One voice, one nation.

I don't care for politics. Never have. Growing up it always seemed like you had to belong to one or the other party; and depending on what you said and depending on the company of those around you it could be a ridiculously ugly topic.

I attended etiquette school during one of my summer breaks. It was the one topic they said to avoid in polite conversation. This I have always agreed on. So is this a political blog post by me? Hmm...maybe but it's really just a simple pondering at where we came from as a country.

Our country was founded on the simplest of beliefs and dreams. Freedom. To not be oppressed by a tyrannical rule. It seems throughout history, many countries have fought for this simple and basic dream yet we are the only true masters of it. One thing that rings true, was we fought as a SINGLE voice! We stood for something as one. Yet here we are, many years beyond our birth as a country completely divided.

Why are we so divided? Why does something that decides our path as a nation divide us into petty arguments and political backstabbing morons?

My answer to this question is simple: WE ARE SELFISH.

We vote, we decide based on what directly only affects us as individuals. For some, it's their current financial situation so therefore they will only vote for the person who will promise to keep trying to make it better for them. Others vote based on similar values as their "ideal" candidate because they are both anti-abortion or anti-gay rights. That is just one of MANY issues that surround the running of an entire country. Granted it seems like you won't agree on every single thing that a candidate stands for but you will pick who affects you, who betters your life.

But I propose a challenge for you...Vote for what your country NEEDS! I am not here to pull for one candidate or the other, or to try and bring you in as an independent to shake things up. In fact, I am not even sharing who I am voting for because I am no one's political monkey. Sit back and ask yourselves why you are pulling so hard for one candidate or the other. Did you even look at the Independents? Are you only concerned about you?

My final question is: What is your dream, your goal, for your country?

I will tell you mine: I dream simply. I want our country to build a more stable financial situation. Nothing overly glorious. Just stable. Obviously I am not delusional, we have a lot of debt. I don't see this improving in the next 4 or even 8 years. I expect to see some real progress within 10 but it also depends on how united our elected government is. I see a country that stands as a formidable opponent to those who try to cross us; and those that serve, serve honorably above all else. Yet compassionate enough to try and help countries that cannot help themselves and not without first helping it's own citizens. I want my country to respect it's people by allowing them to simply be themselves, without limiting their rights. Whether they are Muslim or whatever, gay or not. No man has the right to condemn another. My vision of the country is that they quit kidding themselves and legalize marijuana. Obviously nothing we have in place is effective. The right to bear arms is a basic right, but back in the day, our forefathers didn't have psychos breaking into log cabins and killing or abducting whole families at gunpoint. So obviously we need to regulate ourselves a bit.

This is where I will stop, because if I think about it, I can find something for every little aspect of our country that I would love to see progress or change in.

Mostly, I dream of a country that my son will be proud to belong to. I hope for him, and for all the kids his age, that they will break free of the endless cycle of cheap politics and candidate bashing. I hope that when my son votes, he votes for his nation. That he votes because of his nation and because he wants it to be a better place for his children. Vote for equal rights among all men and women. Your vote is a small voice by itself, but if you vote together as a country; your voice joins with others and it's hard to ignore when a lion roars.

Your individual situation only impacts you and that is not what our country was founded on. We all have issues. But, just for once, try to break the cycle. Vote and make it count. For everyone.

3 Month Catch up!

Hooray! Sebastian is 3 months old and such a character!

Seriously, this kid is hilarious. He hams it up for everything. Smiles with both cheek dimples flashing and finally a giggle to go with it! He tends to grab at his toys and rattles with his left hand, much to his Daddy's great pride and pleasure. He jibber jabbers at us like he's carrying on full length conversations...I think he's going to be a serious talker. He loves facing outward in his carriers, both the Bjorn and Moby wrap, just people watching and eventually nodding off for a quick snooze.

He loves waking up in the morning. Seriously, he doesn't sound like a morning person because he starts fussing and fidgets a lot; but once you pull the blanket off of him, the smiles start. He wants to play and smile the first 15-20 minutes in the morning. Just lay in bed and jabber at you. It's the best thing in the world for a non-morning person like me.

We had our first mini vacation in Stuttgart the week of my birthday. We had a great time staying with our friends, Stephanie and Joe, and their awesome kiddos! We were able to hit up the Ludwigsburg Kurbis (Pumpkin) Fest! We had pumpkin secco, pumpkin soup, sampled some roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin bratwurst, pumpkin kiche, and pumpkin maltoschen.

We were also able to continue my birthday tradition of hitting up Volksfest, the second largest Oktoberfest in Germany. Last year we thought would be our last one so we bought Charlie his lederhosen and my dirndl but only I was able to go out since Charlie was at home dying of plague last year. ;) This year both of us made it but I didn't fit my dirndl so I picked up another. We took Sebi down one evening and he was on overload looking at the lights and taking in the people and the sounds.

It was great to have a mini vacation! Charlie was there for work purposes and we just kind of tagged along but it was easy work for Charlie so we had lots of extra play time! We got to meet up with old friends, make some new ones, and let Sebastian socialize with his "cousins"!

Such a happy, easy going little guy! He loves being out and about and loves the great outdoors!

All bundled up and snuggly against his Dad at the pumpkin fest!

On a smaller side note, I apologize for not blogging last month. It was a busy and frustrating month for us and lucky for us, things have smoothed out as Sebastian has grown out of his little colicky phase. I also did not feel like blogging because I have been kind of angry and hurt by the lack of action by some. It is my issue and maybe with time I will get over it but I am glad my husband is always able to listen to me and understands my frustration with people, particularly in the area of family.

Anyway, until next time! I will try and blog again before the end of the month!