The Health Care Issue

Not to start any political debate, but I have been reading some stuff on the internet about the health care issue, and I don't understand how people believe that health care is not a right. I know that being a diabetic is not the worst of things. There are a lot of people that have it a lot harder than me. If I take care of myself, I can have a normal healthy life- when in other cases no matter what people do, they aren't as fortunate. But it just irritates me to hear people put up such a stink about health care reform and how health care should not be a right. Here's a quote from an article I just read:

" (quoting a representative)"I am committed to working with President Obama to pass comprehensive health care reform. High quality, patient-centered, affordable health care is the right of every American and the time to act on this mandate is now," Polis said.

No, health care is not a right. We have the rights to free speech, to keep and bear arms..."

-http://media.www.collegian.com/media/storage/paper864/news/2009/09/11/Opinion/Pros-And.Cons.For.Health.Care.Reform-3769142-page2.shtml

That's like somebody walking up to me and saying, "No. I'm sorry, you don't get your insulin. Your blood sugar will rise to dangerous heights, then you'll go in a coma, and eventually you'll die. Oh yeah, but you can have a gun instead because bearing arms is a right but living isn't."

I'm not a very politically smart person so I really don't know if the Obama plan is going to work- and I don't completely understand it, but I gotta say, at least someone is trying. At least someone is concerned about this issue.
It scares me that Brian doesn't have insurance and with him being in the artistic world we see people with out insurance all the time. Brian was setting up for a gig at a place that had a lower door frame with a sharp edge. He saw someone carrying in sound equipment walk into it and gash his forehead open. He hit it so hard that he fell back and he was bleeding a lot. The people around had asked him if they could take him to the emergency room or a doctor and he declined because he didn't have health insurance, so he kept on doing his job with a rag to his head.
There is something wrong when people can't go and take care of themselves in an emergency because they are afraid of not affording it. Somebody should do something about this.
I just wanted to record my thoughts.

I'm engaged!

Brian took me out on a date last night and he proposed! Amanda and I made a skirt right before my date because I had been trying to figure out what I was going to wear all day and 2:00 came around and I wanted to wear the polka dot skirt that I had been planning on making. So finishing the cutting and starting the sewing a little before 3, I stopped working at 4:50 so Amanda could finish up the hem while I did my hair and make up to meet Brian at 5:30.

Brian took me to Mongolian out in the valley. During dinner he asked if we could go to the church bookstore. I said sure and mentioned we should go walk around the temple grounds since it is close to the bookstore. The bookstore was closed, but we went to the temple any way. On our walk he mentioned as we looked up at it, "this is our temple, not the one that we are going to get married at, but the one that we will go to on a regular basis- together." We had walked around once and I was cold- it being 7:00 and me wearing a skirt (who's idea was that?) so we were going to go back into the car but at last minute I decided I could brave the cold one more time around. On that time around the back of the temple, we stopped and he pointed out the sunset to me. It was beautiful! My one regret about this night is that I had left my camera out in the car and I want pictures to be able to show this night. Anyways, while looking at the sunset he said, "I love you so much" and I replied with "I love you so very much." Then the truth came: "I didn't really want to go to the bookstore, in fact I knew it was going to be closed. I wanted to bring you to the temple though, and so I am glad you suggested it." and then he got down on one knee, held out a box with a stunning ring and asked, "Will you marry me?... I want you to be my wife" I had a huge smile on my face and was shocked- not at the question, but at the ring (it was eye capturing)- and then I said, "Yes". He got up and I looked at the box and said, "that's a pretty box" which Brian thinks is comical that I mentioned the box and not the ring. I looked at the ring and said, "Do I have to put it on myself?" and he put it on me and I kissed him. The funny thing about smiling a lot and really big, is it's really hard to kiss someone. It was one of those happy blissful kisses. He told me that he wanted to propose at the temple because that is where he wants our relationship to be centered and built off. It was perfect.

We walked back to the car and said, "7:41" and I thought, 'you know what time you proposed to me?' and then he continued, "is when the sun sets in Spokane". He planned that whole thing! It was perfect, He's amazing. After our night, we had returned home and watched an episode of Commander and Chief with Amanda who was babysitting for us that night.

When Amanda and I got home, she wanted to take a picture of me because she said I looked "hot". so here I am:

and here's a picture of the ring:

It's absolutely brilliant. I woke up at 6:00 this morning and couldn't get to sleep because I was so excited. I kept on thinking, "I'm engaged, I'm engaged" Then around 6:30, I texted Brian, and then I waited for a couple more minutes and I went into Amanda's room who was half asleep and I kept saying, "it sparkles.... I'm engaged..... I'm going to marry Brian- and I have proof." For the last couple of weeks when I would say "I'm going to marry Brian," Amanda would always say, "prove it" and I couldn't, but now I can. this deserves a big smile because I am so excited.

I'll Cast All My Cares Upon You

I’m at a point in my life where I don’t know exactly what the Lord wants with me. I have so many options in front of me. I haven’t been the best at reading my scriptures or saying my personal prayers on a regular basis so I have a new plan of scripture study. Last week was ward conference and the week before, we were challenged to read Moroni 10 every night. I didn’t read it every night, but I read it a couple of times. Then during combined relief society and priesthood, we shared our treasures that we had found in our studies. It was a really cool experience. As I’m up here at the cabin, I’ve been reading my scriptures a bit and sitting and pondering and an idea that President Lee shared with us popped into my head. The quote is “Studying a segment of the scriptures for an extended period of time is like attending the temple, where we study the doctrines of the temple over and over, for the rest of our lives.” The last couple of days I have been wishing I could go to the temple to receive revelation and be closer to Heavenly Father but then I thought of this quote and I thought that if I study a segment of the scriptures and get into the habit of making the scriptures a bigger part of my life it will give me greater faith to receive the revelation I need in order to follow what the Lord has planned for me.

Side note: Remember in the Doctrine and Covenants when Heavenly Father chastises the church for not using the scriptures more and so in return they weren’t ready for more information? I guess that’s kind of like that, I need to better utilize the tools I have before I receive more in the temple.

This week I have decided to study Mosiah 2, because I like King Benjamin, he tells me how to be happy. Would you like to know some of my findings so far? If you want, you can read the chapter too and post your treasures as a comment, but if you don’t want to I understand because some of my jewels of revelation can be too personal for me to share. I’m really excited for my little “project”- it’s like a journey through the scriptures, to know the doctrine and stories better for my profit and learning.

In vs. 9 it says “I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me…” After reading that, I thought how simple that is and how I have looked over that in the past, but when I have thought about that phrase I remembered all the general conferences and stake conferences that I went to be spiritually edified and I learned great things but then I didn’t apply them, or maybe I didn’t listen with the spirit as much as I should have. Mosiah 2 is where King Benjamin calls his people for a stake conference to give him his last words of counsel.

Vs 14 I have always read that and thought “Cool! The king has labored along with his people” but if you look at how the sentence is phrase it continues to show the reasons and benefits of King Benjamin’s actions: “that (1) I might serve you, and (2) that ye should not be laden with taxes, and (3) that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne”-which makes sense because if you’re the king and working beside you people, you’re not going to make them do something that you would not be able to do yourself. King Benjamin was a smart man.

In vs 17 (scripture mastery) the word wisdom reminded me of a couple of weeks ago when Brian and I were having scripture study with the kids and we read this verse. He related finding wisdom to the Super Mario Galaxy video game that they had been playing: In the game you have to find all 5 pieces of the star to pass the level, SO Brian told the kids that finding wisdom is like finding the pieces of the star all throughout the scriptures. It was really cool and so I wanted to mark it in my scriptures so I knew that was a piece of wisdom.

In Vs 34 it says to “render to him all that you have and are”. He says this after he goes through the explanation that we will always be indebted to our Heavenly Father, but we need to give him all of ourselves because it is the only thing that we can give.

There’s more but I’ll skip to the last vs 41. I’ve always liked this verse, which is the reason why I chose this chapter to start with. It’s so clear and simple of how we can be happy. Obey the commandments and you will blessed, hold faithful to the end and you will be received in heaven- It’s never ending happiness.

Now here comes the Reading Rainbow challenge….But don’t take my word for it…Budum bum!

Brian has a cd of “God songs” that the kids like to listen to along with the primary cds and it has a song that’s been going through my mind all day, it goes like this:

I’ll cast all my cares upon you.

I’ll lay all of my burdens down at your feet

Any time I don’t know what to do

I will cast all my cares upon you.

I firmly believe that in this difficult decision time in my life that if I cast all my cares upon the Lord that He will straighten them out and help me know what it is he has in store for me in my life. I know this to be true, now I’m just taking that leap of faith to do my part so I can hear His voice more clearly.

cake and chocolate

Brian's one year anniversary (is that what you would call it) of joining the church was on Tuesday. So I made him a cake.


Amanda had 3 cake mixes to choose from so I chose the Funfetti one, and she had left over blueberry filling from a wedding caked she did in June. It was really good. Amanda came over to Brian's and played Wii and kept me company while I decorated them when Brian was at a rehearsal. I made two 6 inch cakes and decorated one in the shape of a CTR shield and then circle one that said "Congrats Brian!". The three of us ate the circled one that night and then Brian, Elijah, and I ate the CTR one the next night after scripture study.

Last night I went over after doing some shopping and Brian popped in the kitchen while I was looking in the fridge and gave me a card and a chocolate covered heart shaped brownie. I said, "It's not Valentine's day yet" and he said, "It's not for that" and then went and sat on the couch. The card was a quick little note that said he wanted to do something to show how much he appreciated me. The brownie was really good. I would have taken a picture but I didn't want to waste time before I ate it ;-)

Megan's Quiz

1. "I am speed"

2. "I DON'T MAKE DEALS WITH PEASANTS!"

The Emperors New Groove

3. "Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line!!"

The Princess Bride

4. "Of course wrestling isn't fighting! (wink wink nod nod)"

5. "You sit on the throne of lies!"

Elf
6. "But I don't want to use my head!"

Toy Story 2

7. "Fish are friends, not food"

Finding Nemo I just bought those fruit snacks today :-)

8. *"Hellooo Nurse!!!!!"

Annimaniacs

9. "This book is filled with amazing woman like Marie Curie... who died of radiation poisoning..."

Enchanted

10. "But I don't want to be a pie! I don't like gravy!"

It's Halloween! It's Halloween!

Well, the night first started with a Monkey.........? actually, the night first started with Me finishing up my costume and amanda turning on Psycho. Then in the middle of it we headed over to Brian's. Elijah got dressed in his costume and then we told him to jump around like a monkey. Eventually all of us were jumping around, "yelling", and "searching" eachother for bugs like monkeys. Soon afterward we all piled into Brian's car and headed up on the hill (that's where all the "loot" is *wink*) and we took Elijah around trick- or- treating for about an hour and a half. It was lots of fun. I'm sure we got some weird thoughts towards us, "three adults for one child?". Then we headed over to Quianna's great Aunt's place so we could see her costume which was a whitch! She looked very cute.

Amanda I went home around 8:30 to finish psycho and get ready for the dance. We had lots of fun getting ready, I did her makeup because she had no ideas on how she wanted to do it. We had some fun girl time :-)

TO THE DANCE!!!!

It was fun, we got to see everyone dressed up! I ran into Christina and Ariel Johnson! Christina said that she got her mission call to Chile and was going to the temple on saturday (which was a couple days ago). I saw Amy Liestad, who is our old relief society president. Doesn't she look great! Check out the roller skates... She danced in those! Quite awesomly I might add...

And we saw the other Amy (Wagner) Who I use to go to church with my first year at Cheney but then she moved out to spokane, so now I'm in her ward!!!

We also saw Tyler who was an awesome Peter Pan.

And for the moment you've all been waiting for..... OUR COSTUMES!!!!!!!

Camping Trip

I know it was a long time ago, but I've been meaning to write about my camping trip but I've been busy.

This was where we camped.  It was just above CDA.  It was an ok spot for a late night camping trip.  We got there at about 7:30 and everybody was hungry so we just decided to stay.  If I had my PERFECT camping trip I would have probably kept searching for a place with more trees around the site so you couldn't see the tents next to you.  But it was cool.  It was right next to "Beauty Creek"- which was a dip in the ground with rocks. I'm guessing there was water there once.  This was the "creek".

The night went pretty well. Brian started barbecuing the hamburgers and hot dogs while Amy, Tyler, Amanda and I set up the tents and the kids explored looking for "firewood". 

During dinner I thought I had done a pretty good job at planning my first camping trip, I thought everything was going smoothly... until I got thirsty.   "hey, did anyone bring the cooler?"  "the red one?" said Tyler... "No, the Water Cooler".  We talked about it for a while, "which car did it make it in?... I set had Brian set it next to Amy's van."  amy said, "We didn't load a water cooler."  so I started freaking out.  "Did we leave my parents water cooler on the side of the road?  oh shoot".... so i then started frantically looking in both cars where no water cooler was to be found.  a couple minutes later amy said, "is that why some man was shouting at us?... He was saying igloo, and i thought 'it's in the middle of the summer' "  So then I said, "no, that's the brand of the cooler"  oops.... So then Brian calmed me down by saying, "if it was one of my neighbors in my complex they would bring it inside, and if not then I'm sure you're parents wouldn't mind getting a brand new one from us."   Which was all fine and dandy, but that means our cold water-gone.  Luckily that was the only other glich in the trip.     And thankfully, Tom, Brian's neighbor who lives in #3 found it and put it downstairs in the basement for us. 

After dinner, we had a fire built- not with the wood that Quianna and Elijah brought, Amanda and I went a bought some from the head camp site. We roasted marshmallows and had smores and cookies... on yeah, and strawberry marshmallows, which are really good but you can't really taste the flavor when they are roasted over the fire.  Then it was time for bed.  So the boys went in one tent and the girls in the other (the bigger one ).   Well, as always the boys were pretty quiet, but the girls- well that was a different story.  Amanda, Amy, and I were giggling up a storm for some reason... well we're camping, and it's like a slumber party, so what do you expect?  but it wasn't about anything really, just random stuff that I can't even remember.  It was funny though because I looked at Quianna and said, "how you doin?"  and she said, "confused"  which the girls and I laughed at more.... So about 5 minutes later Quianna said, "Let's all play the quiet game..."  which we thought was hilarious because normally it's the adults who say that to the children.  Infact we laughed so hard that amanda said, "I can't breathe!"  it was funny, so we finally quietned down... but then i had to cough, and then amanda had to cough, and then me, and then her.... until then amanda was like, "stop copying me".  and I said, "i had to cough first!" and amanda and i started laughing to which quianna said, "Kim and amanda are loosing, Amy's the one winning".  It was funny.

The next morning Amy got up early (she was the pyro of the group) and  built us a fire.  Then We pulled out Amanda's stove and started making breakfast.  It was fun because we only had one pan so we had to cook everything in stages.  First the Hashbrowns, Second the eggs, 3rd the Bacon, and 4th the sausage- I think that was how it was, I 'm not sure.  but here's the stack of food. 

 

 

Here's Amy putting the bacon on the grill.

Tyler cooking... uh, I can't remember, I think it was the bacon.

 

 

 

Amanda and her apple cider. Doesn't this look look evil?

This is the creek that was next to the site.

 

This is the bacon grease... we had to do something to it. so we put it on a plate and then put it in the fire.

There was a bee in the tent when we were trying to fold it up, so Amy and Brian put it in the bottle. Brian was fascinated by it.

 

After we had everything packed up we went to CDA lake, and swam in it.  It was lots of fun.  Tyler borrowed a pair shorts from me.... he fit in them- should I be worried?  (just kidding)   Amanda and Amy taught Quianna how to tread water.  We swam for a bout an hour and watched a water plane land on the lake it was really close to us. 

When we got home, a missionary that we knew was being transfered so we invited him over to the house for some BBQ chicken- which was amazing.  Brian is an excellent BBQ-er.  It was fun because Tyler was able to see the missionary who baptized him since he was the companion who was being transferred.

and THAT was our camping trip!  It was lots of fun!