Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

Though I remain mostly silent (at least on this blog) about my political opinions, seeing pictures of children being taken away from their parents in response to the Trump Administration's "zero-tolerance" policy made me cry today. (By the way, contrary to popular belief, I didn't even cry when Romney lost the 2012 election). Hearing audio taken from these detainment camps was even worse. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I could go on about equality for women in the workplace, gun control, gay rights, religious freedom, immigration laws, border control, violence, racism, etc... but I’ll stop myself here. Although my Dad (who is mostly joking, by the way) teases me when he says that I've been brainwashed by the liberal media, I've recently thought a lot about why so many of my own political opinions have shifted over the last two years.

Though there are plenty of reasons I could list for this change, (i.e. Donald Trump, Donald Trump, Donald Trump), the one thing that has changed me most to my core was becoming a mom. Seeing the world through the eyes as a mother who is raising an 18 month old son; a son who will one day grow up and live in this world without me always right by his side, has changed my perspective on absolutely everything. Politics aren't just black or white, left or right anymore - these are policies affecting human beings. People worth just as much as I am in the eyes of our Creator. They are mothers and sons. Fathers and daughters. And for the most part, these are people just trying to create a better life for their children, just like I am.

I won't take the time to argue why I think drastic steps need to be made when it comes to X,Y and Z (though if you know me you know I’d try);  if anything, I've learned well enough by now that my opinions are just that, my own. And though I don't know or understand the complications behind every legality, policy or procedure, I try to remember that there are people just as genuine and concerned about one side of an issue, as there are on the other.

But most importantly, more than ever as a mom, I hope I continue to look at this world and its people a lot more compassionately than I ever have before. 

PS. 

Currently working with the Mitt Romney campaign here in Utah as we speak ;) Go Mitt.

May Recap

MAY MAY MAY:

First and foremost, it should be noted that though it is not pictured here, Max DID NOT forget Mother's Day this year. Blessings on blessings on blessings.

Also worth mentioning is a quick 48 hour girls trip to AZ to see Taylor Swift in concert on her opening night. I've never seen her before, but I thought she was magic live. I don't know how any artist can make their music or your experience seeing them feel personal in a stadium filled with 50,000+ people, but you really do with Miss Swift.

Even better (if that's possible) than the concert, was the time I spent with some of my faaavorite cousins. We ate cheese crisps, coconut pancakes, played with makeup and I don't think I've ever consumed as much Diet Coke as I did in those 48 hours. I couldn't have had a better two days even if I tried.

Doesn't this picture make you want to cry? Unfortunately, while I was away for my quick trip, Charlie (who was still at home being watched by my parents, while Max studied for boards) became realllly sick. The night after I got home we had to take him into the ER for dehydration and, as with every other time we've been with him in the ER before, it was a nightmare. I cry every time he cries when they take his blood. I sit in the corner of the room, while Max holds him down, and I cry. Doctors appointments and immunizations are a cakewalk compared to what we have gone through in the ER so hallelujah! We survived that ordeal and he finally got back to being his usual self within a few days. All I can say is no more nursery for us, at least for now.

Max also had a birthday in May in which he entered the final year of his 20s. What is this and how is this happening? It was a busy day with golf and lots of black and white cookies (his favorite), but unfortunately I couldn't do as much as I would have liked since we were leaving early the next morning for NYC.

This is the third time I've been to the city, and I should also say it's the only time I've ever felt like I loved it so much I could move there. I mean I seriously, really, want to move to NYC after this last trip. I will post more about it all later, but I think this last trip to New York has to be one of the best trips we've ever been on.

So far, I'd say May takes the cake for 2018.