Politics or Morality?

I've been perplexed lately. Politics play a huge part in American society. In fact, next to only money and religion, it's quite an emotional topic. One part of politics, especially in America, is the general assumption that our representatives act with morality in mind. Not so. In fact, most polls show that Americans now realize how out of touch our federal government truly is. Americans are living on tight budgets and are scared to enjoy they're earnings as they did in years past all due to poor choices of government over years and years of so called "service." As any good coach would say, you've got to get back to basics to become stronger. That means fundamentals.

I played lots of sports and that was always the biggest part of practice. Despite their elementary nature, they were key and MANDATORY to improve our game. When we weren't focusing on the fundamentals of the sport, our game would fall apart. It's the same principle with politics. Our country has gotten so comfy & cozy with our federal government slowly but surely creeping it's greedy and controlling fingers into our personal lives due to the supposed "benefits" we receive in return. CRAP! It's a trap and a joke. I am much more capable of taking care of myself and my family and even others in need around me than the federal government. Why, oh why, are there still thousands and thousands of charities who have to help those in need when our government claims to use our tax dollars to do so? If they do such a great job, why are charities still in such high demand? Why? It all comes down to morality. Those in power in DC don't use morality in their justification for using our tax dollars toward programs that are intended to aid those in need. The basis of these programs sounds awesome and so helpful; yet the government has proven over and over again that more revenue and more power only breeds its own. More power and money = more government positions, reelection emphases overshadowing the people's needs, and more distance between the minds of representatives and the public. It's been repeated time and time again. Moral restraint is not practiced across the board in our economy or in DC. The rhetoric claims that morality is the basis on which they propose and legislate. However, Americans have gotten wise to their double talk. Our president speaks from both sides of his mouth on a regular basis, as well as Pelosi, Michelle, and the rest. And that isn't just Democrats I speak of. There are plenty of Republicans who do the same. My main beef with the Obamas right now is that they live lavishly and spend exuberantly even though they both speak of the "hard times" we're all facing and how we all have to "tighten our belts." That's hardly been lived out by our leaders. I haven't heard of one super wealthy representative resign his/her salary and pension. Most people in the House & Senate DON'T need to be paid. Many are independently wealthy. The two Democratic leaders are both extremely wealthy and still use our tax dollars to subsist in DC. Pelosi flies around on military jets on personal business and puts it on our tab. Are they living out what they've been preaching? No! It all boils down to morality. They are deluded with their sense of self and entitlement for their "service." If they truly want to be a public servant, they need to quit allowing themselves to be pampered. They live lavishly and then over promise meeting needs and wants of Americans just to get reelected. It's all bogus.

When you need to get down to basics, you have to go back to the very beginning at square one, so to speak. For America, it's the founding documents, which clearly state the LIMITED role of government. We have strayed so far from the basics, which were brilliantly compiled by those who were truly oppressed by their government. It's a shame that we choose not to learn from history. So many other countries have been ruled the way ours is trying (without direct mention but with subtle, deliberate action) that have fallen or are truly broken. Why would we allow our great nation that is based on true freedom to crumble under the guise of receiving "benefits" from our federal government? Again, it's a trap. True freedom means they can't tell me what to do and that I'm responsible for my actions, which includes caring for my own and myself.

The federal government in the US has now started attacks on free speech that share opinions other than those of the current administration. Now that is NOT an attribute of a free country. Freedom of speech means freedom of speech no matter what is said. If you don't like it, don't listen. Simple. It's your choice. It's called freedom. If you don't want your kids to eat McDonald's, tell them no. It's your choice. It's not anyone else's fault when YOU make a CHOICE. I can't say this enough. Our society has gotten so used to passing blame and getting lawsuit happy. True freedom means personal responsibility. It's a moral principle that was infused into our documents for good reason. Our leaders took human nature into account when designing our great Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and Constitution. They knew what would inspire individuals to greatness in spite of their shortcomings. Morality was to overcome those. And our country has allowed for great strides in moral accomplishment and personal freedom - abolition of slavery, minorities as equals, etc. However, our government started to get a bit too extravagant in its attempt to appease the masses and started a huge decline opposite of morality & personal freedom - abortion, social security, income taxes, prohibition, etc. All of these are under the guise of "it's your right" to have (fill in the blank) or it's the government's responsibility to (fill in the blank). No, it's your right to choose to do it for yourself if you want it. The only rights we are guaranteed in our founding documents are the right to life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness along with the rights to bear arms, speak freely, practice religion, and so on. There are no rights to not be offended, have any of your bills paid, or have a job. Yet, organizations out there are super touchy on suing anyone who steps on toes to make a scene and get publicity without taking the responsible and moral stance to forgive and/or ignore. I don't like offensive words, but every American has the right to say them no matter what. Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it deserves to be legislated against. Grow up!

Morality and personal freedom have to be in a great balance for our country to be at peace. However, immorality is praised and rewarded with millions. The government so graciously gave us the "right" to terminate a pregnancy even though our First Lady wants to be able to tell us what we can and can't feed our kids. I'm sorry. That's a perfect example of morality and personal freedom not being in balance. It's quite a delicate balance, too. If you've ever been exposed to the pain of a woman who has experienced an abortion and is contemplating suicide for her choice, you would think much, much differently about this "right." It's a selfish and savage right that only puts a bandaid on the lack of personal respobsibilty and morality that should have been taught. I have spoken to several women who are in a very hard situation due to unwanted/unplanned pregnancies. Abortion never cures the problems. In most cases, it just compounds them and leaves a woman broken and confused. It's amazing the gratitude of a woman who could think of no other option but abortion for her specific situation who was enlightened with factual scientific and medical information, as well as a loving and warm welcome despite her choices, once her baby is born. The payoff of a hard choice is blissful. It's not an easy road but so worth it. Why do we push the "right" to terminate instead of the right to be informed of all the options? It's approached from a terribly political perspective and not one from a moral sense of freedom.

That was just an example that is a soapbox of mine. I know, I know. You've heard it before. The gist of my rant is that if we don't teach each child to be responsible and reteach each adult who can't seem to live responsibly as opposed to just pushing rights and entitlements, our country will descend to a selfishly motivated sespool of "rights" with nothing to show for it but millions of discontent and whining babies regardless of age. It all starts at home and in your personal choices. I'm aiming to do my part. I hope you are, too! Our country depends on it.

Gibson's almost 1!

So the child is walking and almost one. He's just shy of a full year old! Oh, my. How did it fly past so quickly? I'm remembering to seize each moment and ponder them in my heart. Ah! I love this kid! Motherhood has brought out a huge dose of tenderness in me that I never knew I had. God bless this experience! You are good. I'm also the new VR Program Coordinator for LifeChoices, which means I plan when schools have VR classes and who is teaching them. I still get to teach - a bonus. I love it and don't want to stop. However, I had to give up being a volunteer counseling pregnancy clients. This is good, though, because it's helping taking some financial burden off of Monte.

With his birthday approaching it means that I'm only 4 weeks away from mine. I'll be starting the last year of my twenties. And I love it! Marriage is good, parenting is a daily challenge, Gibson makes my heart flutter and act like a complete sentimental goob, and I am confident that God loves us. I'm on the alert though. It seems at times like these Satan finds a way to trample on my bliss. I'm staying prayed up.

Ironically, my birthday is on the mid-term election day where the USA will probably be changing the landscape of Congress and many governorships across the country. It's exciting! So many are actually paying attention to the politicians and listening and holding them accountable. Yay! That is a great birthday present. Now I'm praying that Christians will do the same with their church leaders and personal faith. I am ready to celebrate real change. Plus, last election day I had surgery after a miscarriage that wouldn't pass. And then the election results rolled in. Very bad day!

My hope for the USA is to be great again by the results of our hard work and personal responsibility. A few basic principles make the USA unique and exceptional - not the people. And they are found in the Constitution, which is an amazing document. Monte & I have read it again in the past few months to make sure we weren't misspeaking when discussing the facts. I encourage everyone else to do the same. It's amazing how many "educated" people get the facts wrong and then spout them all over the airwaves to ignorant & obliging minions. I'll leave it at that; otherwise, I'll get on my soapbox, which will make for a very long blog post!

Our lives are grand and so precious. I'm excited about what is to come and how God will mold me toward His glory.

Gibson 8 mos., by Amy Hunt

I'd like to share my Walmart Digital Photo Center photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Craziness in the world

So I've been trying to stay up on current events and finding it harder and harder to rely on the typical 3 networks to do so. There are several serious things being said and movements that are full of hate that aren't being reported via NBC, CBS, & ABC. Shame, really. We don't have cable. So now I'm fully aware of other news websites and lots of talk radio. What I find so crazy is how offended so many people are when someone on their side is criticized. I'm a firm believe that if you need to be criticized, then buck up and take it, especially when in a place of power. And part of that position is to be receptive on neutral grounds. Our president, like many other presidents on both political sides, is very defensive when criticized. It's over 1.5 years into his term and life here in the USA is not getting any better, and he's still blaming "the past administration." I'm sorry. Whenever I would blame my brother and sister over and over again, my parents would let me have it. How is it okay for President Obama to keep passing blame? Well, it's not. And he's an adult who chose to run for president and won. So buck up, buddy. It's time to put on your big boy pants and govern like a responsible adult. Even President Clinton, who is almost as liberal as Obama, found a way to govern from a more centric position with a Republican Congress. I guess, politically, he had to. But, all the same, it was a great move for our country. The budget was balanced, welfare was reformed, and the list goes on. President Obama isn't learning from the past, which frightens me. Every great country has fallen due to repeating history. It's a simple concept that I believe pride prevents from soaking in to political thought.

It's also a shame that almost all politicians are more concerned with reelection and saving face than governing, legislating, judging, etc. according to our founding documents. Really? Monte and I have recently read the Constitution. It's pretty overwhelming how far from it most politicians have gone. That's on both sides. We, as Americans, have let them drift without any threat of being checked or voted out. We have been complacent and did not want to do any homework to make sure we were on the right track. That's everybody as a whole to blame. We liked where we were and wanted our way. When we didn't get it, we voted to an extreme opposite instead of finding out who was really there to serve publicly. And that's what it's supposed to be...public service. Why are they getting rich off of it? And they, as a whole, aren't any good at their jobs? We need to wake up, clean it out, and get back to a place where the USA is a leader for true freedom and a democratic republic. And our politicians need to listen to the voices of their constituents. We are the boss of them. We need to remind them that they are representing us and not their personal side of things.

Life is too short to let the ideals of the USA to fall to socialistic plans. With freedom comes hard work and taking care of yourself. You don't like that responsibility, find a place that will take care of you. But beware. They want power over you too. You can't have freedom and a free meal ticket. The two directly contradict each other. I'll take care of my family and myself. You take care of yours. And we'll all enjoy the freedom to do so. I hope God will continue to bless America. When will we learn that the freedom we enjoy came from Him and is innately all people's everywhere? I give thanks and will teach Gibson and all future children to do the same. I love being in a free land. I just hope it lasts and lasts.

On a much lighter note, Gibson is now the proud owner of 2 teeth. He's enjoying feeding himself all sorts of things. He especially enjoys watermelon and cottage cheese, separately is not necessary. Monte is busy with weekend services and all the planning and prep that goes into them. He just started his own Facebook page. Look him up and friend him. He'd like that. We are heading to the McCoy Family Reunion next week down in north central AR. I'm looking forward to that. There will be 35 of us and many are quite eager and competent babysitters. Oh, yes. I will enjoy that. Gibson has new adventures in crawling everyday. He really likes the dog bones. This has been a major point of discipline. I shouldn't move them since they are in a place where the girls can reach them. So Gib just has to learn they are off limits to him. He has been quite persistent in his attempts with a few times where Momma has had to intervene. Not fun. He's also starting to pull up. It's mainly just to his knees now, but he has once gone to his feet! Already! I'm not ready for walking yet. I hope he sticks to cruising around furniture for a while. He's also found his toy basket. He enjoys pulling it over and letting the toys tumble into his face. Fun but energy sapping. Good thing I'm staying fit.

That's it for now. Thanks for visiting!

Summer Fun

Lots and lots of summer fun. We just returned from a 9 day journey that led us to Louisville, KY to visit our dear friends, the Semenicks. We got to cuddle and coo with Baby Gabe, who is now 11 weeks old. He's a big kid - long and strong! He's got the crazy old man hair thing right now. Love it! Max and Sara are doing well and obviously elated every day they get to love that little guy. God is good! Then, we trekked to Myrtle Beach, SC. Gibson did amazingly well in the car despite not sleeping much. Since he prefers the tummy, the carseat offered him little sleeping comfort. Too bad there isn't a contraption that keeps babies safe while sleeping on their tummies. Gibson would be a happy kid! Myrtle Beach was beautiful and warm. We got to spend some great time with most of Monte's side of the family. It was fun to see all the energy in our nieces and nephews as they played in the ocean most of every day. It wore me out! Now we're home and back to normalcy. Whatever that is!

Gibson is well into his new adventure of eating solids. He loves his spoon and cup even though he doesn't really attain any nourishment from these tools on his own. He's still perfecting those abilities. He's getting the hang of picking things up with his pincer grasp. It's fun to see all the concentration that goes into putting the pointer finger and thumb together. I make most of his baby food, which is a good way to save some cash considering how much he likes to eat.

I've posted more pics at our website. www.hunttrio.shutterfly.com. Enjoy!

New People To Love

So there are some new people in my life to love. Most were expected like Jani's baby, Anke, Sara Semenick's baby, Gabriel, Sara Conley's baby, Darcy, and the list grows on of all the friends of mine who are expecting. However, there was a little bundle of love that joined my family all of a sudden. But what a great surprise! My sister, Sarah, and her husband, Nathan, were privileged and beaming with pride to take home a little baby girl who needed a great home and some super great parents! Elizabeth Kay Reyna was born April 8th and joined their home on the 13th. They just went to court yesterday where everything is now legal and complete! She's theirs on paper as well as in their hearts. Yay! Loving a baby is a whole different ballgame. People always told me that before. I would usually look at them and give them a polite smile. But now I know. How dare I assumed I knew better? This weekend Gibson and I are traveling down to Arkansas to see the family and celebrate with one of four showers for Elizabeth. Monte, of course, will be working with the church and leading the services' music, which means he will not be joining us. Plus, we're heading to Myrtle Beach, SC next weekend and get to stop in and see the Semenicks on our way. I've taken a huge breath of relief now that the school year is over. I never realized how crazy I would feel tackling a few hours a day teaching sex ed and trying to get Gibson cared for and dropped off and all that. Madness! I'm sure this fall will be much simpler since he'll almost be weaned and can fend more for himself in the eating department. I'm super glad I don't have a 40 hr/wk job anymore. I'd lose it or be a gigantic mess! This summer brings vacation, a family reunion, a 10 year high school reunion, and hopefully lots of swimming! I'm stocked with swim diapers for Gib. Love you all and make today your greatest!

Friends

I have a really great friend who just celebrated a birthday Sunday. Sara L. Hill is a wonderful and glorious friend. I cherish our times of just us. Well, Gibson joins us most times. But you know what I mean. I was able to bless her with a Panera birthday breakfast a couple days before her actual birthday. It's amazing how much a yummy bagel, all toasty and spread with cream cheese, and a cup of coffee accompanied by good conversation and company can heal the soul and refresh even the ickiest of moods. Mmmm...it was delightful.

Another great friend, Sara Mitchell Semenick. Yes, Sara. Another one. In fact, the next friend to write about is yet another Sara. But Sara Semenick is expecting their first baby March 16th - a boy. I'm pumped and SO ready to go visit when he's a few weeks old once family has had their initial fill. Gibson and I will probably pack up and head out to Louisville. Not sure if Monte can come and I'm contemplating having my mom or someone else come with me to help with Gibson and driving. P.S. Did you know that nursing in the car is legal in some states? Just found that out. Sara Semenick and I go way back to my sophomore year of college. We were blessed to spend two years together at college as best buds and volleyball teammates. We've been mega close every since. She and her hubby, Max, were able to visit when Gibson was 5 weeks old. They bought him his Boppy, which we LOVE!

Last Sara for the day. Sara Conley, formerly Sara Cable, is also pregnant due early April. This Sara is having a girl, little Darcy Elizabeth. I was blessed that she had a shower here in Joplin that I could attend. It was not good for me to see all the precious baby girl stuff. All these pregnant friends are bad for my agreement to wait til Gib is at least a year before we discuss another one. Ack! But I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing about all the different things she and all 8 other pregnant friends are experiencing. This Sara is basically a walking complication. I won't breach her privacy on her health issues, but pregnancy has definitely brought out some quirks for her body to handle. She and Brad are anxiously awaiting the arrival while cherishing and loving every moment she's still in utero.

Last friend - JANI BRAVENBOER. Ya know, I miss this girl the most because it's been over 2 years since I've seen her, hugged her, and shared with her face to face. Jani and Martin, who are also expecting a girl but on March 16th, had to move back to South Africa Dec. 11, 2007. (Heavy sigh...) However, life back home has been good to them and I pray that God continues to use them for His purposes day in and day out. Their new ministry of being parents will be mind blowing, I'm sure! It is different once experienced and it's worth every ache, pain, sickness, or contraction. Oh, man, is it! I pray for Jani very often and want to see her again. I know it will happen. It's just a matter of when. We'll see.

God is good, right? I have 5 other friends who are expecting. Yes, 5. Again, not good on the whole waiting to have another kid goal. Monte keeps me in check. He's not as eager to get back into the fertility freedom stage as I am. Alas, Gibson deserves to have me for a while all to himself. I'm sure I'll be better equipped to have another with giving him this time too. So long for now!

Love, Sweet, Love

So Valentine's Day came and went. No big deal for us. We love each other every day! Actually, neither one of us is big on gifts and big displays of thoughtfulness that requires money we'd rather spend on something useful or to eat. Monte is glad I don't care about flowers or candy or any gifts, really. I don't like shopping, although now I get a kick out of how many great deals I get when buying baby stuff for Gibson. Exciting life, I know.

Gibson now sleeps consistently til 6:30. I'm being very patient in getting him to 7 am at least. He would make things MUCH easier if he slept til then. I think he's also ready to be on a 4 hour routine and get 4 feedings each day. Right now he does 5, but it's a short feeding. Trial and error are key to good parenting. You try it, assess, take notes, and make a decision. Luckily, my baby Bible has been BabyWise, and I'm so grateful. I'm constantly referencing it to make sure I'm within normal expectations on nap times, # of naps, hours of nighttime sleep, # of feedings, etc.

Also, Gib made his 4 mo. appearance at Dr. Holmes' office last Friday. He wasn't quite close to 17 lbs. I thought for sure I saw the scale correctly at our neighbors' house a couple weeks ago. But I was wrong. He weighed in at 15 lbs 10 oz. Still quite above "average" for 4 months old. He's healthy and that's what matters. He was like 25 3/4" long too.

Now, about shots. I was prepared for the worst this time. Last time, Gibson screamed and cried and cried and cried. He looked at me and stuck out his lip and his eyes seemed to be asking, "Why, Mommy? Why is this mean nurse lady stabbing needles into my thighs?" Heart wrenching! I was on the verge of tears. And you all know that I'm NOT a crier. Whew! Awful. But this time, he whimpered a little bit with each shot and that was it! As soon as she was done, he recovered in mere seconds. I was highly relieved.

Just read the last Harry Potter - The Deathly Hallows. It was good. Now I'm ready to see the cinematography challenge of bringing it to life. There will be quite a bit to see. Oh, and I'm way behind the norms and watched Twilight for the first time yesterday. It was alright. I've been told that the books are much better and that the second film was made much better than the first. I have to decide if I want to commit to reading the books first. What do you guys say? Anyone read them?

Enjoy your weekend. I'm off to figure out dinner. Love you all!

Update

It's been a while. Apologies to all those who keep up. I'm sure it's a whopping two or three people! No matter how few, you are important. Gibson is now 4 months old. He's like 17 lbs and growing at a ridiculous rate. We've tried a little cereal every now and then, but he doesn't seem to NEED it. I thought he did, but that idea has fizzled out. He sleeps like 10 hours at night with or without cereal. Sometimes I'm lucky and he sleeps 11 hours and wakes up at 7. It seems no matter how many days I let him fuss til 6:30 he will still wake up at 6. I guess I'll just wait til he gets older for him to sleep longer. I'm heading back to teaching Virtuous Reality next week. I'm pumped. I get to kick it off by doing the girls' STI slides. Favorite! Last time I did them, I had a couple girls in class quietly crying. It broke my heart. They never did share with my why so I just prayed for them. I started back to LifeChoices 3 weeks ago. Right off the bat, I had a client who said that she had to have an abortion even though she would never tell anyone else to do it. Her mother was distraught over this decision and she said that she was unsure of how her mom could love her after she goes through with it. Even after an ultrasound and seeing the miraculous flicker of the heartbeat, she was still determined. I just kept praying. Only God knows what's going on in her heart and mind right now. I just saw the pain she was experiencing and wondered why we even let people have this choice. Yeah, pregnancy is hard and raising a kid is even harder. But living with the memory and pain of getting rid of the life created, whether good timing or not, is exponentially harder from what those who've had them have shared. God is so much bigger than those problems yet He chooses to be a part of every one of them. He welcomes those babies into his arms just like he did ours back in Oct. '08. Luckily for them, He does a much better job than any parent here can. His love is perfect and whole, rich and full, abundant and overflowing. And with the birth of Gibson and the loss of our first baby, I've become very emotional when it comes to them. The first time Gibson decides he doesn't need me or want me and shows it I'm going to secretly fall to pieces. I hear him stirring in the other room. He's so cute. He's dreaming or trying to get through a light sleep stage. He'll be wriggling around and trying to find his hands all while his eyes are closed. The other night we looked in on him and he was curled up on his left side with his little hands nestled in front of his face. Precious! Enjoy the pics!