Photo Journal of Our Week

A picture is worth more than a thousand words,
so here's a few to fill in the blanks for this past week.

ESPN Zone at Downtown Disney
for Jeremy's B-day

Prop 8 Rally
Stretched Along Orange County Coastline, over 1500 participants
check out more on this video

Our Natural Form of Halloween Decorations

"I call shotgun!" And other things we said as kids

Now that we're both a quarter century old, SarahLynn and I got to thinking about the good ol' days. We said some pretty stupid things when we were kids in the late eighties/early nineties. We only added things that WE said, not things we'd hear on tv. We made this list during dinner and I think it could be added to with some help.

• "First the worst, second the best, third the nerd who ate the bird turd."
• "This is the 90's!"
• "Guess what? -Chicken butt."
• "Ryan and Stacy sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage. That's not all! That's not all! Baby's playing basketball! That's not all, that's not all. Baby's drinking alcohol. That's not, that's not all. Mommy's in the kitchen, Daddy's in the hall. Baby's in the bathroom peeing on the wall!"
• "That's so rad."
• "Where is it? -Up your butt and around the corner."
• "M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I " (How come we never said anything to help us spell Massachusetts? That's the really hard one!)
  
• "I call shotgun. " (If that seat was already called in the Zavoral home, then you would say: I call seat by baby!)
• "Jinx! Can't say a word 'till I say your name!"
• "I'd like to bear my testimony. I know this church is true..."
• "Dude."
  
• "It's a free country; I can do what I want."
  
• (Say fast) "1,2,3 NOT IT!"
• "Eeny, meeny, miny moe. Catch a tiger by the toe. If he hollers, let him go. Eeny, meeny, miny moe!"
• "I bet you a Slurpee that...."(Jeremy)
• "Do you wanna play shadow?"
• "I'm rubber, you're glue. Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you!"
• "She started it!"
  
• "You're not the boss of me."
  
• "Can I just say one more thing?" (SarahLynn)
• "You're an MR" (mental retard)
• "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!"
• "Oh sweet dude."
  
• "Duh!"
• "He shoots..he scores!!" (Jeremy)
• "That's so retarded."
  
• "Do we have to?"
• "I'm telling Mom."
• "Who cut the cheese? -Whoever smelt it, dealt it."

Prop 8 Discussions- 3 Profound Videos

I know what you're thinking. "SarahLynn has really become a fanatic about Prop 8." But the truth is that I am passionate about preserving marriage. I realize that many of you are from outside of CA, but I hope you understand what a battle Prop 8 has become out here! Unfortunately, on both sides of the debate, unkind things have been said, people have organized groups to steal posters of the opposing view, and the campaign commercials are running constantly on TV. A testimony that whatever happens will have a huge effect on society. It's up to us to make sure the effect will be positive.

Jeremy and I have not been spared any of the excitement. We've been walking, delivering posters, blogging (thanks for your votes on our poll!), talking with friends, and displaying our own signs. Unlike you wonderful readers, some of our neighbors don't respect our freedom of speech as seen in this youtube clip. On Monday, someone posted a rather unkind note on our window, trying to cover up our Yes on Prop 8 sign. They said that we should take it down. "Just because you are ignorant on this matter does not mean that you have to display it..." Also, my Yes on Prop 8 bumper sticker is mysteriously missing two days after I put it on the back of my car. (Can you imagine what that theft scene must have looked like?)

To my dear neighbors and others that are stealing signs: Please respect our right of free speech. Although we may disagree on Prop 8, I would never dream of stealing your signs or asking you to remove them from your personal property. That isn't right or constitutional. If you have disagreements, why don't you come and talk with us instead of doing exactly what you accuse me and other Prop 8 supporters of--name calling and labeling? To answer your concerns about my supposed ignorance and intolerance, I ask you to watch the following videos.

To ALL my viewers, please watch these videos and let's talk about it--kindly. It would really help if we got comments from both sides, as it often inaccurately appears that more people don't support traditional marriage. Let's get an accurate representation on this issue!

Three Great Questions, Three Great Answers
(If the videos aren't working, you can find them on preservingmarriage.org)
I'm sick and tired of the intolerance and bigotry of religious people...


Won't Prop 8 take rights away from gay people?


Really, what's the harm with same-sex marriage?

25 Year Celebration!!

Let it be known that for the next six days, I am officially 25 years old and Jeremy is only 24. Pretty amazing to be 1/4 of a century old! Of course, Jeremy won't be able to know all the secret wisdom that I've acquired today until next week.

I love birthdays, but not quite in the way that most people do. In fact, most of my pet-peeves have to do with birthdays because of the drama queens out there that can't seem to live with themselves once another birthday roles around. Even more annoying are the people that love birthdays because they expect all their friends to call and do something nice, and if they don't, their life is over. I hate how at a very early age, in many ways we teach that birthdays are a selfish day where everyone is supposed to make you happy. While I gave into that as a child, it has really come to bother me over the past several years, and I think it is the underlying reason for most of the depression experienced on birthdays.

My idea of a perfect birthday is where the birthday person is happy they are alive, says thank you to loved ones, reflects on birthdays past, hopes for birthdays in the future and serves others on his/her birthday.

A birthday is a time to celebrate life!! I mean seriously. The fact that we were not only born at this time on earth, but born in America and into gospel homes is amazing!! What wonderful opportunities life offers us. What an amazing gift mortality is that God has given us! The fact that devils begged Jesus to allow them to posses the bodies of hogs shows how desirous the gift of having a mortal life is!! And that God has given us the power to create life, just as He does, is a miracle!

A birthday is a time to be grateful for all the wonderful people that have helped make me who I am. I love and appreciate my parents so much. For sleepless nights when I was a baby, for singing and reading to me, for making music for me to dance and sing to, for teaching me to work hard, for living their testimony and being with me in the temple at my wedding. I love my other two parents for doing the same with Jeremy. (Even though they didn't start with him until 6 days after I was born ;-) I love all 4 of my sisters and my 2 brothers and all that they've taught me about life. I love Jeremy. Other than the Savior, there's no one else that has helped me be my best self.

I also want to thank Jeremy for the wonderful surprise trip to see the musical Wicked at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood and the Thai dinner. We both LOVED it. What a great guy, huh?

Birthdays are a time to reflect on the past. Twenty five years is a long time. I've pretty much lived 1/3 of my life. I've learned a lot by living. What's the most important thing that I've learned? That true joy comes from doing all you can and then putting your complete trust in the Lord that your efforts will be magnified, whether the efforts are put toward a test, planning a lesson, a friendship or for forgiveness, the Lord really does come through when I do my part. What is the hardest thing that I have had to learn? That too many people see my enthusiasm for life and for change as a negative thing.

Another thing that I've reflected on is how threatening times have become. Family values and virtue are increasingly being lost to the enticings of the adversary. We've been facing a lot of opposition with prop 8. We put a sign up in our window, and yesterday we found a nasty letter on our window about our position. It's scary to think of what will happen if prop 8 doesn't pass. I honestly cried on the way to work today thinking of the spiritual war that my children will have to grow up in. I'm doing all I can to make the world safe for them, but the reality of it is that righteousness is outnumbered (but not out-powered!).

Most of all, birthdays are a time of hope. A rekindling of life. A re-birth. A new look into the future. More goal making. There is still so much for me to experience! More teaching, rearing children, a masters degree, cheering on Jeremy in his career, traveling, house flipping, teaching the gospel to friends and family, unexpected moves, and hopefully when we're really established, opening my own school.

Hope is why it's fun to make your birthday a day of service. If only to at least do the normal things with a little more pizzaz. My best birthday was the one where I made breakfast for my Grandma and Mom and put surprise notes on my roommates' beds. Today, I worked extra hard nannying my little girls. I took all three of them to the pool on my own and smiled the whole time- even when I had to wash poopy swimsuits and bottoms. Then I enthusiastically went to a prop 8 meeting and made a few more friends!

So my idea of the perfect way to celebrate a birthday is to recognize the miracle of life, have gratitude, reflect, hope and serve. I look forward to teaching my children how to do these things on their birthday, training them to realize that life is what you make it, not what others make for you.

Broadcast on Prop 8

I love this video shown during the broadcast that Elder Ballard asked us to post on our blogs because it shows young people in favor of traditional marriage.

Below is Elder Bednar’s Prop 8 Q&A with institute students, also shown during the broadcast.

To dispel misunderstandings from my previous posts I’d like to mention that at the church broadcast, they told us to do “all that we can” to support prop 8 “in every way possible.” They said “thank you for your money and time.” They gave a week by week outline of what we are to do, including specific hours and ways to walk, call, distribute signs, and get out the vote. While they did not ask for donations to protectmarriage.com, they did refer us to the website and emphasized that all members can participate in some way to support the prop.

Referring to traditional marriage, the leaders said that “we can vigorously proclaim this message…with love” as we blog, chat, twitter, etc. This is what I’m imperfectly trying to do. I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I’m new at making myself vulnerable to strangers, so please forgive me if I’ve offended you. Being bold yet not overbearing is a tricky balance, I must say.

They invited us to this website made by the LDS Church: preservingmarriage.org

If you saw the broadcast, I wanted to know, what were your favorite parts? Here are my favorite parts from the Divine Institution of Marriage published by the Church that Elder Cook read:

“Tolerance, Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Freedom
Those who favor homosexual marriage contend that “tolerance” demands that they be given the same right to marry as heterosexual couples...Tolerance as a gospel principle means love and forgiveness of one another, not “tolerating” transgression.

In today’s secular world, …instead of love, [tolerance] has come to mean condone… Jesus taught that we love and care for one another without condoning transgression. But today’s politically palatable definition insists that unless one accepts the sin he does not tolerate the sinner….”

“How Would Same-Sex Marriage Affect Society?
…Marriage is fundamentally an unselfish act… Same-sex marriage cannot be justified simply on the grounds that it provides self-fulfillment to its partners, for it is not the purpose of government to provide legal protection to every possible way in which individuals may pursue fulfillment.…

…. the all-important question of public policy must be: what environment is best for the child and for the rising generation? …. the legalization of same-sex marriage likely will erode the social identity, gender development, and moral character of children. Is it really wise for society to pursue such a radical experiment without taking into account its long-term consequences for children?”

“The Sanctity of Marriage
Strong, stable families, headed by a father and mother, are the anchor of civilized society….

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has chosen to become involved, along with many other churches, organizations, and individuals, in defending the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman because it is a compelling moral issue of profound importance to our religion and to the future of our society.”

Apple Picking!!

Crystal and Steve are our best friends here in HB. On Saturday, they showed us all the back country here in So Cal. We enjoyed apple donuts, coldness, apple samples, a funny old man that knew everything about apple growing, long talks, apple tasting, apple picking, finding a squished fox, watching little kids, being silly, getting lost, trying to play lacrosse with our apples and apple picking sticks that have a catcher at the end of them, losing Scott and Stacy, listening to a really bad banjo band, and singing the Johnny Appleseed song. Did you know he was an actual person? He had a different name though. It was a very fun day, and now we're really in the spirit of Autumn time! Thanks Lineberrys!!

Join All the Candidates in Supporting Traditional Marriage!!

This is something the reporters have conveniently left out of their evaluations of the VP debate. Granted, they changed the order of Palin's remarks in this youtube, but it actually makes more sense this way. I hope that we can all admit how Americans truly value traditional marriage.

This entry is for NON-Californians!! That's right YOU, out there in Provo, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Longmont, Philadelphia, Ft Collins, Seattle, DC, Queens, and good 'ol Austin Minnesota--even you. We are desperate for your support on Prop 8 here in CA. If you missed my blog entry called Prop 8, A Different Kind of Missionary Work, please read it.

Here's the quick background: The proposition is to put in the CA consitution these words: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California." 61% of CA already voted yes to this in 2000, but some San Fran judges decided to overturn the righteous voice of the people. If we vote yes, then we are saying again that we agree with this statement. Jeremy and I are voting loud and clear with Obama's, McCain's, and most American's view on traditional marriage: YES on 8!! Unfortunately, the polls are saying that it's 50/50.

So, if you aren't a CA voter, don't think you are off the hook on this issue!!! You can vote on this issue on our blog poll just to the right of this post. Also,
Our precinct (92646) is asking for all family and friends from outside of CA to help donate to the Yes on Prop 8 campaign. Please consider the following reasons why you should go to ProtectMarriage.com and donate to the campaign:

• You'll feel great knowing you are an active citizen and standing up for what's right.
  
• The prophet has asked all church members in CA to "support the proposition in every way possible," (Church broadcast Weds evening), which our local priesthood leaders said means donate $ to the cause. So since you're my friend or relative and most likely LDS, that practically makes you a CA citizen.
• Same sex domestic unions in CA already receive all the benefits that married people have. That goes for life insurance, hospital visitations, EVERYTHING.
  
• If people don't vote yes on this proposition, then your state may follow CA's lead in legalizing gay marriage. And if it isn't the state you live in now, it might be one you move to later.
  
• Even Obama and Biden support traditional marriage. So if you think you're better than them, you better get moving with supporting it.
  
• Massachusetts has already allowed gay marriage. As a result, all adoption agencies that don't allow placing children in gay marriage families are deemed unconstitutional. This means that LDS Services' right to perform adoptions in Mass is threatened. Catholic Charities has already had to withdraw their adoption agency from the state. This cannot happen in CA or any other state. Especially since Jeremy and I want to adopt (and may even have to) someday. Article Source
  
• Most states, including CA and Mass, teach according to their constitution. Mass already teaches in pre-school that there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage. This will be true for CA and your state if prop 8 does't pass. VIDEO Source Article Source
  
• Help defend my rights and your rights to freedom of religion. I want to attend a church that believes in traditional marriage without it being charged unconstitutional. Churches and organizations in CA and other states have already been to court because they were pressured to marry and/or medicate same-sex couples despite their religious beliefs on gay marriage.
  
• When you watch thisYes on 8 commercial or this Yes on 8 commercial, you can tell your family that you helped pay for it.
• Elder Ballard said to Jeremy's Dad and all of the other Bishops in Sacramento this truth three weeks ago: “The issue of whether this is winnable or not doesn’t matter. We stand with the Lord Jesus Christ, and if we do what he wants us to do, he will smile upon on our efforts. The only acceptable marriage union in His plan is between a man and a woman.
  So, whatever happens at the end, whether Proposition 8 passes or fails – We stand for the Lord."

Thanks for joining our efforts by going to ProtectMarriage.com and clicking on the giant "donate now" button!! And if not, then at least participate in our voting poll to the right of this post.