Panama

Mom and Dad, are you guys back from Panama yet? How was it? Mom, how did your hair do? And how did the other ladies like your little "gifts?" Hope you guys had a good time!

Elder Cook?

Why are there so many Elder Cooks in the church?! It gets a little confusing. Mom and dad, the guy who set you apart for your mission is NOT the same as the new apostle, right? So yesterday I got a phone call from a missionary in another area in Oregon! I was like, "why are you calling me Elder?! Get back to work!" He wanted me and Jarem to check up on his converts here in Amity...chueco. But that family is struggling, so we'll have to help them. They just ran up against the gossip thing. The bishop heard they were having marital problems, so he called them into his office to find out if that was true, and then sent them home without any advice. Then he chatted about their problems in PEC and to other ladies....huh. This is SUCH a small town. The husband called Jarem of his own accord and let us know he and his wife were having problems. So now we can help, without spreading more gossip. How silly we humans are, and how much damage a tongue can do.

Well, I'm just grateful Elizabeth and Dan and their precious cargo are back home safely. I want to see Soren and Anders! This fire made me scared...you guys will just have to visit us more often. :) Ari needs to grow up knowing his cousins.

Fizzix

Check it out! Carbonated yogurt is making it big. Way to go Lynn Ogden! Too bad it isn't the other Professor Ogden striking gold. :) Just kidding, Dad. You struck gold long before this guy threw dry ice in his yogurt. Enjoy!

Inspiration! That's it!

Hey, Sara. Did you get that email from Daniel where he was offering his books? Well, I responded, did you?! :) j/k. I hope he picks me! J/K!!! I'm such a nerd. Anyway, we need a good conversational topic for this blog. Like breastfeeding. :) Something explosive like that was. Oh hey, here's a question, Dad. I was watching (for like 2 seconds) The 700 Club with a Reverend somebody-or-other teaching a class. He had a list of things on his chalkboard, one of which was "Word of Wisdom." Do other religions teach the Word of Wisdom? Do you think others have adopted ours? Is that legal? Dan thinks he just might have been referring to the Bible as the word of wisdom. Maybe, but wouldn't he say "words of wisdom" then?

Sara, maybe you should share with "the blog" your frustration about Young Women and Young Men being taught that it's all the Young Women's responsibility to keep Young Men's minds out of the gutter. Or maybe not, I'm pretty sure I know where Mom would stand on this subject based on where she stood on the breastfeeding subject. It is our responsibility. Am I right, Mom? I think more emphasis should be put on it being both parties' responsibility to "bridle their passions."

Well, I'm just trying to stir up the winds of ... aw, hell, I can't think of the word. I'M LOSING MY MIND AND I'M ONLY 26!!!!! Well, with that minor cuss word thrown in for good measure, we'll see who really is reading this blog. :) Maybe I'll send out an email to remind everyone that it still exists. :)

Temperatures

It seems absolutely wrong that every time I check the temperatures on here, we are the hottest! Granted, Daniel is in the early morning hours when I check. :) And, I guess August and September are the hottest months in San Diego. Of course, hottest means 80 degrees, sometimes a teensy bit hotter. :) I'll take it! So, who's ready to have a reunion in San Diego? We want visitors/company - family and fun! Soren needs to see his aunts and uncles and grandparents and cousins! Come on down. We have an awesome guest room that is just waiting for someone to park in it for a while! See you soon!

Weather

There you go, Sara. :) I like having those up, too. They were just malfunctioning for so long that I eliminated them. Hopefully they won't stop working now. :) Enjoy!

!FELIZ CUMPEAÑOS DAN!

Happy happy birthday Dan dear, happy days will come to you all year. If I had a wish then it would be, a happy happy birthday to you from me. We love you Dan. We admire your determination to be a righteous leader of your little, eternal, growing family. They are worth it. Many blessings on you and yours as you embark on this new adventure in San Diego. Have a great day. Love Marcia

Ode to Dan, Elizabeth, Soren, Anders

Ode:

Utah has lost another great family
San Diego receives the Agles handily

Beaches, Sea World, warm weather, shopping
All the better for the boys to enjoy hopping

Tis always the season for fun
Extended family coming at a run

Many new memories and pictures
No more Happy Valley strictures

...and thus ends the long and storied poetry life of Sara. Now maybe Jarem, the poet master, will compose a much better poem for us. :)

To Uncle Daniel:

We love you, Uncle Daniel! Happy Birthday and Happy Pioneer Day! Hope you had a great day filled with lots of humor and celebration. Take care of yourself and come home soon! :)

Love,
The Agles

To Mom:

We love you, Mom! Hope you had a wonderful day! We miss you and can't wait to see you again!

Love,
The Agles

One year older and wiser too

Frer la hair gaburtstock, in German they say it too. :)

Happy Birthday Lizzie! I was going to do this earlier but I went to bed at 8:00p.m. last night so I could catch the "Rhino" early this morning and come to the Green Zone. Now I'm sitting here in the nice embassy lounge writing a happy birthday message. Hey, it's still the 15th back in Utah....at least for a few more hours. :)

I hope you had a great birthday.

Love you!

- Daniel

Landlord

Hey Daniel- sounds like you should buy a home in San Diego!! You could have hundreds of tenants immediately. haha.

Birthday

Hey thanks for all your gifts you guys! A couple came in the mail the other day (Sara and Jarem, Mom and Dad) and Daniel has been giving us gifts ever since Dan graduated and started studying for the bar. We really appreciate all the love and support you've shown us. I didn't even remember it was my birthday until I got those cards/gifts in the mail. Too much going on. It was very nice to be remembered!

Oh, and I just thought I'd let you all know that WE GOT A HOUSE!!!!!!!!! :) We won! It took some fast-talking, lots of humor, and a bunch of begging/pleading on our part. But we somehow managed to worm our way into the the good graces of a landlord in Rancho Penasquitos and beat out all the 100's of other homeless people vying for a rental in this dog eat dog market. She's sending me pictures of the interior soon (which our friends went through for us), so I'll post them on our blog. Love you guys!

This is the Craigslist photo of the outside of the home. Cute, huh?!

Oh Bother!

Attempt number two in the rental house search:

$2 million dollar La Jolla home
$2000/mo.

Fraud.


ARRRRRGGGGHHHHH! (but good thing we didn't send any money) :)

77777777777777777777777777

Here's to Dad's astute observation that today is 7/7/7. :) Oh, by the way, for all those of you who knew that we had applied for a home in Rancho Penasquitos...we didn't get it. :( We were heartbroken. I wonder if it was because we have kids. Anyway, the owner decided to go with another applicant. Blah. Now it's back to the grind and I think Dan and I have had quite enough of searching rentals. It's so stressful! We've been mourning for the last few days after we found out with didn't get 9332 Pipilo St. I'm anxious, stressed, nervous...and a whole lot of other lovely feelings. Dan is worried about finding a place...so much so that his attention is getting pulled from his studies. I'm neglecting our kids while sitting here at the computer all day long searching for rentals, trying to be the first one to respond to those we like. I guess it's really cut-throat in the areas that we want to live. And it's hard to compete from Utah, when everyone else is right there to view the place and sign contracts in person. I'm sick of this. I just need to have faith that the right home for us is out there and that the Lord knows what He's doing. I'm just getting more and more worried as the days tick by and we need to be moving in four weeks! I think I'm going to have a hernia. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Okay, I'm tired of seeing GAY when I open this blog...so here's something different! hehe. Nice pics of you and Brooke and Angie on the bagel factory Elizabeth. You're cute...and thin!

The Quiet Gay Revolution

Okay, I just read the scariest article in Time Magazine. I'll paste it here...I'm really afraid for this country if this is how Americans feel.

Thursday, Jun. 14, 2007
The Quiet Gay Revolution
By Michael Kinsley

When William F. Buckley Jr. revived American conservatism by founding National Review in 1955, he said the magazine's job was to stand "athwart history, yelling stop." At that time, history did seem to be moving in the wrong direction if you were a conservative, and Buckley was gutsy to admit as much. Later, during the Reagan era and after, conservatives enjoyed thinking that history was on their side. They saw themselves as riding it like a bronco, yelling not stop but faster! faster!

That's not how they look now. On no issue is history moving faster than on "gay rights"--an already antiquated term for full and equal participation and acceptance of gay men and women in American life. The work is not finished, of course, but what took black Americans more than a century, gays have accomplished in two or three decades (thanks in no small part to blacks, who designed the template for this kind of social revolution). We still argue about it, but the whole spectrum of debate has moved left. A right-wing thug like Tom DeLay or Newt Gingrich probably has more advanced views about homosexuals than dainty liberals of the past century like Adlai Stevenson or Hubert Humphrey. And whatever the actual views, public expressions of overt homophobia are now unacceptable from any national politician.

The debate of 14 years ago about gays in the military seems almost quaint. Kids grow up today with gay friends, gay parents, gay parents of friends and gay friends of parents. If only blacks and whites were as thoroughly mixed together in society as gays and straights are. Kids are also exposed constantly to an entertainment culture in which gays are not merely accepted but in some ways dominant. You rarely see a reality show without a gay cast member, while Rosie O'Donnell is a coveted free agent and Ellen DeGeneres is America's sweetheart. The notion that gays must be segregated out of the military for the sake of our national security must strike Americans younger than, say, 40 as simply weird, just as we of the previous generation find the rules of racial segregation weird. (O.K., run that by me again: they needed separate drinking fountains because ... why?)

For 14 years the GOP has stood still as history has gone charging past. In last week's CNN-sponsored debate, every Republican presidential candidate said he supports "Don't ask, don't tell," the arch compromise of 1993. This ridiculous policy allows servicemen and -women to be gay in some existential sense but tosses them out if they talk about it or do anything about it. Most congressional Republicans voted for "Don't ask, don't tell," but the party platform for the 1996 presidential election retreated from it: "We oppose Bill Clinton's assault on the culture and traditions of the armed forces, especially his attempt to lift the ban on homosexuals in the military. We affirm that homosexuality is incompatible with military service." This last formulation, repeated in the GOP platforms of 2000 and 2004, is especially head in the sand. They can "affirm" anything they want, but homosexuality is obviously not incompatible with military service. There have always been gays in the military. The question is what conditions they serve under.

This used to be an issue that Republicans employed to torture Democrats. No longer. While Democrats hardly build their campaigns around it, in the CNN debates last week every Democrat was happy to go on record as favoring lifting the ban once and for all. By contrast, every Republican cowered behind "Don't ask, don't tell," patently wishing the whole thing would go away. Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney agreed that now "is not the time" to reopen the issue. Mike Huckabee blathered nonsensically about the "uniform code of military conduct." John McCain was almost campy, practically bursting into song about our "most wonderful military." Not one of them attempted to defend the ban on its merits. But not one would oppose it.

And yet not one, I suspect, has any doubt about where this issue is going. When opponents of gay rights talk ominously about a "gay agenda," they are not completely wrong. There has been an agenda in the sense of a long-term strategy, not unlike the carefully plotted strategy of Thurgood Marshall and others in the civil rights movement that ended formal racial segregation. It was a brilliant decision to start with the military rather than attempt to outlaw discrimination generally or push right away for gay marriage. Twenty years from now, maybe sooner, gays will have it all.

On bigger issues too, today's Republicans find themselves on the wrong side of history. On the advice of my fellow TIME columnist Bill Kristol, Republicans killed any health-care reform 13 years ago with the slogan "There is no crisis." No candidate of either party is saying that now. In fact, the crisis has gotten worse and will be harder to solve than it was in 1994.

Of course, you shouldn't change your principles just to be on the right side of history. Standing athwart history and yelling stop can be noble, and sometimes even works. But that's not what today's Republicans seem to be doing. They are chasing after history from a few yards behind.

Emails...

A few people wrote me back about my complaining email...I'll post them here- very interesting views....
From Granny:
Dear Sara,
I relate to your frustrations of dealing with a newborn. I took care of the babe and let the house go. I bought a few dozen diapers so I would not have to wash them every day. There were no disposables. I had no help from my husband. He was always out and about on the ranch. After I got over the pp period, I felt better and went into action. I had one good thing going in my favor. I had been brought up to get up early. My dad used to sprinkle our faces with water after the first call. I bless him for that now. At the time I hated him. Well, I found out for myself that the morning hours are the most valuable in getting things under control. I don't know what to tell people who cant get up early. If a person has help, it may be different.There just aren't enough afternoon hours to accomplish what should be done in the hours from five to noon. I had three children before we had electricity and running water. I just worked from daylight until dark doing what needed to be done. I never needed to worry about gaining weight. The household chores took care of that problem. Plus I always loved to get in some kind of exercise and I found time to read a good book. No television nor radio.I know the Lord will guide you and help you to accomplish the things you need to do. I am so grateful the baby has a loving mother and day to care for his every need. I think it a privilege to see a mother nursing her baby in sacrament meeting. Children need to see that also. It is a normal and natural thing to do.I loved the letter Jarem wrote to the bishop and the ward. It was very touching.When we were children, no one thought anything of seeing a mother nursing her child. Nothing is mentioned anymore when women expose everything on TV. Puzzling. Isn't iit?. Surely do love you and Jarem. Wish I could see and cuddle little Ari. Why do we all have to live so far apart? Perhaps I'll get to see you when Marcia and Kelly return from Guatemala. The Lord bless you and keep you in the hollow of his hand. Granny

From Wayne and Rebecca Madsen:
wow. Why is it that you keep facing so many obstacles for the way you
want to parent? And I can't tell you how completely baffled Rebecca and
I were at the reactions of your ward. Thankfully for your sake, your
bishop is guided by the spirit. There are plenty of bishops out there
who are more guided by the "influence of man" than by listening to the
spirit. Breastfeeding is completely natural, but beyond that it is vital
for a developing child's health. It sounds so ridiculous that you have
to sit in a corner like an outcast and cover up with a blanket (funny
enough, I thought of The Scarlet Letter :P ). This world never ceases to
amaze me with the crazy ideas some people have.

And good for you for being an exhibitionist! The world needs more of
them in the church. Modesty is very important, but modesty is terribly
different from understanding what we are and being comfortable with
that. I have gotten lots of flack from painting nudes.

Anyways, enough of that. I hope that you and Jarem and Ari are doing
better now. It's tough, but I'm glad you guys are sticking to your guns
and being parents the way you believe is correct.

From Rachel and John Hone:
I'm still planning on taking pictures of me doing spiritual things for your grandma...I just keep forgetting to take a camera home from work seeing as how we don't own one yet. John's working on that, we should have one soon. But I will try and remember to take a camera home so we can get them to you if it's not too late anyway. Sorry about all your trauma, that doesn't sound fun. I broke down yesterday because I felt like I wasn't being a good wife. I can only imagine doing your best to be a good mom and have other people tear you down because of it, horrible. I'm glad that Jarem is taking care of you both. so many men wouldn't blink about it.

Elizabeth:
Awesome, awesome. I love it! I think this is a great letter, Jarem.
Well-written and thought out. Thanks for sharing, Sara! Maybe some day
more people will be tolerant of something so natural and pure.

Love,
Me

Suzanne:
WE just wanted to say yay to u guys. That letter was
well put. I totally agree with you guys. Iam getting
so sick of the looks I get when breast feeding Halle.
I am a lot tougher dealing with it this second time
around though. Aaron and I thought that was a great
letter. Good luck and keep us posted. LOVE U.

Sacrament Meeting Talks

So, Dan and I have been asked to give talks this next Sunday on D&C 101:76-80. That's right, we both have to speak (15 minutes each) on five verses of scripture. Not cool! We've decided to split it up based on these two talks we found on lds.org:

Liz - God's Hand in the Founding of America - L. Tom Perry
Dan - The Divinely Inspired Constitution - Dallin H. Oaks

Granted, we haven't even read these talks yet (just found them 5 minutes ago), so this may change. But, this is what we've got to go on so far. Any thoughts, feelings, stories, facts, etc. would be greatly appreciated! (that means you especially, Mom and Dad). :) j/k!

Loves to you all!

Feliz Dia de los Padres!

Ha ha ha, I love it! :) Just a little cartoon to make you smile. Happy Father's Day to Dad, Dan, Jarem, Joseph, and Daniel (some day). I love you all and think you all make (or will make) great dads! Hope you've had a great day.

Love,
Elizabeth, Lizzie, Liz, Lizard, Lidabus

It's amazing how fast these kids grow. For those of you who haven't seen Ari latelly this may come as a bit of a shock! Here he is now

It feels like just yesterday that we took his first baby picture


I'm sure that in no time he'll be putting up signs like this and doing all kinds of great stuff

More new photos at jaremandsara.com

Thumb-sucking

Mom, you said Sara was your only thumb-sucker, but here are some pictures of me very fondly sucking away. :) I couldn't find any of Daniel or Joseph, though...they both had binkies in their mouths. Can you guys tell I'm having tons of fun with all these old pictures Dad gave us on those CDs? It's great!

Ari

Sara and Jarem!
That newest picture of Ari on your website (2.5 months) is SOOOOOOO cute! He has reddish hair and cute, blue eyes! Do you have blue eyes, Jarem? Oh, he's such a doll (Ari, I mean). :) I want to meet him so badly. Maybe I'll take a road trip by myself. :) j/k. Love you guys! (Where are those blessing pictures?)

I'm trying to cover all my bases, Josie! Now I'll write you an email and call your phone. :) One way or another, you will know that we have remembered you on this important day! It's hard to believe that you are 23 years old! Hope you have a great day with lots of smiles and laughter. We love you!

Love,
Elizabeth, Dan, Soren, and Anders

We WIN

(Rat Race reference- Mr. Bean...."I win") So guess what?!?! I just got on here, and it says that we are 84 degrees- hotter than ALL of you- including BAGDAD!!! MUH-HA-HA-HA. Okay, Todd and Louise just arrived- we're blessing Ari this weekend. Love you all....

Waiting...

Hey dad, we're still all curious here about the Jews and the baptism thing...could you answer that for us? So they baptize, but have they always, and do they now? And what is the symbolism? Not for Christ, obviously. Jarem and Sara, and Jeff Walker would like to know. :) Thanks.

Welcome Joseph!

Josie! You finally made it on here. Or maybe Bonnie did it for you, but either way, I think it's great! I love your occupation in your profile. It made me laugh hysterically! Oh, I'm so glad you finally signed up. Welcome, welcome. Now get posting. Let us all know what you're up to and where you're headed (obviously not Chicago or Florida). :) Love you!

3 Nephi 2:11

"And it came to pass in the thirteenth year there began to be wars and contentions throughout all the land [Iraq]; for the Gadianton robbers [insurgents/terrorists] had become so numerous, and did slay so many of the people, and did lay waste so many cities, and did spread so much death and carnage throughout the land, that it became expedient that all the people, both the Nephites [Shiites] and the Lamanites [Sunnis], should take up arms against them."

Do you think that it will get so bad over here that everyone will just get completely fed up with the terrorist/insurgents and will start to band together to fight them? I hope so. It is "expedient."

Anders and Elizabeth

It must be genetic. :o)

Sara, Joseph, and Ari

Sara

Ari

Joseph

Writing a family book

So, a little while ago, Liz told Sara that they could write a great book together with all their funny stories. Below Sara said that "Nausea and Newborns" would be a good title if she ever wrote a book. So I decided to build a book application into our website (jaremandsara.com) for anyone who would like to contribute. You can add to the book, edit other entries (which is great with my spelling and grammar) and we can rearrange the order of entries. I have started this book by entering an auto-biography from our dog Snatch. My cancer ride blurb is set to stay at the top of the page now so you will have to scroll down to find the Snatch story. To contribute, just go to "POST" in the links at the top of the page and select book page. At the end of the year I think it would be fun to publish a copy of the book for everyone that contributes.
Cheers,
Jarem

letter to editor

What say all of you, should I send this letter to the Des News editor? Utah is going to have a vote this fall as to whether to allow parents school choice or not. Most Utahns do not favor this choice. See the letter below.

For such a conservative state, Utahns' devotion to government-run schools is a surprise. Utahns must favor the public school system because of a commitment to the teachers. That seems to be short-sighted. Vouchers would introduce competition for excellent teachers. Their salaries would finally rise; something that won't happen with the current government-run system. Why would Utahns support a system that continually chips away at traditional Christian values? In addition, Utah students are not taught their Christian heritage in the public schools. Little by little anything Christian is being stripped from the curriculum. Every Christmas more law suits surface to quiet the school choirs wishing to sing the songs of this nation's heritage.

We're not talking teaching any particular Christian faith, just simply telling our children the truth about their heritage and welcoming those of other faiths or no faith to appreciate it, too. It won't happen in the public school system. In addition Utah students are increasingly exposed to pornography, profanity, immodesty, and crudity throughout each school day, something the public school system will not control for fear of violating freedom of expression. On the horizon for Utah students are increasingly aggressive sex-education classes that condone teenage sex (if practiced safely). Students will be required to take classes on homosexuality (to learn to identify their sexual orientation) as is already occuring in the public schools in Washington and Ohio.

Public schools cannot keep Utah students safe, either physically or morally. They are too large with too many layers of administration. The voucher system would help establish smaller schools with more parent involvement. In the public-run schools parents are needed for participation in raising money, but have little say as to what curriculum will be taught.

Whether the voucher system is adopted or not,the public system will probably continue to disintegrate as more and more parents pull their children out of the system to home-school. It is a trend seen nation-wide. Home schooling families are double taxed under the current system. The voucher system would return to families some of the taxes they have already paid. They would have the freedom to choose the kind of education their children needed. This freedom seems more consistent with Utah conservative values than the government controlled education system in place today in Utah.

Joseph

Joseph called tonight. He is still in Mapleton. He has accepted a mangement position with Bonnie's dad. He will be working in Panquitch starting Monday. He'll live there from Monday to Friday returning for weekends. Bonnie's dad talked him out of working for the Platinum company that installs alarms. He thinks it is a badly organized company. Joseph will be doing above ground mining things. He'll tell us more next weekend.

His cell number is 801 380 1024. It is a pre-paid card so don't call if you are international. It eats up his minutes.

America's Media

Shouldn't we have a discussion about American
Idol? All the headlines on the internet are about the latest winner. I about fainted when I read that 74 million people cast their votes for the last episode. I decided to click on one of the headlines to see what the fuss was all about. I never got past two great big huge black bosoms (your word Daniel). I guess they were the winner. Could she sing?

Do you think that LDS Idol viewers could be deeply involved in scripture study? Would those same viewers be on a search for God? Dad and I could barely tolerate the last few segments of American Idol when John Preator was a contestant. The nudity, crudity, and cynicism were constant.

One Ed Week speaker said that inappropriate media entertainment will be the downfall of Americans. Hollywood is winning America's heart while ravaging its soul. He urged LDS people to play the "What Am I Being Taught" game while watching favorite programs. He calls it Watching Movies 101. He says to write down the profanity and crudity heard and seen. Also keep track of sexual insinuations and graphic violence.

Any takers on this? I'd like to hear your results and your feelings.

This same speaker felt that the name for American Idol was no accident. He urged parents not to allow their children to be so involved in the popular culture. It sells behaviors not just products.

He said that so many teens justify their viewing habits with the phrase, "Everyone is doing it." He asked, "How many times do you hear teens exclaim, 'This is so cool that everyone is drowning. I'm going to try it too.'"

One teen told him that he's okay with stuff in movies because he closes his eyes during the bad parts and sings a hymn. Many claim it is only one bad part. Over the course of years those bad parts add up to hundreds of scenes in our minds.

I look at the precious faces of your beautiful children and my beautiful grandchildren and pray that you will not expose them to the culture of Hollywood. Don't ever forget that those who occupy the Terrestrial Kingdom are the good, honorable people of the earth whose first cause was not the gospel. They were faithful to their spouses and family. They were good members of the church, but they did not prove to God that His cause was first in their lives. God could not trust them to perpetuate righteousness in their eternal posterity; therefore they would have no eternal increase.

Let's all shut off our television sets for a week and report our new discoveries. How can you do Media 101 if the television is off. Okay, do it for your one or two favorite programs.

So do Jews baptize?

haha we're warmer than you Elizbaeth! nener nener. Dad, do Jews baptize? Did they ever? I was reading an exerpt from the Pope's new book- Jesus of Nazareth- and he said that Jews had a tradition of baptizing sinners...is that true? A few weeks ago one man came up to me at church and asked the same question- he said they were arguing about it in priest's quorum. I said I didn't think so, but I'd ask my dad. They don't baptize people now, right? And if they ever did, how did they do it? Like the Catholic sprinkle? Or the evangelico dunk? Thanks. Also, mom, everyone is saying that Ari is changing to look more and more like me, and like "your brother who came that one Sunday to church". Does he look like us now? Look at the new pictures of him on our site, the ones on the couch. Do you have any pictures of me, or Joseph, when we were 2 months old? Or were those the ones lost in Africa? Thanks twice.

Daniel- why does your time zone say 8 am? I just talked to you! You said you were going to bed- are you on that night shift again? Blah.

Joseph

For those of you who are unaware, as far as I know, Joseph is now on his way to Chicago. They changed his job from Florida to Chicago since work/demand was slowing down in Florida. He'll be living in Vernon Hills (I'll include the address below). I talked with him last yesterday morning and he said he was planning on leaving in the afternoon. We'll see if that actually happened. :) Here's his contact information:

Joseph Ogden
1125 N. Museum Blvd.
Vernon Hills, IL 60061

Phone: 801.380.1024
(he called last night saying he changed his number from his most recent new number to this one)

Never mind, I just talked to him. He hasn't left yet. He's going to go pick up another check from his company to help him get out to Chicago, and then he's going to leave. He also said he's going to have his number changed to a local phone number once he's in Chicago so that he's not paying roaming fees the whole time he's there. I'll put the new number on here once I find out what it is. :)

Loves

In a nutshell...

Wonder where that phrase came from. We're all a little squirelly anyway. So, here's my dilema. Remember way back when...I ordered a bunch of movies for Daniel from a piece of junk cleanflicks place in Utah? Well, we finally got our money back from them, and we thought it was all finished. Suddenly a few weeks ago we get all the movies! By then we've already ordered them from Daniel at the real Cleanflicks, and thus we didn't want to have anything to do with this company. So we sent the package back to them- pay on delivery, of course. Today we got the package back- they won't pay for it. haha. They want us to pay all the shipping for their mistake- about 45 dollars worth. Yeah right. I am so tempted to just give away these movies to our friends and be done with this whole ridiculous mess. But then I know I'll get slammed a few months down the road with a bill from them, and I'm not paying it. Blah. Oh Dad, did you hear about the discovery of King Herod's tomb at Herodium?! Yeah, he's a respected archeologist, but there's not much proof, and people are getting tired of all these ossuaries. Remember the whole Jesus tomb thing? Everything is blown out of proportion. I'm interested how Netzer is going to prove that it really is King Herod's final resting place. Why would he put his tomb on a hillside in full view when he was the most paranoid king ever? Doesn't make sense. Oh, you guys wanna hear what "the reverend" Al Sharpton had to say about Mitt Romney? "As for the one Mormon running for office, those that really believe in God will defeat him anyway, so don't worry about that. That's a temporary situation". haha. So we don't really believe in God? Funny that.
Sigh. Life is a little hard to keep in balance when you have a newborn. I just got pounded by US Bank. I haven't been able to keep track of finances lately, and yesterday I got online to check our various business and personal accounts...yeah, SEVEN overdraft fees in the personal account- seven. That's 31 dollars each. Um, okay. We're supposed to have overdraft protection- in that it won't let us use that card if we have no money in there. What happened? I don't know, but that's one more thing on my list to do...the list that I have no time for anymore. Jarem was so nice today. He took an hour off of work to help me clean the house- while Ari slept (thank heavens!) I deep cleaned the bathroom, and Jarem deep cleaned the kitchen. Oh, how it needed it. It's so nice to be able to walk barefoot again. Then Jarem vacuumed the rest of the house, and helped fold a bunch of laundry while I took care of Ari. I have all these plans each day, and mostly they don't happen. Ari has different plans. I am mortally afraid of getting pregnant again! I can't handle another year of being unable to contribute to life. It really takes me out of the working loop- and I can't help Jarem with the business because of nausea and newborns. haha. That should be the title of my new book- if I ever write one. Heck, I can't even keep a journal. This internet communication is my journal. And now I'm tired. Hasta la vista...

Home-Schooling

Hey, my wife (or "wives" if I convert to Muslimhood) can homeschool if she wants to, but I know I would never do it. I would want a break from the kids. Besides, all four of us went to public schools and........uuuuuuuu........well........we didn't kill anybody. :) I do agree that public schools are a waste of time. I can't remember a thing I did during those four years of "studying." I think if you are going to homeschool you need to have at least 10 children. That way your kids won't be socially inept. What about sports? Can they still participate in school sports if they aren't actually AT the school? I just want my kids to become famous athletes so they can support me. Spiritual, famous athletes. Intelligence doesn't really matter because we have eternity to learn things. :) Since there won't be any sports on the other side you have to do all you can while you're here. Oh but wait, I will create worlds with sports.

Lizzie, I think you should live in La Jolla. It's nice there.......and relatively inexpensive.......if you're a millionaire.

To Elizabeth - where to live in San Diego

This is Dad, to Elizabeth:

The other day I met a lady from San Diego, friends of our Temple president here in Guatemala City. She said to tell you, when you move to San Diego, to find a home in Tierrasanta (that's right - it's Tierra Santa, but one word). She says it's expensive, but they need new families in their ward. If not there, check out Peñasquitos and Poway. There you have it: my contribution to your future. Love, Dad

Home-schooling Comment

Hey Mom. I wrote this as a comment under your comment on my post. Then I realized that you'd probably never see it down there. So, I've copied and pasted it here:

I remember Liz Jensen talking about her Jefferson method of schooling. I like the idea of having children of all ages learning together. However, I don't like that it's just kids learning whatever they express an interest in. "Oh an ant! Let's learn more about ants. Let's get a book about ants, etc...." There's just not enough structure there, and kids thrive in structured environments. I want our kids to be challenged, but also have a kid-friendly environment to learn in. I think you're right that it would be best to find a religious private school. I wish the Church would start doing schools. Maybe my San Diego legacy will be to start an LDS-oriented charter school where kids can feel safe in their educational environment.

Crazy!

Dude, if those weather things are accurate, it's HOT in Iraq! Right now it's 55 degrees here (granted, it is still morning), but it's almost 8:00pm there and it's 93 degrees! You must be scorching there, Daniel. I feel for you. No wonder you love your A/C so much. :)

Mother's Day

To Mom and Sara: I love you both so much!
Here's a little Mother's Day "bouquet" for you.

Mom, having two children of my own now, I have a new found appreciation for what you must have gone through raising all four of us! I am so grateful for your determination, sacrifice, patience, hard work, and love. You are an excellent mother and friend. Thank you for teaching me that the gospel is the most important thing on this earth. I can sense your urgency to help build the Kingdom of God here and it is a constant reminder to me that I need to be teaching my own children with the same sense of urgency and importance.

Sara, I love you like a sister...oh wait, you are my sister! And a great one at that! I'm so excited that you have a kid now, too. I just wish we lived closer to each other. Someday we will. I love listening to you talk about Ari and hearing you love him over the computer. :) He's a lucky little boy to have you as his mother. I also love talking about our kids together. I've enjoyed doing that with my friends over the last couple of years, but it's even more special with my own sister. Thanks for loving me and making me laugh, and for being a great mom and wife! You are a good example to me. Thanks for the card, too. I got it yesterday! :)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Family Values Conference

Here's a link to a good story about the World Congress of Families conference in Poland. I've had really good and thorough discussions before with friends about what they plan to do with their children once they are old enough to start school (there's a very small blurb in that article about legislation they're trying to push for schools). I'm afraid. I'm afraid to send my kids to public schools. I'm afraid of everything out there. Kids are bringing weapons, kids are raised by homosexual parents, kids are into pornography, kids are coming from broken homes, kids are doing drugs, kids are being taught to accept any kind of behavior in the name of being "tolerant" of others. I know that my kids need a strong connection with their home-base, where gospel principles are taught with love and patience, but is that enough? Should we be thinking about home-schooling our kids? Dan doesn't want to. I'm not sure I do, either. I like the idea of having my kids close to me where I can keep an eye on them, but I also want to be sure they are socially integrated. Jarem might have some good thoughts in this respect. Maybe private or charter schools are a better way to go? Maybe we should just throw our kids out there in the "real world" with home and gospel being the life-preserver? I'd rather just keep them on dry land. The ocean scares me.

I just added a comment under Daniel's "Independent??!!" entry, but then I figured no one would read it if I didn't call attention to it in this more conspicuous place.

Hey Everyone!

So, just so that you remember, Dan and I have a family blog where we post updates about our little Agle family. Don't forget to check that out every now and then. There's lots of good stuff there! I just posted a little video clip of Anders playing. To check it out, just click on the Bagel Factory link in the right hand column on this page. Thanks for all the great comments and posts on here you guys. This blog is a riot! So much fun!

Independent??!!

Oh Sara, my young padawan, one day you will come to understand the true meaning of motherhood as I have come to know it. :)

What's this stuff I'm reading about you becoming an idependent Sara? Are you trying to take votes away from the Republicans and give them to the Dark Side? Don't let those tree-huggers out on the west coast persuade you to vote for Billary. Pave the rainforests! :)

Ah well, I suppose it doesn't really matter anyway. We know the end is coming, so why not help it come, right?

Anyway, on to the serious stuff.

I got up at 3:45a.m. this morning to walk up here to my desk at the palace and listen to the CES fireside live on the internet. President Faust spoke about self-esteem. He surprised everyone when he finished early (only about 20 minutes of talking). He said he wanted to give everyone plenty of time to mingle. :) Funny man. Then he told everyone that he taught the speakers something during this last General Conference. "Meetings do not have to be endless to be eternal." He definitely still has his sense of humor.

The End

And the Political Can of Worms is Open...

This needs no accompanying post. You're brave, Sara, very brave. You go girl! It takes more guts to start this (with our family being who they are) than it does to nurse in church. :) Ha ha ha. I LOVE THIS BLOG! I look forward to checking this every day now. All you people are so funny and entertaining to read! Thanks for making this work. It's so fun!

While You Were Sleeping dinner

Yes, like the dinner scene in that movie...only we are more hilarious and random. So, Daniel, where can I place an order for 20 meters of Iraqi modesty cloth? haha. My son would throw the biggest hissy fit. And that would be distracting in sacrament meeting. Mom, I think I would still be yelling if Ari pulled my boob to kingdom come, regardless of the draping techniques. I agree Elizabeth, we've got to get more comfortable with breastfeeding in public in the US. No woman should ever have to be made to feel like a second class citizen. I was talking to my visiting teachers about it, and the one lady had to sit in a the bathroom stall on the other side of a church building, and every time the door closed the lights would go off- it was automatic! She was too embarassed to ask for help. She said she hoped I could change things for the women in the church, but that she could never bring it up with any of the priesthood holders. Oh geez. I wish more women had your guts Elizabeth...then I wouldn't be in this awkward situation. I have never really been a mover and a shaker- I've never tied myself to a tree to save it or anything- but I get excited when I see real changes going on. I was so impressed that Dick Cheney got booed at BYU! Finally, some debate and courage from the red state Mormons. Jarem and I have re-registered to vote, taking our names off the Republican lists, and asking to be independents. We think that if everybody did that, we'd have much better candidates to vote for- not two branches of government that compete to see who can raise the most money and lie the best. We're going to watch the two debates online when we get a chance. I'm so excited for these elections. For the first time I'm voting for who I think will lead this country the best. Jarem is despairing that I'll vote for Hillary Clinton just because she's a woman. Well, I might vote for her, but only if I like her record and her politics. I want to know why New York loves her so much. And Barak Obama is interesting me as well. I bought his book, and I'm reading it with an open mind. McCain and Rudy are blah. Romney, well, I'm not sure about him. He may not make it past the primary, but if he does I'll check out his record as well. The Fred Thompson thing is hopeful, but he probably won't make it either. I think it would be awesome to have a woman president. I just wish it could be Condi Rice. Okay, how'd I get off on this tangent? Oh yeah, me as an activist. See, I firmly believe this church is far behind in women's rights, but I also firmly believe it is the only true church- so there you have it, a "confliction" (which is Oregonians' favorite word lately, but I'm not sure it's even a word). I will keep breastfeeding because it's good for our son, but I'm not sure I want to be a posterchild for LDS breastfeeding mothers. Elizabeth! You'd be perfect. You could take it all the way to the top- President Hinckley. Oh wait, wouldn't the top be God?

It's Dad, not Mom!

Ok, what's going on? I haven't figured out how to make this posting business tell the truth. It's not Mom who has posted those last two items. I, Dad, did it. (But I haven't deciphered the technology yet to get that darn "guatamama" off there and post the one and only true and living source: DKO.

The long-awaited note from Dad, on breastfeeding babies

Okay, Daniel, I'm taking the bait and coming out of my silence. Not that it was imposed. It wasn't; I didn't know about the controversy. I'm with you and Mom. Take the baby out or put on a Muslim robe with 20 meters of material. I'm the only one of you who has spent significant time on the stand. I would dislike having to stare at the ceiling most of every meeting while each nursing mother in her turn popped out a bottle. There ought to be one place a man can feel safe from mother nature for at least an hour or three.

Cute Pics of the Boys

I just love my babies! I think they're so photogenic. Here are some of my favorites...who better to share them with than family?! Oh, and be sure to read the new posts from other people below mine. I didn't mean to push them down so far...sorry guys! Daniel's is really funny, and Mom's is very telling. :) Love you guys!
Lizzie

To Mom, Need Help....

Wow! That's an awesome array of responses, Mom. It just goes to show how conscientious most people are about their eating habits. My own diet has been faltering lately. I'm lacking variety and I don't know how to fix it. It seems like the only grain I'm getting is whole wheat. I can't stomach brown rice...the taste and texture make me want to gag. And you can only eat so many veggies before you feel like you're eating every minute all day long just to feel satisfied. With nursing, I need something filling and hearty. I just don't know how to do that. I made chocolate chip cookies today. It's my first real conscientious break from eating healthy, and it doesn't feel good. They were yummy, but not worth it. I need a motivational moment, Mom, can you give me one?! And I need ideas for healthy eating with variety.

China Study responses

Responses to my China Study e-mail

I suspected that this e-mail could stir up more interesting reaction from people than just about anything else I’ve written and disseminated. Following are some unusual responses, in the order they were received.

Don Livingstone (director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Brigham Young University)

It’s that Kelly Ogden again, taking me out of my comfort zone and putting me into a new area of frustration. Most of the time it’s about spiritual things. That I can live with, because I worry about “being at ease in Zion.” But now you are coming between me and a steak. That’s putting our friendship on new tenuous grounds!

We are visiting with our son-in-law and daughter in New York and their first little child born twelve days ago. We went again to the Manhattan Temple today and marveled at how the House of the Lord can be such a peaceful island in a city of chaos and noise. There’s a message there – an Ogdenism waiting to be written. Actually, the insulation from the noise of the city comes because the temple is a second building “built inside of a building” – built within the walls the Lincoln Center chapel, with lots of sound insulating between the walls of the temple and the external walls. When we build a spiritual self inside of our physical body, we can be insulated from so many of life’s challenges. So there is your Ogdenism – go to it and give it your usual eloquence.

Now for the ultimate question, or rationalization. I tried opening your attachment on the China Study, but it hasn’t opened yet. If I don’t get it open before we go out to the restaurant in ten minutes, then I can have a “carnivore special” dinner and not feel bad about it. But then I’ve read your e-mail enthusiastically endorsing the principles of the China Study, so I already know the general principle. Steak or fish or poultry – or noodles and salad? Aw shucks – as Marsha says, “When we rationalize, we’re merely telling ourselves ‘rational lies.’” I hate it when conscience overpowers carnality, when it comes to food. I can rationalize that in the Congo we will have something other than grains about once every blue moon, so what’s wrong with a steak tonight? But when you know what’s right, you start now, and don’t defer obedience.

Blessings on you and Marcia as you do your important work. Two months from today, we are on the plane on the way to the Congo. With the Lord’s help (and about 18 hours of study each day), we may be ready! Love and best regards. Don and Marsha Livingstone


Helen Wells (wife of Elder Robert E. Wells)

Thank you again, Kelly and Marcia, for your great example, and for keeping us on your email list! We always appreciate and learn from your teachings, and now to have this excerpt from The China Study info, it’s like something I could have collaborated with. Marcia and I must have gone to the same “nutritional school” in the pre-mortal life. I have tried to teach those concepts to my family; some have taken, some not. Hope they will read this excerpt, as I will forward it on to my family. Love to everyone there. Helen and Bob


Liz Lemon Swindle (renowned LDS artist)

Dear Kelly,
I just read your email and the attachment, The China Study. Thank you for responding to the Spirit! This subject has been part of my daily prayers for some time. I am scheduled to leave for Africa in June to do a piece on the Savior with the orphans of the Aids epidemic and have been very concerned with my health. Don’t get me wrong, I am in very good health. I gave up white sugar and flour about a year ago and dropped about forty pounds, but still have problems with my digestive tract. I eat the whole grains religiously and fruits and vegetables but I still have the meat, which after having read your email this morning will be giving up. I believe, because the Spirit tells me so that my problems are coming from the meat and perhaps not enough of the fruits and veggies. I am curious as to whether salmon (fish in general) and poultry are considered among the meat group? Please respond. Because it is Sunday I cannot run out and buy the book, but rest assured that will be the first thing I do tomorrow! In the meantime, thank you. You brought the answers that I sought from my Heavenly Father. All our love and prayers for you and the great work you are doing there.


Daniel Ogden (our son)

So I tried the China Study for three days right when I got back here [to Baghdad]. I ate no meat and no dairy products. I didn’t even put butter on my bread. By the third day I was going crazy. I broke down and had a Chicken Cordon-Bleu and a small piece of caramel flan. It tasted delicious. It was like having my first real meal after being released from a concentration camp.

I got too hungry between meals. I like the way I eat. I’m trying to cut down on meat, but the dairy is going to stay. I like my biscuits and gravy every now and then, and I love having milk with my peanut butter and honey sandwiches. I eat dessert maybe once a month, so I think I’m doing ok.

I might be able to that when I get home and I have good things to snack on all day long, but right now it just causes unnecessary discomfort. I have a hard enough time finding things I actually want to eat in the chow hall. Plus, I don’t want to lose any weight.

Oh, and I’m waiting for President Hinckley to announce in general conference that we need to follow the China Study. Ha, just kidding.


JaNeal Freeman (wife of BYU religion professor, Robert Freeman)

Dear Bro. Ogden, Robert shared with me your recent e-mail as I have been working to improve my diet over the past couple of years. I still have not read the China Study, but am very aware of it (your e-mail has reminded me that I need to get to it and I will). I did go to the lecture that Dr. Campbell gave at BYU recently and was most impressed.

I don’t want to make this a lengthy note, but I will attest to the power of plant-based, whole foods. I am not there 100% but I am closer than I ever dreamed I would be. Further, I know that it has made a profound difference in my health. A friend recently told me, “I never understood the Word of Wisdom until after I lived it.” The “do’s” of the Word of Wisdom are too easily overlooked because the “don’ts” are so obvious. It hasn’t been the easiest transition and I still am trying to feel my way around how to balance the social aspects of eating—especially where close friends and family are concerned. And then there’s the roast beef at that BYU Spring Social . . .

Anyway, I just wanted to say “amen,” and thank you for your words! I have felt like a bit of an oddball at times and am grateful to see people like yourself embracing this way of life.

Bosom-feeding

I like bosoms. :-)

Now you get to hear the opinion of the expert.........the only single person in this debate.

Since you have all decided to use the other names for the two female protrusions, I shall use "bosoms."

Maybe all parties are a little guilty here. Maybe the mothers are two prideful to cover up their bosoms and try to be really modest, not just "somewhat" modest. Why are you trying to force people to "get used to something natural?" It is NOT natural (in the States) to bare the bosoms in public. I "naturally" have to use the bathroom five times a day, but you don't see me whipping out "Daniel Jr." to relieve myself on the grass in the public park just because I want to make everyone else get used to it. We have certain traditions in our society and right now most of society (and I could probably say most mothers too) seems to think that mothers should cover up while bosom-feeding their babies..........but it's ok to wear a thong at the pool. :) I know, how ironic. So I'm going with Mom on this one. More modest is better. Ahhh, but you say, "Daniel is neither married nor has he any idea what it's like to bosom-feed." And I say, "Darn tootin." I will be married some day........and Praise Allah I won't have to bosom-feed.

Oh, did I mention that you'll never see a bosom around here? Women bosom-feed out at the clinic, and when they do the whole baby disappears under 20 yards of clothing. :) That's not a good example though because Islam is full of hypocrisy when it comes to modesty in dress. As long as you cover your hair you can wear the tightest shirt and jeans you want and you'll still be modest.

Now what about those guys at Church who can't control their eyes? I think they are making a huge deal out of nothing. Bosom-feeding is most definitely NOT sexy........and this is coming from a 27-year-old male with raging hormones who, in Biblical language, has never "known" a woman. A woman bosom-feeding in public (if she is not covered up) will probably attract a few glances (because again, according to current customs it is NOT natural for a mother to expose herself in public....in the United States), but most people will then move their eyes elsewhere and not think twice about it.

In conclusion, to Lizzie and Sara I would say that if you feel good about not covering up too much while bosom-feeding, do it!

Mom, you are fighting a losing battle, but keep fighting. I'm on your side........except when Brother "easy-eyes willie" is staring at either of my sisters and complaining about a little skin when he should be staring at the pulpit and paying attention to the lesson/talk!!

Jarem and Dan, you are doing your duty and supporting your wives.....good job.

Dad, don't think that your "silence" tactic has gone unnoticed. You are the smart one here. Better to avoid confrontation with either your wife or daughters rather than create a burning in their bosom(s).

I used the word "bosom" 14 times in this blog.

Riding for cancer

This is my fund rasing letter for the hundred mile bike ride I am doing in CT this summer to raise money for cancer. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great. If it looks sound already than please feel free to pass it on to anyone you think may donate.
Cheers!


My name is Jarem Frye. When I was fourteen years old I was diagnosed with bone cancer. This was a shock to my family whose only experience with cancer was the death of my grandmother ten years earlier. She had fought a painful battle with cancer and lost. Now my parents feared the same for me.
Thanks to a decade of advancements, however, I had better fortune than my dear grandma. After enduring nearly two years of intense chemotherapy, and the amputation of my left leg above the knee, I can gratefully say that I am alive and well. I am also proud to announce that I am a new dad! This means a lot to me because my treatment left me with very little chance of having children.
Sadly, several friends I made during my time in the hospital didn’t survive to live their dreams. Even now cancer kills as many mothers, fathers, siblings and friends as we lost in the terrorist attacks of 9.11 every two days!
Since I beat cancer I have accomplished many things I was told would never be possible. I became the first above knee amputee to telemark ski, wakeboard rock climb on the pro level. 
This summer I will be riding in a 100 mile bicycle ride called the CT Challenge to rase money for cancer research. I have set a goal to raise $10,000 dollars to help make our future safer than our past. I am working hard to raise this money and to reach the level of fitness it will take to ride a hundred miles with only one leg.
I am trying to raise money for cancer, not because I am a cancer survivor myself, but to honor my grandmother's life and to improve my new son’s and all of our children's lives.
I would be greatly honored if you will help me reach my goal of raising $10,000 for this effort. Donations are tax deductible and you can donate securely by visiting my page on the CT Challenge website.
Please consider donating to my ride by contributing just $1 per mile mile of this ride. If you can donate more, please do. You can donate by going to the CT Challenge website www.ctchallenge.com and entering Jarem Frye as the rider you would like to sponsor.

Thank you so much!

Jarem Frye

Romans and Daniel?

Okay, I was confused by that reference. And thanks for conceeding the point, mom! The breastfeeding will help you have strong, healthy grandsons...all the better to teach and preach to in the future. :) Can't wait for Ari to meet you and Dad, and I'm sure Elizabeth feels the same about Anders. Lucky Elizabeth and Dan, they get to have you first after the mission! Elizabeth, you better not wear out mom, I want to take them all over and show them Oregon. I'm gonna need months...whew. Anyway, I'd better go, Ari is hungry again. I've tried to type this blog 3 times already, and he keeps protesting. haha.

I Give Up

Okay, You Win,
Nurse your babies wherever you want to, but avoid the Argentine method. Dan, what must the chapel look like after a sacrament meeting in a married student ward with oodles of toddlers and their gourmet meals? Poor custodians.

It takes a lawyer to settle the dust. No more Romans in my corner. They didn't do much for Daniel during Passover either. You are all very funny. What's next? Have you seen the PBS special on Mormons? You can watch it online. Go to PBS then type in Frontline, then watch the segements. Dad and I watch a few each night. I'll write my feelings in my weekly news. Ta ta you all.

Oh, I forgot something. Elizabeth, could you make me one of those buttons Dan talked about? hehe. And Dan, I want to eat what you guys bring to church! Hello, that's an awesome meal. I usually have a few almonds and zone bars, pretty boring stuff. Mom, that was a great picture of the family all eating together. They're cute. Okay, now I'm hungry.

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away...

The great debate continues...I think I will print all these posts and send them to a mothering magazine- after I plaster them all over our church bulletin boards. I am very impressed with the different views on this subject, and thanks Dan, for posting! I think you, Jarem, mom, and Elizabeth have points that are understandable, clear, and concise....and with lots of humor. I especially like the focus on the size, or lack thereof, of my breasteses. And the Argentinian women! haha! I wonder if that would work- if I pulled my whole shirt up each Sunday until they protested- then would they be calmer about a very modest single boob? That was funny Dan, and even better because I bet you and your fellow missionaries had to learn to deal with it pretty quickly. You did the polite "eye averting", didn't you. And mom, I really wondered that about obeying the bishop because we sustained him, etc. I wondered if I was being proud, and if I should humble myself. But then I realized that I wasn't trying to stand up to the bishop, or the Lord. And I was not sinning. So I should not be made to feel like a sinner. I have not broken God's laws, if anything I am following the path He wants me to take by getting married and having children. That is what this church is all about! And yes, mom, modesty is a HUGE part of this church, to the point that it becomes a problem. Women can walk around in miniskirts and super low cut tops (exposing more boob than I ever do) at church, but I get a lecture and admonition to cover up while feeding my child. I would love it if they had a mother's lounge! Of course, I wouldn't pay as much attention, but hey, human nature. :) Out of sight, out of mind. Oh, and I also thought about sitting in the back, Dan, but the problem with that is the back is one row against the wall, and then the doors and the walkway. The back is busier and more visible than the front, where no one ever sits. But you're right about the bishopric on the stand. Jarem wonders if the bishop is really involved anyway. The relief society president said "some of the elders objected" and Jarem had another man come tell him to "tell your wife to cover up, or the bishop will be upset". We don't actually know if the bishop is behind that, or if these men are just being, well, judgmental. You all know how small towns are, and how people love to stir up controversy. This is a really small town; the ward just converted from their branch status. I told Jarem that I wanted to bear my testimony this coming fast Sunday. We had the missionaries over for dinner, and they said there are 45% active, and 55% inactive. I was stunned. That is a super high percentage of inactive people! And I wondered how that could happen. I mean, church is about building your relationship with the Saviour- how could people choose to stay home? Suddenly, I am confronted with people that really hurt my feelings at church, and I now know why others leave. It would be very easy to get offended, and feel not wanted, and let others go while I stayed behind. But then I would be the loser, and my son, and my husband. And I will not let other people rob me of those years of blessings. As Jarem says, if they are offended by me breastfeeding, let them leave and miss out on all the great things church has to offer! Ari just laughed in his sleep "hooha"- that's awesome. :) Anyway, I wanted to bear my testimony about how we all need to be closer to the Lord, and exersize a little more tact and forebearance and love. I want to help the inactives come back to church now. I think I will make that my new focus for the next year. I'm going to find these people, and tell them "damn the man!" Come back! The Lord wants you, and who cares about silly humans and their own problems. I'm going to read Elder Bednar's talk again- it was excellent. The one about inactives. Hmm, I seem to have gotten off topic. It must be my 2:30 in the morning brain. This is the only time I have to catch up on paperwork, emails, blogs, bills, letters, etc. Ari eats all day pretty much! He's growing fast. I love his new chubby legs. I like fat babies. Anders and Soren are so cute and chubby. Oh, here comes the train. Huh. Ari will be awake in 2 seconds, needing food when the train passes. He's darling. Well, gotta go. This blog is really helping me mull over things and consider different views. I appreciate it all, and no, mom, I don't think you're victorian. I think you are a great spiritual lady. Does anybody know if Joseph is married yet? Granny called me yesterday, I have to call her back. She's in Utah, and she wants to know when Jarem and I are bringing Ari to see his greatgrandma. I told her next year, and she says that's not good enough. She says I have a month. :) Dad, I need to find that China Study book. I am interested in finding out what the food patterns are like. What do you and mom eat? I bet it wouldn't fill me up. I have to eat TONS of food each day- I'm hungry every hour, and I need solid foods like beef to stay full. If I eat a salad I'm hungry in 1/2 an hour. Daniel, you said you tried the diet? How was it? Oh, and Daniel, feel free to chime in about breastfeeding- I bet you have a huge problem with that in Bagdadi wards. HAHAHA. Dan, I really think you and Elizabeth should write a book together. It would be the funniest book ever. I know that's not a word.....more later

Daniel...

You need to go to The Bagel Factory blog and click on the "Kari and Aaron" link and the "Scott and Karin" link at the side. They both put a little blurb about your America Loves Iraqis site and added a link to it on their blogs! You are an inspiration!

Woah Mom!

Hey, just to get this straight, you were actually trying to take a picture of that lady's breast while she was nursing? Yeah, I don't blame the guy for stopping you. Are you going a little camera crazy down there, Mom? :) Hey, Soren wanted to call Granny and Grandpa. He had to take a nap when he made the request, so maybe we'll try to get a hold of you tomorrow. Love you guys! Thanks for the good debating! We're loving it. Daniel, don't you have anything to add about breastfeeding? :)

Duel On!!!

So Liz put me up to this. I was not going to post since I do not feel strongly about this issue one way or the other. I do have some comments about the entire discussion and I am pretty sure that I will be persecuted for them. :) These comments are in no specific order.

First, I have no idea why the men were uncomfortable with Sara breastfeeding. Maybe it is the way that Sara does it (I doubt it). But, if she is like many Argentine women, she lifts up her entire shirt exposing both breasts and puts the baby on one breast leaving the other breast exposed. (again, I doubt it). If she does it like my wife, she has the baby ready to eat before "exposing" her breast and promptly puts the little one to the bottle. If anyone can actually see her breast during this whole process, they are clearly trying too hard and should probably go talk to the bishop about the steps of repentance.

Second, I do not agree with the comment: "when in Rome . . . ." As members of the Church, we do not follow this principle. Maybe Marcia was trying to say something about how she feels Church members are expected to deal with breastfeeding, but "when in Rome" is far from that sentiment. We should not acquiesce to the status quo if the status quo is wrong. Rather, when in Rome, remember that you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and act accordingly.

Third, I understand where Jarem is coming from, but I think he is a little preoccupied with skinny women with large fake breasts :) On a serious note, I understand how he and Sara feel. Feeding a child of God should not require that Sara forfeit her ability to be spiritually fed. If people even notice that she is breast feeding, there is no way that they were actually paying attention to the lesson/speaker/prayer/sacrament. Again, there are more serious issues that these people need to address other than where Sara feeds Ari. Why are they paying attention to her anyway? Again, I reserve the right to withdraw these comments if she does breast feed like an Argentine woman.

Fourth, I understand where Marcia is coming from. I can see how this could make people uncomfortable, but who is actually uncomfortable? No one should be able to see Sara unless they are sitting right next to her (Jarem and maybe the other person sitting next to her) or unless they are sitting on the stand. To the person sitting next to her (other than Jarem) I say LOOK ELSEWHERE. To the people sitting on the stand I say LOOK ELSEWHERE.

Fifth, with regard to the noise involved with breastfeeding, it should be no louder than feeding from a bottle. If it is, so what? I am sure that there are noises in Sara and Jarem's ward that are much louder than the noise made by little Ari while feeding. (I imagine that there are little children in the ward).

Sixth, is this the ward where the guy talked to Jarem about Sara when she was sitting there? (We want to give your wife a calling . . .). If so, the people you are dealing with have issues and you should have already known that :)

Seventh, I do not necessarily agree that the preoccupation with breastfeeding in public is part of the LDS culture. I know many LDS people who have absolutely no issues with women breastfeeding in public (No, I am not referring to the three members of this family that are on the breastfeeding crusade :)) The simple fact is that breastfeeding is natural and the sooner people become comfortable with it the better. Generally, people are uncomfortable with those things that they have not been exposed to. Maybe what they need is a little more exposure to breastfeeding (No, I do not mean more exposure in the Argentine woman sense) If fear of public breastfeeding is part of the LDS culture, that is something that needs to change.

Eighth, maybe Sara needs to wear a big button that says "If this makes you uncomfortable, stop looking at my boobs!"

Ninth, because there are unreasonable people that will be uncomfortable with the breastfeeding in public, I think Sara should probably breastfeed in the mother's room that has the audio from sacrament meeting piped in. Wait . . . her building doesn't have a mother's room. On a serious note, I do think that it would be kind of Sara to use the mother's room if one were in fact available. Since there isn't a mother's room, keep on going! :)

Tenth, I have no idea where Jarem and Sara sit in the salon sacramental, but I suggest that they sit in the back against the wall. This way the only person that will be sitting next to Sara is Jarem. (I am fairly certain that he has no problem with her breastfeeding next to him) This way, the only people that could possibly see that Sara is breastfeeding are those people sitting on the stand. To them, I say STOP LOOKING AT SARA'S BOOBS! If those people sitting on the stand have a problem with staring at her breasts, they have bigger issues to deal with and they need to go meet with the Bishop. If it is the Bishop that has the problem, he might need to go and meet with the Stake President. :)

Eleventh, I hope no one was offended by my comments. Rather, I hope no one chose to allow themselves to be offended. If so, shame on you. :) Go repent.

Twelfth, Liz and I take both yogurt and milk to church for Soren. Come to think of it, we also take yogurt raisins, and granola bars, and gold fish, and fruit snacks, and pretzel sticks, and bread, and Yo-Gos, and almonds, and we even take a spoon to feed Soren the yogurt. Come to think of it, we used to take jars of baby food and I am pretty sure that we will be taking jars of baby food in the near future. Our boys would not function on dry Cheerios. I guess they have their Daddy's appetite.

Finally, I love you all and I hope that there is some way that Jarem and Sara can go and talk to the Bishop about how to go about meeting everyone's needs: Ari needs to eat and Sara needs to be able to feed him in a setting that she is comfortable in. Maybe they will find a way to get you a nice mother's room with a glider and audio from sacrament meeting. If there is an issue with you feeding him in Relief Society, the sisters that are staring at your breasts have really big issues to deal with.

Finally, and I mean it this time, I love you all and I hope Sara and Jarem can find a way to find a resolution to this conflict. In the end, Ari needs to eat. Did I mention that I am a verbose writer?

PS . . . I WIN! (I am the longest poster)

Holy Schmolies

Here is a cute picture that you will love. I caught a whole family eating lunch, including the baby. They own the little cubicle of goods they sell at the market. I actually tried to get a picture from the man's right side but he held up his hand so I couldn't take the picture with her breast showing. Darling family.

Good thinking Jarem. I enjoyed your reasoning. I only saw a couple of holes in it. I didn't clarify well my views when I talked about culture. I should have said sub-culture. I agree totally with everything you said about nursing in our dominant culture, out there. But in our LDS sub-culture, at church, it shouldn't be done publickly.

LDS people are modest people by nature. Find a way to do it modestly. We are also reverent people. We bring little dry cheerios to church for the toddlers to eat quietly so as not to distract from the spirit of the meeting. We don't whip out the yogurt, milk, bowls and spoons, fried chicken etc., to feed the children, and for obvious reasons.

A slurping, burping, gassing baby is a distraction. Members are routinely asked to take their little distractions out. The breast is a distraction - poor bishopric. Wow, Sister so and so is a size double D! Poor Sister elsewhere, flat as a pancake. Come on guys, give me a break. We come to worship and ponder. Take the little (or big distractions) out. People should not have to deal with the bare breast during sacrament meeting nor all the noise.

Elizabeth, you are so correct about the fact that Sara has a legitimate right in going to the bishopric to ask for a decent place to nurse. Now there is a worthy crusade. Jarem, you are right; she should not have to sit on a toilet lid to nurse; but I knew that in Jerusalem we were lucky to have any place to meet. I actually didn't mind leaving the meeting since my babies were so cute and I couldn't pay much attention while they nursed, burped, gagged, spit up, blew out and screeched if they became disconnected.

One other point since we are having so much fun with this. Don't ever forget that you sustained one of the Lord's servants when you raised your arm in support of your bishop. Even if you disagree with your bishop, you have a responsibility to follow his counsel while still pushing for some very needed changes. Love Marcia/Mom

ps Are you supposed to sign out with love and all that?

pps Did somebody take a dig at me, that I might belong to some antiquated, victorian, pruddy generation? If I weren't so old I would issue a challenge for a duel. Nap time.

Hooo Weee!

Folks, we've got ourselves a regular virtual debate going on here! Yes! This is what I have dreamed about for this blog! :) j/k. Anyone else have any thoughts on breastfeeding in public? I think this is great! I'll have to spend some time brainstorming for another controversial topic once this one dies down. :) Keep it coming!

Breast feeding

I not only have to support my wife on this, I am proud to support her on this. In 1955 when Rosa Parks took a seat at the front of the bus and refused to move, she set a very important change in motion. At the time it was unthinkable to let a black person (much less a black woman) sit anywhere but the back of the bus. Today it is unthinkable to force anyone to sit in a second class spot because of their race.
It was mentioned that until our culture changes women should relegate themselves to feeding their children on toilets if need be. Our coulter will ever change if no one ever challenges it to. We live in a country with more censorship than 90% of the rest of the world and we have a bigger problem with pornography they many of these other countries do. Perhaps the reason that we see mothers breast feeding in the wrong light is because they hide it like it is pornography. Perhaps the reason we have problems with pornography is that we never see women use their body in a respectable and meaningful way that could show us that there is more to a woman than just a sex toy.
We can put up double the size of life posters of anorexic models with breast implants wearing less than an ounce of clothing in the malls where children shop with parents and teenagers spend all day; we show commercials during children’s TV time which show women naked from their toes to halfway up their butt and from an inch above that to their breasts. We send junk mail to family homes advertising women’s underwear with models displaying the product just like they do on large posters in Wal-Mart, Target and JC Penny. Than we ask the only women left in this world who seam to be doing the right thing with their breasts to hide, to take a back seat, to wait for a society that can’t go 20 miles or 10 minutes in any direction without celebrating silicone Suzie in larger than life glory showing more boob than a naked women could with a child attached to it.
We have a friend who told Sara how great her implants were even though she wasn’t able to breast feed because of them. “It’s totally worth it. You should get them!” she told Sara.
I am so glad that Sara is secure enough with herself to put her child above a cultural paradigm about a woman’s value in our society. I think that of all places, the church that professes to be the true church of God, with modern guidance from on High, should be the place that accepts a woman using her body as God himself designed it to be used. Can we really tell a woman who honors the body God gave her in the way He intended that she can’t benefit from the spirit in His meeting houses? Can we tell her she cannot renew her baptismal covenant because the deacons don’t bring the sacrament into the women’s bathroom? Is it fair to say that because you have fulfilled one of Gods first commandments, you have to go to another room? Perhaps we should call that room “Patmos,” no matter how nice it is. If you are exiled for doing what is best for your child, and what God designed you to do in the way He intended you to do it than I don’t know what kind hypocrisy to expect next!
If Sara stopped going to church because she was offended by this, than people would say “no one can offend you. You can only choose to be offended.” Fair enough but aren’t you trying to say that Gods plan for mothers is offending to you? If you are offended by the correct use of women’s breast than I have to question where you are getting your opinion on breasts and if I should respect that opinion? Is it from the magnificent portrayal of love, nurture and virtue of a mother or from those posters at Victoria’s Secret across for Kidz ‘R’ Us at the mall?
I think we need just as many nursing moms in open view as we have depictions of sex toy bimbos if we ever expect “our” culture to have any hope of the male curiosity to discover what boobs are really all about. Maybe if they got a 50-50 chance to decide they would choose a view with a little more respect a little more often, but probably not. You would need a 99-1% view ability for God’s intended use to come out above Victoria’s (by the way, her secret is that they aren’t really as big as they look in that bra. Deception is of the devil!)
I have gained so much appreciation for mothers and women as I have watched Sara become such a good mother and caringly put my son’s needs before anyone else’s. It makes me want to show her to the whole world so they can see how wonderful a real women is. They would forget all about the porn star of the week and gain so much respect for women that improper images would make them weep out of sadness that anyone is still missing the idea of what God really created women to do and be.