Mandating Free Contraception

Up to this point, I've been fairly "mums the word" on anything political during NABLOPOMO. What with the elections and all the fights on Facebook, it just wasn't something I was interested in stirring up. But sometimes whilst walking around my house, I find myself blogging out loud (or in my head) about something I'm super passionate about, and that's been happening this morning so here goes nothing.

The Health and Human Services Mandate put into effect by President Obama and Kathleen Sebelius as a part of Obamacare requires that insurance companies now provide contraception at no charge.

Many Catholic are up in arms about this because we believe that contraception is morally wrong, an intrinsic evil, against God's plan, etc. etc. But that is NOT what I'm blogging about today.

Here's a BIG reason why I am against the HHS mandate. First of all, even the term "HEALTHcare" tends to imply that the program should care for a person's health. So whatever I receive from my healthcare/insurance plan should in effect help me to be healthier, right? But contraception doesn't make anyone healthy. In fact, it removes the ability of a woman's body to naturally function. The pill, IUD's, Depo Provera, etc. interfere with the body's natural ability to regulate hormones and instead use artificial hormones to render a woman infertile. But not only does it disrupt her cycle, it is now being leached enough into our water supply that it's affecting the fertility of men, and I would assume, therefore, women who are not taking contraception. And that makes me worried about how it's affecting my children who are drinking the same water.

I understand that some of you will argue that birth control is also prescribed to "regulate a woman's cycle," or to "help with endometriosis," or to "lessen a young girl's acne problems." But as far as I know, the FDA hasn't actually APPROVED these drugs for that use.

And I know contraception is widely used in our society. I understand that people enjoy the fact that they can have sex whenever they want and be 98% sure they're not making a baby. I understand that some believe more contraception will equal less need for abortions. I get all that stuff. However, I fail to see how providing free contraception can be a form of "HEALTH" care when it is medication designed to INHIBIT a healthy process. We might as well mandate that people can go to liquor store and get booze for free as well, because you know that's one way to treat depression, right? Or maybe we should mandate that our insurance plans pay for us to eat out once a week because it's too stressful to have to cook at home.

Contraception is a pill of convenience. Not a pill for health. It should NOT be covered by healthcare plans.

Mormon Underwear?

A few of my friends and family members have spoken of something called "magic underwear" that is supposedly worn by Governor Mitt Romney and all adult Mormons. "Magic underwear?" I questioned. "That cannot be the correct term." And so, to keep my mind off the stress of this election, I decided to do some research.

It turns out that adult Mormons DO wear special underwear that has been given to them at their "temple endowment." This undergarment has a top and bottom and reaches to just above the knee for both men and women It must be worn at all times "other than swimming, using the restroom, or being intimate with one's spouse." And it basically reminds them of their promise to God and that they are in the world but not of the world. More info at http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/mormon/underwear/

Even before I'd done my quick google search, I was pretty certain I didn't approve of the term "magic underwear." That would be like someone calling the Blessed Sacrament a "magic wafer," and that is incredibly disrespectful.

But while I do not approve of the term "magic underwear," I whole-heartedly approve of wearing it!!! What a great way to preserve modesty in a society that is convinced that the more skin you show=the more beautiful you are. I think everyone should get a pair of Mormon underwear and learn to dress like ladies and gentlemen again. YEAY for Mormon undergarments!

A kid in school

Having a child in school is like a whole new ball game when it comes to parenting. When Mia started PreK last year, all of my childhood memories came flooding back, and I wondered would Mia fall in with the right friends? Who would be the bullies in her class? Are the boys going to tease her? Are the popular girls going to tease her? Will she be popular? (this momma hopes not, by the way). Who will influence her? I actually started to understand why so many parents choose to home school. It's not something I would want to do, but that pull to protect my sweet girl from the big bad world is pretty strong.

And then on the flip side of worrying about Mia's school issues, a whole flood of my own insecurities crept up. Why did all the moms seem to know eachother already? Was I not involved enough at church and school? Is my shyness with new people making these moms think I'm not personable? What do I need to do to be a better school parent? Yeesh!! It kind of felt like teenage angst all over again.

However, I'm happy to report now that she is a quarter of the way through kindergarten, many of my worries for her (and for me) have been greatly lessened. Her teacher told us at conferences that she's very quiet at school and always serious (probably gets that from her dad.). But she's doing great behavior and grade wise so that's good. Mia's biggest worry each day is if any of her classmates get marked down for bad behavior. It makes her so sad especially when it's one of her good friends. She also pushes herself really hard to get excellent marks. She doesn't like getting wrong answers and she gets really frustrated if she does (gets that from her momma).

As for my issues, I've broken a bit out of my shell and actually become friends with some really lovely fellow moms at the school. And they continue to push me to come to different things and get to know others, so even though I'm uncomfortable, they're really good for me. Plus many of them have older kids in school so when I have a silly new-to-school parent question, they are BIG helps.

All in all its actually becoming kind of enjoyable to send Ms. Mia off to school everyday and hear all about it when she gets home. It's just taken us a while to get to that point. I still miss her like crazy when she's gone, but there are moments when it's nice only having two to grocery shop with or haul along for errands. I wonder how I'm going to be next year when my little Vincey starts pre-K??

Halloween revisited

I think this might be the last year that the kids let me theme their costumes. I needed a great costume for three for my last hurrah, so who's a more famous threesome than the Holy Family?! Here they are all decked out before starting their truck or treating adventure!

Productivity

I was an accomplishing-stuff machine today. I went to work for 2 hours, baked cupcakes, cleaned my kitchen, took the kids to the zoo, went to the beauty shop, visited GGMa, cut Andrew and the boys' hair, bathed the children, cleaned the house, went shopping, baked a quiche, frosted cupcakes, cleaned the kitchen two more times, dusted the living room, and prepared my gift for Lisa's bridal shower. Oh yeah... And I just blogged!!!

Happy of the day: all that accomplished
Crappy of the day: While flinging Williams shirt behind me when getting him ready for bath, I accidentally aimed for the toilet which still had pee in it from another little boy. Poor William's shirt!!

Nablopomo

Dude! How can it possibly be November already?! This year has flown by quicker than ever. But guess what November means??? November is National Blog Posting Month, and my goal is to write or post something daily.

So gear up folks... It's going to be quite a challenge.

And with my first post, I leave you with Kristi's thought of the day:

I reached a milestone about 3 months ago. I have officially been NOT pregnant longer than ever before between pregnancies. I can't decide whether to rejoice or tear up. My mood about it tends to change by the attitude of my kiddos on any given day... Oh and also by how big they suddenly seem to look.

Making Memories of Us

Maybe it's because I just spent a weekend with him and all my best friends near the Church where we got married.  Maybe it's because I'm inspired by Melissa and Jeny... but I'm feeling extra in love with and reminiscent about my husband and my marriage.

Eight and a half years ago a stranger checked into a retreat that I was helping to lead and he caught my eye right away.  Tall, thin, vaguely nerdy looking... exactly my type.  And he was coming to a Catholic Singles Retreat.  Definite bonus.  Here is a snippit of the beginning of our story that I started writing back when we first met.  This little story occurred a few weeks after the retreat we met on but before we went on our first date.  It was our first chance to really talk beyond the silly flirting we had been doing.

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Monday night rolled around and left the Daisy Girls with a night off from everything.  It had become a pseudo tradition at the Daisy House to just have Monday nights free.  It was the only night during the week when none of the three of us had anything pre-planned.  Mondays become a time of rest from our ministry and a time to just chill as roommates.  This particular Monday seemed a bit quiet.  I secretly wondered what Andrew did on Mondays. I knew he didn’t work. “Was he bored? Was he lonely?  I wish he would call,” I thought.

Tuesday was Mardis Gras.  The Daisy house had sent out emails inviting everyone over for weekly rosary followed by fattening desserts.  Kimmy was sleeping because she had a midnight shift and Lisa had to do something at school.  So I was stuck at the house by myself to watch American idol and make brownies for later.  Andrew called the house at about 6:15 and asked what was going on.  I told him he was welcome to come over early if he wanted.  No one but me was home, but he could help me make brownies. Nerves overcame me as I said this.

He got to the house at about 6:45.  He came prepared with a sack full of goodies and a big white apron for helping to cook the brownies.  I told him I was only making a boxed brownie mix, but it was totally cool if he wanted to help. Before he arrived I had been slightly worried that we wouldn’t have anything to talk about being alone by ourselves for the first time.  That didn’t happen at all.  I barely remember watching Idol we got so caught up in talking.  I learned more about his vegetarianism, and I learned that he watched movies on Monday nights.

He even mentioned that he had driven by the Daisy House on Monday night considering if he should invite us over to watch a movie.  I so wish he would have.  I would have gone in a second I think.  I was delighted to hear that he had thought about us when we weren’t around.  That was very exciting to me.

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Not long after that evening, Andrew called me to see if I wanted to go to a Shocker game with him.  I had no idea if it was a date or a friend thing, but the night before the date I made sure to clarify.  From the game night (and dinner) forward, we were basically inseparable.  One month after we met, we started dating.  Four months after we started dating, we were engaged.  Ten months after that we were married.  And now, eight years and three kids later, I'm even more in love with him than I was back then.  

So this post is dedicated to you, Andrew Christopher.  Thanks for walking into my life back then and being the best part of it ever since.  

May 7, 2006 - Our first full day as a married couple.