I didn't write this, but I love and believe every word..
I Believe
I believe - That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I believe - That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I believe - That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I believe - That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I believe - That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I believe - That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I believe - That you should always leave loved ones with loving words.It may be the last time you see them.
I believe - That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I believe - That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I believe - That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I believe - That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I believe - That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I believe - That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I believe - That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I believe - That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I believe - That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.Some times you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I believe - That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I believe - That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I believe - Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I believe - That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I believe - That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I believe - That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I believe - That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
I believe- The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Six Consequences if Prop 8 Fails..
In the State of California, domestic partners already have all the same rights as married couples including insurance (domestic clause) and hospital visits. This does NOT change under Proposition 8.
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. They will have to be taught that same sex marriage is as good as traditional marriage. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.
In Massachusetts a parent did NOT want their 5 year old to be taught about homosexual marriage and the courts ruled they have NO rights to OPT OUT and they arrested the parent. (Parker case – U.S. District Judge Mark L. Wolf)
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. In New Jersey the sued a Methodist church for not allowing homosexual marriages. The church claimed it was private property and the judge ruled against the church and they LOST their tax exemption status. (Bernstein & Paster vs. Ocean Grove Methodist Church)
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 already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.
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.
Vote YES on Proposition 8.
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. They will have to be taught that same sex marriage is as good as traditional marriage. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.
In Massachusetts a parent did NOT want their 5 year old to be taught about homosexual marriage and the courts ruled they have NO rights to OPT OUT and they arrested the parent. (Parker case – U.S. District Judge Mark L. Wolf)
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. In New Jersey the sued a Methodist church for not allowing homosexual marriages. The church claimed it was private property and the judge ruled against the church and they LOST their tax exemption status. (Bernstein & Paster vs. Ocean Grove Methodist Church)
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 already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.
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.
Vote YES on Proposition 8.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
My own little Jack O' Lantern
I now have my own merry little Jack O' Lantern. Well we are still working on the merry part...
In February of this year the boys were playing outside. They were playing as boys do, rough. Well Caleb has always been the most daring, and during one of his feats he biffed it. In the process he also chipped a tooth out. We took him to the dentist, and she was not too concerned. It was more a "watch and wait". Due to the fact that this tooth was now dead, it affected the nearby teeth, and caused them to weaken and decay. In a few short months he was left with two front jagged and graying teeth, and had one other that was barely there. The prognosis was that they needed to be pulled. All four of them, or what was left.
Yesterday we went to the pediatric dentist to get the deed done. There was earlier concern that we would need IV sedation to put him completely under, but this dentist had been specially trained and she was sure she could do it with a light oral sedation to make him groggy and some nitrous oxide. We arrived bright and early with daddy in tow, since he is Caleb's "friend", and started him on the oral medication. He started getting groggy and a little loopy so we started in. Daddy sat right next to him and held his hand the entire time, while mommy looked on. They gave him a topical to numb the area, and then several shots. He did amazing. They also filled a cavity, which he actually laughed while they did, and then came the big stuff..the extraction of four front teeth. There was much pulling and tugging, but she had all four out in less than 2 minutes, as promised.
Caleb is recovering well, and this morning seems to be doing just fine. We did have a few break-downs yesterday, but he hasn't complained of pain at all. He really is such a trooper, and such a good little patient.
There is no concern with eating, since has practically been without them since spring. He can eat an entire apple, just using his side and back teeth, and the best news is that is adult teeth are perfectly fine, and will come in in a few years as planned.
Now we have our own little Jack o' Lantern just in time for Halloween.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Cold mornings..BRRR
The weather has changed and fall is here. The only evidence in southern Cali though seems to be the cool mornings, and even cooler evenings. The kids wake up and make their way downstairs only to bundle up in warm cozy blankets on the couch. We spend the morning thinking of cozy socks, and they want to know where their favorite jackets have made their way too. But by 10am we are reminded that we do indeed live in SoCal, and the 70 degree weather makes us wonder why we thought we could get away with wearing those jeans, or warm sweater. The kids come home from school their faces flushed and sweatshirts tied around their waists. I know full well that they were ripped off by first recess and their use was no longer to keep them warm but to be stashed in their backpack or to keep their bottoms warm.
The key though to this "fall" weather is layers. You can't make any sort of commitment and wear a long sleeve shirt. You will pay for it later in the day when the weather warms up. You must wear a short sleeve shirt with a jacket. Same goes for shoes. It may seem too cold to wear those flip flops or flats, but if you dare put socks on you'll be hatin' on those sweaty feet by lunchtime. Unfortunately for the boys socks are a must at school, but they are ripped from sweaty little feet and I find them rolled in balls all over the floor before the clock chimes even three o'clock.
The only problem that I find is when we start to pack our bags for our annual mecca trip to Utah around Christmas time. What will the kids wear, what will I wear. We are use to layering, and the warmest article of clothing we own are light sweatshirts. However it has finally dawned on me that this is perfectly fine. Since there are two seasons to Utah winters as well. First, there is the snowy cold outside, which we will attack with snow suits that we purchase super cheap off ebay. Secondly, there is the warm heater always on inside grandma and grandpa's house. Surely we can get away with our layered look in there.
So as we prepare for our California "fall" and "winter" we'll have lots of cozy blankets ready to use by the couch for those chilly mornings, and even chillier evenings. We'll have our light sweatshirts hanging by the door, and we'll have Otter Pops in the freezer to cool us down after our warmer afternoons.
The key though to this "fall" weather is layers. You can't make any sort of commitment and wear a long sleeve shirt. You will pay for it later in the day when the weather warms up. You must wear a short sleeve shirt with a jacket. Same goes for shoes. It may seem too cold to wear those flip flops or flats, but if you dare put socks on you'll be hatin' on those sweaty feet by lunchtime. Unfortunately for the boys socks are a must at school, but they are ripped from sweaty little feet and I find them rolled in balls all over the floor before the clock chimes even three o'clock.
The only problem that I find is when we start to pack our bags for our annual mecca trip to Utah around Christmas time. What will the kids wear, what will I wear. We are use to layering, and the warmest article of clothing we own are light sweatshirts. However it has finally dawned on me that this is perfectly fine. Since there are two seasons to Utah winters as well. First, there is the snowy cold outside, which we will attack with snow suits that we purchase super cheap off ebay. Secondly, there is the warm heater always on inside grandma and grandpa's house. Surely we can get away with our layered look in there.
So as we prepare for our California "fall" and "winter" we'll have lots of cozy blankets ready to use by the couch for those chilly mornings, and even chillier evenings. We'll have our light sweatshirts hanging by the door, and we'll have Otter Pops in the freezer to cool us down after our warmer afternoons.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Picture Tag
I am supposed to post the 22nd picture from my 9th folder. This was a little hard because when it comes to pictures I am super organized by year, then month, and then individual folders, so this is from this year 2008, 9th folder (September) and the winner is........
My brown boy after a summer at the beach..Daniel
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Dave visits the mother-land
or, is it the "mother-ship". Yesterday he hopped on a plane and flew back to Redmond, WA for Microsoft's Blue Hat Security Conference. Click HERE if you're dying to know more. He will be gone till Saturday morning, when the kids and I will eagerly await his return. In the meantime I'm flying solo.
I find that the evenings are quieter and even though we have become accustomed to not seeing him two nights a week (due to school) I find that the kids are different when daddy won't be tucking them in. Crazier, yes. Messier, yes. Melancholy, yes. Daddy is just super cool. They save their special stories just for him. Yes, I usually get tid bits of the really juicy stuff. But when they tell him the story, it is so much more colorful and vibrant. They are so excited that sometimes their words get all smashed together in their exubernace to share then is almost incoherent. I know of two such stories that they are saving until his return. And their biggest fear is forgetting all the details.
I of course will have many stories to share as well, and just to give you a few juicy tid bits they include, "the entire bottle of bath bubbles", "yes, she climbed the entire thing by herself", and "mommy your my other friend"
Monday, October 13, 2008
Special Delivery
You would think in our house that we have enough excitement and goings on, however something sparks a certain energy when their is a knock at the door or the doorbell rings. It must be someone special, or even better something for someone special.
This past week I have had multiple deliveries for sign making supplies. The kids are still super excited to open the door and then open the boxes, however their excitement dampens when they realize it's not for them, again.
That all changed, when the package was addressed not to me, but rather "Christensen Kids". They tore open the box and found tissue paper wrapped packages with each of their names on one. Thank You Grandma Cindy, we love them..
This past week I have had multiple deliveries for sign making supplies. The kids are still super excited to open the door and then open the boxes, however their excitement dampens when they realize it's not for them, again.
That all changed, when the package was addressed not to me, but rather "Christensen Kids". They tore open the box and found tissue paper wrapped packages with each of their names on one. Thank You Grandma Cindy, we love them..
CRAZY signmaking lady..
I haven't dabbled into signmaking in quite sometime. I sort of hung up my hat around Spring, and decided to enjoy the lovely weather and carefree-ness of summer without any deadlines to meet. However fall has arrived, and with it church activities and Super Saturdays filled with homemade crafts.
Our own ward at church decided to do a Super Saturday, which they haven't done in years. Usually these consist of about a dozen crafts, that women sign up for in advance, and then come on Saturday for a no holds barred day of craftiness. This year we had homemade Hot Fudge, which was super taaty, and about seven other crafts. I had wanted to make Magnetic Boards, and was eager to figure out hoe to make and teach these. They also had mentioned they might want to do some tiles that had vinyl lettering. No biggie I can surely handle doing a few tiles for that day in addition to the magnetic boards.
Well, we had nine crafts, I had my hand in seven of them. Somehow the vinyl tiles turned into two different designs, and then Family Home Evening Boards with vinyl lettering, Christmas Ornaments with Vinyl Lettering, and then etching Pyrex dishes, with Vinyl stencils.
This might not have been so bad if I hadn't taken on an additional Super Saturday for another ward, and if the entire family including myself hadn't come down with the stomach flu the week before.
The good news is that all was accomplished and everything went off without a hitch. I have much sleep to make up for, and much laundry to catch up on, but I am $1100 richer between the two SS, and hopefully I will find the time to buy my self something fun.
Signmaking is back in full swing, and I have taken on three more Super Saturdays for the month of November, one local, one in Arizona and one in Texas. I am also doing contractor work for a vinyl lettering company started by two friends. Their website is:
http://www.adheringthoughts.com/
I now have access to lots of fun nativity block stencils, and other designs, so it's a win win situation, plus I'm getting paid..Woo Hoo.
If any of you are interested in doing projects for Christmas presents, feel free to contact me. I'd love to do more..
Our own ward at church decided to do a Super Saturday, which they haven't done in years. Usually these consist of about a dozen crafts, that women sign up for in advance, and then come on Saturday for a no holds barred day of craftiness. This year we had homemade Hot Fudge, which was super taaty, and about seven other crafts. I had wanted to make Magnetic Boards, and was eager to figure out hoe to make and teach these. They also had mentioned they might want to do some tiles that had vinyl lettering. No biggie I can surely handle doing a few tiles for that day in addition to the magnetic boards.
Well, we had nine crafts, I had my hand in seven of them. Somehow the vinyl tiles turned into two different designs, and then Family Home Evening Boards with vinyl lettering, Christmas Ornaments with Vinyl Lettering, and then etching Pyrex dishes, with Vinyl stencils.
This might not have been so bad if I hadn't taken on an additional Super Saturday for another ward, and if the entire family including myself hadn't come down with the stomach flu the week before.
The good news is that all was accomplished and everything went off without a hitch. I have much sleep to make up for, and much laundry to catch up on, but I am $1100 richer between the two SS, and hopefully I will find the time to buy my self something fun.
Signmaking is back in full swing, and I have taken on three more Super Saturdays for the month of November, one local, one in Arizona and one in Texas. I am also doing contractor work for a vinyl lettering company started by two friends. Their website is:
http://www.adheringthoughts.com/
I now have access to lots of fun nativity block stencils, and other designs, so it's a win win situation, plus I'm getting paid..Woo Hoo.
If any of you are interested in doing projects for Christmas presents, feel free to contact me. I'd love to do more..
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