My pledge

Here is to new discoveries, about myself and life.
Here is to loving, regardless of the return.
Here is to the best person that ever happened to me.
Here is to loving my little more and more, everyday.
Here is to living for the growth and earned understanding.
And here is to God, for giving me everything that means anything.

To shot or not to shot

Since Norah was born, I have struggled, every Doctor's appointment, to give her the large amount of vaccines recommended by Doctors. We have not had any severe adverse reactions to vaccines. She has had some very minor ones, but nothing too worrisome. I felt however, frustrated with myself that I was allowing her to be vaccinated with dozens of different vaccines, while I stayed greatly uneducated about side-effects, possible severe adverse reactions and also the positive side of vaccines. So I recently have been trying to educate myself on vaccines, particularly before little boy comes. Now I have to be open and honest. I am not anti-vaccines. I am not pro-vaccines. Where I stand at this point, is pro-choice for the administration of my child's vaccines. I want to decide which vaccines my children receive and when they receive them. I believe strongly that our children receive too many vaccines at a time. I have yet to decide if I believe they should receive less, or not. The bottom line is that I feel uncomfortable with my lack of understanding and knowledge when it comes to vaccines. I have a feeling that I am not the only one of us, my friends, to feel that way. So, I wanted to share with you two resources that have been helpful recently, in my study:
-This is a link to a video that is (for the moment) free to view. I don't know how long that will be the case, so if you are interested, I'd jump on it. http://vimeo.com/31036452
As I watch the video, I feel it is for the most part, anti-vaccine or anti-some vaccines. So, be forewarned. However, it has opened my eyes and given me some information, I may not have otherwise received.
-I also have been reading a book, which I really like. It is called the Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert W. Sears. It is NOT an anti-vaccine book. Dr. Sears is in fact, a pediatrician who vaccinates his own children, but explains vaccines in more detail. He breaks down each vaccine, their components, potential adverse reactions, and the pros and cons of getting the vaccine. It has been VERY helpful in my learning process.

Anyway, I hope this is helpful to any of you with my same feelings. I would also be so grateful if you would pass on to me, any information or research you have done on vaccinations: the importance of and potential hazards of. Thanks!!!
love,
em

Thank you music

It is November, so I started listening to Christmas music, yesterday. Norah and I were loving it. We were listening to the song, "Mary did you know?" Although I've heard it before, I was so touched by the lyrics:

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Has come to make you new;
This Child that you delivered
Will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Has walked where Angels trod?
When you kiss your Little Baby,
You kiss the Face of God!

Oh, Mary, did you know?
Oh, Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear,
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the lamb!

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Is Heaven's Perfect Lamb?
This sleeping Child you're holding
Is the Great I Am!

Mary knew that the baby she carried was of God, as an angel revealed to her. However, I don't think she really had an understanding, in its entirety, what her Son would do for literally all mankind.

Listening to the song made me think of my baby boy and his unknown potential. I do not mean to compare him to our Savior and his incredible purpose. I do however, mean to compare the element of unknown. While pregnant, we have no idea who this little being will be nor what he is capable of. I am so excited to watch the development of my little boy, as I've watched the development as little Norah. I love the daily developments that are creating the foundation for who these children will be. Being a mother is one of the greatest gifts I've had in my life. I feel like I am starting to understand the purpose of the eternities as I experience motherhood. What an incredibly eye-opening experience.