Happy Halloween!

More to come . . . after Trick or Treat time! Have a great Holiday! Hooray! 

Like Father, Like Son

The midi-chlorians run strong in the family

I wanna be a Jedi!

Before we went to Disneyland, I had done a little research on the rides/attractions. One of the things I really wanted to do (for Daniel, of course) :-) was the Jedi Training Academy. I had seen the videos on YouTube, and I thought it would be fun! I also noticed while watching the videos that they would pick certain children to come up to the stage. They call up kids wearing bright colors, etc. Only few children were chosen, compared to the amount waiting to be picked.

So, knowing there would be hundreds of other children, I wanted to secure Daniel's future as a Jedi. :-) I made signs which we brought along with us that said, "I wanna be a Jedi, PLEASE!" also one that said, "I love Yoda." Anyhow, when we got there we secured our seats in the front and Daniel and Daddy were armed with their signs. I was keeping an eye on Dan, and I noticed a boy sitting next to him had taken one of his signs, he wanted to hold it. I quickly went over to him and said, "Sorry these signs are for Daniel" and I placed the signs back in Daniel's hands. I know, I was lame! I really do not know what came over me! The "Dark Side" I guess! Come to find out, that boy had been there three times trying to get picked! I felt so bad! I really did! Anyhow, the time came for the picking and the Jedi trainer said, "the boy with the signs." Hooray! It had worked! I could not have been more excited!

I believe dreams can come true. Sometimes, you have to make them come true!! It takes work! :-)

Charles and Dan getting ready for the frenzy!


Getting all suited up for Jedi Training

Daniel got to head for the stage to learn the way of the Force!


They young ones were taught the way of the Force, and how to be a Jedi. They were preparing to defeat the Dark Side.


Then the music played, and out came the Storm Troopers -- very cool!


Then the Darth Vader music began and up came Vader himself -- rising up from underground. Very awesome! He gave a little schpill about the Dark Side and joining him. The Jedi master said they would never join (of course) then Darth Vader said, "You underestimate the power of the Dark Side!" . . .


That is when the lovely Darth Mal comes flying out. Yikes! Luckily, Daniel was on the stage, which meant he got to fight Darth Vader. He does not like Darth Mal! He was really creepy!
Here is Daniel preparing to use the force, and his lightsaber skills . . .

He had been practicing at home. :-)

Darth Vader said, "Very impressive!"

Daniel walks away triumphant!

Charles looks on with great pleasure! :-)

It was so great! Daniel walked a little taller after becoming a Jedi Knight! :0) I was so happy for him!

Where am I?

Well, right now I am in San Francisco!! 

Here is the Trolley we got to ride on! It was SO amazing! I never knew what it meant to ride a trolley in San Francisco. I thought it just took you slowly through the city -- it was more like a roller coaster ride! It would slowly climb the steep hills, and then fly down! It was so thrilling! If you are ever in the city -- you MUST do it! 

Sammi and Daddy spent the trolly ride standing and holding on. At the end of the ride Sammi said, "I hope I never forget this trolley ride." :-) 

What was the most thrilling was when our power went out on the trolley tracks, in the middle of our ride. So, we were stuck in the middle of the road! We had to wait until a big truck came by to push us back up the hill to get us going again. It was quite exciting! We were riding at night too, and we got stuck just a block away from China Town. You can see the lights of the pick-up truck in the picture below. 
Golden Gate at night

This is a picture to show that I am actually riding on a boat. I am not a big fan of boats, I tend to get pretty sea-sick. This ride was no problem. Nice and smooth. It was so amazing too! It went right underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a really amazing feeling to see it from that perspective. San Francisco is a really fascinating place. There are just so many things to do! 

This a picture of our family standing outside the church building we went to on Sunday. It was in Reno, Nevada. It was a really beautiful place, which was surprising. The downtown was scary, but the suburbs were really nice. It is in a really nice setting, surrounded by mountains.

San Francisco 
Waiting in line at the Trolley station
Charles fulfilling one of his lifetime wishes . . . riding a trolley through downtown San Francisco! He was hanging off the side the whole time. :-) He LOVED it!  It was just an awesome thing! 
More to come . . . I have about 400 pictures so far!!! :-) 

Standing for Something

This video is from the LDS.org Newsroom. I am a firm supporter of the sanctity of marriage, and I do believe that family, and family values are the "good" in this world -- worth fighting for. I appreciated how Elder Cook urges us to take a look into the future, and to consider how important moral values really are, and what the consequences will be -- if we do not stand for something.

We often hear the words tolerance, diversity, and acceptance. If we do not embrace the behaviors of others, then we are considered prejudice and narrow-minded. Is it possible to love the sinner and hate the sin? Yes, a resounding YES!! We are commanded to love all of God’s children, and that is exactly what we should do. But, to love them, does not mean to condone, accept, or encourage behavior that is wrong, or will lead to sin, and even potentially the degradation of our society.

The Family, A Proclamation to the World, states: Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

The question is often brought up regarding nature vs. nurture. I have fairly strong opinions about the idea of people being born a certain way, or with certain inclinations -- without the ability to change, or practice self-control. When you consider what a same-gender attraction, or relationship is about, it has everything to do with personal satisfaction, gratification, and pleasure. Many people say that they cannot "help" feeling a certain way. Their desires are so strong, and so real. This is true, their desires are real. Some synonyms of “desire” are, covet, crave, want, and wish. Just as I have a great desire to eat chocolate all day, or some have a great urge, or desire, to steal, or lie, or hurt people -- it does not make those desires right, or good for us to act upon. Nor does it mean that those desires cannot be controlled. We all have temptations, things that we may have strong desires for, while on this Earth. Each one of us has weaknesses. It is part of the plan. It is also part of the plan to overcome these weaknesses and move forward -- with determination to do right.

I believe that the adversary seeks to find our weaknesses, to expose them, and to trap us. I believe in the case of same-gender attraction that he works extra hard to entice, to tempt, and then to capture. Why would such care and effort be made by the dark side? If same-gender attraction can be glamorized, accepted, and embraced -- then it is another win for him. It is a win because it is the perfect tool, the perfect trap, and the perfect weapon -- to fight against the sanctity of Family.

Prophet Spencer W. Kimball stated, in The Miracle of Forgiveness: But let us emphasize that right and wrong, righteousness and sin, are not dependent upon man's interpretations, conventions and attitudes. Social acceptance does not change the status of an act making wrong into right. If all people in the world were to accept homosexuality, as it seems to have been accepted in Sodom and Gomorrah, the practice would still be deep, dark sin.

Wait. What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah? Oh, that’s right, it was destroyed! Yes, it also had to do with the great pride of the people. But all of the people in the city tolerated, condoned, and accepted their “diverse” lifestyles and actions. It was condoning sinful behavior, the acceptance and practice of sin – that lead to the great city’s demise.

Same-Gender attraction contradicts everything that the Plan of Salvation is about -- Marriage between a man and a woman, and family. Intimacy in marriage is sacred, and it is the way that eternal families are created. “Marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God . . . the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.” (Proclamation to the World). I know this is true.

Is there a way to explain why homosexuality is wrong, without discussing religion? I don’t believe there is. You can sift through the political aspects, but the reason that same-gender attraction is wrong is because God does exist! Spencer W. Kimball states: Those who would claim that the homosexual is a third sex and that there is nothing wrong in such associations can hardly believe in God or in his scriptures. If God did not exist, such an unnatural and improper practice might be viewed differently, but one could never justify it while accepting the Holy Scriptures.

I do accept the scriptures, and because I accept the scriptures, I also know that God lives. I am so grateful to know it. Knowing that God lives makes this highly controversial issue (same-gender attraction) fairly simple to understand. It is not as complicated as the voices of the “world” would make it. It is simple. Same-gender attraction exists. Same-gender attraction is wrong. People who participate in same-gender relationships/actions are not bad people. People who participate in same-gender relationships/actions are making bad choices, with widespread, even eternal consequences.

I am not narrow-minded or intolerant. I love all of God’s children, some more than others. I try to view the world with an eternal perspective. Every now and again I am allowed to see brief glimpses of Eternity. As a result, I know that God is real, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true, and that Families are central to Heavenly Father’s vast eternal plan. We must spread the good word of the Gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of love, of Family. Family is ordained of God, and the sanctity of Family must be fought for and protected.

The Sweet Moments

Today was the Primary Program for our ward. It was so cute! I love the programs and watching all the kids! Sammi and Daniel were very sweet and cute. :-) Sammi even got to do a solo on one of the sweetest songs! It is called, If the Savior Stood Beside Me. She sang the second verse all by herself, standing at the microphone. She did such a terrific job! I was trying my hardest not to go into the lip-quiver cry, which leads to uncontrollable tears! I was so amazed at how calm she seemed! She did an amazing job, and I am very well-pleased with her! She said she was just pretending that everyone in the audience was William. :-) Good idea! I explained to her before she sang, that when we sing at church, we are not trying to "perform" but we are trying to help people to feel the Spirit. We also said a special prayer for her before we left, and it is always amazing what happens when the Spirit works through a voice! It was very powerful. What a sweet girl. :-)

Daniel did a great job on his part, and singing, and he looked very handsome. :-) He enjoyed playing with his tie for some of the program, but mostly he was focused -- as much as a 5 year old boy can be! :-) We got him some new clothes for the occasion (which he was in desperate need of). He was thrilled to have a new outfit, and he said, "Hey mom, I look like a home-teacher!" It was cute. :-) Last week, Daniel went to the Priesthood session of Conference with Charles. He wanted to go and learn about the "Priesthood". He said he needed to go because he was going to hold the priesthood one day. :-) I loved watching him and Charles walk out the front door together, in their white shirts and ties. It was a very precious image to me. He was so excited to go with Daddy. Daniel is my good, sweet boy. He is very energetic and full of life -- I would not have him any other way!

William was mesmerized by the children singing. Normally, William needs a little breather during Sacrament, but he was perfect until the closing prayer! It was amazing! He loved watching his brother and sister up there. One day he will join them! He will just be going in, as Sammi will almost be going out! William is such a fun baby. He is very mellow for the most part. He is very patient with me during the day! He has to be strapped in and out of the stroller so often, but he does so well, and even seems excited to go. I just love him, and I think he is so fun!

I thought I would put this little clip of Sammi up again, it was on my other blog a while ago. My camera battery is dead, and I need to get a new one. It has been SO sad without a camera! When I get it all fixed up, I will have Sammi do her little song. For now, enjoy Sammi in her "younger years". :-) One of my favorite videos ever! Oh how I wish I could make time stand still, and keep my babies small!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

One year older and wiser too!

Happy Birthday to YOU!!

We LOVE you! We will have your party on the road! Yippee!