Proposition 8

This is a family blog- that's why I'm including this important post from a friend about families. California is dealing with an upcoming vote that will determine the state's definition of a family called Proposition 8. This proposition supports that marriage is between a man and a woman. If this propostion does not pass, the repercussions will affect us all. In states where all types of "marriages" are already recognized, mandatory "Equality" curriculum is taught to kindergartners without the parent's notification or consent. I hope that all of us can stand up for what we believe in and support the Proclamation to the World- it was obviously divinely inspired by a Prophet of God.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World
http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,161-1-11-1,00.html


Here's a link to a Jessica's blog with her views on the subject in California:
http://www.thebodenfamily.blogspot.com/


I asked what we could do to show our support and Jessica mentioned just getting the word out through blogging, and if we were able to, donating to the cause. There is a button on the right side of Jessica's blog that takes you directly to the Protect Families website if you're interested.


This link is an interview with a family in Massachusetts where all types of "marriages" are already state recognized and supported. Parents don't even have the right to speak out or protest the early teaching of their children about these topics without retaliation from the law. It's a scary thought and one that could easily become the "norm" for other states if this propostion is not passed.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1815825713

Please take the time to get involved and show your support in any way you can.

Family Home Evening Performance

Here's our little performer (and her daddy) giving us a little show for Family Home Evening. Of course she only does cute things when she's in a t-shirt and diaper... Oh well. :)

ROTC

Here are a few pics from Beau's swearing into ROTC. They held it at the Augusta Green Jacket's baseball stadium right before the game. I didn't have the best seats, so hopefully you can pick Beau out. :)

In this photo he's on the front row, fourth one in...


He's enjoying the people he's met in ROTC and staying busy with all of his history classes and endless papers. :)

Gwen's Tag

My friend Michelle tagged Gwen, so I thought I'd be a good sport and participate on her behalf! :)

Name and meaning: Gwendolyn Nicole
Means "white wave" and it's Welsh; I've always liked old fashioned names. I had already picked this name out when Beau reminded me that his grandmother's name is Gwendolyn, so we went with it.

Age: 21 months

Nicknames: Punkin, Sweet-girl, Babydoll, Little Stinker

Favorite activities: Playing outside, dressing up, coloring, singing and dancing

Favorite foods: Pizza, spaghetti, popsicles, raisins, cheese, anything sweet

Least favorite foods: Anything green, anything we ask her to eat when she's not in the mood

Favorite music: "If You're Happy and You Know It, " "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree," "The Itsy Bitsy Spider"- really anything she can dance around to. She also tries to sing hymns with us in church...

Favorite toys: Her "Woobie," stuffed elephant, any ball she can throw, her dress-up hats and jewelry, our shoes

Favorite book: Big Red Barn

Favorite item of clothing: Her white Easter hat- she wears it all the time!

What makes her sad: When she doesn't get her way, when mommy or daddy leaves

What makes her happy: When we come to pick her up, when she can use a "big cup", when she's getting chased around the house, singing along with "Signing Time", when she can play outside, when she gets to see her cousins, putting on "makeup" like mommy

Who am I going to tag? Anyone who has kids and would like to participate! Thanks!

September Showers

Okay- people take pictures of their kids in the tub, right? So please don't think I'm too weird for sharing these. Gwen recently decided that she would no longer sit down in the tub during baths... She will temporarily sit down for bubbles, but that only lasts until the bubbles disappear. Tomorrow she may change her mind again, but so far this has lasted for about a month. Beau found a child's shower attachment that sticks to the wall so that the resulting spray is Gwen's height. So far, it's been a big hit and made bath time a much more pleasurable, albeit wet, experience. I should not have been surprised with her reaction to the shower based on her outdoor reactions to water... see "Baby Pools Are Boring...". If anyone has ideas of how I'm supposed to stay dry during these sessions, please let me know (I can't do the whole tandem showering thing...).

Looks a bit creepy to me, but Gwen doesn't seem to notice...

As you can see, the steam was fogging up the lens- but if I can have a happy and clean toddler, then I sure don't mind getting wet in the process. :)

Family fun

Here are some pictures from Conlan's 3rd birthday- he's getting so big, so fast! Gwen always has fun seeing her Papa, Nana and cousins!

What a handsome guy!

She's such a girlie-girl... we love it. :)

Jumpy Gwen

Here are some pics from our trip to Jump City. At first we were afraid that Gwen was too little to enjoy it, but she quickly proved us wrong. :) She had fun jumping and tumbling around and showed us her enthusiasm with her little happy dance...

August

Beau's birthday was Aug 6th- here are some pictures... better late then never! :) Love you!

Our little performer- seen here standing on Nana's fireplace...

Uh- looks like trouble! Gwen and Talmage- 6 months apart. :)

We are family

Lots of love in these photos!

This one was taken during Beau's birthday celebration. We always end up out in the comfy sunroom...

This is during a recent visit from my dad- chillin' on the couch. :)

On another note- Beau and I started classes yesterday. We both have tons of studying to do and Beau will also have several History and Humanities papers to write, but we're excited to be on our way. I feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel even though we're only at the beginning. :)

Baby pools are boring...

So last weekend we were able to go to Hunter and Peyton's birthday party at the park. It was a fun and relaxing time and we were happy to attend.

Cute Peyton turned 1

Happy Hunter turned 4

We knew that there was a huge fountain at the park and I decided to bring Gwen's swimsuit just in case although I didn't have high hopes. This has been her usual reaction to outdoor water works....

Not so happy. So I decided to wait to see if Gwen would be interested in the water before I put her in her suit.

The inquisitive toddler creeps in cautiously towards the spouting chlorinated water after seeing other children playing and having fun...

Wait! The fountain sprays water right into my face if I get close enough!

Yea! Let's do it again!

Lots and lots of water... and an ever-expanding, soaked with water, regular diaper... So much for the swimsuit. :) I did change her into her suit later and she went right back into the water to enjoy round two with Daddy.

Notice that I didn't put any cheese puffs on Gwen's plate...

And notice that she much prefers her Daddy's plate...

Thanks for the yummy cupcake- Happy Birthday Hunter and Peyton!

Update

So- we're still alive here in Martinez. Sorry it's taken so long for me to post anything, but you may have to be more patient with me in the near future. I'm getting everything lined up to take on online class in early August. I'll be rotating at an area doctor's office while I'm taking this course to become certified in taking CT scans (CAT scans). I've been stressing out trying to get all my ducks in a row because the class is also out of state which makes it difficult to get my questions answered easily. I'm amazed that anyone can get into college anymore... So- things have been crazy and will only get crazier. I will continue to work part time while I'm attending the CT program. Here's what my lovely schedule will look like:

Mon- Rotate 8-6pm

Tues-work

Wed- Rotate 8-4:30p

Thurs- work; online class 6-9pm

Fri-work

At some point I"ll also need to study and of course see my wonderful family, so wish me luck. Thankfully, the course only runs from Aug-May. After that I'm hoping to find a part time position so I can be home more with Gwen.

And to add to the craziness, Beau is attempting to attend school full time and work part time as well... So- please keep us in your prayers. And if you don't hear from us as often as before, just know that we're thinking of all of you and we'll let you know if anything really exciting happens.

The following pictures are from July 4th- I have some more recent ones that I hope to get posted soon. :)

Home again

So, Beau has returned! Last Wednesday I left for Fort Bragg to pick him up. After a long trip and yet another fun "adventure" in getting lost (what is it with me and getting lost in Fayetteville!), I finally arrived on post. Thankfully, our room was close enough to Beau's barracks so that when his Cadre eventually did decide to give them free time (6:30pm- good thing I didn't get there early) he was able to just walk over and meet me.

We visited for a little while then he had to get back to his barracks before lights out (ninja- style). :) We found the auditorium the next morning where the graduation was held and met up with Jason and Jeanette- they both looked so great and it was awesome to be able to visit with them.

During the ceremony Gwen was pretty good- we just kept sneaking her goldfish crackers even though the sign clearly read "No food or drink allowed." Hopefully we didn't leave crumbs... She clapped after the songs ended during the slideshow and said "Yea!" and everyone giggled. Then- I tried to get up to take a closer picture. Bad move- Gwen started shrieking for "Momma" and I rushed back to quiet her down. Eventually she couldn't take anymore sitting in her stroller and Jason scooped her up and took her outside the doors so she could walk around in the foyer. So I was able to listen to the rest of graduation and Gwen was much happier. Thanks, Jason. :)

After graduation, we took lots of pictures, visited with Jason and Jeanette, and with Beau's fellow soldiers. It was nice to be able to relax a little. After Gwen's nap we headed over to visit with Niki and Todd. We let the kids play together and enjoyed some good home cooked food. Once we put the kids to bed we were able to hang out- just like old times. :) Thanks for sharing your home with us, Niki and Todd.

The drive home was easier with two adults and the portable dvd player we parked in the backseat. I wouldn't use it for short trips, but it was a definite help for this car trip. However, if I hear one more Elmo song... I'm going to have to find some less annoying kids dvds- maybe Baby Einstein? But since Gwen asks for Elmo now when she wakes up in the morning, I don't think I'll be getting rid of these anytime soon. Marketing genius...

It's great to have Beau home. It took him a few days to get used to not having to be somewhere every minute of the day. Gwen is slowly adjusting to having Daddy home. She's a Momma's girl right now and we're considering a "vacation" for me on a Saturday so Gwen can spend some quality time with her Daddy without me around to distract her. I'm all for it except I wish I had won a spa trip or something... Good thing a quiet trip to Barnes and Noble and a pedicure will do the job just as well. :)

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!

To all of the amazing fathers in my life- we love you so much!

Hot Dogs

This past Saturday, it was 101 degrees outside (not the heat index). So, what did Gwen and I do? We went to the park to see a group of people raising money to train dogs for the blind. We didn't stay long, but Gwen loved watching all of the different kinds of dogs. These are my co-worker's beautiful Australian Shepherds, Chili and Cheyenne.

"Eyes"

Cooling off- that's what we should have done ourselves!

Cutest Poser

I promise that I didn't pose any of these pictures-
Gwen wouldn't have let me anyway!