End scenes from Iowa Summer

Wow the end of summer is coming to a close. Since we've been back in Iowa and since this is our last summer here in Iowa we have been keeping busy...

Pool Days outside in the backyard. Hoses are a little boys fix! 

Sandbox time in the backyard also...very very messy but super fun! 

 Splash Park fun with friends. Our boys love the water. 

 We took another trip to Nauvoo for the Pageant. We were supposed to do a session but our friends that were coming up to watch or kids were running behind so we missed the last session. I believe we were being blessed for effort:) We decided just to make the best of it and tour the Pageant again. 

 The boys loved the old wagons 

 We walk around the Temple grounds. The stairs were the boys favorite part! 

We feel so blessed to live so close to the Nauvoo Temple. Such legacy and heritage. Its beautiful! 

 We did all the pageant fun games...potato sack racing, puppet shows, little village play, ect, ect. 

 The handcart ride was the highlight of the night!

Handcart Fam! 

Our boys got to dress up the like the stripling warriors for the last activity and they thought that was pretty cool. They look so cute. 

 It was extremely HOT! Kreed did rather well but by the end the boys were so tired. It was a great short trip to Nauvoo. Now to only get back there to do a session. 

 Another scene from summer is we have had some family visitors. Casey and Kimber came to see us on their way through to there home state of Nebraska now where Casey will be going to dental school. 

 Of course more CFA action. 

 We have had many scenes of Park days with friends. Swings are so much fun! 

 The Pulous boys and my boys get along so well, we love playing with them. They just had their baby girl after 3 boys in July--Paislee. Were planning Kreed and her wedding already...LOL! 

 Another scene is from the Palmer Mansion tour just a couple weeks ago. It was for ICAA. I am no longer the President. I gave the reigns over to someone else because with 3 kids I had to learn to say NO to something for my sanity...LOL! I still am a member and help out when I can. It's an awesome club for Chiro spouses! 

The tour was interesting. All I have to say is BJ Palmer was quite a character, rich, and very peculiar! He had the neatest yet weirdest things in his home. He was brilliant yet odd! I could not use a flash therefore I did not take very many pictures. It was fun though and I got to see a side a BJ I did not know since I have just read about him. 

Mommy and Daddies scene...

I have been keeping busy and fit with teaching Zumba classes. I love my job. I get to workout myself, make other burn calories, and have fun all at the same time. Its so awesome. I was subbing in a lot for my friend that got injured now I am only teaching once a week hoping to get some more classes. I HEART ZUMBA!! 

 Christian has been staying busy in the clinic. I can not believe we are in 9th tri. He is working hard and set to go to Brazil in October for study abroad. He still works 16 plus hours a week and plays Rugby. It's a lot and yes once again he is pretty much non existent..LOL! We are proud of our Daddy though and know all these hard times will pay off. We only have about 6 months left---eeek! Scary and exciting at the same time. 

That concludes my our scenes from another yet last Iowa summer. I really can't believe its the end of summer as we know it. Its flew by. Totally ready for fall. Bring on the cooler weather and all things pumpkin!! 

Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day

Let me first give you a little background on our relationship with Chick-fil-A (CFA). Since we have moved here to Davenport this has been our go to place for fast food if we eat it. Here they have some called family night evey Thursday where your kids get a free kids meals if they dress up like the theme of the night. They do fun things like cow day, Hawaiian. cowboys, ect. Its really really fun for the kids and they LOVE it there. They are both obsessed with the cow that I have to limit their time and tell them how many hugs they are allowed to give it or else they will mall it the whole time and never give someone else a turn to be with the cow. They have toddler time on Tuesday mornings as well which we have been to a couple times.

We always take the kids at least once a month to CFA. They look forward to it all month and always ask if we can go more. CFA has been nothing but good to our family. Never anywhere have I ever experienced such kind and friendly service. One time Treyson went in to the men's restroom instead of women's to do his business and I could not go in. The manager block it off from other goin in so I could go in and help. There was a line waiting too and I just thought it was so nice. When I was in the hospital and then returned after everything settle down, the manager approached me and asked why he has not seen our family and hopes that everything was ok. I told him and he expressed so much thoughtfulness in this words and said, "we have missed seeing you here." I was actually felt so respected and amazed that with all the people who eat there that he remembered us and would express such heartfelt words towards our family. There are many other instances I have seen CFA do random acts of kindness...it would honestly take me forever to write. Just know how much we love and respect them. They give so much back to our community its amazing! CFA is something we will miss when we leave here unless wherever we move has one.

Ok, so when this whole thing about Dan Cathy stating his views on same sex marriage went viral, we knew for sure that we would support CFA. One, because we just love them as a company and two, we hold the same moral values as well. CFA has been from day one a Christian based company, being closed on Sundays, and standing true in Gospel principles. This does not mean they hate gay people or should be banned from states from opening business. The word hate did not even cross Dan Cathy's lips when he was asked his stance on it. I mean would you rather him lie just so he could be in good standing with the LGBT? No, I think it is deplorable that liberals need to label CFA/me anti-gay or a bigot/ignorant because CFA/I are pro-family. Since when did it become socially wrong to have family values and support the family unit? CFA/I have no problem saying this and still be friends, serve, and enjoy the company of many gays and lesbians. 

Since this was totally getting out of control the conservatives decided to make a CFA Appreciation day where you were to go and show your support for the company since people were threatening them of being haters, homophobic, ignorant, ect, ect. We were already planning on going to CFA on Thursday for family night and CFA Appreciation day was Wed so we were totally there! We went a little later thinking that it would not be as busy and we also went thinking there were be lots of gay protesters since we live in a State where gay marriage is legal. When we got there there was no protesters but a very massive line. Christian stood in line and I went and took the kids in to play. He waited for about an hour and half in line and then we waited another 30 minuets after our order was placed. It was really awesome, no one was shouting, protesting, anything! I feel there is a mutal respect here in the mid west between gays/lesibans and straight couples more then in the west. CFA kept saying they were running out of food and every time they said that customers told them, "we are not here for the food!" They were giving out free meal coupons like crazy and just thanking everyone coming out and showing their support. We were their total for about 3 hours. It was totally worth it to us. When we left there was still a very long line waiting outside of CFA, it was crazy. This just did not happen in Iowa but all across the Nation, some people even driving hours just to come show their support for Traditional Marriage and Free speech. It was amazing. 

I think why thousands showed support all over because we are so sick of the liberals whine and cry, along with all the wailing and gnashing of teeth that they bring with the poison that they spew for simply have a difference of belief. They think were the haters, they are so full of hate and venom it not even funny. Did you see anyone at CFA giving a hate speech against gays?...NOPE! Only the liberals brought their signs. If CFA saw a protester that was protesting against SSM they were ask not to since CFA does not support that kind of behavior. Let me just say this,...just because someone does not agree with your point of view does not make them a bigot, homophobe, racist the list could go on and on. I love the fact that conservatives are finally starting to stand up for what we believe in. No longer the silent majority!  The long out spoken liberal minority (yes still the minority) just can't handle a debate with out using name calling, protesting, and hate speeches. It seems to be more of a liberal smear campaign based on using lies to divide America and create hate. So who is supporting hatred now? I guess there are extremists in very group. The liberals seem to have a lot more free time to complain, bang drums, and cry about their issues. While the conservatives are busy working and raising families until the die hard liberals get too out of hand--then we order chickes..LOL! Simply put--You want acceptance you have got to be accepting no matter how you feel about SSM.  

I read this and thought it was funny!

"I'm doing some digging, and apparently it's ALL hate chicken. Based on boycott calls, CFA is anti-gay. KFC is cruel and uses rain forest wood in its buckets. Popeye's is racist because of the black people it uses in its ads. Same for Church's and Bojangles. Wendy's is bad for "human rights abuses" in the adoption business. Burger King is bad because it uses tomatoes picked by exploited migrant workers. McDonald's is bad because it has restaurants in Israel that fires Arabs. Hardee's is bad because it uses suggestive Paris Hilton commercials. I don't think it's possible to buy chicken ANYWHERE without pissing the liberals off." 

People then changed their minds and said its not about CFA statement on SSM, its about who they give their money to and accused them of supporting groups that kill and export gays. Really? Come on!!

 President Obama helped the Muslim Brotherhood take over Egypt and gave them $1.5 Million dollars of OUR tax money. The Muslim Brotherhood kills women for going out in public without a male relative, and they murder homosexuals. If you don't protest against President Obama for that... then you are the real hypocrite! See how the left wing only hears what they want? Its ridiculous! Obama "offically" came out and said he supports SSM therefore why I think this became more of political issue then it really needed to be. CFA would not claim to be Christian if that were true about them hating/killing/exporting gays. This was just the liberals way of validating their actions. Later CFA came out with a statement and showed proof of who they affiliated with to prove that was false. They keep going from one extreme to another.  First the left wing said it was hate speech, now there's hate chicken? I tried hard to keep up, but the list kept growing. Since when was it a hate crime to state your morals and values?? Part of my problem is that my grandparents are old enough to remember the civil rights struggle. Remember a generation where bigots lynched people and burned crosses in their yards? Seriously folks, he was just speaking his values! Now bigots apparently eat fast food chicken? Microsoft, Apple and all their affiliates support same-sex marriage, So I guess all the people who dont support it will be tossing out their computer at the earliest convenience? Right.... Oreo cookie just came out and said they support SSM. Did you see anyone try to shut down their business? Absolutely not. Even though I don't support SSM I would still by their cookie since its their right to express what they believe. We live in American don't we? Last time I check the Constitution it says were free to state your own beliefs!  

Here is a quote from a gay CFA customer.. 

"I'm gay and I think that Chick Fil A being strong with what they believe in is awesome. I may not agree with it but who cares, its their money that their using from their privately owned company to do so. Instead of complaining about this one company out of many that donated money to certain causes, you all could be looking for ways to support your cause. You're for gay rights? Awesome go donate money! Chick Fil A happens to be against it, so they donate money also. I don't see Chick Fil A banning gay people all because they have different beliefs. Do you? Nope! I eat there and they haven't complained about me for being gay! I'm sure they love my business just the same as a straight persons. So relax, not everybody will always have the same beliefs as everybody else, its called life. People believe in different things. That's what makes life fun and worth living."
  
Anyone who condemns CFA and then demands their own right to voice an opinion is a raging hypocrite. Show me a gay-owned business that's being threatened by government officials because of the owner's beliefs? I think not! No one was protesting, just support a great business and freedom of speech. There's a difference between voting with one's wallet vs generating a mob to suppress someone for simply stating an opinion. I'd rather be accused of intolerance than fascism. What happened to diversity? What happened to what our founding fathers fought for? What happened to the 1st amendment?  When did America become a place where we can't be who we want to be and stand for what we believe without fear that a mob will show up at their front door and demand your silence? Wake up America! Liberals say its discrimination and compare themselves to our black ancestors. Frankly, I think that is a slap in the face to them since were talking about 2 totally different things. Race and sexual orientation do NOT fit in the same category!!  I am not going to debate about what is right and wrong. We know. We don't need to debate it. Only the man upstairs, our God can judge so we need to leave it to him. We are taught to love one another no matter who side we are on thus creating a sense of understanding, tolerance, and acceptance--even if opinions are not the same.

I get it, same sex couples love each other and want the same rights but what they don't understand is marriage is a contract and each state is allowed to set up the contracts as they please. That's is how it should be. Its should not be a government issue. Therefor states can change their mind. For instance here in Iowa since new judges were put in place its up to be revoked not to let SSC get married even though its been legal here. So you see it just really stupid for exhausting since its never going to change. This is the way the constitution is set up for the states to decide their contracts. The biggest danger homosexual civil marriage presents is the enshrining into law the notion that sexual love, regardless of its fecundity, is the sole criterion for marriage. If the state must recognize a marriage of two men/women simply because they love one another, upon what basis can it deny marital recognition to a group of two men and three women, for example, or a sterile brother and sister who claim to love each other? Homosexual activists protest that they only want all couples treated equally. But why is sexual love between two people more worthy of state sanction than love between three, or five? When the universal understanding of marriage is redefined there is no justification whatsoever to restrict polygamy, group "marriage," or all manner of sexual deviant behavior (men marring children), brothers and sisters marrying, etc. You see what I am getting at? There must be a line where we define what marriage is and from the beginning not only God but our ancestors has taught that it is between a man and women period. I don't care if SSC want to be together, just do call it marriage since its not. If you ask me straight couples ruined marriage long ago with divorce, un loyatley, infidelity, ect. However it still does not make it right. Marriage in God's eyes is between a man and women (you know the saying--its was Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve...LOL) is very sacred and its growing center of society. I know in some states where gay marriage is legal they are calling them civil unions and giving them some rights and I think that's awesome. Yes I believe they have the right to love whom they choose and be happy but this is where the restriction of marriage to couples loses its logical basis, leading to marital chaos. Think about it!!

I'll have you know that one of my grandmas best friend is a lesbian and my brother friend a transgender... growing up I never treated them any different nor would I ever. I also had some friends in high school that I got along with just fine that were gay. I think there was a lot more compromise then there is now. There was no shoving beliefs down any ones throat. We just understood each other. It was just kind of like the statement that goes, "I like tomatoes and you don't....who cares, can we still be friends?"  If anything I was taught growing up that even if you disagree that you respect the person. Yes back then I still thought the same as I do now. Hello, I also live in a state where its legal and no I don't like it and see many gay couples. Do I ever lash out at them, name call, ect...No way. I do however teach my children that is wrong especially if they ask questions. Just because I feel its wrong does not mean I hate gay people.  Honestly when I think to hard about it, I get really grossed out but I just try and love the person not their lifestyle. It's fine not to believe in SSM or being gay as long as you are opening your mind to being loving and kind. Recently a close member of our family has "come out" to us. This person wants us to totally be right and exploit our beliefs in marriage. If we don't then this person feels we are not accepting them at all. Is that fair? No its not fair. There has to be reason on both sides of the spectrum. We love this person wholeheartedly. Love has no conditions therefore we do love this person for who they are just we see differently, thats all.  Its such a shame when family/friends have to erase you from their life because you simply don't agree on something. I seen it happen far to many times. Were living it. Praise to those that can still love someone even if their opinion is different then yours:)  I am grateful for what my family/Gospel has taught me. 

Ill leave you with this quote...  

 "Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someones lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with EVERYTHING they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate."

-Rick Warren"

Go Chick-fil-A!!
We support you 100%!!!  

Official Pre-School

Treyson started school...can you believe our little boy is growing up? He missed the cut off last year so we just did a little joy school program with him. Now he officially in preschool and now I am a "school" mom. He is going to Trinity Lutheran. Its a great school centered around Christ. Its very structured and I have been really impressed with it. Trey got a grant to go to this private school which is so awesome. He goes everyday from 11:30 to 2:30. We got to attened unpack your backpack before he started to get the know the teachers and see the classroom. Treyson did not want to leave.

2 of his friends from Church are in his  same class. It's working out perfect. I take him everyday along with his friend Ryker and then Rykers Mom picks up. We have a pretty good system set in place. 

I am not sure how I felt about Treyson going to school. In a way I was sad since I know I would miss him but I was also so happy for him. He has been talking about going to "real school" for 6 months now. He has been doing so well at home on directions and obedience so I was really just excited because he was so excited.

Of course we had to take the "official" frist day of school pictures. 

Porter honestly has been having a rough time with this. He is Treyson's shadow and they are just best buddies. He wants to go to school too just like his brother.  They are so sweet. 

Treyson was super excited about his transformer "bumblebee" backpack! 

3 little amigos right before we took Big brother to school! 

When I took Treyson in to school he did not even say goodbye to me, thats how excited he was. It was no big deal to him...LOL! There a was being a wuss and trying not to cry. Meanwhile Porter is whaling saying, "I want to go to school too, I want to be with Treyson!" He went right in and starting his coloring work book. I think the whole day I was a nervous wreck hoping he had a great 1st day experience. 

I guess Trey's first day did not go so well as I had hoped. I got his report from his teacher and he basically was a menace. I felt embarrassed and like a horrible parent. I know it was the first day and maybe was it. He has been doing so well  with listening and folowing directions so I was really shocked at his behavior at school.  Here I was thinking he was going to do so awesome since he has been such a good boy. We spoke to Treyson and he had some major consequences at home and lots of constructive critizim was given. The next day he did better but not totally. It was a working progress. We set up a system with is teacher that he would get stickers if he made good choices and if he got 2 then he would get a reward at home. I was so proud of Treyson when he came home with 3 stickers since he only had to get 2 to get his reward! He had an exceptional day and was such a good boy! I knew he could do it! He requested and "ice cream party." Not sure what was expected o

f me to put on an ice cream party so I just stuck a candle in the ice cream  and made up a song about him being good at school...LOL! I know corny...He love it though. We both win:) I don't mind making big deals about the little things hes doing right because thats just what Mom's do:) For the most part he is doing well but the teacher said he still has his moments. She is impressed with his improvement so far. 

:::SIGH:::

They grow up too darn fast don't they?  I am so thankful I get to witness every second of it...the good and the not so good:)
YAY for back to school!