Thursday, December 11, 2008

Happy Holidays!


We're so excited for baby Laura to arrive! We're counting down the weeks!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

It was a wicked and wild wind



Joel and I went to the Coldplay concert last night at the Honda Center with his sister Ashleigh and her husband Shenn, and Joel's mom and stepdad. The concert was great, we really enjoyed it! The last time I saw Coldplay in concert was in Utah in2003! Joel and I got to the Honda center early and decided to go to dinner at The Lazy Dog Cafe. It was decorated with pictures of the staff and their dogs, the chairs and booths were printed with dog material, and the tables had dog prints burned onto the table. If you were into that sort of doggy thing, it would be pretty cute. Joel said this was our last big thing before the baby is born; romantic dinner just the two of us, fun concert, no worrying about a babysitter... Man, we can't wait for Laura to be born! Only 9 weeks left!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Baby Shower


Thank you so much Aubry and Ashleigh for a BEAUTIFUL baby shower! I LOVED the pea in the pod theme. We had fun the day before the shower, my Mom, Aunt Deanne and Elizabeth and Grandma came up and spent the night. We had a great time geting into Joel's treat cupboard and painting our nails.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Confessions of a Shopaholic


This book was HILARIOUS!!! The entire time I kept saying, "No, don't do that!" And then she went ahead and did it anyway! It reminded me of the times when I want to do something, know I probably shouldn't, but DO IT ANYWAY! And then you think, WHY did I do that? I am so excited because I just saw that this will be a MOVIE and will be released Feb 13, 2009! I am now accepting applications for a babysitting position for 2 hours for Laura (who better be born by then!) so I can see this movie! LOVED the book, the movie should be funny too!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Tai Pan!





So Joel and I went to the new Tai Pan store, and I have to say, it was worth all the hype! What a cool store! We got the two Halloween signs (at 75% off!) and a decorative garden thing (not pictured). I had a grand opening flyer to get the three snowmen free with any purchase, and a $10 off gift card! So when we went to the register, the girl rung it up and said, "Your total is $0.18!" Joel and I looked at each other and thought WHAT? We asked her if she had rung everything up, was there a mistake? No, no mistake, with the Halloween discount and the $10 off, the total was seventeen cents, with tax at one penny, the total was eighteen cents! WOW!!! Joel has already informed me we will be going back once Christmas is over to get the sale items. He's already found a lot of decorative pieces he wants!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Church news release re Prop 8

Here is a section of the news release from the church, I'm so grateful that Prop 8 passed!

"It is important to understand that this issue for the Church has always been about the sacred and divine institution of marriage — a union between a man and a woman.

Allegations of bigotry or persecution made against the Church were and are simply wrong. The Church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility toward gays and lesbians. Even more, the Church does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches

Before it accepted the invitation to join broad-based coalitions for the amendments, the Church knew that some of its members would choose not to support its position. Voting choices by Latter-day Saints, like all other people, are influenced by their own unique experiences and circumstances. As we move forward from the election, Church members need to be understanding and accepting of each other and work together for a better society.

Even though the democratic process can be demanding and difficult, Latter-day Saints are profoundly grateful for and respect the ideals of a true democracy.

The Church expresses deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the many Latter-day Saints and others who supported the coalitions in efforts regarding these amendments."

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

I voted!


I voted YES on 8!

Happy Halloween!



Happy Halloween! We had a fun time getting our cowboy costumes put together. We patronized our local thrift shop and my dad's closet. He was kind enough to drive to Joel's work and drop off spurs, hat, belt and whip. The spurs were the highlight of the costume! Joel loved wearing them! We went to a fun party for one of Joel's coworkers, and on Halloween we went to Tobin and Aubry's ward trunk or treat with Ashleigh, Shenn, Perrin, Payson, Mom and Tom. It was fun passing out candy; Aizlyn Perrin and Payson looked great!
I got 2 pounds of chocolate from a coworker, and was not sure what to do with that much chocolate! Then I got the brilliant idea, carmel apples! I dipped them in carmel, let them set in the fridge, then dipped them in chocolate and rolled them nuts! Wow! They were delicious!

Friday, October 31, 2008

YES on 8!

This is from my grandma, who received it from Dave Benson, who wrote it. The Bensons are in my grandparents ward, and Joel is good friends with their son David. We MUST tell EVERYONE to vote YES on 8 on TUESDAY.
Kristen

Hi Brethren,
As you know in our High Priest Group I condemned the Commissioner of Education in California for going on TV and actually lying in such an open and notorious fashion that I could not help but to comment. In fact, in general the media is making it appear that ALL teachers and administrators are in opposition to Prop 8 to the extent that the Mormon Church is in favor of Proposition 8. The California Teachers Association donating $1 million of teachers dues to the No on Prop 8 campaign, the Commissioner of Education impugning himself in opposition to Prop 8. It seems as though when reports are given on TV that it is teachers and schools that are driving support for the gay agenda.
Now I know enough teachers and administrators to know that this is not the case individually and even collectively on a local basis, however, the evidence is mounting that there are people in positions of power within the state education system that are working for the pro-gay agenda in an open and notorious fashion. Their boldness could be compared to Giddianhi, who was the Gadianton Robber that asked all of the Nephites to surrender and become part of their society. I expect that even good educators are troubled and scared to oppose these people in positions of power, because to oppose them would expose good people to potential lawsuits and imprisonment due to the state judges and craftiness of the laws in our state.
I want to pass this information on to you as evidence of the gross lies of our Commissioner of Education. This is the exact teaching code for teachers and their responsibility for teaching about families. Allen Jenkins gave this to me and pointed out the wording I have highlighted in yellow below. Not only are teachers required to teach about families and the interworking of families, they are already required to affirm the family structure of each child in an effort to help them not feel “denigrated.” This section reveals the outright lie told on TV by the Commissioner of Education, that there is NO requirement by teachers in California to teach about families. (Please do not even think about wordsmithing his comment, because the intent of his comment was to deceive people into believing that a defeat of Prop 8 will not permit the change of school instruction.)
My point here is not to argue the current state of the law, because when I read this section it upholds what we expect as parents. What is obvious to me is that this statute is not being followed in the state of Massachusetts. I am not sure if the code is written the same way, however, the lawsuits that have been generated to keep children from being taught about alternate lifestyles, with out the parents being able to opt out, leads me to believe that similar statutes did or still exist in Massachusetts. My concern is that if I have a Commissioner of Education in California that will lie about something so obvious, in such an open and notorious fashion, my expectation is that he will also disregard the protections in this portion of the education code and will do whatever he wants. Additionally the Supreme Court of California will not side with a reasonable interpretation of the code, they have proven they will side the Commissioner and his pro-gay agenda.
The code is below for your perusal. Thanks for all you do,

Dave
805.754.5940
dave.benson@verizon.net

Health Framework for California Public Schools Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/documents/healthfw.pdf
Family Living
In the teaching of family living, particular attention must be paid to the legislative codes and guidelines that affect curriculum planning and instruction within this content area. Note: See summaries of Education Code sections 51550 and 51555 (parent notification), 51553 (sex education course criteria, emphasizing abstinence), 51554 (parental notification of outside speakers for family life, AIDS, STDs), 51201.5 (HIV/AIDS prevention), and 51513 (personal beliefs) in Appendix A. The requirements of these code sections should be understood prior to the development of curriculum in this content area.
A functional family unit is vital to the well-being of children. Children usually develop best when they live in a stable environment with their mother and father and receive from their parents consistent love, support, and direction. However, children from nontraditional families can also develop success-fully. Given the variety of nontraditional families in contemporary society, it is important that children not reared in two-parent families be convinced that their situation can also be conducive to growth and development.
Further, it is important that children not be denigrated because of their living arrangement or the composition of their family. All students, regardless of their current living arrangement, can benefit from classroom instruction and discussion on family living. They can learn how they can contribute to making the family unit harmonious and successful now as well as in the future—when they will likely become parents.
This content area promotes the development of positive family interactions in all types of families, including those that face unusual challenges. Families that have members with physical or mental disabilities can experience major effects on patterns of family interaction. Ideally, families can adapt to these challenges and in fact may develop stronger, more supportive family relation-ships as a result. Members of these families should feel comfortable participating in classroom discussions of family interactions.
Instruction in family living also focuses on sexuality, the reproductive process, dating relationships, and the selection of a mate. Abstinence from sexual activity is strongly encouraged because it is the healthiest course of action for young people. Statistics based on the latest medical information citing the failure and success rates of condoms and other contraceptives in preventing pregnancy shall be provided to students. In addition, the moral, legal, and economic responsibilities of parenthood are highlighted.
Sexually transmitted diseases and their prevention are discussed. Because parents should be the primary source of sex education and values relating to this subject, they must be notified before lessons in sex education are offered. The Education Code permits parents to withdraw their children from this portion of the health curriculum.
Decisions regarding developing specific instruction in family living within the parameters of legal requirements rest with school districts. The approach of this framework is to encourage districts to work with parents and community members in developing curriculum, especially in the area of family living. The intent of the curriculum in this content area is not to invade the privacy of families and their right to teach values to their children but to assist families in teaching about family living and encourage effective family communication.
Because of the sensitive nature of this content area, school districts may wish to arrange same-sex groupings during presentation of this portion of the curriculum to younger students. Districts should work with parents and community members to decide how controversial issues such as homosexuality, abortion, and masturbation will, or will not, be addressed. Parents should be informed of the district’s position, and teachers should receive clear training in fulfilling the district’s policies.
Family life curricula must include factual, substantiated information that is free of racial, ethnic, and gender bias and, if consistent with district policy, an opportunity for students to explore different aspects of issues within the parameters allowed by law. The school district must determine what constitutes factual, substantiated information3 and ensure that all instructional resources are subject to the district’s review and approval process. If guest speakers are invited to participate in the discussion of those issues, the speakers’ activities must be made to adhere to district policy and state law. Further, districts must ensure that schools comply with all legal requirements concerning family life education, including providing written notification to parents before conducting classes in which the human reproductive organs and their functions are described, illustrated, or discussed.4
3Education Code Section 51553(b): “(1)(A) Factual information presented in course material and instruction shall be medically accurate and objective. (B) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (i) ‘Factual information’ includes, but is not limited to, medical, psychiatric, psychological, empirical, and statistical statements. (ii) ‘Medically accurate’ means verified or supported by research conducted in compliance with scientific methods and published in peer-review journals, where appropriate, and recognized as accurate and objective by professional organizations and agencies with expertise in the relevant fields such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
4 School district governing boards dealing with policy issues should refer to Appendix A.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Who am I?


You're a Carlisle! You are intelligent, strong willed and patient. A peaceful lifestyle and helping others is very important to you. You're not a take charge kind of guy and sometimes rely too much on your feelings when you make decisions, but you always mean well and try your best to do what's right.

I'm a Esme! I found out through TwilightersAnonymous.com. Which Twilight Female Are You? Take the quiz and find out!
Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

You're an Esme! You are thoughtful and care very deeply for your family. A loving home is of great importance to you and you always try to make people feel welcome. Although you have a great capacity to love, you also have a great capacity to hurt, so at times you can be sensitive. You're firm when you need to be, but people trust your judgement and appreciate the kind way you always handle things.

Vote Yes on Prop 8

Copy and paste this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_hmdcy_IvQ
This clip shows McCain and Obama stating that marriage is between a MAN and a WOMAN.  Either candidate you support, they both agree that gay marriage should NOT be legalized.  Joel and I both have the Protect Marriage, Vote Yes on Prop 8 bumper stickers.  He had a conversation with several co-workers, half of whom will vote yes and half will vote no.  I know it will be close, but surely the YES votes will carry the day!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

BEST HUSBAND in the WORLD!!!

Who has the BEST husband in the WORLD? ME!!! Joel is so sweet! I have been wanting a serger for years! Joel couldn't figure out WHY I needed a serger, since I have a sewing machine. I told him my sewing machine is like a hammer. It's a great tool and very handy. But sometimes a job calls for a screwdriver. And you can't use a hammer when you need a screwdriver. The serger is my screwdriver. Once I put it in "tool" terms, Joel thoroughly understood why the serger was so important to me. When I saw an ad that Singer sergers were on sale, I told Joel I WISHED I had one. Later that day he handed me enough cash to pay for the serger! I was SO surprised! He told me he'd been saving the money from his paychecks because he knew how important it was to me. Wow. Let's take a moment of silence to fully appreciate how generous and loving that act was. I LOVE YOU JOEL!!!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Laura's room

Wow, Joel and I are so impressed with ourselves! A big thank you to Mary for purchasing the crib for us! A even bigger THANK YOU to JOEL for doing almost all the work for Laura's room. Although I did assist, he was the real worker.

We sorted the tubs of clothes from Deanne and Gamze and Liz and Kennedy and Mackenzie, and made piles of newborn, 3-6, 6-9, etc. We're having so much fun saying "isn't this so cute!" and "I can't wait until she wears this" and my favorite, "I bought this for Gamze!"

We can't wait until she comes!

The Camping Trip

We were so excited to use our new tent! We can actually stand up in this one! Notice the "dog" tent in the background. Yes, even our dogs have a tent. We were in charge of breakfast with Tobin and Aubry. It was good! Pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and juice. Everything is good when you're outside camping! Ashleigh's battery died on the trip, but luckly we know a good mechanic! He was able to install a new one without any problems. I love how handy you are Joel! I think I'll keep you around! :)

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

October 1st!


Only 30 more days to Halloween! I've been so good about not buying any candy, but today is the first day of October, and so I celebrated by purchasing the first bag of candy for Halloween. It is Hershey kisses with Almonds. (I have no doubt that it will be LONG gone by the time Halloween rolls around, but hey, we'll just have to get another bag, right?)
We want to be the "cool" family on the block, so we've decided to pass out KING size candy bars to the trick-or-treaters. Last year we only had three. Two of them only came over because they were getting into their car to go to another neighborhood, and saw us sitting outside looking lonely and eating candy. Hoepfully since our neighborhood has built up a little bit more, we will have more trick-or-treaters. Otherwise what will we do with all the candy? Oh yes...it will go to Joel's Treat Cupboard. Well, problem solved.
Happy Halloween!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

What a Day



I feel like I've been on this slide today.

Friday, September 26, 2008

The NEW CRIB



This is a picture of our NEW crib. Our first choice of crib, (that took us two months to pick out and agree on!) we went to buy on Tuesday. Sadly, that was not to be the case. The store had recalled every crib because of strangulation hazard. Naturally we would not want precious Laura strangled, and so we were happy to have avoided that problem; but we were then left in the tricky spot of trying to find a new crib. And when we are both on the picky side, it is VERY TRICKY.

Last night before falling asleep I told Joel that I have now decided that I want a white crib, instead of cherry. So today he calls me and says, "I found some cribs. What do you think?" We looked, loved, and purchased! How amazing, it only took us 15 minutes the second time around.

Now our next project is painting the room (I say "our project" when we all know I mean JOEL) and the room will be one step closer to being ready for our sweet baby girl!

Laura sucks her thumb

How adorable is that? She's already sucking her thumb!

Laura Brooke Earl

Isn't she beautiful!

It's a GIRL!!!

Here is Laura Brooke Earl! We're so excited!

Stupid People



Stupid people are funny. A woman called in to order a cake and... well, read the following!

Store Employee: “Hello this is *****, how can I help you?” (store name changed to protect privacy)

Customer: “I would like to order a cake for a going away party this week.”

Store Employee: “What you want on the cake?”

Customer: “’Best Wishes Suzanne’ and underneath that ‘We will miss you.’”

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Our FABULOUS Anniversary

A HUGE Thank You to my sister Kelly! Wow, the Presidential Suite at the Lake Arrowhead Resort. How many other people can get it for FREE for their anniversary? We had a great time. We checked in and had dessert at the restaurant (too cheap for dinner, we ate with my parents who cooked in the Solar oven. Good job Dad, it was tasty) and when we got back to the room, there were rose petals all over the room and bath! Wow! So beautiful. We had a fun weekend, walking around the village, going kyaking, what a fun way to celebrate our 2nd Anniversary.

Earl Family Reunion at Lake Tahoe

Here we are at beautiful Lake Tahoe! I had never been and throughly enjoyed it! Favorite part of the renunion...Joel and Tobin "log tossing." That was hilarious! Who else but those two would think of that game? In case you're not familiar, let me explain. You take a log, lift it and see who can throw it the furthest. That's about the gist. Good times.

Friday, September 5, 2008

We're parents already!


This is Kennedy, our good friends the Pollocks oldest daughter. We love their family, especially their kids! Joel and I love to invite ourselves over to their house. I'm totally copying the following from their blog:

This is titled "Kennedy's Parents"

"Sometimes we sing songs before going to sleep and by we I mean Kennedy, MacKenzie and I. As we were singing "I am a Child of God" I asked Kennedy who her parents were. She thought about it for a minute and replied, "Kristen and Joel." Hmmm... I see where Justin and I stand. I should frame this picture and put in on her wall." :)

Here is Baby Earl! It's a great profile shot, you can see the nose, lips, chin and further down, the fingers next the the belly. Too Cute!