Thank You Denise

I love books, especially picture books. One of my favorite books this time of year is Thank you Sarah! It is the story of Sarah Josepha Hale. She was the widowed mother of five children. Over a period of 38 years she wrote to president after president, trying to persuade them that our country should have a national day of Thanksgiving. Abraham Lincoln finally listened and in 1863 he declared the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving day.

One woman writing a letter can make a difference!

My sister in law Denise is a very busy mom of 4 children. I am grateful that she took the time to write a letter about tolerance that was published in her local paper. Thank you for making a difference Denise!
Here's her letter:

Our choices have been made and now we should look at ourselves to see where we stand in the name of tolerance.

It seems in our quest to participate and to be active in the political process we have fallen in the trap of accusing people of hatred and bigotry when their view hasn't matched our own.

When we lean out a car window or have our children lean out the car window to call a group of people bigots or racists, we should be sure we aren't being hypocritical or bigots in our own right.

It may be time for us to teach our children what democracy is, what tolerance is and is not, and what freedom of speech is, because from what I saw during the last three weeks of the election we as a community are confused.

We claim that we want a better world and a place where our children can be responsible and sensible adults, but that is not what we are teaching them. We certainly do not want to become the parent or adult who provides the example by saying "do as I say, but not as I do."

I have been left to think about the community of Agoura Hills and the things I saw people doing to each other during the election. Truth be told, I am dismayed by the hatred and the intolerance I was a witness to. Verbal abuse and physical intimidation is not tolerating someone's view. Stealing signs is intolerant. Throwing objects at people that have a different view from yours is called intolerance. I am left to wonder what we are teaching our children.

We shouldn't have to live in a community where we are scared to voice our view because it may not match our neighbors. Your neighbor may have a different opinion but it doesn't make your neighbor a racist, a bigot, or a hater.

We should be teaching our children how to make good and wholesome political choices, not showing them how to tear other people down.

We have time before the next political process to evaluate what we are doing in the name of tolerance.

November Titles

Harvest Time

When your 18 year old son sends you flowers just to say
"I love you Mom"
it feels like harvest time
after many years of sowing, watering and weeding.

Ryan loves BYUI.
He has great professors and friends
and he's only had to make one trip to urgent care!

In the Thick of Things

Aaron is busy with:
pre-calculus
biology
writing a law brief for a supreme court simulation
Eagle Scout project
seminary class president

He did take some time out for fun with friends on Halloween.
He also carved this happy pumpkin in the middle.
(Marianne's is on the left and Evan's scary one with the "dark mark" is on the right)

From Baby to Young Woman

Marianne seems to have grown up overnight!
Babysitting
Going to plays with friends
Studying Shakespeare
Singing in 3 different choirs
Writing essays
Playing the flute
Finally has her own room, complete with new furniture!

Full of Fun

Evan collected 14 pounds of candy on Halloween
beating his big brothers' records.

More fun stuff:
Webelos
piano
soccer
Reading
Puzzles
Swordfighting
"Classic TV" (Sponge Bob & Hogan's Heroes are two favorites)

Thank you Shireen!

I woke up yesterday morning to the good news that Prop 8 had passed! I had expected to feel elated. After all, I had spent many hours working on the campaign. Instead, this thought came into my mind, "You have done well, but this is only the beginning. Much more is expected of you." I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I do know that I need to work harder at opening my mouth and speaking up for truth and righteousness.

Today I opened up my local paper to find an opinion article written by a dear friend of mine. It has nothing to do with Prop 8, but it has everything to do with making a stand for honor. The article quotes the words of John Adams in reminding us that our "constitution was made only for a religious and moral people."

I met my friend Shireen many years ago when I was a new homeschooler. Aaron was in a gardening club with her oldest son. She was a great example to me as an experienced homeschooler and helped give me confidence that I really could do it!

Today she continues to inspire and encourage me through her writing. She not only took the time to write an essay, but she submitted it to the newspaper and got it published! Shireen is a very busy mom who also works with her husband in their business and volunteers in the community. She doesn't have time to write an article--but she did it any way!

I hope you will take a few minutes to read her article "Where is honor?" HERE

Then take a few more minutes to decide how you can heed Shireen's call to "become involved and stand up in this fight against moral decay and corruption."

Shireen is only one person but she made a difference. We all need to follow her example and work to strengthen the power of one.

Each of us can and should make a difference by standing up and speaking out!

Countdown to Halloween

Halloween is still several days away, but my kids have been ready for weeks.
Here's a glimpse of the preparations.

Marianne is in full decorating mode. Even our flowers fit in with the color scheme.

The boys helped decorate outside.

A close up of our front door.

Apparently decorating was too much for them, or else they needed to release some of that pre-trick-or-treating energy. The kids had a huge styrofoam war in the yard. It looked like a snowstorm had hit.

Aaron also attacked the dinner calendar that was posted on our frig. I left Halloween blank because I figured we'd have pizza or something. (Everyone is always in a big hurry to get out of the house on Halloween!) Anyway, I found our Halloween dinner listed as:
"little children that come along"

Here's Marianne formulating her plan of attack.

On a calmer day, Evan played at his Halloween recital.
He was hauntingly terrific!
He performed "I'm Not Afraid" and "In the Hall of the Mountain King" from the Peer Gynt Suite


Marianne gave her baby costume a test run at the Young Women "Big Sister, Little Sister" Halloween party. Here she is with her little sister from Primary.

The final sign that Halloween is on the way is
the CANDY and treats that are all around me!
Yikes, that's the scariest part of Halloween.
My willpower doesn't seem to be working lately.

Today we made my cousin LaRae's delicious pumpkin cookies.
Click HERE for her wonderful recipe.

But I'll bet she's never made them like we did!
We had 8 girls come over to our house this afternoon to discuss Helen Keller's autobiography, The Story of My Life. Last week we toured the Braille Institute, but this week we decided to try something a bit more hands on. We made the cookies while blindfolded. Actually, each blindfolded girl had a "seeing" partner (hey, even Helen had her teacher Anne Sullivan). The girls gave verbal instructions and helped their "blind" partner measure and mix all of the ingredients. It wasn't easy, and it took a long time, but the girls had fun and the cookies turned out perfectly!

Out of My Comfort Zone Again

Jenny and I gave up our morning walk twice this week
to stand up for truth and right!

John and Aaron paved the way.
Last week they volunteered to stand on a busy corner during rush hour and
wave signs in support of Proposition 8

While they were there, some women came to protest holding up
"No on 8" signs.
One of the women was rather confrontational and asked Aaron,
"My sign stands for equality. What does yours stand for?"
I wouldn't have known what to say, but Aaron did.
He didn't hesitate. He replied, "My sign stands for morality."

This week was my chance to stand for morality.
I spent two mornings this week holding a sign, smiling and waving at all the drivers during the morning rush hour.
I also learned what "hate speech" really means.
One motorcyclist sat at the traffic light screaming obscenities and making crude gestures for several minutes.
A businessman rolled down his window to scream, "I hate you people!"
Several women flipped me off.
I was called a number of unprintable names.

Fortunately, about 80% of the response we received was positive.
Many people waved and honked their horns or gave us a thumbs up!

The other people with me had great attitudes. We continued to smile and wave regardless of the reaction of others. One man in our group was so positive. He laughed when we received what he called "a one finger salute". He explained, "That means they think we're #1!"

When I came home from sign waving, I decided it was time to fill out my absentee ballot and send it in. So I have officially voted!

And I'll be back on that street corner again next week.
I am only one person, but I'm doing what I can to make a difference
for my children
for my church
for my goverment
for the family
and for the future.

It's another example of the power of one

Ryan also voted for the first time today!!
He called me last night from Idaho when he was filling out his ballot.
This morning he reported that he had put in the the mail.

When will you vote?
Do you fill out an absentee ballot?

My Rival

She's served me well for twenty-one years
working hard
providing meals for my family
accompanying me to many church dinners
and potlucks.

But let's be honest . . .
she's looking rather
worse for wear
out of date
stained
and slightly dented.

I've been tempted by
shinier and prettier models
bigger and bolder
with more space
and more features.

Last week John told me that he had a gift certificate from work.
I could order something I wanted online.

He was surprised when I told him I wanted to replace my Rival.
"Doesn't she still work?" he asked.

A few days later the replacement arrived
she's big and beautiful
bright and shiny
just want I wanted

Presenting my brand new 7 quart Euro-Pro stainless steel crockpot!

I can't quite bring myself to get rid of my Rival.


Here are my boys making fun of me for taking pictures of my crockpots.
Marianne understands though.
She even took a picture of the chicken I was putting in for dinner.
She loves Honey Drumsticks.
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 spoonfuls of minced garlic
12 drumsticks
Cook 6-8 hours on low

Here's hoping your crockpot is serving you well!

Are you making any slow cooker meals this week?

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today my Dad celebrated his 68th birthday!

Here is my Dad & his sister Sherrie. Aren't they cute?
I love these hand colored photos.

My Dad as a handsome high school student.
On the corner of this picture he wrote "To My Anne. Love, Bob"
My parents were childhood sweethearts.

Dad as a young husband and father.
Isn't that baby just adorable?!

As a little girl, I loved spending time with my Dad. When I was pre-school age we lived across the street from the university where he taught. I remember him taking me to the school with him and walking through crunchy fall leaves.

My Dad taught me how to read with homemade flash cards before I went to school.
I think he was more excited than I was.
I've loved to read ever since!

My dad was the bishop of our ward when I was young and our ward had huge geographical boundaries. So my dad spent a lot of time driving. Sometimes he took me with him when he went to visit ward members. I loved going with him and I felt so grown up.

Here's my dad with Jenny and me.
Isn't this the funniest 1980s picture?!

When I went away to college, my Dad wanted to make sure I was well prepared. He gave me a tool kit and a flashlight. I was the only girl in my dorm with tools and it came in very handy when we wanted to "fix" our windows so that they opened more than 4 inches.

Tonight we celebrated with dinner at the Prado.

Happy Birthday Dad! I love you!