Almost Six months ago...

I can't believe it has almost been 6 months since Donovan was born. He will be starting solid food in two weeks and I still feel like he was born yesterday. I'm using Sterling's computer right now and found some photos from the day Donovan was born so I thought I would post them as I reminisced. It's amazing to me how small he once was and how much his face has changed since he was born. He is getting so much personality now and is so much fun to play with.
Donovan's first bath. The nurse washed him off in the sink minutes after he was born.


Looking cute in his newborn cap

He had so much hair then. Where did it all go?

Hanging out with his first visitor Uncle Jordan!

Wrapped up like a burrito

Proposition 8 is Personal

When I think about Proposition 8 I almost always think about our son Donovan. I think of a world where Prop 8 didn't pass and what it would be like. To be honest it scares me. I know Donovan is only 5 1/2 months old now but I fast forward in my mind to his first day of kindergarten. I see him playing in a big classroom with other kids. I see some kids coming up to him and the following conversation plays out in my mind...
Classmate: "Do you want to play house?"

Donovan: "Sure."

Classmate: "Okay, you can be the Daddy."

Donovan: "Who will be the Mommy?"

Classmate: "There isn't a Mommy. There are two Daddies."

Then the part that brings tears to my eyes. I see my sweet innocent little boy stopped in this tracks looking confused. I see him not knowing what to say or do. I imagine some of the other kids asking him what's wrong or maybe telling him how they have two Daddies. I hope he will think of his own mother and father who have the kind or marriage between a man and a woman that is ordained of God. Not just a cheap imitation of that. I hate to think of the belief of this type of marriage being "normal" infiltrating our children in school at grades as young as kindergarten. In Massachusetts public schools have started a new diversity curriculum where they read a book called "King and King." It is the story or two princes who meet and fall in love. They get married and together become "King and King" the book ends with a picture of the princes kissing. I hate to think of this book being read to Donovan or any young impressionable children. I know we can't shelter him from all the trials of life but there are some things that he just doesn't need to be exposed to. I have decided that if Prop 8 doesn't pass and we are still living in California when Donovan becomes school age that I will home school him. I really feel that it is the right decision and want to give him the kind of educational environment where he doesn't have to have additional confusing message being thrown his way.

Marriage is a most special a sacred union that God has created for the benefit of his children (us) on earth. Marriage allows our Father in heaven to send down his spirit children into the homes of a loving father and mother who will raise his children in righteousness. If we tamper with marriage with tamper with God's plan. There will be fewer homes for God to send his spirit children to and I hate to think of those spirits on the other side longing to experience earth life but having to wait longer than necessary.

In closing I just want to say that I know what our prophet has asked of us is right and inspired. The first presidency has said "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." As Sterling and I have worked on Prop 8 by going door-to-door, making calls or donating I have seen many blessing come into our lives. I feel it is a privilege for us to help out with this campaign and know that anyone who helps out with it, in any way, will be richly blessed.

Check out this video.

Tired of the intolerance and bigotry of religious people?

Cori Anne and I watched some great videos on PreservingMarriage.org. Our church put together this site to show our beliefs about Proposition 8. The opposition to Prop 8 use ads that show Prop 8 supporters as out of touch and not "cool". Their ads poke fun at traditional marriage and continually use the word "right" to describe same-sex marriage. They say that same sex marriage is a right and that Prop 8 is taking away that right. I disagree. What happened to give same-sex couples this "right" to begin with? At what cost was the "right" of same-sex marriage given? Four judges decided that they knew better than the majority of California voters and overturned Prop 22 which was passed in 2000. To me that seems to undermine the democratic process and our right to vote. I believe that marriage is first of all a rite. It is ordained of God and is His way of bringing people into the world. It is, as it has always been, a union of the sexes which provides the best atmosphere for raising children.

Vote YES on Proposition 8

Cori Anne and I have been volunteering for Proposition 8 (Prop 8) each Saturday now for the past 4 weeks or so. For those of you who don't already know what Prop 8 is, it is a Proposition to amend the California State Constitution so that only marriage between a man and a woman will be legally recognized in the state of California. In the year 2000, 61% of Californians passed Prop 22 which said "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California". That law was overturned recently by the CA Supreme Court by a 4-3 vote. Thanks to a lot of petitions, Prop 8 will be on the ballot November 4th. It has been great to go door to door in Arcadia with Cori and Donovan to talk to people about this important Proposition. We got a very positive response from the majority of people we talked to. However, some people either did not know much about Prop 8 or they felt that supporting Prop 8 might be unfair to their homosexual friends and family members. So, we wanted to blog about a few of the facts surrounding Prop 8 and a few of the reasons why we feel so strongly about it.

First, we feel so strongly about it because of our religious beliefs. We believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and central to His plan for the happiness of His children. We also believe that mothers and fathers each have a unique and special role in the home and that both are important to happy family life.()

Also, we don't want the public schools in California to teach children that homosexual relationships are good and normal. In Massachusetts same-sex marriage is legal, and public schools teach to kids as early as kindergarten about same-sex marriage using a book called "King and King" where two princes marry each other and become King and King. Also, in Boston, MA Catholic adoption services were sued by a homosexual couple who were not allowed to adopt a child through the service because Catholics believe that same-sex marriage is wrong and that children deserve to have a mother and a father. They chose to close their doors rather than sacrifice their beliefs. Other lawsuits have happened involving same-sex couples not being allowed to hold their wedding or reception at a Catholic parish center. Any institution in CA, religious or otherwise, that teaches that marriage is a union only between a man and a woman may become labeled as intolerant or discriminatory.

It is important to note that same-sex couples can have a legal union in CA in which they have the same rights as a heterosexual married couple. So, no rights will be taken away from same-sex couples by voting YES on Prop 8. However, voting NO or simply doing nothing will threaten our rights to free speech and our rights to practicing our religion. To me, that isn't more tolerant, it is less.

Here is a great web site that talks more about proposition 8.
http://www.protectmarriage.com/

Donovan's New Skill

Donovan has taken a lot of interest in watching us eat lately. Not to mention grabbing our forks, bowls or cups while we are trying to eat. The other day was hilarious when he actually grabbed Sterling bowl and pulled it over to him so he could put it in his mouth and lick it. It was adorable.



Because of this recent interest we decided to buy him a sippy cup so that he could eat when we do. He was such a little champ the first day we tried it. After we showed him how to do it, he picked up the cup and drank from it like a pro. We were so proud of him!


Check out that arm action! He's got a solid hold.

I Can Do Many Things

I am now five months. I can do many different different things!

I can sit up on my own.


I can stand with Daddy's help.



And sometimes without. Maybe I can start walking soon.


I can hold myself up. Check out my muscles!


I can take the rings off my stacking toy.


I can ride in the big boy stroller.


I can hold my own toy in my mouth. I like to chomp things!


I can read the dictionary. Which I like to do to improve my vocabulary.

Becca + Donovan = B.F.F.

Becca and Donovan have been becoming friends lately. He is getting very interested in her and enjoys petting her now. She is very sweet and patient with him and likes to give him kisses. I think she finally realizes that he's a part of the family now. The other day I captured this adorable moment they had.

Donovan's First General Conference

This weekend has been Donovan's first General Conference experience. It has been wonderful getting to hear the words of those chosen by the Lord to lead and direct his church. We've also had the blessing of being able to watch conference in our home this year using our new computer. This has been very helpful so that we can care for Donovan during the sessions. The cutest part was when we held Donovan up next to the computer screen to take a picture and he turned towards president Monson (who was speaking) and reached out towards him. It was adorable. He likes our prophet already!