Women Empowerment

I'm sure some of you are curious about my title (at least that was the plan) because you're thinking to yourself, "Women Empowerment? That doesn't sound like Kelli, she practically worships Dr. Laura. I wonder what this is going to be about."

Yeah, I know, I'm corny. Anyway, yes, women empowerment!! I started reading a book a few months ago but then didn't get back to it until a few days ago. I tend to feel guilty when I just sit and read during Kharisma's nap time because I feel like I should be doing something like cleaning or making something but I decided that reading is just as useful as my many crafts, plus, it doesn't make such a mess or take up so much space. So, the book, as you may be wondering and wanting me to stay focussed on, is called Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. I'm only half way into it but man, it is powerful! Already I feel like I could climb Mt. Everest without training, just on pure mind power. So, that's not really what it is about. I'm just so amazed at the female body. It is truly amazing. And the serious connection between mind/body/spirit... AMAZING. EVERYONE should read it, no matter what... male, female, never had a baby, had ten babies, never want to have a baby, trying to have a baby... seriously. It's that powerful.

So, Ina May is a lady who started a little community of mid-wives in the heart of the Tennessee woods. People live there, grow their own food, make a lot of their own stuff... they are just way connected to nature and in tune with it. People travel from all over to have their babies on "The Farm". The book is all about home-births and natural births but most importantly, the message that women have the power in themselves to do it!! So much fear and pain are associated with childbirth these days and especially in the United States thanks to the media that it's so refreshing to read about the pleasure of childbirth. I can't believe I went through having a natural childbirth without having read this book. Anyway, I'm going to get back to reading it.

But again, no matter where or how you plan on having a baby, this book will help. I believe this is the most important book you can read in preparation for childbirth.

New Post... Big News!

I know, I know... It's been far too long since I've posted. So much has happened! Kharisma turned one, we had a big party with lots of friends, it was so much fun. We went to Utah for month and did a lot there with family and friends, such as, rock climbing, hiking, zoo-ing, jet skiing, and lazy-in' around. Good times were had by all. We miss our families but it's also good to be back in Pullman, it's really starting to feel like home here.

And now...

The big news ...

Yep! It's true...

Ben and I thought that we owe it to society to continue our genes in the gene pool, I mean, have you seen how cute the first one is?

Well, I'm not that far along but I just couldn't keep it a secret any longer. We're really excited... although a little nervous as well. I'm curious to see how this pregnancy compares to the first. I'm under totally different circumstance this time, no school, work, house remodeling/selling... No stress! So, we'll see how it goes. I feel great so far. I haven't been to a doctor yet but I think I'm due in March.

Silk & Linens

Today is our wedding anniversary! Yipee... four years we've been married now. It sure goes by fast. Sometimes I wake up with the thought, "I'm married? When did this happen? I have a child?! How old am I?" Okay, not very often, but it does make me feel old to think about. So Ben always gets me the traditional gifts for our anniversary. For example, the first year is paper so his gift was in a paper heart-shaped box. Second year is cotton so I got some real cotton, still on the plant, and then he made a custom canvas for me to paint and I still have lots of canvas left over. The third anniversary is the leather anniversary so Ben gave me a leather moccasin-making kit. And yes, I made them and wear them. So the fourth year is silk or linen. I've started giving him gifts that follow the traditional items as well (just started today) and that was easy, I got him a silk tie. Well, this morning Ben told me I had to leave the house for awhile so Kharisma and I went to Moscow and browsed around Old Navy and that is also when I got Ben his gift. When I got home I had several surprises awaiting me.

The first surprise was on the table. A piece of chocolate-peanut butter SILK pie and a glass of Silk brand chocolate soymilk to wash it down. He's so clever. (I ate the pie before I thought of taking a picture)

The next surprise was new linens! And, as most people know, my favorite colors are brown and green so Ben did an excellent job picking out those.

Ben really out-did himself (and our budget) this year because we also got new linens for our bed, again, in my favorite colors.

So that has been our anniversary so far. Usually, every year we stay at the Castle Creek Inn in Sandy, Utah but obviously it's a little far. We're actually going to SLC tomorrow and if we would've planned a little better we would've gone today or yesterday so that we could've gone to Castle Creek... although Kharisma isn't weaned yet so that would've been a little difficult. We were planning on going out to eat tonight and getting a babysitter but I've had a cold all week and can't really taste any food so we probably won't go, it would be a waste of money since I can't taste anything. Plus, I think Ben spent enough money to cover several months of our entertainment budget.

Overall, a very exciting anniversary! The fifth year gift is wood so I need to start thinking of ideas now... Ben's ideas are always better than mine!

Trying to Win!!

So, I follow this blog called Make It and Love It and she has sponsors that have give-away contests sometimes. Well, a new sponsor called Mini-Me Baby Gear is doing just that. The shop has some crazy cool stuff. I hope I win! (one way to enter is by making a post about it!! ) So check it out!

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2010/05/new-sponsor-and-great-giveaway.html

Sunny Time @ Sunnyside

I'm a little late getting this posted... oh well, I started it on time, just didn't finish it on time.

We finally discovered "the best park in Pullman" called Sunnyside Park. It is indeed pretty great. We went two weekends in a row. Ben gets done with classes at noon on Fridays so we had a picnic at the park. There is a pond with ducks and fish and even turtles. It was so fun just to relax in the sunshine with my little family. So, here are a few pictures of our latest trip to Sunnyside.

As you can see, much fun was had by all. A few days after this outing, Ben came home to have lunch before going back to school because he had a longer break than usual and it was while Kharisma was napping. After having been home for a little while he said to me, "I miss my daughter... I want to go play at the park with her." *sigh* Melts my heart. I'm so grateful to have such an awesome husband who is also such a good dad. Her face always lights up when he comes home. I have a feeling he's going to be the favorite parent, they have so much fun together... now if I can just convince Ben that five or six more can be just as fun!! Just kidding... but secretly not really.

Wanna-Be Easter Baskets...

Okay, I hesitate putting these up because I'm not especially proud of them. I know there is potential here and I may just end up making new ones next year. Anyway, there are my attempts at old-sweater Easter baskets that I found from the blog called Resweater. I only got to Ben's and Kharisma's and then because of my aggressive sewing my needle broke. These are suppose to have handles but I didn't get to them. The first one is Ben's... it's a bit floppy and I know the little eggs on the side would've been cuter if I had hand stitched them on but I was pressed for time so I ended up hot gluing them. So, what it comes down to is some sad looking baskets that with a little more time could be adorable.

My favorite thing though... and one I thought of all by myself... the fabric Easter grass! And so easy, even a caveman could do it! JoAnn's sells little bundles of fabric and I found one with all green fabric. All I had to do is shred it. It turned out super cute, and it's not as annoying as the plasticy grass stuff. (At least I think it's super cute)

Cute enough for two pictures...

Tie-Dyed Eggs... as in the ties you wear

We found a new hip way to color eggs this year, thanks to an email from Parenting Magazine. First, you find old ties, scarfs, or blouses; they must be 100% silk in order to work. Cut the silk into squares that can fit over the eggs. Wrap the eggs tightly in the silk and use a twisty-tie or string to keep it tight. Then do the same thing with another material, like a pillowcase or a t-shirt. Next you boil the eggs in water with 1/4 cup of vinegar. Boil for 20 minutes and then un-wrap when they are cool enough to touch. The idea is that the pattern will transfer to the shell.

The ones I saw on the internet worked a lot better but I guess these are okay for the first time.

And here is my little Easter bunny... oh so cute!