A note to our bloggity friends, from Mark and me --
Yesterday the two of us celebrated our relationship of (wait for it)... fifteen years. That's dangerously close to half our lives we've been together, including years of dating, being engaged, and now being married with a family.
To celebrate, we had a therapy appointment (hey, real is real) and went to dinner and reminisced about our early days together. And we also had a date at the polls.
We went together to vote against an amendment to our NC state constitution that would permanently define the only kind of valid relationship as a marriage between a man and a woman. No other types of relationships will get legal recognition in our state. Not common-law marriages, not unmarried couples, not currently existing legal civil unions and domestic partnerships. That all goes away.
And we just don't think that a relationship has to look exactly like ours to be real or valid or deserve equal rights under the law. Equal rights shouldn't be this complicated, and it shouldn't even be up for a vote.
Also, we believe that a constitutional amendment to discriminate instead of to protect is fundamentally wrong. Yes, it happens, especially with state constitutions, but it's not what a constitution was designed for.
We think arguments against same-sex relationships tend towards dangerous and overly reductive interpretations of scripture anyway, and aren't in keeping with our religious beliefs... but regardless of where people stand on the issue of same-sex marriage, mostly importantly, we don't believe that laws should be made for religious reasons in the first place.
Normally we're not very political in this here corner of the internet, but this is important enough for us to go on the record about, especially on the anniversary of our budding relationship turned married-with-kids.
Love is love, and God is love, and let freedom ring.
-- Mark and Erin. Since 1997. :)
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Saturday Miscellany
It's now Saturday, also the first day of Mark's break from work for a month (how awesome is THAT?) and we obviously have no plans. Except, you know... waiting for Beanie to decide it's her birthday. Which (right now) it apparently isn't. So here are some miscellaneous tidbits to get your weekend started:
1.) When Mark heard that the 2016 Olympics will be held in Rio, he emailed me to suggest we finally go see the games, and take the kids (who will be 9 and almost 7, which apparently he thinks is the perfect age for a South American adventure). That's right, folks. Mark suggested a trip to me. He also said there were reports of flying pigs in the news, but that was overshadowed by the Olympics announcement. :)
2.) It's now officially illegal to throw a plastic bottle in the trash in the state of North Carolina. We're apparently the first state to enact such a law. I think it's a good law, but if we're going down this road, why not make it possible to recycle plastic tubs in our curbside service? Right now those, and several other common plastics, are not allowed, which is incredibly annoying (especially for our house; we eat a lot of yogurt and such). Maybe that's a Raleigh problem, though, not a statewide issue.
3.) When I come downstairs and find towers like this,
I know that Nathan isn't the only one around here who loves to play with the blocks. I would love to play the Genius Baby! card on this one and tell you Nathan did it all by himself and will be the next great architectural genius. But this is definitely (and obviously) Mark's handiwork. :) What is it with dads who love to play with their kids' toys?
1.) When Mark heard that the 2016 Olympics will be held in Rio, he emailed me to suggest we finally go see the games, and take the kids (who will be 9 and almost 7, which apparently he thinks is the perfect age for a South American adventure). That's right, folks. Mark suggested a trip to me. He also said there were reports of flying pigs in the news, but that was overshadowed by the Olympics announcement. :)
2.) It's now officially illegal to throw a plastic bottle in the trash in the state of North Carolina. We're apparently the first state to enact such a law. I think it's a good law, but if we're going down this road, why not make it possible to recycle plastic tubs in our curbside service? Right now those, and several other common plastics, are not allowed, which is incredibly annoying (especially for our house; we eat a lot of yogurt and such). Maybe that's a Raleigh problem, though, not a statewide issue.
3.) When I come downstairs and find towers like this,
I know that Nathan isn't the only one around here who loves to play with the blocks. I would love to play the Genius Baby! card on this one and tell you Nathan did it all by himself and will be the next great architectural genius. But this is definitely (and obviously) Mark's handiwork. :) What is it with dads who love to play with their kids' toys?4.) I locked myself in the car in the library parking lot yesterday. Yes, you read that right: I locked myself IN the car. (Takes a special kind of stupid, doesn't it?) I climbed in the backseat to chat with Nathan while he ate his yogurt, waiting for the library to open. And then I realized that the child locks were enabled. On both doors. So I got to attempt the awkward task of getting my huge hulking 9-month-pregnant body over the center console and into the front seat and get the door open, all without falling into the parking lot (due to my contorted position upon front-seat arrival). Nathan thought it was hilarious. By the time I was actually out, the parking lot was (finally) filling up and we had attracted some attention... but where were those people when I could have banged on the window and convinced them to just open the back door for me? [sigh]
And with that visual, I bid you happy Saturday.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Facebook's 25 Things Meme
I have finally caved to the peer pressure of the 25-Things Meme that went viral on Facebook a few weeks ago. Like Jeremy, it took way too much time to not be cross-posted as a blog entry.
Writing this made me realize my dad's comment (yaaaay, by the way, for Dad commenting!) is probably right: my generation has no inhibitions when it comes to putting our lives on the internet. Well, maybe not no inhibitions. But fewer than we probably should. I have stop writing about Nathan in the next few years, or he really will kill me or end up in therapy. Or both.
But for now, 25 random(ish) facts about yours truly, some you already know, some might be new:
1.) I met my husband at band camp. He’s horribly ashamed of this, but I think it’s hi.lar.i.ous.
2.) I have 9 different kinds of mustard in my fridge right now. I don’t know anyone who likes mustard more than I do.
3.) I have lived abroad twice… once in Germany and once in the Netherlands. My German is good, but my Dutch…. Not so much. One time a Dutch cabbie, upon hearing me say how frustrated I was when no one in the Netherlands would practice Dutch with me (they all wanted to speak English instead) said, “You used to live here and you don’t speak the language? THAT’S TERRIBLE.” So much for a nation of non-judgmental people. (I can say that, I’m married to one of the good ones.)
4.) Mark and I have visited 4 continents together. It was (ahem) lovely, and we can't wait to see the other three too. :)
5.) I would choose the beach over the mountains any day.
6.) I once swam a five-mile ocean race, in St. Croix. I got stung in the face and stomach by jellyfish, but I finished. (Pictures of that event, including jellyfish stings, are here.) However, I cannot RUN five miles without stopping.
7.) I have been to a lot of places and I must say I REALLY like North Carolina.
8.) My favorite show on TV right now is Ugly Betty. Followed closely by The Amazing Race. Someday Mark and I will be on AR, just you wait. We’ll be the first ones kicked off (seeing as I can’t run) but we will be there!
9.) My friend Ryan taught me that to properly drive through the gates onto Furman’s campus, you have to be singing the theme song from “NeverEnding Story” in your head. Or out loud. Whatever.
10.) I have one sister, one brother, and two stepbrothers. I am the oldest. I am therefore relatively bossy.
11.) I love my dogs as if they were human children. (Except when they vomit up partially-digested poop onto my carpet, of course.)
12.) I’m not very girly. I wear jeans and t-shirts pretty much every day. I do own a little makeup, but I only wear it to church. My version of lipstick is chapstick.
13.) I do love bags and purses, though. Not the fancy designer kind, but the kind I can afford to buy every season based on what looks cute on the rack at Target.
14.) I actually like my job. Not that the stress and corporate bullcrap don’t drive me nuts some days, but most days I really like doing the work itself. I sell travel to nonprofit organizations (mission trips, disaster relief, humanitarian aid, etc) so I get to be in sales without all the sketchy “salesy” side-effects. Plus, since Nathan was born they let me do it part-time. And from home. Which pretty much rocks, when it’s not too chaotic.
15.) Being a mom is the most natural thing I have ever done. It’s the first and only thing in my life that has actually felt like a calling.
16.) In college I double-majored in English and German. Useful, I know.
17.) I started writing a blog in 2007 about our family and how our “everyday dreams” are coming true. Which is more of a reality some days than others. But I am having fun writing! (See? You know this already.)
18.) My first and best best-friend is my sister Ashley. She’s only 13 months younger than I am. We have had good years and bad but the truth is she can almost always make me laugh, and I can’t think of even ONE favorite childhood memory that doesn’t involve her.
19.) I love God and I go to church regularly. But please don’t lump me into that group of religious people who hates and judges. I try to honor ALL people. I think God loves EVERYONE. Period. No exceptions.
20.) I reached my peak of musical talent at like 14. But I can still play several instruments (some better than others), and I like to sing. I make a joyful noise at church every week, actually.
21.) I have a thing for getting my back scratched. Seriously, if you want something from me, scratch my back. I’ll probably do whatever you tell me to after that.
22.) There is really nothing I can think of that I would rather spend my money on than vacation.
23.) One of my favorite combinations is red wine with chocolate. Or red wine with spicy food. Ok, you got me… I just really like red wine.
24.) I did not vote for President Obama, but I am respectful and even cautiously optimistic (to avoid panic) about the next few years. I HATE politics and I can’t believe I just wrote that, actually.
25.) The sweetest sound my ears have ever heard is Nathan’s voice saying, “Mommy!”
Writing this made me realize my dad's comment (yaaaay, by the way, for Dad commenting!) is probably right: my generation has no inhibitions when it comes to putting our lives on the internet. Well, maybe not no inhibitions. But fewer than we probably should. I have stop writing about Nathan in the next few years, or he really will kill me or end up in therapy. Or both.
But for now, 25 random(ish) facts about yours truly, some you already know, some might be new:
1.) I met my husband at band camp. He’s horribly ashamed of this, but I think it’s hi.lar.i.ous.
2.) I have 9 different kinds of mustard in my fridge right now. I don’t know anyone who likes mustard more than I do.
3.) I have lived abroad twice… once in Germany and once in the Netherlands. My German is good, but my Dutch…. Not so much. One time a Dutch cabbie, upon hearing me say how frustrated I was when no one in the Netherlands would practice Dutch with me (they all wanted to speak English instead) said, “You used to live here and you don’t speak the language? THAT’S TERRIBLE.” So much for a nation of non-judgmental people. (I can say that, I’m married to one of the good ones.)
4.) Mark and I have visited 4 continents together. It was (ahem) lovely, and we can't wait to see the other three too. :)
5.) I would choose the beach over the mountains any day.
6.) I once swam a five-mile ocean race, in St. Croix. I got stung in the face and stomach by jellyfish, but I finished. (Pictures of that event, including jellyfish stings, are here.) However, I cannot RUN five miles without stopping.
7.) I have been to a lot of places and I must say I REALLY like North Carolina.
8.) My favorite show on TV right now is Ugly Betty. Followed closely by The Amazing Race. Someday Mark and I will be on AR, just you wait. We’ll be the first ones kicked off (seeing as I can’t run) but we will be there!
9.) My friend Ryan taught me that to properly drive through the gates onto Furman’s campus, you have to be singing the theme song from “NeverEnding Story” in your head. Or out loud. Whatever.
10.) I have one sister, one brother, and two stepbrothers. I am the oldest. I am therefore relatively bossy.
11.) I love my dogs as if they were human children. (Except when they vomit up partially-digested poop onto my carpet, of course.)
12.) I’m not very girly. I wear jeans and t-shirts pretty much every day. I do own a little makeup, but I only wear it to church. My version of lipstick is chapstick.
13.) I do love bags and purses, though. Not the fancy designer kind, but the kind I can afford to buy every season based on what looks cute on the rack at Target.
14.) I actually like my job. Not that the stress and corporate bullcrap don’t drive me nuts some days, but most days I really like doing the work itself. I sell travel to nonprofit organizations (mission trips, disaster relief, humanitarian aid, etc) so I get to be in sales without all the sketchy “salesy” side-effects. Plus, since Nathan was born they let me do it part-time. And from home. Which pretty much rocks, when it’s not too chaotic.
15.) Being a mom is the most natural thing I have ever done. It’s the first and only thing in my life that has actually felt like a calling.
16.) In college I double-majored in English and German. Useful, I know.
17.) I started writing a blog in 2007 about our family and how our “everyday dreams” are coming true. Which is more of a reality some days than others. But I am having fun writing! (See? You know this already.)
18.) My first and best best-friend is my sister Ashley. She’s only 13 months younger than I am. We have had good years and bad but the truth is she can almost always make me laugh, and I can’t think of even ONE favorite childhood memory that doesn’t involve her.
19.) I love God and I go to church regularly. But please don’t lump me into that group of religious people who hates and judges. I try to honor ALL people. I think God loves EVERYONE. Period. No exceptions.
20.) I reached my peak of musical talent at like 14. But I can still play several instruments (some better than others), and I like to sing. I make a joyful noise at church every week, actually.
21.) I have a thing for getting my back scratched. Seriously, if you want something from me, scratch my back. I’ll probably do whatever you tell me to after that.
22.) There is really nothing I can think of that I would rather spend my money on than vacation.
23.) One of my favorite combinations is red wine with chocolate. Or red wine with spicy food. Ok, you got me… I just really like red wine.
24.) I did not vote for President Obama, but I am respectful and even cautiously optimistic (to avoid panic) about the next few years. I HATE politics and I can’t believe I just wrote that, actually.
25.) The sweetest sound my ears have ever heard is Nathan’s voice saying, “Mommy!”
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