I know, insert bitter diatribe concerning the commercial 'card company' holiday' right? No way- this is the one day that is mandatory date night and I LOVE it! And folks, it really ISN'T a card company holiday (such as Mother's or Father's day- see here for that bitter diatribe.) Valentine's Day actually has origins way back circa 270 A.D with St. Valentine. Here is a quote from The History Channel website: "According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor's daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France." And so, while I DO believe you shouldn't just show your love one day a year, it is still a legitimate and fun holiday in my book and one of my favorites at that. For our day we plan on ditching the kids (love ya!) and going out to dinner at Senora Grill then to see "He's Just Not That Into You" at the theater. What are YOUR plans?

If you know Kyson, you know he does this ALL the time- I'm not sure why, he just started doing it one day. Sometimes it's an expression of frustration (like when the food isn't getting to his mouth fast enough) and sometimes it's just to get a rise out of us all.

Ok folks, so lately I've been researching natural alternatives to every-day products and foods for our family. I have come to two conclusions which leave me very frustrated: #1: "normal" everday foods, even meat and dairy, are FULL of unhealthy stuff from pesticides to preservatives, and from hormones to antibiotics #2: Our only other option is to pay THROUGH THE NOSE for 'natural' alternatives some of which may or may not be what they claim to be.

So my main question is WHY? WHY does the FDA let these bad things into our food, and WHY aren't the natural foods more readily available and at a lower price? Shouldn't meat/veggies cost LESS when they're not paying for pesticides and hormones?? And why are my baby diapering and bath products full of chemicals that may cause cancer? It all comes down to money- the bad food companies want their products to make it unto our shelves so they pay off the FDA to look the other way. Sure some 'studies' might show there's nothing negative about a product- but those studies are paid for and rigged by the very company who wants to sell their yucky product. Don't believe me? Look up how aspartame made it past the FDA- it will infuriate you. I am not normally the kind of person who gets mad and hyped up about this kind of thing, but the more I read the more scared I am about what we put in/on our bodies and the negative effects they may have. And it just makes me MAD that these companies & agencies don't care about our families' well-being whatsoever.

What's YOUR opinion? Leave a comment I really want to know!

EDIT** I found this petition online- check it out:
http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com
It's about getting congress to pass a law that regulates the chemicals put in personal care products (right now they can put WHATEVER they want in them- including baby stuff!)

Choice # three won the poll- and it is also the one I really wanted deep down :) I was feeling so washed out with the blonde hair. Anyway-there it is- my natural brown color (and I will be growing it out!)

Well once again my hair is driving me nuts- some days I just wish I could pull it up in a cute pony tail and go, and other days I like how fast drying short hair is. So I'm either growing it or cutting it- and I need to decide soon because it's past time for a trim if I want to keep it shorter!
I'm asking you all for your opinions (since my husband refuses to fall into what he thinks a trap whenever I ask for HIS preference).
Here are 3 options, please use the poll in the sidebar to cast your vote for the best look for me & I'll go for it. Thanks!

OPTION 1: MEMO (Mommy Emo) CUT & COLOROPTION 2: LONG AND BLONDE

OPTION 3: LONG AND BRUNETTE

You WISH you had these moves :) Ky is so funny, he will start dancing to any tiny clip of music- on TV or from his toys. And he LOVES to clap especially if he sees people on TV doing it. Kaden wouldn't be caught dead doing this even as a baby- it's so funny how DIFFERENT each kid is. Kaden is sorta moody and too mature for his age and Ky is my happy go lucky always cheery guy. We love them both just the way they are.

Well it's been a while since I've posted- we managed to stretch out the holidays till now so we've been busy relaxing, playing with new toys and visiting families. Christmas was wonderful, Kaden was so excited, and Ky loved unwrapping stuff (and eating it).

Ky crawling backwards

Christmas breakfast- playing with new toys

Ky unwrapping presents

Kaden sees Santa's gifts

And I DID get a ticket to WICKED in May!!! THANKS Diana and Derek for freezing your buns off :) Love ya!

 

We unfortunately had two funerals in two weeks- first my great grandmother Brundage, and then Ty's grandma Kent. Both had lived a LONG full life, and are now at peace. Kaden was very interested in it all- he even has been lecturing me on the resurrection ("when the REAL Jesus comes back, my great great grandmudder and president Hinkwey (Hinkley) will come alive again!")

Our New Years was a blast- we had an eclectic bunch of friends over and the guys played Guitar Hero for 4 hours while the girls played with kids and talked...

Kyson has two bottom teeth now- and they are sharp! Good thing he's on the bottle...

Kaden had his first week of Sunbeams class yesterday at church, and he gave a talk! It is so cute, I'm going to try and upload it. He was the only kid who really spoke up and wasn't scared one bit!

And here's a video of Ky laughing (now that I've got this video posting down...)

Whew! That is a lot of info for one post! Now I get to blog-surf and catch up on everyone else's posts.