Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Another update (this one is a bit jumbled...but it will "almost" catch me up)

Election morning, bright and early, before school we went and held signs to give one last push to the voters about the importance of marriage. Well, Garin came away unscathed (no tardy)-Shelby wasn't so lucky (See the stamp on her hand-we called it a badge of honor, or maybe it was just the rain that made us late. I think we could have made it if the road hadn't of been wet). Maybe she should have told the teacher she was late because of the rain and not that she was holding signs to urge voters to vote for Prop 8? (Not my girl-tell it like it is and then do your book report on Emma Smith too!) :-)
Some cupcakes I made for a friends birthday. Dark chocolate cupcakes with nutella filling. I LOVE nutella.




Starlee received an award at school. This is her face when they called her name. Not exactly thrilled, huh? It was more of a "What-you don't really think I am going up there, do you?" face. So...we waited for her to get up.

Luckily she has a VERY sweet teacher who offered to go up with her and made Starlee's day. Because it isn't that she is against recognition-just recognition by herself!

And here is Starlee and her teacher. Starlee just adores her!

This is the savory bread that I made for something...is it horrible that I can't remember what for the life of me? Anybody remember?

Jocelyn, Trevor, Violet, and Lucas came for a visit. This toy has been with us for ages (thank you Jaleen-you have hit longest lasting toy with this one). It has been left outside, cleaned, dropped from second stories and it continues on. Violet loves it-so we will keep it around for awhile! ;-) (of course my kids dig it too, so that helps!)

And for the ender of enders here is Uncle Garth playing with Lucas. I love the hat, personally, you?

Thursday, December 04, 2008

I haven't posted in awhile...

so I am going to try and catch up a bit. My sisters and I (down here) are going to try and get together once/month. So, on Nov. 1 we headed to a park in Rancho Bernardo. Garth had the camera most of the time (except when I had to grab a picture of my handsome guy)...so I will try and do a quick description of the pictures for those that care! ;-)
You need my picture why? Everyone knows I was there if I blog about it!
I loved seeing my nephew Jon just running around after the ball-future soccer player for sure!

And Brady will be following suit soon after! :-)


Starlee LOVES Brady because she can "mother" him-here she is doing just that!



Trev climbing-I have great climbers!

Dad, is a picture really necessary?

Mom, you wish you could do this!

Jaleen hanging out watching the nieces and nephews
Jon loved the bubbles!

And Jocelyn took a second to smile for me-thanks! (not that she wasn't already smiling)

Picture not necessary Aunt Janelle!

Please take more pictures of my Aunt Nell!

Garth playing a little soccer with Jon & Brady.
I think he is a fun uncle even if he was a gimp for a bit! ;-)
I think he enjoys it more and more every year!

And Garth LOVES to joke around and tickle the "young-uns."
Jocelyn hanging with Jared for a second.

And Ry blowing bubbles...

Starlee hugs-especially from Mom & Dad!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Utah Baby Guide Cutest Baby Contest


My nephew, Weston, is a finalist in the Utah Baby Guide's Cutest Baby Contest! So, if any of you readers could please send an email to the address listed below with your vote for #3-I would really appreciate it!


It's simple to vote for the cutest baby contest. Just send* an email to cutestbaby@utahbabyguide.com by November 30th with the numbers of the entries you want to vote for in the email subject line. There are three age categories, 0-9 months, 9-18 months, and 18-36 months, and you can pick one entry per category. So please vote and tell all of your friends to vote too.
The winners of each age category will be announced in the December 2008 issue of the Utah Baby Guide.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Shhh...


I have a secret. I stayed in bed until 10 am and I loved it! (I love no school days!)
Oh-I didn't say I "slept in" until 10. It was even better than that. I woke up with Garth, we had prayer, spent a little time together, he went to work and I read, then I slept for a little bit, woke up and read some more. A wonderful, relaxing lazy morning-now on to the work. :-)
I always feel a little guilty about mornings like this-even though they are SO rare, why is that?

Saturday, November 08, 2008

Ode to Dust...



Dust you are and Dust you will be

Dust in every spot I see

Dust makes my head want to bust

Oh, for the love, get rid of the dust!

I think dust may be the bane of my existence. I am allergic to it like no other. My head starts pounding, my throat constricts, my nose gets stuffy & runs (how is that-shouldn't that be impossible?), and I get CRAN-KY.

So, when you are having cabinets installed in your office which requires electrical to be moved, drywall to be repaired, a floor to be layed, and misc. other items-dust is a given. And so is my misery.

Today I am ready to throw in the towel, snuggle up in bed, shut the door, and save my family the misery of being around me. Instead, the kids and I have been trying to eradicate our "beloved" dust. We have swept (not so great for me), mopped, mopped again, and are currently dusting. Heaven help me-it is in every nook and cranny.

Heaven doesn't need to help Swiffer-they are financially doing quite well off of my malady! ;-)

Monday, November 03, 2008

*Honestly-I just liked this. No particular reason-I know it isn't your normal patriotic tune, but don't miss the God Bless America at the end. That is exactly what I will be praying for tomorrow!

Really!!!...

Garth and I don't watch SNL too much...partially because it is so late and partially because it is so liberal. But, I came across this on Welcome to my Soapbox and thought it was too funny not to post...just watch until the last segment entitled "Really!!!." I laughed-hopefully you will too!

PS Yes on 8!!

Friday, October 31, 2008

Eman the Chef

I don't know if anyone remembers, but one of E's favorite shows was Emeril. He LOVED Emeril and would talk about him A LOT. Well, he has amazing Den Leaders for Cub Scouts. This week they took the Cubs to the store where they purchased all of the items to make dinner for their family. Ethan chose French Bread pizza (don't you wish you were here Bud?), salad, and brownies (which they made at Cubs) for dessert. He made dinner (a little knife help from Mom and the teeniest amount of help with the can opener, etc. from Dad), set the table, cleaned up, and did the dishes. I think I might be out of a job! ;-)
The happy Chef...
The main course

A happy family.
I must say I was so impressed with the preparation by his leaders. My new calling is Pack Committee Chair (with RS instructor) and I couldn't be more thrilled to be working with them and in the Cub Scout program. I heart Cub Scouts for the leadership skills it teaches our boys-evidenced by a meal made for 8 above! :-)
Go E!



And the Halloween package gets opened...

And the package from Mama & Papa is brough out...anticipation is in the air...
The front of the card

Inside the card (we have to show the card because it is so cool!)


A happy girl (Notice the name tag on the bag matches the card-this is the case with every package!! Is it any wonder that the moment a box comes ALL of us can't wait to see what is inside?)



And this sums up the excitement of all-thanks for an awesome package!! :-)

Yes on 8 on Monday...











Our family took part in a demonstration Monday late afternoon/evening where all the members from our building (3 wards) lined one of the main roads here in Temecula (the other 2 buildings lined 2 other roads). It was such a wonderful experience for us as a family. It helped that we had a lot of positive responses, but just to teach your children that you should stand for what you believe has been an empowering experience period. Of course our local newspaper put a picture of the HUNDREDS of people lining the street with an article about 1 (yep, 1) dozen students that stayed home from school for a sitout protesting the CTA donation. Give me a break-the picture of us lining the street AFTER school hours with that article was TOTALLY misleading-that's journalism for you! ;-) Anyway, we didn't really appreciate the people that gave us the finger (especially with all of the young kids around-I guess no on 8 doesn't believe in any kind of decorum or protecting our kids from anything vulgur, now do they?) and the people that gave us the thumbs down I could at least respect the fact that they weren't flipping off our 3 year old!
Back to the fact that it was a great experience for us. I love the activism feel-the high from know you are supporting something true and right! These pictures aren't the best-and why we didn't get a family picture like Rachel I have no idea. I really need to get better at this...
PS We all took a turn with the signs that we had-and those not holding a sign at the moment just waved. Very peaceful, very powerful, very unifying!




Garin's Birthday...

So, the Gman turned 13! And...his lame Mom barely took any pictures! (Who is she anyway?) The day started off with school, a ride home, and then a trip to Best Buy for a new Civilaztion game, McDonald's for dinner (yes, I know-yuck!), and white cupcakes with chocolate frosting for dessert! While we were carving pumpkins last night this is who came to our door-a bunch of adorable girls to sing Happy Birthday to our teenager!
Here is Garin with the best part of the day...

And just the girls right after the singing...(like the Yes on 8 sign in the background?)

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Monday, October 27, 2008

Today I feel so lucky...

I also forgot to mention I helped in Ry's preschool class last week. I had a lot of fun and I can't help but just adore this kid! He makes my days! :-)

Notice anything different? Or missing? (no, I don't mean their shirts or lack of muscles)
I have had one of those morning where reminiscing about your blessings just comes with the territory. I read this that made me think about my sisters (& brothers) and all that they have done for me and my family making me feel so loved. With 6 kids in a fairly short amount of time, a very busted foot, and various other happenings-help was needed and help was given. Be it through service in our home, watching the kids overnight (including movie nights...), or just coming over and holding the baby while I took a nap-we have been oh, so very lucky. And today I am really feeling it.

I read this and thought about Garth. How I was lucky enough to wake up with him this morning. How I just gave him a kiss and breathed in that smell of his that makes me feel all warm inside. How he let me just touch his face reminding myself that he is here and that I am a very lucky girl right this very moment...I have him close to me (very close right now), I have him forever, and he loves me. Does it really get any better than that?

And then Garth brought in boxes and boxes...our family loves us! My Mom sent the kids a Halloween package (a much loved tradition), Garin's gift came as well from Mama & Papa (he is dying to open it), Dad Isom sent Garth a shirt (Garth was just as giddy (sp?) as Garin for the record-I think I may have to start sending him packages occasionally!), and Ry's monkey costume came!
I am so grateful for my family, my friends, and my faith. It sure helps when the days are tough to think of days like today. Hopefully this afternoon will go just as well. As a family we have talked about Proposition 8 and what it means (on the different levels of understanding in the house). Today we will be lining Temecula Parkway (on the sidewalk) with other supporters of this Proposition in support of families. Will it be a little uncomfortable? Probably. Do I hope and pray the kids are more than obedient and well behaved? Yep. Do I hope it passes? With every fiber in my being. I worry so much about what will happen to the moral fabric of our society if it doesn't, but enough on that for now...we are headed off soon. Wish us luck (I am sure a few insults will be coming our way...freedom of speech is only a luxury for the other side)! ;-)

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Isn't this great?

My sister in law posted this on her blog and I thought it was terrific! We know a lot of people that have had signs stolen out of their yards!

I am in love...

right now with Garth (total given) and the little guy in the back. He brings me so much joy! :-)

Monday, October 20, 2008

Saturday, October 18, 2008

More on Prop 8...please read


Hi Neighbor, Friends, Fellow Bloggers, and Visitors to this blog in general….Please read this important information about Proposition 8!
On November 4th, YOU will have the opportunity to vote, once again, on the definition of marriage. The deeper I have studied Proposition 8, the more I realize the lasting effects it will have on our families, our societies and our nation. This is why I would like to share five reasons why I AM VOTING YES ON PROPOSITION 8:


1. TO PROTECT MY CHILDREN AND MY PARENTAL RIGHTS - If proposition 8 does not pass, children in public schools will be taught that traditional marriage and homosexual marriage are equal and that marriage is simply between any two adults regardless of gender. Teachers will no longer be able to use the term “Mother and Father” when discussing families. In health and sex education, they will be taught how sexual relationships function between partners. In Massachusetts where same-sex marriage has been legalized, parents are not even allowed to opt their kids out in elementary school when being taught same-sex marriage and lifestyle issues. PARENTS' RIGHTS ARE LOST. Whether you agree or not, parents should have the right to raise their own children according to their own beliefs. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs. Please check out the following link: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/?pageId=77373.

2. TO PROTECT MY FREEDOM OF RELIGION – If Proposition 8 does not pass, religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children in accordance with their religious beliefs. Catholic Charities in Boston already closed their doors in Massachusetts because courts legalized same-sex marriage there. They were being pressured by the same sex marriage law to grant adoption to same sex couples. It went against their beliefs and their freedom of religion and therefore discontinued their adoption services. Also, the California Supreme Court ruled that fertility doctors and clinics may not refuse treatment to homosexuals based on religious objections. The decision declared that it violates the state's anti-discrimination laws to deny fertility treatment to homosexuals simply because the doctor is Christian. An actual case right here in Southern California involves two lesbians in Oceanside who sought insemination at a local fertility clinic. During their initial meeting with doctors, they were told that the clinic would not be able to assist them. Instead, they were referred to other doctors whose conscience would not be violated by inseminating a homosexual couple. The couple was able to receive treatment from another doctor and gave birth to a child as a result. Despite their successful pregnancy under the care of another doctor, the couple retaliated by suing the Christian doctors, citing California's anti-discrimination laws. The doctors lost. The issue is that our religious and moral beliefs will be stamped out because of this law.

3. TO PROTECT MY FREEDOM OF SPEECH – If Proposition 8 doesn’t pass, minister’s, or any of us for that matter, who preach or speak out against same-sex marriages may be sued for hate speech and risk government fines. It already happened in Canada, a country that legalized gay marriage. A recent California court held that municipal employees may not say: “traditional marriage,” or “family values” because, after the same-sex marriage case, it is considered “hate speech.”

4. TO PROTECT MY TAX DOLLARS - If Proposition 8 doesn’t pass, it will cost ALL of us money. Tax exemption status could be changed for religious groups and charities who do not want to ‘uphold the law’. This change in the definition of marriage will also bring a cascade of changing governmental forms and procedures, school books and curriculum changes, an increase in lawsuits, and changes in the workplace. Think of your hard earned money that will be spent on such legal battles.

5. TO REDEFINE MARRIAGE BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN - Some will try to tell you that Yes on Proposition 8 takes away legal rights of gay domestic partnerships. THAT IS FALSE! YES on Proposition 8 DOES NOT take away ANY of those rights and DOES NOT interfere with homosexuals living the lifestyle they choose. Their rights to have civil unions and live together and have tax breaks, etc. WILL NOT change. Under California law, “domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections, and benefits” as married spouses. Their union is just not called “marriage.” YES on Proposition 8 is NOT an attack against those who have same gender attraction. It’s about standing up for our own moral beliefs, our freedom of religion, and freedom of speech that this great Nation offers each of us. While homosexuals have the right to their private lives, they do not have the right to redefine marriage for everyone else.


On November 4TH, Please join me in Voting YES ON Proposition 8 which will….

· RESTORE the definition of marriage that was approved in 2000 by over 61% of voters “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”
· Overturn the decision of four activist judges, sending a message to these judges that they can’t take it upon themselves to change the voice of the people!
· Protect our children, our freedom of religion and our freedom of speech.
· Settle it once and for all! Think of all the unintended consequences that we cannot even foresee at this time. Where will it end? What will be next? Who will want to marry who going forward?

For more information about
YES ON PROPOSITION 8
Please go to the following websites:

http://iprotectmarriage.com/http://www.protectmarriage.com/http://www.protectmarriage.com//


(composed by Ginger Langston and covers what we feel perfectly!)

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Overheard Last Night...

Garth told Trevon he needed to go to bed and check for cracks in his eyelids.
(We here the bathroom door closing)
Trev comes out, "Dad, just checked-there aren't any. So, I can stay up.)

Jog-a-thon fun!

This last Friday was the Tony Tobin Jog-a-thon (donations still welcome). I am Starlee's Room Mom, so I brought a handsome helper to help me out for the day. Starlee's class ran at the same time as E's-so that was nice. I managed to get in a few laps with both of them. Garth was marking laps on the kids backs (they had stickers)-and I must say he did a mighty fine job! (He is also a great orange slice giver-outer in case anyone is in need of one!) ;-) I took tons of pictures, but here are a few of us and the kids (we went back later to cheer Trev on)!
E & Dad-pals forever. My mini-me, although I don't remember being such a ham!
(don't you just love the hair? It was SUPER windy...very nice weather!!)
Okay, I just liked the picture! The day was a lot of fun and so well put together!
(Thanks Chessa!)
My man Trev!
High five-he completed 41 laps!!
She really is a princess!
Starlee having a lap marked!