The only thing I already have is the sock monkey stuff (thanks to mom!)
The rest I saw on etsy for ridiculous prices. (The ABC blocks are vintage and $80 – so I’m still trying to talk myself out of them because who buys blocks for $80 just because they are the exact right colors??? No one!)
It’s a BOY! It’s a BOY! It’s a BOY!
As much as I would have liked Hailey to have a side kick – I’m also really happy it’s a boy!
We almost didn’t get to find out today…my appointment time got moved as my dr was in delivery earlier today. When they changed the time, they mistakenly didn’t reschedule the sono along with it. Luckily the sonographer agreed to stay late and see me anyway. I think I would have died trying to wait another day or two. At first glance, she was very sure it’s a boy and I of course always was 
My arm shot up in the air triumphantly and a squeal came right on out. WE was beaming that it was definitely “an Anderson.” And then we went on to see shots of each little body part and to hear her say “that’s normal.” The little guy got a big stamp o’ health and we went on our merry way!
So as follow up to the last post – I wanted to announce that Addiction went to trial as the suspect in the killing of the Testimony last Wednesday night in the W2 ward gym. The jury consisted of about 30 twelve to eighteen year olds – who will decide the fate of Addiction. During the trial, the prosecuting attorney brought forth special, expert witnesses to testify against Addiction.
All expert witnesses originally spoke in the 2010 October General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hummm, you think that the leadership of the Church have something on their minds??? It was crazy putting the video clips together and realizing just how much this topic was addressed.
Every year the youth in the W2 ward have a combined activity in October related to conference. Last year we played Who Wants to Be a Millionaire with trivia questions from conference. This year we are having a Murder Trial. The MiaMaids are in charge…so just in case anyone actually reads my blog – I won’t tell you who killed the testimony.
But, partly because I knew we were having this activity and partly because anyone who was listening to conference could not have missed it (it was discussed so often) – I’ve been thinking a lot about the impact and effects of pornography. [Note: I put together a video clip for the activity with a bunch a clips from conference - I'll have to post it after the activity] There are many metaphors for pornography that come to mind (dead fish in a milk shake, cotton candy – all form but no real substance, ect) but then on the radio last week I heard about a horrific environmental nightmare in Hungary and all at once I had a new metaphor for the impact and effects of pornography. A tidal wave of poisonous, red sludge (a waste product of aluminum production) burst from a cracked reservoir and hit a number of villages in Hungary – killing at least 4 people and leaving chemical burns on many others.
My one purchase at the TOFW event that I attended with my mom last weekend, was a book on CD called “Let’s Talk About The Elephant in the Room – How LDS Women Can Protect Families Against Pornography.” (Author Jill Manning, PHD) I liked her analogy about the elephant-sized problem as well and especially how women play a crucial role in taking a stand together. One of the most memorable stories she tells is about a kindergarten girl that was referred to her office because the girl had brought pornographic magazines to school for show and tell. When the little girl sat to talk with Dr Manning, the girl asked her why the women in the magazine looked so ‘weird.’ The author then goes on to tell that as much as the world tries to justify pornography as a normal and natural expression of sexuality – even a five year old can recognize pornography’s lie instantly. That it’s a fraudulent portrayal of that which is sacred about those women in the magazine. The body is the common denominator in all things called pornography and it’s sad that the body (especially the female body) is degraded to such falsehoods.
A few weeks ago at work, one of my female co-workers was telling me about a single friend she had that would meet guys online, start conversations, and eventually become ‘friends’ (at least the social networking definition of friend). This lady quickly learned that by the second or third encounter online with the guys – they would have already sent her a nude photo of themselves – probably as a gesture that she could send hers as well. I was super appalled, especially since the lady spoke of it like it was obviously just the way it is – no big deal.
Well, yeah it kind of is a big deal.
I had to post the above picture not just for the image of the red sludge, but for the look of dispair on that worker’s face. I imagine him thinking “How are we going to get out of this mess?” He probably has already shoveled sludge for hours and rescued whatever remnants he could – but mostly he’s still just staring at a view ahead of nothing but red. Let alone, the fact that the sludge will most likely leave burns on any of the exposed skin. It’s no wonder that we have been warned and warned again to leave pornography alone from the get go. To not let it in at all. Luckily though, the good news of the gospel is that even that which is scarlet can be made white again – through the blood of the Lamb of God. No secret it will be hard – but possible nonetheless.
Anyone got any good costume ideas this year????
WE and I are thinking about being ninja turtles…maybe
Well, I’ve been getting email, vm, and txt complaints that I’ve gone MIA so I figured I was past due for an update. 
Now that we are ‘facebook official’ – why not blog about the pregnancy, right?!??
So, I’m 17.5 weeks and feeling great! I had a rough start but pretty much the trip to Italy cured (okay well, not really cured – but thankfully followed shortly after) the morning sickness and cramps. I was telling my mom this weekend that now I sometimes even forget that I’m pregnant (except for the fact that my pants are a little tight). I’m really not showing too much yet so I’m at the awkward stage now where I just look like I’m eating too much and gaining weight – but not enough to tell that I’m expecting.
I’ve got my ultrasound appointment scheduled for the 26th and we’ll find out if it’s a boy or a girl! We already have 1 boy name and 1 girl name we like- so that’s not an issue. I’m dying for a boy – but my grandma, VT-er, and at least 2 perfect strangers have said I’m having a girl. So we’ll see! I’m just hoping that boy OR girl, that it doesn’t come out perfectly bald with big, bushy white eyebrows
Official due date is March 15 so it’s still plenty of ways away. We haven’t really started planning or preparing much (except mentally and emotionally – and let’s be honest that preparation is suspect too) and I feel super clueless about all the odds and ends that I feel like I’m supposed to know. We did go take a tour of a day care near WE’s work and felt pretty embarrassed that we hadn’t even thought of questions to ask. The lady kept saying what else do you want to know and then preceded to tell us what others usually ask when we replied by shrugging our shoulders.
Anyway, life is good and we are super excited!
Yummmm! Here’s all the flavors we tried in Italy:
Dark Chocolate
Pistachio
Strawberry
Cookie
Blackberry
Peach
Creme
Chocolate
Coconut
Hazelnut
Chocolate Chip and Cream
Caramel
Banana
Yogurt
Lemon
Grapefruit
Mixed Berry
My favorite 3 flavor combo was chocolate, pistachio, and hazelnut.
WE’s favorite was chocolate, dark chocolate, and chocolate chip.
I learned how to use iMovie to make this video for our YW in Excellence. It actually turned out pretty nice and I am proud to associate with these girls!
