Here She Goes Again...

...Stepping on toes and offering no apologies.

Everybody needs to check out this article posted on World Net Daily.

Excerpts to perk your interest:
"A new study from the Mayo Clinic has concluded that there is 'a measurable and statistically significant' connection between the pill and pre-menopausal breast cancer, re-enforcing the recent classification of oral contraceptives as Type 1 carcinogens."
"Dr. Kahlenborn focused on the younger, pre-menopausal women who had been on the pill before having their first child. He found 21 of 23 studies showed a connection between the pill and cancer, something that certainly should be alarming women.
"However, as Andrea Mrozek, manager of research and communications for the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada, noted in an article:
'Perhaps it is because the pill has long been the darling of feminists – a veritable icon of female empowerment. In some circles, suggesting the pill might kill you is seen as tantamount to issuing a press release that women belong in the kitchen.'"
"A woman's lifetime risk of breast cancer was one in 22 in the 1940s, but by 2004, it was one in seven."

HEED THE WARNING, friends. Birth control has not set us free.

Elijah & Me...Getting Crazy

More Bloggers

Thanks to Deb, I am now aware of a few more blogger friends of mine out there in webland (See righthand sidebar). I'm hesitant to call you all "friends" since you never told me that you had blogs to begin with. But I have decided to put my hurt feelings aside and add you all to my sidebar nonetheless.
HOWEVER, what is up with nobody posting WHO THEY ARE on their blogs? Do you just expect people to be able to read your minds and figure it out? That's why blogger invented these handy things called PROFILES. You fill them out...put your name, interests, a photo or some other distinguishing object on them...so that people know who you are when they come to your blog.
I was able to figure out who a few of you were (Traci, for example), but I still have no idea who "Seeds of Change" is. And Molly, I know you have a blog out there somewhere, but I can't figure out which one is yours!
So please, everyone do me a favor. Go to your blogger sign-in page and click "Edit Profile." Add your name and some distinguishing tidbits, maybe a photo. That way I, and everyone else, will know who you are for future reference.

P.S. Molly & "Seeds of Change"...I will add you to my sidebar once you identify yourselves! :)

P.P.S. You guys all know I love you.

Happy Belated Anniversary

I didn't get on the blog yesterday...thus this wish is one day late:

A very, very happy Anniversary to JP's parents, Gail & Larry Hyster (aka, GG & Lar Dog)!
We love you guys - and we're so blessed to have you in our lives.

The Dawning

by George Herbert

Awake, sad heart, whom sorrow ever drowns,
Take up thine eyes, which feed on earth,
Unfold thy forehead, gathered into frowns,
Thy Saviour comes, and with him mirth.

Awake, Awake,
And with a thankfull heart His comforts take.

But thou dost still lament, and pine, and cry,
And feel His death, but not his victory.

Arise sad heart; if thou dost not witstand,
Christs resurrection thine may bee,
Do not by hanging downe breake from the hand,
Which as it riseth, raiseth thee.

Arise, Arise;
And with His burial-linnen dry thine eyes.
Christ left His grave-cloths, that we might, when greif
Draws teares or blood, not want an handkerchief.

Watch The Greg Behren Show on Thursday!

A friend who used to go to my dad's church (but now lives on a YWAM base with her husband in Texas) is going to be on The Greg Behren show tomorrow! Normally, I wouldn't promote stations other than channel 4, but this is an exception. :)
Apparently Cally filled out some form online about being a disorganized person. The show called her up, flew her and her husband to LA, and the rest is for you to see. Part of the teaser reads: "Robert's so tired of Cally's dumpster-diving clutter, he's literally drawing the line – down the middle of their bedroom!"
Watch the teaser here. It's called "Greg Cleans Up Your Act."
THURSDAY @ 3:00 PM ON CHANNEL 5
Those of us who know Cally know she is a bargain raider...always looking for cheap - or free - stuff anywhere she can find it to use either now or later, as gifts or crafts...basically whatever! She is the goodwill queen.
Per my friend Priya (who told me about the show): There was a guy on the show that gave her some advice. She took the advice and has started a small ministry/business with the Father Heart Maternity gals on the YWAM base. The show flew her out again for a follow up and that show will air later in the month. I think she's going to write a book..about being resourceful and using cheap/free things to care for your household. This is something she's wanted to do..and it's crazy how God is going to make it happen!!!
It should be interesting and fun, so if you're home tomorrow afternoon - tune in!

Side Effects Include....

I'm watching TV as I sweep my living room...
Does anybody else think its weird that a side effect of AmbienCR (sleeping pill) is next day drowsiness???
Doesn't that defeat the purpose?

Anyhow...that's all.

The Proof

My tummy has really started to pop the past few weeks. I went to the doctor yesterday and I have now officially gained 10 pounds!!! One month ago I had only gained one pound. That means I gained 9 pounds in 4 weeks. Yikes.
I have 4 months left - I'd better start pacing myself!
Baby is healthy and right on track. She was being feisty during my appointment yesterday. When the doctor was trying to find her heartbeat, she kept on rolling over and kicking at the microphone. :)

Winter is Coming

This is a picture of what happened to my umbrella on the way in to work this morning. Winds were gusting SUPER strong as rain mixed with snow came down. I only had to walk across the street from my parking lot to my work place and in that minute's time, the wind completely destroyed my umbrella.
Hang on, Minnesota. Winter is coming!

Fall Camping Trip '06

We just got back from our annual fall Harpel family camping trip. It was a little different this year as the entire family couldn't be there (Amber & Pete took the new baby to meet his other grandparents in WI and Joe had to work), but we still had a great time. We went to Itasca State Park and it was gorgeous. We had a very beautiful, very secluded group campsite miles away from anybody else. Malachi stole the show again (what a sweet baby!) and Caleb and Sadie had the time of their lives! It got REALLY cold at night a couple of times, though.
Here are a few of the many, many pics from the weekend.

Kitchen Before and Afters

We have finally "finished" remodeling our kitchen - a project that's been in the works for about six months or so. Slowly but surely, it has all come together! All we have left (no telling when it will happen) is to get some new countertops and EVENTUALLY we'd like to get new appliances in black. These ones are a bit archaic.
Here are some before and after pictures. The before pictures aren't actually that great - by the time we took them we had already stripped the lovely blue and pink flower basket striped wallpaper and taken apart some of the cabinetry. But you get the idea.

Before:



And after:

A few of my favorite things

Malachi, 10 months

Ava, 4 months

Elijah, 2.5 weeks

Double Standard

Today I was reading follow-up reports on a gruesome story out of Illinois. A 24-year-old woman killed a 23-year-old pregnant woman and her unborn baby, then killed the woman's three other children. Among other charges, the murderer has been charged with "intentional homicide of an unborn child."
Tell me - what makes this crime a murder, but abortion a "choice?" What is the difference between killing a baby via medical procedures and via an act of violence? I suppose the major difference (most would argue) is that the mother didn't want her baby dead. So then are "wanted" babies human and "unwanted" babies not human?
Our nation holds a ridiculous double standard when it comes to human life. We will call this situation exactly what it is - the murder of an unborn child - but will never own up to the human lives that are lost every single day to abortion. There is no difference. All of it is murder.

Date Change

I just got a call from my doctor. He said everything looked great with the ultrasound. BUT they discovered that I'm actually about a week further along than they had originally thought. I'm actually at 20 weeks instead of 19.
That means my due date has changed to JANUARY 31, 2007. Mark your calendars! :)

Meet Israel

We had our first ultrasound today and IT'S A GIRL!!!
This is Israel (you can just call her "Rae" or "Rael" for short). She is healthy and beautiful. I can't tell you just how thrilled we are - I am crying as I type this. Never in my life could I describe the amazement of watching your unborn child on a TV screen, moving around, sucking her thumb, looking healthy and strong. It was absolutely breathtaking. I can't even begin to imagine the wonder of finally holding her in my arms.
Thank you, Jesus, for our beautiful daughter and for keeping her healthy and protected. We are amazed and so thankful.

P.S. Look - she has JP's nose!!!

First Pictures

Elijah John Peterson


Check out that hair!!!

The champion and the proud father

Grandma and Grandpa

I could stare at that sweet face all day


FYI - Amber and Pete have set up a blog to keep everybody up to date on Elijah: http://petersonposse.blogspot.com

Welcome Elijah

At 10:35 pm on September 7, 2006, we welcomed Elijah John Peterson into the world!
I swear, that was the #1 most amazing and miraculous thing I have ever seen or may ever see in my life.
Amber was amazing. She had to push for 2 hours, which went by quickly for me but I'm sure felt like an eternity to her. She really was a champ.
Sweet Elijah is 7 lbs, 8 oz (big boy - especially to come out of Amber!) and has a full head of dark hair. He is very, very cute - and I don't just say that as a proud Auntie...he really is cute!
Pete also did great. Both of them were running on little sleep since Amber had been up since 5:00 am. Plus Pete had started his day not feeling well. I think he's feeling a whole lot better now. :)
I’m so happy I got to be a part of that experience. It was so great. I didn’t get home until midnight, though, and had to BE AT WORK at 5:30am. I’m going straight home for a nap today.
Check back later for pictures!

Here he comes part 2

11:43 am
The latest is that they had Amber skip her 10:00 am appointment and go to the hospital. Her contractions are not very strong right now. We're praying that things will pick up so that they won't have to induce her later tonight. They typically won't let you deliver any later than 24 hours after your water breaks.
Pray for Pete - he was staying home sick from work today to start out with and, needless to say, is not feeling well at all. Pray that he will feel better so he can enjoy this amazing day!

Here he comes...

7:07 AM
Amber's water broke early this morning - I was the only one awake that early for her to call! We could have a baby as soon as today, so put your prayer caps on! She has a doctor's appointment scheduled at 10:00 am, so we'll find out more then. Right now she is at home with the beginnings of contractions, though they are still few and far between.
I'll keep you posted! :)

Crikey! Crocodile Hunter Dies

This is sad news. The man famously known as "The Crocodile Hunter" has died in a freak accident with an animal NOT usually deadly. Steve Irwin was doing an underwater shoot off the Great Barrier Reef when he swam to close to a sting ray, and it stuck him with a barb in the heart. He was 44 years old.
His wife is now left with an 8-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. She must have been quite a woman to stand by her husband with type of career he had. I can't imagine kissing my husband goodbye every morning, wondering if he'd survive his latest bout with some deadly creature.
You can read more about his life and death here.