Random thoughts...

So, I must be a weird mood or something, but I'm watching Curious George with Jason and it's an episode where some farmers bring in a gopher exterminator to get rid of some gophers. The exterminator is digging holes and going hog wild on this farmers field and destroying the crop just to get rid of some gophers. I'm sure this doesn't really apply to what it made me think of - but it occurred to me that if it were the farmers making the decisions they would have weighed much more carefully the value of the crop vs. the value of having the gophers gone. There's a lot of work that goes into planting and raising a crop and while gophers are damaging to a crop, there's a point at which getting rid of them would damage more of the crop than the gophers would have. So, my thought was that if the decisions about pretty much anything in life (crops, kids, etc) were left up to un-invested parties the results could be disastrous. Of course, that goes both ways. Sometimes people are too attached to see how much damage is really being done and make bad decisions... I think I just lost my point and talked myself into a circle with no real good way out... Oh well - I did say it was random didn't I?

Gay Marriage

So, living in CA with this whole issue at the forefront of our days, we as a ward (and I'm assuming this is happening elsewhere than just our ward) have been constantly reminded of how important this upcoming vote will be. There have been dozens, if not more, e-mails sent around with examples of what gay marriage is already influencing and how we can expect it to effect our lives in the future if Prop 8 doesn't pass. There's the story of the 1st grade class that took a school sponsored field trip to see their gay teacher get married, and the 'pro-gay' assembly where they had 14 year olds sign confidentiality waivers disallowing them from telling their parents (that one REALLY bothers me!! - I'm not nearly as worried about the gay issues as the fact they're trying to hide it from parents!), and the father who was arrested because he wanted to be informed about when they were teaching his child about gay issues, and many, many more... There have also been e-mails with links to several different articles written with intent to persuade people to vote for Prop 8, written by people with a wide range of political beliefs, from liberal to conservative and very religious to purely social. I've avoided sending any of them on because they all seemed to only address one or two of the many issues that's I feel are at stake here.

I got one this morning that I think is worth looking into. It's a 25 minute video (it's also probably my computer, but the visual and the audio didn't sync, so I played solitaire while I listened) that I think does a very good job of addressing most of the issues that I believe are on the line. Even if you don't want to spend half an hour playing games on your computer :-) - I think the first 10 minutes or so are probably the key issues for me. It talks about the legal side of things and how we're losing the right to govern ourselves.

For me (personally), while I feel strongly that the best way for people to be happy and raise healthy children is far and away in a traditional relationship - I would be more willing to accept the situation if it wasn't done so obviously against the constitution of the US. If the people of the state of CA had decided that gay marriage was what they wanted, I would have little to complain about (mourn, yes - but not complain quite so much) - but instead the liberal community are making a mockery of our justice system, checks and balances, and constitution; and at the same time abusing that mockery to create the life they think all of us should be forced to endure. What ever happened to government of the people, by the people and for the people?! What's happening here is government of the people, by the judges and for the few. I think it's a shame that too many people either agree with what they did, don't care enough to try to fix it, or - even worse - don't even realize it's wrong! Have we been so indoctrinated with the idea that the judges have the end say that when they start creating legislature (not their job!) that we just let it slide and completely forget about the concept of checks and balances?

Ok, enough from me on that one - I could go on all day! Here's the link to the video I found worthy of passing on. Or if that doesn't work - http://www.afa.net/prop8video/index.html

Confusion...

So, I'm watching this show called 'Pushing Daisies' that my sister and aunt said was entertaining; and I must say I'm am thoroughly confused! The narration reminds me of 'Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' and I'm in the middle of the story and they talk so fast! I struggle with names and faces and apparently someone's supposed to be dead, but alive and has an aunt or something... This is one of the most random things I've gotten my self into since Dr. Who! I think I need to start considering my sources when it comes to tv shows :-) (yes, Katie - I mean you!)
I was however impressed with myself for being able to recognize the original G'linda from when we saw Wicked on Broadway! Go Me! And I swear that Aunt Vivian (maybe that's her name?) is the girl from Little Shop of Horrors...

I just looked them both up - thank goodness for imdb.com. I was right on both counts!! I'm still trying to decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing... How come I can recognize an actress in a movie that I haven't seen in over a decade, but I have trouble recognizing a face 3 minutes after I've seen it? Am I the only one?

Back to UT

So, the kids and I are back in Utah again. Grandpa passed away on Friday night and we're up here for the funeral. The kids and I hitched a ride with my parents and arrived way to late last night (or was that way to early this morning? I can't tell anymore...). We got here safely, even if it took longer than it usually does for the parental units. Mark wasn't able to make it with school, so my parents had pity on me and helped us get up here so that I didn't have to miss it too. It all went well, except I neglected to take into account the lack of entertainment available for humans under the age of 5 in the house. I had brought some toys for the car, but if I had remembered I needed toys and books for them in the house, I'd have brought more... Thanks heavens for large fenced in yards! Too bad Shelly is now dreaming of swimming! It's not even 10 in the morning; it's freezing outside; and she wants to get wet! Crazy child!

My Favorite 'Jason' Development

I forgot to mention how exciting it has been with Jason learning his first real word. Want to take a random guess what it is? 'No'. It usually comes out sounding more like 'nnuooooo.' It's been great. Sorta. It has actually been helpful in figuring out what he wants. We have to use the process of elimination though. 'Do you want milk?' 'nnuooo.' 'Do you want cheese?' 'nuooo.' 'Do you want pretzels?' When we get to the right answer he'll giggle. That's his 'yes.'

He also signs more stuff now. He does dog, bird, more, help, please, play, candy. If you prompt him he'll nod his head for yes, shake his head for no and throw his ear into his shoulder for maybe. It's my new favorite (for real this time). He loves watching Signing Time and will ask for it by trying to sign 'signing' (it's basically the 'Do as I'm Doing' motion) and then when he's watching he'll ask for help and we move his hands to make the sign and then he can do it. It doesn't usually last longer than the show, but he loves trying and learning new things.

Projects

Mom-in-law and I started a few projects while we were up visiting. One of them is this cross stitch of the Nativity. It's 30 inches high and 60 inches long (that's 5 feet for those who struggle with conversions). I'm certain it will take me YEARS! to finish, but I'm excited to be see the end result!

We also worked on an advent calendar that Mark's Grandma had and given me a copy of. It's a nativity advent and it's way cute! There are 24 tiny figures (Mary, Joseph, Jesus, stars, sheep, wisemen, etc) and a cute backdrop to put one on each day. I don't have a picture of it because I left the original that Elaine and I were copying up in UT and forgot to take a picture before we left... I've had a few different people help me on that one. Danielle painted the figures (I struggle with that stuff - so THANK YOU!). With the fabric has been Meggie, my Mom and now my other Mom. For something I figured I could throw together with just the scraps in my mom's sewing room, this has sure turned into quite the project! Elaine and I were able to make real progress though and were almost done when camping called. Can't ignore the call to camp! There are rules you know :-)

Labor Day Campout

Mark's family has a tradition. They go camping every year at Labor Day up Santaquin Canyon. This year was no exception. We had a blast with the family. The kids had lots of playing in the river. Jason had lots of fun throwing rocks into the river. Julibeth taught him how to say '1 2 3 throw!' It came out more like 'uh uh eeh oow!' and then 'ehh ehh ehhh eeeeh eeh eeh oww!' Counting was not his strong suit...

Shelly had fun chasing Ethan around and we all had fun spending time together. I found a camping oven that fits on a stove top in my mom's DI stuff and snagged it and took it with me. We had a treat with fresh homemade cookies from dough that Elaine made and brought. It was lots of fun. I, of course, have no pictures. Just like me to not take pictures at exciting points...