What is it really about?

This week the Senate is debating the Marriage Protection Amendment--one of the more controversial and anger inciting resolutions that has come before the Senate in recent memory. There are so many different things to say about the issue, so what I say here is by no means exhaustive.

What bothers me more than the angry opponents of this bill call it the "anti-gay amendment" and the supporters of this bill "homophobes" and "gay-bashers" is that often the supporters of the bill don't really know exactly what they are supporting or how to defend it. The opponents of the bill make it about sex. They don't want the government in their bedrooms--telling them who they can and cannot "love." They are calling Capitol Hill offices of conservative members harassing the receptionists with explicit questions about the member's sexual activities. The goal of this is to get the person on the phone to say, "That is none of your business" to which they will respond, "it isn't yours either."

But they miss the point. This bill isn't about sex. It isn't about what goes on in their bedrooms. Marriage is a fundamental social institution that creates the best family structure. The Marriage Amendment is not based on taking away a certain group of people's rights, but is about protecting what is the foundational building block of society. The government has the right to take action to protect the country's future citizens.

Redefining marriage changes the institution to the point of making it irrelevant.

Dr. Matthew Spalding said that: " Changing the definition of marriage--or even remaining neutral as to that definition--breaks down the very argument that gives marriage its unique and preferable status in society. If marriage becomes just one form of commitment in a spectrum of sexual relationships rather than a preferred monogamous relationship for the sake of children, the line separating sexual relations within and outside of marriage becomes blurred, and so does the public policy argument against out-of-wedlock births or in favor of abstinence."

Once the foundation is altered the whole society starts to crumble.

It's in my blood

Bill and I are planning to go camping and hiking this upcoming holiday weekend in the northern part of the Washington and Jefferson National Forest. I am very excited because we haven't been camping for about two years now. Camping and hiking have always been in my blood and I definitely feel like something is missing when I don't go for so long. My family always spent a few long weekends a year camping in the White Mountains in New Hampshire (which is where my parents are right now actually). It is always such a satisfying experience being in the outdoors 24/7, getting tons of exercise, catching up on reading, and not having a schedule to keep. I am hoping it doesn't rain this weekend (which would not be a fun camping experience) and that the three day weekend will give us enough time to relax and unwind.

the little things add up

I know I have been lax about posting for the past few weeks. As they say, there hasn't been much of anything to "write home about." It is all the little things that have kept me too busy for any philosophical musings of late.

Here is a quote for the day from Jane Austen: "To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment." I could use some of that refreshment.

(a view of the lake from the woods in front of my parents house)

What Mothers Everywhere Already Knew

With Mother's Day just around the corner I thought that a study conducted by Salary.com was more than appropriate to mention.

If a stay at home mom was paid a salary for all the work that she does, she would be paid $134,121 per year. This study was based on taking into account all the jobs a mom does: housekeeper, day-care teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, chief executive and psychologist and how many hours she works per week: 91.6.

I wonder how much the salary goes up for homeschooling stay at home moms?

And for the moms who want to know specifically what their work is worth click here. You can use the Mom Salary Wizard and enter your location, number of children, hours, and type of work. You can even print yourself a paycheck!

Easter Visit with the Family

Mom and Dad-in-Law, Erika, Jim, Steph, Peter and me (Bill was taking the picture, and apparently hasn't found the zoom on the camera.)

Aren't Peter and Erika so cute?! This was the best picture I could get, they wouldn't hold still!

I was quite happy with this flower arrangement, I think it looks veryMartha-y. The daffodils go around in a circle with the tulips in the middle. I brought it up for Bill's Mom for Easter since she said she didn't need me to make any food (I still made muffins though). Best part is, all the flowers and the container only cost $15. Florist make such a profit on their arrangements!

A Toast to Laura and David

Here is the text of my toast to Laura and David that I made at their wedding April 8th. I thought I would post it here because a few people have asked me about it, and also so I can look back on it in the future.

I first met Laura over seven years ago as we sat in the front row on our first day of Spanish class freshman year at Grove City College. I remember thinking when I saw her that this is a girl I can work with. Little did I know that she would become one of my closest friends.

Laura was witness to all the stages of my relationship with my husband—from the first signs of love, through our engagement, and I was honored to have her in my wedding party when I walked down the aisle almost four years ago. And now I have been witness to her relationship with David. From the first time she said, “there’s a guy I have been emailing…” all the way through to today.

Laura, God has blessed me with your friendship. He has given me a loyal, loving, fun, and generous person in you. I am so excited that you are married! God has joined you with a wonderful man, and you have so much to look forward to as a wife. I am very happy to be continuing on as your friend through all the adventures before you.

David, even before I met you I knew you were someone special. Not long after you and Laura started dating, she was glowing. Now that I have known you for a little while I see a man of integrity who loves God and desires to be obedient to Him. I also see a man who loves Laura with a great love that will last forever.

David, I have every confidence that you know what an amazing woman God has entrusted to your care. I know that you will do your best to honor her, cherish her, and put her needs before your own

Laura and David: since I have four years on you with this marriage thing, I feel like I can offer you a few small words of wisdom.
· Remember marriage is not just a relationship between a man and a woman, but it is a sacred bond that includes God. Look to Him as an example of how to treat your spouse and seek to honor Him in your marriage.
· Don’t isolate yourselves; seek out other couples to fellowship with, it can be a great encouragement and way to strengthen your relationship with each other.
· If hard times ever come (and they probably will), remember that it is the two of you as a team against all your problems. Don’t let the problems ever turn you against each other.
· Lastly, don’t forget to make time to have fun together!


Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.

Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there will be no loneliness,for each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.

May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years.

May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.

So tonight, please join me as I raise my glass to toast Laura and David. To the bride and groom!

Wedding Day Recap

It was a beautiful day, despite the rain, filled with laughter, love, and tears. Laura was as beautiful and radiant as any bride has ever been--and now she is a married woman!

The day started with many last minute details, I was frantic to get everything in the car without forgetting anything! Dress, shoes, veils, tiara, emergency kit, camera, makeup mirror, where on earth is the hair spray, umbrella, oh-no my keys! Four of the six of us girls (me, Laura, Amanda and Cheralyn) crammed into my car with all our stuff. We then headed to the salon to watch Laura get her hair done and veils attached while we did our own hair and put on makeup. Two hours later we jumped into the limo and enjoyed lunch from Chicken Out as we drove to the church. Laura was not too nervous and more than a little excited!

When we arrived at the church we all headed to the parlor where we had plenty of time to finish dressing and just enjoy each other's company for a while. The other two bridesmaids, Megan and Kristen joined us there.

Once all the family arrived at the church with the flowers and the photographer the day really sped up. We did pictured and hugged lots of people and ooohh'ed and aahhh'ed over the flowers and how beautiful Laura looked. The assistant from the church came to line us up to walk down the aisle and the nerves hit! My stomach felt like it dropped and Laura started looking a little teary. As I made it to the front of the church and turned to look for Laura I caught David's eye and smiled at him--he looked pretty calm. As the doors opened and Laura started her procession you could feel the emotion. She had a few tears trickle down her face--over a happy smile. David certainly was blinking back a few tears, as was I.

The ceremony was beautiful, Christ-honoring, and heartfelt. As we recessed back down the aisle, I glanced at my husband and could tell we were both thinking how happy and blessed we were to be married, and was it really almost four years ago that it was us standing up there? We waited in the parlor until the guests could make their way out and as each bridesmaid/groomsman couple came to congratulate Laura her squeals of sheer excitement got louder! (we got in trouble with the church assistant lady for being too loud). Laura and David made a run for the limo through the crowd of guests as we threw rose petals at them--it was fun despite the damp weather.

The photographer took many more pictures of the families and the wedding party, then we were on our way to the reception. We proceeded Laura and David only by a few minutes and were there to greet the new married couple as they entered. The hall was decorated beautifully, the cake looked amazing, and the gift table overflowed. Cake cutting, the toasts, eating, and dancing all followed in quick succession and the evening was over far too quickly. Laura and David left in their snazzy convertable getaway car for their honeymoon. I gathered up all of Laura and David's things and the long awaited wedding day was over.

Not Babies Anymore...

The Three Girls: Pumpkin, Patch, and Buttercup

Here is PJ: He doesn't appreciate his bachelorhood.

Pumpkin and Buttercup enjoying some spring clover from our backyard.