it's about equality

After attempting to explain to my 7 and 4 year old about the same-sex marriage bill hearing was that was to take place the next day, I decided not to take them. As I started my explanation, I quickly realized that although they have 2 uncles that are gay, many friends with parents that are gay, and know about some of my friends that are transgender, they don't actually know what the word gay even means in reference to these people in our lives. They do not have a label for them, and I want to keep it that way as long as possible. They simply see a person who is as unique as any other person. They simply see two mothers who love their children as much as their two parents love them.  They look around and see so many different types of parents and families. Single mothers and fathers, one mother and one father, a grandparent raising grandchildren, families that adopt, couples that have no children, families that have 10 children, families that have two moms or two dads, and so many more. I decided not to take them with me because I didn't want them to see that there are people in the world that would try and tell them that all of these families should not be treated equally. I want them to feel free in this country to be who they are and love who they want and see the good in each individual and family. I always teach my children to value their own differences and also see the likenesses between all of us. For all too soon I will be sending them into the world on their own. They will see the unjustness, the inequality, and the hatred. I can not protect them forever. But I hope they will have in themselves such a strong sense of what is right and good in their soul that they will be sturdy and clear enough to stand strong.

I did go to the hearing on Tuesday with my Mom and my baby to show my support of the same-sex marriage bill. Part of me can not believe that I am living in a country that would even have this up for debate. Did we not learn anything from our country's past? Did we not learn that separate but equal doesn't work. Does anyone ever stop and think how it would feel to be told that you can not marry the love of your life. I am lucky that the love of my life happens to be a man. We are respected and welcomed in the community just the way we are. How lucky for us. But no, that good feeling is tainted because I can not feel rest until my friends and loved ones and fellow community members are given the same respect and honor. I can not just stand by and hope others will take care of it. It is my responsibility to my children to leave them a world that is a little better then when I got here.  I will speak out and stand up for all human beings to be treated equally. What a novel concept. And yet I will not get too comfortable in my socially excepted life until it is so.

I don't know who my children will decide to love and marry, but I truly hope that they will be honored in their choices and get to hold their heads high and proud as they walk though life or down the isle feeling the blessings and support of their country. 

Please call or write your representatives to tell them that you support same-sex marriage and equality for all.

Find your Representative here.

what's going on at my house

lots of baking and eating.......

can't get enough Daddy time......

started playing dominoes and we are really getting into it............

Jetta loves the piano and is sharing that love with her brother........ 

collecting LOTS of bottle caps found on daily walks around the stadium........ coming up with grand ideas for art projects we can use them for........

finding joy in the little things.........

spending time with friends and dressing up.......

.......counting my blessings and enjoying this life

less is more on a windy day

Over the last almost eight years that I have been a parent, one thing has become more clear to me each day:  less is more. We can search high and low for the perfect toy to play with, or the perfect class to take, or even the perfect experience to offer them, but none of this seems to make my kids any happier. In fact, I do believe it makes them less happy. Much much less. Why is this? Well, I think it teaches them to want and most importantly expect more instead of appreciating what they already have. Also, I think that when things are always presented to you (ie: a toy or a method of doing something) it leaves that ever important element out of the equation......creating. I think that when we have to make our own toy or figure out how to do something on our own there is a spark that gets lit within us that makes us feel whole and happy. For example, we had a really windy day last week and the kids came running in the house looking for plastic bags. They tied a string to the bags and up they went soaring in the sky. All we could hear from them were squeals of joy as they flew their bag kites up and down the street laughing and screaming with pure happiness. Sure, we have a kite that I could have taken out to use, but why? I have never seen them have more fun. And all they had was a bag and a string. Even our mail carrier had to actually come and tell me that she had been sitting there for a long time watching my kids play with their "kites" in the wind. She told me that she had never seen such happy children and that it had made her day. She even wanted to nominated me for Mother of the year! You mean all I had to do was put my kids outside in the wind with a bag and some string? I can do that. It seems easy, but doing less can feel much harder because everything around us tells us to get and do more. We have been in a long process of retraining ourselves to want less. To really look at what our choices and actions are saying about our family's values. What are the effects of each thing or activity on my children? Is it worth it?

sprouted mung bean curry soup with cheese pancakes

Sprouted Mung bean soup with home made beef stock and a touch of curry is my favorite winter meal. The only thing that makes it better are these cheese pancakes.

Cheese Pancakes 


1 C millet flour
1/4 C tapioca flour
1 C yogurt (or coconut milk)
2 eggs
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 C soft goat cheese
1/4 tsp  baking soda
1/4 tsp sea salt

happy chinese new year

children of the earth

Last week we had the opportunity to spend the morning in a nature class given by a teacher from The Children Of the Earth Foundation. It was a beautiful crisp morning and we all enjoyed our time in nature.  Even Scout settled in and nursed as we walked. I think we all needed the fresh air.

this moment: big brother

This is a special moment from the past week that I want to stop, savor and enjoy.  Check out other moments this morning at soulemama.