California High Court Upholds Prop. 8

"The California Supreme Court upheld a ban on same-sex marriage Tuesday, ratifying a decision made by voters last year. The ruling comes at a time when several state governments have moved in the opposite direction.

The court’s opinion, written by Chief Justice Ronald M. George for a 6-to-1 majority, noted that same-sex couples still had a right to civil unions. Such unions, the opinion said, gives those couples the ability to “choose one’s life partner and enter with that person into a committed, officially recognized and protected family relationship that enjoys all of the constitutionally based incidents of marriage.”"

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/us/27marriage.html?_r=1

Jon & Kate Follow Up

Well, what did you think? I was sad. They have such a cute family and I hate to see them go through a divorce. It seemed that it is going that direction. It was so uncomfortable to watch them avoid each other. Then I read the Yahoo review and people were really brutal. We don't know all the details, but if they could just work through it, I am sure it would be worth it. This has all happened so quickly for them, hopefully they can re-evaluate their situation and find a better solution.

I bet it will be overrated...

I want Jon and Kate to work it out. I want their marriage to survive, even if there is an affair on one or both sides, but... I bet tomorrow night's special will be way overrated. On the season finale they barely addressed the issues that were going on then. I am looking forward to tuning in tomorrow night, but I think we'll still be left wanting more. We'll see.

It's arrived!

Today Dave picked up my new bike! I am so excited. I have been taking the boys out for rides on David's bike, but its too big for me. So, after saving my pennies and my husband finding an awesome deal, here's my new beauty. We went for a ride as a family tonight (with the boys in the bike trailer). It was so fun. I am excited to make this one of our new family outdoor activities!!
(The seat is even on springs!)

Doin' a Jig!

My boys were dancing on the couch while we were watching Happy Feet the other night. I had to record them, they were cracking me up. As you can tell, Josh caught on that I was taping them, but it was pretty cute to hear Parker sing.

Mother's Day Festivities

I had a wonderful Mother's day week. It all started off with a Mother' Day program at pre-school, complete with singing, gifts, and treats. It was my first Mother's Day program, so it was extra special.

Josh made me a beautiful candle votive and some lily's using his handprints as the flower.

This was after the program.

Then we had our annual Susan G. Komen, Walk for the Cure. We had a great time as always, the boys joined us on the walk this year and Amber had Cameron, plus Jillian. The kids were great though. Janell decided to run the 5k first and then join us for the walk. After wards we went to Eggie's for breakfast and enjoyed each others company.

After the walk, I enjoyed a Mother's Day luncheon at the home of a friend of mine. She and her husband put on a beautiful spread. We had such a great time just relaxing and being treated. It was so nice being "hosted" instead of the hostess.

On Mother's Day, I was too busy to take any pictures. In the afternoon and evening we celebrated by talking with my brother in-law, Jordan, who is on his mission in Uruguay, having a special dinner with my parents, enjoying being showered with cards and a beautiful pink necklace with matching earrings. "My men" as I call them, treat me like a Queen almost all the time. I appreciate how they go out of their way to make me feel special, especially on Mother's Day.

Women's Conference 2009

I had the most wonderful opportunity to go to Women's Conference this year. For those of you who don't know what it is, it is a two day conference put on by women in our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is at BYU and they arrange for a variety of speakers to come. You can choose the classes you want to attend and then there are opportunities for humanitarian work, along with a fantastic concert in the evening. There were probably about 15 speakers to choose from every hour, so there were lots of options for classes.

My sister in-law Sam, attended with me on Thursday. We left the house by 7:45 am and didn't get home until after 11:15 pm. We had such a great time. I am so glad she joined me!

There were probably about 15,000 women in attendance. Sam and I wanted to sit up close, so we were fortunate enough to get good seats during all of our sessions. This was the opening speaker Sandra Rogers. She was not only a great speaker, but pretty funny too!

We attended two classes "Building an Army of Righteous Women" and "Disaster Preparedness." Both excellent, but then we decided to head for lunch. So, Sam introduced me to sushi. It was delicious. These were Vegas rolls.

Then the highlight of my day, I met Sister Julie B. Beck, the General Relief Society President of the church. I was recently called to be a Relief Society President where I lived and wanted the chance to meet her. As she shook my hand I introduced myself and told her basically how much I appreciated all she does for us sisters. I told her about my new calling and she immediately started giving me advice and suggestions to help me. She was happy to pose for a picture with me and then told me to "tell your sisters we love them." On Mother's day I shared that will our sisters at church and it was powerful. I think we each felt the love they have for us.

This was the highlight of Sammie's day! Check out this maple bar. I have never seen such a thing. Too bad I don't like them, but it did smell wonderful!

I also got to meet up with a family friend Sherry Slager. She has known my mom since she was a Young Single Adult. It was fun to see her and she took good care of us, getting up premier seats for the evening concert!

The concert was amazing! It was so uplifting. Sam and I had the best time. After we met some of the artists. This was Dallin (can't remember his last name). His cd is beautiful and he sang a few times throughout the conference.

Overall, it was spectacular! On Friday I attended classes every hour and received some wonderful ideas to help me in my life. Sister Beck asked us each to be open to the spirit and let it teach us as we attend our classes. I kept a separate sheet in my notes for items I felt prompted to work on. Our family is getting to work on them. I am grateful for the chance that I had to be uplifted and to be around so many wonderful women that have a testimony of the gospel.

Highlights of May

May has been a busy month so far. I can't believe it's not over yet!
We have had a lot of fun.
We went to Carson City, NV to attend Sadie Ivin's baby blessing. We spent the night and had some fun at the hotel pool, making a weekend out of the event. We had a chance to see a lot of family and get to be part of the special day. Sadie is Josh and Kim's first baby.

They had quite the spread, everything was so delicious!

At the beginning of the month we went on a school field trip to the Folsom Zoo.

Parker could barely stand it, he wanted to touch the deer so bad. They warned the kids not to because of possible poison oak. No thanks, we'll go without petting.

This was Josh during the rule portion. The Zoo person was explaining do's and don'ts. I thought he looked real interested. So did Lily sitting on the left.

Wiped out. I love it, look at Parker's belly. These two are so fun. I couldn't be more grateful for my boys.

The things Josh says

We were driving in the car the other night to my parents house. Here is the conversation Josh and I had.

Josh: Mom, aren't those trees so beautiful
Mom: They are beautiful, what else is beautiful
Josh: Girls are beautiful
Mom: Yes, they are, what else do you think is beautiful (I wasn't fishing or a compliment, just a conversation)
Josh: You mom
Mom: Oh thanks Josh, I think you are beautiful too.
Josh: I fink Parker is beautiful too, but... I fink... he's tough as a Viking.
Mom: (laughter)
Josh: I fink Dad is beautiful too.

I love that his th's sound like f's. He is a fantastic talker, but when he says "fink" it reminds me that he is not as old as I sometimes think he is.

I think it would be fitting to make a shirt for Parker that says, "Tough... as a Viking!" It's true too!