I Recieved A Great Gift Today.....

From my Emerald Sisters. They are a lovely group of women who I have known for awhile some since I conceived Juniper. They got every detail (even more than some may have wanted) about my pregnancy with Casey. They were amazing in the first few days after Casey's birth having a prayer chain where someone was praying or sending good thoughts out in the universe for every hour of the day. It was simply breathtaking and beautiful during such a hard and difficult time. Then they were there to listen to me cry and rejoice over Casey. They sent flowers for the funeral and one special friend even came all the way down from Tacoma WA just for the funeral. All of these women offer so much love and comfort towards everyone and I am so lucky to know them and call them my friends.

Today I received a very unexpected and welcomed gift. The contents were amazing. I received a necklace for me which is pictured to the right. A necklace for Jon and a charm bracelet for Juniper. They also enclosed some awesome note cards and matted print. I also received two books one grerat nighttime book for Juniper and a guided/open ended journal specifically for Moms who have lost a child either before or after birth.

I am in awe that this came for Jon, June and I. I was so taken aback that I was weeping in sorrow and joy. I felt as though I should travel across the country and give them each individual hugs. This was the good thing that happened in my day today.

Thanks again guys! I love you all!

High Fructose Syrup Contains WHAT????!!!

Mercury, that is right. How vile and disgusting is that? I read this article in the Washington Post;

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/26/AR2009012601831.html

Study Finds High-Fructose Corn Syrup Contains Mercury

Monday, January 26, 2009; 12:00 AM

MONDAY, Jan. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Almost half of tested samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contained mercury, which was also found in nearly a third of 55 popular brand-name food and beverage products where HFCS is the first- or second-highest labeled ingredient, according to two new U.S. studies.

HFCS has replaced sugar as the sweetener in many beverages and foods such as breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups and condiments. On average, Americans consume about 12 teaspoons per day of HFCS, but teens and other high consumers can take in 80 percent more HFCS than average.

"Mercury is toxic in all its forms. Given how much high-fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered. We are calling for immediate changes by industry and the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food supply," said the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's Dr. David Wallinga, a co-author of both studies.
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In the first study, researchers found detectable levels of mercury in nine of 20 samples of commercial HFCS. The study was published in current issue of Environmental Health.

In the second study, the agriculture group found that nearly one in three of 55 brand-name foods contained mercury. The chemical was most common in HFCS-containing dairy products, dressings and condiments.

The use of mercury-contaminated caustic soda in the production of HFCS is common. The contamination occurs when mercury cells are used to produce caustic soda.

"The bad news is that nobody knows whether or not their soda or snack food contains HFCS made from ingredients like caustic soda contaminated with mercury. The good news is that mercury-free HFCS ingredients exist. Food companies just need a good push to only use those ingredients," Wallinga said.

More information

The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry has more about mercury and health.

SOURCE: Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, news release, Jan. 26, 2009

We are Turning in our Application Tonight

Jon has his physical at 4:15 then we are making any final touches we need to then our application is off. All that needs to happen after that is all four of our references to mail the letters back. They will be sent off by DHS tomorrow when they receive our application. Then when those are received by DHS an adoption worker will be assigned and complete our home study. So hopefully by the end of Feb. our home study will be started and then by the end of April we can start applying for kids!

New Blog!

So to keep this all about our family I am starting a new blog that is focusing on my weight loss journey as I get to a healthier weight! My new blog is Losing Brandy

Move In Count Down!

So we have 7 days that is right only a week till we can start to mice in to our house. I am so excited to day Jon and I picked out our colors for the house. For the playroom/3rd bedroom we chose peanut brittle and we are doing peanut brittle for the living room and a light green accent wall(the exact name is escaping me at the moment)that green color is also going to be in the bathroom. We choose a light blue for our room. June's room is already painted lavender so no painting is required in her room. I will definitely post before and after pictures for everyone to see. I feel like I should move in right now because I am so excited!

WE GOT A HOUSE!!!

Okay so we are still renting but still, it is three bedrooms and has a fenced back yard. I am so excited! YAY! We will be moving around mid February.

Help me reach my goal!Sponsor Me at March for Babies!