First day of school

Ethan was a little hesitant about going to school. I suggested that he draw a picture for his new teacher, Miss Leah. He really liked that idea so we sat down and this is what he drew; a blue sun with two blue clouds, a picture of himself in green and he wrote "I love you Miss Leah" in black at the top (this is all per his discription). Isn't that so cute? This is my kind, loving, innocent, fun loving little boy. When we got to school he was shy so I told Miss Leah that he had drawn her a picture. He told her what it said on it and she asked him for a hug. Of course, being the emotional woman I am I got tears in my eyes. I had to walk back to the car with my head down so all the other parents wouldn't see me crying. As soon as I got in the car I called Steve and told him I didn't know if I could do this. Ethan is in the five day program at Harper this year and I am still debating on if I've made the right decision (I think this is a curse of being a mother, I'm always wondering if I'm making the right decisions for my boys). I miss him more than I thought I would. They are in a great program and they both have wonderful teachers. They both seem happy to be there. I'm trying to hold out until our baby is born and see if I'm still going through my seperation anxiety with the boys. They grow up so fast.....

Lukey-licious

This post is dedicated to my little Luke, who is slowly outgrowing the "little" part. Luke just turned three. We had cake and presents on Sunday with the Powers side of the family. Vovo gave him his own Guarana to drink....mmmmm, lucky kid. Monday was his actual birthday but it fell on Labor Day and Steve and I being the anti-crowd people we are we stayed home and hung out. We did try to make it a little special. We gave him our gift, which was his first bike with training wheels. He took off on it so fast! We got McDonald's for lunch, which he loves. Just little special things like that. Then Tuesday Steve took the day off work and we took Ethan and Luke to the Discovery Science center. They loved it! We stood in the wind tunnel to feel what 78 mph winds feel like. We went in the earthquake simulator booth to feel what an 8.4 and 9 quake feel like. We checked out the "Grossology" exhibit with all kinds of gross facts. There was so much to do.

I still can't believe Luke is three. Most other people can't believe it either. Usually the guess is that he and Ethan are twins, I even had someone ask me if Luke was five years old once! Whoa. He is going to Harper two days a week. He is in Miss Jessica's class with Chloe Manning in our ward. I miss him. When I watch him walk away with his teacher I just can't believe its already been three years since he was born. I picked him up on the first day and he said "Mommy I missed you. I wasn't happy here." This last week we were driving home from picking he and Ethan up from school and Luke was picking his nose. I asked him why he was doing that and he said "Mom, I love boogers." He cracks me up!

On Friday we were running errands together while Ethan was at school and we stopped to get some frozen yogurt. Love you Lukey!! Love you sooooooooo much.

Labor Day

Steve spent most of Labor Day with his brother Brian (first shift) then our brother in law Clay (second shift) putting in a new door on our future master bedroom and molding our windows. I know Steve and Clay are fuzzy in the door picture but you're supposed to focus on the door. And the picture of the windows, well, the one of the right is the before and the left is the almost after. I know its dark but it was the middle of the day and this is the best I could do. The windows look great! Thanks to Brian for saving us from killer dust storms with his why-didn't-I-think-of-that suggestion of wood instead of drywall. It feels good to be one step closer to getting our "house in order." Steve deserves the biggest pat on the back though. He worked all day until it was too dark to see outside at the table saw. Thank you Steve-o!!!

Protect Marriage

Six Consequences the Coalition Has Identified If Proposition 8 Fails

1. Children in public schools will have to be taught that same-sex marriage is just as good as traditional marriage. The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (51890)

Therefore, unless Proposition 8 passes, children will be taught that marriage is between any two adults regardless of gender. 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 may be sued over their tax exempt status if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings 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 already closed its doors in Massachusetts because courts legalized same-sex marriage there. 4.Religions that sponsor private schools with married student housing may be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if counter to church doctrine, or risk lawsuits over tax exemptions and related benefits. 5.Ministers who preach 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 “hate speech”. 6. It will cost you money. This change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits, including some already lost (e.g. photographers cannot now refuse to photograph gay marriages, doctors cannot now refuse to perform artificial insemination of gays even given other willing doctors). 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 — that will be spent on such legal battles.

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. Join with us in walking precincts and phoning voters to vote Yes on Prop. 8.

This was a handout we received recently. It gives me the chills. I don't mean to sound all drama or anything but this feels so big to me. These consequences are scary of themselves but its the ones that I can't foresee that frighten me even more. I was told about a documentary, Demographic Winter, made by a group of scholars (non-LDS) who discuss the economic and social consequences of the decline of the family. Go here to see more about it. The banner I included is from the documentary. I think everyone interested in the fight to preserve the family should watch this.

No longer video-handicapped

I've got a list of everything we need to record. Luke picking his nose - this one should be easy because he is quite the gold digger lately (how do you get kids to stop?). The boys chasing each other round in circles like dogs chase their tales. Ellie and the boys playing princess and prince Philip, I've got to catch them kissing each other so they wake up. You may think I'm being a good mom but I've got alterior motives. Two words...black mail. Haha.

This morning Steve was showing me how to work the little piece of equipment and Ethan and Luke enjoyed being the "movie stars." In this little clip they are taking turns reciting the scripture D&C 68:27. We started saying scriptures after family prayer in the morning and the boys do really well memorizing them. I have to admit I was surprised! In our primary the children are all asked, throughout the year, to give the opening prayer and recite the scripture of the month then the rest of the primary repeats it. Ethan's turn came around, the second time, and he had it memorized and said it all by himself at the primary pulpit! I was so proud I was holding back the tears (especially since I was conducting that day and didn't want everyone to see me as soon as I got up to continue the exercises). His first attempt was not pretty but we didn't prepare him enough. We learned and this time was flawless. Another moment we missed during our video handicap days.....(sigh).

Since I'll probably be posting more videos now I've decided to go private...yet again. I know, I know, I'm pretty schizophrenic about being private. Thank you for all your patience. My husband can attest to how I have a "talent" for changing my mind :) (If you want a recent example talk to me about preschool.) I'm having deja vu, I think I've said this before.

7 years ago

Happy Anniversary babe!! I can't believe how quickly it has gone by. I love you bunches.

Hooplah

1. This is the second week I've been volunteering with the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign. I am so outside my comfort level. Last week I went "walking" - basically knocking door to door to see how people felt about Prop 8 and whether they would support it or not come November. Today I did phone calls. I don't know which one I liked better. Last week went better than I expected. No one really shut their doors on my faces. Some people just refused to come to the door but its all good. The people that did come to the door were, for the most part, genial. No one was particularly happy to see me but no one chewed my head off either. Today it seemed that 90% of the phone numbers I was calling belonged to those individuals in the 70 and older category. I struggled to make myself heard a few times, a couple people were afraid I was after their money, and one lady just asked me "what do you want from me?!" But most of what I did was leave a message hoping they would support Prop 8 in November. I don't so much enjoy using my Saturdays to work on this campaign but I just can't have peace if I'm not doing something. Not to sound too dramatic but I don't want to even think of what's going to happen if this doesn't pass. 2. I've been daydreaming lately of my afterlife. Not my afterlife afterlife, as in after my literal life is over. I'm talking about the post-delivery afterlife. And I'm not daydreaming of the sleepless nights, juggling three kids, feeding schedules or whether or not I'm going to nurse. I'm daydreaming of my transformation and having my body back. Doing things like washing my car, bending over to pick something up or wash my kids without a big belly cramping me, or jogging again. This is what I'm envisioning in my head....

I know its going to mean major change and going to take some major time. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.

3. I just found out that the OC marathon changed its race date to 5.3.09 instead of being in January. I'm so excited because now I can run it, the half marathon that is. Anyone want to join me? I start training six weeks after this baby girl is born (around Thanksgiving or beginning of December), if not sooner. Don't be intimidated by the mileage. If I can do it, you can too!

4. I'm kind of tired of other people's pets coming in our yard and relieving themselves. Our backyard is some cat's personal litter box and I am tired of cleaning up after it! If I wanted to scoop up a cat's poop I would get one! Ugh, I feel so imposed upon. I'm not a cat hater, don't get me wrong. I think they are cute and cuddly. I don't consider myself much of a pet person period. Therefore our lack thereof at the moment. But I still have to clean up after someone else's so that my curious little boys don't get into it. Blah.

5. Just finished Escape by Carolyn Jessop. Holy Moly I can't believe what she put up with. I can't believe any woman can put up with the junk the FLDS women put up with. I gained a new perspective into religious fanaticism.

H is for Handsome

Yesterday we were leaving the mall and walking back to our car. An older woman walked past us heading towards the mall. As soon as she passed Ethan said to me, "Mom, that lady looked at me and I was so handsome." I immediately started laughing because that statement was so cute (and, of course, so true). He got a little embarrassed and giggled too. I told him I think he is handsome too (I didn't see whether the woman had looked at him or not). Out of the mouth of babes...

Sunflower massacre

Our furry friend that I used to think was so adorable scampering around our backyard has now become enemy #1. Mr. Squirrel, wherever you are, you will pay for this! Don't lay your furry paws on my sunflowers again, you hear me?! Up until now we have let you roam our yard freely and this is how you repay us? No more freedom in our yard, no sirree. Back off. Back off. (Yes, that is sarcasm you are reading between the lines. Except I am not happy so it won't be welcome here anymore.)

Highlights

1. Ethan and Luke made it through their dental exams with no buggies! Hooray for clean teeth! Luke even let them take x-rays of his teeth. I was so proud of both of them and I just wanted to do the hallelujah dance that we walked out of there paying nada, zero, zilch! Clean teeth aside, I really like our dentist office. The office and staff are perfect for children. There is never a grumpy face (unlike the doctors office today). If you need a pediatric dentist, I have a great one.

2. After waiting a week I finally received my copy of Breaking Dawn. I read it in two days, thanks to my wonderful husband who let me just dive right in. Thank you Stephenie Meyer, you sure did deliver. Now I'm moving on to a book I just got from my hold list at the library. I've been waiting for this book for a few months now. Its called Escape by Carolyn Jessop. She writes about getting out of her polygamist marriage with her eight children. Should be an interesting read.

3. The boys got TB shots today to get ready for preschool registration. Neither of them shed a tear! Luke later told Clay that he was "revy, revy, revy bwave." For some reason he was having a hard time with his ll's and r's. I'm registering them at the school nearby but if they don't get in I'm not too worried about it. I see it as a way for them to get out of the house and participate in an educational and social environment, since I will have my hands full in October for a little while and might not be able to produce one for them myself until I get a grip on having a newborn again. But, like I said, if they don't get in or for some reason don't want to stick it out then I'm more than willing to pull them out....no harm, no foul.

4. Luke lost his paci almost a week ago and we "haven't found it." Honestly, I found it the next morning but he didn't see me find it so I stashed it away. We've been using this as an excuse to get him off his pacifier. He only ever used it to sleep so he wasn't quite as hooked as Ethan was but its still been tough. He has skipped a couple naps and had a harder time relaxing to sleep at night. I feel bad for him but I know its just part of reprogramming himself. Steve and I have tried to stay by his side a little longer and help him settle into sleep at night. There are days I'm tempted to give it back to him, like today when he and Ethan just played in their room the entire time they were supposed to be napping. You can do it, Luke!

5. Ironing clothes in not my favorite past time, I just have to say....blah....

6. The boys have really been enjoying the farm class we signed up for through the community. We have two more left. The first week they got to brush a big hairy pig! The pig just stood their and ate its carrot soup while all the kids took a turn brushing its brittle hair and feeling its leathery skin. Then they got to take a pony ride, definitely the highlight. Except I didn't know to bring helmets and they had to use one that was provided.....ohhh, nasty! I just pray they don't get head lice or something. Anyway, the second week they got to hold little baby chicks. These chicks were so adorable and they fit right in the palms of their hands. They got to feed them too. And again, the pony ride. Luke is too young (notice I didn't say little) to ride by himself so I am always asked to walk beside the horse with one hand on his leg just in case. They are in heaven each time. Again, I forgot the helmets....shudder. I need to ask someone to take a picture for me one of these times. Only two more classes to go.

7. I can't believe its mid-August already.....wow.