'Nuff Said

Human Slavery

While doing my usual StumbleUpon, I found this awesome website: Chain Store Reaction.
It has about 80 popular companies that you can choose to send the following email:

As a loyal customer who has appreciated and purchased your product(s), I ask that you join me in the fight to eradicate slavery and human trafficking. Like me, you probably didn’t know that there are 27 million slaves* in the world today, most of whom work in agriculture and mining.

That means I’m likely wearing, eating, driving, or using a product tainted by slavery. What’s more, without the ability to know where a company’s raw materials originate, a company can’t be sure it’s not inadvertently selling products produced, at least in part, by slaves.

I know this criminal practice is not your fault as sure as I know we all share a responsibility to end it. I know that responsibly eradicating slavery from a supply chain as diverse as yours is neither quick nor simple, and I promise to support your brand through the mistakes, discoveries, and growing pains intrinsic to really addressing this problem. All I ask is that you begin.

Now, I sure love your company, but if one of your competitors chooses to take on this fight against slavery and you sit it out—well then, I’ll buy from them instead. As good as you are, if I have to choose between you and freedom, freedom wins every time.

Please fill out this questionnaire to this letter listing out some of the specific, tangible things that your company could do to help end slavery around the world.

On behalf of 27 million global citizens and a lot more American Consumers, I eagerly await your response,

Until we’re all free,

Laura Mo

I would strongly encourage you to check out the website and to learn more about human slavery. It happens everywhere. I plan to send an email to every company on their website who has not provided a response and I will also send a letter concerning human slavery to my Representative and Senator.

Happiness

Miracles do happen.
Liam can be happy.

I would never have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes but Liam has been happy all afternoon...and I haven't been holding him!!! He has crawled from one end of the house to other and back again. When he spies me, he hurriedly crawls on his little chubby knees with a look of glee (real glee!!!) on his face and then he is off again! There is hope for our household after all.

Favorite Laundry Soap Recipe

I just finished making my second batch of laundry soap and I thought I would post my favorite recipe. I prefer the powder version (I think it is easier to make/store). I previously posted it in the comment section but I thought I would bring it to light in case anyone missed it.

Powdered Laundry Detergent
1 cup grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup 20 mule team borax

Mix and store in airtight container or bag.

For light loads use 1 tablespoon. For normal loads, use 2 tablespoons. For heavy loads, use 3 tablespoons.

I use anywhere from 1 tablespoon to 1 1/2 tablespoons. I find that I don't need any more than that, even for the dirtiest loads. For my next batch I want to try some Dr. Bronner's soap. Let me know if you come across a sale.

Confessions of a Homebody

I tend to be a homebody. I could stay at home for weeks on end with no outside contact and be perfectly happy (that's probably why I never answer my phone). I have plenty of things to keep me busy or at the very least waste my time. Something new is always going on with the boys so the novelty rarely wears off. Knitting is a perfectly happy solo adventure and yet...I find myself drawn towards community.

Don't get me wrong, I spend plenty of time at home but I find myself spending more time with others. Why would a perfectly happy homebody spend time with others? Because relationship nourishes me in a way that I can't do myself. My relationships with others force me to look beyond myself, to be dependent, to enjoy time rather than just pass the time. I tend to want to do everything by myself but for me, that is empty arrogance. There are actually very few things I can do by myself, for everything else, I need community.

Raising the kids cannot be done by myself or even just with the help of my spouse. I depend on community to grow with the boys and show them that families are all beautifully different. I appreciate all of the clothes we've gotten as children in our community have outgrown them. I value the time my community has spent looking after my kids but more importantly, investing in them and loving them completely.

Personal growth cannot be achieved by myself. I depend on others to hold my hand and hold me accountable. I appreciate all of the women who have spoken truth into my life out of love. I deeply value my community for showing me that God's love and grace have a deep and meaningful place in my life. I can humbly say that I am not the same person I was two years ago and that my life has been drastically changed because of God and my community.

Love is nothing when it is isolated. Love is everything when it is celebrated, shared, lived, and given away. Love has no reference point without community.

All of this is a way of letting you know that this happy homebody is choosing community over isolation one step at a time...

Pockets

Isaiah and I passed the afternoon by playing with cars and learning about pockets. I was laying on the couch (trying to be passively involved in the playing) while Isaiah zoomed his car up and down my leg. Suddenly, he looked at my face and said, "Mommy, pocket. Pocket, mommy." He then proceeded to shove his toy truck in my pocket only to retrieve it a moment later. He paused and then said, "My pocket, mommy." And I tried to explain that he had no pockets because he was only wearing his boxers (yes, he was partially clothed for a change). But before I could explain completely, he spied his fly, and exlaimed "POCKET!" In went the truck, off went the boy and closed went mommy's eyes.

Dreaded Morning Sickness

Ah...morning sickness...my old friend. I haven't missed you at all but apparently, you have missed me. You stay by my side from morning till night, barely missing a moment. I've even lost all desire to knit in your delightful company. I must tell you, however, that I plan on getting rid of you in the next week. You heard right: the ginger root is coming!!! We'll see how well you stand up to crackers, water, and oh so bland food. Your end comes near!!!