The Unsung Hero

   I meant to do this post a couple months ago, but life got in the way.  It started on Father's day.  We had just gotten to Arizona and found a house and were going to our new ward for the first time.  We pulled up at the building and there was no one at the church.  After driving around to other buildings, we realized that they were having stake conference on Father's day. 
   Everyone makes a huge deal about Mother's day.  The media is flooded with commercials for things to make Mom feel special.  The church goes all out with special talks to show just how special Mom's are.  And there we were, on Father's day and there was no fuss made over it.
   Yes, being a Mom can be hard.  You don't get breaks, you can't take a sick day or quit if your work isn't satisfying.  But what about Dad?  All the financial pressure falls on him.  He misses so many of the little joy's of being a parent.  Snuggling in bed reading stories, watching Kira comfort her sister when she gets hurt, feeling cooped up and just leaving to go swimming  to get away from it all, etc, etc.  The list could go on and on.  And yet we forget how hard that must be, being the rock of the family. 
    So thank you Josh.  Thank you for going to work everyday so I can stay home and play with our fantastic kids.  Thanks for coming home and stepping right into helping me, whether it be holding a crying baby while I finish dinner, running to the store because I didn't make it,  or just playing with your kids.  Thank you for understanding.  Whether it be when my Mom was sick and I wanted to spend a month away in UT, or making the finances work so I can go to a funeral.  Thank you for all the sacrifices of time, money and sometimes even joy to build me up, make me better and help me out. 

    You are the hero in my life.  I countdown the minutes until you come home because without you the day is incomplete.  I love you.  Thanks for being the man that you are and allowing me to be me.  You're my hero through and through!

Breastfeeding...

   
    This post contains an image that may cause you to wish you were me and that you had a baby as adorable as mine.  Of course, you may be crazy and be offended by the graphic nature shown...
   There are a lot of things about our society that make me shake my head, or get under my skin.  But hands down the biggest bother I have is with breastfeeding and I know you're dying to know why. 
    I love breastfeeding.  Being able to provide my baby with perfect nutrition at the perfect temperature at any given time is amazing.  I also love pictures.  (I'm sure you didn't know that.)  I love sharing how perfect my baby is with everyone. (And yes, she is the cutest baby ever!)  So now that I've rambled a bit, back to my issue.  I take a million photos.  I love breastfeeding.  Naturally some of the best pictures I take are while my baby is cuddled up nursing or post nursing.  The milk dribble smiles, the hand placed protectively over the breast, the never breaking eye contact, etc, etc, etc!  I treasure every moment.  And yet, because society has such a stigma about breastfeeding I don't share the pictures. 
    THERE IS NOTHING SEXUAL IN BREASTFEEDING!  And yet, even some of my siblings, who were breastfed and around breastfeeding their entire lives, get uncomfortable if you choose to feed your child near them.  Why is it OK for women to prance around in a bikini, but show a breast in a natural way and people flip? 
    Alright, I'm done with my rant and just because I LOVE this photo I'm going to share it.  Avert your eyes if you're offended.