Happy 14th Anniversary to Us!

Well, Lance and I have made it 14 years together as of yesterday. How lucky am I to have married him! Even though we are so different in many ways, he is constantly teaching me and showing me a better way to be. I love him! He is a fabulous father and one of the hardest workers I have ever met. We spent the morning doing what every wife dreams of doing on her anniversary-knocking on doors and talking to people about Prop. 8- the marriage amendment, (yet ironically appropriate for the day). He took the boys on one side and I took the girls on the other side. A lot of people were gone but we had some interesting conversations. We found a good mix of opinions. Some definitely against, one a little rude about it too, some weren't sure, and some definitely for it. However, out of all those for it, not one would commit to help or even put a sign in their yard. People are a little afraid to make known what they believe on this issue , which is too bad. Knocking on doors is so far out of my comfort zone. I was glad I had the girls with me to help remind me of why I am doing this. Tonight we are having a "cottage meeting" to try to raise more donations from members. After knocking doors, we went to swim in a friend's pool for a little bit to cool off and have some fun. My children are swimming much better now then they were at the beginning of summer. Lance and I went out shopping and out to dinner to celebrate and had a very nice time. We both managed to find some good deals on clothes which is always a bonus. We can't wait to start school on Tuesday! Our schedule is already filling up. It will be fun to get going.

Ready for School!

My kids are ready for school. All their friends started this past week which made for a very slow moving week for us. I tried to keep them somewhat occupied while at the same time trying to plan lessons for school. We went to the river which we haven't done for a long time. It was beautiful and peaceful except for the geese that walk right up to you expecting a handout. There is a bike trail that I hope to do in the next few weeks that winds around the river. The boys had their checkups at the doctors and we are all done with that for a while. Lance and I attended a "cottage meeting" at the bishop's house regarding propostion 8, the marriage amendment. He brought up some interesting thoughts about the consequences if this amendment doesn't pass. What would happen to LDS Social Services if they wouldn't comply with the law about placing children up for adoption with certain couples? What if a bishop refuses to marry certain couples? Would the church then lose its tax status? Not to mention all the curriculum for public school having to be changed. The teachers union here is one big contributor to stopping the amendment. That is a frightening statement in itself. Lance met with a group of only 25 people, unfortunately, from our stake and received handouts and lists of people to contact trying to see how they are going to vote. They only have 11,000 homes to contact! Hopefully the turnout will be better at the meetings this week. He took the kids and knocked on doors for a few hours yesterday and had some great experiences. Most of the neighbors he talked to feel in favor of the amendment. Of course, there were those that had varying opinions. It was great for the kids to be part of that and learn about the importance of this issue. Thanks, mom and dad, for your contribution!

Terror!

Well, I am sure glad yesterday is over. I had been feeling for some time now that I needed to play a song in Sacrament Meeting. I had one I was practicing off and on for a couple months just in case I needed a quick musical number for something. Well, last Sunday I felt a distinct impression I needed to play yesterday. A returned missionary was speaking and I thought he should have something a little more special than a congregational hymn. Well, the song I had practiced just didn't seem right so I played a few others. The one that I felt I should play was Jon Schmidt's "Baptism Hymn" which I knew but not well enough. I spent the rest of the week practicing and then stressing and than came the dreaded feeling of terror. I realized it has been over 15 years since I have played a solo in Sacrament Meeting and for one reason-TERROR! By Saturday I was beyond grumpy. Sunday came and I knew I had done all I could do and it was in Heavenly Father's hands. The meeting started and I just counted the minutes until it would be over. The missionary was exceptional in his remarks and of course, the whole Stake Presidency was there for him. My hands were a little shaky but I sat down and played and I made it through playing better than I had practiced! I was so glad to be done. I know I had much help from above.

More San Diego Pictures

Here are some more photos.

San Diego

Here are some photos of our fun trip to San Diego. We arrived Monday around lunch time and went straight to Mission Beach to meet up with family. Within a few minutes our little nephew was no where to be found and we all spread out in search of him. Nothing like a lost child at a busy beach to make one panic. His dad contacted the life quard and he put the word out. We could not imagine him straying to far because it was only a moments after that we noticed him gone. He must have run! The longest 30 minutes of our lives! He was found way down the beach where a man noticed him crying and asked if he was lost. There were several strangers who helped look. It definitely made me have a great faith in the goodness of others! However, I did notice the lifewuards were rather busy this trip with a bunch of riptides etc. After that, the fun began. We spent the first day at Mission Beach and then went back to one of our hotels to swim. On Tuesday, we went to Coronado, which is one of my most favorites places ever. We played games at a park right by the naval base and then went across the street to the beach. If it weren't for the four long trips to the bathroom which I had to make with certain daughters it would have been perfect. After dinner, we went back to the hotel to swim. Wednesday, we went to a park by Mission Beach and played some frisbee golf and other games and then headed to the beach one more time. We stayed in a great hotel that served an amazing breakfast and even dinner one night. You can't beat that! Before heading home on Thursday, we took the children and went with Cam's family and Grandma Dorothy to the USS Midway and toured the ship. It' was quite a sight. I don't think I could last a day on one of those. It was very cool to see the planes on the top deck, too. The time went by too quickly and now we are back to the routine of everyday life.

Jason's Birthday

Jason is now officially twelve. I am having a small mid-life crisis. I have had a bit of reflection time realizing how old I am getting. Grandma Lia and Grandpa Bill flew down for the weekend. That was the best part! It was wonderful having them here. We gave them an hour to get settled and then Lauren brought the games out and the fun began. Saturday was Jason's birthday and also our Stake Pioneer Celebration. All of us went for a big pancake breakfast and some fun activities. Mom and Dad ran into Elder Little from the Yalecrest Ward who is currently serving in our stake. It truly is a small world! After breakfast, Jason opened his presents and I don't think he can complain about his gifts. Mom and Dad took everyone but Maddie (she was sleeping) to see WALL-E. The kids seemed to really like it and that was nice of grandma and grandpa to do. We then celebrated with Jason's birthday feast. Grilled salmon and shrimp, deep-fried shrimp, artichokes, salad, home-made orange rolls, watermelon and soda. It was quite delicious if I do say so myself! He topped his birthday night off with apple pie (warm, of course,) and ice cream. Sunday, it was another special occasion. Jason was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood as a deacon. Besides mom and dad, our home teacher and the other deacons and scout leader were present for the ordination. I am so proud of his choice to receive the priesthood and for what a wonderful young man he is becoming. I am grateful for his choices and his desire to do what is right. It was a great weekend. Thanks, mom and dad for being part of it!