New baby pics!! (and an explanation)
Life surprises you sometimes and you just roll with it. We have some exciting news that may not be at all what you're expecting, and we have some other updates.
To be clear, we did not welcome a new human baby into our family this week. True, every time I get to hold a friend’s baby or spend time with a toddler I miss it so much, but our family is complete. We’re now at the stage where we are adjusting life for our changing family needs and the opportunities that arise. With that…
I’d like to welcome to the Taylor Family, our new baby: Rex! He’s a little guy with lots of spirit. He likes to run around topless and go tromping in the dirt and mud. Rex is named after one of our favorite literary characters (here’s the line where the character is introduced):
“Well, we clocked the T-Rex at 32 miles an hour.
T-T-Rex?
Mm-hm.
You said you've got a T-Rex?
Uh-huh.
Say again?
[smiling] We have a T-Rex.
PS: Yes, I’m already working on getting the proper decals to Jurassic Parkify Rex. :)
Anyways, our new baby is going to be great for our adventures and is much more versatile than our little Honda we’ve had for going on sixteen years. Rex is a manual, has a Sunrider top, and the thing the kids dislike most is that it doesn’t have plugs in the back seat. Oh, and manual windows are baffling to them. With all of their resistance to the Jeep and begrudgingly accepting their new brother, it makes me want to get a landline with a rotary dial.
Ways to Make a Gentle Difference Politically
All week I’ve had really heavy thoughts and feelings about what’s happening in the world, and a lot about what’s going on in the USA. America has been in a torn up, divisive state for a long time now and it’s coming to a head. Between teachers potentially being armed in schools, more than 500 anti-LGBTQ pieces of legislation across the country, bodily autonomy out the window, and now the Supreme Court literally making the decision if a president has the power to declare himself king (my phrasing; aka presidential immunity around inciting or allowing an insurrection), there’s too much happening to stay quiet.
We can’t all show up to protests or get face-to-face time with our government representatives, but you know what we can do? We can have difficult and gentle conversations with those we know who have varying viewpoint or just aren’t paying attention. By sharing with those around us the details of why we care about politics and why voting is so important, we can start conversations that can have a huge impact.
A lot of people just vote party lines because they associate the voting process as just a mindless action that their vote isn’t going to make a difference with. That’s not true. Also, a lot of people don’t realize that the power of sharing your personal stories and political views actually can have an impact on others. When you have uncomfortable conversations, you give people something to think about. When you personalize why politics do matter, you assign a face to an issue. When you open up to somebody, you help them understand that their vote does matter and you don’t want to see them voting against those they love, including you and your friends.
Keeping the peace at a family function or in your neighborhood holds no purpose if it means that your future is going to be limited or full of turmoil. If keeping the peace is more important to you than gently sharing the reality of yours or others’ lives, that makes me sad. The rest of us have had to speak up throughout our lives to create a world we can survive in, so doing the simple act of talking openly about politics is literally doing the minimal you can to support your own or others’ existence.
Awesome New Podcast Episodes to Hear!
Chris and I have been recording lots of new podcast episodes, specifically about our trip to Peru this month. We’ve also got some special new episodes with our friend Kate for our new Let Me Ask You This series (starting next week). I love when we get on a roll with recording podcasts because it’s such a different sort of work. We have really found our way with podcasting and now I enjoy releasing new episodes.
If you’re not subscribed to get our podcast into your iTunes or Spotify, please do! It’s so easy because they’ll show in your podcast queue each time we release something new and then you can hear our charming selves rambling while you drive somewhere or are cleaning your house.
iTunes | Spotify | Podcast Webpage
Upcoming Adventures (and three you can join!)
School is almost out and that means summer is rapidly approaching. We have a few spots left on our June 22 UnCruise through the Inside Passage of Alaska. Our Kids in Nature sailing is all about science and adventure in Alaska and is structured for families. We’d love to have YOU join us! Read about what you’ll experience on a UnCruise Adventure here!
In November we’ve got a group trip to the Amazon Rainforest that is going to be awesome. Next month we’re finalizing our head count (no more than 12 people in total) and I know this trip is going to be incredible for everyone. There’s something about waking up in a treehouse in the jungle while you hear toucans and see blue morpho butterflies floating by… The per person cost is way less than you expect (around $1800) and the experience is unforgettable. *March 2025 is also an option.
Pride Month is Almost Here
I love how many people get into Pride and celebrating. The month of June is Pride Month, which means that there’ll be parades, community BBQs, festivals and more. Did you know that as a part of many Pride celebrations you’ll actually find lecture series and forum discussion? Pride Month isn’t all just parties, but it’s a time to learn more about progress and problems in the LGBTQ+ community. As I mentioned earlier, there have been more than 500 anti LGBTQ bills proposed, debating and/or passed in the last year here in the USA. That’s something to learn about.
Celebrating Pride is still very important today. Until bigotry, equality and acceptance no longer need to be openly talked about, Pride events and talking with your family and friends is very much necessary for progress.
That’s all for this week. Next week I’ll have our full Peru Itinerary to share, more podcast episodes and some life updates about what’s in store for our family with the next school year. Have a wonderful final week of April and stay safe out there!