January 22, 2010
The Down Side to Hardwood
It's been A LONG time since we posted, but I wanted to get this clip up. We have a lot of hardwood flooring in the house. We LOVE it. However, they are very hard on a little guy's knees. So this is Ben's crawl, if you can call it that.
June 14, 2009
May 8, 2009
Baby Pictures
Here are some pictures from the last couple of days.
Mmm, yummy hand.
With big sister.
Meeting the baby.
Happy kids.
Digging the new cradle daddy built.
Mmm, yummy hand.
With big sister.
Meeting the baby.
Happy kids.
Digging the new cradle daddy built.
May 5, 2009
Welcome Baby Boy Billingsley!
We welcomed our brand new baby boy to our little family today.
He was born at 7:39 pm MDT weighing in at 7 lbs 10 oz and 21 inches long.
He wouldn't come on his own so we had to be induced. It felt a little weird for Steph to come to the hospital without being in labor but after a few minutes of the Pitocin and we were in business. After waiting for nearly 7 hours the doctor decided to do a "trial" push. That's all it took. One hard push and a couple little ones and he was here.
My first thoughts when I saw his face was that he looked like James but really we're not sure who he looks like. We'll have to let the swelling go down a bit to get a solid verdict on that one.
His big sister and brothers were very excited to finally meet him. Whit was a bit disappointed at first but all she had to do was hold him for a few minutes and she was in love.
He was born at 7:39 pm MDT weighing in at 7 lbs 10 oz and 21 inches long.
He wouldn't come on his own so we had to be induced. It felt a little weird for Steph to come to the hospital without being in labor but after a few minutes of the Pitocin and we were in business. After waiting for nearly 7 hours the doctor decided to do a "trial" push. That's all it took. One hard push and a couple little ones and he was here.
My first thoughts when I saw his face was that he looked like James but really we're not sure who he looks like. We'll have to let the swelling go down a bit to get a solid verdict on that one.
His big sister and brothers were very excited to finally meet him. Whit was a bit disappointed at first but all she had to do was hold him for a few minutes and she was in love.
March 5, 2009
First Steps
I know it's been ages since we've had a new post up here, and we have good intentions of catching up some day, but I just had to post tonite's milestone. At 51 weeks of age James has taken his first steps. Enjoy!
He took several steps after this and then, just to show off a little, he decided to climb 9 stairs on his own.
He took several steps after this and then, just to show off a little, he decided to climb 9 stairs on his own.
November 8, 2008
November 5, 2008
The Last Word
Jenny left a comment on our blog days ago that echos my sentiments. ...If only the country could run more like The Church [with regard to welfare, and programs of sort]... While the country has now proven that we're not racist, maybe we can overcome our prejudice against religion one day too. (By the way, don't you find it just as bad to vote for a person because of their color than to not vote for them for the same reason? Same with gender? Religion? A lot of people admittedly voted for Hilary in the primaries solely because she is a woman, and a lot of people would not vote for Romney because he is LDS. Many voted for Obama because he is black. Last night they were parading their signs of "overcoming" the racial issue. Hm, looks like many Americans still have issue, racial and otherwise.)
...
For now, I write in response to an article forwarded to me from Kristen. It originates from a conservative LDS online magazine, Meridian. I thank Kristen for sending, as I found it worth my time to read. Not only was it well written, I think it even more credible since the author is a democrat.
The thing that upsets me is that most people aren't aware that it is the Clinton Administration and the democrats in congress (as well as uninformed Americans who voted them in office) are to blame for the risky lending procedures, starting in the '90's.
Of course, what upsets me more than it all is the lack of wisdom in America. I thought it extremely political and dishonest that neither the republican nor democrat parties would say that the people who got themselves into these loans are to blame. They have the sole responsibility! I am aware that there are "predatory" loan practices out there - and on the mentally handicapped is inexcusable. But that aside, people should be held responsible first. Then we can say "shame on you" to Clinton and the dems.
As was evident in this election, even the general public with good intentions are easily swayed by charm, empty promises, and the pathetic media-reporting that delivers such one-sided liberal journalism, it almost seems like a joke.
In two years we will have a chance to correct Congress, and make for better legislation. 'Til then, may God help us. May we help ourselves by learning from our own mistakes. May we help others by sharing what we learn, and through compassion come to love everyone, even those with whom we may not agree.
I, like you, am glad it's November 5th. I guess it's never "over", but we could all use a break, even a short one.
...
For now, I write in response to an article forwarded to me from Kristen. It originates from a conservative LDS online magazine, Meridian. I thank Kristen for sending, as I found it worth my time to read. Not only was it well written, I think it even more credible since the author is a democrat.
The thing that upsets me is that most people aren't aware that it is the Clinton Administration and the democrats in congress (as well as uninformed Americans who voted them in office) are to blame for the risky lending procedures, starting in the '90's.
Of course, what upsets me more than it all is the lack of wisdom in America. I thought it extremely political and dishonest that neither the republican nor democrat parties would say that the people who got themselves into these loans are to blame. They have the sole responsibility! I am aware that there are "predatory" loan practices out there - and on the mentally handicapped is inexcusable. But that aside, people should be held responsible first. Then we can say "shame on you" to Clinton and the dems.
As was evident in this election, even the general public with good intentions are easily swayed by charm, empty promises, and the pathetic media-reporting that delivers such one-sided liberal journalism, it almost seems like a joke.
In two years we will have a chance to correct Congress, and make for better legislation. 'Til then, may God help us. May we help ourselves by learning from our own mistakes. May we help others by sharing what we learn, and through compassion come to love everyone, even those with whom we may not agree.
I, like you, am glad it's November 5th. I guess it's never "over", but we could all use a break, even a short one.
October 31, 2008
October 29, 2008
There's Nothing Wrong With Being A [Conservative] Republican
I know, you're thinking, "They haven't posted in so long, and this is what we have to read!" But we're less than a week away from Election 2008, and since political conversation excites Brian and myself, I figure I should take the opportunity to share my piece.
If you know me, you know my piece, but I have had some thoughts lately that started a good conversation about what the Billingsleys believe the federal government should be in charge of. The list is short. It goes like this:
For these things, we are happy to pay taxes, which we believe should be a flat percent. Do you know that if it were, it would probably be less than 10% for everyone? Can you imagine paying only 10% or less of your hard-earned money to taxes? It is such a great concept - everyone uses the system in one way or another, everyone should pay the same, fair amount.
This is the basis for conservatism here in America. I guess my point is that there's nothing wrong with being proud to be conservative. There's also nothing wrong with questioning the motives, values, opinions of all candidates for political office and politicians alike, but moreover, it is important to understand there is a fundamental difference in the republican way vs. the democrat way. There's nothing wrong with being proud to be a conservative republican, and wanting so badly to see America how it should be, rather than where it's going. Of course, there are many crooked politicians, and republicans aren't exempt. President Bush isn't perfect (though NOT the reason for this recession), and I will admit I'm not a McCain fan, but in this election, of course, he is who I am voting for.
Realistically, I don't believe in my lifetime that I would see a candidate for congress or president that represented our political point of view exactly, because for example, no candidate or politician would dare risk their job to abolish social security, or the pathetic, abused, broken "welfare" system (which by the way is NOT what the constitution means when it mentions the welfare of our people. We believe taking care of those who cannot take care of themselves is best handled by churches and charities.) ...So even if I never see it happen in Washington, I guess it is nice to know what we believe in, and believe that we are right.
I do agree with Obama on one thing: we do need change - we need to get back to what the founding fathers of our nation had in mind, rather than a left-wing, liberal, socialized society dependent upon Uncle Sam for everything, and neglecting our God-given responsibility to be self-reliant, responsible, faithful citizens in the greatest nation of all.
God bless America!
If you know me, you know my piece, but I have had some thoughts lately that started a good conversation about what the Billingsleys believe the federal government should be in charge of. The list is short. It goes like this:
- Homeland security, all military branches, call it what you like. I am so thankful to those who've fought, given their lives, and those still fighting to (bottom line) keep my family safe. I am thankful to be free.
- Interstate mediation (for that which crosses state lines). For example, if all but a few states agreed to a new interstate highway, the federal government would intervene and rule with the majority.
- Criminal justice system on the national level.
- Monetary system; it just makes sense that from state to state, the same currency is used.
- International commerce. Let's face it, the Germans, Japanese, Chinese - they know how to make stuff.
- I guess they could still do postal service, although a private company, we're sure, could do better.
For these things, we are happy to pay taxes, which we believe should be a flat percent. Do you know that if it were, it would probably be less than 10% for everyone? Can you imagine paying only 10% or less of your hard-earned money to taxes? It is such a great concept - everyone uses the system in one way or another, everyone should pay the same, fair amount.
This is the basis for conservatism here in America. I guess my point is that there's nothing wrong with being proud to be conservative. There's also nothing wrong with questioning the motives, values, opinions of all candidates for political office and politicians alike, but moreover, it is important to understand there is a fundamental difference in the republican way vs. the democrat way. There's nothing wrong with being proud to be a conservative republican, and wanting so badly to see America how it should be, rather than where it's going. Of course, there are many crooked politicians, and republicans aren't exempt. President Bush isn't perfect (though NOT the reason for this recession), and I will admit I'm not a McCain fan, but in this election, of course, he is who I am voting for.
Realistically, I don't believe in my lifetime that I would see a candidate for congress or president that represented our political point of view exactly, because for example, no candidate or politician would dare risk their job to abolish social security, or the pathetic, abused, broken "welfare" system (which by the way is NOT what the constitution means when it mentions the welfare of our people. We believe taking care of those who cannot take care of themselves is best handled by churches and charities.) ...So even if I never see it happen in Washington, I guess it is nice to know what we believe in, and believe that we are right.
I do agree with Obama on one thing: we do need change - we need to get back to what the founding fathers of our nation had in mind, rather than a left-wing, liberal, socialized society dependent upon Uncle Sam for everything, and neglecting our God-given responsibility to be self-reliant, responsible, faithful citizens in the greatest nation of all.
God bless America!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
Sudoku