What Else Can You Do?

The kids both needed a bath, so we threw them both in the tub. Taylor likes to stay in a little longer, so I got Lylee out and got her all ready for bed... then she decided to to get back in. She was so proud of herself that we couldn't help but laugh!

Circle of Hope

I have often wondered and also asked if there was a significance to this logo. I decided to find out for myself. I really like the answer that I found.

Artist's Comments
"I'm feeling pretty hopeful, how about you? This is Barack Obama's campaign logo, the hope circle, the rising sun, the patriotic moon, the circle of life, the circle of change. Call it what you will - this is hope."

First of all, I want to say that this is my opinion and I am simply stating what I believe what is right for me and my family. I know and understand that many believe and will choose differently for them and their family. I respect these people and their right to vote differently.

Honestly, I just hope and pray that people get out and vote on November 4!

I grew up knowing that the gift of having the right to vote is essential, and also a responsibility of every eligible citizen of the United Stated (my son would remind me to add of America). I registered as soon as I was eligible at the age of 18, in 1992.

Taylor, at 4 years of age has been asking questions about the lawn signs popping up and "What's an Obama?" It has been an incredible chance to teach my 4 year old about democracy, fighting for our fundamental rights and beliefs as citizens of this amazing United States of America.

We have also been teaching our children about this great country that our Heavenly Father promised, in which we have the right and ability to have religious freedom. This freedom provided the means for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to be built up for a new generation so that the gospel of Jesus Christ could be restored. This alone is reason to get out and vote.

We are blessed to be able to vote our hearts and conscious. This year the issues affecting our home and family are 1) getting Barack Obama into the Oval Office so that he and Joe Biden will fight for our family and our children's futures. 2) We will also be voting YES on proposition 8. This simply states that marriage is defined by a union between a man and a woman. I don't want my children to be taught about children with two mommies or two daddies at school. I also want to have the ability to have a say in what my children are taught about the issue of gay rights and even what that means. I don't want my children to have to mark Party A or Party B on their marriage licensed. I want them to have the right to mark Bride or Groom when it is their time to check that box.

A Lesson in Good Parenting

This is my commitment for the week. Patience, with everyone, especially my family!

Baby Bumps

No, no one is pregnant. Yesterday Taylor and Lylee were fighting over a yellow marker. Finally, Taylor pushed her off of her chair and she hit her mouth on the table. Instant screaming from both children sent me running into the room. Lylee was covered in blood (You may remember something very similar happening to Taylor this summer). Lylee was crying because of the fear, blood and pain. Taylor was crying because he hurt his little sister and the big bloody mess showed him just how much he actually hurt her.

Anyway, Lylee split her top lip, and also had a small gash inside her upper gum. Everyone went into overdrive, making sure no teeth were broken or missing and trying to get the bleeding stopped. Grandma and Grandpa came over just in case we decided to go to the ER. We decided this wasn't necessary, based mostly on our earlier experience with Taylor.

Yesterday evening, we were at Grandma's and tired little Lylee fell down the short flight of tile stairs and split open the inside of her bottom lip!

Yikes!!! Was I ready for the day to be over!!! Both kids were exhausted last night and went right to sleep.

The pictures are of Lylee this morning. She's fine as long as she doesn't play with her fingers in her mouth, then she starts bleeding again. She's happy though. How are kids so stinkin' tough?

Bronco Kids 2008

Taylor's first Bronco pic fall 2005

Where is 2006?
I honestly have no clue if we even took one that year.

Lylee & Taylor fall 2007

So, this is the third annual (sort of, I guess since I must have missed 2006)Anderson kids Bronco photo. The first was just Taylor, obviously. I can't believe how they've grown!

Apple Hill 2008

We made our first trip of the year to Apple Hill yesterday. We got to have lots of yummy treats, and even bring a few home. Taylor had a blast looking at all of the various apples. He absolutely LOVES apples. Both he and Lylee will eat an apple any way that they can get it, whole, sliced, peeled or not. I got a box of peaches!

The kids also loved all of the many, many pumpkins!

Thank Heaven for Friends

I have had a lot of ups and downs over the last while and at times have felt very lost and alone in my struggles. Last week, I asked Chris and my dad to give me a blessing. I received a beautiful blessing and I felt much better after. I thought I was very smart and that I would immediately see results from inside myself.

Boy, was I off base. In the last several days I have had poured blessings from outside of my little circle at home. I have been blessed with impromptu visits and phone calls, I have been blessed with delicious cookies on a night that I really needed a pick me up. I've run into friends that I haven't seen in a while and had the chance to reconnect with them. My extended family has been very aware and helpful with me and my children. I have my own little army to take care of and protect me and my family.

I believe that the, or one of the main blessings that have been poured out on me was that my Heavenly Father reminded me that I am a part of something larger than myself. I am a child of God. I am a daughter and granddaughter. I am a wife. I am a mother of two of God's beautiful children. I am a neighbor. I am a friend. I am proud of each of these elements that are alive inside me.