Tag 8!

Thanks Nikki!

I hereby tag anyone interested in completing a blog without having to think up a snazzy topic.

8 TV Shows I Watch:
1. The Office
2. Jon and Kate Plus 8
3. The Duggars (17 and Counting!)
4. Half Ton Dad
5. Half Ton Mom
6. Everest (a seasonal program...it's not on right now)
7. Supernanny
8. WZZM13 - for the weather

(Sorry, I don't watch much TV - and mostly I'm just dedicated to "The Office".)

8 Things That Happened Yesterday
1. I took Helena to preschool.
2. We had family home evening.
3. I made grilled cheese sandwiches and applesauce muffins.
4. I wrote out some notes to my visiting teachees.
5. I sent out umpteen emails
6. I stayed home and played with Hunter while Dan took Helena to gymnastics.
7. Helena and I read chapter 2 of "Kirsten Learns a Lesson"
8. I walked on the treadmill and sang at the same time. (Yep, I was strolling, more than walking.)

8 Favorite Places to Eat
1. The Hearthstone
2. Chili's
3. Main Street Pub and Eatery
4. Brooklyn Bagel
5. Los Hermanos (too bad it's in Provo, UT)
6. Sunshine Seasons (too bad it's in Epcot)
7. G & L - when my digestive system's feeling optimistic
8. Olive Garden - I guess. Depends on the service. Salad's wicked good.

8 Things to Look Forward To
1. Christmas
2. Disney World
3. Thanksgiving
4. My children becoming adults...
5. My children being kids
6. Helena's preschool party tomorrow
7. Being old enough to not care two pennies how my hair looks
8. Singing in the shower tomorrow morning

8 Things on My Wish List
1. A DVC membership
2. Single-digit pants
3. Raspberry cheesecake - which doesn't help number 2
4. a mission when Dan and I are Oldies But Goodies
5. the opportunity to do some family history work
6. a lengthy visit to Europe
7. to share the joy!
8. warm feet

Not so exciting, but done!

Helena asked Dan and I, out of the clear blue sky, if we'd voted for "The Rock Obama." We responded that no, we hadn't, but how did she know who that was? She said "The Rock Obama is going to be our next president. We talked about it at school." Hey, a preschool that teaches current events? Very forward curriculum, no? It was hilarious the way she kept pronouncing the poor man's name!

Later that day we were asked to put in only "cool, snazzy music, not boring stuff."

Whew!

Cooling Off

No, I don't mean the weather, although check it out - winter is here, in a very nasty and not-too-picturesque way. Forget about soft blankets of snow - try hideously wet leaves clogging every possible grate, sleet and hail in the same day, and cold soaking through to your bones.

I titled this post "Cooling Off" because I've noticed my blog has been politically-focused for the last few weeks, probably because of the election and the attention to politics that naturally engenders.

So here are a few utterly random and hopefully amusing pictures!


Probably the most creative thing I've ever done (outside of bear children): Followed directions not quite exactly, but close enough. Very time-consuming. Happy 2nd Birthday Helena!



We've made good use of our Kelty backpack. Usually we head out to the state park and walk on the cross-country ski trails. Note that the kids are wrapped in blankets or other winter gear. Why don't we just wait until it's warmer???




These photos are recent; probably from a couple of weeks ago. The kids LOVE to play in the leaves. We also have some cute video from this day, but I was shaking like a drunken sailor, so it's not so fun to watch.



Maybe these photos belong on the other blog - I don't know. This picture was taken at the Restaurant Akershus in Epcot's Norway pavilion. One is from 2005, when Helena was almost 1 1/2 years old. The other was taken in Feb. 2008, shortly before she turned 4. Notice, if you will, the change in attitude. (Holly's already seen these but they're worth a look and a laugh.)

SO - There you go! No politics here!

Blogs of Note

Here are just a few that I enjoy and look at every so often:

Crockpot 365

Filling Your Ark

Kinghorn's Called to Serve

The Simple Dollar


Enjoy!

Primary Program and Young Women in Excellence

Today was our ward Primary Program. The kids (and their leaders!) did a wonderful job. It was a shame that we couldn't videotape it today...too many cute moments to describe. Let me just say that Helena has not one WHIT of shyness in her. She grabbed that mike and took charge! There was also some beautiful "interpretive dancing" going on with Jaleigh and Helena, and lots of "hiding behind the stand" games with Emma, Jaleigh, and Helena.

My heart was bursting, so full of pride and love and amazement that four years of my daughter's life have passed so quickly.

Then tonight we had our YWIE program, my first as YW president. I worried, of course, but for no reason: the girls sang better than they ever have, the Spirit was poured out on everyone, and my counselors and co-leaders lightened my burden in ways that can't be described. Some of the girls who I was convinced would not come showed up. I asked my mom and another good friend in the ward to create flower centerpieces and corsages out of fresh flowers, and they were absolutely lovely. I was so proud of the girls! How do they not get nervous? They are so talented! I love them!

The worst part was that I kept wanting to cry, both from the Spirit and just from being a little emotional, but because I had to play several songs on the piano I knew I couldn't see if I cried. I managed to hold it in until the last hymn, "I Believe in Christ," which (fortunately) I know pretty well.

All in all, a very good Sabbath Day.

Proposition 8 and President Monson

At 2pm this afternoon (Pacific time), a press conference was held at the LDS Temple in Los Angeles, where a protest had been organized by opponents of CA Proposition 8. To the media present, the woman speaking (Lorri L. Jean, CEO of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center) made the following announcement:

Today we have decided to include the President of the Mormon Church in a campaign that is more productive for our community. We are going to raise money to support the effort to repeal Proposition 8, and we are encouraging people to make donations on our new website: www.invalidateprop8.org. For every donor who makes a donation, a postcard in the name of that donor will be sent to Pres. Thomas Monson of the LDS Church, and I want to read what it says:

“Dear President Monson:

A donation has been made in your name by _________________ to “invalidateprop8.org” to overturn California’s Proposition 8 and restore fundamental civil rights to all citizens of California. The money will be donated to legal organizations fighting the case and to support grass-roots activities in support of full marriage equality. Although we decry the reprehensible role the Church of Latter Day Saints [sic] leadership played in denying all Californians equal rights under the law, we are pleased a donation has been made on your behalf in the effort to overturn the discrimination your church members helped enshrine in the California Constitution. Given that throughout its history the Mormon Church has been subjected to bigotry, we hope you appreciate the donation in your name to fight religious bigotry here in California.

*For the record: I do support Prop 8, although I'm not a citizen of California. I think an attack on the Church will do nothing to change the LDS Church's position on gay marriage. Showing disrespect for LDS temples, as sacred structures, is uncalled for. If the voters of California support another ballot initiative then that is fine - but I think all sides should accept the result of that vote. It's much better for voters to decide such an important question than for four judges to make that determination. Additionally, I want everyone to know of my love and respect for my many homosexual friends. At this time California gives the same legal rights to same-sex couples as it does to heterosexual couples, with the exclusion of the word "marriage" to describe lasting relationships.

"Small Doses of Socialism"

Dwight Eisenhower's Secretary of Agriculture, Ezra Taft Benson met with USSR's Nikita Khrushchev and related:

“I have talked face to face with the godless communist leaders. It may surprise you to learn that I was host to Mr. Khrushchev for a half day when he visited the United States, not that I’m proud of it. I opposed his coming then, and I still feel it was a mistake to welcome this atheistic murderer as a state visitor. But, according to President Eisenhower, Khrushchev had expressed a desire to learn something of American Agriculture — and after seeing Russian agriculture I can understand why. As we talked face to face, he indicated that my grandchildren would live under communism. After assuring him that I expected to do all in my power to assure that his and all other grandchildren will live under freedom he arrogantly declared in substance:

“ ‘You Americans are so gullible. No, you won’t accept communism outright, but we’ll keep feeding you small doses of socialism until you’ll finally wake up and find you already have communism. We won’t have to fight you. We’ll so weaken your economy until you’ll fall like overripe fruit into our hands.’

“And they’re ahead of schedule in their devilish scheme.” (Ezra Taft Benson “Our Immediate Responsibility.” Devotional Address at Brigham Young University. circa 1968.”)

VOTE!

Whether you think your vote matters or not, VOTE.

Even if you believe the race is won, VOTE.

Make the drive, wait in the line - VOTE.

Female suffragettes died so women could - VOTE.

You are an American citizen and you must VOTE.

Follow your conscience and VOTE.

Happy Election Day!