Fairness and Equality

Life is so difficult all of us struggle each day just to make it. We all need people to love, cherish, inspire and support us. I was adopted into a family that did that for me. Despite our differences in color and sexual preference all of us went on to become healthy, happy loving adults. It is important that ALL of us have families that we are either born into, or that we create that give us the nurturing and strength that we need to make it through the struggles of life. Our time is better spent not in telling others WHO they should love, but rather in supporting the relationships of others. None of us can make it on our own. This is why I support marriage equality. Love who you choose to love. - Michael Franti

I have to say how much this whole struggle for equality blows my mind. Because I seriously do not know what is SO difficult about allowing people rights. I don't understand how people have so much hate and negativity and spread it to their off spring. You can only hope once their kids grow up they make good choices. I am not saying you have to like or love everyone but isn't this world fucked up enough that we could stand to have a little bit more love, patience and tolerance.

Conservatives preach this whole sanctity of marriage which I am sorry is a load of crap! Especially when some of the same preachers have been divorced, cheated, etc.. I heard on NPR on the way to work today that a conservative talking that it is unfair to the child to not be born without the benefit of a mother or father! Hence he meant if two woman had kids or if two men had children. Seriously! Talking about that their is no scientific data on how Gay Marriage effects kids???? Are you kidding me? Read the fucking paper jackass. Watch the news. There are so many unfit heterosexual parents out there and you are telling me that because they are heterosexuals they are above all in rights to have kids, fuck them up because they are a man and a woman! I know a lot of people raised by a single mother with no daddy ever present or visa versa, gay couples and they turn out just fine.

I honestly think that our country is so skewed because of hate. It is so much easier to accept people and just be happy. Certain sector preach marriage is a religious institution and has no place being determined by the government.  However, there are a lot of churches that are accepting of homosexuals...so shouldn't they be able to be married at their church?  Also, if you have been in a committed relationship with someone for 20+ years and they are dying of cancer don't you think you should be allowed to be by their bed side. I just don't understand peoples ignorance. On June 12th, 1967 Loving v. Virginia passed the Supreme Court ALLOWING interracial marriage! 1967! Went to the Supreme Court and had to be decided. This is our fight! This is our generations fight for civil rights! Stand up and fight for Equality!

As I continue to watch the fall out of this debate I sit back with an achy heart to people's perceptions. I can only hope and pray that our generations civil rights movement ends well and gives people basic human rights that everyone deserves! I feel thankful of the state that I live in that they finally passed Civil Unions. I know in my house acceptance, tolerance and love will be taught...no matter the fight, who is President, etc..


Good Read:

My husband and I read this book awhile ago and found it a good read. What we liked about it is that Jesus NEVER taught hate. He taught love and acceptance. WE (meaning humans) taught hate. 



Jesus, The Bile and Homosexuality

Poop in the Toilet

Jeremy and I have started potty training Cy. I swear we love daycare as they have totally helped in this process as they have him try every hour at school. Last weekend was a HUGE success as Cy figured out when to poop in the toilet! He usually will poop a little in his diaper then, run to the toilet but multiple times he went before going in the toilet! So exciting!  I never thought watching your kid poop could be so exciting but it totally is just a blast!

I kind of feel bad as Cy had his first spicy poop experience. He ate some spicy food this weekend and then pooped and the poor kid cried..."mommy butt burns." I felt bad for him but had to laugh and explain spicy food goes in...yummy and comes out painful. To funny.

Not sure how far away we are until never needing a diaper but we are on the path! I can only imagine how much money we will save once he is potty trained!

Next up is buying him underpants so we can tempt him. Thank you Amazon for carrying Thomas and Mickey Mouse Underpants!

Peace and Love from the Potty Train!

Favorites!

As a working mother it can sometimes be a little difficult to cook a healthy meal during the week. There are a few products that I LOVE and I know they are processed, but lets me serious it can be difficult.

Amy's Kitchen Products are my FAVORITE!  This particular soup is my families favorite! It is fast, I know the ingredients and healthy. Before having Cy, I had these grand illusions of how I would cook.  Soon reality kicked in and when you work 7am to 5pm and have a few hours and you don't want to spend your whole evening cooking sometimes you opt for fast and convenient. I am not saying all are perfect...but I can read ingredients.



I love this pizza! You can find it at most natural grocers! Home Run is our families go to. If we are not going to make homemade, we buy this stuff!  We no longer order in. What is great is that you know every ingredient.

Cy You Are Almost 3!

Cy you are almost 3 and what time has gone by since you have come home to us. You have changed, grown and come into your own. I do have to say you crack me up everyday. I started this blog with you in mind and I figured I would chronicle you miles stones for you to look back online.

Favorite Color -> Orange
Favorite Movies -> Dumbo, Ratatouille, Finding Nemo, How to Train Your Dragon, Polar Express
Favorite TV Shows -> Dinosaur Train, Diego, Thomas, Curious George
Favorite Apps -> Lunchbox Monkey, PBS Kids, Trucks, Monster at the end of the Book, Itsy Bitsy
Favorite Food -> Pizza, Soup, Risotto, Manchego, Pasta, Blueberries, Mangoes, Pears and Apples
Favorite Vegetables -> CARROTS, cucumbers, onions, bell peppers -- You love to juice veggies with Mommy and really enjoy drinking our mixtures!

You still don't sleep through the night and mommy and daddy only can count the days until you do. Milk or in Korean "uyu" is still your #1...you LOVE the stuff. If you are not drinking milk it is lemonade or fojiotos. You have a curious mind and love to figure stuff out. Recently you are into riding your Strider bike with your helmet. You love playing with your Brio train track too. You love all Thomas. Mommy and Daddy's friend Erin's son Nick gave you a Thomas flashlight that you really enjoy! That was super nice of Nick to share his toy!

I would say that you have an amazing ear for rhythm, pitch and tone.  Natural ability to keep a beat and follow the music amazes me every time. You LOVE the drums! Friends of ours gave you a drum and you play with it often. Fort Collins Discovery Center has this great music sound room where you play the drums every time we go, needless to say you impress all the workers/volunteers that you can actually play and don't just bang away.  Your musical taste range is abstract as us. Daddy will play anything from White Zombie, Henry Rollins, Irish Music or the Grateful Dead. Mommy has John Butler Trio, Katy Perry, Kanye, Rihanna, Bluegrass, etc. However, your absolute favorite song right now (aside from Christmas music) is Some Nights by Fun. You request it often and I think you are catching on to the lyrics and chime in perfectly! I promise you no matter how much or how little money we have we will always encourage music in your life.

You enjoy reading and being read to. Don't get to excited as you can't read...but you do memorize books surprisingly well and are able to recite.

Favorite Books:

• But No Elephants - Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Nelson
• Circus Ship
• Thomas the Train Picture Book
• The Fire Engine Book

We feel so lucky everyday that you are our son! I believe that everything is meant to be...and you are meant for us. One thing that is still constant is your love of Bear. Bear came with you from Korea and you don't leave home without him.

Peace and Love! Always remember that Mommy and Daddy always love you so much!

PS. Daddy wants me to remember that he loves how you randomly and most importantly at the right time will say, "Thanks Daddy" or "Thanks Mommy"

Be a STAR

I believe we define and shape our children. Now, I am not saying we are 100% responsible as I would like to believe that the Colorado Shooters parents didn't raise a child to kill people.  However, how we speak about things in our home does affect our children. If you spew hate, racist language, intolerance etc...your children are more likely to continue that on in their lives. Children are taught hate. They don't come out of the womb hating. So it is up to us to be the voice to help stop bullying. We can't protect our kids every day but we can educate them and give them good resources.

I had dinner with a friend last night and had to listen to her talk about her son, in elementary school, who is bullied by another kid in the locker room. Her son told her about it and asked for help. It takes a lot to ask for help. It did break my heart to hear though...I get teared up just typing this out. Where does a 8 year old learn to me mean? 

Have you been bullied?

I was bullied when I was in high school. Nothing horrible but I was always teased for my last name, DeBuse, kids would ask if I abused my parents. I remember kids telling me to go back to my own culture, etc... While it didn't define me I do remember it. Bullying has always been around...maybe you were the one doing the bullying...change can start today. I hear from friends and family about their children being bullied and as young as elementary school. It is up to us parents and educators to make a change.  STOP THE HATE.

Personally, I really just don't understand why we have to hate. It is so easy to either not say anything at all or be nice to one another. So it is our responsibility to teach tolerance. Don't be a bully, be a Star...Show Tolerance and Respect

Be the Change you Want to See in The World!

Be a STAR!

The Ally Coalition

There are very few things that I feel very strongly about, however one of the biggest things that I am passionate about is Gay Rights.  As we enter 2013 I am shocked and appalled by the ignorance in our society everyday. As my husband has stated, this is our generations civil rights movement. It is time to be an Ally.

When I was young AIDS was just coming on the scene. I remember (even in elementary school) how the media made us in fear.  I was fortunate enough to be raised by a mother who supports Gay Rights and always taught me that everyone is equal. That even if you don't like someone you treat them with respect. As I grew up I had friends of different backgrounds, religious beliefs and sexual orientation. I never looked at someone as "My gay friend Todd," he was just Todd. Or that is my Jewish friend Kelly, just Kelly.  It truly believe what makes us amazing is our diversity.

After bringing my son home my whole world changed. It was no longer the world that I lived in, it was the world he was going to live in. My husband and I are supporters of the Gay Rights Movement and do our best to donate and make our voice heard as "straight" people who support Gay Rights. I want my son raised in a house that teaches love and equality. To understand that no one is better then the other. This is an every day movement. Take a look around people, kids are killing themselves! Why? Because they are bullied for her they are; gay or straight. It is not the time to be silent...it is the time to stand up and make your voice heard!

Here is the link to The Ally Coalition JOIN TODAY!

So from my family to yours, "Be the Change You Want to See in the World" - Ghandi

Juice Train

I do have to say January hit our house hard with colds and stomach bugs. As we enter February I do feel that it is time to get back on the juice train.

I have an Omega Juicer 8006 and here are some fun recipes to share. Since there is a spinach shortage in the States right now I would definitely sub Kale or Chard.

Here are some of my favorite concoctions!  I don't tell you how many as it is all desired on your own personal taste. You will see that I use similar ingredients in a lot of mine and that is do to funding. Juicing can be expensive, until you can plant your garden. I found sticking to some basics made it affordable.

• Carrots, Beets, Spinach (sub other green), Blueberries, Apple
• Carrots, Beets, Cucumber, Apple
• Carrots, Spinach, Kale, Cucumber, Apple
• Apple, Kale, Cucumber
• Beets, Strawberries, Kale, Carrots
• Cucumbers, Apples, Kale, Celery, Ginger
• Mango, Watermelon, Blueberries (Cy loves this one)
• Tomato, Celery, Spinach (sub other green), Carrots, Garlic, Onion, Lemon and a little hot sauce -- you have yourself a yummy Tomato Juice!

 Please share with me some of your favorite juicing concoctions as I am a HUGE fan of new juices!

Peace and Love and may 2013 bring everyone health, adventure and prosperity!