Two Minute Post

I read online yesterday about a 2 minute blog post. Basically, you give yourself two minutes to write about whatever you can come up with.

As I was reading the post, I was listening to Eminem, who is one of my favorite musicians. Surprising? Maybe. But it always chills me out and relaxes me. Even more surprising? I'm sure. But I thought I would take two minutes to share my chill music with you.

Q&A Session: How many kids?

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to have 7 children? Can you even imagine it? Do you ever wonder what it would be like to have only one and be finished?

In my desire to learn about the different perspectives of having children, I asked two of my facebook friends to share about their situations. The first person I talked to, Michele, has a daughter the same age as my son. This woman has gone through so much in her life as a mommy and I truly value her input. I was so glad she agreed to answer some questions and I just loved her answers! Hope you enjoy them, and get something from her answers as well.

1. How many children do you have?
We have 8 children, 7 living.

2. How many children did you think you would have, before you had any of them?
Haahaa...honestly, I never wanted any kids before I got pregnant with our first. Funny little story...we're catholic so we had to talk to the priest before we got married...you know, to make sure we were compatable...haha...well, one of the questions that he was going to ask was if we both wanted kids. The priest just so happen to have to step out of his office for a moment after he asked the question...and I told Tony that I couldn't lie to a priest! He was insistent that I tell the priest that I wanted kids or else he wouldn't marry us. So, being scared about this...I told the priest I wanted lots of kids...and now look at us.

3. How many siblings do you have? Did that affect your decision in the number of children you have?..
Ahhh...Tony and I both have 6 siblings...yep...7 kids on both sides. Its funny because we always say that it was meant to be. In Tony's family, there is 6 boys and one girl. In my family, there is six girls and one boy...AND...we are both identical twins!

4. What was the biggest adjustment from child to child? (1-2, 2-3, etc)
It was very hard for me to go from none to 1 child...mainly because he was a preemie with colic...bad colic. My second child was very laid back, she was very easy. After that...it was like old school...until Kenny and Nick (my micro preemies born at 23 weeks gestation) were born. All our energy and focus had to go to the NICU and then when Kenny came home. Balancing hospital stays, medications, medical equipment, sicknesses, seizures with 5 other kids was very hard...then to find out I was pregnant with Gina (the youngest) when I brought Kenny home from the hospital was a HUGE shock...but very welcomed. I questioned why I couldn't have my son Nick here but ended up pregnant with another child. Now I know why...Gina has helped Kenny learn to do everything. She is his little mommy, his buddy. Now...the older kids really step up and help out with the younger ones...It all just kind of fell into place.

5. What is the biggest challenge to having the number of children you do?
There are a few...
Keeping up with the laundry! haha.. no really!
Being crowded in a little 1100 sq. ft., 3 bdrm home...but even that...we make it work and then everyone asks us about our bills, but really, we shop thrift stores, get hand me downs from people, and use coupons. We don't have credit cards and send 5 kids to a private school...we just had to reset our priorities of life.

6. What do you think would be different if you only had one child?
Oh wow...we'd definitely have a LOT more money to be able to do things and have things like other people...but that would be boring. :)

7. What has been the most important lesson as a mommy?
That each kid has their own personality and way of doing things. That yelling does NOT work and that parenting takes a whole lot of energy and courage.

8. Any regrets or things you would change?
No regrets at all...but changing something...I wish I could have changed the fact that I delivered my twins too early only to bury one and have one with many different needs...but even that...it has bonded Tony and I...strengthened our marriage. We cry together, work together in every way, and talk about everything. We have learned a whole new life...so have our kids...to appreciate the little things in life. That materialistic things don't mean anything.

9. Are you absolutely finished having children?
Since Gina, we have had 3 miscarriages. To say we are done...I am leaving it open. I am getting up there in age, so whatever will be, will be.

10. Any tips for new parents?..
Oh yes...make time for each other. Tony and I went through our rough times but we worked together, understood that we were both exhausted from lack of sleep and change in lifestyle (having a child is very stressful) and we just held on for the long haul...it does get easier. You have to make time for each other...always hold hands. Oh...and make sure you have a package of wipes in the car at all times!

Isn't that just really inspirational. I myself cannot imagine having seven living children! Eek. My energetic boy is enough to make even question two on most days, but knowing that it can be done really puts a lot of other things in perspective doesn't it?

Next up is a friend from school. Nicole has been a great source of support for me in school, and knowing her family choices have also helped me...but I'll share more after!

1. How many children do you have?
One, my nine year old son Kade.

2. How many children did you think you would have, before you had any of them?
Three or four.

3. How many siblings do you have? Did that affect your decision in the number of children you have?
Two. Not really.

4. What do you think would be the biggest challenge of going from one to two or more at this point?
I'm too old and set in my ways to have an infant and a 9 year old. Also, health concerns. (For the record, Nicole is NOT old.)

5. What is the biggest challenge to having the number of children you do?
I worry about my son being alone now and in the future when tough times (like death of a parent) come along.

6. What do you think would be different if you had more than one child?
My one would get less attention (which could be good or bad). My husband would get less attention. At this point, it really would not work with our circumstances of me working and being in school. Our whole schedule would need revamping.

7. What has been the most important lesson as a mommy?
Most important lesson is to listen. Having an only child is tricky, and fun! I have learned great lessons from Kade when I take the time to listen.

8. Any regrets or things you would change?
There are plenty of regrets. I would have been less Type A about a lot of things (like potty training)...but, more than regrets I am glad that I am at a place in my life that I am able to see my son as a real gift...a blessing that is bigger than I will ever be. Sometimes I regret silly stuff like not saving certain things (:

9. Are you absolutely finished having children?
Yes. One is enough.

10. Any tips for new parents?
Whether you are a young or old parent, a new or experienced, remember that every kid is different and we need to bend with all the crazy stuff that comes along with parenting. There is nothing better than being a mom (or dad). And nothing should be taken more seriously (while being light hearted enough to have fun with your kid). See, parenting is full of contradictions, but as long as you love unconditionally, everything else should work itself out.

I love Nicole's answers too!

I mostly like to model myself after Nicole, because she has an only child, which is where I wonder if Archer will end up. We constantly try to justify our sons being only children, and Nicole told me that anytime she talks to someone who is an only child or a parent of an adult only child, she always asks questions to make sure they are doing okay.

I guess the point of the blog for me was seeing that it can be done either way. I loved hearing both sides of this, and feel free to add your own perspective in the comments or do your own Q&A session on your own blog!!

Kid-Free Zones

I know before even posting this that I will most likely be in the majority of my parenting friends on this opinion. A current phenomena in our culture is banning children; be it from restaurants, first class, or even movie theaters.

As a parent, I'm supposed to be outraged at this, I think. I'm supposed to be angry that my child, and possibly myself, is being discriminated against. But, truth is, I'm not. Parents and children should be allowed anywhere, right? We have a right to be anywhere without being discriminated against, and if that means a nice restaurant or a movie, then so be it. But I just really don't think that way. I think that if I want to go to a nice restaurant on a date with my husband, I don't want my kid to be there. And I don't really want anyone else's kid bothering me while I'm there. Does that make me sound like a totally unsympathetic person? I'm sure. But really, if I'm going out to somewhere nice, I'm probably sending my kid to my mother who is paying the toll herself, or I'm paying a babysitter: and if I'm paying a babysitter, I most definitely don't want some one else's child screaming and tantrum-ing near by.

Does this mean I think all restaurants should be allowed to ban children? Not at all. I just do not think it's a big deal if some choose to do so. This choice, by the way is 100% legal. Any privately owned business can choose to discriminate against anyone for any reason. Not only is it legal, it's a common marketing practice. It's all about making money in the capitalistic society, and if banning children and drawing in parents with babysitters and DINKs (Double Income, No Kids) makes them money, more power to them. If I'm without a babysitter, I'll go elsewhere or we'll eat in. I really do not have an issue with some restaurants choosing to not allow children of a certain age.

In addition to restaurants banning children, lots of other places are jumping on the bandwagon. An airline recently banned children from first class and is tossing around the idea of creating family only and adult only flights. While I can imagine people with enough money to fly first class might care about this, I do not have this much money so it's not even a blip on my radar. I do actually like the idea of adult only flights and family only flights too. As a parent, I know that my child is going to get restless on a flight much longer than an hour or two, and I would love to be able to fly without worrying that his busy self is going to bother the person in front or behind us. I tried my hardest to keep him as quiet as possible and to keep him from kicking the seat in front of us, but I can't tie him down to the seat and sometimes it just happens. Having a family only flight would really relieve some of that pressure, and not just because I think that people without kids are jerks who have no sympathy for parents and thus will get angry about anything that happens. I know for a fact that this isn't always the case as on my last flight they mixed up our tickets and a man gave up his aisle seat and took a middle seat so that Archer and I could sit together. I personally know that my child can't sit still for two hours without being loud or kicking something, and I hate that he acts that way in public. But I also know it's unavoidable, so like I said, I'm for the family flights.

Theaters also have specific hours for families to come and watch. One I read about online had days and hours for families with children under six. I haven't seen any local theaters do this, but I also don't see this as much of an issue. I don't really take my kid to non-G/PG movies, so I'm not sure if this law (and I mean this in the figurative since, not an actual legal fact) applies to them also or not. If so, that's really dumb and most likely losing them money. I have been in movies with crying children who should not be in said movie. We watched New Moon on opening weekend and it was filled with children and babies, some of whom were crying. That, to me is totally unacceptable. Get a baby sitter. It's not a child friendly movie and babies aren't necessary. I'm really sorry to the moms who can't get a baby sitter or who can't leave their kids for reasons like breast feeding. I really am. But I paid a ton of money to watch that movie, and I don't think that it's fair for someone else to bring their kid to cry through it. Like I said, I have sympathy, I really do. But when I was breast feeding, I didn't go out. It was easier for me to stay at home and be available to feed my child. The few times we did (and could afford to) go out, it was very near home with a babysitter at my house so that I could come straight home and feed him.

And that's where I hop off the child banning bandwagon. While I am willing to accept that I do not have the "right" to be where ever I want in public with my child, I am not on board with banning children from being in the public. Who said that? I found this blog article discussing recent trending topics on twitter, one of which being "places young children should be banned from." Some of the places were ludicrous, like condo-courtyards. Other people were commenting on them and suggesting that people with children actually don't bring them out in public until they are older. Others suggested that the be shipped via Fed-Ex while parents fly in planes or that they wear leashes and muzzles in public. That's really just taking it too far and I truly hope they were being facetious.

My other complaint with this bandwagon is the mass idea that so many parents these days just don't discipline their kids. I honestly don't think that's the problem. Consider, if my child has a tantrum a few times in a store (ever by the way, he's usually very well behaved in public, and we always get compliments on how polite and quiet he is) and your child has thrown a tantrum in a store, then chances are people are really just seeing a lot of the same tantrums and they aren't so wide-spread, just an occasional thing. Does that makes sense? My point is, I think that even a handful of kids having the occasional tantrum, all over the country seems like a ton of mis-behaving kids when it's really not that many kids or tantrums.

I also hate hearing how it's the parents fault. I'm not going to sit here and say it isn't. Parenting is the leading cause of children's behavior, positive and negative. If you reinforce bad behaviors, they will happen again. If you reinforce (or don't reinforce) good behaviors, they won't happen as much. BUT, like my previous paragraph, I don't think it's this global epidemic of horrible parents. I think that I'm a good parent, I really do. I always strive to have a well behaved child, and probably have expectations a little too high in that department (especially considering his genetics haha), but I am the first to admit there are days that I just say "Whatever, if it makes you shut up, then do it!!" I know that's awful, but if you're sitting there judging me and you have kids, shame on you. You've been there, I know it. We all have. We all give in and let our kids do things that they shouldn't be doing because sometimes we need the easy way out. And sometimes it's ok, just not every day. If you're sitting there judging me and you don't have kids, double shame on you because you have no idea what I'm talking about and I know, because I've been there and done that and I was wrong.

If you see my kid throwing a tantrum in public, please know that it's not his typical behavior. He's a little busy and a little loud, but he is not a brat and I am the only one allowed to call him that. I put a lot of hard work into teaching him not to throw fits, not to act ugly, how to act polite, the nice things to say, etc; and it doesn't always work. He is a human, not a programmed robot, and he has free will. Sometimes he doesn't act the way he's been raised, but I don't think that's a reflection of me. I think there are a variety of reasons, and some of them are probably me and my parenting, but he has learned a better way. And those days are probably the days I should have more patience and teach him even more. But I don't. So I don't. And there just isn't much I can do about it. If you have an issue with that and own a business, ban us.

Like I said, I'm sure many parents won't agree with the majority of this post. I do think that we as parents should stand up for the rights of our children, but I don't think that going to any restaurant we as parents want to drag them to is a right, in fact, I know it isn't. But I do think that there are many rights we should stand up for, and I try my very hardest to do so.

My big guy acting sweet out to eat at Texas Roadhouse.

Here are the links used as a reference and inspiration for this post.
No Kids Allowed Movement is Spreading
Stop Discriminating Against My Kid

I'm flawed, how about you?

What's your biggest flaw? Mine? I'm a procrastinator (have no self discipline). Really.

I put things off until the very last possible second, and then I do something halfway just to get it done. I know that I'm not giving it my all, but I just don't have enough self-discipline to make myself do it without that monumental amount of pressure. I guess that might just make my biggest flaw self-discipline then, huh? Oh well, either one, just know I'm flawed.

Because of my lack of self-discipline, I do lots of things I know I shouldn't. At work, I put myself behind on tasks I should have finished days (sometimes weeks) before. I know they need to be done, but I just keep putting them off. My homework is the worst. I know that I really need to do an assignment, but I end up doing everything but homework. Usually, that's when I pick up on blogging, or I spend too much time on facebook. I get so stressed out that I do everything but what I should be doing. I also eat things I know I shouldn't. I drink way more soda than is healthy for anyone.

I know these things are bad, unhealthy (mentally and physically), and just awful for me and they affect my family too. But I still do them.

I really am flawed. In case you were wondering. In case you thought you were alone.

Link Party!

We're having a link party at I <3 Naptime!! Just go over to her blog and post a link back to your blog of something you created yourself!! It's tons of fun and a great way to (1) learn new DIY projects and fun stuff and (2) get some new blogs to read and (3) get some extra traffic to your blog! You can't lose!!

Marriage Advice from a Novice

Two of my bloggy friends posted blogs today about marriage advice. First, let me say, I like theme blog topics because I love seeing others post their very personal (some times very different) thoughts on the same topics.

After you read Rikki's blog and Nikki's blog, you will see that mine is set up very differently. Not because I want to be different, but because I've learned my lessons in very different ways. So here's what not to do:

First, do not just expect your spouse to know what you are thinking. I am guilty of this marriage sin, but I truly have tried so hard to either tell him what's bothering me or what I need him to do, or just keep it to myself and deal with it on my own. Not like, secret keeping, but if it bugs me that he didn't do something I asked him to do, I just walk away and decide it's not important. He'll either remember or he won't and if he doesn't, I'll politely ask him to do it. (I will admit here, that I do lose my patience with him when he won't take the trash out or leave a bag in it, but its not so much that I get angry and we fight...anymore.) This is especially important when it comes to having a new baby. I know it's really hard, but people do not know what you need or don't need, especially the new dad who is freaking out at this monumental change more than he is letting on. If you need to sleep, tell him. If he's a truly loving and caring husband/father, he will let you, if that means calling your mom to come babysit so you can both nap, or just taking care of the baby alone. So, quick review, No one can read your mind, not even your spouse. Tell them how you feel, what you need, and what you want. Otherwise, no complaining when your expectations aren't met.

Which brings me to marriage no-no number two. Do not set unrealistic expectations for yourself or your spouse. No one is a perfect wife. No one has their house immaculately clean every day, with the kids perfect and waiting patiently in their rooms when dad gets home from work. No one, not every day. Not that any of those things are bad. If you have the time, energy and desire to run your household that way, by all means. But just because some live that way, does not mean that everyone should. Relationship roles and expectations need to be known before you actually get married. That's important. If you're husband expects you to have a meal cooke before he's home, and you get off work after him, that's really not going to work.

Next: Always expect these expectations to change. If your life situations, jobs, kids, etc change, the things you expect of your spouse, and they you, also must change. When I was in college and working, it was expected that I would take care of the house. I knew this, and I was always on top of it. Once I started working full time, we started sharing duties. When I was pregnant, things shifted dramatically and I was tired and nauseous (and still working full time) so Chance took over a lot of the duties of the house. When I stayed at home after Archer was born I took care of the entire house, the kid, and my husband. I struggled. A lot. We didn't have set expectations of each other (and I expected him to read my mind) so we fought a lot.

Wanna know what causes most fights? A lack of communication, which is the next marriage sin. If you aren't communicating, in any way, you aren't being fair to each other. Nikki said in her blog that she and her husband wrote letters and emails to each other, which I love. Instead of saying they didn't like to talk it out so they avoided talking about issues, they use a format that works for them. Chance and I usually text in fights. I know that sounds dumb, but not being face to face cuts down on so much of the emotion and intensity of the situation. But we also have moments where we sit down and just talk everything out. You have to talk, and you have to talk about stupid not important things that don't even matter and also the serious things that keep your relationship going.

And last but not least, like each other. And show it. I tease Chance because I'll say, I love you so much, I just don't like you very much. ( A BIG lie ) But liking each other, I mean doing things that they enjoy, showing them that you enjoy spending time with them, no matter how. Know what your spouse likes to do, and share in that with them. Be nice to them, be respectful of them, and genuinely like each other.

We've been married for five years, and dated five years before that. I'm not an expert, marriage is a daily lesson of many disciplines. Every day you learn new patience, new love, new friendship, new anger and frustration. Marriage is not always sunshine and roses. It's not always perfect, in fact, it's never perfect. But it should always be something you invest your all in.

Ten Years Ago

Five Years Ago

This Year

To Do List

Due on Wednesday:
-Group assignment
-12 page paper

Due on Thursday
-School Guidance Plan

Due on Friday
-3 page reaction paper

Archer's Typings

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkiiuyrreeeeeeeewwwwjmmm fwwwzj/
kh;
kfbn/x, qaaaaaaaaaaaaakuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadfmmmmmmmmmmmmmm/////////////////kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkdddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggrrffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff3333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333ccbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbsaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Are you serious?

I'm really so over all this drama. Really. Over. It. I've dealt with it for far too long and now I refuse. I'm not surprised, I've already lost that ability but that doesn't mean I have to keep caring. When you're ready to change, then you can come to me; otherwise, I'm completely done.

Dear Archer

To my sweet sweet son:

This is possibly my favorite age for you so far. You are a little wild and crazy, but you are also so thoughtful. We talk all the time. You tell me the funniest stories, and you always remember the details of the stories I tell you. You will come running up to me the next day asking about something we've talked about already. You are obsessed with chocolate milk and wake up daily asking for it. You love watching movies and tv, begging for Wow Wow Wubbzy or Toy Story. You still remember the tall buildings from NYC and riding in the taxi. You actually asked to take a taxi home while we were still in New York state, that made me laugh. Since your third birthday is coming up, we've been talking about that a lot. You wanted Race Cars (Disney Cars) for your party theme, but I really wanted to do Toy Story since it's been your obsession all year. You love building castles by stacking things up and you love anything super hero related, especially capes. Since it's summer time you have been swimming so much at Gigi's pool. You want to do it without arm floats and think you can swim under water like the big kids. You've just recently started flipping when you go down the slide which is so scary to me, but at the same time I love seeing you learn new things. You are so brave. I'm sure whenever you read this, you will be just as brave as you are now. Hopefully, you will eventually learn how to balance the bravery with safety.

I love you a bushel and a peck. :) I'll keep you forever.

Love Mommy

I saw a post on LMM that was a letter to her son, and I felt the need to share my feelings with mine.

Why do you blog?

As I was looking at my blog stats today I giggled. I get a ton of people wandering up to my blog searching for things like, "the man who wears the pants" or "domineering men wearing the pants" or, my personal favorite of this theme "to the man who wear the pants." These all really crack me up, because I think this is a blog written by a mommy. But then I remember that I'm so much more than that and I do talk about so much more than that. I don't just come here to journal my child's life or my families life. I come here to write about what I'm thinking, feeling, doing or in the state of being.

Sometimes I wish that I could make this blog more enterprising and use it for something. I even hope to make the "Blog of Note" list. But those things come with people judging what I write, people misunderstanding what I write, or perhaps just misinterpreting what I'm saying. That's not why I'm here. If you don't like what I have written, by all means don't read it. Don't come back. This is a public place, sure, but no one is forcing you to come here and see my words. The words I poured out of my mind, heart, and being. These things are so personal to me and this is the only place I have to write them. So while I love having people read my thoughts, words, and daily life notes if I say something you don't like, don't read it. And don't come back, because while I'm very open to change it doesn't happen all that often.

So if you've ever wondered why I post, now you know. If you've ever agreed with what I'm saying, tell me. If you disagree, respectfully tell me, but don't expect your opinion to change me unless you're really persuasive. So there.

Party Invites!

Because I know how much you care, I made Archer's party invites!! (All by myself!!) I'm super proud of myself, because mostly this is the kind of thing I start and get so frustrated at that I never finish. Well, I did it! Yay me. ;)

Have you barfed at my self praise yet? Thanks for that.

This was a photoshop project that I created by googling images of toy story characters. I had the idea of using the etchasketch, but wasn't sure how to implement it, so I did google toy story custom invites to get some ideas. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Individually cropping each image was tough, but I managed. : ) Hope Archer likes them, it's too late now. Here are my custom made Toy Story Party Invites:

(FYI: Feel free to use this template for your own party. All you would need is photoshop, and you can just use the fix tool to erase the writing I put in.)

Oh, and also, this is two things down (party decor and invites). The cake has been discussed. So now all that's left is buying presents. Oof. That's the hardest part I think. Any suggestions?

Getting Ready to Party!!

It's almost mid-July. Do you know that that means? That means that my sweet little angel will be three in less than two months. I've created a facebook invite so that friends and family will know what the plan is and when to ask off for work, etc. A save the date of sorts. I didn't send out invitations last year, but I think I will this year. Let's see if I'm creative enough to make some on photoshop! : )

The theme for this years party is Toy Story! Archer really wants Cars, but I want to have Toy Story because that's all he has talked about all year, and suddenly he wants Cars. I have a cake picked out and am hoping a friend of mine who makes cakes will do it for me! I also have the cake topper toys purchased and just ordered the plates/napkins set up.

Archer was so excited to check all the party stuff out. He wants balloons, he's asked 4 or 5 times. He also loves his cake, but he wants Buzz, Woody, Slink, Rex, Jessy, and Bullseye on his cake. The original cake didn't Slink and he was very explicit at wanting him so I'm going to have to hunt one down.

I'm hoping to be ahead of the game on this party. The past two parties have been on Friday's and with me working and going to school that's just not doable. This year it will be on Saturday, but I'm hoping to only have to show up that day and put up decorations and not worry about anything else. I'm only inviting family and a few friends, so nothing spectacular but I still want it to be a special day for my boy! :)

Anything else I'm missing?

Surprise, surprise

Holy update Blogger!! I have a secret blog that I use to post about the things I would never tell real people, so I knew this was coming, but man it surprised me to log in and see it put to use. BUT...that's not the reason for this post.

I have a big fat surprise for someone I know in real life. Stay tuned tomorrow to see what it is. :)

That's All I Want to Hear About Casey Anthony

I'm sure I'll be slammed for my opinion on some level, but I'm so sick of hearing about the Casey Anthony trial. I haven't watched a single minute of trial coverage and have only read an article or two.

It was a tragedy that a baby died like that, won't deny it. But the only reason people care is because of the publicity level. So many children are treated this badly and worse on a daily basis. There is so much public outrage and anger over something that no one can do anything about, for Caylee, yet there are children being abused and witnessing abuse on a daily basis. Where are the cries for injustice for the children who suffer in silence. Depending on your religious beliefs, Caylee is no longer suffering, and possibly even in a better place. But what about the little boy who was in the news recently for being beaten, tied up, and prostituted out for his mother's drug habit? Not only did he suffer for so long, but the physical and emotional repercussions of that incident will torture him for the rest of his life. That to me is much worse than being in a place of no more pain. Where is the outrage for him?

Next on my list is, if there wasn't enough evidence to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt, the burden being 100% on the prosecution, how can someone blame the jury? Juries must be unbiased and they must be able to make a decision based on what is provided in court. I've seen so many posts blaming the jury, but they only make decisions with what they are given. The prosecution can say that they "knew the truth" but they didn't, and they didn't prove her guilty. I know so many people are upset at the decision, but I would much rather live in a country that demands the innocent be proven guilty than a place that doesn't even allow us a trial to prove innocence.

Last thing, facebook is currently littered with posts about God being the one who will take care of Casey. But, in all honesty, if Casey is a Christian who has repented her sins, all she has to do is ask forgiveness. Sure, God will provide some punishment, but if she is saved and has repented, she will not "rot in Hell."

The Bible states: “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation” Mark 3:28-30 Which I interpret as the only unforgivable sin is blaspheming against the Holy Spirit, which means that even murder is forgivable.

So really, this was just a soapbox post for me, but I really needed a place to vent my frustrations at my newsfeed. Feel free to agree or disagree; just know this is all I have to say on the matter unless you can provide me with necessary reasons as to why I should change my stance.