race. They also gave up their house and went and stayed somewhere else so that we would all have somewhere to stay! 

Sadie Hawkins

Not only did we go to Sadie Hawkins this year, but I "asked" Jon, like we were still in college. Yes, I've come a long way since we got married a few years ago and I didn't really want to do anything that had to do with the college that we didn't have to. 

It was a last minute idea, and I recruited Ember to do it with me and ask Chris too, so I wouldn't feel like as much of a dork. So, when Chris and Jon came out of their meeting, there was a trail of Hershey kisses leading to their offices. 

Then there was a poster telling them to figure out the question by putting the cupcakes that were in their offices together.

  When in proper order the cupcakes said, "Now that we've kissed the ground you walk on, will you be our dates to Sadies?"

It was silly but fun, and they were very pleasantly surprised that we did this for them. 

They even "answered" us by taking us to Cheesecake Factory and having the waitress write "yes" with chocolate syrup on out dessert plates. More silliness, but still fun. 

Sadies was at Magic Moutain, and, if you're like me and haven't been there in a while, it's not the family amusement park it used to be. It is in bad need of remodeling, and because of gang problems, you have to walk through metal detectors to get in! But, there were no lines whatsoever, and it has amazing roller coasters, so we had a blast. Also, it's October, so it was Fright Fest that night, which meant that people in terribly disturbing costumes were wandering around jumping out at people. I chickened out on the maze.(The theme was circus sideshow freaks..no thank you. That's a creepy enough idea in real life.) But, I did my fair share of jumping and screaming, nonetheless. 

Over all, it was such a fun day. I'm really glad that we went!