"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you..."

If you have been watching the news you know that stem cell research is a hot topic once again - not that it has ever actually ceased to be a hot topic. This week a U.S. District Court Judge issued a ruling that temporarily blocks federal funding for embryonic stem cell research:

In his decision, Lamberth concluded that the two researchers have demonstrated a strong likelihood of success in their argument that the Obama administration's government guidelines violate the intent of the law about federal funding of embryo destruction.

"As demonstrated by the plain language of the statute, the unambiguous intent of Congress is to prohibit the expenditure of federal funds on 'research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed,"' the judge wrote.

Having concluded that the law is unambiguous, "the question before the court is whether ESC research is research in which a human embryo is destroyed. The court concludes that it is," Lamberth added.

Federal law explicitly forbids use of taxpayer dollars to destroy a human embryo -- and culling stem cells from an embryo does destroy the embryo. (Fox News)

As I researched this decision I came across this VIDEO HERE on MSNBC. Mind you, I usually defer to Fox News for my information (yes, I am one of those people), but what caught my eye on this video was their footage of the embryonic stem cell research labs. Pay particular attention, if you will, to the visual aids used in this video.

Now, allow me to show you another visual aid which is very dear to my heart:

My photo here certainly resembles some of what you saw in the video, wouldn't you say? This is a photo of our two precious little embryos that were transferred on August 17, 2008.

One did not survive - it is a loss we will always remember.

And the other?

Simply put, he is the light of our lives:

We are also blessed to have one more embryo waiting for us (aka our snowflake).

I don't think I need to tell you where I stand on embryonic stem cell research, nor do I need to voice my thoughts on my tax dollars funding the same.

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you..."

Jeremiah 1:5

Ten on Tuesday

1. I don't watch many TV programs anymore so perhaps thats why I am so puzzled, but Jersey Shore? Seriously?!

2. But on that note, it is almost premiere time for the few shows I actually do watch.

3. This Week's Blessing: my little boy eating us out of house and home - and that includes eating all his veggies! I'm certain my kiddo has two hollow legs. And if its this bad now I cannot imagine what it will be like in his teenage years. But he is happy, healthy, and growing like a weed. I couldn't ask for more.

4. Okay...so maybe I could ask for the biting phase to cease sometime in the very near future.

5. What is it about having my bathrooms spotlessly clean that makes me feel as though I can conquer the world?

6. GO SEAHAWKS!!

7. Disney Movie Trivia. After last week's toughie I will go easy on you this week:

"Look at this stuff, isn't it neat? Wouldn't ya think my collection's complete? Wouldn't you think I'm the girl, the girl who has everything? Look at this trove, treasures untold. How many wonders can one cavern hold? Looking around you'd think, "Sure, she's got everything." I've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty. I have whoozits and whatzis galore. You want thingamabobs? I've got twenty. But who cares? No big deal. I want more."

8. I find it comical that before I was a parent, when someone else bragged about their kiddo(s) I thought they were probably being just a little over the top. But now that I'm a parent, you should know that when I brag about my own kiddo it is completely accurate and totally justified.

9. And now you know what I was really thinking when you bragged about your kiddo to me.

Just kidding. :)

10. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the $1 store rocks! We recently revamped our budget a little to work toward our next IVF cycle, so its time to get super frugal. And so far I am loving the challenge. Every time I go in that store I am amazed at what I can get for only $1. I do, however, draw the line at 4 rolls of toilet paper for $1 - you know nothing good can come of that so-called bargain.

Whatcha Readin?

If you follow my blog you know that I am currently reading the Twilight series as one of the goals on my Age 30 Bucket List. But what started out as a bucket list goal has quickly become my new addiction. I am officially hooked and I plan to have the fourth book read in time for the premiere of the fourth movie so I can camp outside my local theater in order to get tickets.

Okay, not really. And tickets, plural? Yeah right. Justin may have watched the first two movies with me at home, but there is no way he will pay theater prices to see the saga continue.

But I am enjoying the books. They are a fun, easy read. And I think that sums up all I have wanted to read since Kendry was born: fun, easy, lighthearted books -- with the exception of The Time Traveler's Wife, which I read a year ago. Let me assure you, there was nothing lighthearted about that one.

Parenthood has just made our lives that much busier, so when I do find some down time to read I want it to be something worthwhile.

However, I have also recently taken to Dave Ramsey podcasts -- I find they make my long training runs much more tolerable. On one of the call-ins Dave mentioned that one of his favorite interview questions for a potential employee is to ask about the last book they read. Dave commented that the answer to this question can reveal a lot about the interviewee. He then went on to essentially say, and I'm paraphrasing here, that if you aren't constantly learning in your field you are making yourself expendable. And what better way to learn than to read?

Something tells me that Dave didn't have the Twilight books in mind when he made this statement. Not that I'm bashing this series because I really do love it, but I'm pretty sure the most in-depth discussion I have had over these books is whether you are a Jacob fan or an Edward fan. Pretty deep, right?

Now, if you want to chat with me about The Time Traveler's Wife you had better set aside at least a half hour, because I have some great ponderings on that one.

My point is that we should be constantly striving to learn each and every day of our lives - and not just about the immediate details our our lives either (i.e. marriage, parenting, etc.), although that can be a great starting point. And I'm not trying to knock fiction because I love a good novel as much as the next gal, but its important to get a healthy dose of non-fiction on a regular basis. Need some suggestions? Check out Dave's recommended reading list here.

My new goal is to read at least one non-fiction book each month. I have had a few on my reading list for quite some time now, but without a plan of attack they have simply continued to collect dust on my bookshelf. Not anymore, folks! And to hold myself accountable I am installing "What I'm Reading" on the right side of our blog, so go check it out. My first non-fiction picks are on the topic of parenting. What can I say? I have a very strong-willed toddler on my hands.

Now its your turn: what was the last book you read?

Ten on Tuesday

1. Hooray for big baby boys! Kendry had his 15 month check-up today. He is measuring 34.5 in tall (99%) and weighs 27 lbs (80%).

2. The hubby was home sick today. I came home to find bread baking in the bread machine and homemade calzones about to go in the oven. I'm thinking he needs to stay home more often.

3. Disney Movie Trivia: "I'm tired, and I'm hungry. And my tail's froze. And my nose is froze. And my ears are froze. And my toes are froze."

4. Leave it to my kiddo to dirty his diaper within minutes of arriving at the park to play. Leave it to Mommy to not have an extra diaper in the car. (insert forehead slap here)

5. Last night I stood in our back yard and watched two bucks grazing just twenty yards from me. Deer aren't nearly as impressive as moose (Oh Alaska, how I miss thee!), but it was still a beautiful scene.

6. Kendry's favorite words at 15 months of age:

OUTSIDE (pronounced "aaahhtt side", like its two words)

DADDY (he says this way more than "Mommy", which I usually have to prompt him to say)

ICKY

HOT

THANK YOU (okay, so it sounds nothing like "thank you", but he says it politely every time you hand him something)

YEAH (Mom, if you are reading this, I really am trying to condition this "yeah" to a "yes".)

6. Oh, and speaking of my mom, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOMMA! NOBODY LOVES YOU LIKE WE DO!

7. I am now 26 days into my 30th year and I am fairly proud of my progress on the Age 30 Bucket List. But whose stupid idea was it to read the Twilight series while training for a half-marathon?! Those 4 mile runs at 5am sure come early when you're up past 11pm because you just can't bring yourself to put down the darn book and get some sleep!

8. This Week's Blessing: attending an afternoon BBQ with friends at Hells Gate Park on Saturday. Kendry played happily for hours while we ate and caught up with friends. ("This Week's Blessing" is a new feature to my weekly TOT post.)

9. How is it possible my son is already outgrowing his shoes again?!

10. Sorry about my mundane TOT post this week. What can I say? It was a pretty low key week for us.

(BONUS: 11. Am I the only one who hates messing with the formatting in blogger?! Grrr!)

My Kind of Freaky

One thing you should know about me: I LOVE the show "Friends". The show ended six years ago, but I still DVR the re-runs so I always have a selection of episodes to choose from when I'm in the mood for a good laugh.

Another thing you should know about me: I am a clean freak, with minor OCD tendencies. I want everything clean and in its proper place...all the time. I like to think I have loosened up a bit, especially now that I'm a parent. My hubby would probably disagree.

I'm convinced Monica Gellar and I would be dear friends.

Tomorrow morning (Saturday) I have the rare opportunity of having the house to myself for a few hours. Some women would use this time to give themselves a pedicure, soak in the bathtub, or curl up and read a good chick lit novel.

Me? I will be busting out the rubber gloves, pine-sol and vacuum. And yes, I will be practically giddy when I do so.