And I agree, it's SO GOOD!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Well, Grayson's Excited!
I just needed a picture to put on with the post for others like myself that are visual bloggers:) In case you were wondering, which I always do about fellow members of the Church, Justin and I have received callings in our new ward. Justin has been called to be Ward Missionary and I have been called to 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society. How do you like that? I was relieved not to be called into Nursery! I am afraid of the Nursery calling because I feel my children are CRAZY when I am there with them... however now I'm realizing all the meetings that go into RS, I might should've rethunk the Nursery idea... at least they have snacks!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
More than meets the eye!
Is it a trailer...
... or a craft room! How creative my friend Elizabeth is! She found this sweet little find for $300 and TOTALLY gutted the inside to make it her peaceful getaway/craft room (4 teenagers and the bishop's wife certainly needs a little piece of sanity).
I couldn't believe how clever this was, I HAD to blog it!
So there you have it. Just buy an old trailer and renovate it.
... or a craft room! How creative my friend Elizabeth is! She found this sweet little find for $300 and TOTALLY gutted the inside to make it her peaceful getaway/craft room (4 teenagers and the bishop's wife certainly needs a little piece of sanity).
I couldn't believe how clever this was, I HAD to blog it!
So there you have it. Just buy an old trailer and renovate it.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Yes on Prop 8!
Why is it that if you are against Prop 8 you are voting "YES"? In my isolated world of motherhood, when I don't agree with what my children are doing I tell them "NO". I don't say "YES, I think you should not do that." What's with that? I know that was intentional!!!
Following is quoted from "The Divine Institution of Marriage" from the Church newsroom:
The Church has a single, undeviating standard of sexual morality: intimate relations are proper only between a husband and a wife united in the bonds of matrimony.
Marriage is sacred, ordained of God from before the foundation of the world. After creating Adam and Eve, the Lord God pronounced them husband and wife, of which Adam said, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Jesus Christ cited Adam’s declaration when he affirmed the divine origins of the marriage covenant: “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.”
The Proclamation teaches, “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.” The account in Genesis of Adam and Eve being created and placed on earth emphasizes the creation of two distinct genders: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
Marriage between a man and a woman is central to the plan of salvation. The sacred nature of marriage is closely linked to the power of procreation. Only a man and a woman together have the natural biological capacity to conceive children. This power of procreation – to create life and bring God’s spirit children into the world – is sacred and precious. Misuse of this power undermines the institution of the family and thereby weakens the social fabric. Strong families serve as the fundamental institution for transmitting to future generations the moral strengths, traditions, and values that sustain civilization. As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms, “The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society.”
It is true that some couples who marry will not have children, either by choice or because of infertility, but the special status of marriage is nonetheless closely linked to the inherent powers and responsibilities of procreation, and to the inherent differences between the genders. Co-habitation under any guise or title is not a sufficient reason for defining new forms of marriage.
High rates of divorce and out-of-wedlock births have resulted in an exceptionally large number of single parents in American society. Many of these single parents have raised exemplary children; nevertheless, extensive studies have shown that in general a husband and wife united in a loving, committed marriage provide the optimal environment for children to be protected, nurtured, and raised. [6] This is not only because of the substantial personal resources that two parents can bring to bear on raising a child, but because of the differing strengths that a father and a mother, by virtue of their gender, bring to the task. As the prominent sociologist David Popenoe has said:
The burden of social science evidence supports the idea that gender differentiated parenting is important for human development and that the contribution of fathers to childrearing is unique and irreplaceable.
. . . The complementarity of male and female parenting styles is striking and of enormous importance to a child’s overall development. It is sometimes said that fathers express more concern for the child’s longer-term development, while mothers focus on the child’s immediate well-being (which, of course, in its own way has everything to do with a child’s long-term well-being). What is clear is that children have dual needs that must be met: one for independence and the other for relatedness, one for challenge and the other for support.
Vote YES if you don't agree with same-sex marriage!
Following is quoted from "The Divine Institution of Marriage" from the Church newsroom:
The Church has a single, undeviating standard of sexual morality: intimate relations are proper only between a husband and a wife united in the bonds of matrimony.
Marriage is sacred, ordained of God from before the foundation of the world. After creating Adam and Eve, the Lord God pronounced them husband and wife, of which Adam said, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Jesus Christ cited Adam’s declaration when he affirmed the divine origins of the marriage covenant: “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.”
The Proclamation teaches, “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.” The account in Genesis of Adam and Eve being created and placed on earth emphasizes the creation of two distinct genders: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
Marriage between a man and a woman is central to the plan of salvation. The sacred nature of marriage is closely linked to the power of procreation. Only a man and a woman together have the natural biological capacity to conceive children. This power of procreation – to create life and bring God’s spirit children into the world – is sacred and precious. Misuse of this power undermines the institution of the family and thereby weakens the social fabric. Strong families serve as the fundamental institution for transmitting to future generations the moral strengths, traditions, and values that sustain civilization. As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms, “The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society.”
It is true that some couples who marry will not have children, either by choice or because of infertility, but the special status of marriage is nonetheless closely linked to the inherent powers and responsibilities of procreation, and to the inherent differences between the genders. Co-habitation under any guise or title is not a sufficient reason for defining new forms of marriage.
High rates of divorce and out-of-wedlock births have resulted in an exceptionally large number of single parents in American society. Many of these single parents have raised exemplary children; nevertheless, extensive studies have shown that in general a husband and wife united in a loving, committed marriage provide the optimal environment for children to be protected, nurtured, and raised. [6] This is not only because of the substantial personal resources that two parents can bring to bear on raising a child, but because of the differing strengths that a father and a mother, by virtue of their gender, bring to the task. As the prominent sociologist David Popenoe has said:
The burden of social science evidence supports the idea that gender differentiated parenting is important for human development and that the contribution of fathers to childrearing is unique and irreplaceable.
. . . The complementarity of male and female parenting styles is striking and of enormous importance to a child’s overall development. It is sometimes said that fathers express more concern for the child’s longer-term development, while mothers focus on the child’s immediate well-being (which, of course, in its own way has everything to do with a child’s long-term well-being). What is clear is that children have dual needs that must be met: one for independence and the other for relatedness, one for challenge and the other for support.
Vote YES if you don't agree with same-sex marriage!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Opposing Gay Marriage Take 2
This sweet face says it all:) I had no idea I would have such heated comments on my blog! To be honest it's kind of exciting, now. To my new best friend Tom... thanks for the comments (no sarcasm). I almost feel like un-deleting the first one.
I am thankful because the Lord knew, as he heard me say a few times, "oh gosh the gay marriage is going to pass anyway. I don't feel like fighting a losing battle. I like to be on the winning team, but I'm not FOR gay marriage. I'll just sit this one out!"
Then I read my cousin's blog, thanks Krista, and thought I could easily copy and paste the article and that would be my contribution... and along came Tom:) Sweet Tom thanks for pushing me up on my feet. I love my friends that are homosexual, but don't think they should marry. That's all I have to say about that. Here's what Church leaders have to say and I agree.
Dallin Oaks:
"Tolerance obviously requires a non-contentious manner of relating toward one another’s differences. But tolerance does not require abandoning one’s standards or one’s opinions on political or public policy choices. Tolerance is a way of reacting to diversity, not a command to insulate it from examination."
Church article (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in case there was any question):
"When a man and a woman marry with the intention of forming a new family, their success in that endeavor depends on their willingness to renounce the single-minded pursuit of self-fulfillment and to sacrifice their time and means to the nurturing and rearing of their children. Marriage is fundamentally an unselfish act: legally protected because only a male and female together can create new life, and because the rearing of children requires a life-long commitment, which marriage is intended to provide. Societal recognition of same-sex marriage cannot be justified simply on the grounds that it provides self-fulfillment to its partners, for it is not the purpose of government to provide legal protection to every possible way in which individuals may pursue fulfillment. By definition, all same-sex unions are infertile, and two individuals of the same gender, whatever their affections, can never form a marriage devoted to raising their own mutual offspring."
For the full article see click right here!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Yes on Prop 8
Six Consequences If Proposition 8 Fails
1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay.
The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890)
Therefore, if the definition of marriage is changed, children will be taught that marriage is a relation between any two adults. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.
2. Churches will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are open to the public. Ask whether your pastor, priest, minister, bishop, or rabbi is ready to perform such marriages in your chapels and sanctuaries.
3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston has already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.
4. Religions that sponsor private schools and which provide housing for married students will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine, or lose tax exemptions and benefits.
5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage.
6. It will cost you money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today’s activist judges), think of the money – your money, your church contributions – that will have to be spent on legal fees.
And think of all the unintended consequences that we cannot even foresee at this time. Where will it end?
It’s your children, your grandchildren, your money, and your liberties.
Lets work together to protect them.
I believe this was written by Elder Larry Lawrence. Please help get the word out. Copy and paste this info and post it on your blog and/or email it to your contacts.
1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay.
The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890)
Therefore, if the definition of marriage is changed, children will be taught that marriage is a relation between any two adults. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.
2. Churches will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are open to the public. Ask whether your pastor, priest, minister, bishop, or rabbi is ready to perform such marriages in your chapels and sanctuaries.
3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston has already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.
4. Religions that sponsor private schools and which provide housing for married students will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine, or lose tax exemptions and benefits.
5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage.
6. It will cost you money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today’s activist judges), think of the money – your money, your church contributions – that will have to be spent on legal fees.
And think of all the unintended consequences that we cannot even foresee at this time. Where will it end?
It’s your children, your grandchildren, your money, and your liberties.
Lets work together to protect them.
I believe this was written by Elder Larry Lawrence. Please help get the word out. Copy and paste this info and post it on your blog and/or email it to your contacts.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
That's one big pile of...
dirt! I know what you were thinking Khristie:) We have a 6 ft pile of dirt in our back yard, don't know why, but the kids LOVE it!
2 hours of fun. Good times, good times.
2 hours of fun. Good times, good times.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Cutest Boy on the Block
I mean really... look at how sweet this little face is!
And he can grow a 5 'o clock shadow. Not to bad for 9 months old eh?
I can already see the mischievousness blossoming!
And he can grow a 5 'o clock shadow. Not to bad for 9 months old eh?
I can already see the mischievousness blossoming!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Kennedy's Parents
Sometimes we sing songs before going to sleep and by we I mean Kennedy, MacKenzie and I. As we were singing "I Am a Child of God" I asked Kennedy who her parents were. She thought about it for a minute and replied, "Kristin and Joel". Hmmm... I see where Justin and I stand. I should frame this picture and put in on her wall:)
They have a bunny too! The girls LOVE Herietta.
Grayson doesn't have a clue. He just wants his bottle.
They have a bunny too! The girls LOVE Herietta.
Grayson doesn't have a clue. He just wants his bottle.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Ummm..
I think I'll settle with just taking pictures! As you see here we have rented scaffolding to paint the front room. I climbed to the first flat, 6 feet off the ground, and almost passed out! I am totally afraid of heights. I was so excited thinking I could help paint up to the top. Not a chance. On the other hand Justin is afraid of nothing. He finally yanked down that light fixture too:)
And here you see my amazing friend Mary! She climbed straight up to the top with no hesitation and told me to hand her some paint and a brush and off she went. I owe her BIG time! She cut in 98% of that room without complaining once.
I would love to show a completed project around here, but that's not happening. I just don't have any completed rooms. As I was feeling a little distressed about that, my new friend Abigail pointed out my little distractions ages 3, 2 and 9 months. That made me feel like not such a slacker. One day, a lot later, we might have something finished, but for now... we've got a long list of almost finished:)
And here you see my amazing friend Mary! She climbed straight up to the top with no hesitation and told me to hand her some paint and a brush and off she went. I owe her BIG time! She cut in 98% of that room without complaining once.
I would love to show a completed project around here, but that's not happening. I just don't have any completed rooms. As I was feeling a little distressed about that, my new friend Abigail pointed out my little distractions ages 3, 2 and 9 months. That made me feel like not such a slacker. One day, a lot later, we might have something finished, but for now... we've got a long list of almost finished:)
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Apollos the Wonder Dog
He can be a bumble bee.
He can be Minnie Mouse!
We had no idea our dog pound find was so versatile!
He can be Minnie Mouse!
We had no idea our dog pound find was so versatile!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Horny Toad
The sweet little horny toad was set free today. Much to the delight of myself. Kennedy was sad to let him (or her) go, but agreed that he needed to go see his family. So long horny toad. Justin will try to find you again soon.
Aunt Phyllis & cousins
This is Grayson's Great Aunt Phyllis. She called yesterday to see if she could stop by on her way through town... of course! Phyllis is Justin's aunt that makes amazing quilts. Last time we saw her Grayson was still in my tummy, so after hearing about how CUTE he is she had to come by and see for herself.
Alex and Amber are cousins. Each time I see Amber she is more beautiful and this time I couldn't believe how much Alex had grown! I remember when he was just 8 years old and now he's twice as tall (imagine that with Pollock genes) and NOT a little boy anymore. It was a quick visit, but a fun one. Thanks for coming by Phyllis, Amber and Alex!
Alex and Amber are cousins. Each time I see Amber she is more beautiful and this time I couldn't believe how much Alex had grown! I remember when he was just 8 years old and now he's twice as tall (imagine that with Pollock genes) and NOT a little boy anymore. It was a quick visit, but a fun one. Thanks for coming by Phyllis, Amber and Alex!
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Makin' Lunch
Lately the children are watching themselves as we paint and put flooring in. My self reliant children are learning to make their own food... kind of:) Justin and I came in the kitchen to see the girls hard at work with their late afternoon snack. Note the egg shells in the trash, right where they belong. Good job MacKenzie!
But the yoke... in the BRAND NEW tub of peanut butter! Come on Kennedy! Khristie, my sister, jokes that our children are learning each they make a mess to turn and say cheese as we are soon behind with a camera. Oh it's so true. I was so sad about my new peanut butter, but HAD to take a pic!
However, that does not top what you see here. I still am baffled at the apparent brain damage. The picture is not so great, but Kennedy has put my new sponge inside the apple juice and chased it with a few long squeezes of dish soap! I started yelling at Kennedy and yet couldn't help from laughing!!! We did send her to her room after this. I wish I could put a hidden camera inside my refrigerator...
But the yoke... in the BRAND NEW tub of peanut butter! Come on Kennedy! Khristie, my sister, jokes that our children are learning each they make a mess to turn and say cheese as we are soon behind with a camera. Oh it's so true. I was so sad about my new peanut butter, but HAD to take a pic!
However, that does not top what you see here. I still am baffled at the apparent brain damage. The picture is not so great, but Kennedy has put my new sponge inside the apple juice and chased it with a few long squeezes of dish soap! I started yelling at Kennedy and yet couldn't help from laughing!!! We did send her to her room after this. I wish I could put a hidden camera inside my refrigerator...
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Memories...
Memory Game Rules...
1. Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together
(it doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, just anything that you remember).
2. Re-post these instructions on your blog. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.
Let the games begin!
1. Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together
(it doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, just anything that you remember).
2. Re-post these instructions on your blog. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.
Let the games begin!
Moving
Alright we moved! And what a chore! My fantasy world of moving into our first home was similar to the fantasy of having children. In dreamland babies don't cry, poop or burp up on every piece of clothing you own. Same thing with home ownership... putting in flooring, painting and contact paper laying are not interrupted by small details like, "where's the soap?" "who packed the whipies?" "do we have ANY clean clothes?" "bottles! Grayson needs a bottle, where are they?"
On the other side look at our new floor going in!
Justin, Joel and Manuel got that floor in there! It looks SO nice. My mom and Manuel came through on their way from AZ and we TOTALLY appreciated all their help! Manuel helped with the floor and the laundry hookups. My mom unpacked and cleaned!
Justin had to eventually set up the table saw as the pool chairs didn't quite cut it:)
Look how pretty! It didn't go in SUPER fast, but it wasn't that slow either. Easy or hard... I don't know I didn't do it, but Justin doesn't seem to have a problem doing to hall tomorrow. Tools we needed; table saw, glue for the last piece and trims. Not so hard.
Here's Mom and Manuel probably making mental notes not to stay over night next trip:) I think the flooring lasted until 11:30pm. Then they brought their own sleeping accessories and slept on the floor! What troopers! Thanks SO much Mom and Manuel!
This is Kristen (married to Joel) She is pregnant AND came over with a bag of cleaning supplies to clean the kids bathroom! How did we luck out to find such amazing friends! We feel so blessed! Thanks Kristen and Joel!
On the other side look at our new floor going in!
Justin, Joel and Manuel got that floor in there! It looks SO nice. My mom and Manuel came through on their way from AZ and we TOTALLY appreciated all their help! Manuel helped with the floor and the laundry hookups. My mom unpacked and cleaned!
Justin had to eventually set up the table saw as the pool chairs didn't quite cut it:)
Look how pretty! It didn't go in SUPER fast, but it wasn't that slow either. Easy or hard... I don't know I didn't do it, but Justin doesn't seem to have a problem doing to hall tomorrow. Tools we needed; table saw, glue for the last piece and trims. Not so hard.
Here's Mom and Manuel probably making mental notes not to stay over night next trip:) I think the flooring lasted until 11:30pm. Then they brought their own sleeping accessories and slept on the floor! What troopers! Thanks SO much Mom and Manuel!
This is Kristen (married to Joel) She is pregnant AND came over with a bag of cleaning supplies to clean the kids bathroom! How did we luck out to find such amazing friends! We feel so blessed! Thanks Kristen and Joel!
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