And She's OFF!

Today Emily decided she was going to take off walking. She has been cruising and taking about 3 steps at a time for 4-6 weeks, but today she just decided to walk across the room. What a brave girl! Here is a little video we thought you would all enjoy

Lots of other exciting things have taken place this month too. Porter turned six-to my surprise. I can't believe he was only one when we moved here. In the craze of life he has grown, and we stopped to celebrate his birthday. We had a robot party for him, and I am proud to say, he loved it. Tyler brought all of these cool lugs,nuts,bolts and wires( that were scrap from his work) and the kids built their own robots. Everybody had such creative designs.

One other fun thing to share-Marshal was a shepherd on his cub scout troops float. I loved the crisp cold air the day of the parade. We actually got red cheeks and wore coats and gloves. I miss the cold air! Of course since the parade we have been in light jackets and sweaters.

PURGE Prop 8

I have a huge need to purge feelings about proposition 8 so I can move on with my life and since talking with others seems to intensify the feelings rather than helping me move on I've decided to blog a little about my 2 week obsession.

Admissions-
I have read every article written on prop 8 on the latimes,deseret news, lds.org,and on mormontimes.com.
I have read way to many blogposts on the above listed sights
I have felt outrage,surprise,fierce loyalty,sadness, among many other emotions

Certainly I should be sick of the topic if nothing else, but I find myself still pivoted to it. So I ask myself the question WHY?

I think that deep down I feel that this is a hugely pivotal issue in our day and time. I am outraged at the treatment of our brothers and sisters in the gospel across the nation and I am saddened at the members of our own faith who have been blinded by the sophistry of men on this issue. I cherish my faith and testimony above all and the thought that all religious liberties could be in such jeopardy is disheartening. The knowledge that absolute acceptance of the gay lesbian lifestyle in states like Massachusetts and CT has let to radical changes in the education curriculum and parental notification responsibilties is frightening. But perhaps the most alarming signal of how an adoption of genderless marriage could effect religion in america is found in European countries that have already adopted it. Ministers preaching against the gay/lesbian lifestyle have faced imprisonment.


So where to go from here?

I have come to the point of overload and have decided that I have to let go of all of this "information" thus the blog.

I want to express a huge debt of gratitude to all those in CA who worked tirelessly to defend the sanctity of marriage as God wants it. and to those in AZ and FL who also adopted such defense as well.

I am proud to be a Mormon. Proud that our Prophet and First Presidency stand firm for what is right in Gods eyes. I am so heartened by the numerous churches that have stood firm in defending marriage and understand the deep significance of this issue.

I have a testimony of the Proclamation of the Family and know that it was divinely inspired. I know that God knows the consequences on us as individuals, and on our society, if marriage is not protected. I also know and that we will be led through what ever storms will rage as we move forward. So I am now going to excercise faith and hope and move on with my life.

An Election,Halloween,and Puppies

So much has happened since I last blogged. An election, two new puppies, Halloween and lots of thoughts about both. I'll spare you all my election analysis since it is over and we have moved on. I feel optimistic about our new president and am hopeful that he will be a good president. I didn't vote for him, but I am hopeful. I am very happy proposition 8 passed in California and feel grateful to all the people of California who decided to protect marriage-despite personal persecution etc.

As for the puppies- they have been so easy. The boys love them and do practically everything for them. Including clean up and take them out in the mornings. They are the cutest little pups and we are excited to see what they will look like when they grow up. I have had to call Dana(my sister) for puppy training tips and all her advice has worked so far.

And Haloween? We had a Ninja, Optimus Prime, Tinkerbell and a Chicken. We ate candy for a week and were sad to see the last of it go(at least the chocolate).

I absolutely love the cool crisp air and am looking forward to the Holiday Season.

Pumpkins and Knives

I love fall. The crisp, cool mornings are the best. Hannah, Emily and I have been going on walks right when we get home from dropping the boys at school and enjoying the morning sun, the birds and an occasional butterfly.

Another fun fall tradition involves pumpkins and knives. We got together with our friends this year and carved. My specialty is cleaning out the seeds. Then the artists take over. Porter and Marshal did their own. Tyler helped Hannah, and Emily and I cheered them on.(see pictures)

I also love fall cooking-breads, soups and apple crisp. While I don't always love cooking, it seems that fall is definately the time when the chef in me comes out. Maybe its just that all my comfort foods are to hot to eat in the summer:)

What are your favorite fall recipies?

Porter Concerned

Porter(serious and concerned): "Mom it seems like Hannah and Emily are yours but Marshal and I aren't because we go to school."
Mom: "You'll always be my boy!"
Porter: "It just doesn't seem like I will"
Mom: "Porter, even when your a grown up man you will always be my boy-you'll just be big"
Porter: "but mom, I won't always live with you"
Mom: "Thats ok, I'll visit you and you'll visit me and we'll always see each other. I'll even come and watch your kids so you and your wife can go on a date:)


I guess that appeased his worried mind because he started giggling and gave me a big hug.

VISITORS

Ok so this is 2 weeks after the fact, but Thanks Brice and Sara! We had such a great time when you visited us. Hannah still prays for Sarah and Bricen and thought that we were going to see you at church the sunday after you left. Marshal and Porter kept telling her "Brice and Sarah went home Hannah," but when you are two it takes a little bit longer to see that your new friends are really gone.

Here are a few fun pictures from your visit. We hope this will inspire others to come and visit us.

Thank you for the ticket to ride game-we have played it a lot and the boys are getting quite good at it. I have watched Jane Eyre twice and love it too and Marshal and Porter are still fishing- caught 11 just the other day. So you see, you left a little piece of yourselves with our family that won't soon be forgotten. We love you

A bunch of pictures

Mom and Dad I promised you some pictures so here are a bunch. We love you and miss you ! The top is of Marshal and Porter doing a secret service for their Dad. They decided that they would help unload a load of wood so Tyler could take them grape picking faster. They unloaded 73 of the 200 2X4's. I was so happy because they had been fighting all day long and then like magic they were best friends working so hard together. The next is obvious-Hannah loves to hold Emily so I snapped a cute shot of them. Third is one of the many times we've had the missionaries over for dinner-but Elder Baruga was leaving and so we all took pictures. Fourth is

one of Porter and I on a Mommy son date. We went river roving and then to Scoops for ice cream. We had a great time. Last- I tried to get one of Emily standing up,not that you can tell she is standing, but this one turned out the cutest of the bunch.

This is our last week of summer-It has gone by to quick! I love having the kids home, but I do get excited to buy all their school supplies. I love new pencils and paper, books etc. Check out this little video too. Love you-