And then there were four

OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. 

That is seriously all I have to say after the 10 CNN breaking news texts I received starting at 4am!

It is electrifying. It is fascinating. It is so beyond exciting, I can't even handle it. One. More. Second. 

I honestly don't know why all of this gets me so fired up...but none the less. It is time. 

Time for Ashley Salzwedel's take on the State of the GOP Presidential Primary. 

annnndddddd just in time for tonight's debate before South Carolina! CNN. 5pm PST

So A LOT has happened since my very first primary season update. 

We have gone from this...

  

PLUS him

To now this.....as of 9am EST this morning. 

The final four.

Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich.

Rick Perry just suspended his bid to become President of the United States and threw his support behind Newt Gingrich. 

In the same moment it was determined that Rick Santorum won the Iowa Caucus by 34 votes which means Romney's 8 vote Iowa Caucus win is now null and void. 

Curve ball!

Yesterday - when talking about the South Carolina primary (which is scheduled to happen on Saturday) all eyes were on Mitt Romney. 

Yesterday - Mitt Romney's name was etched in history books for winning both the Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire primary. A first for a non-incumbent Republican.

Yesterday - analysts threw down. A win for Mitt Romney in South Carolina would all but seal the fact that he would be our nominee for President. See, South Carolina has picked the winner of every GOP nomination fight since 1980. That along with the fact he is two for two (Iowa and NH)...HUGE momentum. 

Yesterday - polls show Romney's once 19pt. lead is fast shrinking in SC. 33% Romney, 23% Gingrich, 16% Santorum, 13% Paul, 6% Perry.

Today? Yeahhhh....the history books will be re-written. Everything is about to change. 

-hang on...I think I may need a diet coke to reaaaalllyyy get me in the mood-

Okay. Better. Thanks.

Mitt Romney: If you have been following my updates which can be read here, here and here - you will already know most of what I am going to say. While he is incredibly presidential when it comes to debate performances and his ability to campaign/fund raise/organize an impressive ground game, I can't and won't vote for him. 

1. He is a flip-flopping Massachusetts moderate. 

He at one time or another supported a health care mandate in his state, supported the Wall Street bail out, supported the effort to raise the debt ceiling, appointed very liberal judges to his state bench and changed his once very pro-choice views and the fact he strongly supported gay marriage to fit his now conservative audience (it should be noted he still has not signed the Susan B. Anthony list pledge to defend life).

2. Faith. 

6 months ago I am pretty sure I would have told you the fact Mitt was a Mormon doesn't matter and wouldn't have any weight on my vote. I stand corrected. 

Not to say that the fact that he is Mormon makes him a bad person. In fact many Mormons are exceptional citizens -they love their spouses, raise respectful children, volunteer, give of their time and money...ect. However, Mitt Romney has an amazing platform so when he tells the American people that he is a Christian he isn't being truthful. The Mormon doctrine is 100% inconsistent with biblical Christianity. Bottom line: if I were to vote for Mitt Romney I would be validating his faith to those who may not know the difference and that can't be on me. 

Newt Gingrich: The big winner from today's events is clearly Newt Gingrich. He was just endorsed by Rick Perry who told supporters that while Newt is not perfect he does believe in the power of redemption and that there is forgiveness for those who seek God. A CLEAR message to evangelicals that is it okay to shift support. I mean, let's not kid ourselves. Speaker Gingrich has MAJOR baggage. But I would venture to say he is a conservative visionary...one that, with the recent boost of endorsements (Sarah Palin and Rick Perry) and a key debate hours away (his strength), could find himself at the head of  the "anyone but Romney" pack.

Oh 2 more things. 

1. He would TEARRRR Obama to shreds in a debate. Newt is a brilliant historian who is so skilled in debate.  Gets my fist pumping more than anyone else. You should see Nick - he flat gets up off the couch! He almost always earns line of the night and gets the most audience applause. 

2. Regarding elect-ability - if we were to see a Gingrich/Obama match up. I think Newt has a shot.  

Rick Santorum: HUGE day for Rick Santorum. The new winner of the Iowa Caucus. There is not much I dislike about him. He is a social conservative who believes strongly in the preservation of marriage between a man and a woman and protecting human life. He has vowed to stop Obamacare, protect Israel at all costs, sanction Iran should they acquire nuclear weapons (not a question of if, it's when), appoint conservatives to the bench, cut spending and entitlements..

His debate performances have gotten better. He had received some key endorsements from evangelical leaders. He is great with the media. 

I could go on and on. 

My worry is that he wouldn't be able to beat Obama in the general election which is only validated by poll numbers. As much as I like Rick Santorum. Really, I do. I think he will be out after Ron Paul.

Ron Paul: I really love how he has been able to excite a generation through his passionate constitutionalism and libertarian views . He is an economic scholar who blows the rest of the candidates out of the water with his knowledge. He is very much a believer in the free market and keeping government out of our daily lives. If elected, Ron Paul would allow young people to opt out of Social Security to make their own investments and would abolish the federal income tax and the IRS. Oh yeah, he also wants to get rid of federal reserve. The main problem lies with his views on foreign policy and his elect-ability - both of which scare me to death. 1. He is an isolationist. He wants to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, stop with the foreign aid and DRASTICALLY cut military spending. 2. His debate performances are outlandish. Yes, he is smart. Yes, he knows what he is talking about. Yes, he has ideas BUT he also makes crazy statements and isn't super articulate. I have a hard time picturing him in a head to head against the BEST orator of our time (Obama) and coming out on top. My money is that he is the next to go. 

Wow. That was fun. 

This is all part of the game..the fact that anything can and will change..

Watch the debate tonight. I guarantee fireworks and a totally new outlook tomorrow. 

Pink polo, pink polo, wherefore art thou pink polo

Help! 

I need a pink polo for Cruz's 1 year old pictures!

Yes, you guessed it. The MOST TALENTED Sarah Graczyk of G Photography by Sarah will be taking Cruz's 1 year old pictures in 2 weeks- I know...a bit excessive?? 

It is the last installment of my personal Cruz shrine (newborn, hospital, 6mo, 9mo mini session)...well that is until his sibling comes around....

I LOVE to dress my son. He has quite the wardrobe...kinda embarrassing but so fun. I'd even sacrifice a trip to Nordy Rack to pick up an amazing ensemble from babygap.com. Sale OF COURSE.

Nick is always telling Cruz how he dresses better than him, how he wants his polo or how his jeans look killer on him. This is a large compliment (to me) due to the fact my husby has quite the fashion sense. 

Anyway dressing Cruz for his photos takes a lot of thought. A lot of internal visualization. A lot of inspiration and a lot of follow through. It is, CLEARLY, something we will have forever and ever. Cruz may not appreciate the effort I have put into capturing his every waking moment this past year but I guarantee his mama, his mimi, future wife and future children sure will.  

Since we have done indoors, a beach theme and a woods/grassy field theme I figure it is time do something a bit more industrial. Like maybe graffiti - painted old building - downtown Spokane. I know, I know...not very 1 year old appropriate but I am sorry. TTTTTotally over balloons and parks. I want something unique for my unique boy.

Here is the thought. 

Royal blue skinny jeans. Ordered from Zara.com. Check.

Some sort of amazing brown or grey high tops. 

Like these:

Or maybe these:

But since we are doing them outside I need a great top - maybe two to go with the skinnys. The first option needs to be a pink polo. I am thinking about either layering it on top of a striped under shirt like this:

Polo from J Crew/Striped shirt from Baby Gap

OR layering it underneath a button up like the blue OR (possibly better - Grey):

Button-ups from Baby Gap

Second option is most likely an AMAZING red sweater Mimi picked up. DIE!!!!!!!!!! On sale too..even better!

Anyway....the big problem is that the J Crew polo you see above is a 2T. It is the smallest they go. 

I need a 12-18 or 18-24 depending on size chart. Cruz weighs 26.5 lbs.

Maybe I just order the J Crew polo and shrink it?

Pink polo, pink polo, wherefore art thou pink polo?????????????????????????????

Can someone please HELP ME??????????!!!!!!!!!!!!

My lustful heart (for pink polos, duh!) thanks you in advance. 

There she is, Miss America

There she is, your ideal....

23-year-old Laura Kaeppeler, Miss Wisconsin was crowned Miss America in what some say was the most exciting pageant in franchise history. Seems most people agree. It was the most watched non-sports program on Saturday.

She is stunning but the sweet new Miss America forgot her waterproof mascara. 

She started crying moments before she was crowned and it only got worse. 

By the time she was handed her roses, given her new sash and received her new bling - the black tears were ALL OVER the place. Poor thing.

Again - good thing she is stunning. Answering her final question (more on that below).

Rounding out the top 5 were:

(L to R) Miss Wisconsin, Miss Oklahoma 1st RU, Miss Arizona 3rd RU, Miss New York 2nd RU and Miss California 4th RU

Now to the final questions - my very favorite part of the competition.
Okay 1. You have to be skinny, fit, beautiful and beyond confident to get to the final question round. 2. If you have any shot at the title you can't even be the slightest bit dumb. Beyond that - even if you possess every crayon color in the box but aren't able to get to the point, answer the question and say it with conviction, you might as well ask for the bouquet of 3 roses the 4th runner up gets. It's over. 

Unfortunately that is what happened to Miss California - who I thought was so amazing up to final question time - who couldn't answer the question to save her life. 

Here are the questions in the order in which they were received (my comments are in red):

Miss Wisconsin: Should Miss America declare her political party? She answered this so PC it is kinda sick but clearly the reason she won the crown. She stated that since Miss America represents all people she should not pick a side. Maybe this is why I didn't win Miss Spokane but I disagree. It is America. Land of the free..free to have opinions, free to pick sides and free to believe in FREEDOM! While I agree, Miss America does represent all people - in the end having a political opinion or religious faith is what makes this the greatest Nation out there. 

Wow. That was a good answer.

Miss Oklahoma: Obesity Issue. Does the government have any responsibility for telling parents what their children should eat? I thought she was amazing. DUH! OF COURSE NOT! It is the PARENTS responsibility to model a healthy lifestyle for their kids...and to teach them healthy habits - which Miss Oklahoma said. Almost verbatim. The only thing I would have added was something to answer the critics who ask about the poor or parents who don't have the capability to teach their children about habits. COMMUNITY! Community resources, parental involvement in schools, mentor programs...ect. ect. ect. 

Miss Arizona: Is it okay for Tim Tebow and other celebrities use their fame to spread their faith? She said what I would have said - yes as long as they don't shove it down anyone's throat.

Miss New York: The Occupy Wall Street movement has focused on how 1% of the population controls 99% of the wealth. What do you think of the movement? Why do you think it has come to this? I actually think the first part of her answer was good - she said that if these people are going to come and complain about a problem, they have to come up with solutions too. What she failed to leave out was that it is a direct reflection on Obama's failed Presidency. Okay it is true - she would have been booed off the stage for that one...

Miss California: Critics have bashed the MTV reality show "Teen Mom" for glorifying teen pregnancy. Do you agree with this type of reality TV show? OMG. I can't even type up her answer a. because she didn't answer it and b. I could barely understand it. It all comes down, again, to parents being parents. Having open dialogue with your child/ren about the pressures of sex, teen pregnancy, protection, abstinence. Ohhhh she did say that we as viewers have the option of how successful shows like Teen Mom get. If we don't agree with the show - don't watch. Yeah, sorry Miss California. We can't turn away from the train wreck. 

Did you happen to catch the madness that was? 

Gosh I love it.

PS: After the depressing post I wrote on Monday, I think I am going to apply for the open Liberty Lake City Council position. 

Incredibly nostalgic

One of my all time favorite pictures. Maybe it's time to have another??

One liners

1. Who is going to be watching the Miss America pageant this Saturday? I TOTALLY am. I don't think I have missed a Miss America pageant since grade school. Even while living in the big white house on Colorado st. (Tri Delta), I would reserve the sr. lounge for Miss America viewing party.
Two things I love most: a. the final question and b. it makes me want to pump up my diet and exercise program.
Monday, expect a Miss America update including final question analysis.

You go Miss Texas!

2. I am obsessed with Thai food. I have been ordering pad Thai from Thai Bamboo on Pines at least twice a week for the last three weeks. Pretty sure I am going to call in an order tonight too. It's either pad Thai or Thai chicken pizza from Papa Murphys (we had that last night).

3. Have you ever come home from a long, hard day at work and thought to yourself, Gee. They got their money's worth outta me today!? Well I said that at 9:36am after writing - then voiding - the writing - then voiding - then writing 8 checks to our many vendors. Let's just get something very straight. I am not now nor will I ever be an accountant. SICK. THEN I said it again at 12:06pm right after I fired our shuttle driver for collecting 3 customer complaints in 3 days and calling the Spokane PD after finding out one of our Mazda's  was the HIT (well and the run) in a hit and run last night.
I know! No time to even blog. Shame.

4. I am approximately 3 days late when it comes to my party planning timeline. HELLOOOO?!?!?!?! my precious son's first birthday is only a FEW WEEKS AWAY!
Good thing I at least know the theme.
We are going with a navy and yellow happy hour theme! While I do believe that Cruz will eventually have a birthday party oozing with Elmo, Dora, Old McDonald's farm, Jurassic Park and quite potentially Jake and the Neverland Pirates, this is NOT the year for that. In fact...I hope that is never the year but who am I to turn down the birthday requests of my beautiful boy?
Since he will be one. Won 't care nor remember the occasion other than by the 1,000,000,0000000000 pics I will take, figures this party be for the party goers.
Out of the all of the things I have to do - guest list, invites, menu, cupcakes, decor ect. - the ONLY thing I have done is ordered my Preshy his first birthday t-shirt.
Move over Tori Spelling.

5. Have you heard the phrase - destined for greatness? I am feeling more like currently stuck in dumbness. My job isn't very fun. I am not very fun - probably because I am constantly tired. My sister even told me the other day I have been sporting dark circles. Oh and thanks to Em I now know us Mexis are more prone to dark circles. Great. That same night, I waited for Nick to get home from work so I could RUN to Walgreens to find some hope. My hope? Aveeno's smart essentials anti fatigue eye treatment.
On Saturday I told Nick I wanted to quit my job and apply to be a 911 operator.
34 minutes later, when Beyonce and Jay's baby was announced via people.com and I read the gloooorious words, Blue Ivy Carter, I told Nick I wanted to be a nameologist.
Is there such a thing?

Why can't I do all the things I love? Recruit fresh/red hot talent for somewhere who appreciates fresh/red hot talent, mentor young..well and old people in trying to create an amazing resume/apply/interview for a dream role, get hired or EVEN ASKED (cause I would SO do it for free) to create the most creative, unique, crazy cool baby names for expecting moms, answer the phones for 911 for 3 major incidents a day, be a regular contributor on Fox News, run for Mrs. Washington, decorate houses with my husband.........
OHHH and have time for daily mani/pedi, 45 minute workout, hair apt., and brow waxing ALL while not missing the kisses, snuggles, smiles, laughter, excitement from the small things: watching dad walk in the door from work or watching me pull a pink birthday cake pop from the brown Starbucks bag and second by second learning.

Is that possible?

6. I never knew how horrific CANCER could be. Never have been close to it, never smelled it, never touched it, never experienced it. Ever. That is until these last few months. Thanks to cancer, I spent most of last Saturday sobbing my eyes out. Nick's step mom has taken a turn for the worse and probably won't be with us much longer.

It is funny how the Holy Spirit works. Ever since the Dream Table a week ago Tuesday, I have been feeling super convicted to go. That whole week, a few hours wouldn't go by without thoughts of Bob &/or Laurie popping up in my head. So after conveying my heavy heart to Nick we pack up our family and head south to the Lewiston/Clarkston valley where they live.

While being there was incredibly hard - emotionally - it was so good. We were able to offer Bob our support, visit with Laurie and be present when the bad news arrived on Sunday. It was news that Laurie's last round of chemo was not successful and the tumors were all still living in places they shouldn't.

I sobbed.
Because I hurt for Bob. What it must feel like to know you will outlive your spouse. Your life partner.
Because I am scared for Laurie. What it must feel like to be so so sick and to know modern medicine failed you.
Because I am sad for Laurie's parents. What it must feel like to even THINK for one second you might have to bury your child.

My only prayer (and it is one I pray multiple times a day) is one of peace for the whole family and more importantly that out of this UGLY mess that God be glorified.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10)

My friends, please be praying for Bob and Laurie.

This was a gift from her dearest friends. Bob hung it on the wall in their bedroom right across from her hospital bed for her to see every moment she is awake.

Makes you just a little bit more thankful for your many blessings, doesn't it?

I think that is all I have for you this Friday the 13th.
Allow me to leave you with the most fun, most gorge little  almost 1 year old human on the face of this planet.

Happy weekend!

PS: Next week will bring you a good ol' presidential race update and not 1 but 2 sets of house plans! Stay tuned!

You never marry the right person

First of all - I am SO sorry that I have neglected my blogging responsibilities! It has been one thing after another - flu, crazy busy season at work, cancer....

I promise to catch you all up but until I find myself a few minutes at work, a minute in my afternoon or evening (when Nick and I aren't watching election coverage) - feast your eyes upon this amazing article by the talented Tim Keller. 

Holy Amazing!!!!

Be sure to click the link above to read the whole article. You will want to, I promise!

In generations past, there was far less talk about “compatibility” and finding the ideal soul-mate. Today we are looking for someone who accepts us as we are and fulfills our desires, and this creates an unrealistic set of expectations that frustrates both the searchers and the searched for.

In John Tierney’s classic humor article “Picky, Picky, Picky” he tries nobly to get us to laugh at the impossible situation our culture has put us in. He recounts many of the reasons his single friends told him they had given up on their recent relationships:

“She mispronounced ‘Goethe.’”
“How could I take him seriously after seeing The Road Less Traveled on his bookshelf?”
“If she would just lose seven pounds.”
“Sure, he’s a partner, but it’s not a big firm. And he wears those short black socks.”
“Well, it started out great ... beautiful face, great body, nice smile. Everything was going fine—until she turned around.” He paused ominously and shook his head. ”... She had dirty elbows.”

In other words, some people in our culture want too much out of a marriage partner. They do not see marriage as two flawed people coming together to create a space of stability, love and consolation, a “haven in a heartless world,” as Christopher Lasch describes it. Rather, they are looking for someone who will accept them as they are, complement their abilities and fulfill their sexual and emotional desires. This will indeed require a woman who is “a novelist/astronaut with a background in fashion modeling,” and the equivalent in a man. A marriage based not on self-denial but on self-fulfillment will require a low- or no-maintenance partner who meets your needs while making almost no claims on you. Simply put—today people are asking far too much in the marriage partner.

Happy New Year

New Year's Eve was the first NYE in a while we actually stayed up past midnight. Even last year, in Mexico, we ditched the beach party and went to bed at 10:30! 

We were in bed after a great night with my sister and Grayling (which also included a brief visit down the street to Kelly and Jeremy's house -LOVE them). Nick was watching Lost on my iPad (the one he TOTALLY surprised me with for Christmas) and I was inches from reaching the promised sleep-land. 

You know. 

Scarfy around my face, heated mattress pad set to level 2 and wrapped in my jersey knit comforter all mummy like when I hear a - Happy New Year - being whispered next to me. My sweet husband reached over, gave me a kiss, then finished watching Lost while I finally get to doze off a happy girl.

New Years Day on the other hand wasn't so happy. It was awful. I spent the day with the flu. The intense kind that leaves you dry heaving on the bathroom floor, sobbing and wishing it away. But then as fast as it comes, it goes. 

Thank goodness for a healthy husband who spent the whole day playing mom, nurse and housekeeper - all in one. Entertaining our child by ripping out dry wall in our basement which BTW made Cruz laugh the hardest I have ever heard EVER, taking a field trip to Taco Bell for lunch, making sure Cruz was bathed, bottled and rocked to sleep AND rubbing his wife's back as she was sobbing and dry heaving over the toilet made him a candidate for husband of the year. 

Cruz also got his 4th haircut! Man - Nick sure know how to do one killer fade.What a beautiful boy.

For 2012 I have a very different set of resolutions than I did in years past. I think it is because I am a mother now and along with Nick, I am responsible for Cruz. In every way. A very overwhelming responsibility. 

While I typically think NYR are crap (because who honestly keeps theirs??), I believe so deeply in mine that I need the accountability from my husband, mother, sister, best friends, dream table and friends so that I can look back on January 1, 2013 and see answered prayer, blessed friendships, deeper intimacy with my husband and an unwavering trust and faith in my Savior.

May this year be one of priority - my relationship with God first and foremost (also because only that will make me a better mother, wife and friend), my marriage, my friendships. I want to make people feel important, special, worthy. I want to find joy in the small moment of motherhood and cherish this special time I have with my son. I want to be a submissive wife and allow Nick to grow in leadership over our family. I want to be able to recognize when I am being pulled in by the world and look to God to pull me back out. Most of all I want to relinquish control of this life and live in the direction/guidance/abundant blessings He has to give.

{Via Pinterest}

Happy New Year loves.

xoxo