What was I thinking?

Things that drive me crazy...
-Mormon culture(different than the religion)
-Trends that seem to put you "in" or "out"
-Being sucked into it all!
My sister is a pretty avid reader and I am not. I think that in high school, I NEVER finished a book. I hated reading, and in turn, never did! After getting married, I started to read a little. Ben and I read Da Vinci Code, and we were impressed by how INTO it we got. I read a few other books in my time, but then Grant was born. That would be the end of the story, but then I asked my sister what she was reading this summer. I trust her 100%- so when I saw the book she suggested in Sam's Club, I bought it. How could I be so blind? I thought it was just a "mormon thing" so I was REALLY mad at myself for getting caught in the trap. How did I not know about the book that was hitting the charts just like Harry Potter? How did I miss this?

I didn't really start it right away, but then Grant took a nap on Friday. I read a few pages. Saturday, picked it up again. Finished it on Sunday. Monday, bought the sequel. Finished Tuesday (in less than 24 hours I might add). Bought the NEXT book, finished it tonight. I just reserved a bracelet to get in line to buy the book at midnight tomorrow night. WHAT AM I DOING??!! WHAT THE CRAP!?!?!?!?!
I am in LOVE with the Twilight Saga. I am reminded of my sweet husband SO many times- I think he wants me to read more "romantic novels!" I love being reminded of when Ben and I were first dating. I didn't know Ben could be the amazing gentleman that he is! MMMmmm... Edward! I even told Ben that I am IN LOVE with Edward. He said, "It's OK, because he isn't real!" So- to Stephanie Meyer- I say, "THANK YOU!" Here's to Breaking Dawn!!

Crawling, Sitting Up, Standing, now what!?

Just thought everyone would like to know that Grant has learned how to stand up on his own. He isn't very good at it- but I was on the couch, and happened to look down at Grant, and he was standing- by himself. Let me remind you that he isn't even 8 months yet. Who thought!? I do understand that it may be a while before the walking happens, but he knows how, I think he was just trying to learn how to stand and keep balance- well... he's got it! He's such a little big boy!

New music in the fam

It's almost 3 in the morning and I can't sleep, so I thought that instead of watching a pointless History Channel documentary on biological weapons I'd let you all know about the latest additions to the family music box.

I have three cousins who are building places for themselves in the music industry. The most visible one at this point is Jon Peter Lewis. His latest album was released yesterday, and I can't tell if I'm biased because he's my cousin or not, but I love it. Seriously, it's great. I've listened to it in its entirety twice already, and I've owned it less than 12 hours. I get to perform with Jon every once in a while, and it gets more fun every time.
Click here to see Jon's website and to buy the album.

Next we have Josh Hancock, who goes by Josh 86, and has a great ska band called Black Square. He's one of the more important musical figures in the rock&roll scene in Hawaii right now. That may not seem like a big deal, but if you think about how separated Hawaii is from the mainland, it might as well still be its own country, and there's tons of music happening every night in the Hawaiian nation. If there's a concert going on, chances are that Josh has something to do with it, whether performing or promoting. Black Square's album Onward came out earlier this month. Imagine if The Ramones and Neil Young and 311 had formed a ska band - you'd get something like Black Square.
Click here to preview & buy the album.


Then there's Blake Mills, most recently of a really great band called Simon Dawes. Their latest album was released in 2006, but most of you probably haven't heard it, so it might as well be brand new. I have to say in all honesty that my love for this album has absolutely no bias. I'd listen to this album just as often if The Monkees had released it. It's simply brilliant. Blake's guitar playing is absolutely phenomenal. In a couple days he'll be touring New Zealand, Australia and Japan with another cool group called Band of Horses. Check out his brilliant playing and songwriting Here.


Maybe someday I'll make some music as cool as all of theirs. Until then, enjoy.

-Ben

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

I thought I would post one of the most beautiful documents presented to the world in the past 15 years...

  "We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.“Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

1995 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.  English approval: 10/95. 35602

Fun with the Fam

Not much has happened lately. But we have had some fun family dinners with the Witneys. Enjoy the photos! They are all out of order- I got lazy!

Scott loves taking Grant for rides on the mini-car-thing...I don't know what it's called!

I LOVE this picture of Scott and Leanne... though she doesn't, and may kill me for posting pictures of her! I think she's beautiful!

Ok, Grant pulls himself onto things, and this is him doing just that- but his legs are so spead a part!!

Poor Duncan with his little orange casts from his surgery on his thumbs... now he can bend them!!Though our son is really tiny (like 5th %tile for weight and height), he looks so FAT here... so for those who believe my son should be fatter, here you go!

Playing with the colors on my camera... Carrie didn't quite understand what I was trying to have her do... but a great picture non-the-less!

I ADORE this next picture!! I think I was trying to get Carrie's blue eyes, and I ended up getting the shirt in the corner... Oh well... BEAUTIFUL picture... LOVE IT!

Leanne has 2 rose bushes in her front yard, and this is Grant discovering roses... obviously.

Crazy Climber

Grant has been growing up (not exactly "growing") like crazy these last few weeks. Cherilyn just came home from a 3 week trip, and while she was gone, Grant got his 1st tooth, said "mama" & "dada" (and every other baby noise that you can think of!). He also learned how to crawl, and this week... he's learned how to pull himself up and climb on things. Enjoy.

This is what I found when I came to check on our not-so-napping-Grant. Awesome. My life just got a lot more hectic. If I felt like I couldn't get anything done before!! Thank heaven for the mid-day nap!
I took this picture from our computer. I was checking email (or blogging) and I heard him laugh. I turned around to find him staring at me. These both were before we moved the bed down to the lowest setting.
Then, I found him doing this AFTER we lowered the bed! Funny kid!

Fourth, Family, Friends, Food, Fun, Fireworks, Fotos!

Our Fourth of July was filled with fun.  We started the day by going to Guitar Center (I had to drage Ben there... I was so excited to see all the sales!! jk).  I mentioned to Ben that it would be nice to go to a BBQ, and less than a minute later, he said we could go to Kim's (because we were invited, not because we asked to go... totally different).  So after a quick trip to IKEA, we headed over to Kim and Ben's for a lovely bit of "quality family bondage time."  Then we all headed to the home of the Beatdiggers for some awesome fireworks.  Everyone had a wonderful time.  Then, Ben and I talked off Kim and Ben's ears till reallly late o'clock (sorry... I need to learn to SHUT UP).  I think they were glad to see us go so they could enjoy the comfort of their cute home!  Enjoy some pictures from our fun fourth.

Liam enjoying the pain in Ryan's face a little TOO much 

while he stuck glow sticks in his mouth and nose.

Drew couldn't get enough of the cool fireworks!
Grant was captivated as well
Awww... cute family.

Summer Lovin'

So, our child crawls. YEAH! He's starting to eat solids! YEAH! He really is such a great little guy. He laughs all the time, and I just can't seem to get enough pictures taken of him. I now understand when people say, "you're so cute I just want to eat you up!" That's how it is with Grant, but don't worry, I won't really eat him.

Yesterday, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful day and Ben's lack of students (always a Tuesday plus!) and we headed into American Fork Canyon. We were able to use our $80 parks pass that we bought last year, so that was awesome. We took the road ALL the way to Cascade Springs. Here are some beautiful pics Ben took of the scenery (don't mind the old hag and cute child!!).

Nice back-round...eh?
SO BRIGHT!! I made Ben stand just right so I could open my eyes. Oh- and Grant is looking at his shadow. Like he always does.
LOVE THIS ONE!
So happy to be outside!
Beautiful Cascade Springs. I think we should all go there for a picnic. OK?