Have A Heart For Monkeys!

 Those are my 3 girls! Proud to have been a part of a another great event at the capital. We spent our Saturday morning, dancing inside the dome to the music of the band Recess Monkey. Recess Monkey is a children's music band that is comprised of 3 elementary teachers who rock! Recess Monkey was brought to the capital today by Mom'sRising. This Momsrising dance party under the dome was a fun and powerful way to make sure our Washington State Legislature pays attention to kids and families. And such an awesome event that made me proud of my kiddos. 

On the way to the dance party, Ashley and Lauryn, pictured here in the middle and right, were reminiscing about being at the capital for the Children's Alliance Have A Heart for Kid's Day, where they lead the parade of marching families carrying the banner in February. Their older sister Morgaine, here at the top, didn't know what they were talking about. Ashley proceeded to tell her about attending a rally. Morgaine didn't know what a rally was. Ashley responding with "Well, you know how they're making cuts to the budget about childcare, and preschool, and cuts for kids? That's why we were there, at a rally to tell them not too. Cause they are making way too many cuts that are going to affect kids!" 

I was completely flabbergasted. That's my 9 year old! 

She obviously has been paying attention to what her mama has been advocating for, and learning along the way. Not only am I making a difference in advocating for these programs, but I guess I didn't realize how much what I do is affecting my own kids. Last year, when I was really just learning how to stand up for my family, and how powerful my voice as a parent really is, I didn't really involve my own children. They just knew mom was gone a lot. This year, as I've taken on a different sort of role, I've made it a priority to bring them. And it's obviously making a difference in the lives of my little people! I was just such a proud mom to hear her talk like such a big person with such knowledge, that her 11 year old step sister had no clue what she was talking about. Now Morgaine has a little bit more knowledge, and was excited to be a part of what we did today. Even if it was just dancing! 

 Going on a rollercoaster ride in song with the Recess Monkeys!

Me and my youngest daughter Lauryn dancing it up.

Morgaine swimming in song.

The girls with a Recess Monkey.

I hope that today some of our legislators took note of all the little people dancing in the dome. I know that on a Saturday, it wasn't very busy like it normally is at the Capital. But I know that I will be doing just what Momsrising asked us to do, and emailing these pictures to all the Representatives that will be voting on issues that affect my children, and thousands of others across our state. They might not be able to vote, but their presence can hopefully make a difference.  

I know that my voice and actions are making a difference, even if it's only at home. 

Selfish Prayers

This last week, I've been super sick. More sick than I remember being in a long time. I had what started out as the flu, and has now turned in to a head cold. The head cold, I can deal with. I spent a lot of time in bed, in my room isolating myself from my family so they wouldn't get sick, because in my house, it can spread like wildfire.

Anyway, the same day I came home from work vomiting, my sister was admitted to the hospital for a flare up of her Crohn's disease. I spent a lot of time praying that I could get better. It was killing me, that I couldn't be there for her, or for my mom, who needed the support just as badly as my sister. If not more. I asked my friends on facebook to pray for my sister, send well wishes, positive vibes, whatever they believed in. Just to make her better. In the same week, the massive earth quake hit in Japan, and one of my oldest friends lost her baby of less than a month old to SIDS. The celebration of life was today, and still being sick, I couldn't go. I found myself feeling sorry for "ME" being kept from helping and being there for the ones I love. But it also made me stop to think, if I'm praying for all these things, and all these other people are praying for God to do something, he sure has a lot on his shoulders. Or hers. I won't argue. Some days I feel like I have huge burdens on my shoulders. Like I just can't handle anymore. It will turn in to a pity party for myself. I couldn't imagine being God, and having these kinds of burdens all the time.

I had kind of an awakening, that sure I might have been laying there in my bed, sick, unable to be there, but I could be so much better off. Why should I ask God to make me better, when there are so many people that need his strength right now more than I? I don't have a Chronic Condition, I didn't lose everything I own in an earthquake/tsunami, I didn't just lose my newborn child. I just have a cold.
I found myself asking how I could be so selfish. Then I realized, I wasn't.  I was asking for the strength for me to be well. Not only for me, but for my family, for my friends, and for all those who count on me. It's not selfish to pray for your own health, even when those around you may be suffering. I just wonder how he decides which prayers to answer and which to not answer....