Love Is

Love is well-set like the scene in your favorite movie.

Well-knit like the tail of a mermaid to wrap around your torso. 

Love is as powerful as the moon. 

Love is as intense as the sunshine. 

The love you pour into your work makes it industrial-strength.

Ironlike in its nature of truth.

Fortified within the walls of it’s castle.

As noticeable as a johnboat in an empty lake. 

Love overcomes the depth of a grave. 

If I have the chance to tell you

About the wonders you’ll see in the world

I could hold you in my arms

Comfort you, hold you

Tell you just like the seasons 

When the storm subsides 

The sunshine will illuminate your soul

Hold on tight 

Love is a fortress. 

Suzanne Sateri

Metamorphosis

The Moon Crown

Every Time

Every time.
She makes it through.

Sometimes I sit back after the storms and think.
Man I shouldn’t have.
What if that was too much for her.

I shouldn’t be so honest.
Maybe it’d make her feel better.

Instead, she loves the truth.
The truth is what makes her feel better.

Once in a while I sense her laughter.
When she’s quietly thinking to herself.

One woman, every woman.
Mother Nature in her peace and in her fury.

There’s no person I’d rather weather the storms of life with.

When the song of the birds emerges in the sunrise she spreads sunlight upon my face.
When the evening moon rises, in my nervous childish laughter before bedtime, her consistent confidence from loving us so comforts me to sleep.

She’s like the lightening that threatens to strike.
She’s like the hurricane in the ring of fire.

She’s like the best, the very best thing that’s ever happened to me.

The gentle feathers that gave me wings.

“What if I fall?”
“Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?”

So I gather what’s left of my courage while she teaches my spirit to soar.

Suzanne Sateri

Checks and Balances

Oxford Dictionaries and Thesaurus.com

Quotes from “Take Your Hat Off When the Flag Goes By” By: Janeen Brady

The United States Government 
The Executive Branch
The Judicial Branch
The Legislative Branch
We the People 

The Declaration of Independence

Definitions via Oxford Dictionaries and Synonyms via Thesaurus.com

Infant & Parent Care Notes

After I had my first son I decided to write myself some notes to remember how to care for a baby. I’m going to share these notes. Please feel free to comment to add some notes you have for new parents or pregnant couples/women.

Infant care: 0-6 Mo.
-Gently comb/brush hair (daily)
-Brush gums with clean cloth (daily)
-Change Diaper (every few hours or when necessary)
-Gently bathe (approx. 1-3 times a week)
-Clean around and behind ears gently with a cotton ball or swab (clean inside of ears with Brest milk)
-Dampen a cotton ball to clean around eye area
-Use infant Tylenol if necessary (consult a physician if you’re unsure)
-Feed every 3 hours or whenever necessary (Brest milk or formula only)
-Gently trim or file nails and toenails (approx. once a week)
-Snuggle and hug
-Purified water with a spoon full of sugar warmed if baby is not feeling well
-Gently clean armpits
-Gently rinse genital area with somewhat warm water after poops
-If you’re breastfeeding, find a position that is comfortable for both you and baby (lay on your side on the bed and have baby lay on their side in front of you and rotate accordingly)
-Breastfeed very frequently at the beginning so baby learns to latch well
-Hang in there for the first few days of breastfeeding... it gets much better!

Remember:
-Baby will let you know how she/he feels
-Rest
-Relax
-Focus on the God given wisdom that comes from baby
-Enjoy this time period
-Stay at home but don’t feel like it’s the only place you can be
-Read
-Play music (Baby Einstein is great)
-Go walking
-Go to Disneyland & visit baby care center
-Eat well, stay hydrated, sleep well

Things to think about:
-If you were a baby, how would you feel?
-What would you want/need?
-Would you feel safe?
“A person is a person no matter how small.” - Dr. Seuss
-Would you know how to ask for food or water?
-How could you tell someone if you were too hot or too cold?
-Would you be able to tell someone you’re not comfortable?
Ponder...
Then respond to baby’s attempts at communicating his/her needs.

Essentials:
-Breast milk/infant formula
-Newborn/size 1 diapers
-Sleep
-Warmth (Blanket, comfortable clothing...)
-Wipes/warm water rinse
-Love/Warm heart/Gentleness

-Nail clippers/nail file
-Newborn car seat & caddy/stroller to hold car seat on walks
-Infant comb/infant hairbrush
-Breast pads
-Baby shampoo & wash
-Baby towel
-Burp cloths
-Crib & clean, snuggly bedding
-Thermometer

Parents somewhat treat yourself in the same manner.

50 States by ABC Mouse

Hundreds Subtraction and Place Value by ABC Mouse

Our World by ABC Mouse

Coins ABC Mouse Song