ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz............

So, Emma had a long fun day running errands with me. She was SO good the whole time. By the time we got home it was way past lunch time and nap time. While she was eating her lunch, I was in the kitchen doing some dishes and all of sudden I notice I wasn't hearing her growling and all her fun noises she usually makes while eating. I went and took a look and found her at this priceless moment. Just after I turned off the camera, she totally hit her head on the high chair table...didn't even faze her because she was SO conked out. Cute little stinker. :)

fun outing at the zoo

Yes To Proposition 8

Yes To Proposition 8

The California Supreme Court recently ruled that same-sex marriage was legal in California. Recognizing the importance of marriage to society, the LDS Church accepted an invitation to participate in ProtectMarriage, a coalition of churches, organizations, and individuals sponsoring a November ballot measure, Proposition 8, that would amend the California state constitution to ensure that only a marriage between a man and a woman would be legally recognized. (Information about the coalition can be found at http://www.protectmarriage.com/).

What are the six consequences if Proposition 8 Fails?

1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay. The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890) Therefore, if the definition of marriage is changed, children will be taught that marriage is a relation between any two adults. 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 will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are 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 has put an end to its adoption work, deciding to abandon its founding mission, rather than comply with state law requiring that gays be allowed to adopt children. (Boston.com)

4. Religions that sponsor private schools and which provide housing for married students will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine or lose tax exemptions and benefits.

5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage.

6. It will cost you money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. 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, your church contributions – that will have to be spent on legal fees. 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.

I believe this was written by Elder Larry Lawrence (currently serving as an Area Seventy in California). You can also read the LDS church article The Divine Institution of Marriage on the Newsroom website, the official resource for news media for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Help get the word out. Copy and paste this info and post it on your blog and/or email it to your contacts.

Emma's Birthday part II

What a fun birthday little Emma had. We had a little party for her with immediate family and Emma's neighborhood friends just at our condo in the front courtyard area. I think it was a pretty good success!! I will explain little highlights throughout the party in the pictures below.

In the morning of her birthday I took pictures of her in her cute little birthday out fit and tutu. I made her a party hat and she REFUSED to wear the thing, ripped it right off her head. Little stinker. But she was so darling.

We had a little practice run of a cupcake after lunch. It took her a while to warm up to it, but ended up enjoying every bite. She was in heaven. We thought, "man, she's going to LOVE her real birthday cupcake tonight that is three times the size the normal one."

Here are the table displays

I made a 'first year' book of Emma and had people sign the back of her book. It turned out pretty good I think. I made little birthday hats for her little neighbor friends and her little baby cousin Lucy.Here are Ben and Ava. Ben didn't really care to wear his hat, Ava didn't seem to mind. Aren't these munchkins so cute?lots and lots of cupcakes for everyoneHere's the stupendous cake that Derek worked long and hard on with the help of his mom who frosted it....didn't it turn out SO great? Way to go babe.family and friendsToo cute. Here's Emma and her cute friends Brooke, Ava, and Ben. Here's Emma's little cousin Lucy. Emma loves her cousin so much. So much that she's ready to rip that hat right off her head... she succeeded.We couldn't get the candle to stay lit, but she looks pretty interested right?Yeah, not so much. She didn't want anything to do with that big cupcake. We were so bummed, because judging the way she was eating her small cupcake earlier that day, we thought she would be in hog heaven. Before giving up, we ended up giving her one of the small cupcakes then she was VERY happy again. I think she was just intimidated by the size of the sweet goodness....funny little munchkin.mmm....Brooke loves her cupcakeYES!!! Emma handled wearing her party hat for about 20 minutes while opening presents.Uncle Dennen wearing her tutu on his head and playing with her. What a great Uncle.Here's Brooke pushing Emma in her toy that Oma, Opa, Aunt Britta, and Uncle Dylan gave her. She LOVES it!! Thanks guys.Here are some pics of Emma's mini album I made for her.

What a FUN day we had to celebrate your 1st BIRTHDAY Emma. We ALL love you so much!!

"I'M ONE!!!"

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY EMMA!!

Isn't that picture the most freakin' hilarious thing you've ever seen? It's actually part of video that we took and Derek took a screen capture of the video. She really is our little dinosaur. Oh, I could look at that picture all day.

So at 9am this morning a year ago, our sweet Emma Jane was born and brought into our lives. Where has the time gone? I've been reminiscing the last 24 hours of what it was like a year ago, waiting for our sweet little munchkin to come into our lives. If you notice the time that I'm writing this post, it's VERY late. But this time a year ago, the epidural FINALLY kicked in and I was set. Oh how I love the epidural, what a blessing to have modern medicines these days. They broke my water at 8am, I started pushing at 8:29am and Emma girl came at exactly 9am. I will never forget the first sounds I heard when she came out, just a small little whimper and she was SO clean and had a very tiny umbilical cord (about 6 inches long, if that) The first words that Derek and I both said was, "She's Perfect". She truly was the most perfect beautiful baby we've ever laid our eyes on. We were in love and we've been in love ever since.
We put together this wonderful video showing highlights of Emma's first year on this earth. Hope you enjoy it as much we have. We keep watching it over and over and over again, can't get enough.
Happy 1st Birthday Emma. Thank you for coming into our family. We love you SO much!!!
love, Mommy and Daddy

40 Weeks (+1 Year)

Sept.4th 2007
The time has come. Mandy hit forty weeks today. At the time this photo was taken there was still no indication that she was ready to go into labor. September 4th was not only the due date, it was also Mandy's last day of work. She was able to finish up work at Dentrix with no problems. It was bittersweet for her since she was looking forward to having some time for herself before the baby comes, but she will also greatly miss all the good friends she made there. Thank goodness for the great health insurance that we got through them.

This is where we were one year ago today. Our little girl is turning one tomorrow.

Evening at the Carnival

First of all...can I just say I have absolutely no discipline in going to bed at an earlier time recently. So, here is my post for the evening :)

We had lots of fun going to my parents stake carnival on Saturday night. It was filled with blown up slides, hot air balloon, pony rides, etc...
Emma really enjoyed it. Didn't know what to think about the slides, but I think she liked it. She LOVED the pony ride. The way we know that is she growled the WHOLE entire time. That was a sure sign of contentment and joy on her end. :)

Emma with her Aunt Kimmy