Those who know me know that I always have my water bottle with me - always. This is the way it's been since high school. I have gone through several bottles through the years* and have finally come upon a favorite that miraculously meets every possible need. The Camelbak Insulated Stainless Steel Better Bottle.

Yes, I have used a non-insulated camelbak bottle for years, but it leaked whenever it tipped over and I had to use coasters when setting it down on a wood surface. Plus, the ice never lasted long and I was tired of refilling it to keep it cold. (I prefer ice-cold water whenever possible. And it wasn't possible on outings. Until now...)

So then I came upon the insulated bottle. Not a new idea, I know, it's just a thermos, but it has all the other features I love about the camelbak bottles (like the flip top sipper) and this model doesn't leak when it gets tipped over in my purse. Best of all, the ice remains all day. All day! And because it is double-walled, no need for coasters. I'm in heaven! Okay, that may be a little dramatic, but possibly not.

The only minor drawback is that the bottle holds less than I am used to with the original camelbak - because it is double walled. But I don't mind refilling it with water when I need to and I love that I rarely need to refill it with ice. Also, I had to really know that is would be awesome before I justified spending $25. Obviously I believe it was worth the splurge. (Oh, and it does require hand washing. But I don't mind that at all.)

Anyway, I just thought I'd share a recent favorite find with those few who read this blog. If you are as passionate about finding the perfect bottle as I am, add this one to your Christmas list! You will not be disappointed...

P.S. Gabe just saw this post and said, "Mommy's drink on computer!" And Julia calls it my sippy cup. Yes, it really is a part of me. 

*Jonny remembers when I used one of those tiny half-pint plastic bottles in college - I stalled one day after class so I could talk to him by filling it up at the drinking fountain. Didn't give me much time!

We celebrated Halloween the usual ways...

Pumpkin Carving:

  (Don't mess with Gabe.)

Attempting a photo or two of the kids in their costumes:

(Notice the evolution form misery to happiness.)

 Goldilocks and the Three Bears 

(Jonny and I planned to be Mama and Papa bear, but I just didn't get around to buying/making costumes. A couple of teddies would have to suffice. The bear hat is part of a costume my mom made over 20 years ago and has been worn by most of us kids. The body part was way too big for even Gabe. Here, brown jammies would have to suffice. And thanks to a hand-me-down dress-up from Aunt Cortnie, Julia had a perfect Goldilocks dress. I love spending $0 on Halloween costumes.)

 (Again, don't mess with Gabe.)

 

Warming up a little...

 Some smiles, at last!

And of course, the long-awaited Trick-or-Treating:

Gabe couldn't get enough of the candles in the pumpkins.
He sang "Happy Bur-day dear pu-kins" several times. Julia reported that Halloween was her "best day ever." Until it snowed the next day. Then that was her "most best day."

First Hair Cut, Finally!

I have been meaning to get Julia's hair cut for the last year. And I finally got around to it - by asking my sweet friend to do it! Amber was so kind to show me how to trim hair. (She probably thought it was silly that I videotaped it. But I will be happy I did come time for the next trim!) She suggested I straighten Julia's hair with a flat iron to get an even cut. Julia loved having her hair straight "like Mommy's" (oh, how I wish my hair could ever look like hers) and we all thought she looked like Rapunzel.

Her hair is so much easier to wash and brush now that I hardly even need to cry about saying goodbye to her white-blond baby curls. Even though it was just a trim (of a significant 6 inches so) and doesn't change the style of her hair at all, I think she looks older somehow.
 

Here she is with her morning lion's main before it was straightened, or even brushed.

 

 Straight and long.

Julia was so excited that "Corbin's Mommy" was cutting her hair. Thanks again, Amber!

Viola. A little shorter, much more manageable, and still a little baby blond left.

 Corbin and Julia

Why I will Vote Ron Paul 2012

Warning: This post is not the type I usually write. I typically don't take the time to write about things that are hard to explain or put myself out there. Laziness, I guess. So this one is long, possibly boring for some, and goes against the old advice not to talk about religion or politics. But I guess I think that advice is bogus. I just really want to explain why I support the candidate I do and assure you that I am not some radical hippie. Even if no one reads this and it’s just for the record.

I remember driving past homes with Ron Paul 2008 yard signs during the last election. I asked Jonny, “Who is this Ron Paul anyway?”  Jonny answered, “Oh, just some crazy guy.”

And we continued to think that until only about two years ago when Jonny took a sudden interest in liberty and the proper role of government. This led him to conversations with an intelligent, admirable, trusted college friend who spoke of his support for Ron Paul, the so called “Champion of the Constitution,” whose internet following and financial support was completely exploding through grassroots efforts. After doing plenty of research for himself, Jonny came to understand that Congressman Paul (who is also an OB/GYN and has delivered over 4,000 babies in his medical career) is certainly not “just some crazy guy.” Consequently, I have come to learn that as well.

Talk of liberty is contagious. I started reading books, pamphlets, and speeches (President Ezra Taft Benson spoke and wrote a lot on the subject) and watching YouTube videos to learn the principles of liberty for myself. I still don’t know a whole lot, but I know enough to understand the basic problems with our big government that has strayed so far from its divinely inspired foundation. (Follow this link to read the Principles of Liberty as defined by Campaign for Liberty. You can also learn about them from reading Cleon Skousen's The 5,000 Year Leap.)  When I hear Ron Paul speak, I know I am listening to a man who stands firm in his convictions and believes that we can return to our roots, gain back the liberties that have been stolen, and rebuild our great nation.  Seriously, what he says is sincere, inspiring, and just makes so much sense.

The grassroots activists have coined Ron Paul’s campaign and movement a REVOLUTION. And that is truly what we need. Our government has gradually expanded and taken over so much of our lives. And this dependence on the government and welfare state of our country will only get worse. Most of us can recognize the serious danger in Obama’s socialist health care plan and the invasive techniques of the TSA. It’s easy to see how these things are unconstitutional and leading us in a frightening direction.

But if you understand why these examples represent an abuse of power under the principles of liberty, other things clearly make sense too. For example, I have come to understand why ending the Federal Reserve, supporting gun rights, allowing tax credits for other schooling options, ending the income tax, bringing the troops home from fighting unnecessary and unconstitutional wars, getting rid of the Department of Education (and many other big government programs), dramatically decreasing our ridiculously huge national debt, enforcing border security (especially by abolishing the welfare state), and ending the "war on drugs"* support the God-given principles of agency and liberty.

The news networks ignore and downplay Ron Paul's success and popular talk show hosts tell you outright lies about this man who I believe can actually help America change for the better. (Sorry to borrow your slogan, Obama. But you have obviously abandoned it.) Earlier this week I listened to talk radio host Mark Levin call Ron Paul a “crackpot” and a hater of America . (Want to talk to me about why Levin said that? Please do! I back Ron Paul’s foreign policy too.)  Like I said, this is what I used to think too. And then I got to know him and what he's been publicly standing for for 35 years.

I just heard him speak in person in Reno at the Liberty Political Action Conference. He’s not a radical, he’s not crazy, and he’s not unelectable. He is brave, consistent, intelligent, humble and a true patriot and statesman – unlike so many of the politicians in Washington. I know why I am voting for Ron Paul and why I am not voting for the other Republican candidates in the primary elections. His message is unifying and resonates with people of all races, religions, and socioeconomic standing because it is a message of liberty (not anarchy or irresponsibility like uniformed people may tell you).

I could go on and on but I doubt many have even read this far! So I will leave the invitation open to any of you who may be interested in learning more about my presidential pick for 2012. I hardly touched on anything here. Please, just do a little research for yourself. I really want this guy to win. (One thing you'll find common in RP supporters is that we are passionate about his message because it is true and universal.) And he has a serious chance. Despite what the Media tells you, he is a legitimate contender and has enormous support across the country. (Including the most support by the troops than any other Republican candidate.) Below is a link to a short video to get you acquainted with Congressman Ron Paul. I hope you will check it out, and find out what his message is about for yourself. Seriously, just give the guy a chance. And then call me up. I love to talk liberty.

Ron Paul: The Only One We Can Trust video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohKz9OeiI0g&feature=youtu.be

And here are the links to Pres. Benson's Proper Role of Government speech:

 text:  http://www.zionsbest.com/proper_role.html

video:  http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-27680185747711503

 

Suddenly I was aware that I was walking right next to Congressman Paul, Chuck Baldwin, Vince Vaughn, John Tate, and Senator Rand Paul (who is right behind me but is too short to see.) The security guard was nice enough to ask if he was out of the way for the picture!

*Yeah, legalizing drugs is a pretty controversial topic. Let me explain a little. Of course I personally do not endorse harmful drug use, and neither does Doctor Paul. But it goes back to the rights of individuals to make their own choices. As long as we are not harming or infringing upon the rights of others, we adults should be free to act as we choose. And yes, some people will make stupid personal choices. But can we force them no to!? (Sounds like Satan's plan in the pre-mortal existence.) Think about it. Do you want the government to tell you what and how much to eat? In some states you can already be arrested for selling raw milk. Sounds ridiculous, right? But I see the drug issue in the same light. People need to have responsibility for themselves and what they do to their bodies. It's up to society to preach and teach the danger of certain behaviors. Government can only use force. We can’t force a people to be healthy and moral. It’s government’s job to protect (but not to protect us from ourselves) and society’s job to teach. Besides, we tried prohibiting alcohol. Remember how much good came out of that?

Triplet Withdrawals

 Our much anticipated Maryland visitors have come and gone. It is pretty quiet and a little lonely around here after having the family of five here for almost two weeks. Gabe still asks for his triplet cousins by name when he wakes up from naps. Julia begs to know when they will come again. In other words, we miss you, Robinsons! We so enjoyed sharing our home with you for those special days.

I can't explain how happy I am to now have fresh memories of the almost-two-year-old Alex, Bennett, and Ruby. (It had been almost a year since I'd seen them last.) It was so fun to see for myself their funny mannerisms that Emily tells me about over the phone. Their personalities are all so unique. I am especially glad that I now know Alex from Bennett. It only takes a day or two of observing/playing with those boys to see how different they are from one another. (And it doesn't hurt that Emily keeps Bennett's hair longer!)

Here's hoping it's not another year before we see our favorite triplets again. Time to break out the web cams so these cousins stay in contact, huh? Maybe Gabe can wake up from his nap today to a computer screen full of his chubby friends.

Swinging at Nana's house

 Uncle KC, or as Gabe calls him, "Bennett's Daddy"

 Happy Alex

Em and me

 5 of the 6 cousins born within one year

Silly Ruby

 

Sweet Bennett