Our Future Home

So as many of you may know David has been accepted to the Pharmacy Program at the University of New England.  We are so excited and nervous to be headed out to a new home and a new adventure.  I'll be the first to admit that Maine was not my first choice, I was hoping for Arizona or Nevada, close and comfortable   Yet the more I learn about and prepare for this move the more excited I get for the next four years.

 UNE's main campus is located in Biddeford but the campus David with be spending most of him time in is Portland. Portland is the largest city in Maine and the population of the greater Portland area is about 500,000.  Though Portland itself is only 61,000 (which is just a little bigger than Porterville, just without space between the other cities).  There are 3 LDS wards (or congregations) in the area, and the Stake center is in Portland. Though our Stake is the entire state and some of New Hampshire and Massachusetts we are excited that, at least in our section of the state, we can expect a decent sized ward to meet with.  When David was interviewing there the professors asked a lot of questions about his mission and how he balances work, school, and family.  It was at that moment we realized that we will probably be a very small minority.  It's going to be a major culture shock for us to leave our little bubble, where having a family while going to grad school is the norm, not an oddity.  But I look forward to the adventure.

So here are the reasons for all of you to come visit us some time in the next four years:
1. Cause let's be honest, anyone who has actually been to Maine has bragging rights.
2. Sea food
3. We will be about 2 hours from Boston
4. Church History Tour jumping off point
5. 3 Dinners, Drive-ins, and Dives eateries in our area
6. To join me on my quest to find the real Storybrook (if you don't get that reference you need to get on          Netflix and watch the TV show Once Upon a Time)
7. Because you will miss us!

I'm sure I'll come up with more reasons when I actually live there but those are some of my reasons as of now.

So there it is.  The basics of our new adventure.  In another post I'll tell you all about our summer plans, but as for now, think about those seven reasons and start booking your trip to Maine next year!

31 books that changed my life

31 Non-scriptural  books that Changed my life

1.   Anne Frank—Anne Frank
2.  Uncle Tom’s Cabin—Harriet Beecher Stowe
3. Freedom Road—Howard Fast
4. Wuthering heights—Emily Bronte
5.  Tale of Two Cites—Charles Dickens
6.  Paradise Lost—John Milton
7.  Eli—Bill Meyers
8.  The Divine Comedy—Dante
9. The Merchant of Venice—Shakespeare
10.  The Lemon Tree—Sandy Tolan
11.  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—Mary Ann Shaffer
12.  The Way We Live Now—Anthony Trollop
13.  The Hiding Place—Corrie Ten Boom
14.  A Thousand Splendid Suns—Khaled Hosseini
15.  The Butter Battle Book—Dr. Suess
16.  Night—Elie Wiesel
17.  Summer of My German Solider—Bette Greene
18.  Harry Potter 1-7—J.K. Rowling
19.  Villans of all Nations—Marcus Rediker
20.  The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle—Avi
21.  Ivanho—Sir Walter Scott
22.  The Scarlett Pimpernell—Emmuska Orczy
23.  Candide—Voltaire
24.  The Screwtape Letters—C.S. Lewis
25.  A Christmas Carol—Charles Dickens
26.  The Count of Monte Cristo—Dumas
27.  Les Miserables—Hugo
28.  Farenhiet 451—Bradbary
29.  1984—Orwell
30.  Hunger Games—Collins
31.  Mistborn—Sanderson 

What I believe, from religion to politics (be nice)

So recently I've been doing a lot of soul searching.  Some of it was brought on by being a mom.  Some of it by the recent election.  Okay a lot of it was brought on by the recent election.  I found myself (as usual) in the uncomfortable position of being to liberal for my conservative friends and too conservative for my liberal friends.  To top off the drama I ended up deciding to vote of Obama when the other guy was a member of my church.  Is that doctrinaly condoned, YES it is, I can vote according to my own opinions!!!  However, like in any religious group, sometimes the cultural and the doctrinal truths are different.  So, somehow, it got leaked to my neighbors that  is a a raving angry blood sucking liberal.  Everyone was great till the day after the election.  Then some overly passionate people got nasty for about a week and it was over.  But the whole experience really got me thinking about what I actually believe.  Not just about religion or politics but about everything.  And so I've been writing it down.  So after several months I finally feel like I can share it.  It's still a work in progress, and I believe the sign of a truly smart person is their ability to learn about things and change his/her mind, so I'm sure that I some things may change over the years.  I also know that every single one of my friends will disagree with at least one point on this list, and will probably do so passionately.  Please remember to be nice, to me and anyone who may comment.  I just felt I needed to get these things out there, we are friends and we can love each other dispite disagreeing.  In fact some of my best relationships have been with people who I believe in very different things than I do.  So with out further ado here is the list.

• ·         I believe in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the true church of Jesus Christ on the earth today.
• ·         I believe the Book of Mormon, Bible, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price as true scripture inspired by Heavenly Father to guide his children in the way they should live
• ·         I believe that through the temple families can be forever.
• ·         I believe that there is life after death
• ·         I believe Christ is my Savior.
• ·         I believe that Joseph Smith, and the prophets who have followed him, are true men and prophets of God.
• ·         I believe that the United States of America is a great and a blessed nation.
• ·         I believe that it is better to believe a liar than disbelieve an honest person.
• ·         I believe that the main issues in this world can be solved in the home by caring parents.
• ·         I believe as Rachel from friends so wonderfully put “No ovaries, no opinion!”  In other words old men in Washington D.C. or in HR departments so keep their opinions out on how, what kind, and how I pay for medication that is prescribed by my doctor for personal life decisions.  Aka, birth control is up to me, and I promise it’s much cheaper to pay for that then constant pregnancies. 
• ·         I believe that if a child would completely destroy your life leaving no joy whatsoever, they maybe you shouldn’t be having sex, because nothing is 100%.
• ·         I believe in a woman’s right to their own body, but the fact that we can deliver babies at 19 weeks and they survive and women can still get abortions up to 24 weeks means that viable life is being destroyed and that’s not okay.  At that point the child’s right to life should be considered.  (However I do believe that cases of rape, incest, and danger to the mother are different situation and should not be lumped here).
• ·         I believe aborting a child that has downs syndrome or other things is a slap in the face to all the sweet people who live with the dieses, basically your saying that their lives aren’t worth living and they are second class humans.  Not okay.
• ·         I believe that for every time a person uses the words “Hitler”, “Nazi”, or “Holocaust” in an argument they automatically negate 5 valid points they may have previously posed.  (Except when actually discussing WWII related topics) i.e. “Obama is like Hitler” would automatically negate 5 valid points a person may have made arguing against the Health Care Bill.
• ·         I believe that getting upset when someone says they are praying for you is ridiculous.  All it means is that they love you and they are expressing that in a way meaningful to them.  Heck when my son was in the hospital a friend of mine offered to do a Native American ritual to the gods on his behalf and, though I don’t believe as he did, I thanked him and said he could go ahead.  If my Catholic friends want to say masses for me when I die or my Jewish friends want to hold Shiva for me I take it as a great compliment.  In other words, get over it and except the love.
• ·         I believe that how a woman choses to deliver her child is between her and her health care providers.  Each mom makes the choices that are best for her and her child.  Whether that be a home delivery, a hospital delivery with meds, or a C-section other women need to keep their noses and opinions out.  Just because someone didn’t do it the way you did does not make them less of a mom or a woman.  Any woman who survived pregnancy deserves and award.
• ·         I believe the comments section on the internet is mostly stupid and should never be read.  I am guilty of reading them myself but I always get mad.
• ·         I believe that parenting is very individual to each child. 
• ·         I believe and moms in general need to take a chill pill about other moms. 
• ·         I believe that vaccines do more good than harm; we no longer have to worry about small pox or polio because of vaccines.  And the chances of a child dying of measles, mumps, or chicken pox are much higher than them having any side effects from the vaccine.  An ounce of prevention is worth a gallon of cure.
• ·         I believe that it’s better to have 99 people abuse a welfare system than risk having 1 person not get the help they so desperately need.   (Do I like that some abuse the program, NO, but there is a need).
• ·         I believe that 90% of people want a hand up not a hand out.  Most people on government assistance do try hard but for whatever reason can’t quite make it on their own.  Does believing this make me an idealist sucker, maybe.  But I also think it makes me a happier person.
• ·         I believe that people have the right to own a gun, for hunting, basic defense, and recreation. However none of those things require being able to shoot 50 bullets a minute.
• ·         I believe that if I have to take a drug and background test to get a job people should have to take one to get government help.
• ·         I believe that everyone should have to work 6 months in a fast food or custodial job.  They should also have to spend a day out in the fields picking something.  Society would be so much better for it.
• ·         I believe that infertility issues should stop being a taboo subject and am grateful for celebrities and other women who have been able to bring it out of the shadows and into the light. 
• ·         I believe (no I know) that miscarriage is one of the most devastating things a woman can experience (besides losing a full term child or spouse).  Telling a woman to buck up or that it wasn’t a real baby is heartless.  Love her, serve her, and comfort her.  She has suffered a loss, a real loss.  Don’t brush it off.
• ·         I believe we have gotten way too fanatic about food.  Extreme in any direction is a bad thing. 
• ·         I believe in western medicine. 
• ·         I believe that if people don’t do their job they shouldn’t get paid.  That includes Congress.  You don’t pass a balanced budget you don’t get paid.  I also think the Catholics have the right idea, let’s chain that door shut till they get it done!
• ·         I believe that amazing quote from the movie Gettysburg “No two things on earth are equal or have an equal chance. Not a leaf, not a tree. There's many a man worse than me, and some better, but I don't think race or country matters a damn. What matters, Colonel, is justice. Which is why I'm here. I'll be treated as I deserve. Not as my father deserved.”  --Buster Kilrain
• ·         I believe that people who disagree with me are no more ignorant or stupid than I am.  We just disagree.
• ·         I believe that most people want the best for their country, their neighbors, and their family.  Just because we disagree about the best way to accomplish that doesn’t make them stupid or irresponsible. 
• ·         I believe the government welfare is important.  Not because people are not generous and good at helping each other.  But because history (and current events) have shown that good hearted people are more likely to send money and aid to people on the other side of the world to the puppies, then notice the little girl in their kids kindergarten class who only brings a piece of bread to school every day and doesn’t have a coat.  Does that make them bad people, no; however it does mean people fall through the cracks.  Government assistance may not solve that but it does help.
• ·         I believe that racism is real, and that it is not reserved for whites.  Minorities are just as guilty.
• ·         I believe that you can hate the sin and love the sinner.  And that it is out job as humans to do so.
• ·         I believe that marriage should not be a state/government institution.  Everyone gets civil unions; marriage is a religious institution and should be treated as such. 
• ·         I believe that the LDS church needs to just come up with its own program and ditch boy scouts.  We can do it for cheaper and better, without all the politics. 
• ·         I believe adoption is the greatest act of love.
• ·         I believe that children benefit from parents who are married/legally joined. 
• ·         I don’t that homosexuality is a sin.  I do believe acting on those feelings is a sin.  I do not believe that people who are gay are bad, evil, or are going to hell.  And I do not believe that disagreeing with the lifestyle makes me intolerant or a bigot. 
• ·         I believe that some of the best people I have ever known believed in no God or a different God than I do.  I also believe some of the biggest jerks I’ve ever known have been LDS.  No religion or culture has the monopoly on good people or ways to live a good life.
• ·         I believe that experiencing what it is like to lose or fail is an important part of growing up.  And as painful as it will be to watch my son experience that.  I’m going to let it happen.
• ·         I believe that fidelity in marriage is nonnegotiable and there is no excuse.
• ·         I believe there is no such thing as a lost cause or a worthless life, everyone can change.
• ·         I believe that being a stay at home mom is a real job and that if you can make it work financially it is the best choice for children’s wellbeing.
• ·         I believe I haven’t given a book a fair shake until I have finished it.
• ·         I believe (as every loving mother does) that my son is the most perfect beautiful little boy in the whole world.
• ·         I believe that I married prince charming (take that Snow White)
• ·         I believe that the movie ratings system is broken.
• ·         I believe it’s better to be over prepared then under.
• ·         I believe this quote “don’t judge me because I sin differently than you do”
• ·          I believe the sign of a truly smart person is their ability to learn about things and change his/her mind

After Subbing in Utah County; My thoughts on school safety after Sandy Hook

As I watch the news and hear the updates about Fridays shooting in Connecticut I keep thinking about how it could have been prevented.   I hear people talk about gun control and mental health issues but for me I keep thinking about the things I noticed about school security as a substitute teacher in Utah County.   

Being a California girl I went to school in a very different setting from most kid around the country.  All my schools were spread out, single story and all our classroom doors faced outside.  The corridors were barely covered enough to keep us dry when it rained.  You would think that setting would make me feel worried for my sibling and friends in California who are still in schools like that, but I don’t.  The fences were high, we had a police officer on my high school campus, and the only open door was through the office, each door and fence was locked from the inside.  My senior year of high school we had to go into lock down because a man brought a knife and tried to attack people, he never got past the office door.  I know that a knife is not the same as a gun, but still.

I worry so much more about my teacher friends and students I taught here in Utah County.  Even someone bearing only a knife could cause serious problems in most of the schools I taught in.  The only school I don’t worry about is a charter school in Pleasant Grove.  None of the other schools had a buzzer system, double doors, or even doors that actually lead straight into the office.  The main doors lead into a hallway that went past the office but only the secretary could even see them, if she was actually sitting at the desk.  Many of the schools playgrounds were actually public parks with no fencing between the two play areas.  I remember one time in particular I was on duty at recess; I was the only teacher out there keeping an eye on 150 children, 150 and fifty children I had never meet before and new nothing about.  On the same playground a group of men in their 20s were playing soccer.  I asked another teacher if I should call the office and get them kicked off and was informed that they were allowed to be there because it was a public park and I should just keep an eye out.  It was me against 150 kids.  Luckily nothing happened and everyone got back in to their classroom but things like that happen at that school, and other schools across the county every day.

I was a stranger coming into schools and was never asked for ID all I had to do was sign the book and sometimes hand over my car keys so I could get keys to my classroom.  One time I showed up in the office for a job and no one was even in the front office, I had to call out and a voice said “Oh, just sign into the green folder, the teachers name and room number is next to yours the room is unlocked.” The secretary didn't even visually check to make sure I looked like a substitute.  I wasn't given keys and would have had no way to lock the door if something bad had happened.  In fact there were some classrooms I was teaching in where it was so open with windows and open doors that I have no idea I would have protected my students.

I have felt uncomfortable about it and grateful that my son will not attend school in Utah County because of the things I saw in regards to safety, but never felt the need to say anything publicly.  Now in light of what happened this weekend I feel the need to speak out.  Parents of Provo, Orem, Pleasant Grove, and Alpine, you need to make an outcry.  If something like this happened here things could be worse because your schools are not even as secure as Sandy Hook was.  Not only could someone come in with a gun but someone could walk in at recess and walk off with a child.  

50 Years of Love!

My Grandma and Grandpa Keele are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and we all got together at their home for the first weekend of August to celebrate.  Everyone was there except one son-in-law who had to work.  It was so cool to be together and hang out with the cousins and aunt and uncles.  We had a blast talking, playing, and fishing.  Such good memories were made and I'm so glad that all three of us were able to go.

Together again after 2 years

After two years it is so good to be back together with all my siblings again!!

Meeting Uncle Clark

So My brother Clark has been serving a mission for our church in AZ for the last two years.  Because of this he had not met DJ, until June when he returned home.  We are so proud of his service but it is really good to have him home and to see him with my son.  They are already best buds!