The U of M tries to make Guinness Book

It's that time of year... where I'm about to unplug the TV and radios not because I'm sick of hearing political ads but because I'm sick of hearing about the flu shot! Today I just heard the U of M this week is having a flu shot clinic for staff/students and hopes to set a new world record for the number of free flu shots given in one day - they are planning on 6-10 thousand. The radio announcer sounded thrilled about this wonderul gift to humanity.

The flu shot has become popular simply as wishful thinking - something to hope in. The evidence for its success is simply not there. The media and medical establishment could do a much better job educating people at how few strains of flu it actually protects against. There was a huge study just done in Europe of thousands of children that showed NO reduction in flu incidence or deaths between vaccinated and unvaccinated children. And yet every year we are encouraged to keep putting mercury, aluminum and formaldehyde into our bodies, all which are carcinogenic substances. Meanwhile the cancer charities are calling on me several times a year to donate to research for this "mysterious" disease that now kills 1 in 2 people - research which looks to find a drug cure and does not investigate some of the promising natural alternatives that are being used successfully in many parts of the world.

The connections between pharmaceutical companies and government is another whole story all together. People need to wake up to this and do their own research into what they put into their bodies instead of trusting a profit-driven elitist establishment.

I like to educate people about the flu shot because at this point is still seen as optional. I feel hopeless about convincing people that the "required" shots are just as harmful. I'm seeing a large trend of women who take more time to look into the vaccine issue, but consult only medical sources from one side of the coin and come back to the same decision. Tuesday I talked to a woman who was scheduling a hearing test for Kai. She mentioned her grandson's developmental delays were due to autism... that he was developing just fine and took a sudden turn after his 1 year shots. It pains me to hear this story time and again. The CDC actually admitted last year that there is a link between vaccines and autism, but tried to downplay it by mentioning it required a genetic predisposition, and quickly tried to shift the conversation into another direction. As if we know which of our children are more likely to be genetically inclined to this!

I'm looking forward to researching and writing a lot more on this subject... some day when I have time. :)

Natalie Eva!

Every new baby is an amazing reminder of the miracle of life.

Here is my precious new niece Natalie.

I was very privileged to be the first to meet her (besides her parents!)

Natlie Eva Carlson, born to Jon and Rachel

5:39 p.m. Oct 18th

8 lbs 9 oz, 20 inches

Double the Fighting

I knew the day would come where I would have not two but three squabbling children. I just didn't know how soon! Kai's favorite new word of this past week has been "no!" So Kavan, his older brother whose keen mind is always looking for trouble, decided to start responding "yes!"

I now get to hear this exchange several times a day: "no" yes" "no" "yes" "no" "yes"...

And today, Kai learned the word "yes."

Relaxation: A Photo Journal

I would never find the words to describe this trip. Relaxing was just too weird for me. WONDERFUL, just weird. So here's a few photos to express the beauty of our time away up north. the cabin from the top of the hill, this is all their land

As beautiful as the outdoor colors were, I was just as happy to be in here!

No we didn't really have to use this!

The view from the main door facing the back of the cabin.

Please view more pictures!
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=233707915/a=20602002/t_=20602002

The MintyVan

Our journey in photos:

Ben is sad to give up the truck. Ha.

The kids have no idea where we are going. The devious smile means "we are about to cause major problems on yet another drive where we are squeezed entirely too close together."

Exploring inside the "big surprise."

We have since taken out that end seat for easy in and out. With the power sliding door, the kids can even hop in and buckle themselves while I'm still in the house!

Look how much space in between them! And Kav still finds stuff to get into...

I don't think so baby Kai!

Their first "separated" drive.

How prophetic that my kids asked for a minty-van. That certainly describes the color "silver pine mica" quite well. Although in some lights our van looks almost silver and in some lights a bright medium green color. I love it. One of the more unique colors in a popular vehicle. Much quicker to pick out of a parking lot than was a black ford explorer! I can't tell you how many times my kids attempted to get in someone else's vehicle.

So what will I aspire to now? Just kidding - but this really is a dream come true. Kari says I need a new tag line. I was always saying

"when I get a minivan..."

Other news - I love my new job. I do not feel busier - I feel like I get a much needed break from the kids a couple nights a week and even get to socialize with other adults! Last night I made $120 serving at a wedding that rented out the restaurant for the reception. It's so good to finally be done training.

We are going away for a few days - first trip away without the kids. I absolutely can't even fathom what this is going to be like - 3 days/nights at a cabin in the middle of nowhere up north almost in Canada.

Rach please keep that baby inside! :) Shayna have fun in Cali!