What is this "Update" thing you speak of?

I guess I should make note that there is a new man in my life. Has been for over a week now.



Evan was born Saturday, September 17th at 7:10pm. He weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces and is 21 inches tall. Wonderful, healthy little boy who has me wrapped around his finger.

Big sister is pretty fond of him too. She was there for the birth (with my mom there as well to keep an eye on her and explain things to her). When the nurses moved him from the warming bed to give him a bath and clean him up, Rhi got REAL defensive. "Hey! What are you doing to my brother?!" She also got her first anatomy lesson in "little boy parts". The nurses got a real kick out of her constantly asking "What happened to his butt?"

My husband, anticipating my impending hormonal mood swings, started preparing right away. He bought chocolate. Lots of it. Good chocolate - not supermarket checkout line candy bars. For ht past week if I start getting upset or frustrated at *anything* his first response is "Would you like some chocolate? It will make you feel better." Of course, he followed that up by buying frozen dinners that I could make for my lunches while he's at work - Lean Cuisine.

Need to have a talk with him about mixed signals.

Anyways, Evan had his first doctor visit yesterday and our family doctor confirmed that he's in good health, so even with the lack of sleep and tendonitis in my arm, I'm a happy camper.

Offensensitivity

Twice in the past month or so I've made statements about finding something offensive. I didn't think I was making that big a fuss over it - just stating my opinion that I found certain word choices or attitudes offensive. The reactions were amazing. In one instance it was implied that I was getting over-emotional about it and just ranting, in the other instance I was mocked for having thin skin.

When did saying (or typing) the words "I find that offensive" become taboo?

I can see how some of it came about - from sensationalized incidents where people take others to court or demand new laws because someone dare offended them. I can understand people getting sick of having to couch their words and actions because someone - anyone - may take offense to something and overreact.

It is ridiculous for people to think they have some inalienable right to life without ever being offended.

But the attitudes I've encountered lately have gone beyond countering those who make a big deal out of being offended. The attitudes instead are that people have no right to be offended. Basically, the attitudes are that people who would find offense in something have no right to their opinion. Or, if they are allowed to feel offended, they certainly don't have a right to state it.

After all.... it might offend someone.

As an adult living in the United States, I have a right to my opinions - including the right to be offended. I'd like to think I could make my feelings known about it and discuss it maturely with others. But it seems they are exercising their right to be offended as well - offended that I would dare take offense at something.

A Moment in Time

Ever have a time or event that has really ingrained itself in your mind? Something that ends up having a profound effect on your life even if you didn't realize it at the moment?

I was thinking about this last night and what came to mind was something that happened back in 1979-1980 - when the Iranian embassy was overrun. The moment that really struck me was when I saw the cover of a Time magazine. It had a drawing of President Carter on the front and his words of taking full responsibility for a failed rescue attempt.

I was 11 years old at the time. I remember thinking how incredibly hard it must have been for Carter to decide what to do, and then to have it fail and lose the servicemen who were on the mission. I remember thinking that it took a strong character to take on such responsibility instead of looking for excuses and placing blame. I gained a tremendous amount of respect for Mr Carter - not for his title or position, but for his character.

Thinking back now, I realized that moment really defines for me personal accountability and responsibility - qualities I admire in others and strive for in myself.