7 More Days

Rosa sat...



so that Martin could walk.

Martin walked...



so that Barack could run.

Barack is running...





so that our children can fly...






Seven more days...



YES WE CAN!

Happy Birthday to Chris!

I know that lately things have been rather political and heavy around here, so it's nice to lighten things up a little and celebrate another year in the life of Chris. We've had a year full of change and growth and new experiences, and I'm so glad that I get to share it all with such an amazing man.

I took Chris out on Saturday night to dinner and the symphony and it was so great to dress up and go out on the town :). On Sunday we spent some time working on the house and then had a little birthday party with some of our new friends here in Seattle.


Some of Chris's work friends came by. He's so lucky to work with such great folks!

A shot of the party guests...

Nate and Chrissy...our beauties in green...

More guests...

A shot of the single boys from the party. Can you believe they're all on the market????

It was so great to see how many incredible people wanted to share Chris's birthday with him. He's only been in town a few months and already has a circle of friends that adore him.









I also got a few shots of the AMAZING fall foliage from our balcony. Seattle in the fall is so gorgeous! We get to look out our windows and see THIS every day!






(Notice my shirt...I'm all about the Obama pride :)).

Protect the family

My family. This blended family.

Few things make my blood boil more than propaganda like this: Save the Family.

Who would stand against the family? The radical homosexuals, apparently. This little ditty was written and produced by LDS singer/songerwriter Janice Kapp Perry to support the anti-marriage equality initiatives on the ballot in California, Arizona and Florida this election season.

Here's the simple truth: the measures in California, Arizona and Florida are all profoundly anti-family. Gay-led families already exist in these states and across the country. They will continue to exist, even if discrimination against them is written into these state constitutions. Families with gay members exist in even greater numbers, and the fight against gay marriage does nothing to reconcile these families to each other. Too often it needlessly drives them apart.

Gay people love family just as much as straight people. My gay friends who are alienated from their families because they are gay carry with them constant pain because of it. Many of my gay friends want children of their own to raise and love and nurture. I know gay couples raising children now, without the benefit of the protection that marriage brings to the family unit, at considerable sacrifice. Why do we want to attack these families? What threat do they really pose to anyone?

I don’t live in California, Arizona or Florida, but these initiatives weaken my family. My children know that Jed and I love each other and are committed to each other and they know that TOGETHER we are an integral and critical part of a family that for them includes their mother, grandparents and stepgrandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and our many, many close friends. They cannot fathom why anyone would seek to make it harder for us to be a family. And they cannot fathom why anyone would view us as less than a family.

This idea that marriage is some ancient institution that has never evolved is ridiculous and historically untrue. That said, I can get behind the idea that marriage is a basis for a strong society. So why then do those who claim to care about the state of the family exclude from the institution of marriage those who seek to make society stronger? Why do they not encourage the societal stability that comes from promoting commitment and and safe, nurturing environments for children?

The answer for some people might be that it's a matter of religious belief. To them I would say, you are welcome to believe that mine is an ungodly life--but you may not use that belief to justify your attack on the rights and dignity of my family.

Protect the Family. Vote No on Proposition 8 in California.

Strengthen Marriage. Vote No on Proposition 102 in Arizona.

Stand for Equality. Vote No on Amendment 2 in Florida.

No to Prop 8

Setting the record, um, straight!

The LDS Church and its partners in the Yes on Prop 8 campaign in California are mobilizing hard and spending fast to win its campaign against marriage equality. The LDS Church recently held a meeting/regional broadcast to mobilize its young people, and the the Yes on 8 campaign has very effectively swung the polls in their favor. Sadly, both the Church and the broader campaign have relied on the same set of talking points filled with scare tactics, half truths, red herrings and plain lies.

Mormons For Marriage counter the misinformation website. Take a look and share far and wide--especially with California voters.

Love conquers

As Jed and I knew well before this whole Angela incident, many of our LDS friends and family are loving and supportive and approving of our relationship in particular and of gay people generally. They have shown that with their comments after Jed's last post. Thank you all. And I'm grateful for my Jeddy's wisdom in the way he responded to that very personal attack.

This is a family blog. It's the story of our unique little blended family. And we are so blessed to have so many people in our lives who are supportive of us. Including our friends at Mormons for Marriage, who are raising their voices against Proposition 8 in California. Go to their website, learn more, and do what you can to support them, especially if you are a gay-friendly Mormon in California!

Comments...

Last week Chris wrote a post about his feelings regarding a statement from the LDS church. A comment was left earlier today by a person named "Angela." I'm not sure who this person is and neither is Chris. Her point of view is welcome and we love comments, but her personal attacks are hurtful...especially since we're unsure of who she is. I guess it's comments like these that still make my knees weak and threaten to make me revert back to the self-loathing and sadness I was plagued with through much of my life. If you're a close friend or someone in our lives that feels this way, please let us know so that we can have a productive discussion.

Here is the comment she left:

"Loving" someone of the same sex goes against the very fundamental teachings of just about every Christian religion in this world. The divine plan of God in our creation was not to try and procreate with someone of the same sex (which is obviously an impossibility). We were created in the exact likeness of God, and have a divine calling as men and women of God to create and bring children into the world, and into families that have both a father, and a mother. Anything else is a perversion of that divine plan. It saddens me to see that you made the decision, and failed to live up to your temple covenants that you made. The Spirit of God can no longer dwell within you when you live a "lifestyle" that is against God's plan. "Wickedness never was happiness" as much as you may think you are happy, you will never know the true happiness that only obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel can bring about. You have used whatever means necessary to justify your unrighteous and unnatural behavior. There are countless numbers of people who are hurt by how you have chosen to live your life, and we all pray for you daily. We are not indifferent or hateful, in fact, it is you that is indifferent, indifferent to God. You do not seem to care about His teachings, and the plan he has for you. You have in fact ignored it completely. You have been completely apathetic and careless with the life given to you by your creator. You are insouciant and unconcerned about your eternal being. Yes, there IS "one right way", and I know you are aware of that. The Old Testament is just ONE of the many, many examples in great scriptural works of God that speak to the impurity and evilness of homosexuality. The inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah had tampered evilly with the very fountain of life and abused the power of creation that God had given them. This mirrors what is happening today. I wonder how that all turned out for the people living in that wicked city? The Lord makes generous promises, and He certifies that He will not vary from these promises, for, said He, “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise".

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.

We pray for you Chirs