Sunday, November 30, 2008


I have been working hard on doing a digital scrapbook for Ellison on Shutterfly. I uploaded all her pics, put them in the pages, added cute little sayings and descriptions to each page explaining what's going on. I thought I was being so efficient and frugal as I had a coupon for 50% off, plus free shipping, and...it didn't work. There is no way I am paying full price for that book, so it looks like Ellison's first year book will have to wait until my pocketbook (or a another deal comes along) can handle it.
In other news, we had a great Thanksgiving. We had a traditional dinner Thanksgiving day at Kam's sister's (Kallee) home with some ward members and missionaries. Friday, I worked half a day (time and a half baby!) and then we had another dinner with Kam's parents who had driven down from DC the day before.
Saturday we spent the day cleaning and putting up Christmas lights and decorating our tree. We had a great time. Our weekend was filled with yummy food and Christmas related activities!

Sunday, November 23, 2008





This is exactly what I thought yesterday when we were busy running errand after errand. We started the morning by cleaning the house, then got loaded into the car and headed out to take some family pictures (I will post a few teasers here). We spent much of the afternoon in Brandon and downtown Jackson taking some family pictures and finishing up Christmas presents for family members. We decided to head home, and Ellison crashed on the way. We hung out at the house waiting for her to wake up, so we could go again.
Later that night, we delivered dinner to a sick ward member and then went from store to store returning various items we had purchased however, decided we no longer needed. We then went to the big W (Wal-Mart) to print off some of the pictures we had taken that day and then ended the night at Kroger. By the time we made it home, it was about 9:00 where we finally ate dinner. Busy day, but we had a great time!
Stay tuned for more pics from our photo session!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Mr. Nonsense...

I have been reading various news websites regarding proposition 8. I have been feeling frustrated by a lot of the events that have been happening. I was reading an opinion article that was reporting how people of the Mormon faith are being targeted at their places of work and businesses, as well as outside of churches and temples. I read this particular comment I am posting, left by someone and felt the need to reply (which I am also posting). I don't mean to offend anyone, but I believe we can differ in opinion on controversial things and still find some common ground.

I fondly refer to him as Mr. Nonsense...

Your article is such complete hogwash that i don't even know where to begin. (And you wonder why Republicans are viewed as homophobic?)

(1) You begin your article with some poor, poor straight guy with a lesbian sister (oh wow, he MUST be enlightened!) that works in musical theater - which is probably the gayest of all forms of entertainment. And this poor, poor guy is so oppressed because his colleagues and patrons don't like the fact that he wanted to strip them of a constitutional right to marry. Nobody forced him to donate money. He wasn't fired. But the people he works with and his customers didn't like his conduct and made it known. Yes, let's all feel sympathy for him, and not the thousands of people whose rights were taken away. After all, they were gays, and this guy is straight so we care about him. Who's the hypocrite here?

(2) Then you bring up the old, tired "this is democratic" nonsense. If 51% of the electorate voted to enslave the other 49%, would that be democratic or just? No. Purposefully targetting a minority and stripping them of a constitutional right is not democratic. It is an example of a tyrannical majority the likes of which John Stuart Mill warned us about. The will or view of the majority is not always right or just.

(3) You go on some rant about LGBT activists protesting at churces. Exactly what is wrong with that? Religious organizations were the primary force behind the Yes on 8 campaign. Are curches somehow immune from criticism?

(4) Of course you devolve into a despicable "think of the children!" rant. The fact that you want your children to grow up bigoted and homophobic should not prevent me from getting married. If you don't want children taught about such things in school then you can put that in a seperate proposition that does not strip anyone of their rights.

(5) Mormons donated about 80% of the money behind the Yes On 8 campaign. But pointing out that Mormons were forcing their religious views on others and taking other people's rights away is somehow "mormon-bashing"? And gays are now bigoted? Whose rights were taken away, again? Was there some vote on Mormon marriage that I missed?

Overall your article is ripe with the false sense of victimization that college Republicans are so fond of. LGBT people were stripped of equal rights, and somehow the bigots and homophobes are the victims? Please, don't insult our intelligence with this tripe.


My rebuttal...

Oh Mr. Nonsense,

I find it interesting how you try to mince words and validate all that is going on with the religion bashing when you can't even correctly spell the word church. What you wrote is exactly what you said...Nonsense.

First off, if there were some way we could dig into every vote you ever made, and then publicly berate you for choosing to vote that way, (protesting your choice in front of where you work, go to church and even live), I am sure you would find it intrusive and overwhelming. Interestingly, no one is asking you to quit your job and you are not feeling pressured to resign for believing and voting the way you do. Perhaps we should feel sorrier for you than for the man in the story...at least he has some moral conviction.

Secondly, I find it very interesting how people like you yell about how conservative people need to be more open minded, however, when it comes to conservatives sharing their point of view, if it doesn't agree with yours, you no longer feel the need to listen...contradictory to say the least!

You say that we are targeting a minority and stripping them of their rights. Perhaps in your mind that is true, but what do you think this community is turning around and doing to those who choose to vote for the ban on gay marriage? They are stripping them of their rights to worship, vote and hold an opinion contrary to yours. Yes, it is a democratic process and just like the American people spoke when they elected Barack Obama, so we speak now on proposition 8.

In response to your comment about protesting churches, (again it's c-h-u-r-c-h), you may know that many churches have been discriminated and protested against. However, the founding fathers knew how important it was for people to differ in opinions, and that's why we have freedom of religion. We don't need to be publicly scrutinized for being God fearing people. We have the freedom to differ from your ideas.

If we allowed all people to marry, that may open the door to polygamous relationships, incestuous relationships and minors who are marrying. Does that seem ethical?

So, Mr. Nonsense, although your comments were a way for you to express your frustrations, they are just as you say...Nonsense. Perhaps you should find some other way to occupy your time than pointing fingers at all the injustices you feel. Perhaps you should take a moment and reflect on the way other people feel when you support public and perhaps threatening actions taken to people who simply don’t feel, think or believe the same way you do. The way you feel your rights have been taken away, you are taking from others in a different way. Remember Mr. Nonsense, if you want others to be open minded to your ideas, you need to expect to do the same for them and respect it (even if they differ from your own).



Thursday, November 13, 2008

Thanks JuJu! I remember that car!
7 Weird Things about Me:
1. I have to have all of the lights off when I leave a room. I am so obsessive compulsive about it!
2. I love all the candy that most people hate. Circus peanuts, candy corn, smarties...love 'em!
3. Whenever I go to the Dr's office my blood pressure is through the roof because I am always so nervous! Don't ask me why, but I can't help it! When I was pregnant they always took my blood pressure after the visit because of this, and it was always considerably lower!
4. I have a hard time throwing away/giving away clothes. I don't know why, but when I am going through my closet, I always rationalize that I will or may need that shirt I wore 10 years ago again!
5. I live in Mississippi...enough said (sorry to all my beloved Mississippi friends)!
6. I like Julie, love looking for a good deal. I get a rush when I find one and feel like I have hit the Jackpot! On the same note, I can also walk away from a good deal.
7. I obsess and worry all the time! Mostly it's about money or health related issues, but it seems when one dies down, another one pops up!
10 Years ago...
1. I was a senior in high school getting ready to graduate.
2. I was dancing on the drill team, go Eshelles!
3. I was working at Lins copy center which is now closed.
4. I drove a teal mercury tracer.
5. I was getting ready to send off a missionary I didn't wait for.
5 things on my TO DO list...
1. Lose 10 lbs.
2. Rest and get rid of my cold!
3. Finish my Christmas shopping...almost done!
4. Exercise
5. Clean out the cars
5 Snacks that I like...
1. Fruit
2. String Cheese
3. Crackers (wheat thins)
4. Chips and Salsa
5. Ice Cream
5 Things I would do with 1 million dollars...
1. QUIT MY JOB, even though I love it
2. Upgrade my house!
3. Pay off student loans and any other bills.
4. Help others
5. Get all of my food storage. I think about this all the time lately.
5 Places I have lived...
1. St. George
2. Salt Lake City
3. Holladay
4. Brandon Mississippi
5. Pearl Mississippi
5 Jobs I have had...
1. Larsen's Frostop
2. Lin's Copy Center
3. IHC as a rehab aide
4. Mountainland Rehab as an OT
5. University of Mississippi Medical Center as an OT
5 People that I am tagging...Kristal, Sarah, Tiffini, Memaw, Rachel

8 Things Tag:
8 Things...
8 TV shows I like to watch
Big Brother
The Hills
Ace of Cakes
Law and Order SVU
30 Minute Meals
Kimora life in the fab lane
Rachel Ray
The news

8 Things that happened yesterday
I worked a full day (saw10 patients and wrote 10 notes)
Completed 4 Evaluations
Did a little online Christmas shopping
Made Peach Cobbler
Went to Young Womens Activity
Cleaned the kitchen
Rocked Ellison to sleep
Went to bed before 11:00 pm!

8 Favorite Places to Eat
Macaroni Grill
Newks Cafe
Cheesecake Factory
Cafe Rio
Anywhere with sushi
McCallisters Deli
Ztejas
California Pizza Kitchen

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To
The weekend
Visiting Utah
Losing weight
Disney World
Kam's Graduation
A trip with my mom (to DC, I love that place)!
Moving somewhere
Taking a nap

8 Things on my Wish List
Losing these last 10 lbs
Kam getting a great job
Kam passing the bar
Buying a house where ever we move
New Clothes
Clean car
Money

8 people I Tag
Renae
Talea
Julie
Kristalee
Alix
Marcie
Cailin
Val

Loving my crock pot!!


Lately I have been loving my crock pot. I love not having to do a lot of prep work when using it, the food always tastes good, I don't run the oven and the house is filled all day with yummy dinner smells! The other day I made this recipe and it literally took 10 minutes! It's black bean and sausage soup. It was really healthy, yummy and filling! Here is the recipe:
Black Bean and Sausage Soup
1 link of sausage
1/2 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 can stewed tomatos
1 can black beans
1 can lima beans
1 can beef broth
Brown sausage, onion and garlic in sautee pan. Combine canned goods into crock pot and add sasuage mixture once browned. Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours.
We plan on trying another recipe tonight, and if all goes well, look forward to another crock pot post!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Trying to play catch up...











As always, we have been really busy! Last week was filled with Halloween activities from Tuesday night on. On Tuesday night we went over to Kam's sister, Kallee's house and carved our pumpkins. It was a lot of fun. Kam carved our big pumpkin, and I the smaller, white pumpkin we bought for Ellison. I carved mine to sort of look like Ellison since it was her pumpkin (remember this detail for a funny story later).
Wednesday night we had our ward Trunk or Treat activity. It was fun to get Ellison all dressed up in her cute little poodle costume, which she actually wore! We had a lot of games for the kids to participate in. I was in charge of the pie/snowball eating contest, and Kam was the fortune teller. After games at the church, the bishopric judged the pumpkin carving contest and lucky me, won...for scariest! Hello! It was a picture of my adorable child's face! The bishopric laughed when I told them, and said they awarded me for scariest because they had never seen a white pumpkin. Then we took Ellison around to the Trunks for a treat.
On Thursday night, our county celebrated Halloween (yes, one day early, and why? Because there was a high school football game the day of Halloween...ridiculous, but that's living in the south for you)! We met up with some friends from the ward and Kam's sister and her family and went trick or treating in our neighborhood. It was fun.
Friday night some friends in the ward got together for snacks and games to celebrate the real Halloween. We ate some yummy treats, played some fun games, and enjoyed the company we were with.
Saturday we took Ellison to get her 2nd flu shot (they give them in two parts here) and then afterwards attended a carnival the MD's office was throwing for the kids. Ellison enjoyed playing the fishing game, jumping in the bouncy house, and watching mama paint a ceiling tile with her initials on it. Kam enjoyed the catered food, and I enjoyed painting the ceiling tile to further decorate Ellison's room!
Sunday was busy with church stuff as always, but we were happy for the extra hour we gained when we "fell back"!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Ellison is Famous!!!



My home town newspaper puts out the one year old edition every few months, and children who have had birthday's can be published in the paper with a little shout out from the parents. As usual, the Spectrum got part of our text wrong (it should read Col. Richard Howard, instead of Cole Richard Howard), but otherwise I think the little tribute turned out well!