"Opting-out Revolution" and Family Choices

An article today from the NYTimes commences: With men losing jobs in massive numbers, stay-at-home moms heading back into the workforce and part-time working mothers increasing their hours, feminists are cheering women’s sudden rediscovery of self-sufficiency.

Countless people at work tell me that I am lucky that Mary is staying at home to mother our children. Luck has little to do with it! I do believe that I am extremely lucky to have Mary. I also appreciate that Mary and I share the same values (but we didn't leave that element to luck). A feminist believing every woman should work is akin to a person believing every woman should stay at home. Whether a woman decides to work is a choice. Some choices are right and some wrong. Some choices make sense and some don't. Some choices are made with a free hand and some under duress. I believe that what's important is that (1) each woman can and should make her own decision, and (2) each decision is a choice.

Thank you, Mary, for choosing to stay home with our girls. I go to work everyday happy. I am happy that I can provide for you. I am happy that you have decided to stay home with Madge and Pita--and do such a fabulous job raising them! I am happy that you enjoy staying at home with the girls. I love you.

There She Goes

Off to the races. Guadalupe began to sit up on her own back in early January. Now, in early March, she has formally started to crawl, after a month of scooting! In the meantime, she is on to standing. She can walk around holding onto furniture and can even free-stand for about 10 seconds. She's our little beauty! You may be able to see her four teeth in the pictures.

We love you, Pita. Dada is proud of you! You bring us such joy with your gaping smile and contagious laugh. Keep on going!

It’s Organic, but Does That Mean It’s Safer?

Did you know that the recent peanut butter salmonella case involved two companies that were certified organic? A telling article from the NYTimes provides more detail on the organic certification process in the United States and some abuses. I believe that there are valid health claims and benefits for organic food. Nevertheless, I don't believe that organic produces safer food for consumption nor do I believe that organic agricultural practices are necessarily better for the environment. Glad to see this issue coming to the fore.

Happy Birthday, Handsome!

Happy birthday to you, Caleb, my sweet husband and dear Da-Da to Madge and Pita. We love you oh so very much. Thank you for all that you give to our family. Thank you for your desire to always improve and be realistic. You have taught me a lot. God has blessed our lives with your presence and I could not be more thankful for the paths that we have taken, because in the end they have brought us to one another, and now to the creation of our own family. You are our treasure, and I am so glad that we have you as our pot o'gold at the end of our rainbow that just keeps getting brighter. All our love for so many more happy years.