Veg Pledge

As some of you may know, before getting pregnant with makenzie I was a vegetarian. At that time, I wanted to eat healthier and I have a liking for for pigs and cows. I think they are cute so I felt bad eating them. I lasted for a long time, but when I got pregnant I craved burgers. That was probably the reason that I gained so much weight during that pregnancy. I seriously had like three burgers a day at least. Since then I have just not had the motivation to go back. Growing up a meat eater it is just easier and more convenient for me to cook meat rather than try to be creative in thinking up veg recipes. However, I have really wanted to go back and try it again. The last couple weeks I have been strongly considering it and I keep coming across more and more things that are pushing me in that direction. So, it is official starting Monday june 15th I am no longer going to be eating meat. I took a pledge through PETA to try it for 30 days in which I will see how manageable it is for me with 2 kids and a husband (who is NOT giving up meat). This time around there is a variety of reasons for doing this. Some of the reasons are:

It is healthier

Vegetarians have more energy, lower cholesterol and are at lower risk for heart disease

It helps save animals

The grain used to feed live stock can be used to help feed the hungry

Cows and pigs are cute (some people may think poultry/seafood is cute)

One thing I cannot give up is dairy. I like milk, cheese, etc. and no amount of soy substitutes are going to make up for it. Other than that no beef, pork, poultry or seafood for at least 30 days, but quite possibly longer. If anyone knows any tasty vegetarian recipes please send them my way and wish me luck!

Animal LOVE

Among other things, last week me and the girls went shopping at old Navy. they were having a sale on dresses and skirts so I wanted to stop by and see if I could find anything. The first thing Madison sees is the Manequins standing at the front of the store. They are the ones in the commercial with the moms and dads and kids and a DOG!!! Madison was hooked. We spent at least fifteen minutes while Madison hugged the "kids" and pet the "dog". I had to drag her away so I could, heaven forbid, shop for clothes. Makenzie was waiting to see the doggie on the bench so we eventually made our way to the kids section, but there was no dog. Makenzie was so bummed. I got them bouncie balls to keep them occupied (big mistake bc every 2 seconds I was chasing after someone's ball) while I finished shopping. As we made our way to the dressing room Makenzie screamed, "there he is!!!!!!" The dog was in the dressing room. the girls ran over and spent the next ten minutes sitting with the dog. Makenzie asked if I could take their picture so here it is.

Following the animal theme, Madison has been working on her animal sounds. I thought it would be cute to take a video of her practicing. (Please excuse the laundry in the background...it was laundry day!)

Okay so NO video... i started posting this at 3:00 and it is now 7:30 and is still not uploaded. I will edit this later

A tutto c'è rimedio, fuorchè alla morte

The last month has been especially rough. I received a phone call letting me know that my friend's two year old daughter had passed away. It was a shock to everyone. She wasn't sick or anything, but was invloved in a horrible freak accident. The emotions spilled over. Being a mother, I cannot imagine what the loss of a child is like. Makenzie and Madison both slept with me that night and I could do nothing, but cry and hold my girls. It is in times like these that my faith is tested. How could something like this happen??? Why?? What is the purpose of taking a little girl from her family when she had so much more to do and see ? I just don't know. I was able to attend the memorial service which was agonizing. What words are there to console a family who has experienced such a loss? I even found myself sitting on the floor at Walmart crying because there are no sympathy cards that can express how sympathetic I am, how much I want to do to help, and how nothing anyone can do will help ease the pain. Death has always had a profound impact on me. It makes me realize that life is too short to waste. I find myself evaluating my time with my girls and wondering if I am making the most of it. Today, I found out that an old friend lost his mother to cancer. She was an amazing woman. One of the kindest women that you could ever meet. So, today I am asking myself again, Why? Why was this mother taken when her kids still needed her so much? Although I know that i will never know the answers to these questions, this has served as a reminder that each moment is special and you never know where life will lead so it is important to make the most of it. I want to cherish my girls, my marriage, my family and friends.