Alaina playing Dr. She likes checking for the baby's heartbeat.
Over 100,000 people protesting this week
Ky & Nana display their splints.
Rob carving his 1st turkey.
We tried a new look--Ky didn't like it
A trip to the Rockford Children's museum
Alaina and the GIANT dollhouse
Excited to be on tv!
Ice Cream!
And funny faces!
I have to say that we are blessed to live in Madison where most of the people fully support the Unions in this. At the same time it is AMAZING to meet those who are ignorant about what the Unions actually do for the teachers--now I am not saying all their actions are good--however--some things are needed. For example the Unions have fought to not let building temperatures go below 66 degrees....now remember your kids are going to school here. Do you have your house at 66 degrees during the winter? Pretty chilly. Especially for those that come to school improperly dressed--and yes there are many where their parents cannot afford or just do not take the time to dress their kids properly.
Despite all this, I was most touched when I subbed for a day at a local elementary. They were releasing me early and I asked if there was anything else I could do. They told me yes and set me to work on sorting HUNDREDS of donated hats, mittens, coats, shirts, pants, etc... Many were given by the teachers and some from the community. They were putting together baskets to help families in their school. These clothes were NOT just for the school aged child--but also the families.
I think many people lose sight of all the "non job descripted" things that teachers, nurses, and other city workers do. These people see needs and they meet them--not thinking about whether they should or shouldn't. I see teachers all the time send kids home with some of their own food just to make sure that kids has something to eat that night or over the weekend. These needs many do not see on a day to day basis because they don't encounter them. Think about the bus driver and the same people they see every day. I find it hard to believe that they do NOT get to know the people and meet needs. Anyway--I am just horrified by the fact that people in these jobs have been attacked by others. These jobs are not lucrative--in fact they are some of the hardest jobs out there---dealing with people's needs--and yet we have others attack them and say they are "leeches" on our society and need to pay their fair share, when they really aren't making that much.
Okay--I should probably stop with my rant. However, when I have a friend tell me that she can't make things work for her family of 6 on $70 some thousand a year and it isn't fair that they have to pay for their health insurance on top of that--and then tell me it isn't fair that her husband can lose his job, while these union workers are protected. I am appalled. It isn't about fair (boy-- isn't this what our mother's told us?) It's about taking care of each other. I don't understand how she can be upset about her family situation when they are already starting off WAY better than the average teacher. What about a teacher who has a family of 6 making 40 some thousand a year? How are they supposed to make it? Anyway--ultimately I believe that it is our responsibility to take care of each other--not tear each other up or envy what someone else has.
So in March--I joined the "march" around the Capital. At 8 months pregnant, it was worth it. I wanted to stand with these people who give so much of themselves and yet were feeling rejected despite what they do.
I also have to say, it made my delivery of Talia shine in a WHOLE new persepctive too. So many nurses worked with me. And in the end before my leave when Talia would not nurse--I had one nurse in particular who really put some extra time and effort in working with me and making sure I was okay. Her job requirement does not state "Have compassion for others" however that is what she did. What a valuable contributor of society she is!
Anyway--other March stories...
In February, at our last ultrasound with Talia--a friend of mine watched Ky and Alaina. I guess at some point, Ky slipped and fell. She said he didn't cry, but she informed me that he had clutched his arm after the fall. Well, I looked at it and didn't think much of it. He was acting fine--I did notice it was a bit swollen, but he was using it and moving everything fine. A few days later, I pulled him out of the tub by his wrists. He screamed. I looked at the wrist and noticed it was still swollen. That night I took him to urgent care. I felt like a pretty lousy parent telling the doctor it had happened 3 days ago. The doctor did make me feel better though and told me that it happens all the time. Ky had x-rays done without me. (Since I was pregnant I could not go in there with him.) Well sure enough he had a buckle fracture. Ky was in a split for about a month before he was able to get out. Nana--also at that same time--had surgery on her wrist from a fall she had had. It was cute seeing them bond over their injuries.
We had Thanksgiving in March which was fun. I cooked my second turkey ever and Rob carved his first turkey ever. We were both quite proud of the job we had done. And from that turkey, I made 4 freezer meals preparing for our new little one.
In February and March I was also blessed with the opportunity to watch 9 month old twins. I watched them 1-2 times a week. They were foster children of a friend of mine. The kids and I really enjoyed watching the babies. It also gave us much to think about since Rob and I have considered fostering in the future (when our kids are older.) We had so much fun with the babies--but BOY twins are a handful! (So thankful I have had my kids one at a time :) ) At the end of March they went to live with their Grandmother. I continue to pray that God is with them in that situation and that they are raised to know him and follow in his ways.
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