Chasing Baby

2009 & Filled with Pride

The election of President Obama in November filled me with immense pride.  I was so happy to take both of my children with me to vote.  Tressel didn't really understand, but that didn't stop me from trying.  I read him books about elections and showed him pictures of the candidates.

On Inauguration Day, we made American flags and watched the President take the oath.  I love that this election happened, especially in the beginning of my children's lives.  Talk about a new normal!

School Shootings

Yesterday the third school shooting occurred in the last week.  While all three shootings are very sad, yesterday's brought tears to my eyes.  I know there are people who are sick, but I don't think there is any excuse for violence against children.

I have lived in Ohio for most of my life, and I have visited the Amish areas of Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.  It is nearly impossible to comprehend someone entering an Amish schoolhouse with the intention of harming the girls.  The Amish live a simpler life with a strong emphasis on privacy and separation from the world of the English (non-Amish).

I watched the news tonight, and they talked about the forgiveness the Amish have for the man who committed the heinous crime in their community yesterday.  I don't think I could forgive someone who did that to my someone I know and love. 

9/11 5th Anniversary

Five years ago I was glued to the media coverage of 9/11. I have watched some of the coverage today, and I hadn't realized how much my perspective has changed since having Tressel. It is mind boggling to think my child will not know of a world without terrorism. He will think it is normal to go through excessive screening at the airport.

I was also more affected today hearing mothers and fathers talk about raising their children without the other parent who died five years ago. It is truly inspiring the strength that people have when they need it.

How did I commemorate the 5 year anniversary of 9/11?  I hugged Tressel extra long.

And I Thought it was a Personal Decision

This morning I was reading the websites and blogs I read on a daily basis.  Nothing was out of the ordinary until I came to Julie's blog.  The government keeps intruding on personal issues and personal decisions.  This time the Indiana state government is trying to legislate ART.  The bill proposes only married couples who undergo an evaluation similar to the one for adoption may go through ART.  There are so many issues involved that I don't know where to start.

1. There are many reasons why someone chooses ART.  One is the woman or man has a medical condition that prevents the woman from getting pregnant through intercourse.  Due to the emotional and financial requirements of ART, no one chooses this path without a lot of careful thought.
2. With the Republicans controlling the Indiana state government, they are trying to push an anti-homosexual agenda.  If someone wants to be a parent, why should he/she have to undergo an evaluation? 
3. There are plenty of people getting pregnant through sex who are drinking alcohol, doing drugs, etc.  There are plenty of parents (through sex) who do not provide their children the optimal financial, emotional, or safe situations.

The facts are that there are people becoming pregnant through sex and there are people getting pregnant through ART.  What is the difference?

While Mike and I did not need ART to get pregnant this time, we did need additional testing and different treatments.  I take 5 pills each day, 2 Progesterone suppositories, and 2 Heparin injections.  I relate to wanting to be a parent and not being able to achieve it.  I really think the government needs to butt out of personal decisions, especially this one!

Dine for America

Tomorrow restaurants across the nation will be participating in Dine for America.  They are donating a portion of profits to the hurricane relief in the Gulf.  If you would like to find a participating restaurant in your area, please visit Red Cross website.

Hurricane Rita & the Gulf Coast

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Gulf Coast as they ready themselves for Hurricane Rita.

9/11 Anniversary

This morning I watched some of the anniversary coverage of 9/11.  One of the shows included an interview with a New York firefighter in New Orleans.  They had a special 9/11 service in New Orleans.  One of the motivations for the NYPD and the NYFD to help the people in the Gulf is they remember the help they received four years ago.

The families of the people who died four years ago today are still in my thoughts and prayers.

The Blame Game

There are a lot of angry people about what has happened in the Gulf in the time since Hurricane Katrina.  I was angered and saddened to see fellow Americans without food, water, and sanitation.  Especially in New Orleans.  There are plenty of buses that are now underwater.  They could have been used to evacuate people without the financial means to leave the city.

While these things made me angry, I am able to recognize that Hurricane Katrina was a natural disaster.  Now just any natural disaster-it is the largest natural disaster in US history.  I don't think the local, state, or federal governments could have responded in a way that would have satisfied everyone.

I am hopeful that the government and generous individual citizens will not abandon the people who have been affected be Hurricane Katrina during the upcoming months and years.  Almost half a million are displaced from New Orleans for at least a few months.  Another half a million have had there homes partially or fully destroyed.  The rebuilding process is going to take a long time, and these people need us.

Hurricane Katrina-Hope

While it is disappointing that the local, state, and federal governments have not been able to meet all of the needs of the people affected by Hurricane Katrina, I am very proud of the way my fellow Americans have stepped up.  There are countless stories about what individuals have done to help people in the Gulf.  Last night I heard a story about a family that took the money they were going to spend on a vacation and gave it to the Red Cross.  Families are opening their homes to people from the Gulf who have lost their homes.  Rescue workers and medical professionals have gone without sleep for days to help more people.  I have teared up a number of times over the last week at the images and interviews of people in the Gulf area, especially after those people have received some assistance.  They are so grateful to have food, water, and a dry bed.  Today I am very proud to be an American.

Hurricane Kristina

I have been watching the coverage of Hurricane Katrina over the last few days, and it is so sad to see what the people in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are experiencing.  One of the things I have read is most of the people who did not evacuate New Orleans are poor.  They did not have the money to leave the city.  Now 80% of New Orleans is under water.  All of the people from the Gulf area are in my prayers tonight!