Sunday, November 16, 2008

Elder Spencer Reid Kinross - Kentucky Louisville Mission











I was thinking about Elder Kinross today and missing him. I can't believe he has been gone for almost 8 months. Time certainly does NOT fly. Although I am so pleased with his decision to serve a mission, it is also very difficult to have him out of our home and anticipate another 16 plus months without him.
I was really surprised at all the emotions I have felt having another little bird fly the nest. Just when I think I am doing ok, someone will ask me how Elder Kinross is doing and I will get tears in my eyes or in church someone will talk about missionaries and I will start to cry. I know it sounds really selfish but I just want to hug him a little bit.
Spencer has always been a snuggly child. When he was a baby he would cry everytime I put him down until he was about 10 months old. As he grew he never outgrew his "blankie" or a good snuggle.
Spencer loves to get his back scratched and would often stand in front of me, take my hand and put it on his back to give it a scratch. Some kids go through the "don't hug me phase, Spencer never did. He has always loved to get and give hugs.
He is very loving and accepting of others.
Early on he has had a strong sense of right and wrong. It was not uncommon to hear Spencer tell his brothers to "change the channel mom doesn't let us to watch that show."
He has grown into a loving and righteous young man. It is my greatest honor to be his mother. I look forward to seeing his life unfold.
I love you Spencer, love mom

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Super Heather







Faster than a speeding bullet.............It's super Heather (all 5' 8 1/2" of her) What a SUPER HOT chicky!!

Halloween Fun




What do you get when you to cross 15 girls with 3 boys? The Heather and Taylor T Halloween bash, of course!! Heather, Taylor and their posse partied it up with bumpin tunes, spooky decor and or course lots of sugary treats. Colin with girlfriend Megan, came to support his little sis. No offense Colin, but you make one UGLY girl!!

Life is Amazing!

With all of the upheaval over Proposition 8 it is easy to get caught up in all that is wrong in the world and forget that "Life is amazing!"

These are the things that make my life amazing:

1. My Heavenly Father that loves, forgives and sustains me.
2. Dave (my loving, smart, creative, amazingly productive, organized, take charge, not to mention handsome, husband who would do anything for me)
3. Steve (artistic, comedic, loving, gentle, free spirit, snugly, charismatic)
4. Spencer (sensitive, loving, friend to all, creative, strong, snugly, obedient, joyful)
5. Colin (loving, creative, meticulous, snugly, ingenuitive logical, sensitive, hard working)
6. Heather (joyful, loves beauty, creative, energetic, friendly, snugly, confident, loving)
7. One fuzzy, fluffy mutt (Baxter) who loves me more than anyone else.
8. A strong healthy body that lets me do anything I want to and even lets me smell things sometimes (the best!)
9. Loving, supportive parents and siblings
10. Fun friends who love me for me, quirks and all
11. A beautiful house and home.
12. The sun, blue sky and a cool breeze.
13. Crisp apples
14. Chocolate anything
15. Smiling babies and laughing children.

Life is amazing! The more experiences I have, the more I know that this is true. My greatest wish for you is that you will see all that is amazing in your life too.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Be Affraid, Be Very Affraid

Happy Halloween and Happy "Yes" on Prop 8 campaigning. Things sure are getting "scary" here in sunny CA as the Prop 8 campaign has been heating up.

What a powerful experience it has been for me and my family to participate in the campaign to pass Proposition 8 which states: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Who would have thought that these 14 words would evoke such a division among the people of CA.

The ironic thing to me is that the opposition insists that anyone who is for prop 8 is "intolerant" however, I have had several signs (I think I'm up to 10 by now) stolen from my very own front yard all in the name of "tolerance." The time is now to "stand up and be counted."

I am so thankful to have the opportunity to do just that. Many people are worried about "offending" their neighbors. I say, "The only person you need to worry about offending in this circumstance is the Lord." So stand up and be counted on the Lord's side when you vote "Yes" on Proposition 8 to restore traditional marriage.

We can not control others. We can only control ourselves and follow the Lord. Prop 8 may or may not pass. I hope that it does but if it doesn't I will be comforted to know that I, along with many other God fearring people in CA stood on the Lord's side.