The search is on!

Julio has been looking for the perfect attorney position. It doesn't seem to exist here in Sacramento. Without experience as an attorney, it's hard to get in. He had an interview today at a bankruptcy firm and they said they start at $3000 (yes, you read that correctly) a month plus $50 for each new client you sign on. Um, I don't think so! We will continue to pray for the right job and I will pray for more patience.
In addition, another thing I learned about Julio's childhood-he would syphon gas through a hose from one of his parents' cars to put into the other car. This was when he was like 7 years old. He said, "It was fun! Don't all kids do that?" (the camera adds 10 lbs. btw)

It's Over!

Yes, I voted for Nader twice! But at least Bush's time in office is comming to an end, his last full day on MLK Day. Did you know that Obama is being sworn in on MLK's 80th Birthday? Let's hope all goes well.

Thinking back...

So, today Julio came home from work and said, "I feel my life is going to change soon" (he has a job interview this week)and it got me to thinking. I thought about how much my life has changed in the past six or seven years. I was talking to my friend Camille today and it made me think about our single years in LA (we were in the same singles ward and lived in the same building). The single life down in LA was so eventful-we would go out to dinner every weekend, go shopping on the Santa Monica Promenade, have picnics on Malibu Beach, go to concerts at the Hollywood Bowl, we traveled, we hung out with "Industry People" (I dated a guy who is in Napoleon Dynamite), go to parties in Bel Air. Seven years ago, Camille and I and some other friends went to Washington DC for a week. Eight years ago, a friend and I went to Europe. Our lives were so glamorous then and we did a lot of fun things, but I was so lonely. I wouldn't go back to that time for anything.It seems like not that long ago, but so much has happenned since then! I love my life now with my husband and children. As challenging and unglamorous as it is, it isn't ever dull and I feel so much love in my life that I didn't have back then. I'm so grateful for all the experiences I've had in my life and what they have taught me. Being single all that time helped me to appreciate my family more and I love them so much!

Sylvie sucking her thumb

Should I be concerned?

When I see Marco in an outfit like this and ask him, "What have you got on?" He reassures me, "I'm a boy Mommy, I'm a boy."

This is incredible!

The Sale of Children's Books to be Banned
By Heather Idoni
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Oh, how I wish this were a joke! But it is a grim and looming, almost Orwellian, reality.

Effective February 10th, in the United States, the sale of all children's books (books intended for children ages 12 and under) is to be PROHIBITED. Every single book printed prior to the ruling is affected, whether new or used. New books in production are required to include a "lead-free" certification and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale.

What does this mean to your family?

Well, for one, curriculum fairs across the country will be cancelled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to comply with the new ruling. Complete book inventories will have to be destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books! Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have to close their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army.

Clothing, toys and books -- even CDs and DVDs are included in the ruling. Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or process anything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child.

No more library sales. Libraries will not be permitted to give away or sell book donations. It is unsure yet, however, how the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the ruling doesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or giving them away). The key word, however, is "distribution" -- libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.

(The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA has since made a statement that clothing, books and media are included in "children's toys".)

Just how serious is this new law?

Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply. No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to compliance. And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manufacturing stage. At the time of this article there is no clause to be able to grandfather- in older books or even rare out-of-print books. It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead.

I happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living books from the 1950s and '60s. My punishment for selling a book after February 10th? Up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail. And yes, it is a felony charge. For selling a SINGLE book.

(Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become a reality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantly violating Federal law.)

So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore that sells children's books? Or that homeschool curriculum business? Or your EBay business selling children's items?

ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines:

1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at 888-531-9070. http://www.cpsc. gov/cgibin/ newleg.aspx

Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30, 2009. Or email: Sec102ComponentPart sTesting@ cpsc.gov

2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact information, just enter your zip code.
http://capwiz. com/americanappa rel/dbq/official s/

3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3 in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.
http://change. org/ideas/ view/save_ handmade_ toys_from_ the_cpsia

4) Sign the petition.
http://ipetitions. com/petition/ economicimpactso fCPSIA/index. html

5) Spread the word! Forward this article. Send an email. Write about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and encourage them to do the same.

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For the complete story, read the following links:

http://www.cpsc. gov/about/ cpsia/cpsia. html

Consumer Product Safety Commission Summaries on Legislation Index page for Children's Products Containing Lead; Lead Paint Rule and other rulings

http://www.cpsc. gov/about/ cpsia/legislatio n.html#summaries

Office of the General Counsel FAQ on retroactive inventory requirements -- The use of forward effective dates appears to force current inventories to adhere to the ruling on February 10th, 2009

http://www.cpsc. gov/about/ cpsia/summaries/ 101brief. html

Specific FAQ on their interpretation of books and other media to be included in the testing of lead based products

http://www.cpsc. gov/about/ cpsia/faq/ 101faq.html

Effective Date: Lead content limit of 600 ppm becomes effective 180 days after enactment. An advisory opinion regarding the application of the new lead limit to inventory existing at the effective date
can be found on our web site at http://www.cpsc. gov/library/ foia/advisory/ 317.pdf

Getting the Lead out: There is no lead in children's books
http://news. bookweb.org/ news/5695. html

There is no lead in Children's books: From a Pediatrician
http://health. yahoo.com/ experts/childhea lth/3955/ is-there- lead-in-baby- books/

Sickies

So, I've been holed up all week with sick kids. It sucks! It can be quite depressing and exhausting. It seems like we've been sick a lot this winter. We're sick of being sick. Marco is dying to go out and play but it's been way too cold. Anyway, this picture was taken today. Do these kids look sick? Looks can fool you.