Championships

Abbie--on her way to victory!!
Here's Abbie diving off the block. She's in the pink camo swim cap.
Half of the fun of a swim meet is the down time (OK, maybe 1/10th of the fun).
Mark and the kids cooling off in the baby pool. It was about 100 degrees yeasterday.

We all had a great time at Champs yesterday. Abbie stole the show (for us at least) with a time of 15.88 seconds in the 25 yard freestyle finals where she came in third place overall (for her age group) in the entire conference!!!! We are so proud of her. She also swam backstroke in preliminaries and did well enough to get a place in the A medley relay where they took 5th place overall.

Birthday Girl

Around here we have a birthday tradition that NEVER changes. We all request the same mint and chip ice cream cake year in and year out for our birthdays. Emma, on the other hand, wanted to mix things up a little and ordered an icecream CUPCAKE made with white cake (instead of chocolate) and pineapple coconut ice cream.

This week Emma Virginia turned 5 years old! We can't believe how much she has grown. In honor of her five delightful years as a part of our family, here are five things we LOVE about Emma!

1. Emma quickly obeys-- and I mean ALWAYS. We depend on it. I don't know what would happen around here if she wasn't--the earth would probably stop rotating.

2. She is hilarious and speaks her mind. Today at church she said, "Mom, I think I already told you this but I don't like church. You just have to be quiet and in Primary they AlWAYS say they are going to bring candy and then they NEVER do."

3. She loves to be my buddy and if I ever am in need of someone to always agree with me, she's my gal.

4. She's very shy around strangers and yet she's a great performer. It's very hard to get Emma to talk to an adult she doesn't know, but she will sing and dance for them--no problem.

5. She helps make our home a fun and happy place to live. We are all thankful for our sweety!!

Independence Day

We had a great Forth of July!! I love this holiday and we celebrated from sun up to sun down. We started at our house in the morning with enough pancakes to feed TWO armies. We had three varieties of pancakes, bacon, sausage and lots of yummy juice and fruits. Later that morning we decorated bikes and scooters then headed over to the park for some all-american three legged races, water balloon fun and much more. Later in the afternoon we swam with some friends, and then ended the night at our neighbor's home for some more swimming, a BBQ, fireworks and a few rounds of Rock Band (I'm not very good)!!!

Let's be heard

As almost all of you know, all eyes are on California as California's Supreme Court over turned Prop. 22, making gay "marriage" legal despite the overwhelming vote of the people back in November of 2000. Since this time marriage licenses have been issued in counties throughout the State.
But, thankfully, this is not the end of the issue. This November, our ballets will include The Protection of Marriage amendment. This amendment will ensure that marriage be defined as only between a man and a women, and that it stays that way.
As I have read about this issue, I have been struck by the cunning speech and the sophisticated way that those trying to undermine the family (though, they don't see it that way) play on the stigma of being intolerant or discriminating. Labeling this issue as nothing more than allowing all people regardless of race, gender, OR sexual orientation the same rights that go along with marriage.
It is much more than that. Marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God. Children have the right to be born into, and raised by a mother and father. To forget this is to give in to smooth talking Korihors of our day.
In the coming months there will be plenty of commentary to read on this issue. Let's ensure that our voices are heard too. People are good. As they did in 2000, they will gather on the side of truth. Let's help people to see the importance of upholding the sanctity of marriage.
Let's all do that we can to help this cause. Our vote is important, but let's do more than vote in November. Let's raise awareness of the issue, let's donate time, let's donate money. This is an issue that touches not only those of us that live in California- this decision will affect each one of us.
If you want to find more ways to help, stay up to date on the issues or just learn more, visit the official Protect Marriage website.

http://www.protectmarriage.com/