Emma’s Baptism

Emma was baptized last Saturday morning. We were lucky to have all of her grandparents, Uncle Mark, Auntie Mel, and Welly there with us.  Emma has been preparing for this important day for a long time, and had an interview with the Bishop ahead of time to make sure she understood the basics. Emma decided to wear the white jumpsuit provided for the actual baptism, but wore the same dress I was baptized in twenty four years ago before and after.

It was a beautiful morning and the sense of peace and love were pervasive. The stake primary prepared a beautiful program and gave wonderful and touching talks about baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Sister Titmus and Sister Turner talked directly to Emma and Alexandra (the other girl being baptized that day), and I felt so grateful to them for their preparation and for their obvious love for these two girls.  After the baptism, Emma was confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost.  She was glowing and just gorgeous. I hope she will remember the special spirit that was there that morning.

Afterwards we came back to our house, had a nice lunch of sandwiches and salads, and of course cake and a few gifts.  Mammy and Pappy gave Emma her own set of scriptures personalized just for her.  Nana and Papa gave her a special book that had thoughts written for Emma from members of the family about baptism. Rob and I gave her a special necklace that sparkles as much as she does! We are so happy to have Emma a baptized member of the church.  Great job sweetie!

Baptism ’84

In May 1984 I was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In this picture are my Dad, Erica, Me and Chris (Matt was born several months later) standing in our backyard. The dress I’m wearing was made by my talented mother.  I found it a few weeks ago in a box I had stored away, and Emma will wear it at her baptism this Saturday. I was worried that she would think it wasn’t her style and wouldn’t want to wear it, but she is so excited to wear the dress her Nana made and her mom was also baptized in.

These were our friends that lived next door at the time.  We were all the same ages and genders, so we played together lots and lots.  My best friend is on the left;  Her name was also Amy, so we were known as “Amy N.” and “Amy T.”  In this picture are Amy, Me, Christie, Erica, David, and Chris standing in front of the church before the baptism service. Amy T. received her first communion at the Catholic church around this same time and I remember attending that service too.

Emma will be baptized this Saturday at 10:00 am at our Stake Center. The baptism is earlier in the day than usual because there are two Lights on Broadway performances that day too.  I’m sure Emma will shine especially brightly in the shows that day. If you are able to come to the baptism, we would love to have you there!

BTW- Lights on Broadway is a musical production that Emma and Hunter are participating in.  They have been practicing for months now and the performance will be fantastic.  Adults and children from our stake are doing song and dance numbers from broadway plays. Emma will be in Born to Entertain, I Won’t Grow Up, Lion King, and Consider Yourself.  Hunter chose to do just one song, Pick A Pocket. If you want to come and watch, let me know!

Dinner Swaps

My friend Tonya asked me last week if I would be interested in a dinner swap.  The gist of it is that four families would make a main dish for each others families once a week. The other three nights we would get dinner delivered to our house. Of course I didn’t hesitate to say, “Yes!” The idea of having one day that’s kind of crazy is totally worth not having to worry about dinner for three days per week.  We’re still working on details, like if we should plan menus ahead of time, and purchasing a set of Pyrex that will get passed from house to house so there is no need for returning anything.

Wednesday was our first night and I made a creamy pesto pasta with chicken and garlic bread for each family. We had one family opt out, so we’re trying it with three families for a couple weeks, and then we’ll add a new one if it works out.  On Thursday night Tonya brought us stuffed red peppers, which were delicious, and I have never made stuffed peppers so it was especially fun.  Tonight Eliza brought a deluxe chef salad with a loaf of fancy artisan bread.  I never would have made a salad as a main dish either, I’m afraid my kids aren’t fans of fresh spinach or lettuce. However, it was also fabulous, and I think this is just what our family needs. I am totally loving it!  Lately I have been feeling like the meals I make are uninteresting and not so healthy.  This way we get some variety and the kids are more willing to try something new because they know their friends are eating it too. And now I try harder to think about what I’m feeding my family, because I don’t want to deliver mac n cheese with hot dog bits to my friends’ families.  So I’m now on the lookout for recipes that are pretty easy to prepare, are easy to multiply by 3 families, and aren’t awkward to deliver. Please send me your recommendations!

Obama/Biden Intolerant & Hateful?

In my marriage we have been following the political campaign closely and I lean towards one candidate while my husband leans toward another. Both of us are Independent voters, so we enjoy some political discussions and although we agree on most things, there are some where we differ. With all of the media buzz about Palin’s ability to debate, we were excited to sit and watch the vice presidential debate together.  Was anyone else shocked and impressed by Joe Biden’s response to the gay marriage question last night? I had assumed that this issue was just as divisive as so many others, but the Republican team and the Democrat team have the same stance.

All four potential leaders of the United States of America agree:
Marriage should not be redefined to include gay marriage.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfIKdRmWkBI

When he was asked about supporting gay marriage, Biden said: “No. Barack Obama nor I support redefining from a civil side what constitutes marriage.”

Palin agreed, “My answer is the same as his and it is that I do not,” she said.

Now let’s discuss. Of course I am so interested in this topic because of the upcoming vote here in California on Proposition 8.  Many of you may be tired of hearing me talk about this issue, but it is one that I believe is vital to the future of our society. We all will be affected by this from what is taught in our public schools to how we run our businesses.

So if both the Democrats and Republicans agree on this issue, why are we even talking about it? Because it has become a popularity contest.  The gay rights agenda has been slowly pushing for decades to gain popularity and status. Their message of tolerance was accepted, and society said- we will tolerate your right to live your life as you see fit. But now their message has turned into- you need to agree that we are right. And you need to openly acknowledge and teach your children about our lifestyle. I heard Ellen on Leno say that denying marriage rights to homosexuals is hateful and that the money donated toward this cause should be spent on those losing their homes and the hurricane victims in Texas. If that is the case, it is true for both sides.  I’d rather be sending my money to those people too, but this issue has far reaching consequences. And since the issue has been raised, a final decision must be made.

In order to compete with the money pouring into the No campaign by the “popular kids” (Spielberg and Brad Pitt both gave $100,000 for the No campaign. As open Obama supporters, I’m curious what they think of Biden’s statement), us “nerdy kids” that make up most of the “school”, must do fundraising as well. (I can’t help but make the high school student council analogy.)

Yes voters have been called religious crazies, but Joe Biden agrees with us: “That is basically the decision to be able to be left to faiths and people who practice their faiths, the determination… what you call it. The bottom line though is (and I’m glad to hear the governor, I take her at her word obviously) that she thinks there should be no civil rights distinction, none whatsoever, between a committed gay couple and a committed heterosexual couple.  If that’s the case we really don’t have a difference.”

I can hear it called out now, “He’s only saying that so as not to offend the majority of the country who are Christian. He doesn’t really believe that.”  Even if you’re right, you have proven your own point. A politician’s job is to represent the will of the people they govern.

Hannah’s Primary Talk

Hannah’s Primary Talk 9/28/08

Rob asked Hannah some questions about prayer and wrote down her answers.  This was the talk she gave in primary.  It was very cute and fun to watch.

Today my talk is about saying prayers.

When you say your prayers you fold your arms and close your eyes so you can be reverent.

In my prayers I tell Heavenly Father that I love Him and I love my family and I love my preschool.  I ask Heavenly Father for help to be nice to my brother and my sisters.

When I say my prayers all by myself, I don’t need help.  If it gets hard, my mom or dad can help me to remember what to say.

I can ask Heavenly Father to help my family to be safe and to be happy.

I love Heavenly Father and I love Jesus and Jesus loves me.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

What Does This Mean?

On Sunday morning I discovered that someone had removed a bumper sticker from the back window of my mini van while it was parked in my driveway. Rude!

Considering what it was for, I started thinking about the type of person that might do this. It read “Restore Marriage, Yes on 8.” So the person that removed it is most likely a Vote No on 8 person;  Why else would they bother pulling it off? Isn’t the big message of that campaign tolerance?  So, they’re all for tolerating other points of view… as long as you agree with them? Hmmm

For the record, I do not agree with the popular definition of tolerance. Tolerance has come to mean acceptance. I am tolerant of this group, but I do not accept their lifestyle. I feel that gays and lesbians are children of God and I have no feelings of hatred for them; however, I also believe that the lifestyle they live is immoral and should not be granted the right to marry. It still boggles my mind how the No supporters can justify their stance when marriage rights have been refused to many groups already. For example: a polygamist, or cousins, or a brother and sister, or minor and adult, or owner and pet…  All can say that they love each other and deserve the right to marry. Do No supporters really believe that allowing this right to every group of people is the best idea, or is it because the homosexuals have become popular that they deserve it over all of the other “alternative” lifestyles? —OK, I’m done, but whoever removed my bumper sticker started it 😉 —

Lucky for me I had another bumper sticker and stuck it right back where the first one was.  Anyone want to take bets on whether my house gets egged when I put a sign in the yard?

Many Thanks

Thanks to Auntie Korby who sent the kids an Unbirthday package in the mail.  We opened it yesterday! What a fun idea you had and they all loved their gifts.  Hannah and Sabrina watched the Barbie Diamond Castle movie and the Strawberry Shortcake Spring movie back to back and are still talking about them.  Hunter has been making floam creations nonstop.  He has always loved that stuff, but had to buy it with his own money, and never managed to get it yet.  Emma loves the outfit for her Emily doll and got her all dressed up in the new clothes and then did her hair to match. Thank You!

Thanks to all who sent Emma birthday gifts this year!  Auntie “J” (or as Hannah calls you: Aunt Annette) the purple butterfly shirt is hip yet beautiful and Emma looks beautiful in it. And to Nana and Papa: Emma is so excited to have a cool bag for carrying Emily’s wardrobe when she goes to play at friends’  houses.  And the purple plaid skirt is super cute, along with the rest of the outfit! Aunt Erica and cousins: Emma has already watched Princess Diaries 2 twice, and then we just had to rent the first one because she couldn’t remember it. It was the perfect movie for her. Emma says, “I love them, and I’ve had lots of great fun with them!”

(I have pictures, and will add them as soon as I can.  I always put off sending thank yous because I want to get a picture with it, and then the thanks get lost in the shuffle, so I’m just getting this out now.)