Creative Collin

Collin wanted me to come outside and take a picture of his latest creation...
He's always figuring out new combination to ride.
Kelsey just keeps stealing the neighbors' new bikes...

More Football

We had thought the OHS vs ACHS game would be close... OHS won 49-0 - YIKES!
Kelsey with the yellow jacketKelsey with the scorpion
Collin met one of his friends from school... I took pictures earlier but then when I came back around they wanted another picture because they forgot to put their arms around each other - aren't they cute :)

Some little girls came up to talk to Kelsey... It's funny that after half a dozen years of Chad working at OHS I've gotten into the habit of cheering for them - even when I go to my old alma mater...

No on Measure U

I love politics, ok, not really but there are a couple of issues that will affect me so I’ve been watching them carefully. It makes me wonder what lies they are trying to tell me when I don’t know the reality of the situation…

Luckily with Measure U I am pretty well informed by the opposition. If my husband didn’t work in the OUHSD I wouldn’t see all the lies and partial truths that I received today in the mail. Here are some of them.

What will measure U do?

Unify the schools here and those who are currently going to Rio Mesa would “be able to attend high school in the new unified district.” TRUE but they don’t even know where they would put them yet. One place is a very small middle school (which is now being used by Collin’s charter school for their school, so they would be homeless.) But it really isn't big enough or suitable for a high school - even a small one)

Why is U on the ballot now?

They say they have talked about this for the last 40 years… probably but it’s only been since they got a principal at ACHS that didn’t listen to the parents. They also didn’t tell you that before the big election come up they had already spent $14 Million dollars just to get it on the ballot – imagine what that money would do if it was actually used in our classrooms instead of the pipe dreams of some very prideful leaders…

How will it improve children’s education?

They talk about more money (but instead of the running of the high schools spread over 150,000 citizens it will be dependent on only about 65,000… you do the math) They also talk about that our students “will finally get first priority for improved facilities.” Did they get 2 new schools? Yes, one was paid for solely by the government as a replacement school so the people only bought one… Ironically they bought land here years ago and had plans to build another high school behind the new library – but they stopped when PV started to talk about unification, why should they spend all the money to build a school then just hand it over. So unification has already cost our students by postponing new facilities. By the way, OUHSD still owns the land and they (at least the last superintendent) said they would be happy to sell it to PV – at fair market value…

Will creating a new district harm other schools or districts?

“Absolutely not.” Absolute lie! Already dozens of teachers have received their “pink slips” telling them that if unification goes through that they will not have a job next year. Here’s the true deal. Up until about 6 years ago the teachers of OUHSD had life time benefits (the newer teachers don’t have lifetime benefits but they’re still better than what PV offers) So all the teachers that have been there for more than 6 years will want to stall with OUHSD to keep their benefits. That means that the newer teachers, with less seniority throughout the rest of the district will be replaced by the teachers leaving ACHS (again, if you do the math – that means that ACHS will leave its most experienced teachers) Luckily my husband should be safe, but my sister – a single mother of 3 – will lose her job (she’s already been given notice) One of the PV board members - not an educator, obviously, has said on several occasions that he thought teachers were paid too much - he has obviously never faced down a room full of teenagers!

Will it raise my taxes?

“Not one penny.” That’s true – it won’t be a penny – it will be hundreds. Last time, it cost about $7/household to build the school – over 400,000 people in the district. This time, to build a new school, it will be divided up among only about 65,000 people – you do the math. I know some of you don’t like math so I’ll just tell you that it will be a lot more than we pay now.

Who is supporting Measure U?

It names most of the leadership of the city - of course - more power. But nearly all of the high school teachers - those who know what it takes to run a high school - are against.

What can I do to help?

I'm doing it. I'm telling you all the truth - not just what they want you to believe.

Basically PV doesn’t have the money, the facilities, or the experience to unify – vote no on U!

(incidentally - you should drive down my old street, where one of the biggest supporters of U lives - there are vote no signs all over the place - except at his mom's and brother's house :)

My Smart Girl

Kelsey sees Collin go over the wall all the time so she tries to do it to... Yikes!

More Information on Prop 8

Below are seven videos produced by the Church, in support of Prop 8...

PreservingMarriage.org video page: http://www.preservingmarriage.org/videos.html

YouTube links: Proposition 8 Question and Answers:
Will same sex marriages hurt others? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-jc4ujp9Ok
Sick and tired of intolerance? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4nqtDrJI7A
Are others supporting Prop 8? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIvS7redS8M
Will courts overturn it again? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4tTRvmgZKM
Didn't we already vote on this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsHqrHoxTiM
Don't others deserve the same happiness? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP2ERL6Xykk
Will existing rights disappear? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IGPxqHScjk

Kelsey's Hats

My nephew, Ike, loves his hats... Kelsey does too but she doesn't always have a hat handy...Lonnie's UCLA Hat

Kelsey's Easter Ears - not sure what they are doing out now...
The Bag the CD & Book from the Library Came In

Kelsey's Shirt - as soon as she took it off she wanted to put it back on as her hat
This is the hardest one - this was a book cover - she put one end on her head instead of on the book...

Did you recognise all of the different hats?? There are a couple of tricky ones...

Another Reenactment

Kelsey saw this picture in her room and said, "Kelsey!" I picked it up and showed her, "No, that's Mommy." So I had to do a reenactment. She's in exactly the same spot though the kitchen has had an upgrade, and instead of a wheat grinder there is a TV. She's sufficiently grubby but I did roll up the top of her pants so they are more of high waters :)

So, what do you think? Do you agree with Kelsey that she looks like me?

Bloom Where You're Planted

Kelsey's been having fun playing in grandma's backyard. I heard a, "Help me, Mom, I'm stuck!" I went out and she was trying to get out of the flower pot she had somehow climbed into... She's very patient with her paparazzi mom and put her leg back in so I could take pictures...

Violet's Baby Shower

Normally my blog only features my kids... I just wanted to point out that I do have friends too :)

(Of course, I'm still not in any of the pictures myself...

Violet is expecting her first - a boy - in just a few weeks. So exciting.
Emily, Kim, Becky & Rachel
Alice, Maya, Tori & Azu

Normally, at church, my one social occasion, I would just hide out in the family history library... Now that I'm in young women's I actually get to interact with the girls and a lot of great women that I work with. It's been a lot of fun getting to know more people better - you're awesome!

Who wants to go to the pumpkin patch with me??

I was going to go to the pumpkin patch this week but it is too dang hot!!
Collin is off all next week so does anyone want to go with me to the Underwood pumpkin patch some morning next week? (Someone told me about hearing about another one that is cool and cheaper - any suggestions?)
I love pumpkin patch pictures - I used to go to about 5 different ones with Collin... I only went to one north of us last year because of the fires south (sound familiar??)
Let me know.

Fall Fires

"Water-Dropping Helicopters Attack Fire Near PCH
Three water-dropping choppers were diverted from the Sesno Fire on Wednesday morning to a new fire known as the " La Jolla Incident," located at the Pacific Coast Highway and La Jolla Canyon."

(Yes, I take pictures while I'm driving too, but only when they are totally cool like this firefighting helicopter.)

Around here fall is not about the leaves turning red and golden, where the hills look on fire with the vibrant colors the cold weather of autumn brings... here the hills really are on fire from the heat of the winds. Luckily the firefighters are trained for this exact thing. I should feel even better knowing they actually use our hillsides for drills so if we ever do go up in flames (like 2 years ago) they'll be quick to put it out...

I'm Not Dead Yet!

I was at my mom's house when I saw this huge black bird fly overhead. I thought, "That is a HUGE crow!"

Then in landed on a dead, of course, branch. It had an unmistakable silhouette... But, I argued with myself, I have never seen vultures or buzzards here in over 30 years of living here. And like every other kid, I've been trained to be nervous at the sight of buzzards flying over head. Let me tell you, I made sure to drink lots of water that day! So I asked around and my father-in-law said there were some turkey buzzards just north of us. It was still weird seeing at least 4 of these birds circling or landing in our trees... On the same day Chad some out by the hills by our house... there must have been a reconnaissance troupe sent out to scout out the rest of the county to see if there were any good dead animal spots...

OHS Football

We love going to the football games - though we only seem to go to 1 or 2 each season. We got Collin a "Yellow Jacket" costume when he was 2 that he wore for years, now Kelsey gets to be the mini-mascot.
Collin loves getting into the game - at least he likes to shake his pom-poms!

Yes, I went up to a total stranger and asked if I could take this picture... aren't they cute!!

Kelsey loves sneaking on the field to see the big yellow jackets...

We always have to go to the homecoming game so we can see the fireworks :)

It was a great game and we were winning by a pretty big lead when we left at the 4th quarter (we never get to see the end of the game with little kids) - Good Job Yellow Jackets! They are now 5-0.

Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed??

I guess Goldilocks not only thought Mama's bed was just right - she though Mama's pajamas were just right too!
It amazes me how quickly Kelsey can get into things - I swear I was only gone for a minute...
K always tries to convince me she can take a nap in Mom's bed but she has too much fun to sleep. She plays in her bed too but since she's still stuck in the crib (yes, I talked her our of escaping again) she will eventually fall asleep...

A Vote for Traditional Marriage

The closer we get to Election day next month the more heated up the debates are for the key issues this election. I admit I'm not sure how I'll vote for a high speed train through the state or rehabilitation for drug users (though I have an idea) but the main focus right now is on the definition of marriage.
The homosexuals are making this out to be discrimination against them - but what about the discrimination against polygamist?? I seem to remember recently an entire community that the country was in an uproar about because they conducted multiple marriages and marriages with minors. Did we not make a moral issue out of this? Why was that wrong, or rather, accepted to say that was wrong but if we say same-sex marriage is wrong we are small minded bigots? Sure that was an extreme case but I'm sure not all polygamist/pedophiles are bad people, many love and support their families but the law would not only say they couldn't have lawful marriages - they would be imprisoned...
Even the way the "Unbiased" description of the proposition in our voting packets are worded to imply this, talking about taking away the homosexual's right to marriage. When discussing the financial impact they only state the money the state and local governments would lose through the loss of wedding industry income tax... which we wouldn't really lose since we haven't had it up until a very short time ago... What about the amount of tax payers money going to court costs for lawsuits...
Already there have been many lawsuits against religious institutions for discrimination when a minister refuses to marry same-sex couples, religious universities for not providing married housing for same-sex couples, and religious adoption agencies for not placing children with same-sex couples.
I would love to think that common sense would prevail that a homosexual couple would not go to a Rabbi to get married, want to live at BYU and adopt a child from Catholic Social Services but we live in a world of sewers, whoops, suers, and people have found they can make some easy money and be political martyrs by doing exactly that.
Chad asked me if I would want my money I donate to the church to be spent fight court battles about a Bishop not marrying a same-sex couple. I said, "Yes!" Because I believe we should fight for our beliefs and should never have to be forced by law to go against those beliefs. Would I prefer my donations go to the poor and needy? Absolutely! Hopefully if Prop 8 passes they won't have to make that kind of choice.
When a woman decides to give up a baby for adoption it is a life changing decision to make. Knowing that baby is going to be placed in a home that has the same beliefs and standards would make that decision easier... Already in Massachusetts (the only other state where same-sex marriage is legal) the Catholic Charities has had to close due to law suits and being forced to place children in same-sex households.
This is only the tip of the iceberg for what could come of going against our beliefs and allowing a broader definition of marriage.
Am I a gay-basher? No. In fact I'm against anyone who is mean and nasty to anyone but I cannot let the fear of being called a bigot or worse stop me from standing up for what I believe.
Another side of this issue is who gets to make the laws in this country?? Eight years ago we voted and by a majority voted that we wanted to continue to have marriage defined as between a man and a woman. You would think that would decide it but because 4 judges thought they are smarter and more morally sound than the other several million of us, they voted that we were all wrong and overthrew that vote. Now, whether you are for or against same-sex marriage you have to look at that and see that that is not a good precedence to set that 4 people can make laws that millions of people voted against.

Enough soap box for one day!
My point?
Get out and vote!
And when you do, vote yes on prop 8
-- and get your friends and neighbors to also.

Fall Fun

For homework Collin is basically assigned to have Family Home Evening every week (nice, eh). This weeks assignment was to go for a walk with your family and collect leaves - then write about their colors, etc.

I guess they don't know that we live where there is virtually no fall - so the leaves are all green or brown...
I was a little jealous of my sister's fall pictures that she took in the canyons that are so beautiful but I still took some fun pictures.
I love this big tree with the rocks
Kelsey & Collin had fun on our little hike. We even saw cows, goats, horses and chickens. Collin had a difficult time understanding why we couldn't just walk onto some one's farm and see all the animals (most of the farms we've been to have been the petting zoo variety) but we were able to feed the horses through the fence. I am determined to find some fall leaves somewhere and get some good pictures... just you wait!

Sk8R Family

I was relieved to have some quiet time while Chad was playing with the kids outside but then Chad came in to tell me I was missing a great photo op. I was tempted to just let it go but you know I can't resist a chance to take pictures of my family...

We Walked With Dinosaurs!

Ok, we didn't actually 'walk' with dinosaurs - we sat up really high and watched the dinos walk... but it was really fun.Collin was only nervous a little bit before it started but then I told him that we were so high up they would look really small - and if he got scared he could look at them between his finger & thumb and "squash them!" That made him laugh and he was happier.

I just missed the perfect shot - when Kelsey got scared she would cover her mouth - and Collin would plug his ears. If I could get Chad to cover his eyes we would have had the perfect reenactment of the 3 wise monkeys.

We borrowed Kelsey's friend, IZ's shirt so they could match (as a mini tribute to Chad's mom, Linda, who always dressed her kids in matching outfits :)


I got some good pictures (whoops - uh, no I didn't because we weren't allowed to take pictures) but I went on-line and got some clearer ones so you could see some of the dinos.

Collin, of course, had a blast! He was telling everyone about it... Unfortunately the only people he met that he could tell about it were the other people leaving the show... I just laughed and told them, "Just in case you missed that part..."

I'm sure you'll hear all about it!