Friday, November 28, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
my kiddos
I have been majorly burnt out the last few days and I still have 8 sessions to edit and four more in the next week. It has been a real blessing, but it is also a LOT of work. I dream about curves and layers (photoshop stuff)!! I decided to take the day off and it was nice. I took photos of what I love, the kids, made Christmas suckers with J, did laundry (what fun), cleaned off my desk and enjoyed not editing. Tomorrow of course will be back to business as usual, but for a day I needed to regain my sanity.
So, I love these from a mom perspective, but I think I will redo them tomorrow because there are a few things photographically that I wasn't thinking about and they bug me. I can be a perfectionist about my own stuff, right??
This is such a true depiction of my children--J, the happy go lucky, goofball and P, the drama baby (or DB as my mom calls her) who will only smile if she decides she wants to. Yet I still love that little grouchy face...it is so her.
I love this picture. She can be such a doll. She is talking a lot and her favorite words are "candy" and "no". Gotta love it.
This little guy us such a buddy. Tell him you need a snuggle and he comes running. He can be such a sweet thing one minute and a total pain the next. He is finally getting semi fun to take pics of again. He at least has figured out the cheesy smile bit, which I actually think is so cute.
And here is my sweet baby girl with her ghetto snuggler. I tried to switch it out, but she wouldn't have it. I have wanted to get a picture with her sucking her thumb and I finally did! Hooray!
So, I love these from a mom perspective, but I think I will redo them tomorrow because there are a few things photographically that I wasn't thinking about and they bug me. I can be a perfectionist about my own stuff, right??
This is such a true depiction of my children--J, the happy go lucky, goofball and P, the drama baby (or DB as my mom calls her) who will only smile if she decides she wants to. Yet I still love that little grouchy face...it is so her.
I love this picture. She can be such a doll. She is talking a lot and her favorite words are "candy" and "no". Gotta love it.
This little guy us such a buddy. Tell him you need a snuggle and he comes running. He can be such a sweet thing one minute and a total pain the next. He is finally getting semi fun to take pics of again. He at least has figured out the cheesy smile bit, which I actually think is so cute.
And here is my sweet baby girl with her ghetto snuggler. I tried to switch it out, but she wouldn't have it. I have wanted to get a picture with her sucking her thumb and I finally did! Hooray!
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Proposition 8
So why is it that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is coming under condemnation and being called intolerant because we supported something that is CENTRAL to our beliefs?? Why is it a hate crime to support something that is Central to our beliefs?
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
"We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."
It seems to me that we are not the ones being intolerant. Democracy is democracy. The ballots were cast and prop 8 passed. Our greatest goal in this life and the life to come is to live eternally with our families. We believe the family consisting of a man and a woman is ordained of God and "central" to the creators plan. We had no ill intent in preserving this traditional definition of the family. We don't hate homosexuals. We don't agree with their choice though and we don't condone it. I gave a great deal of thought to how I would feel if one of my children chose to be homosexual and I would feel the same. I would love them, but I would never agree or condone their choice. The same would hold true with any choice my child made that went against my moral beliefs.
Our potential and sons and daughters of God is to return to live with him and be heirs eternally. That includes living together with our families forever. The greatest blessing we can receive in this life is to be married for all eternity in the temple of God. This is extremely important to us.
I also want to be the one that decides how and when moral values are taught to my children. My brother made a great argument for prop 8 that you can read HERE .
So, lay off the LDS church. We didn't do this because we hate gays. We did this because we love our families and understand their potential.
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
"We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."
It seems to me that we are not the ones being intolerant. Democracy is democracy. The ballots were cast and prop 8 passed. Our greatest goal in this life and the life to come is to live eternally with our families. We believe the family consisting of a man and a woman is ordained of God and "central" to the creators plan. We had no ill intent in preserving this traditional definition of the family. We don't hate homosexuals. We don't agree with their choice though and we don't condone it. I gave a great deal of thought to how I would feel if one of my children chose to be homosexual and I would feel the same. I would love them, but I would never agree or condone their choice. The same would hold true with any choice my child made that went against my moral beliefs.
Our potential and sons and daughters of God is to return to live with him and be heirs eternally. That includes living together with our families forever. The greatest blessing we can receive in this life is to be married for all eternity in the temple of God. This is extremely important to us.
I also want to be the one that decides how and when moral values are taught to my children. My brother made a great argument for prop 8 that you can read HERE .
So, lay off the LDS church. We didn't do this because we hate gays. We did this because we love our families and understand their potential.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Dear Blogging Friends,
I feel the need to get on a little political soapbox for a while. This is not about who won the election, but rather us as americans. First off, I am so sick of hearing people say, "we need a change". What the heck is that supposed to mean anyway? A change from what? I will tell you what kind of change I think we need...we need a change of the American people feeling entitled to anything and everything they want. Since when have so many "wants" become "neccessities"? Why are we not saving when the going is good? Why do we feel like the rich owe us something? It annoys the living you know what out of me. It is not a governments responsibilty to make sure things are always smooth sailing for us. I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination, but we make do. We budget (I am not always perfect at sticking to it, I must say) and we recognize our position. Do I hope to be rich some day, you better believe it, but if it doesn't happen I sure hope I am just happy with what I have because I recognize it is a lot and I will continue working hard to achieve our goals.
On a different vein, I am also sick of everyone bad mouthing George Bush. He has done a ton for us as a president...mainly kept our country safe since 911. I imagine that is not an easy task. I don't agree with all his fiscal policies, but you know what, he has kept us in an offensive position with the terrorists and to me, that means a ton. I am glad we are fighting them on their soil and not ours. And frankly, we need to finish the job we went over there to do. I am all for bringing our troops home, but not until we have finished the job we started. So, everyone get off his case. He has been a good president with good morals and I truly believe the desire to do what is best for this country. I appreciate that he is a religious man as well, because so am I and I want a president who prays and tries to have some divine guidance. It is not George Bush's fault that we are in an economic downturn, not the repulican party...sure there are certain factors that influenced it, but really the economy does this. It will get better and until then we may just have to forgo that new pair of shoes.
You know what change I want to see. I want all of us (me included) to be wiser with what we have, more grateful for what we have and a whole lot less selfish. There you go.
On a different vein, I am also sick of everyone bad mouthing George Bush. He has done a ton for us as a president...mainly kept our country safe since 911. I imagine that is not an easy task. I don't agree with all his fiscal policies, but you know what, he has kept us in an offensive position with the terrorists and to me, that means a ton. I am glad we are fighting them on their soil and not ours. And frankly, we need to finish the job we went over there to do. I am all for bringing our troops home, but not until we have finished the job we started. So, everyone get off his case. He has been a good president with good morals and I truly believe the desire to do what is best for this country. I appreciate that he is a religious man as well, because so am I and I want a president who prays and tries to have some divine guidance. It is not George Bush's fault that we are in an economic downturn, not the repulican party...sure there are certain factors that influenced it, but really the economy does this. It will get better and until then we may just have to forgo that new pair of shoes.
You know what change I want to see. I want all of us (me included) to be wiser with what we have, more grateful for what we have and a whole lot less selfish. There you go.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Some Jacksonisms
Coming down from the mountain J said, "Daddy yawn!! Daddy yawn!! Can you hear wouder now?"
"daddy I want to be home now (they were driving back from the cabin). I want to whooo, whooo, whooo, whooo (his lasoo noise) lasoo an airplane wing, climb up and fly home."
Douglas was explaining to J not to touch the mouse poisin at the cabin. J told him that he liked mice though. D explained not these ones because they poop and eat the blankets and stuff so J replied, "well the ones at home do really nice things for us"...
hmmm like make ball gowns and stuff?? I think someone has watched Cinderella one too many times!!
"daddy I want to be home now (they were driving back from the cabin). I want to whooo, whooo, whooo, whooo (his lasoo noise) lasoo an airplane wing, climb up and fly home."
Douglas was explaining to J not to touch the mouse poisin at the cabin. J told him that he liked mice though. D explained not these ones because they poop and eat the blankets and stuff so J replied, "well the ones at home do really nice things for us"...
hmmm like make ball gowns and stuff?? I think someone has watched Cinderella one too many times!!
halloween madness
I have a great hubby. He wore his costume to work all day. He won best costume at the neighborhood party. He acted the part. Not all men are man enough to do that.
The kids were adorable in my opinion and Jackson loved every bit of Halloween especially passing out candy. I have tons left (I only bought one bag!!) which is bad news for me.
Paige was fine dressed up too and even kept her scarf on. Their costumes were very challenging to make and I assure you the craftmanship is shoddy at best, but hey, I did it. I am already thinking about our theme for next year.
J has forgotten about his candy, but not his costume. He has enjoyed wearing it for days. It is already missing two buttons which he told me he "sworded" off. Great.
Now on to Thanksgiving. Have I mentioned I love this time of year. My goal this year is to stick in my budget with everything. I get a little out of control this time of year.
D got me an IPOD for my birthday. Have you heard of those? THey are really cool you can put music on them and take them wherever you go (Just kidding, I am making fun of the fact that it took me this long to get one.) Any recommendations on good music? I like fairly mellow (Jack Johnson is a favorite) but I am kind of out of it when it comes to music. I would love suggestions.
You have to love J's pirate face in that first one!!
The kids were adorable in my opinion and Jackson loved every bit of Halloween especially passing out candy. I have tons left (I only bought one bag!!) which is bad news for me.
Paige was fine dressed up too and even kept her scarf on. Their costumes were very challenging to make and I assure you the craftmanship is shoddy at best, but hey, I did it. I am already thinking about our theme for next year.
J has forgotten about his candy, but not his costume. He has enjoyed wearing it for days. It is already missing two buttons which he told me he "sworded" off. Great.
Now on to Thanksgiving. Have I mentioned I love this time of year. My goal this year is to stick in my budget with everything. I get a little out of control this time of year.
D got me an IPOD for my birthday. Have you heard of those? THey are really cool you can put music on them and take them wherever you go (Just kidding, I am making fun of the fact that it took me this long to get one.) Any recommendations on good music? I like fairly mellow (Jack Johnson is a favorite) but I am kind of out of it when it comes to music. I would love suggestions.
You have to love J's pirate face in that first one!!
Saturday, November 01, 2008
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