YES! vs. yes.

Yesterday I sent everyone to read this blog.

I did that because I loved, not only the quality of writing (which is so often missing in blogs), but also the simplicity of a great idea. How many hearts would stay unbroken if we taught our children that "no" means "no" but everything short of "YES!" means "no" too.

As a former abstinence educator I'm not a big fan of encouraging sexual activity among teens. Though I do believe that, in educating about relationships there is a need to address the difference between both parties being totally gung-ho vs. just allowing the activity (either through trying to please/keep a boyfriend or just to "get it over with").

I've wondered how many date rape situations happen just because two people aren't communicating on the same level. Even in marriage communication about sex isn't always (and in some marriages it's never) good.

What really hit me about this post was not the impact this idea would have on high school and college campuses, but the impact on marriages. How many wives would feel safer and more cherished if their husbands would wait for a "YES!" instead of "well, um, I guess we could do something"? And wives need to believe that only an enthusiastic "YES!" makes for a good sexual relationship. I think it could benefit both husbands and wives to strive for a sexual relationship where both people say, "YES!"

I promise to now go back to "mommy blogging"...

Other People's Blogs

I have several things on my heart these days to share. But I felt that I really, really wanted to share a blog post that I just read. So, I'm keeping today's post short and sweet so you have time to go read.

Blog Nosh just launched last week. You should check it out. Usually I stick with reading something for a while before I link here, but, well, I wanted to share.

This is the post that I want everyone to go read THIS. Come back and share what you think. I'll give my ideas and feed back tomorrow. See you back here.

Wordless Wednesday - Summertime

Pike Place Market

We currently have an intern staying with us for a few months. We wanted to show him some of the Seattle sights. So we started with Pike Place Market.

We went to the usual places. Can you guess this spot?


Give up? It's the original Starbucks (complete with street performers). If you guessed correctly, I am so impressed. You deserve a latte!


Then on to the market vendors. And of course, to the fish market to see them throw fish. It was a slow day and I didn't get any shots of flying fish. Bummer.


I don't know why I love this place so much. It's toward one end of Post Alley. The only thing this part has going for it is some serious Seattle character.


For example, there on the left. A wall of gum.



Who thinks to start a wall of chewing gum? How exactly does one start a trend like that? As disgusting as it is, it's still kinda cool looking too.

But this was better. Much, much better. We stopped at the french bakery for a little snack. The chocolate filled crescent. That one was mine. Mmmmm.