My feelings on Prop 8...vote YES!

Even though I no longer live in California, I feel it is important to communicate my thoughts and feelings on this important subject since this will eventually have an impact on the rest of the country.

First of all I have personally done a lot of research on this specific initiative in order to better understand both sides of the issue. If you would like to read more about Proposition 8 yourself, you can go to:

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_8_(2008)
or
- http://www.protectmarriage.com/
or
- Go to Google or Yahoo and Type "Proposition 8" for a ton of articles

I understand this is a very sensitive subject for most people and I want to make it clear that I believe all individuals should have equal rights. Both Paul and I have gay friends who we absolutely adore and are some of the nicest people we know. We respect others decisions and hope they respect ours.

I am for Proposition 8 and here's why:

- The proposed amendment to California's constitution reads simply "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California". Marriage has historically always been between a husband and a wife; however, there has been a recent effort to change this definition. If this definition is allowed to be changed there will be conflicts with religious liberty and a diminishing of traditional values. Passing Proposition 8 does not take away the right of same sex couples to have civil unions.

- It disturbs me to think that if this proposition does not pass that our public school system could start to teach our children what is morally right and wrong. For those of you who say, "that is not true" we already are seeing this in Massachusetts schools. To see a story about this you can go to: www.protectmarriage.com/video . Such a sensitive and important subject needs to be taught to our children by parents and not our schools or government.

- Finally, I'm concerned that there will be no tolerance of moral beliefs if Proposition 8 does not pass and this issue is left to the biased courts of California to decide. (btw, didn't California already vote on this same issue and the courts overturned it????? just a thought)

I hope none of you are offended by reading this, that was certainly not my intention. My family and beliefs are too important to not say anything at all.

24 Weeks Prego!

I am now in the lovely stage of "showing" which I absolutely love! I hate the "in between" stage where people wonder..."is she pregnant, or just getting a gut?" I now get to hear all of the many different remarks about my ever growing belly from people I know as well as strangers . My belly is a great conversation starter. I think it's so crazy that one person will say, "Oh my goodness, I didn't even know you were pregnant, you are hardly showing" and another will say, (ahem, my bishop) "Wow, you're looking mighty pregnant". I think my all time favorite comment was from a new friend whom I only met a few weeks ago who tried to complement me by saying, "wow, you barley look pregnant, you look like your only 22 weeks or something". She must of thought I was 8 months or so because I shocked her when I said, "I am 22 weeks, good guess". I realize this is the beginning of lots of interesting and awkward comments. I'm fully prepared for the strangers in the grocery store who come up to me looking so sorry for me and saying,"oh, you poor thing, you must be due any minute." "Nope, 7 more weeks, but thanks". I get that one every time! For all of you who look at this picture and think, "she's not that big", just you wait, I get huge!