Owls, owls, and more owls

Jillian's 2nd grade class has been learning about owls for the past few weeks. Each child researched a different type of owl (I didn't realize there were that may, but there are lots). Their weeks of work culmunated in yesterday's "Owl Expo" complete with a reader's theater done in English & Spanish!
This is the hallway where all their projects were displayed. Each child was under their project so they would be easily accessable to demonstrate their owl's call (trust me when I say this was well rehersed). I'm not sure where she gets her 'cheesy' from??? ;-) Here is a close up of my, I mean Jillian's, final project.

Popsicles..mmmmm

So, the kids tried to share their popsicles with Jocelynn... you can't imagine the faces she made... so here are a few...

Apparantly she liked it in the end...

Pinewood Derby

So, we have officially experienced our first family pinewood derby... Can I just say, I have seen the movie, but to see it happening first hand is something to behold. Jake's Papa Tony helped with his car (and when I say 'helped' you should know that Jake picked out the paint color)... It was tricked out with a TON of weight and groovy flashing lights in the back - no rules! We were so proud of our little car. Jake waited for weeks to pick it up and finally the day arrived...

We entered the cultural hall and knew we were in trouble! The ramp was computerized and hooked up to an electric score card that projected on the wall! These guys don't mess around!!
Needless to say the boys were in awe!So Jake's car is the one closest to you - "BumbleBee" notice the Transformer stickers! He was up against "Tank", "Taz", and the little red one that was one of the fastest of the night. NOTE: His car won the first run... and that was all... We had to explain to him later why he didn't receive a trophy because he saw his car win... awwww

Of course, we can't go a day without taking a cute pic of Miss Jocelynn... GO JAKE!

Halloween Funny

This kinda goes along the lines of our other post about Jarrett's view on the economy... Happy Halloween!!

Proposition 8

This post is gonna be a doozy so brace yourselves... My BFF (can't believe I actually used that) Kara sent this to me last week regarding Proposition 8 on the California ballot - If you know anyone who lives there, please pass this info along. The story following was one I received a few times in the last few days - SHOCKING that people are still so opposed to gospel standards! I just don't understand!

Hi everyone,
I know that we have already sent out emails to a few of you, but we wanted to let everyone know what is happening here in California. In 2000, with 61% of the vote, Californians decided that same-sex marriage should not to be legal in their state. Later, the CA Supreme Court overturned that decision (3-4) saying it was unconstitutional. Proposition 8, which is on the ballot for this November, would make 'only marriage between a man and a woman valid and recognized in California'. This measure is an amendment to the CA state constitution and would therefore have the staying power Proposition 22 did not.

Rich and I feel that it is very important to involve everyone we can on the matters that are happening right now in California. The effects are huge and possibly nationwide, as we have seen in other state like Massachusetts and Florida. Last week we attended a broadcast given by the leaders of our church regarding Proposition 8. Elder Ballard, Elder Cook and Elder Clayton spoke. They said that Proposition 8 is 'a major concern of the leaders of the church.' They encouraged us to tell family and friends to register to vote. We hope all of you who can register to vote in California will do so. They asked the young people and young married couples to get involved in the conversations on the internet about Proposition 8. They encouraged us to use the new website: http://www.preservingmarriage.org in our blogs, websites, conversations, etc. It is a wonderful website with videos and information regarding the sacred union of marriage between a man and woman and the church's views on Prop 8. The purpose of this email is to ask and encourage each of you to get involved in some way. I know some most of you are out of state, but there are still so many things you can do. Maybe you could email friends, donate money or perhaps you can put this website (www.preservingmarriage.org) or some of the things it has on it on your blogs for others to read. Spreading the word is very mportant. We have spent 3 Saturday mornings going door to door, and many other hours making phone calls from our home, trying to talk to people about Proposition 8 and the consequences of its failure to pass. Many people I talked to are simply confused/uninformed and wanted to vote no to preserve marriage when a YES vote is for the preservation of traditional marriage. So, just getting the word out is important.

The consequences of Prop 8 not passing are great. I have attached a website listing some of those consequences. Reading them was a turning point for me and realizing that they can and actually are starting to happen is part of what motivated us to get involved. We don't wish to discriminate against same-sex couples, and Prop 8 does not (under CA law, 'domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections and benefits' as married spouses [Family Code 297.5]) ...it simply preserves our rights to traditional marriage and to teach our children such. Rich and I were also asked by the bishop to teach a lesson to the ward about the importance of the passing of this measure and preserving the family. It was a great way for us to read the words of the prophet about how important this issue is and how urgently our action is needed. The 1st Presidency wrote in a letter dated June 20, 2008: 'We ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman. Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage.' Area authority Elder John C. Dalton referred to this time as 'a battle we must win!' Unfortunately, in a state as liberal as CA it will be an uphill climb. Rich and I both feel that greater things are at stake than it may seem.

There are many things we can do here in CA, and we feel that one of the ways we 'can do all we can,' as we were asked by the 1st presidency, is to network with friends and family. We hope we can all work together to be a 'mighty army' as Elder Ballard said last week. We have attached links to some pivotal websites if you would like more information:

LDS.org newsroom gives the church's official stand on Prop 8:
http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-readies-members-on-proposition-8

The consequences if Prop 8 fails:
http://protectingmarriage.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/six-consequences-the-coalition-has-identified-if-proposition-8-fails/

The Best Gift, a beautiful video about the family produced by some members in our ward:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmZaHbGgXH8

The experiences of a family in Massachusetts who's 5 year old was taught in school about same-sex marriage: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1352578267/bctid1784521903

An article from the San Francisco Chronicle telling of a first-grade class taking a field
trip to witness a lesbian wedding:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/11/MNFG13F1VG.DTL

A non-religious website giving more info: www.whatisprop8.com

Thank you for your help, especially your prayers! We love you all and hope you are well.

Kara, Rich and the fam

Current story:
Dear family and friends,

I had a very disturbing experience yesterday that I would like to share with
those of you that live outside of California (or outside of the San Francisco Bay Area).

This weekend we have stake conference. Our stake conference always begins with a stake temple session on Friday or Thursday night. Early Friday morning I received a call from the second counselor in our bishopric to let me know that there would be numerous protesters outside the temple, and to remind everyone to stay calm and to drive carefully. The beautiful Oakland Temple is located right across the bay from San Francisco , very close to the city of Berkeley. Apparently the opposition to proposition 8, the amendment that seeks to make marriage in CA between a man and a woman again, has realized the deep involvement of the church and begun to protest right outside of the temple and harass temple patrons. The fastest way to get to the temple from our house is to take the 680 freeway, but the exit is a bit tricky. The off ramp is extremely short and straight uphill. You then make an almost blind left turn, an immediate right and another left into the parking lot. As we! approached the off ramp, I realized there would be trouble. There was a backup onto the freeway from cars stalled on the off ramp. As we moved forward inches at a time, we realized this was due to a large group of loud protesters who were standing on both sides of the street, yelling, screaming and waving signs. When we got to the top of the offramp, ready to make our turn, one protester jumped out right in front of our car. It took my husband all his self control to carefully maneuver around him to the left and proceed to the temple. I tried not to listen to all they were shouting at us, but I was shaking as I got to the temple front door. Several of the sisters, especially the ones driving on their own, were crying (which made me snap out of it and go into RS President mode to comfort them). Later, as I was sitting in the perfect quiet of the chapel, I couldn't help but think of Lehi's dream, and the people who mocked the Saints from the big spacious building but 'we heeded them not.' It was a truly surreal experience, I'd never thought that I would have to go through an angry crowd to get to the temple. As we left late at night, the protesters had dispersed, temple security (who all looked very large and Tongan) stood by the gates. I never saw a single police man.

Please pray for those of us in California fighting for prop 8--it's getting
kind of scary out here!

Susanne

Let's all keep these folks in our prayers & PRAY that the Lord works His miracle in a few weeks...

Little Nuggets

I have several random ideas floating in my head & they just need to be dumped:
~ The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.
~ Life isn't about how to survive the storm,but how to dance in the rain
(These will be my mantra today as I 'make the best' of my place a.k.a. Scouring Day - ugh)
~ Jocelynn popped another tooth this morning...whoo doggy is she cranky
~ Boys are crazy - enough said.
~ And just a general huge 'SIGH' for all things that are overwhelming me at the moment.

On we go...

Economics by Jarrett

I know we are all concerned about the economy these days. Joe and I are baffled by the whole 'wealth distribution' thing and I guess we have been talking about it a little too much around the house. While it would be great to get a little extra cash, it is simply ludicrous to tax those who 'make too much' and who are providing jobs! I digress... It's simple economics to me & apparantly to Jarrett too (he will be 3 next month)....

This morning Joe got hurt really badly (we still don't know if he threw his back out or tore something, but he is in a lot of pain). Jarrett was in the room when he had to call into work saying he would not be there today (which NEVER happens).
His response: "Daddy no work?"
Joe: "No son, daddy can't go to work today"
(brief contemplating pause)
Jarrett: "Oh, Daddy no money?"

And there you have it - economics that a 2 year old can understand. You work hard and you get your OWN money - DUH!!

Do you maybe have this in a blue?

I am so excited today because Jocelynn got her bows from my friend Corrine (CCBaby, Inc one of my 'fav things'). DANG Cute Stuff!! So cute in fact that Jarrett decided he would try one on!! Such a character, but I don't think they were meant for boys - even though he is one cute boy!! I took him to a mirror so he could see what he looked like. The following conversation took place: "Jarrett, do you like it?" (brief pause) "No. Me blue one"!
Apparently he is not opposed to the bow, just the color...

So, Corrine, do you have any flower bows in Blue??

Joe is gonna kill me for posting this!

Dear Jake,

To my dear sweet son Jakob... Sometimes I just don't know what to do about you! I thought I had gotten used to your new ... 'comments' ... these past few weeks. I know the only reason you started, and continue, to share them is because I specifically told you that you should NOT be saying that to your mother. In my lame attempt to stop this nonsense, I have been trying to just ignore it - thinking you still appreciated my foul reaction too much. I have gotten so good at ignoring it in fact, that if it wasn't for the immediate roar of laughter by my friend at the park I may not even have noticed you screaming at me, "Mom, I love you! ...... You're HOT!"


Son, that's just not right.

Love,
Your Mom

Twilight is coming!!

Twilight HD Exclusive Trailer


Whoo hooo!!! This new trailer came out officially last night (I know kinda sick that I know this stuff - I told you I was hooked)!! OK - So any other 'Twilight Mom's' wanna join me at midnight on te 21st?? I have never gone to an opening show, but could force my eyelids open to saciate my TW addiciton! Any takers?? (the Diet Coke will be flowing in abundance that night)

one little word...

So, today I am amazed that one little word can change my whole perspective on life. Jocelynn started to ramble 'mamamama' a few days ago, but today it seems that she has linked her ramblings to ME! If I put her down or walked away from her, she cried, "mamamama" - of course I could come running back to her (I am such a sucker). After about half a dozen times she started to call my name without the crying. SHE KNOWS MY NAME!!
I don't care about what is going on the world today, I don't care how terrible I feel today, I don't even care that I didn't finish the laundry today... MY BABY KNOWS ME!! YIPEE!!

p.s. did you see how I figured out how to underline in html - look out - i'm getting all technical up in here!

Who will you be voting for??

Just in case you are unsure on who you will be voting for in a few days (or even if you want confirmation)... ABC news has a little 'matching-game' that will help you...
http://abcnews.go.com/politics/MatchoMatic/fullpage?id=5542139
(I just liked seeing Obama fly off my screen)
Another 'fun' fact that Joe brought to my attention today as he was reading his NRA mailers... Obama, IF elected, would be the most anti-gun President in American History! My FAVORITE tidbit was this: Obama voted to ALLOW the prosecution of people who use a firearm for self-defense in THEIR OWN HOME! (Illinois Senate, S.B. 2165, vote 20, 3/25/04) Seriously!! I'm not allowed to defend my family!!! This REALLY freaks me out!!
You can check out the other votes & quotes from him at www.GunBanObama.com

That's my political rant for the day... I am Jen Morris and I approve this message.

Introducing Miss Jocelynn Elizabeth!!

Here's my baby...only she doesn't much seem like a baby anymore... Her first tooth started poking through today - ahhhhhh - I'm not so happy about this!! Ah well, I can always reminisce...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Bathtime Fun!!

Ok - you'll have to forgive my indulgence. We had some fun giving Jocelynn a bath for the first time without her seat (she is getting so big - sniff sniff). We did not expect her to have so much fun, so of course, we had to capture the moment... Hope you enjoy...

If only baths were still this fun for grownups!

Jarrett loves trying to make her laugh...

In the end, it's hard to tell who was having more fun - you can't help but join in this one...
Happy October!