After All It Is His

I've been doing some...interesting research lately. You know how I wrote about circumcision a while ago? Well, I've never stopped researching about it, but lately instead of researching "circumcision" I have been researching "the functions of the foreskin". Which I HIGHLY encourage all of you to do even if you might be done having kids. There are plenty of sights that DO NOT have images of male penises, so you wont be feeling like you're looking at porn.

 Ladies...foreskins have so many totally awesome functions that it blows me away they are routinely cut off here in the U.S.

What are the functions of a foreskin?

Some sexual functions: 

Foreskins act as a rolling bearing during intercourse, therefore eliminating painful intercourse. (I don't know about any of you married sisters, but unless I'm really, and I mean REALLY excited lube is definitely a necessity.)

Foreskins stimulate partners genitalia, thus a better experience for the said partner.

Foreskins store pheromones and release them on arousal.

Foreskins store, release and distribute natural lubricants.

Foreskins help women orgasm.

Some protective functions:

Foreskins protect the glans (top of the penis) from becoming keratinised, and keeps the glans soft and moist.

Foreskins protect the nerves of the glans which  keeps the erotic function of the glans.

Foreskins protect an intact infants urethra from contamination. (As long as it is not prematurely retracted.)

Foreskins protect against frostbite thanks to the foreskins richness in blood vessels.

Needless to say...

Foreskins have several functions and they are very, very useful. Not only for men but more women as well. In fact, I wish my husband's foreskin had not been cut off because guess whose sex life is effected? You got it, mine. Not that I love my husband any less because he doesn't have a foreskin.

Also, there are several risks in cutting off a foreskin. Did you know that every time a doctor snips a baby boy he's guessing on how much foreskin to take off? Lot's of men, when they hit puberty and after puberty, have very painful erections and intercourse because the amount of foreskin that was cut off did not leave room for his penis to grow. As a consequence, the growing penis stretches the skin around the penis causing scarring and lack of sensitivity. The doctors never know exactly how big the infants penis is going to get, so they guestimate. If the doctor is not right on, the boy suffers.

Here are some links to article I encourage you to check out:

http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/info/foreskin.html

http://www.circumstitions.com/Functions.html

Several times in the past I have questioned my decision not to circumcise my boys. After doing this research, unless it was medically necessary, I would never circumcise. There is no question. Even if I had already circumcised a son and then had another son...I would not make the same mistake twice. I would be taking away too much from my little boys to circumcise them. When my boys get older, if they decide they don't like their foreskins, they have the choice to keep it or cut it off.

I have a firm belief that, he should decide what happens to his penis...after all, it is his.

Blessingway

Have any of you heard of a Blessingway or a Mother Blessing? I was recently invited to one, and I think it is a beautiful way to celebrate motherhood. Baby showers are great because everyone gets together to give much needed gifts to the baby, but a Blessingway is special because they are held to celebrate motherhood. Plus, it's a way to support and pamper the expectant mother. Check it out!

http://www.bellybelly.com.au/pregnancy/blessingway-what-is-a-blessingway#.U4ytuJRdVWQ

http://motherblessingway.wordpress.com/about/

Sarah and Stephanie, would this be something you would be interested in having before your babies are born? If so, I'd love to be the one to organize it for you. :) Love you!

Photos by Smiles by Stephanie

I got my hair cut a few days ago...what do you think?

Love you all!

Another Mormon Channel

This episode didn't look SUPER appealing to me. Listened to it today and LOVED it. Haha, they mentioned a book called Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. Leo and I have been reading it together and listening to some of his lessons. We've enjoyed it and think there are great principle to take from it. Anyway, the episode is great! There are 2 episodes of this one.

http://www.mormonchannel.org/gospel-solutions-for-families/77

The Mormon Channel - Radio

So I have been listening to The Mormon Channel for a few months now. I LOVE IT!! I love to listen to it while I am doing the dishes or cleaning or....just anytime really. There are different series and the one I have listened to the most is Gospel Solutions for Families. It has helped me gain better idea's on a ton of different things I would like in my life and with/in my family.

It also, has episodes for marriage, grandparents, scripture study within the home, family counsels, having sanity while raising young kids, how to help young adults in the home and a lot more. I have enjoyed it and thought I would share it with you all, cause I didn't know about it until someone mentioned it to me. Each episode is about 30 minute and there are usually 2 episodes per subject.

Here's just one that I enjoyed....they're ALL great!

http://www.mormonchannel.org/gospel-solutions-for-families/21

Love ya!

Hey everyone,

So a few years(?) ago Stephanie suggested a sight called "Dressing your Truth" to us and explained how it has helped her FEEL beautiful. Well about a month ago, I saw it again on facebook from one of my friends. Clicked the link and they were offering the online course for FREE to 100,000 women. I decided to do it. It goes into detail about different types of women (and men too, but this is geared more towards women) and how to dress for whichever type you truly are. I still am not positive of my type yet (i think i know though) she has books that she suggests reading too. 

Even if you're not struggling with feeling pretty, its interesting to see what she has to say. Towards the end of the online course it will obviously try to get you to join the site(?) and if you do please join under Stephanie, cause she's the one that introduced this to us all in the first place. I guess its just good to know a little more about the site, before just joining. I don't know if I will join, but its been fun. 

When I see other people or hear them say things that people may think that person is coming across rude, pushy, or impatient. Learning about these different types has helped me think...Okay, this person wasn't TRYING to be rude, they just may come across like that at times. NOT GIVING EXCUSES HERE! Sometimes people or we are rude and impatient and can change to be better. I don't know if that was even a good example.

HEY, I thought it was fun and still want to read the books (which I requested at the library, so you don't have to buy them!). Stephanie has loved it too. Try it out for FREE (That's why I did). It's more about KNOWING who you yourself really are and living true to that, then fashion. They just help women know what looks good on the different types once you know who you are. 

http://dressingyourtruth.com/ 

Please add anything Stephanie if you'd like too!

Hope you all enjoy!!!

Day-by-day kids holidays or observances

Well I have to say that this last weekend was a ton of fun! On behalf of Stephanie....I thought I would post some links for kids fun day-by-day calenders. I have one on my fridge that I got from a RS activity and thought it would be a lot of fun to 'observe' some of these days with my kids. Just something fun to do and keep them busy. There honestly wasn't a ton of sites with what I was looking for, but here are 2 that are most like mine. 

http://fun.familyeducation.com/calendar/holidays-and-seasonal-events/59741.html 

- this one is closest to mine, but is more geared toward education. Mine actually has days with food, or clean this day too. 

http://www.brownielocks.com/month2.html 

- This one looks fun as well. I didn't look to much at it though.

ENJOY!)