Now You See It, Now You Don't

My neighbor noticed my sign was missing one morning. We usually put it away at night, but Sunday night we didn't. I have another sign up now, but I couldn't believe someone came on my property to take something that didn't belong to them!
The 100 hour countdown has started. We've been asked to give all we can at this point and hold nothing back (this was said by Elders Ballard and Cook). I have 60 people left on my list to call. On Saturday our family will go out and hand out voting reminders to as many people as we can. LDS lawyers throughout California will be monitoring polling stations. Groups are holding signs on corners every day. Hundreds of people who are not afraid to stand up for their beliefs are fighting pretty hard and giving a lot. I can't explain the feelings I have as the election draws near. The consequences of the presidential election are nothing compared to the repercussions of Prop 8 not passing. I read 3rd Nephi last night to remind myself that the evils of our day were seen a long time ago. The part I like is that no matter what happens on Tuesday and in the future the good side still wins in the end. Please remember us in your prayers and ask that all those who support Prop 8 feel the need to vote on Tuesday.

Here's an article entitled "Stoning Mormons for standing up for their values by funding Prop. 8" that helps me to know that the injustices are seen by others.

Happy B-Day Ray!

Here's Rachel's October update: Rachel is having birthday week! We started Friday with her first friends' party. She had a great time! We decorated pumpkins and cookies, played games, danced and had a pumpkin hunt.

Today's celebrations include: b-day breakfast, b-day treat at school, b-day dinner and she doesn't have to do her chores! On Friday (Jon's home!) we'll open up presents and go bowling. Not bad for turning 6!

My beautiful Rachel loves school, her long hair, wearing skirts, playing outside, riding her bike, READING, doing her homework, playing with her sisters and friends and going on dates with her dad. She loves to spend her money on candy, stickers and books, but she's also saving up for a pet. She doesn't like doing kitchen jobs, going to bed, not being able to play.

October Update

Showing her Chicago spirit for Sports Day at school. She's a good big sister and loves to plan activities for the family. She was an awesome helper at Rachel's b-day party last week. She was usually 2 steps ahead of me as to what needed to be done.

My little Hannah's growing up, but only when she wants to. She's a big girl when it works to her advantage, but when it's time to clean up she claims she can't because "I too little."

Lizzie's one! She likes to smile, say "Hi", call me "Bup" and Jon "DAD!!!". She gives the sweetest hugs throughout the day in between her tantrums which include throwing her head back into the chair, the hard wood floors (that are throughout our WHOLE house), the church pew, the stroller, the wall, etc.

HI!! I find myself daydreaming about my relaxing days in England where I was always looking forward to our next trip. (I don't think I did much else!) Life has returned quickly back to what it was before our move: chasing after the busy young ones, volunteering in the school, baking treats, cleaning the house (again!), painting the girls' blue room pink, slowly redoing the yard (so far 15 huge piles of what I've taken out), still settling into the house and reading when I can.

Jon's been missing lately when the camera's out. Hours at work are long and traveling has increased a bit. Which also means my hours are long and it explains a little about my absence from the blogging world. I'm no longer looking for when life will settle (it won't), but I'm trying to balance what I can.

Not in the Budget

There's a new motto in our house lately--"It's not in the budget." Even the girls quote it when they hear someone ask for something from the store (Jon asked me to pick up some gum the other day). We made some financial goals after we moved into the house and because we wanted to meet these goals quicker rather than later we are very aware of what we spend. At first it felt so constricting, but I've been surprised at all the positive things that have happened because of our tight budget.
No TV means my nights are filled with catching up on reading (LOVE IT!) and being better about tidying up and sometimes I'm even caught up with Sunday School lessons AND my scripture reading AND my Relief Society lesson!!!! (I don't think that's ever happened before.)
Smaller food budget means I spend the money on what we need, which means I eat better and therefore have more energy and when the girls want a snack all I have is something that falls in one of the good food groups
Smaller gas budget means I walk more and my trips out are better organized
No budget for landscaping and yardwork means I get to do fun things like use a chain saw and cut down my own trees! Whee!!! Way fun!!
No budget for extras means I don't feel any pressure into buying school pictures which I hate anyway (sorry-looking backgrounds, leftover lunch on the front of the shirt, the hair-do that says "I got my pictures taken after recess" and the smile that says "The photographer really doesn't care what I look like!")
Little entertainment budget means we get to check out movies at the library for FREE! (Oh wait, we've always done this.) Well, I guess it means we play more games at home with the girls and swap with our neighbors for babysitting.
Little budget for heating means we're going to play a fun game called, "Put on lots of sweaters because I'm not turning on the heat until I really have to." Thank goodness it's been in the 80s during the day (50s at night).
No house bugdet means I don't have to waste time shopping for things for the house (okay this one isn't really a positive one, but I'm trying!)
No clothing budget means I don't have to waste time shopping for things like desperately needed clothes for me or needed winter clothes for Lizzie. (Just kidding on this one--I actually enjoy shopping for good deals on clothes and dressing my children appropriately and am really looking forward to fitting this into the budget next month, which just means we'll only eat what's in our food storage. Mmmmm, whole wheat bean lentil soup!)
I'm laughing as I write this because I think it's kind of fun. I love a good challenge and I love projects and I love being frugal (most of the time.) This is all our choice and it's also temporary and we've turned it into something funny. Look for a new post next year on all the fun things I'm doing with my new budget!

Update on Prop 8

Just found out there's a website asking for people to volunteer info on Mormons who support and have donated to the "Yes on Prop 8" campaign. The list is thought to be used for harrassment purposes. No, I didn't check to see if we made it to the list.
Jon and I met people who are in favor of Prop 8 but declined to display a sign for fear of what would happen to them. We've been told to take down our signs at night because they're being stolen. (One person just doubled the amount of signs he put out each time one got stolen!)
Why is my freedom of speech less valued? I didn't attack all the people who have told me no when I've been out walking. I thanked them for their time and let them have their own opinion.
I'll keep you posted over the next few weeks. Add this one to your prayers.

Vote Yes on Proposition 8

Check out this website that shows what Jon and I support as well.
On Saturdays we go out (with the girls) and pass out information and (#1) encourage people to vote, (#2) explain what Proposition 8 is and (#3) find people who are for Prop. 8 as well and encourage them to help out with talking to others or display yard signs. I love watching the girls run from door to door and then after we've talked to someone ask: "So was that a yes or no, Mom?" Seeing them reminds me after I've heard too many NOs why I'm doing this. I want them to be able to live in a society that honors marriage as something special.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is also working with other churches and organizations in California trying to get the proposition to pass. It's really close right now. I saw a sign on the way home from church today that said "Love Thy Neighbor: Vote No on Prop. 8" and another sign that said "Equality for All: Vote No!". When I see these signs I think of Isaiah 5: 20-"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
And then I think, "Oh right--I live in California now."
Want to learn more? This website has some great information on it and has organized much of the effort here.

Summer Summary

In reviewing our pictures I decided that we had quite the summer!

We said goodbye to our house in England,

went to brother Nate's wedding (where the girls were happy to be flower girls!),

visited Mars with great friends,

visited Temple Square in Salt Lake,

where we randomly ran into some friends from England!,

went fishing (and caught 5 fish!),

went hiking with family,

celebrated a big birthday,

watched Emily get baptized,

hung out with awesome friends (look, we're all with our 'babies'!)

saw sea lions at Pier 39,

had a great first day at school,

and hung out at the beach!