Xander & Anya
He kissed her first. But she definitely kissed back.
Over and over again... open-mouthed.
Oh the joys!
He kissed her first. But she definitely kissed back.
Over and over again... open-mouthed.
Oh the joys!
1/28/12
1/24/12
To Martha...
Brandon just asked Isabela what my name was. She said, "Momma... Stephanie." What's my name? "Daddy, um Brandon." What's his name? "Xander Brandon." What's your name? "Um....Isa?" like she is guessing what her own name is. So I ask her, Is your name Izzy? "No! I'm Dillan!" Cutest thing ever!
Follow Up on What more can we do
So talking to my sister, I remembered a project I started awhile back. I have to re-learn, but I thought it was a great start.
Making Leprosy Bandages
Handmade bandages are breathable, more durable, and can be reused.
Here is a link to get started. You can donate them here to the D.O.V.E. fund where they will be sent to Vietnam or find other places. Remember, they don't have to be perfect. My first one went from 2 inches wide, to 4 inches wide and in between.
and a youtube video showing you exactly how. They lady is REALLY annoying and you can start at minute 10 or 12 and not miss anything important. But it is a good demonstration, albeit with excessive commentary. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeNfV7_8JmI
What it should look like:
Donating
Did you know there are many more funds that you can donate to than those on your tithing slip?
And other ideas from the church:
http://lds.org/service/humanitarian/help?lang=eng
Any other ideas are greatly appreciated. Please comment and share!
Making Leprosy Bandages
Handmade bandages are breathable, more durable, and can be reused.
Here is a link to get started. You can donate them here to the D.O.V.E. fund where they will be sent to Vietnam or find other places. Remember, they don't have to be perfect. My first one went from 2 inches wide, to 4 inches wide and in between.
http://leprosybandages.blogspot.com/2012/01/making-crocheted-or-knitted-leprosy.html
and a youtube video showing you exactly how. They lady is REALLY annoying and you can start at minute 10 or 12 and not miss anything important. But it is a good demonstration, albeit with excessive commentary. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeNfV7_8JmI
What it should look like:
Donating
Did you know there are many more funds that you can donate to than those on your tithing slip?
http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services/
Look around this website and you will find many many more than just this list. I especially like the Clean Water and Humanitarian Food Initiatives.
http://lds.org/service/humanitarian/help?lang=eng
Any other ideas are greatly appreciated. Please comment and share!
1/22/12
The Happiest Kids
Brandon and I decided we have the happiest kids.
They make us laugh all the time. What hams they both are!
Xander walking with Granpa!
Sportin' cool new earrings! Thanks Grandma!
Xander loves flicking my elastics on his teeth. He thinks he is so funny! And he sure does make me laugh.
What better way to live is there? This is where Xander first learned to stand up (but long before this pic was taken).
By far my favorite face. Fishy kisses.
Lovin' my 'Xander Brandon' at Christmas. Isabela just learned his middle name, so now she always uses it.
Wait, this is a book-what? I thought I was supposed to read inside it, not put my books on it. By the way, the sides and top say 'Isabela,' 'Mae,' and 'Forster.' She insists they say &Mommy,' 'Daddy,' and 'Isabela Mae.' Thanks Tia Kimmy!
Oh, and Hi Jess! I still love your stinkin' guts... even if you haven't given me a real blog post in 4 months. Although I did love your fortune cookie note, and it was way fun to Skype with you. Tell Bill and kids Hi from us all!
1/20/12
What more can we do?
Background: As a student in Mexico, I had a class on international politics. The case studies we did were enlightening, and extremely sad as well. Many high end companies in the U.S. use foreign labor --meaning slave and child labor -- because it is so much cheaper. Nike and Hershey's for starters. Obviously, foreign and international policies dictate a lot of what happens, how much we can actually change the situation, as well as ways to implement a better infrastructure for living, education and labor for workers. Awareness is the first step to change.
I receive a daily e-mail from the UN Wire on international news. I usually read the headlines and delete it. Today, both of my kids are asleep and I got to dig in a little deeper. I realize why I don't read them all everyday anymore. It takes me hours. And a box of tissues later, I resurface to my reality of luxury.
Did you know Iran has a nuclear program which for years has been suspected of being used to make nuclear weapons? and that one of their scientists was just murdered? and that the U.S. and Japan are working to get them to close down their nuclear program... and threatening to stop buying oil from them? and that Iran is threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz where lots of oil is shipped? How if they do most European countries could have an even worse economic decline if they can't find a good source for replacement oil. And then surely the cost of oil per barrel will rise as well. How will that effect the U.S. economy?
And then...
Today I read about the Ivory Coast, how they use slave/child labor to harvest cocoa beans. The children work for nothing more than a meager meal. Granted, the country's infrastructure must change before situations in the fields can change. If all children were freed and had no job, where would they go? what would they eat? There is no public education, no foster care, no social security.
Then I read a release by the Department of Labor on products and countries use the most slave labor.
What can I do in my life to make somebody else's life a little better? How can I really help improve the lives of all of these people around the world?
Just needed to put down my thoughts today...
P.S. Did you know that your iPad is made in China? And it is estimated that if it were made in the U.S. it would cost you more than $1100?
I receive a daily e-mail from the UN Wire on international news. I usually read the headlines and delete it. Today, both of my kids are asleep and I got to dig in a little deeper. I realize why I don't read them all everyday anymore. It takes me hours. And a box of tissues later, I resurface to my reality of luxury.
Did you know Iran has a nuclear program which for years has been suspected of being used to make nuclear weapons? and that one of their scientists was just murdered? and that the U.S. and Japan are working to get them to close down their nuclear program... and threatening to stop buying oil from them? and that Iran is threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz where lots of oil is shipped? How if they do most European countries could have an even worse economic decline if they can't find a good source for replacement oil. And then surely the cost of oil per barrel will rise as well. How will that effect the U.S. economy?
And then...
Today I read about the Ivory Coast, how they use slave/child labor to harvest cocoa beans. The children work for nothing more than a meager meal. Granted, the country's infrastructure must change before situations in the fields can change. If all children were freed and had no job, where would they go? what would they eat? There is no public education, no foster care, no social security.
Then I read a release by the Department of Labor on products and countries use the most slave labor.
- Bolivia: nuts, cattle, corn, and sugar
- Burma: bamboo, beans, bricks, jade, nuts, rice rubber, rubies, sesame, shrimp, sugarcane, sunflowers, and teak
- China: artificial flowers, bricks, Christmas decorations, coal, cotton, electronics, garments, footwear, fireworks, nails, and toys
- India: bricks, carpets, cottonseed, textiles, and garments
- Nepal: bricks, carpets, textiles, and stones
- North Korea: bricks, cement, coal, gold, iron, and textiles
- Pakistan: bricks, carpet, coal, cotton, sugar, and wheat
What can I do in my life to make somebody else's life a little better? How can I really help improve the lives of all of these people around the world?
Just needed to put down my thoughts today...
P.S. Did you know that your iPad is made in China? And it is estimated that if it were made in the U.S. it would cost you more than $1100?
1/3/12
Christmas in Utah
My camera battery was dead most of the trip, but here are a couple fun ones...
Christmas morning. Xander was happy with all the people and attention. Isabela loved the fact that gifts were wrapped.
Xander showing appreciation for Christmas all around the world. (He picked Jewish Christmas)
Tyson and Chaga lovin's.
Isabela and her new best friend/cousin, Kylie.
Isabela's new hobby. I feel like this is starting a little young, not a habit I want to start.
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